MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday September 11th, 2023

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday September 11th, 2023
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting held Monday September 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderwoman Mariah Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, Alderman Ray Duplechain. and City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte.
The Mayor led the prayer and Alderman Bourgeois led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present. The Mayor asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the events of 9/11.
5. Public Comment on Agenda items 6-12- No comments
6A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting August 14, 2023, Motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
6B. Approval of Minutes of the Last Special Meeting August 28, 2023, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Simmons, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
6C. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel & Policy Meeting September 5th 2023, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Moore to approve, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
6D. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting September 5th 2023, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Clay to approve, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
6E. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting September 5th 2023, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Simmons to approve, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
7. Correspondence by the Mayor – the Mayor asked for a moment of silence to mark the passing of former Alderman Charles, aka Charlie Brown, Williams. Mr. Williams passed this morning after a lengthy battle with cancer.
8. Announcements by the Mayor The president of the Jeanerette High School alumni, Mr. Kendrick Martin reported on the 1st annual golf tournament and gala which is being held this weekend in New Iberia at Cane Row Golf and Turf Club. The Inaugural Homecoming Gala will be held Oct 7, 2023 starting a 6 pm at the Saint Katherine Drexler Family Life Center in New Iberia. Next Mr. Henry “Bo” LaGrange, who is running for Senate District 21, addressed the board. Mr. LaGrange recently retired as Chief Administrative Officer of St. Mary Parish Government and served in various roles over 33 years. Iberia Parish District 12 Alderwoman Lady Brown updated the board on the response for the two families whose homes were damaged in the storm over the weekend. Ms. Brown stated that she and Alderwoman Clay worked with the Red Cross to them placed in hotels and Isle of Iberia.
9.Reports
A Update from Barry Segura of Statewide Electrical Services on Sewer and Water – On water side, beginning of August we placed the auto flushers around town and we ordered 4 more. The contractor Frisco, ran a 10” line from well 9 to plant 1-allowing the use of that well in the future if needed. LDH came out Aug 15 and sampled wells 10 & 11 -routine tests and the wells passed. The City wide flush was performed with the assistance of public works, it did a lot of good. The system passed the nitrification tests, the systems for Chlorine and Potassium Permanganate are online and operating properly. Mr. Segura is consulting with the engineers concerning the poly phosphates. On the sewer side, they replaced the flapper valve at the lift station at Ira. The Chart recorder at the sewer plant is recording the effluent flow, so now we can measure flow in and out of the plant. For our samples, Enterococci testing (a more detailed fecal test) is mandated once a week because the plant flows into the Delahoussaye Canal which flows out to a commercial canal at the Port of Iberia. On August they started the bio-monitoring, which is a 24-hour composite test drawing samples every 8 hours. These samples are used to see if minnows can survive in the outflow. The good news is the return sludge pump is hooked up and running and clarifier #1 is running. A diesel by-pass pump will be rented to remove the sludge and pump it into the drying beds. One aerator is working right now and another should be coming online soon as the bearings are repaired. The 25 hp motor that is at Teche Armature and put it on the 3rd aerator, but we will need a crane. So hopefully we will have 3 aerators online. The last aerator is badly out of balance and keeps breaking the turnbuckles. Alderman Duplechain asked if the motor on the sludge pump was new or rebuilt, Mr. Segura said it was new but the other is being rebuilt so we will have a spare. The building at the sewer plant will be spray foamed – this will give it a hard finish and seal it off from weather and bugs.
B Update from Coy Duplantis of Brown & Brown Mr. Duplantis stated they will soon be working on the upcoming renewals and also brought 2 additional team members from Brown and Brown. Ms Gabi McGee, Director of claims introduced herself to the board. And explained her role. Ursula Gouner, Risk Control consultant, explained her role to the board. Alderman Duplechain had a question regarding the handling of renewals and Mr. Duplantis said that Mr. Mark Romero will be primarily handling the process and that he will be assisting.
C. Update from Ms Laura Brown on the International French Bread Festival October 7– Ms. Brown updated group on the sponsors, and the focus of Be The 1 to Help Someone health initiative. She then outlined how the festival can boost the visibility of a community. She challenged the community to believe that this can and will succeed in Jeanerette. The sponsorship and vendors are stepping forward.
10.Agenda Items
A. Adopt Personnel Policy #34 Workplace Injuries and Illness, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Moore, voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried.
B. Water System Upgrades – Phase 1 (9327-06), approval of PPE#3 to Lemoine Company in the amount of $28,402.99 Introduction by Nick Sonnier, Motion by Alderman Duplechain to approve, second by Alderman Bourgeois, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. Water System Upgrades – Phase 2 (9327-07), approval of PPE#3 to Frisco in the amount of $57,089.54, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Simmons, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Water System Upgrades – Phase 2 (9327-07), approval of CCO#2, contingent up Water Sector Commission approval, to Frisco for an additional $2,008.75, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Moore, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
E. Love Louisiana Outdoors – Contract B: Playground Equipment and Site Amenities (9418-04), award of contract base bid and alternative #1, to Pelican Playgrounds, LLC, contingent upon LCDBG approval, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Simmons, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
F. Elevated Water Tower (9327-04), approval of PPE#5 to Southern Coatings in the amount of $54,682.90, Motion by Alderwoman Simmons to approve, second by Alderwoman Clay, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
G. Elevated Water Tower (9327-04), approval of CCO#3, contingent upon OCD approval, to grant an additional 15 days to Southern Coatings, Motion by Alderman Duplechain to approve, second by Alderman Bourgeois voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried. Mr. Sonnier gave an update of the new sewer project, the appraisal are complete and the review is going forward. Mr. Todd, Mr. Gene and Comite Resources met with DEQ to determine feasibility, and DEQ gave the preliminary approval. Comite came out and did a site visit. Mr. Sonnier discussed the timeline. There was a brief discussion regarding the properties and right of ways, and outlining the budget. Alderwoman Simmons asked about upgrading the inflow and infiltration and Mr. Sonnier said it was not in the scope of this project but the City could apply for a LCDBG grant to address replacing those pipes. After a discussion on the scope of the project and if the board had previously approved the project Alderman Duplechain suggested that the board with accept or reject the project at a future meeting.
H. Approval of Class B off Premise Liquor for Guillory Oil Company, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Simmons, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
12.Resolutions-
A. Adopt a Resolution 12 of 2023 pertaining to the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Environmental Audit Report (January 2022 – December 2022). Nick Sonnier reviewed the report for the council. Motion by Alderman Duplechain to approve, second by Alderman Bourgeois. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
13. Ordinances
A. Introduce Ordinance 2023-09 to Amend and Reenact Sections 3-2001, 3-2002, and 3-2005 Regarding Gas Franchise with Centerpoint Energy Motion by Alderman Bourgeois to approve, second by Alderwoman Clay. voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain, motion carried

On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and seconded by Alderwoman Moore to leave regular session and enter executive session
Executive Session-City Attorney Discussion
On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and seconded by Alderwoman Moore to leave executive session and return to regular session

14. Adjourn - On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderman Bourgeois to adjourn carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.



_____________/s/______________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



_____________/s/__________________
Susan Colden City Clerk