BOGALUSA CITY COUNCIL
REGULARMEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013
PRESIDING: CHARLES E. MIZELL, MAYOR
JERRY BAILEY, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
DALE BRANCH, CITY ATTORNEY
PRESENT:COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND
COUNCILMAN O’REE
PRESIDENT PERRETTE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM
ABSENT:COUNCILMAN HODGES
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Bogalusa City Council meeting will come to order. Invocation byCouncilwoman Graham,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
BY COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM:Led the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND …………….HERE
COUNCILMAN O’REE ……………………..HERE
COUNCILMAN HODGES…………………..ABSENT
PRESIDENT PERRETTE……………………HERE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE……………….HERE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS……………HERE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM……………...HERE
BY DALE BRANCH: Election of Officers. I can only do it if no one objects to this procedure. Anyone object? No. The way we normally do this I will call for nominations for the president and we will vote on the nominations in order in which they were received. Then we will move on to vice-president. Opening now for nominations for president.
BY COUNCILWOMAN PERRETTE: I would like to nominate Councilman Ritchie for president.
BY DALE BRANCH: Any other nominations?
BY COUNCILWOMAN PERRETTE: I move we vote.
BY COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND………………..AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE……………………………AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES……………………….ABSENT
PRESIDENT PERRETTE………………………….AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE…………………….AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM……………….AYE
BY DALE BRANCH: The nominations are closed. Now you have to vote on Councilman Ritchie as President.
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND…………………AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE…………………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES………………………..ABSENT
PRESIDENT PERRETTE…………………………..AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE……………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM…………………AYE
BY DALE BRANCH: We now call on the Council for nominations for Vice-President.
BY COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND: I nominate Councilwoman Perrettefor vice-president.
BY DALE BRANCH: Councilwoman Perretteis nominated any more nominations? No other nominations?
BY COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND: I move we close.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Roll call on the nomination.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND……………..AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE…………………………AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES…………………….ABSENT
PRESIDENT PERRETTE……………………….AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE…………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS……………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM……………..AYE
BY DALE BRANCH: Nominations are closed. Now you need to vote on the candidate.
BY PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Roll call on the candidate.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND………………AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE………………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES……………………..ABSENT
PRESIDENT PERRETTE………………………..AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT RITCHIE…………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS…………….AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM………………AYE
BY DALE BRANCH: Congratulations to both of you.
PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT EXCHANGE PLACES.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Next on our agenda we have no Introductions of Resolutions tonight. Next is Introduction of Ordinances introduced by Councilman Drummond.
BY COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND:
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the successful low bidder for Phase II of the Splash Pad and Day Use Area in Cassidy Park.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: This will be up for public hearing at our next regular meeting on December 17, 2013.
BY COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS: I need to make a motion to move off the table the Ordinance for the Lease on the New Dimension Fellowship Center to be held on the public hearing at our next meeting.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: I’m sorry I don’t understand the motion.
BY COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS: A couple of weeks ago I tabled a motion for the lease on the New Dimension. I would like to remove it from the table.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Ok to remove it from the table.
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND……………AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE……………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES…………………..ABSENT
VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE……………..AYE
PRESIDENT RITCHIE………………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS………….AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM…………..AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT TO REMOVE THE ORDINANCE FOR THE LEASE ON THE NEW DIMENSION FELLOWSHIP CENTER TO BE HELD ON THE PUBLIC HEARING AT OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2013).
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: That will be up for public hearing at our next meeting on December 17th. Councilman O’Ree.
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE:
AN ORDINANCE to amend City Code Section 21-1 Definitions to include Museums in the Definition of Institution.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Anyone in the public wishing to speak for or against this ordinance please come to the microphone and state your name and address.
BY BARBARA HICKS COLLINS: 2682 South Columbia Street. I think everybody at this point understands and realize this vote today is a very important vote if we are serious about building a better Bogalusa then these are the kind of steps we need to take so we can move this city forward. I really believe Bogalusa can be once again the magic city but it is efforts from everybody Council, Mayor, everybody in the City. To work together to see an opportunity to move forward and to educate our children and to bring spot light back to Bogalusa but bring it back a positive way. So including this vote you will take today I hope you will vote for it is in the right direction. I’m sure you will do the right thing to help build a better Bogalusa. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Thank you Ms. Collins. Anyone else, council discussion.
BY COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM: There being none I move we accept the ordinance.
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND……………….AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE…………………………..AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES………………………ABSENT
VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE…………………AYE
PRESIDENT RITCHIE……………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS……………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM……………….AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 21-1 DEFINITIONS TO INCLUDE MUSEUMS IN THE DEFINITION OF INSTITUTION).
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE:
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with International Paper for the Tenant Improvements for Paper Storage Warehouse located at 215 Industrial Parkway Drive.
This is to work with IP International Paper for more storage area that they need so we have to put in some changes to put in sprinklers and things they need.
BY PRESIDENT : Anyone from the public wishing to speak for or against this ordinance please step forward. There being none Council discussion.
BY COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND: I’m going to say up front I’m going to abstain from the vote because I am gainfully employed by International Paper and I wouldn’t want one of our self appointed watch dogs that there might be a conflict of interest.
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE: I make a motion we accept it.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND……………………ABSTAIN
COUNCILMAN O’REE……………………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES…………………………..ABSENT
VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE……………………..AYE
PRESIDENT RITCHIE…………………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS…………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM……………………AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 5-0 WITH ONE ABSTAINED AND ONE ABSENT AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH INTERNATIONAL PAPER FOR THE TENANT IMPROVEMENTS FOR PAPER STORAGE WAREHOUSE LOCATED AT 215 INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY DRIVE).
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Next is an ordinance introduced by the Finance Committee.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE:
AN ORDINANCE for the 2014 Budget.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Anyone from the public wishing to speak for or against this ordinance please step forward. There being none Council discussion.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: I make a motion it be accepted.
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN DRUMMOND…………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN O’REE………………………………..AYE
COUNCILMAN HODGES…………………………….ABSENT
VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE………………………AYE
PRESIDENT RITCHIE………………………………….AYE
COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMS……………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM…………………….AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT FOR THE 2014 BUDGET).
BY COUNCILMAN O’REE: I just wanted to say a few words I’m going to step out of the meeting. For those that don’t know I miss school and I’m working on my theology degree so I have to leave. So tonight is a very big night for me because I get to preach before the whole school tonight. I’m a little nervous but I’m ready. I have to preach before the school and all these big time preachers and their PDH and Doctrine and stuff so I have to go get my mind right so I can deliver his word tonight so I’m going to be excused at this time.
BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Good Luck Michael.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE:Public participation, Ms. Mary Distefano.
BY MARY DISTEFANO: 536 Union Avenue. I don’t know how much good it is to bring it up but a couple of months ago my daughter-in-law bought a brand new set of tires. She had to go to New Orleans to get them. Three weeks ago she hit one of our famous pot holes and busted it. I should have brought the tire with me tonight but I couldn’t handle it by myself. She paid a fortune for them tires and she works her end off to get her money and so does my son. It’s a shame that they have to do that bust one and they are not cheap not for her car it is not. I know there is nothing going to be done about it.
BY COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM: What you can do I think Ms. Bloom handles those claims for them the insurance company. She can bring her information and file a claim there is no guarantee that it will get paid but you can file a claim.
BY MARY DISTEFANO: Well the tire was over two hundred dollars. Another thing, have ya’ll road down Willis Avenue and kind of looked at the lights on the poles? Well half of the angels their blue wings are out. Some of them are not even burning and that is pitiful. Before they put them lights up they should have checked them, I do. If one doesn’t work in them and I can’t really tell the string goes in the garbage. See if they can check them at least see if they can get the wings to light them up. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Thank you. Ms. Barbara you signed this do you need to speak again?
BY BARBARA HICKS COLLINS: (Inaudible- speaking in audience and can not hear). But she declined.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Anyone else? Next we have administrative remarks.
BY MAYOR MIZELL: First of all I want to thank Councilwoman Perrettefor leading this council this past year she did an outstanding job and she will continue to support Councilman Ritchie here the new chairman. Congratulations to you Doug we know you will do a great job. I do appreciate the work the council does by taking all things into account and making rules and ordinances and stuff so forth and proud to work with you on it. As in keeping with the first Tuesday of every month of the supervisors reports on what we have done and what we are doing and what we are anticipating. I know there is going to be enough people tonight to talk about the great event we had this past weekend. I was actually out of town and got back Sunday evening about 4:00 p.m. and made it over there and I will tell you the vendors were excited about being there. Most all of them said I will be back just invite us. They made lots of money and had lots of fun in our city. So it’s thanks to you the citizens for helping make this possible. There are things happening here that I didn’t know if it would really ever make it but I seen so many smiles on kids faces and parents faces down there Sunday afternoon and in the pictures I have here from Saturday’s. I don’t see Robin here tonight but I know where ever she is at she is still celebrating. Thanks to the staff city and everybody who put this together especially the Downtown Merchants and the Main Street work real hard. We start off with our report tonight with Sandy Bloom, Director of Personnel.
BY SANDY BLOOM: I’m not use to going first so it is a treat. I’m going to hand these out and I’m going to ask you all to take one and pass them. The most important thing we have to talk about tonight is as many of you know as we have been reporting we have a grant from the Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit for Comprehensive Resiliency Plan. Now we are looking at all aspects of the city to make sure we are using our land correctly and to make sure we have the proper ordinances in place, that we have the proper Economic Development activities going on anything to make us more resilient if something knocks us down no matter what it might be. So this public meeting is going to be held next Tuesday December 10th at 6:30. It will be at the Northside Parent Resource Center and I really need all of you to come. I appreciate the fact that you come to these meetings and make your entrance known but this is really an opportunity to chart the course for the next twenty (20) years for the City of Bogalusa. I guarantee you it will be a very lively meeting and I will not be the last meeting. So please try and come next Tuesday, December 10th at 6:30. Make your wishes desires and dreams for Bogalusa known. The other thing I want to piggy back what the Mayor Mizell said about the weekend. It was a lot of hard work that went into that and the parade was also a big success. You know we never really say any nice things about the Police Department but I have to tell you the Police Department management of the parade was wonderful. There was never any problem of any one in the parade that didn’t belong in the parade just because they were in traffic. So I want to take my hat off to them and they also did a great job with the security for the Street Stroll. It was fun for everybody but we really do owe them congratulations on a job well done. The last thing I’m going to talk about we are really getting some activity ready for the Centennial. This weekend at the Street Stroll the Centennial Cookbook was unveiled, it’s wonderful, it’s got lots of pictures, lots of history and recipes. They sold out there are more on order so be sure and get one of those. We also have these calendars, we have them over at City Hall you can get them on E Bay they are ten dollars. They were made by Mark Irvine a local business man so it is a really nice keepsake. They are for sale at regular office hours at City Hall. Stay tune for all the good things to come. Thanks.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: Thank you.
BY MAYOR MIZELL: Thank you Sandy. Next is James Hall, Director of Public Works.
BY JAMES HALL: Let me start by telling Ms. Mary we are on Austin Street every day getting ready for asphalt. It is just a slow, slow process busting concrete but we are working on the potholes. But I know we started and I know we are working on Austin Street. The angels when they were put up Thursday morning every light was burning. I will go back and check them when I leave here tonight and we checked every bulb on Thursday morning. I will check on that when I leave here. Austin Street we ask the citizens to be patient with us we are having to block off some of the drivewaysfor businesses but that is the only way to get the street ready for concrete. We’ve been doing a lot of work in the park and Landon will tell you a little bit about that later. Ponomah Cemetery I got a call Kay Kay called me about a lady came down here to visit her Great Great Grandmothers grave she was buried in 1897 I believe along the west side of the cemetery. It had grow over some bushes and cane someone had planted and comes up every four year we have all that opened now. Next week we are going to move to the Bogalusa Cemetery and do the same thing. The code officer Mr. Melvin is doing some houses in his spare time so we are going to train him to be a code officer. Mr. Rodney McGehee is teaching him how to do this. Last two months there has been 16 citations issued, 7 issues was already with dropped charges due to compliance before the court date, 3 citations issued for not failing to appear wrote them up, gave them a ticket and for court no one showed up so there is an attachment out for those. We had 53 code violations brought into compliance; we towed 3 vehicles from right of way and one from private property. So I ask the public to bear with us, we have a crew now that stay on it that is all they do. We are not moving around town it will take us a month or two to get everything ready for asphalt. Thank you.
BY MAYOR MIZELL: Thank you James. Jerry Bailey, Director of Administration.
BY JERRY BAILEY: No charts tonight.
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: Good.
BY PRESIDENT RITCHIE: I was fixing to ask.
BY JERRY BAILEY: Good?
BY VICE-PRESIDENT PERRETTE: It just means you are slacking.
BY JERRY BAILEY: Well first thing let me say to the council first of all on behalf of the administration I want to thank you for passing the budget approving it and we can now get on with business now. I was going through the process of looking at different projects that I have going on right now and I found out that I really didn’t have anything to report other than the fact that to tell you again we have uncovered 125 local businesses that have not obtained their licenses and we are really working hard to get them in here to get their license before January first. It must be working pretty good I’m getting a lot of phone calls out of here about that issue. Sales taxes I felt a little uncomfortable with what I saw today but last time I saw the same thing I saw today it turned out one large customer that didn’t pay his taxes and it is a lot of money. I think I got the same situation here again so I won’t say anything until the next meeting to make sure I have all the sales taxes in. We are still working on the accounting system getting them trained and putting new stuff in and getting online. So we are pretty busy down there. I just wish ya’ll a good Thanksgiving, I know it is over but I was off all last week, myself I didn’t get the opportunity to tell you so I would like to tell you now. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and wish you a Merry Christmas.