City of Monroe, LA

There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held this date, August 11, 2020 at the Council's regular meeting place, 400 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, City Council Chambers/City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.   

The Honorable Juanita G. Woods, Chairwoman, called the meeting to order.

The roll call was done by the Council Clerk, Ms. Carolus Riley.

Council members present for roll call: Mrs. Gretchen Ezernack, Ms. Juanita Woods, Mr. Douglas Harvey, Mr. Kenneth Wilson, Mrs. Kema Dawson.

Council member(s) absent: None.

Chairwoman Woods declared a quorum.

The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Mr. Tom Janway and Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack.       

COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 1. Mr. Harvey welcomed everyone and yielded his time to State Representative Michael Echols who made a special presentation to Councilman Kenneth Wilson on behalf of Governor John Bel Edwards, an official statement giving Councilman Wilson special recognition for 8 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Monroe for his service as Councilman.

Ms. Woods acknowledged the attendance of Monroe City School board members Mr. Bill Wilson and Mr. Darryl Berry.

2. Mrs. Ezernack welcomed each one present and thanked Mr. Wilson for his service as Councilman and enjoyed working with him.

3. Mr. Wilson welcomed everyone present; he asked that his wife and family members stand and thanked them for their support through the years.  He thanked everyone for their assistance while serving as City Councilman, District 4 for the last eight years.  He said his work would continue as he started in the community to be of service to the citizens.

4. Mrs. Dawson welcomed each one present; she thanked Mr. Wilson for his service, and will continue to speak with him and seek his advice.  She thanked the employees for their assistance with her requests; she thanked District 5 for entrusting her to represent them.  She asked that the citizens of the district would do their part and together everyone can make a difference.  Mrs. Dawson said there is continuing work at the zoo for anyone who wants to volunteer.

5. Mayor Ellis commented that the first time he attended a Monroe city council meeting, he was inspired by the passion that Councilman Wilson had for the community.  He stated he was hopeful that the person elected in District 4 would carry the same zeal, inspiration and passion and he would carry it with him.  He thanked him for his service and do know that he will continue to serve; Mayor Ellis said he will continue to lean on him for guidance and know that he could always call him and he would answer.

Ms. Woods thanked Mr. Wilson for his service and acknowledged Mrs. Abbie Wilson, wife of Councilman Wilson.  She said that we all must do our part and not depend on the city workers and city council and all must do their part to have a better community; she yielded her time to Ernest Muhammad who spoke regarding everyone doing their part in the community to make it better; he and his wife goes out and picks up paper and asked that all would take pride in their neighborhoods and look forward to working more in the neighborhood, building more housing and cleaning the area.  Ms. Woods said the city is willing to do whatever it is to make a difference, with bags, litter pinchers, safety vests and to come out and assist. She said in speaking with Mayor Ellis, they have some great ideas that they are looking at for District 3.

Upon a motion of Mr. Harvey and a second by Mrs. Ezernack, the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of  July 28, 2020  were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments).

 PRESENTATION:    NONE.

 PUBLIC HEARINGS:     NONE

 PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:      Public Comment:      NONE.

ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF BIDS:     Public Comment    None.

RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:

Council:     Public Comment:     None.

Department of Administration:    Public Comment:   None

Department of Planning & Urban Development:       Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7776,  authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis, to submit the City of Monroe’s Consolidated  5-Year Plan 2020 – 2024 & the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan  to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development projects/activities for the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Programs and further providing with respect thereto.

Comments:  PUD employees Ellen Hill and Jawaun Downs, along with consultants did a presentation on the consolidated plan process which included grant award allocations information and the gathering of information process for the consolidated plan.

Legal Department:    Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mr. Wilson and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7777, approving the appointment of Mayor Friday Ellis to the Board for Ouachita Council of Governments (OCOG) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7778,  indicating the intention of the City of Monroe, State of Louisiana, to approve the two (2) year appointment of Mayor Friday Ellis as a Director to the Board of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (the "Authority") as provided by Chapter 10-D of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended. (There were no public comments).

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7779,  stating the City of Monroe’s Endorsement of Vantage Health Plan, Inc. and their Project 20190364-RTA to participate in the benefits of the Louisiana Restoration Tax Abatement Program.  (There were no public comments).

Mayor’s Office:       Public Comment:    None.

Department of Public Works:    Public Comment:    None.

Department of Community Affairs:    Public Comment:    None.

Police Department:    Public Comment:     None.

Fire Department:     Public Comment:     None.

Engineering Services:     Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mr. Wilson and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7780, accepting as substantially complete work done by and between the City of Monroe and Don M. Barron Contractor, Inc., for the Pargoud Street Lift Station Force Main Relocation Project, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 7781, authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, to execute Change Order No. One (1) to the Pargoud Street Lift Station Force Main Relocation Contract, between the City of Monroe and Don M. Barron Contractor, Inc., for a decrease in the contract amount of $8,468.21 and an increase in the contract time of 277 days and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to remove from the agenda to Adopt a Resolution authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, to execute Change Order No. One (1) to the US 165 turn lanes at Venable and Venable Lane Reconstruction Contract, between the City of Monroe and Amethyst Construction, Inc., for various changes to the work with no net change in cost and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

(d) Add-On:  Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to add to the agenda to adopt a Resolution authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, to enter into and execute a professional services agreement with Lazenby & Associates, Inc. to provide engineering services for the Kansas Lane Garrett Road connector & I-20 improvements project and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 7782,  authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, to enter into and execute a professional services agreement with Lazenby & Associates, Inc. to provide engineering services for the Kansas Lane Garrett Road connector & I-20 improvements project and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

Comments:  Ms. Golden explained the project item to be fully funded by the I-20 Economic Development District; the project will improve the interchange at the mall; the roads and the services will help with the utility re-locations agreement, demolition and other services.

BREAK IF NEEDED:

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:       Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana  and authorizing the Clerk to publish notice for a Public Hearing to zone a ±1.83-acre tract of land presently located in Ouachita Parish from B-3, General Business/Commercial District to B-2, Neighborhood Business District to construct a multi-family residential structure with  retail and offices, and is more particularly described as follows: 1001 DeSiard Street, 430 Adams Street and Lots 1-5, the west 10’ of Lot 7, Lots 8 – 9 and the east 10’ of Lot 10, Square 38, Filhiols 1 Addition – APPLICANT - Tenth Street Properties, LLC (P&Z) (There were no public comments).

Comments:  Mr. Harvey asked if the Board of Adjustments variances been processed for this project; Mrs. Poret said yes, it was approved on last night.

(b) Upon a motion by Mr. Wilson, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Sonya L. Muhammad all rights, title and interest that the City may have acquired to Lot 4, Sq 10, Booker T. Washington Addition, Ouachita Parish, 1006 Powell Ave., District 3, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated July 6, 2012, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)  (There were no public comments).

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mr. Wilson and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Sonya L. Muhammad all rights, title and interest that the City may have acquired to Lot 2, Sq 10, Booker T. Washington Addition, Ouachita Parish, 1002 Powell Ave., District 3, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated July 1, 2011, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)  (There were no public comments).

RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing: Chairwoman Woods declared the public hearing open; seeing no one come forward, the hearing was closed.

(a) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 12,005, accepting the Donation of real property into the City of Monroe from Peters Family Urban Properties, LLC and Osprey Properties, LLC, and further providing with respect thereto. (Legal)  (There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing: Chairwoman Woods declared the public hearing open; seeing no one come forward, the hearing was closed.

(b) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 12,006, accepting the Donation of real property into the City of Monroe from the Monroe City School Board, and further providing with respect thereto. (Eng.)  (There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to remove from the agenda to finally adopt an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take Corporeal Possession of the property described below and sell to Frankie Cloman-Edwards all rights, title and interest that the City may have acquired to Lot 39, Square 5, Blanks Addition, Ouachita Parish, 802 Camp St. District 5, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax sale dated July 17, 2001, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)

(There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing: Chairwoman Woods declared the public hearing open; seeing no one come forward, the hearing was closed.

(d) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 12,007, adopting the Authorized Millage Rate(s) and providing for the Levying of Special and General Taxes for the City of Monroe for the year 2020. (Admin.)  (There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing: Chairwoman Woods declared the public hearing open; seeing no one come forward, the hearing was closed.

(e) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 12,008, authorizing the Mayor Ellis to enter into a Lease Agreement with Edge Holdings, LLC for the lease of property at the Monroe Regional Airport and further providing with respect thereto. (Airport) (There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:   

(f) Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to remove from the agenda to Finally adopt an Ordinance adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana to zone a ±3.3-acre tract of land presently located in Ouachita Parish from B-3 General Business/Commercial District to B-4, Heavy Commercial District to operate a manufactured home sales lot, located at 1101 Louisville Avenue – APPLICANT- Hixson Automotive Sales - (P&Z)

(There were no public comments).

(g)  Add-On:  Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mr. Wilson and unanimously approved to add to the agenda to finally adopt an Emergency Ordinance declaring the condition of the Calypso St. pump station to be an emergency necessitating shoring and stabilization and other repairs further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

(g)  Add-On:  Upon a motion by Mr. Harvey, second by Mr. Wilson and unanimously approved to finally adopt Emergency Ordinance No. 12,009, declaring the condition of the Calypso St. pump station to be an emergency necessitating shoring and stabilization and other repairs further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

Citizens Participation:

1.  Lester Paster, citizen, spoke regarding a case that he had years ago and asked for assistance.

2.  Mennon Campbell, citizen spoke to introduce himself for the upcoming election.

3. Bill Wilson, citizen and Monroe City School Board member, spoke to congratulate and thank Councilman Wilson on service to the community for his time as Councilman for District 4.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m., upon a  motion of Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mrs. Dawson.  (There were no public comments).

Ms. Juanita G. Woods

Council Chairwoman

Ms. Carolus S. Riley

Council Clerk

Ms. Jacqueline Benjamin

Council Secretary

*For extended details on the Council meeting please call the Council Clerk, Monday-Friday at 329-2252; also, a recording of the minutes can be sent via email to you.3.5.3226