City of Monroe, LA

Monroe City Council Legal and Regular Session
September 14, 2021
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers-City Hall
MINUTES

There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held this date, September 14, 2021, at the Council's regular meeting place, 400 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, City Council Chambers/City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.    

The Honorable Carday Marshall, Sr., Chairman, called the meeting to order.

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

Council members present for roll call: Mrs. Gretchen Ezernack, Ms. Juanita Woods, Mr. Carday Marshall, Sr., Mrs. Kema Dawson.

Council member (s) absent: Mr. Douglas Harvey

Chairman Marshall declared a quorum. 

The Invocation was done by Evangelist Rachel Washington, Assistant Pastor of Greater Faith Church, Monroe, La., and the Pledge of Allegiance by Mrs. Dawson. 

COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:           

1. Mrs. Ezernack commented that the City of Monroe’s 9/11 Remembrance event held at ULM was                         outstanding. Mrs. Dawson did a great job performing the National Anthem, and the speaker was outstanding;        she thanked the first responders for all of their work every day.

2. Ms. Woods thanked everyone for attending and those watching online.  She thanked the Mayor and the                 Administration, the community center employees for their work done with the Hurricane Ida evacuees; she also thanked several churches for their assistance with clothes for the hurricane evacuees and also for being drop off locations for those items including the Greater New Antioch Baptist Church, Tried Stone Baptist Church, the Spiritual Harvest Worship Center, and the New Beginning Worship Center; she thanked the D.A. office for their assistance during that time. 

3. Mr. Marshall thanked the city for all of their assistance with the Hurricane Ida evacuees, Mr. Richard Danztler, and Parish home furnishings made donations to the efforts. The city pulled together to help the evacuees. 

4. Mrs. Dawson welcomed everyone attending; she thanked everyone for their work and assistance with the Hurricane Ida evacuees.  She was ablet to be a part of providing worship service for the evacuees and thanked Greater Faith Church, First Baptist Church and Pastor Tegitra Thomas, Pastor Seane Kelley, Pastor Vance Price, Pastor Matthew Carpenter for coming out and being a part of the worship service; also, Pastor Price and New St. James Baptist Church provided worship service for the evacuees at the Henrietta Johnson Community Center. She thanked Mayor Ellis for allowing the service; she thanked everyone for their assistance, clothes donations and all their kind acts.

 5. Mayor Ellis thanked the city employees, city leaders, hospitals, ULM’s school of Dentistry, J & H boots and Jeans for their donations, United Way, various churches, for all of their assistance with the Hurricane evacuees. He acknowledged the Chamber’s young professionals under forty, City of Monroe’s Patience Talley. 

           Upon a motion of Mrs. Dawson and a second by Ms. Woods, the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of                        August 24, 2021, 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

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to Accept the bid of Guidry’s Uniforms for a (1) one year contract for Monroe Fire Department Uniforms Ref. # 2022-00000010 as recommended by the Director of Administration for being the lowest bidder and meeting the specifications of this bid.  The funds will be derived from the Inventory Account and billed accordingly.  The Tax and Revenue Division has confirmed that the bidder is tax compliant. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack, and unanimously approved to Accept the bid of  Brasco International for a (1) one year contract for Transit Bus Shelters Ref. # 2022-00000011 as recommended by the Director of Administration for being the lowest bidder and meeting the specifications of this bid.  The funds will be derived from the FTA under CDBG Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES ACT).  The cost of the bus shelters will be 100% reimbursed using CARES ACT funding and purchased from the successful bidder.  The Tax and Revenue Division has confirmed that the bidder is Tax compliant. (There were no public comments).

          RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:

Council:                Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8065, granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Twin City Art Foundation (Exhibition Reception and Artist’s Talk for Many Rooms: The South Got Something to Say) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance), and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

          Department of Administration:

Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Ms. Woods, second by Mrs. Ezernack, and unanimously approved to Consider an Application by Felicia Allen dba Club Rena’s, 2304 DeSiard St., Monroe, LA 71203 for a New 2021 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit.  The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been Cleared, CO-Cleared, Distance Report Cleared. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8066, accepting and approving the Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire for the City of Monroe for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2021. (There were no public comments).

Department of Planning & Urban Development:

          Public Comment:

(a)  Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8067, authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, of the City of Monroe to advertise for bids to rehabilitate or reconstruct 1606 Fairview Avenue from the (HOME) Home Investment Partnership Program M-20-MC-22-0206 and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

Legal Department:    Public Comment:    None. 

          Mayor’s Office:      Public Comment:

(a)  Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8068, approving and authorizing an agreement between the City of Monroe, The General Claire L. Chennault Foundation, and the Southern Heritage Air Foundation  and further providing with respect thereto.

Comments:  Chennault foundation representative came forward and thanked the city and commented how the airshow would be tremendous for the City.  Mr. Jimmie Porter, Southern Heritage Museum commented that he is looking forward to a great show for the community and thanked the City for the opportunity.     

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 Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8069, accepting the base bid of Amethyst Construction, Inc., in the amount $788,675.60, for the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo Parking Lot Improvements Project, and further authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a contract for said work. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8070, authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute an Agreement with MAG Enterprises, Inc. for services related to the appraisal of easements and rights of way for acquisitions for the State Project No. H.013972 Youngs Bayou Detention Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8071, authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute an Agreement with Todd Tidwell Appraisals & Consulting, LLC for services related to the appraisal of easements and rights of way for acquisitions for the State Project No. H.013972 Youngs Bayou Detention Project and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

Comments: Kim Golden, City Engineer, explained the agenda items, b,c,d related to the young’s bayou flood control project; there are two appraisal contracts on the agenda and an acquisition agent; the estimated construction cost of young’s bayou is nine million dollars, the acquisition of the right a way is a million, and the mitigation and permitting fees another million dollars.

(d) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8072, authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into an Agreement for Conceptual Stage Relocation Plan, with Smith R/W Specialist, LLC for services related to the Youngs Bayou Detention S.P.N. H.013972 Project and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

(e) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8073, authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute an Agreement with Robinson Appraisal Services, LLC for services related to the appraisal of easements and rights of way for acquisitions for the H.007300 Kansas-Garrett I-20 Interchange Project and further providing with respect thereto.

Comments:  Ms. Vee Wright, commented regarding the retention ponds and aesthetics. Mayor Ellis commented thanked her for the comment.

(f) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to Adopt Resolution No. 8074, authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a Contract with Gem-JKM Construction Consultants, LLC. to provide Professional Services for the Kansas-Garrett I-20 Interchange Project State Project Number H.007300 and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

Comments: Ms. Golden explained the project to be the bridge near Sam’s wholesale.

BREAK IF NEEDED:

          INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:           Public Comment:         NONE.

Add-On:  Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to add to the agenda an Ordinance adopting and amending the zoning map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana.  (There were no public comments).

       Comments:  Mrs. Hill explained the agenda item to be a request to rezone 5.2 acre tract of land for a       development for duplexes. Mr. Marshall commented he spoke with them as well.  Mrs. Ezernack asked if this       was a previous group that came before Council. Mrs. Hill said it was not.

      Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to Introduce an       Ordinance adopting and amending the zoning map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana. (There were no public       comments).

      RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND       SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:             NONE.

Add-On:  Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson, and unanimously approved to add to the agenda An Emergency Ordinance declaring the repair of the gearhead on pump #1 at the Rochelle Stormwater station an emergency and necessitating immediate repair 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 finally Adopt Emergency Ordinance No. 12,079,  declaring the repair of the gearhead on pump #1 at the Rochelle Stormwater station an emergency and necessitating immediate repair and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

Comments:  Charles Westrom explained the agenda item for the need of repair the gearhead on the pump.

 CITIZENS PARTICIPATION:

1.  Mr. Christopher Orange, Sr, citizen, spoke regarding the city’s bidding process.

2.  Ms. Vee Wright, citizen, commented regarding issues of her concern including city projects, Covid concerns for Louisiana and the City of Monroe.

3.  Mr. Jamaro Hill, citizen, spoke regarding his business.  Councilman Marshall asked if they could schedule a meeting to discuss and finalize.  Mr. Hill said yes, they could do so now.  Councilwoman Woods commented to Mr. Hill that she was his District representative and that he was in her District, and that they haven’t had a conversation; she said that she needed to get his information and he get her information and would like to be in on the conversation.  Mr. Marshall said they would get together after tonight’s meeting.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m., upon a  motion of Mrs. Ezernack and seconded by Ms. Woods.  (There were no public comments)

Mr. Carday Marshall, Sr.

Council Chairman

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