City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
March 8, 2022
6:00p.m.
There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held this date at the Council’s regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.
The Honorable Carday Marshall, Sr., Chairman, called the meeting to order. He then asked the clerk to call the roll.
There were present: Council members Harvey, Ezernack, Woods, Marshall & Dawson.
There was absent: None.
Chairman Marshall announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Councilwoman Dawson.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Harvey thanked everyone for joining us on this cold, rain filled evening.
Mrs. Ezernack welcomed everyone this evening and she thanked them for coming out tonight as Councilman Harvey said in this bad weather. They appreciate your attendance and she thanked everyone for being here.
Ms. Woods said she is just going to follow suit because the weather is bad out and they thank you all coming and hope that you are safe on your journey home.
Mrs. Dawson thanked everyone for being in attendance and she wanted to say congratulations to the Wossman Lady Wildcats for winning the 3A Championship. She spoke to their coach today and she was very excited for them. Ms. Dawson said she is an honorary Wossman Wildcat in her heart and she had a lot of friends that attended there so of course she wanted to congratulate them on tonight and everybody be safe going home. She also noted that they have a cleanup by Wossman High School on Saturday, March 19 from 10am until 2pm and she asked for those who could volunteer their time to come out in the Wossman Community and they would love to see you there.
Mayor Ellis noted that today is International Women’s Day, and he acknowledged the ladies of the Council and thanked them for all their efforts and what they do for the community and their leadership to make it a better place. To the ladies in the audience tonight, thank you for making your home and your families in this community a great place as well. Mayor Ellis noted that last week his members met with folks from Amtrak, they were in our town for a few days and came back with some positive new. They really loved what was going on and the improvements that were happening downtown. They looked at a couple of spots and two of the spots happen to be downtown. They had very good encouraging news that the Amtrak line would be built within the next few years, so we all should be very exited about that and what that mean for workforce, quality of life and different areas of travel. They spoke with multiple employers throughout the City who were talking about expanding, providing jobs and with a couple of local people who are actually going to provide new jobs along the I20 corridor. The Mayor noted that it makes him feel good that Monroe is still in the mix, still being talked about, being considered for local jobs, expanding local jobs and new investments. The Mayor mentioned that Read The Day Away is always fun and he got an opportunity to speak and read at a couple of schools, Carver, Sally Humble and Neville Junior and that is the fun part of the job that you get to be a part of these events and work with local schools. Also, they rounded out the parade season this past week and rapped up Black History Month with the Renaissance Committee and the Black Heritage Parage and it is always good whether we are celebrating our locals and our local culture. The Mayor wanted to commend everybody on that and their efforts to put all these events on and with that he gave a huge thanks to the First Responders who made sure that we were all safe and the community was safe. Also, to the city employees who put in the work to get our City clean again and the Mayor echoed what Councilwoman Dawson said to the Wossman Lady Wildcats on an outstanding basketball season. They made us all proud and their school and coaches and we are so proud of them.
Chairman Marshall thanked everyone for coming out and congratulated the Lady Wildcats as well and looks forward to what they are going to do in the future. He mentioned the Black History Parade and the awesome time they had out there, and it was a beautiful day, and a lot of people came out. He thanked everyone that participated. Also, the Chairman mentioned that he was appointed to the Boys Scouts, and they are looking for some volunteers. The plans are to put some troops in south Monroe in all different areas and if you are willing to come out and spend some of your time grooming, mentoring, and working with kids they would appreciate your participation. They are trying to put as many programs as they can into the community, and he thinks this is one awesome way to give back and do everything we can to uplift our kids. The Chairman mentioned that he was a Boys Scout growing up.
Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods the minutes of the Legal and Regular Session of February 22, 2022 were approved. Mr. Harvey & Mrs. Dawson abstained they were not present at the last meeting. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Administration:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization from City Council for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for Water Meter Boxes and Lids. Funds for these purchases will be derive from the Water Capital Fund. (There were no public comments.)
Mayor’s Office:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8204 to support the development of Passenger Rail Service from Fort Worth, Texas through the City of Monroe, Louisiana to Atlanta, Georgia along the I-20 Corridor and related issues. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Public Works:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8205 authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (La Dotd) for improvements at the Monroe Regional Airport and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved a request from the Public Works Department for City Council approval for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for the Potable Water Storage Tank Modification. The estimated cost of this project is $250,500.00. The DBE goal is 10.5 % and source of funds is Water Capital Fund. (There were no public comments.)
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved a request from the Public Works Department for City Council approval for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for purchase and installation of a metal building for tire storage. The estimated cost of this project is $40,000.00. The DBE goal is 0 % and source of funds is a LDEQ grant totaling $42,019.54. (There were no public comments.)
ADD-ON: Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to add a Resolution to the agenda as item (d) authorizing the City of Monroe to advertise for bids to purchase parts and replacement parts for its UV Disinfection System and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8206 authorizing the City of Monroe to advertise for bids to purchase parts and replacement parts for its UV Disinfection System and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Fire Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8207 authorizing a designated city representative to advertise for contract bids for fire hose. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8208 authorizing a designated city representative, to apply for and accept an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on behalf of the Monroe Fire Department for funding to purchase an Inflatable Fire Safety House and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(c) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8209 authorizing a designated city representative to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Emergency Services Consulting International to conduct an EMS Master Plan and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Engineering Services:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8210 authorizing an authorized city representative to execute Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to amend Article II for the for the Kansas Lane Extension (H.007289) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8211 authorizing an authorized city representative to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Monroe and the Department of Transportation and Development for the Kansas Lane – Garrett Road and I-20 Improvements Project No. (H.007300) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8212 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Closeout Change Order No. Three (3) to the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo Parking Lot Improvements Contract, between the City of Monroe and Amethyst Construction, Inc., for a decrease in the contract amount of $2,055.75 and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution No. 8213 authorizing an authorized city representative to advertise for bids on Parking Lot Improvements: DeSiard Street at Walnut Street. The engineer’s estimated cost for this project is $156,204.00 and the DBE Goal is 8.14%. (There were no public comments.)
BREAK IF NEEDED:
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance amending and adjusting the City of Monroe Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022. (Admin.) (There were no public comments.)
Councilwoman Ezernack asked Mr. Richards to give the Council a Synopsis of what we are doing here.
Mr. Dan Richard, Budget Officer, explained this is to amend the current year’s budget for the General Fund and several Special Revenue Funds. For the General Fund increasing Sales Tax so they are amending it up to 42 million, expenditure big items in City Expense 1.5 million for the purchase of buildings downtown. Public Works increased by 637 thousand for pump stations, maintenance and other repairs and an increase to landfill charges. Community Affairs increases to their Capital for the equipment purchases and repairs and maintenance. The Transfer out to the group insurance fund in the amount of $1,407,623.00 from the insurance company is the total cost of all Covid related medical expenses. These were expenses not anticipated to hit that group insurance fund, so this is to help cover those cost in that fund, so it doesn’t go into a deficit. The Special Revenue Funds you have the Fire and Police Capital Tax, police Tahoe purchase. The Capital Infrastructure budget increase in the Sales Tax and other construction related expenses that was budgeted before it actually hit that account. Police and Fire Sales Tax Funds, increasing the estimated Sales Tax for those. A new fund the Downtown Economic Development TIF, they get Sales Tax increments from the City, and it’s maxed out at half a million, so budgeting that figure and then the American Rescue Plan which is a separate Revenue Fund, and budgeting for that first Installment of about $9,163,000.00.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt an Ordinance No. 12,103 extending and enlarging the boundaries of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, providing for the recordation of the entire boundary as amended: establishing the effective date thereof, and providing further with respect thereto – Applicant: Love’s Travel Stop – (P&Z) (There were no public comments.)
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to adopt an Ordinance No. 12,104 adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana to rezone a ±12-acre tract of land, from being located in Ouachita Parish to the I-1, (Industrial Business Park) District, in order for the applicant to have a commercial truck stop, retail sales and restaurant facilities, at 355 HWY 594 – 355 HWY 594 (12-acres more or less)) – APPLICANT: Love’s Travel Stop – (P&Z) (There were no public comments.)
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to adopt an Ordinance No. 12,105 adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana to rezone a ±5.70-acre tract of land, from the B-4 (Heavy Commercial) District to R-4, (High Density Multi-Family Residence) District, in order for the applicant to be able to convert office buildings into (20) multi-tenant condominium units, at 3418 & 3420 Medical Park Drive – (Lots 3, 4, 5, 9 & 10 and the eastern 97’ of Lot 2, North Monroe Medical Park, Unit 2 (5.70-more or less)) – APPLICANT: Seth Copeland – (P&Z) (There were no public comments.)
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to adopt an Ordinance No. 12,106 adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana to rezone a ±0.66-acre tract of land, from the R-4, (High Density Multi-Family Residence) District to the B-2 (Neighborhood Business) District, in order for the applicant to utilize an existing commercial building for a commercial business (formerly Johnny’s Pizza), at 1707 McKeen Place – (Lots 3, McKeen Place Addition) (0.66-more or less)) – APPLICANT: NKM Rentals LLC – (P&Z) (There were no public comments.)
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION: There were none.
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03p.m., upon motion of Ms. Woods and it was seconded by Mrs. Dawson.
Carday Marshall, Sr.
Chairman
Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
For extended details on the council meeting please call the Council Clerk Monday-Friday at 318¬-329-2252 to schedule an appointment to listen to the minute recording.
