City of Mansfield
MINUTES OF REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
December 14, 2009
The Board of Aldermen met in regular session on Monday, December 14th, in Mansfield City Hall, located at 705 Polk Street. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor McCoy, after which an Invocation was offered by Alderman G. B. Hall III. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Mitchell L. Lewis.
The roll was called by the City Clerk and the following were Present: Honorable Curtis W. McCoy, G. B. Hall III –District A, J. Dudley Kemper –District B, Mitchell L. Lewis –District C, and Alvin R. Woodley –District E. Absent: Joseph Hall, Jr. –District D. Press: Vickie Welborn (The Times). Others present: Richard Z. Johnson, Jr. (City Attorney), Rev. Roy Jones (City Chaplain), James “Jim” Ruffin (City’s Public Works Director), John Freeman (CLECO Corp.) and M. Jason Akers (Special Counsel -Foley & Judell, L.L.P.).
It was MOTIONED by G. B. HALL III and SECONDED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2009 regular city council meeting and to dispense with the reading. Passed Unanimously.
It was MOTIONED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER. and SECONDED by MITCHELL L. LEWIS to pay current outstanding bills for the current period. Passed Unanimously.
The Mayor next opened the floor to hear any public comments from those in attendance to any item outlined on the meeting agenda. When none were offered the Public Comments Period was then closed.
Old Business:
Item A: Mayor McCoy opened the floor to hear any comments concerning the City’s 2010 Operating Budget of Revenue and Expenditures. When no comments were offered the public hearing period was subsequently closed.
Item B: It was MOTIONED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY and SECONDED by MITCHELL L. LEWIS to approve the Ordinance No. 9 of 2009 adopting an Operating Budget of Revenue and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010. Passed Unanimously. (The full ordinance is recited below).
CITY of MANSFIELD
PROPOSED BUDGET ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE __9__ of 2009
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2010 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010.
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City of Mansfield
City Council Meeting Minutes for
December 14, 2009
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, City of Mansfield, in general session convened that:
SECTION 1: The attached detailed estimate of revenues for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2010, be and the same hereby adopted to serve as an operating Budget of Revenues for the City of Mansfield during the same period.
SECTION 2: The attached estimates of expenditures by department for fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2010, being the same is hereby adopted to serve as a Budget of Expenditures for the City of Mansfield during the same period.
SECTION 3: The adoption of the Operating Budget of Expenditures being the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification.
SECTION 4: Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within the 2010 Budget.
SECTION 5: All power to alter this Budget is reserved by the Board of Aldermen.
Upon motion by Alderman ___Alvin R. Woodley___ , seconded by Alderman ___Mitchell L. Lewis___ , passed and adopted at Mansfield, Louisiana on this __14th_ day of _December__ , 2009.
Curtis W. McCoy
Mayor
ATTEST:
Marvin R. Jackson
City Clerk
New Business:
Item A: It was MOTIONED by G. B. HALL III and SECONDED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY to approve the recommendation of the City’s Public Works Director, Jim
Ruffin, to hire Ronnie L. Morris, Jr. full-time in the Public Works Department. Mr. Morris was originally hired on July 6, 2009 and has successfully completed his probationary period. Further, he has shown gradual improvement in his current capacity as a meter reader. Passed Unanimously.
Item B: It was MOTIONED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER and SECONDED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY to approved the Certificate of Substantial Completion as submitted by contractor,
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City Council Meeting Minutes for
December 14, 2009
Ronald G. Carlson for the Phase 5 Sidewalk Improvements Project. Mr. Ruffin informed the Council that there are some punch list items that must be completed and also a contract change order is anticipated. However, the forthcoming change order is not expected to have a profound adverse affect on the original contract price. When received, it will be presented to the Council for approval at a regular meeting. Passed Unanimously.
Item C: It was MOTIONED by G. B. HALL III and SECONDED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER to authorize the advertisement of bids for the Phase I Water Distribution System Improvements Project. The advertisement will be published in the municipality’s local journal (The Enterprise) on December 24, 2009, December 31, 2009 and January 7, 2010. All bids received are scheduled to be publicly opened and read aloud on January 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. C.S.T. Any bid received after closing will be returned unopened. Passed Unanimously.
Item D: It was MOTIONED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER and SECONDED by MITCHELL L. LEWIS to approve by Resolution the recommendation of BALAR Associates, Inc. awarding a construction contract to Trenchless Methods, Inc. as the lowest responsive bidder for the Wastewater Collection System Improvements Project and to give the Mayor authority to execute other documents in connection with this endeavor. This company’s total base bid was $917,729.00, with an Additive Alternate No. 1 bid of $38,125.00 and an Additive Alternate No. 2 bid of $30,500.00. BALAR’s recommendation was that the Council accept this company’s total base bid and Additive Alternate No. 1 bid ($955,854.00). Passed Unanimously.
Item E: It was MOTIONED by G. B. HALL III and SECONDED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER to adopt Ordinance No. 10 of 2009 (General Sales Tax Ordinance) which authorizes the issuance from time to time of Sales Tax Bonds of the City of Mansfield, State of Louisiana; prescribing the form, and certain terms and conditions of said Bonds; providing for the payment thereof in principal and interest; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. The City is levying a 30 year, ½% sales and use tax, pursuant to an election held in the City of Mansfield on October 4, 2008, for the purpose of making improvements to the City’s Public Water Distribution System. Passed Unanimously. (Full copy of ordinance on file at City Hall)
Item F: It was MOTIONED by J. DUDLEY KEMPER and SECONDED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY to adopt Ordinance No. 11 of 2009 (Supplemental Sales Tax Ordinance) authorizing the issuance of not exceeding $6,400,000 of Sales Tax Bonds, Series 2010 (Taxable), of the City of Mansfield, in accordance with the terms of a General Bond Ordinance adopted on December 14, 2009; prescribing the form, and certain terms and conditions of said Bonds; designating said Bonds as Build America Bonds pursuant to Section 54AA of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. The levy and collection of ½% sales tax for a period of 30 years, effective January 1, 2009, pursuant to an election held in October 2008, for the purpose of improving the City’s waterworks facilities. Passed Unanimously. (Full copy of ordinance on file at City Hall)
Item G: It was MOTIONED by G. B. HALL III and SECONDED by ALVIN R. WOODLEY to adopt Ordinance No. 12 of 2009 authorizing the issuance of not exceeding $1,550,000 of Limited Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2010 ((Taxable), of the City of Mansfield, State of Louisiana; prescribing the form, terms and conditions of said Bonds; designating the date, denomination and place of payment of said Bonds; providing for the payment thereof in principal and interest; awarding said Bonds to the purchaser thereof; authorizing the execution of a Loan and
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City Council Meeting Minutes for
December 14, 2009
Pledge Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; providing for the sale and delivery of the Bonds to the Department; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. This financial assistance is being provided by the LA Dept. of Health & Hospitals (LDHH) for the purpose affording the City the means to make improvements to its public waterworks system. According to Mr. Jason Akers, who was present at this meeting and allowed to further explain the ordinances adopted, the City must enter into a Loan and Pledge Agreement with the LDHH by February 17, 2010. Mr. Akers is employed as Special Counsel with the City’s bond attorneys, Foley & Judell, L.L.P. Passed Unanimously. (Full copy of ordinance on file at City Hall).
During the Comments Period for the Mayor and Councilmen, Mayor McCoy remarked that the City’s Annual Christmas Parade was successful, despite inclement weather during the period the parade was scheduled. Additionally, Alderman G. B. Hall III inquired as to the commencement date of the Turn Lane Project at U. S. Hwy. 84 and LA Hwy. 175. The Mayor replied that the project is slated to begin by mid-June of 2010. Alderman Hall next inquired about the street markings near the railroad crossing on Polk Street. He is of the opinion that the present markings pose a safety hazard to motorists using this busy thoroughfare. A few months ago the City made a request to the LA DOTD to alter the markings at this crossing to accommodate four lanes of traffic. The LA DOTD responded to the request by informing Mayor McCoy that a recent traffic and accident study performed by this department, indicated that this area has seen too few accidents to warrant altering the present markings. In conclusion, Mayor McCoy stated that this matter will be revisited possibly in the 3rd quarter of 2010.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m., by MOTION from J. DUDLEY KEMPER and was SECONDED by MITCHELL L. LEWIS. Passed Unanimously.
Curtis W. McCoy, Mayor
Marvin R. Jackson, City Clerk
