OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF MORGAN CITY
January 22, 2008
The Mayor and City Council of Morgan City, Louisiana, met at 6:00 pm in regular session, this date, in the Court Room, City Court Building, Highway 182, Morgan City, Louisiana.
There were present: Honorable Timothy Matte, Mayor; and Council Members Larry P. Bergeron, Ron Bias, Jarrod Longman, Luke P. Manfre, and Louis J. Tamporello, Jr.
Absent: None
Also present were Mrs. Lorrie C. Braus, Chief Administrative Officer and Mr. Gregory Aucoin, City Attorney.
The invocation was given by Reverend Terry Bunner, New Life Tabernacle.
Mayor Matte introduced this month’s Positive Image Persons – Mr. and Mrs. Mario Manfre and Mr. Christopher Rhodes. For the past ten (10) years these individuals, along with assistance from their neighbors took on the project of decorating the gazebo in Lawrence Park.
The minutes of the meeting of December 18, 2007, were submitted. There being no corrections, additions, or deletions, a motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Manfre, and voted unanimously in favor.
Mrs. Deborah Garber, Finance Director, submitted the following financial statement for the period ending December 31, 2007.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DATE: January 22, 2008
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Deborah Garber
RE: Comments related to summary of revenues and expenses compared to budget for the period ended December 31, 2007.
Attached is a summary that compares our actual revenues and expenses to our operational budget for our major funds subject to budgetary control for the period ending December 31, 2007. The following comments are related thereto:
General and Ancillary Funds: Actual total revenues are over budget by $129,000. Operating expenses are also over budget by $229,000. The net income, after transfers, of $24,000 creates an unfavorable variance of $56,000.
Utility Fund: Actual revenues are over budget by $93,000, with operational expenses over budget by $445,000. The net income, after transfers, of $1,434,000 creates an unfavorable variance of $383,000.
Sanitation and Sewer Fund: The operating revenues are $20,000 under budget, with total operating expenses also under budget by $85,000. The net loss, after transfers, of $1,189,000 leaves a favorable variance of $642,500.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Deborah Garber
Deborah Garber
Finance Director
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT |
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Actual Revenues and Expenses Compared to Budget |
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Period Ended December 31, 2007 |
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December |
December |
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2007 |
2007 |
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GENERAL AND ANCILLARY FUNDS |
ACTUAL |
BUDGET |
VARIANCE |
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REVENUES |
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General Fund |
6,639,878 |
6,511,384 |
128,494 |
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Recreation Fund |
281,511 |
278,100 |
3,411 |
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Library Fund |
39,940 |
37,979 |
1,961 |
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Auditorium Fund |
297,133 |
288,222 |
8,911 |
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Lake End Park Fund |
385,911 |
399,660 |
(13,749) |
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Total Revenues |
7,644,373 |
7,515,345 |
129,028 |
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EXPENSES-OPERATIONAL |
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General Fund |
8,560,601 |
8,416,212 |
144,389 |
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Recreation Fund |
777,661 |
720,146 |
57,515 |
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Library Fund |
134,238 |
129,623 |
4,615 |
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Auditorium Fund |
391,043 |
359,230 |
31,813 |
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Lake End Park Fund |
498,327 |
507,937 |
(9,610) |
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Total Expenses |
10,361,870 |
10,133,148 |
228,722 |
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TRANSFERS |
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Transfers from Funds |
4,090,230 |
4,056,900 |
33,330 |
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Transfers to Funds |
(1,348,636) |
(1,358,583) |
9,947 |
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Net Transfers |
2,741,594 |
2,698,317 |
43,277 |
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EXCESS NET OF TRANSFERS |
24,097 |
80,514 |
(56,417) |
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UTILITY FUND |
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Total Revenues |
22,761,092 |
22,668,453 |
92,639 |
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Total Expenditures |
20,948,642 |
20,503,780 |
444,862 |
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Net Excess |
1,812,450 |
2,164,673 |
(352,223) |
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Net Transfers and non-oper. |
(378,821) |
(348,274) |
(30,547) |
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Excess net of transfers |
1,433,629 |
1,816,399 |
(382,770) |
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SANITATION AND SEWER FUND |
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Total Revenues |
1,617,984 |
1,637,756 |
(19,772) |
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Total Expenses |
2,504,653 |
2,589,986 |
(85,333) |
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Net Excess |
(886,669) |
(952,230) |
65,561 |
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Net Transfers/non- |
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operating expenses |
(302,497) |
(879,524) |
577,027 |
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Excess net of transfers |
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and non-operating |
(1,189,166) |
(1,831,754) |
642,588 |
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A motion to accept the financial statement was made by Mr. Mr. Manfre, seconded by Mr. Tamporello, and voted unanimously in favor.
Mayor Matte submitted a report on the sales taxes (copy on file). He went into a detailed explanation of the collections. He stated that when the annual collections for 2007 were compared to the amended budget, the city was still $30,000 over that number. Last year’s collection was higher than previous years due to the audit. This report was for information purposes.
The next matter was recommendations from the Finance Committee (copy on file).
Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-1
BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that the following Finance Committee recommendations be and the same are hereby approved:
1. Reallocate $84,014.46 from the $100,000 WalkingTrail allocation to purchase a backhoe ($67,514.46) and a 10” pump ($16,500.00)
2. Allocate $10,000 from Cemetery account to do repairs (windows and rafter ends) at caretaker’s house.
Mr. Longman seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bergeron, Longman, Bias, Manfre, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2008.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
At present, residential fees for burial plots were $500.00 per plot and non-residential fees were $750. The Cemetery Committee was recommending that a flat rate of $600.00 be charged for both residential and non-residential. The council was advised that this change needed to be done by ordinance, and said ordinance would be brought back to the next meeting.
Mayor Matte gave a LEPA report. He stated that it appeared that the January power cost was expected to be similar to December, the construction of the capacitor bank was underway (equipment was ordered), there were some problems with some of the language in the AEP contract that was being worked on, LEPA constructing additional generation, etc.
The Mayor then congratulated Kenny Duval on his appointment to City Court Marshall, replacing Merlin Price, Sr. who retired.
Mrs. Lorrie Braus gave a report on the Mardi Gras parade routes. She stated that after great deliberation the best alternate routes were determined (this being due to the construction that was being done on Brashear Avenue). She submitted some maps (copies on file) showing the routes to be taken. She also stated that juvenile services of the City Court would be working the routes on Wednesday after the Tuesday parade. She requested parade goers please pick up their trash, and leave it in a bag on curbside and someone would run the route on Saturday and on Monday after the Friday and Sunday parades.
The next matter on the agenda was a request to engage David Waitz Engineering to engineer and prepare the plans and specifications and bid solicitation for the extension of Brashear Avenue into the Hellenic subdivision. Hellenic reported that it had received calls for estimates on lots and at this time was looking a price in the mid $30’s.
Reverend Bias offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-2
WHEREAS, Hellenic, Inc., in recognizing the need to provide affordable housing to this area, is developing, in phases, a new subdivision, along Lake Palourde, and the City
has identified a need for new residential growth and finds it to be beneficial for all of our citizens, and
WHEREAS, the developer is committed to provide the streets and other infrastructure, and
WHEREAS, ingress and egress into this subdivision is a necessary part of development, and can be accomplished by extending Brashear Avenue into the subdivision, and
WHEREAS, the St. Mary Parish Council, in order to provide this “Brashear Avenue Extension”, has agreed to assist in this project by providing funds in the amount of $600,000, and
WHEREAS, the services of an engineer are necessary and the firm of David A. Waitz Engineering and Surveying, Inc., the engineers for Hellenic, Inc. has submitted a proposal in the amount of $52,632.50 to perform the necessary engineering services to construct this extension.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that it hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute an agreement/contract with said David A. Waitz Engineering and Surveying, Inc., along with any other documents necessary, in connection with the engineering services needed for this Brashear Avenue Extension Project.
Mr. Manfre seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bias, Bergeron, Longman, Manfre, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2008.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
On the matter of the Young Industrial Park Road and Bridge, no action was necessary at this time.
The election of the Mayor Pro-tem was acted on.
Reverend Bias offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-3
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 01-3, the council approved a change to the charter to provide for the annual selection of the mayor pro-tempore by a majority vote of the council, said selection to be made at the first meeting in January of each year, and
WHEREAS, this home rule charter amendment, in an election held on October 12, 2002, was approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors voting in this election.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that Mr. Louis J. Tamporello, Jr. is hereby selected as Mayor Pro-tempore of the City Council for the year 2008.
Mr. Manfre seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bias, Manfre, Bergeron, Longman, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2007.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
The Mayor advised the council that the adoption of the Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire (copy on file) was required in connection with the City’s audit, whereupon
Mr. Longman offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-4
WHEREAS, as required by the Legislative Auditor of the State of Louisiana, a Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire is to be completed and submitted to the firm of Kolder, Champagne, Slaven, & Company for the City of Morgan City and
WHEREAS, along with the audit report, the results of this questionnaire must be submitted to the Legislative Auditor.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, that it hereby approves and adopts the Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire as completed and submitted by the Finance Director.
Reverend Bias seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Longman, Bias, Bergeron, Manfre, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2008.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
A change order in the amount of +$40,150.00 to the Byron E. Talbot contract for the Brashear Avenue Drainage Project was submitted (copy on file), This change order was in connection with some sewer work that needed to be done.
Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-5
WHEREAS, the City has requested that the sewer line relocation work proposed for the Brashear Avenue Drainage Improvements Project, Facility Planning and Control Project No. 50-MK2-02-01 (hereinafter called Project), be modified, and
WHEREAS, the City has also requested that access locations to the inside of the new pre-cast concrete arch drainage structure be provided so that City personnel can clean the inside of the structure to maintain the drainage flow, and
WHEREAS, Byron E. Talbot Contractor, Inc., (hereinafter called Contractor) has submitted to Shaw Coastal, Inc., (hereinafter called Engineer) to modify the sewer line relocation work and provide the access locations, and
WHEREAS, the Engineer has review the costs and recommends approval of such costs, and
WHEREAS, the Engineer has prepared Change Order No. 1 which provides a net increase of $40,150.00 to the existing construction contract amount to perform the requested work, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Facility Planning and Control has review Change Order No. 1 and has agreed to fully fund 416,867.00, and
WHEREAS, the City will need to fund $23,285.00 as part of Change Order No. 1, said funds to be allocated from the Sewer Fund,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana that the mayor be authorized to execute Change Order No. 1 to the existing construction contract with Byron E. Talbot Contractor, Inc.
Reverend Bias seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bergeron, Bias, Longman, Manfre, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2008.
___________________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
Environmental Engineering Services submitted a recommendation (copy on file) to put the Insituform contract for the 2006-2007 Sanitary Sewer Line Rehab project in the lien period.
Reverend Bias offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:08-6
WHEREAS, the firm of Insituform Technologies, Inc., has substantially completed the work for the 2006-2007 Sanitary Sewer Collection Rehabilitation Project, done under Contract No. R:07-10, dated March 20, 2007 and recorded in the mortgage records of the Parish of St. Mary, Book 1121, Entry 281293, Page 1, and
WHEREAS, the contractor has requested that this work be put in the lien period, and
WHEREAS, the engineering firm of Environmental Engineering Services, engineers for the project, have recommended acceptance of said project as substantially complete, to begin the forty-five (45) day lien period with the following items still remaining to be done:
1. New Manhole 3 – remove construction debris from inside of manhole and fix concrete road patch.
2. New Manhole 4 – remove construction debris from inside of manhole
3. New Manhole 11 – Remove rocks from around manhole and dress up site with soil
4. New Manhole 12 – Remove rocks from around manhole and dress up site with soil
5. New Manhole 18 – Redo asphalt patch to allow for smooth ride and remove construction debris from inside of manhole
6. New Manhole 20 – Re-grout inside of manhole. Manhole had visible bricks
7. New Manholes located in front of City Hall – Cut and cap upstream side of pipe in the manhole. Manhole to become a dead end manhole
and
WHEREAS, this list is a tentative and may not be all-inclusive, and the failure to include an item in said list does not alter the responsibility of the contractor to complete all work in accordance with the contract documents, and
WHEREAS, before final payment is made, the engineering firm of Environmental Engineering Services, will so certify to the City that the project is fully complete and approve the payment of the retainage,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that the Mayor, is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to execute the “Certificate of Substantial Completion” and that a copy of this resolution, along with said “Certificate” be filed with the Clerk of Courts of the Parish of St. Mary to initiate the forty-five (45) day lien period for the work done under the above mentioned contract.
Mr. Longman seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bias, Longman, Bergeron, Manfre, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 22nd day of January, 2008.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington, Clerk
A proposed ordinance to adopt the City Work Plan, including all changes, additions, or deletions was submitted for a first reading. This was being done because the charter provided that such action needed to be done by ordinance. No action necessary at this time.
A request was submitted (copy on file) by Sark, Inc., d/b/a Duke’s Lounge, 7722 Highway 182, for a Liquor and Beer permit. Everything being in order, a motion to approve the application was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Bergeron, and voted unanimously in favor.
The Mayor had two appointments to make. He requested the council’s concurrence on appointing Mr. Ken Keaton, Jr. as a full member to the Board of Adjustments and Mr. Dwight Barbier as an alternate member. A motion to concur in this appointment was made by Mr. Bergeron, seconded by Reverend Bias, and voted unanimously in favor.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Bergeron, seconded by Mr. Tamporello, and voted unanimously in favro.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Debbie Harrington Timothy Matte
Clerk Mayor