OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF MORGAN CITY

January 23, 2007

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            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 was Mrs. Lorrie C. Braus, Chief Administrative Officer. 

 

            The invocation was given by Reverend Ron Bias.

 

            A request (copy on file) was made by Ms. Christina Tallada to hold a pet costume contest under the new Atchafalaya River Bridge between Front and First Streets on March 20, 2007.  This event would help raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  A motion to approve the request was made by Mr. Bergeron, seconded by Mr. Longman, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            The minutes of the meeting of December 19, 2006 were submitted.  There being no corrections, additions, or deletions, a motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Tamporello, seconded by Mr. Bergeron, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            Mayor Matte advised the Council that Ms. Leslie LaJaunie, Finance Director had left the employment of the City and he submitted the name of Mrs. Deborah Garber (copy of resume’ on file) for appointment.  A motion to concur in this appointment was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Reverend Bias, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            Mayor Matte submitted the following financial statement for the period ending December 31, 2006.

 

MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Date:   1/23/2007

                                                                       

To:       MAYOR AND COUNCIL

 

From:  LESLIE LAJAUNIE

 

RE:      COMMENTS RELATED TO SUMMARY OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES

            COMPARED TO BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2006

            AND DECEMBER 31, 2006.

 

Please find attached a summary that compares our actual revenues and expenses to our operational budget for our major funds subject to budgetary control for the periods ending November 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006.  The following comments are related thereto:

                                   

General and Ancillary Funds:  Actual total revenues are above budget by $237,505. Operating expenses are $305,725 over budget.  The net excess, after transfers of $749,012 creates a unfavorable variance of $110,584.

 

Utility Fund:  Actual revenues are below budget by $539,285, with operational expenses $827,300 above budget.  The net loss, after transfers, of $488,935 creates an unfavorable variance of $1,274,398.

 

Sanitation and Sewer Fund:  The operating revenues are $21,500 above budget, with total operating expenses above budget by $199,284.  The net loss, after transfers, of $53,267 creates an unfavorable variance of $174,789.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Leslie LaJaunie

                                                                        Finance Director

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT

Actual Revenues and Expenses Compared to Budget

Period Ended November 30, 2006

 

 

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

 

 

2006

2006

 

GENERAL AND ANCILLARY FUNDS

ACTUAL

BUDGET

VARIANCE

  REVENUES

 

 

 

     General Fund

4,404,245

3,737,158

667,087

     Recreation Fund

205,606

118,525

87,081

     Library Fund

38,171

24,330

13,841

     Auditorium Fund

122,134

122,833

(699)

     Lake End Park Fund

301,217

257,491

43,725

          Total Revenues

5,071,374

4,260,338

811,036

  EXPENSES-OPERATIONAL

 

 

 

     General Fund

7,390,964

7,096,879

294,084

     Recreation Fund

606,918

558,468

48,451

     Library Fund

103,524

113,990

(10,466)

     Auditorium Fund

329,296

286,542

42,754

     Lake End Park Fund

335,407

336,234

(826)

          Total Expenses

8,766,109

8,392,112

373,997

  TRANSFERS

 

 

 

     Transfers from Funds

3,145,217

3,379,750

(234,533)

     Transfers to Funds

(470,482)

(697,750)

227,268

 

 

 

 

          Net Transfers

2,674,735

2,682,000

(7,265)

 

 

 

 

  EXCESS NET OF TRANSFERS

(1,020,001)

(1,449,774)

429,773

                                           

 

 

 

UTILITY FUND

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

21,908,468

19,996,804

1,911,664

     Total Expenditures

19,658,425

18,255,126

1,403,299

          Net Excess

2,250,043

1,741,678

508,366

     Net Transfers and non-oper.

(2,635,842)

(2,744,990)

109,148

     Excess net of transfers

(385,799)

(1,003,313)

617,514

 

 

 

 

SANITATION AND SEWER FUND

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

1,577,972

1,562,917

15,056

     Total Expenses

2,191,318

2,209,779

(18,461)

          Net Excess

(613,346)

(646,862)

33,517

     Net Transfers/non-

 

 

 

       operating expenses

1,133,740

595,833

537,906

     Excess net of transfers

 

 

 

       and non-operating

520,394

(51,029)

571,423

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT

Actual Revenues and Expenses Compared to Budget

Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

 

 

2006

2006

 

GENERAL AND ANCILLARY FUNDS

ACTUAL

BUDGET

VARIANCE

  REVENUES

 

 

 

     General Fund

6,005,197

5,830,717

174,479

     Recreation Fund

211,455

152,359

59,096

     Library Fund

38,182

39,234

(1,053)

     Auditorium Fund

277,612

292,327

(14,715)

     Lake End Park Fund

324,557

304,861

19,696

          Total Revenues

6,857,003

6,619,498

237,505

  EXPENSES-OPERATIONAL

 

 

 

     General Fund

8,074,879

7,884,078

190,801

     Recreation Fund

646,413

567,530

78,883

     Library Fund

123,434

116,442

6,992

     Auditorium Fund

383,443

381,132

2,311

     Lake End Park Fund

368,956

342,218

26,738

          Total Expenses

9,597,125

9,291,400

305,725

  TRANSFERS

 

 

 

     Transfers from Funds

4,208,798

4,172,998

35,800

     Transfers to Funds

(719,664)

(641,500)

(78,164)

 

 

 

 

          Net Transfers

3,489,134

3,531,498

(42,364)

 

 

 

 

  EXCESS NET OF TRANSFERS

749,012

859,596

(110,584)

                                           

 

 

 

UTILITY FUND

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

23,529,170

24,068,455

(539,285)

     Total Expenditures

21,090,163

20,262,863

827,300

          Net Excess

2,439,007

3,805,592

(1,366,585)

     Net Transfers and non-oper.

(2,927,942)

(3,020,129)

92,187

     Excess net of transfers

(488,935)

785,463

(1,274,398)

 

 

 

 

SANITATION AND SEWER FUND

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

1,708,067

1,686,567

21,500

     Total Expenses

2,376,893

2,177,609

199,284

          Net Excess

(668,826)

(491,042)

(177,784)

     Net Transfers/non-

 

 

 

       operating expenses

615,559

612,564

2,995

     Excess net of transfers

 

 

 

       and non-operating

(53,267)

121,522

(174,789)

 

 

 

 

 

            A motion to accept the financial statement was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Manfre, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            Mr. Larry Bergeron, Finance Committee Chairman, submitted the committee’s recommendations (copy on file), whereupon

 

            Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-1

 

            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.       Allocate $2,500.00 from Recreation Fund Balance to Install fencing around Adams Street Playground

2.       Allocate $4,134.00 from General Fund Balance for 5% match on Assistance Firefighters Grant awarded

3.       Allocate $230,000 from Pollution Abatement Fund Balance to purchase new sanitation truck and $40,000 for a refurished truck

4.       Recommend that the Mayor request legislation to consider provision for cost of living increase for two (2) Police Pension retirees

 

            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 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte,

 Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

            Mayor Matte gave a LEPA report, stating that the wholesale power cost as reported by LEPA for November was the lowest cost for the year, but due to the scheduled outage for Rodemacher, the rates should be higher in February.

 

            A request (copy on file) was made by Morgan City High School to hold a “Roadway Solicitation can shake” to raise funds for Project Graduation.  A motion to approve the request was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Tamporello and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            A tabulation report (copy on file) on bids received January 12, 2007 for the Oceaneering Project transformers was submitted.  Mr. Bill Cefalu, Utilities Director recommended awarding the bid to Techline, Ltd, who bid Solomon rebuilt transformers as follows:  one (1) 2500 KVA - $38,850.00 and one (1) 2000 KV - $35,750 for a total of $74,600.

 

      Mr. Bergeron ­offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adop­tion.

 

                                                      RESOLUTION NO. R:07-2

 

      BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, that the bid of Techline, Ltd., being the least and most responsi­ble bid received, be and the same is hereby accepted and awarded to Techline, Ltd., for the following:

      One (1)      Solomon          2500 KVA Re-manufactured

                                                Transformer w/new copper windings             $38,850.00

      One (1)      Solomon          2000 KVA Re-manufactured

                                                Transformer w/new copper windings             $35,650.00

      TOTAL                                                                                                      $74,500.00

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, etc., that the, Mayor be and he is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed in the name of and on behalf of said municipal corporation, to purchase said transformers, in carrying out the intent and purpose of this resolution, hereby ratifying and confirm­ing his act or acts in the premises.

      Mr. Manfre seconded the motion.

 

      The vote thereon was as follows:

 

      AYES:              Bergeron, Manfre, Bias, Longman, Tamporello

      NAYS:              None

      ABSENT:         None

 

      The Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

 

                                                                              ______________________________

                                                                              Timothy Matte

                                                                              Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________________

Debbie Harrington

Clerk

 

            on the matter of the bids received for the renovations to the Water Plant clarifier, the council was advised that the prices were above budget.  It was recommended that no action be taken at this time and a request be made to find out if the bidder would extend his bid.

            The next matter on the agenda was to elect a Mayor Pro-tempore as provided for in the Charter.

 

            Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-3

 

            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 Reverend Ron Bias is hereby selected as Mayor Pro-tempore of the City Council for the year 2007.

            Mr. Manfre  seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Bergeron, Manfre, Bias, Longman, Tamporello

 

            NAYS:              None

 

            ABSENT:         None

 

            The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

 

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte

Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington

Clerk

 

            The Council was advised that the City, each year as part of its audit, had to submit a Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire and that a resolution adopting said questionnaire was needed, whereupon

 

      Reverend Bias offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adop­tion.

 

                                                      RESOLUTION NO. R:07-4

 

      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.

      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 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte

Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington

Clerk

 

            The next matter on the agenda was for Change Order #2 for the Suncoast sewer rehab project and to put the project in substantial completion.  The council was advised that the change order was a balancing change order and everything was in order for the project to be accepted.

 

            Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-5

 

BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed in the name of and on behalf of said municipal corporation, to execute Change Order Number 2, in the amount of + $4,982.00, under Contract Number R:05-75, between the City of Morgan City and Suncoast Infrastructure, Inc. for the  Sewer Rehab project.

            Mr. Tamporello seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Bergeron, Tamporello, Bias, Longman, Manfre

            NAYS:              None

            ABSENT:         None

 

            The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

 

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        Timothy Matte, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

            Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-6

 

            WHEREAS, the firm of Suncoast Infrastructure, has substantially completed the work done under Contract No. R:05-75, for the Sewer Line Rehab Project (2006), dated January 31, 2006, and recorded in the mortgage records of the Parish of St. Mary, Book 1067, Entry 273,837, Page 52, and

 

            WHEREAS, the contractor has requested that this work be put in the lien period, and

 

            WHEREAS, the engineering firm of Environmental Engineering Services, Inc., 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:

 

LINE SEGMENT         PROBLEM

06029-06028               Coupon in service U155.7 @ 9 o’clock

06028-06027               Coupon in service U69.4 @ 9 o’clock

06028-06027               Slug remains in service U94.6 @ 3 o’clock

06028-06027               Coupon in service U162.6 @ 2 o’clock

06081-06080               Coupon in service U318.8 @ 3 o’clock

 

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, Inc., 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. Tamporello seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Bergeron, Tamporello, Bias, Longman, Manfre

            NAYS:              None

            ABSENT:         None

 

            The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 23rd day of January, 2007.

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        Timothy Matte, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

            Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-7

 

            BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, that the items shown below are hereby declared surplus and no longer needed.

 

Equipment   Make/Model                   Qty    Department

Victor Calculator                       1      Administrative

A-Plus Pentium computer                  1      City Hall

1989 GMC S15 Jimmy (white)               1      LEP

Inkjet printer (HP Deskjet 932C)         1      Tax Office

Couch, brown                             1      Purchasing

Loveseat, brown                          1      Purchasing     

Inkjet printer (HP Deskjet 812C)         1      Purchasing

Dot-matrix printer (Panasonic KX-P1624)  1      Purchasing

Print server (HP Jetdirect EX Plus)      1      Purchasing

Adding machine (Canon P121-DH)           1      Purchasing

Dot-matrix printer (Epson FX-2180)       1      Purchasing

1996 Ford Crown Victoria (green)         1      Purchasing

CNS Pentium computer                     2      Purchasing

Star dual basket deep fryer              1      Purchasing

Hon typing table, gray                   1      Purchasing

208 V light and ballast                  6      Purchasing

Misc. office chairs (various condition)  6      Purchasing

Fax machine (Panasonic KX-FL501)         1      Utilities

Computer monitor (KDS VS-7P)             1      Utilities

Laser printer (IBM Infoprint 1116)       1      Utilities

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, etc., that said items be sold either by auction or by receiving bids.

 

            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 23rd day of January, 2007.

 

                                                                              _________________________________

                                                                              Timothy Matte

                                                                              Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________

Debbie Harrington

Clerk

 

            The following ordinances were introduced as a first reading:

           

1.      Open fires at Lake End Park

2.      Cross Connection Controls – Water Distribution System

3.      Inspection fees

 

            Item one would allow for open fires at Lake End Park and Parkway but they would have to be kept in fire rings.  Item two would require cross connections be installed on any new construction or on modifications and inspections be made with necessary documents submitted to the City.  Item three would set up the fees for the inspections being required by the state for new construction and/or additions.  No definitive action necessary at this time.

 

            Mrs. Braus gave a report on the litter enforcement effort and submitted a memorandum on the January 18, 2007 anti-litter meeting.  She stated that this was a parish-wide effort to involve students, local law enforcements, training, a “zero tolerance” weekend, etc.  Sarah Kidd gave the council copies of posters advising the public that citations would be issued.

 

            The next matter was a discussion on a possible sidewalk repair program.  Discussion followed concerning setting the criteria for sidewalk maintenance, establishing what is a damaged sidewalk, notification to owner of a deficiency to sidewalk, providing them the opportunity to make the repairs, if the owner desired, the city could make repairs and bill the owner, adding to the property tax, etc.  No definitive action necessary at this time.

 

            The Mayor advised the Council that the H & B Young Foundation notified the City it was not going to fund the operations of the Cypress Manor Museum for 2007. They have been contributing from $45,000 to $55,000 per year to its operations.  Due to the reduction in funding, the Mayor proposed the following changes:  Moving one of the full time employees to another department within the City, the partial employee to other departments, all within the city’s present budgeted structure.  It is proposed to operate the museum on an as need basis, ask the Convention, Tourism, Culture Commission and the Cypress Manor Museum Committee to review the situation and make any recommendations as to means of operating.  It could be possible to make the facility available for rentals for meetings, small receptions, etc.  The fund balance now in the museum account would be retained to handle any capital needs and/or repairs the building may need.

 

            An application was submitted (copy on file) from Todd Kirkpatrick, Timmy T’s LLC, d/b/a Timmy T’s, 6815 Highway 90 East, for a Class “A” Liquor and Beer Permit, “C” Commercial Zone.  A motion to approve the application was made by Mr. Longman , seconded by Reverend Bias and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            An application was submitted (copy on file) from Clay Fondren, d/b/a Big River Café, 119 Everett Street, for a Class “A” Liquor License, “C” Commercial Zone.  A motion to approve the application was made by Reverend Bias, seconded by Mr.  Bergeron, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            The Mayor submitted the following names for appointments:

 

1.      Board of Adjustments – Mr. John Broussard (Alternate)

2.      Recreation and Parks – Mr. Mark Fryou

3.      Wharf Commission – Mr. Charlie Solar, Jr.

 

            A motion to concur in these appointments was made by Mr. Bergeron, seconded by Mr.Tamporello, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            Mayor Matte submitted the following names for re-appointments:

 

1.      Board of Adjustments – Helen Ross

2.      Convention, Tourism, Culture Commission – Linda Young

3.      Image Commission – Natalia Dean

4.      Library Commission – Delores Henderson, Paul Governale, Carolyn Watson

5.      Main Street Committee – Jada Aloisio, Keith Kidd

6.      Recreation and Parks – Herman Hartman

 

            A motion to concur in these appointments was made by Reverend Bias, seconded by Mr. Longman, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Bergeron, seconded by Reverend Bias, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________              _____________________________

Debbie Harrington                                                       Timothy Matte

Clerk                                                                            Mayor