OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF MORGAN CITY

July 24, 2007

 

 

            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 and Myrtle Street, 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 Roy Mellish, Trinity Episcopal Church.

 

            The Mayor introduced the July, 2007 Positive Image Organization as members of the Morgan City High School Basketball Program:  Kevin Louis, Talbot Landry, Johnny Francois, Jr., Ronald Clay, Gregory Christopher, Ben Jackson, Harold Bias, Rueben Evans, Henry Fryou and Coach Jeremy Whittington.  This group of young men assisted in getting the Roland Broussard Playground for use by the citizens.  Reverend Bias also mentioned that the basketball team went 29-10 in the regular season and finished the season rated #10 in the state.

 

            The minutes of the meeting of June 26, 2007 were submitted.  There being no corrections, additions, or deletions, a motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Tamporello, and voted unanimously in favor.

 

            Mrs. Deborah Garber, Finance Director, submitted the following financial statement for the period ending June 30, 2007.

 

                                       MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                      

 

DATE:             July 24, 2007

TO:                  Mayor and Council

FROM:            Deborah Garber

RE:                  Comments related to summary of revenues and expenses compared to budget for the period ended June 30, 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 June 30, 2007.  The following comments are related thereto:

 

General and Ancillary Funds:  Actual total revenues are over budget by $705,000.  Operating expenses are also over budget by $9,000.  The net loss, after transfers, of $160,000 creates a favorable variance of $655,000.

 

Utility Fund:  Actual revenues are below budget by $848,000, with operational expenses also under budget by $224,000.  The net loss, after transfers, of $1,130,000 creates an unfavorable variance of $535,000.

 

Sanitation and Sewer Fund:  The operating revenues are $4,000 over budget, with total operating expenses also over budget by $61,000.  The net income, after transfers, of $312,000 leaves an unfavorable variance of $51,000.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                  /s/ Deborah Garber

                                                                                                Deborah Garber

                                                                                                Finance Director

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT

Actual Revenues and Expenses Compared to Budget

Period Ended JUNE 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE

JUNE

 

 

 

2007

2007

 

 

GENERAL AND ANCILLARY FUNDS

ACTUAL

BUDGET

VARIANCE

 

  REVENUES

 

 

 

 

     General Fund

3,026,704

2,467,240

559,464

 

     Recreation Fund

204,395

81,115

123,280

 

     Library Fund

9,315

9,605

(290)

 

     Auditorium Fund

71,371

72,650

(1,279)

 

     Lake End Park Fund

211,427

187,535

23,892

 

          Total Revenues

3,523,212

2,818,145

705,067

 

  EXPENSES-OPERATIONAL

 

 

 

 

     General Fund

4,416,786

4,353,384

63,402

 

     Recreation Fund

339,995

338,392

1,604

 

     Library Fund

64,130

71,021

(6,891)

 

     Auditorium Fund

163,244

186,565

(23,321)

 

     Lake End Park Fund

239,511

265,009

(25,498)

 

          Total Expenses

5,223,666

5,214,370

9,296

 

  TRANSFERS

 

 

 

 

     Transfers from Funds

2,006,400

2,007,000

(600)

 

     Transfers to Funds

(466,285)

(426,200)

(40,085)

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Net Transfers

1,540,115

1,580,800

(40,685)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  EXCESS NET OF TRANSFERS

(160,339)

(815,425)

655,086

 

                                            

 

 

 

 

UTILITY FUND

 

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

10,529,388

11,377,871

(848,483)

 

     Total Expenditures

10,165,837

10,389,918

(224,081)

 

          Net Excess

363,551

987,953

(624,402)

 

     Net Transfers and non-oper.

(1,494,430)

(1,584,000)

89,570

 

     Excess net of transfers

(1,130,879)

(596,047)

(534,832)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANITATION AND SEWER FUND

 

 

 

 

     Total Revenues

848,544

844,500

4,044

 

     Total Expenses

1,313,718

1,252,244

61,474

 

          Net Excess

(465,174)

(407,744)

(57,430)

 

     Net Transfers/non-

 

 

 

 

       operating expenses

777,547

771,400

6,147

 

     Excess net of transfers

 

 

 

 

       and non-operating

312,373

363,656

(51,283)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

            Mr. Manfred submitted a report (copy on file) of the recommendations of the Finance Committee, whereupon

 

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-44

 

            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 $7,020.00 towards purchase of Fire Safety House

a.      $2,100 from Fire Department equipment budget

b.      $4,920 from Excess Sales Tax

 

2.      Allocate $10,000 from Excess Sales Tax to hire additional mechanic -

           Central Garage

 

            Mr. Bergeron  seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Manfre, Bergeron, Bias, Longman, Tamporello

 

            NAYS:              None

 

            ABSENT:         None

 

            The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 24th day of July, 2007.

 

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

            Mayor Matte gave a report on LEPa, stating that SWEPCO had agreed to modify its proposal to offer a 100 megawatt block of power to the LEPA control area, however the proposal had to be evaluated.

 

            The matter of the amendment to the present Stagg Marine lease for western terminus of Belanger Street was taken up.  The Mayor advised that this amendment was basically the same terms and conditions as the original lease, however the insurance was increased.

 

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-45

 

            WHEREAS, the lease between the City of Morgan City and Stagg Marine, Inc. expired June 30, 2007, and the City extended said lease for another month, and

 

            WHEREAS, both parties are interested in amending the existing lease, under the same terms and conditions,

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana that (a) Lease Agreement No. R:97-50 between the City and Stagg Marine, Inc., is hereby amended under the same terms and conditions, and (b) the Mayor be authorized to execute any documents necessary to amend Lease Agreement No. R:97-50.

 

            Mr. Longman seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Bergeron, Longman, Bias, Manfred, Tamporello

            NAYS:              None

            ABSENT:         None

 

            The resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 24th day of July, 2007.

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

            A tabulation report on the bids received for the Fire Safety House was submitted (copy on file).

 

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

 

                                                     RESOLUTION NO. R:07-46

 

      BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, that the bid of Mobile Concepts by Scotty in the amount of $46,920.00, for a Fire Safety House being the least and most responsi­ble bid received, be and the same is hereby accepted and awarded to Mobile Concepts by Scotty.

      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 Fire Safety House, in carrying out the intent and purpose of this resolution, hereby ratifying and confirm­ing his act or acts in the premises.

      Mr. Bergeron seconded the motion.

 

      The vote thereon was as follows:

 

      AYES:              Longman, Bergeron, Bias, Manfre, Tamporello

      NAYS:              None

      ABSENT:         None

 

      The Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 24th day of July, 2007.

 

 

                                                                              ______________________________

                                                                              Timothy Matte, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

            Mr. Bill Cefalu, Utilities Director, advised the council has proposal has been received for a “pre-positioned” contract for disaster utility work to clear lines, rights of ways, and other such clean up, in the event of a disaster. To be eligible for 100% reimbursement this is a FEMA requirement.   Discussion followed concerning reimbursement should the City perform its own work, the three companies submitting a proposal, the fact that should such a contract be in place, the company given the contract would be committed to the City,  which would put the city in a position to move forward quickly, the fact that the City had previously worked with Drewery Construction Company.

 

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. R:07-47

 

            WHEREAS, FEMA requires cities to seek proposals for a Pre-Event Disaster Recovery Assistance Contract, and

 

            WHEREAS, the City of Morgan City has fulfilled this obligation, and

 

            WHEREAS, the proposal to be chosen must meet the needs of the City of Morgan City, and

 

            WHEREAS, the firm of Drewery Construction Company meets that criteria and the City’s needs in its proposal,

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana the Mayor be authorized to execute, contingent upon approval by the City Attorney, any documents between the City of Morgan City and Drewery Construction Company, necessary to have this Pre-Event Disaster Recovery Assistance Contract in place.

 

            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 24th day of July, 2007.

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

            The Mayor advised that the LEPA Operating had discussed the matter of mutual aid to provide services in the event of a disaster. A mutual aid agreement would be brought back.

 

            The firm of Gulf Coast Broadband LLC submitted a proposed agreement (copy on file) to provide wireless internet to the Lake End Park for access by the campers, at no cost to the City.  The council was advised that this agreement would be a non-exclusive contract.

 

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 07-48

 

            WHEREAS, the firm of Gulf Coast Broadband LLC is desirous of providing wireless internet access to the campers utilizing Lake End Park, and

 

            WHEREAS, this will be done at no cost to the City, and

 

            WHEREAS, Gulf Coast Broadband submitted an agreement/proposal which would allow it to provide this internet access,

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana that (a) it hereby approves the agreement between the City and Gulf Coast Broadband LLC to provide wireless internet to the campers utilizing Lake End Park and (2) the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute any documents necessary to accomplish this.

 

            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 24th day of July, 2007.

 

_____________________________

Timothy Matte, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Debbie Harrington, Clerk

            The public hearing on the ordinance to provide for the wire type for electrical services was opened.  No one appeared for or against said Ordinance, whereupon

 

            This ordinance was introduced with first reading on June 26, 2007.  Published by title on July 2, 2007

 

            Mr. Longman offered the following ordinance, who moved for its adoption.

 

ORDINANCE NUMBER 07-8

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGAN CITY AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING SUB SECTION 20 OF SECTION 22-228, NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE ADOPTED,  ARTICLE VI, ELECTRICITY, CHAPTER 22, PROVIDING FOR THE APPROVEDD MATERIAL FOR USE IN ELECTRICAL WIRE INSTALLATIONS.

 

SECTION 1

 

            BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, that Sub-section (20) of Section 22-228, Article VI, Chapter 22, be and the same is hereby amended and re-enacted, said section to read as follows:

 

CHAPTER 22 - BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS

 

******************************

 

ARTICLE VI – ELECTRICITY

 

******************************

 

Section 22-228 – National Electric Code Adopted; Additions; Modifications

 

*****************************

 

(20)       Copper is the only approved material for use in any electrical wiring installations on the Residential/light Commercial side of the service, weather head, or other defined point of delivery for electric service.  Aluminum wire for secondary use for large Commercial/Industrial uses must be approved by the Utility Director.

 

SECTION 2

            Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase be declared unconstitutional or repealed for any reason, the remainder of the ordinance shall not be affected hereby.  That all laws or parts of laws in conflict with this ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.  This ordinance shall take effect immediately after its passage within the time prescribed by law.

 

            Mr. Tamporello seconded the motion.

 

            The vote thereon was as follows:

 

            AYES:              Longman, Tamporello, Bergeron, Bias, Manfre

            NAYS:              None

            ABSENT:          None

 

Certified approved and adopted this 24th day of July, 2007.

 

Delivered to Mayor Matte at 9:30 am this 26th day of July, 2007.

 

                                                /s/ Debbie Harrington ___________

                                                Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

Approved this 26th day of July, 2007.

 

                                                /s/ Timothy Matte ______________

                                                Timothy Matte,  Mayor

 

Received from Mayor at 9:45 am on July 26, 2007.

 

 

                                                /s/ Debbie Harrington ___________

                                                Debbie Harrington

Clerk

 

Published:  July 31, 2007

 

 

            The public hearing on the proposed ordinance to amend the zoning map was opened.  No one appeared for or against said ordinance, whereupon

 

This Ordinance introduced with first reading on June 26, 2007.  Published by title on July 2, 2007.

 

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

 

                                                        ORDINANCE NO. 07-9

 

      AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY.

 

SECTION 1

 

      BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, that the official Zoning Map of the City of Morgan City is amended and reenacted to rezone and re-designate the following described property from and to the zoning districts indicated; the affected properties with its zoning designation being as shown on the attached maps, which maps constitute an amendment to the existing official zoning map.

 

PROPERTY:

 

That portion of property commonly known as Highway 90 Trailer Park bearing address of 8031 Highway 182, said portion delineated as A-B-C-D-E-F-A on the attached map which is made a part hereof as if incorporated herein

 

FROM:   “R-5” Mobile Home Park

 

TO:         “C” Commercial

 

SECTION 2

      Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase be declared unconstitutional or repealed for any reason, the remainder of the ordinance shall not be affected hereby.  That all laws or parts of laws in conflict with this ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.  This ordinance shall take effect immediately after its passage within the time prescribed by law.

 

      Mr. Bergeron seconded the motion.

 

      The vote thereon was as follows:

 

      AYES:              Bias, Bergeron, Longman, Manfred, Tamporello

      NAYS:              None                                 

      ABSENT:         None                                 

 

Certified approved and adopted this 24th day of July, 2007.

 

Delivered to Mayor Matte at 9:30 am this 26th day of July, 2007.

 

                                                                        /s/ Debbie Harrington_________________

                                                                        Debbie Harrington, Clerk

 

      Approved this 26th day of July, 2007.