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 90 at Myrtle Street, Morgan City, Louisiana.
There were present: Honorable Timothy Matte,
Mayor; and Council Members Larry P. Bergeron, Ron Bias, Jarrod Longman, and Louis
J. Tamporello, Jr.
Absent: Luke Manfre
Also present were Mrs. Lorrie C. Braus, Chief
Administrative Officer and Mr. Gregory Aucoin, City Attorney.
The invocation was given by Reverend Ron Bias.
The minutes of the meeting of May 22, 2007 were submitted. There being no corrections, additions, or deletions, a
motion to approve the minutes was made by Reverend Bias, seconded by Mr.
Tamporello, and voted unanimously in favor.
Mrs. Deborah Garber, Finance Director, submitted
the following financial statement for the period ending May 31, 2007.
MONTHLY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DATE: June 26, 2007
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Deborah Garber
RE: Comments
related to summary of revenues and expenses compared to budget for the period
ended May 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 May 31, 2007. The following comments
are related thereto:
General and Ancillary Funds: Actual total
revenues are over budget by $480,000. Operating expenses are under budget by
$218,000. The net excess, after transfers, of $330,000 creates a favorable
variance of $678,000.
Utility Fund: Actual revenues are below
budget by $711,000, with operational expenses also under budget by $348,000.
The net loss, after transfers, of $415,000 creates an unfavorable variance of
$315,000.
Sanitation and Sewer Fund: The operating
revenues are $9,000 under budget, with total operating expenses over budget by
$41,000. The net income, after transfers, of $308,000 leaves an unfavorable
variance of $4,000.
Respectfully
submitted,
/s/
Deborah Garber
Deborah
Garber
Finance
Director
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
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Actual Revenues and
Expenses Compared to Budget
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Period Ended MAY 31, 2007
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MAY
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MAY
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2007
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2007
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GENERAL
AND ANCILLARY FUNDS
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ACTUAL
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BUDGET
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VARIANCE
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REVENUES
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General Fund
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2,587,409
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2,156,862
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430,547
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Recreation Fund
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186,415
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67,596
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118,819
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Library Fund
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6,393
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14,254
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(7,861)
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Auditorium Fund
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61,700
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60,542
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1,158
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Lake End Park Fund
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170,652
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158,279
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12,373
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Total Revenues
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3,012,569
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2,457,533
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555,036
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EXPENSES-OPERATIONAL
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General Fund
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3,369,940
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3,479,070
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(109,130)
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Recreation Fund
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219,287
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272,826
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(53,539)
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Library Fund
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55,877
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60,601
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(4,724)
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Auditorium Fund
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135,513
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155,470
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(19,957)
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Lake End Park Fund
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196,225
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227,008
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(30,783)
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Total Expenses
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3,976,842
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4,194,975
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(218,133)
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TRANSFERS
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Transfers from Funds
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1,644,233
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1,644,333
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(100)
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Transfers to Funds
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(350,321)
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(330,200)
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(20,121)
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Net Transfers
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1,293,912
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1,314,133
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(20,221)
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EXCESS NET OF TRANSFERS
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329,639
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(423,309)
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752,948
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UTILITY
FUND
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Total Revenues
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8,573,022
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9,284,455
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(711,433)
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Total Expenditures
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7,686,093
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8,034,891
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(348,798)
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Net Excess
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886,929
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1,249,564
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(362,635)
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Net Transfers and non-oper.
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(1,302,496)
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(1,350,000)
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47,504
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Excess net of transfers
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(415,567)
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(100,436)
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(315,131)
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SANITATION
AND SEWER FUND
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Total Revenues
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694,763
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703,750
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(8,987)
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Total Expenses
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1,084,622
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1,043,537
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41,085
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Net Excess
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(389,859)
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(339,787)
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(50,072)
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Net Transfers/non-
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operating expenses
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697,605
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651,750
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45,855
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Excess net of transfers
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and non-operating
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307,746
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311,963
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(4,217)
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A motion to approve the financial statement was
made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Bergeron, and voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Gerald Thibodaux, representative of Kolder,
Champagne, Slaven and Company, the City’s auditors, submitted the audit report
(copy on file) for the year ended December 31, 2006. No significant deficiencies
in internal control were found. He gave a detailed summary of the findings
which resulted in an unqualified or good opinion. A motion to accept the
report as submitted was made by Mr. Tamporello, seconded by Reverend Bias, and
voted unanimously in favor.
The Finance Committee recommendations were
submitted (copy on file).
Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution,
who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:07-38
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
$50,000.00 from Pollution Abatement to install sewer force main and grinder
pumps along Highway 182 from Aycock St. to Greenwood Overpass.
2. Allocate
$2,000.00 from Lake End Park Building and Maintenance to have topography done
for Lake End Park Roadway.
3. Allocate
$15,600 from Capital Additions and Contingencies to Utility Department to
upgrade handheld computers for meter readers
4. Allocate
$15,000 from Capital Additions and Contingencies to Utility Department for a
Meter Readers Truck
Reverend Bias seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bergeron, Bias, Longman,
Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Manfre
The resolution was therefore declared approved
and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington, Clerk
Mayor Matte opened discussion on a possible
housing bond issue project. He stated that there was an opportunity that might
exist for the issuance of home bonds for a project which had been undertaken by
city in 1981/1982. The St. Mary Public Trust Authority had been formed to sell
tax exempt bonds with the funds made available to the area banks for first time
home buyer loans. This was at a time when the interest rates were extremely
high, and those funds were made available to the home buyers at a slightly
lower interest rate (11.875). The proposed project would not be limited to
first time home buyers and anyone could apply for the funds, the maximum cost
of a home had been raised to $280,000, and the median income was approximately
$73,000. Discussion followed concerning possible interest rates. If there was
not enough interest here in St. Mary Parish, the parish could possibly work
with Iberia Parish to get a program going. The Mayor stated that this was an
opportunity to pursue.
Mr. Carl Kraemer, Planning and Zoning Director
gave a status report on some of the permit activity going on within the City.
Some of the major projects were new residential construction started a couple
of weeks ago on Shaw Drive, the new LaQuinta Motel on Allison Street,
Sub-Surface Tools who took over old Cal-Dive facility on Young’s Road, the Lee
Chapel Church adding an addition to its youth facility, Teche Regional had
applied for a permit for sixth floor renovations, Baker Hughes was building a
tank storage facility, Courtesy Group was working on the final details for its
permit, Walgreen’s and Halliburton would be in shortly to apply for their
permits, as will Dollar General, the Oceaneering project was approximately 50%
complete, Synergy Services was under construction, and Sewart Supply would be
increasing its facility.
Mr. Steve Morell gave a report to the council on
this years’ July 4th celebration. There would be no celebration in Lawrence
Park and the fireworks would be held at Lake End Parkway, beginning at 9:00 pm.
The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
submitted a request (copy on file) for approval to hold its annual festival on
Labor Day Weekend. This request was the same as last year. A motion to
approve the request was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Mr. Tamporello, and
the vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Longman, Tamporello, Bias
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Bergeron
ABSENT: Manfre
The Mayor gave a report on some of the activity
going on with LEPA, stating that
the wholesale power costs for May and June were steady and was just slightly
higher than April. An offer had been made by SWEPCO and AEP to supply power to
six cities and did not include Morgan City and Houma. LEPA had requested a
meeting to discuss whether or not they would be interested in providing that
service for LEPA control rather
than just for those specific cities and would they consider something other
than a 20 year offer. They advised that the offer would only be for 20 years;
however they would consider providing the 100 megawatts to LEPA.
Mayor Matte advised the council that he had
traveled to Washington DC last week and met with six of the Louisiana
Delegation to discuss several issues the City had, such as levee protection and
the channel studies.
A bid tabulation on the bids received for the
Water Clarifier rehabilitation was submitted (copy on file) by Global Design
and Solutions, whereupon
Mr. Bergeron offered the following Resolution,
who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:07-39
WHEREAS, again, on May
32, 2007, bids were received for modifications to the existing clarifier at the
Morgan City Water Treatment plant, and
WHEREAS, all bids
exceeded the funding amount for this project,
NOW THEREORE BE IT
RESOLVED, by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan
City, Louisiana, that the clarifier modifications bids received on May 31, 2007, be and the same are hereby rejected.
Mr. Longman seconded
the motion.
The vote thereon was as
follows:
AYES: Bergeron,
Longman, Bias, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
The Resolution was therefore
declared approved and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
___________________________________
Timothy
Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
A tabulation report on the Brashear Avenue
Drainage Project was submitted (copy on file) by Shaw Coastal, Inc. Mr. Mike D’Angelo,
Shaw Coastal representative advised that three bids had been received.
Discussion followed concerning funds available, Alternate Bid #2 would take the
project just past David Drive and it was his recommendation that the Alternate
Bid #2 be awarded. Discussion followed concerning the type of drainage
structures being proposed, the bid submitted being for the drainage only and
not the roadbed, what priority some of the funding was allocated in, etc.
Mr. Longman offered the following Resolution,
who moved for its adoption.
A resolution awarding the
construction contract for the Brashear Avenue Drainage Improvement Project,
Facility Planning and Control Project No. 50-MK2-02-01 to the low bidder, Byron
E. Talbot Contractor, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, contingent upon concurrence
from Louisiana Facility Planning and Control.
RESOLUTION NO. 07-40
WHEREAS, on Tuesday,
June 12, 2007, the City of Morgan City received three (3) bids for the construction
of the Brashear Avenue Drainage Improvements project, Facility Planning and
Control Project No. 50-MK2-02-01 (hereinafter called Project), and
WHEREAS, Byron E.
Talbot Contractor, Inc., Thibodaux, Louisiana (hereinafter called Low Bidder)
was the lowest responsive bidder, and
WHEREAS, the City has
received $3,430,000.00 from the Louisiana Facility Planning and Control for the
construction of the project, and
WHEREAS, the low bid
received for Alternate Bid No. 2 (base bid and additive alternate No. 2) in the
amount of $3,344,835.75 is within the construction funds of $3,430,000.00,
available, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana
Facility Planning and Control must provide concurrence before a Notice of Award
can be made to the Low Bidder,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan
City, Louisiana that (1) the construction contract for the Brashear Avenue
Drainage Improvements, Facility Planning and Control Project No. 50-MK2-02-01
is hereby awarded to Byron E. Talbot Contractor, Inc., in the amount of
$3,344,835.75; (2) that the Mayor be authorized to execute any documents
necessary; and (3) this award is contingent upon concurrence from the
Louisiana Facility Planning and Control.
Reverend Bias seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Longman, Bias, Bergeron,
Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Manfre
The resolution was therefore declared approved
and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
_____________________________
Timothy Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
A proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between
the parishe and the five (5) parish municipalities establishing an arrangement
to provide services to each other for needed building inspections was submitted
(copy on file).
Mr. Longman offered the following Resolution,
who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:07-41
WHEREAS, the Act 12 of
the Louisiana Legislature enacted Part IV-B, Chapter 8, Title 40 of the
Louisiana Revised Statutes provides for mandatory adoption of certain building
codes, and
WHEREAS, plan reviews
and inspections of all buildings and the issuance of building permits is
necessary for compliance to Act 12, and
WHEREAS, the City of Morgan
City is desirous of participating with the Parish and other municipalities of
the parish to provide such needed services, and
WHEREAS, an
Intergovernmental Agreement is necessary to accomplish this,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan
City, Louisiana that it hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute any
Intergovernmental Agreements and other documents necessary to allow for the
City’s participation in performing required plan reviews and building
inspections related to building permit applications.
Mr. Tamporello seconded
the motion.
The vote thereon was as
follows:
AYES: Longman,
Tamporello, Bergeron, Bias
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Manfre
The Resolution was
therefore declared approved and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
___________________________________
Timothy
Matte
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Debbie Harrington
Clerk
The Mayor advised the Council that he was having
some discussion with Miller Engineers concerning the providing of engineering
services to the City for Brashear Avenue and he would bring this matter back to
the council for action.
The next matter was resolutions requesting a
permit from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the
construction of a walkway and a roadway between Lake End Park and Lake End
Parkway, whereupon
Reverend Bias
offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:07-42
WHEREAS, the City
is applying to the State of Louisiana, DOTD, for a permit to place a walking
path on State Highway right-of-way at Lake End Park, and
WHEREAS, this
walking path is needed to connect Lake End Park to Lake End
Parkway property, and
WHEREAS, this
connection is vital for the future administration and development of Lake End Parkway,
and
WHEREAS, the City
of Morgan City will be responsible for all maintenance of the
walkway,
NOW THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan
City, Louisiana that the City is hereby partitioning the State of Louisiana for
a permit to construct a walkway on State right-of-way.
Mr. Bergeron seconded the motion.
The vote thereon
was as follows:
AYES: Bias,
Bergeron, Longman, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Manfre
The Resolution was therefore declared approved
and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
___________________________________
Timothy
Matte, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Debbie Harrington, Clerk
Reverend Bias
offered the following Resolution, who moved for its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. R:07-43
WHEREAS, the City
is applying to the State of Louisiana, DOTD, for a permit to place a walking
path and roadway on State Highway right-of-way at Lake End Parkway, and
WHEREAS, this
walking path and roadway is needed to connect Lake End Parkway to Lake End Park property,
and
WHEREAS, this
connection is vital for the future administration and development of Lake End Parkway,
and
WHEREAS, the City
of Morgan City will be responsible for all maintenance of the
walkway and roadway,
NOW THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED by the City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan
City, Louisiana that the City is hereby partitioning the State of Louisiana for
a permit to construct a walkway and roadway on State right-of-way.
Mr. Bergeron seconded the motion.
The vote thereon was as follows:
AYES: Bias,
Bergeron, Longman, Tamporello
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Manfre
The Resolution was therefore declared approved
and adopted this 26th day of June, 2007.
___________________________________
Timothy
Matte, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Debbie Harrington, Clerk
Mayor Matte requested assistance from the news
media in advising the public of the possibility of wildlife encounters on the
walking path and at Lake End Park. He stated that alligators had been seen on
the walking path and asked everyone to be cognizant of their surroundings in
those places where there might be wildlife roaming.
An ordinance providing for approved type of wire
to be used for electric service was submitted for a first reading. No
definitive action needed as this time.
The council was advised that the Planning and
Zoning Commission was recommending that an ordinance be adopted to amend the
zoning map. This was not an agenda item and a motion to expand the agenda was
made by Mr. Tamporello, seconded by Reverend Bias, and voted unanimously in
favor. This was a first reading and no definitive action was needed at this
time.
Mayor Matte offered the name of Marion Collins
for appointment to the Image Commission. A motion to concur in this
appointment was made by Mr. Longman, seconded by Reverend Bias, and voted
unanimously in favor.
The council was advised of another item not on
the agenda in need of action. The lease of Stagg Marine would expire on June
30th and it would be in order to extend this lease for another month
and bring back to the next meeting for further action. A motion to expand the
agenda was made by Reverend Bias, seconded by Mr. Tamporello, and voted
unanimously in favor.
A motion to extend the Stagg Marine lease for
another month was made by Reverend Bias, seconded by Mr. Longman and voted
unanimously in favor. The council was advised that a new lease would be
brought back for further action.
There being no further business, on a motion by
Mr. Tamporello, seconded by Mr. Bergeron, voted unanimously in favor, the
meeting adjourned.
______________________________ ______________________________
Debbie Harrington Timothy
Matte
Clerk Mayor