MINUTES

MINUTES

Council Meeting

City of Baker

Parish of East Baton Rouge

State of Louisiana

November 23, 2004 - 6:00 p.m.

The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, met in regular session on November 23, 2004, with the following members in attendance at the meeting:

MAYOR

Harold M. Rideau

COUNCIL MEMBERS

James Pourciau

Fred O. Russell

Dr. Charles Vincent

A. J. Walls

J. E. “Trae” Welch

ABSENT

None

CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Rideau Presided

The invocation was given by Ms. LaTesha Eubanks

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Carlon Simpson.

DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Welch to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 9, 2004.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

RECOGNITIONS

1. Business of the Month -Coca Sales - Not present.

2. Employee of the Month

3. Other Recognitions

4. Non-Agenda Items

Council Member Russell commented on the loss of a great community leader, George Ellis. He was very active in many aspects of Baker. He was 85 years old. A moment of silent prayer was offered.

RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

BIDS AND PROPOSALS

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

OLD BUSINESS

1. Update on Lavey Lane, Thomas Road, Woodard Street Sewer Project - pumping station lot (standing update) (Russell)

Council Member Russell spoke to PEC regarding the location for the sewer tie in. PEC is to get with EBRP Sewer Department to determine the best tie in point.

City Attorney Ron Wall informed the council the properties on the north side of Lavey Lane and west behind O’Reilly’s were not assessed when tied in. Additionally, Lake Mary Drive has not been assessed any front foot assessment. It was suggested each area be assessed by area.

Council Member Pourciau recognized State Representative Sharon Westin Bloom. She greeted the council and expressed hopes of working with Baker in the future.

2. Update on nuisance ordinance enforcement policy and procedures (Russell)

Council Member Russell stated that City Attorney Ron Wall had provided the council with lots of information on other municipalities nuisance ordinances. Discussion was held on the liens being placed on the tax bills by the Sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish, as allowed by law. It was suggested by Ron Wall that the council approach the Sheriff, as a new council and Mayor, to see if these charges can be included on the tax bills. A work session is to be scheduled in January, 2005 to discuss this matter.

3. Update on installation of sign in front of City Hall listing veterans from Baker that are on active duty (Russell)

Council Member Russell informed the council he has ordered materials for the sign, met with Donnie and Doug Howland, and is in the process of designing and laying out the sign.

4. Condemnation procedures for 5221 Groom Road, Baker update (Mayor)

Don Kyer announced he received 4 quotes. City Attorney Ron Wall said it would be in order for council to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract for the demolition of this structure.

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Walls to authorize the Mayor to sign the lowest qualified quote to demolish structure at 5221 Groom Road

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

NEW BUSINESS

1. Appointments to Strategic and Horizon Planning Committee (Pourciau)

Council Member Pourciau presented his appointee, Carol Roberts, to serve on the committee.

The motion was made by Council Member Pourciau seconded by Council Member Walls to appoint Carol Roberts to the Strategic and Horizon Planning Committee.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

2. Introduction of Ordinance 2004-47-A, an ordinance to amend Ordinance 2004-47, an ordinance to amend the “Fire and Police 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Fund” to “Police 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Fund” and to create a new fund entitled “Fire Department 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Fund”, and to transfer 35% of the Police 1/2 Cent Sales Fund to the Fire Department 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Fund (Mayor)

City Attorney Ron Wall informed the council the change to this ordinance was suggested by Julie Pittman, to simply take out the reference to the general fund, since this was a separate fund from the general fund.

The motion was made by Council Member Pourciau, seconded by Council Member Vincent to introduce Ordinance 2004-47-A

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

3. Introduction of Ordinance 2004-48-A, an ordinance to amend Ordinance 2004-48, an ordinance to change the name of the Police Miscellaneous Grant fund to read “Fire Department Grant Fund” (Mayor)

City Attorney Ron Wall indicated this was a also a change suggested by Julie Pittman, to delete reference to the capital improvements budget.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Welch to introduce Ordinance 2004-48-A.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

4. Introduction of Ordinance 2004-52, an ordinance to create a line item entitled “BFI” in the General Fund Budget for the City of Baker, for the fiscal year 2004-2005 (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Pourciau to introduce Ordinance 2004-52.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

5. Authorize the Mayor to sign extension to contract with Mr. Hawkins regarding the Public Works Building (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Walls, seconded by Council Member Vincent to give a 60 day extension on this contract and authorize Mayor to sign same.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

6. Receive the Annexation request by the Knights of Columbus (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Walls to accept the annexation petition.

After discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn. The Council will request the Knights of Columbus resubmit their petition, due to the alcohol reference.

7. Amend the Council Rules in reference to the deadline for placing items on the Agenda for Council Consideration (Welch)

The motion was made by Council Member Welch to amend the council rules regarding agenda deadline, but received no second. Motion was withdrawn. This matter will be taken up at the next council meeting, to allow information to be gathered regarding Observer subscription numbers and costs to publish the agendas.

8. Introduction of Ordinance 2004-53, an ordinance to prohibit dogs from being tethered in open area. (Russell)

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Pourciau to introduce Ordinance 2004-53.

Council Member Pourciau withdrew his second. Motion failed. This matter will be taken up at the next council meeting.

PLANNING AND ZONING MATTER

REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

1. Planning and Zoning Commission

2. Annexation Review Committee- Danny Edwards asked for representative on this committee. Mayor said there will be one appointed.

3. Economic Development/Team City-Met today, update on 911 lights, discussed Veterans Memorial Plaza program, looking at LSU to see if we can get the old bleachers for Baker High School. Santa Sisters received gifts from Chamber. The Christmas Parade will be December 11 at 2:00 p.m. same route as before starting at Winn Dixie ending at Chamber. Hot dogs will be served.

4. Heritage Museum/Related Committees-December 5^th, lighting ceremony for the decorated trees, gumbo on Tuesday night. $10 for each tree decorated. Good prizes are available at the silent auction.

5. Recreation Commission

6. Parks Commission

7. Other Special Committees

a. Buffalo Festival-Julie McCulloch reported an informal meeting was held to determine if we are going to have another festival, consensus was to have another one with a rodeo. Meeting of the festival committee to determine the date of the festival.

b. Prayer Breakfast

c. Strategic Planning Committee

d. Citizens Advisory Board to Law Enforcement

e. Sign Committee-Waiting on information from Gonzales.

f. Baker Veterans Plaza Committee- Met for 3^rd time last night. Making good progress. Contributions will buy a brick for $50.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADJOURN

The motion was made by Council Member Walls, seconded by Council Member Pourciau to adjourn

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

STATE OF LOUISIANA

I, Kathleen Stephens, certify that I am acting Clerk of the Council for the City of Baker, Louisiana, and that the above and foregoing is a copy of the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council for the City of Baker, Louisiana held on November 23, 2004.

_________________________________________

Kathleen Stephens, Clerk of Council

MINUTES

Board of Commissioners

Hillcrest Memorial Gardens

City of Baker

Parish of East Baton Rouge

State of Louisiana

November 23, 2004

The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, sitting as the Board of Commissioners for the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, met in regular session on November 23, 2004,with the following members in attendance at the meeting:

MAYOR

Harold M. Rideau

COMMISSIONERS

James Pourciau

Fred O. Russell

Dr. Charles Vincent

A. J. Walls

J. E. “Trae” Welch

ABSENT

None

The meeting was called to order and the motion was made by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2004 meeting.

YEAS: Rideau, Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINING: None

There was no further business to come before the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Pourciau, seconded by Commissioner Vincent to adjourn.

YEAS: Rideau, Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MINUTES

Board of Commissioners

Baker Consolidated Utilities System

City of Baker

Parish of East Baton Rouge

State of Louisiana

November 23, 2004

The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, sitting as the Board of Commissioners for the Baker Consolidated Utilities System, met in regular session on November 23, 2004, with the following members attending:

MAYOR

Harold M. Rideau

COMMISSIONERS

James Pourciau

Fred O. Russell

Dr. Charles Vincent

A. J. Walls

J. E. “Trae” Welch

ABSENT

None

The meeting was called to order and the motion was made by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 9, 2004.

YEAS: Rideau, Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINING: None

Old Business

New Business

1. Introduction of Ordinance 2004-54, an ordinance to set policy and procedures in the instance of inaccessible meters (Mayor)

City Attorney Ron Wall informed the council he has prepared an ordinance, but would like Julie McCulloch and Donna Allen to review same before presenting to the council for consideration. This matter will be taken up at the next council meeting.

There was no further business to come before the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Vincent to adjourn.

YEAS: Rideau, Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

STATE OF LOUISIANA

I, Kathleen Stephens, certify that I am acting Clerk of the Council for the City of Baker, Louisiana, and that the above and foregoing is a copy of the minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Baker Consolidated Utility System held on November 23, 2004.

_________________________________________

Kathleen Stephens, Clerk of Council