MINUTES

MINUTES

Council Meeting

City of Baker

Parish of East Baton Rouge

State of Louisiana

November 9, 2004 - 6:00 p.m.

The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, met in regular session on November 9, 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 Jesse Bourgoyne.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Roosevelt Bryant.

DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Pourciau to approve the minutes of the meeting on October 26, 2004.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

RECOGNITIONS

1. Business of the Month

2. Employee of the Month

3. Other Recognitions

4. Non-Agenda Items

Council Member Russell announced a collection effort, in collaboration with the LSU Police Department, to collect cell phones, to be traded for calling cards for servicemen overseas. The cell phones can be brought to the Baker Fire Department or the LSU Police Department.

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Vincent to collect cell phones and donate them to the LSU police department, to be used for calling cards for servicemen overseas.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

Lt. Knapps distributed a copy of addendum of the environmentalist company that looked at the building that housed the police department, suggesting it remain non-occupied until the matter can be remedied.

Further, he stated the Police Department is applying for a $40,000 grant for the emergency purchase of two additional vehicles, through Kip Holden.

Julie McCulloch reminded the Council Public Works is $50,000 short in the budget, she will be asking for money this year. She anticipated BFI will increase their rates.

RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Appointments to ABC Board (Vincent)

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Russell to appoint Charles Samuel Wiley for ABC Board to replace Ron Johnson.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

2. Appointment to Parks Commission (Vincent)

Council Member Vincent withdrew this nomination, since it appears the Parks Commission is not operating at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Update on Lavey Lane, Thomas Road, Woodard Street

Sewer Project - pumping station lot (standing update) (Russell)

City Attorney Ron Wall indicated he has not heard back from the property owner on Woodward Street, regarding the city purchasing a lot for the pumping station. He will confer with PEC to find an alternate site. Council Member Russell requested City Attorney Ron Wall compile a list of the people who have tied into the sewer system in the past who have not been assessed, and prepare the necessary documents to do so.

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

City Attorney Ron Wall distributed copies of various ordinances relating to abandoned vehicles, weeds, clutter, noxious growth, etc. for the council review. Council Member Russell suggested a work session after the council reviewed the ordinances.

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

Council Member Russell stated articles appeared in the Observer and The Advocate about this project. The Mayor’s office is receiving calls giving names for the sign, and planning is underway.

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

Tommy Mahan indicated this property was previously condemned, but never demolished. Don Kyer has received quotes, and he will confer with City Attorney Ron Wall to award job. Then a lien will be placed on the property for the cost of demolition.

Jackie Alford announced the Ladies Who Garden Club is no longer viable, and they have donated $825 to Baker War Veterans Memorial Fund.

Also, she has a 14 year old granddaughter who has lost the function of her kidneys. Her mother, Jackie’s daughter will donate a kidney, but medical costs are very high, and not all covered by insurance. A pastalaya lunch will be held November 17, at a cost of $5.00 a plate to help defray the medical bills.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Authorize Mayor to sign Web Site Contract between Rachel Carrier and the City of Baker and Heritage Museum (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Pourciau, seconded by Council Member Vincent to authorize Mayor to sign the Web Site Contract, as discussed.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

4. Set Town Hall Meeting for December 1, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. (Mayor)

The Mayor announced a Town Meeting at the Municipal Building on December 1, at 6:00 p.m. The Strategic Planning Committee would like to get input from citizens of Baker as to what direction they want to see Baker go in. Roosevelt Bryant indicated each council member needs to ensure specific people in their district are encouraged to come.

5. Discussion of instructions to Planning and Zoning Commission to begin work on rural zoning in preparation for future annexation (Russell)

Council Member Russell requested the Mayor to instruct the Planning and Zoning Committee to work on the rural zoning in preparation for future annexation. Also, since there is a moratorium on C3 zoning at this time, the specifications need to be worked on and brought back to the Council.

6. Discussion of emergency rapid deployment response plan for the City of Baker (Russell)

Council Member Russell, after reviewing the emergency rapid deployment response plan presented at the last council meeting, suggested the position, and persons holding the positions listed in the plan be updated and kept current, possibly listing the names on an insert, and using the positions in the plan booklet. Jesse Bourgoyne indicated this would be done, plus they are looking at reprinting the plans.

Julie McCulloch indicated an addendum to the response plan. PEC is writing an emergency response plan for Water System to comply with federal law, to be brought before the council at a later date.

7. Discussion of animal control (Mayor)

Mr. Cole from EBRP Animal Control spoke regarding the problems of cat traps and vicious dogs. He indicated they have a limited number of traps, and only one may be borrowed per resident, with a $40 refundable deposit. If calls are made on the weekend or at off times, the police will intercept the call and determine if the Animal Control officer is needed immediately.

He indicated if Baker wanted to strengthen its ordinance regarding vicious animals, the Animal Control would enforce that ordinance.

The motion was made by Council Member Russell, seconded by Council Member Walls to have City Attorney Ron Wall research prohibiting tethering animals in open yards.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

At this time, Lt. Knapps indicated he is in need of a resolution in support for the $40,000 grant discussed previously.

The motion was made by Council Member Walls, seconded by Council Member Welch to put this item on agenda.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

The motion was made by Council Member Walls, seconded by Council Member Vincent to pass a resolution in support of grant application to Governor’s Office of Rural Development.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

PLANNING AND ZONING MATTER

REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

1. Planning and Zoning Commission

2. Annexation Review Committee

3. Economic Development/Team City

4. Heritage Museum/Related Committees-Report submitted from Jean Byers. Pam O’Neal asked for approval of two new appointments - Glen Gebhart and Richard Barker to fill two vacancies.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Russell to accept Glen Gebhart and Richard Barker on the MuseumCommission.

YEAS: Pourciau, Russell, Vincent, Walls, Welch

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

Spirit of Christmas is on December 7^th , Tuesday night, and sponsors for Christmas trees are needed for a $10 decoration fee.

5. Recreation Commission- Cosponsoring the Christmas Tree Event. Still out of money but still having meetings. Also cosponsor groups that need the auditorium. Application process and make sure they are worthy recipient.

6. Parks Commission- No longer in existence.

7. Other Special Committees

a. Buffalo Festival - A meeting needs to be called to decide the fate of the Buffalo Festival.

b. Prayer Breakfast

c. Strategic Planning Committee-Each council member is to select 5 people to meet with the planning committee so ideas can be exchanged as soon as possible.

d. Citizens Advisory Board to Law Enforcement-fulfilling meeting last night. Do again next quarter.

e. Sign Committee- Information is being gathered.

f. Baker Veterans Memorial Committee - Met last night. Site selection will be between City Hall parking lot and Chamber of Commerce building in front of the sidewalk. Jean Byers is to have a letter and present it at next meeting to send out to all the businesses to ask for money. The Mayor is to contact LSU and Southern for designs by students. Need to come up with plans to get cost estimate.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADJOURN

The motion was made by Council Member Pourciau, seconded by Council Member Walls 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 9, 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 9, 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 2, 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 October 26, 2004 meeting.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINING: None

Pam O’Neal presented the monthly report for the month of October, 2004.

The motion was made by Commissioner Pourciau, seconded by Commissioner Vincent to accept the monthly report as presented.

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 Walls, 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 for the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens held on November 9, 2004.

_________________________________________

Kathleen Stephens, Clerk of Council

MINUTES

Board of Commissioners

Baker Consolidated Utilities System

City of Baker

Parish of East Baton Rouge

State of Louisiana

November 9, 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 2, 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 Pourciau to approve the minutes of the meeting held on October 26, 2004.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINING: None

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion of inaccessible meters (Mayor) - Held over from previous meeting

The Mayor indicated the council is waiting on recommendations.

City Attorney Ron Wall and Julie McCulloch will have an ordinance to introduce at the next meeting regarding this matter.

There was no further business to come before the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Welch 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 9, 2004.

_________________________________________

Kathleen Stephens, Clerk of Council