Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 1 of 9 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING, LOUISIANA 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 March 22, 2016 6:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, met in regular session on March 22, 2016, with the following members in attendance at the meeting: MAYOR Harold M. Rideau COUNCIL MEMBERS Joyce Burges John Givens Pete Heine Dr. Charles Vincent Robert Young CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rideau presided. The invocation was given by Montrell Henderson. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mike Walker. DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Burges to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 8, 2016. RECOGNITIONS The Mayor presented Cathy Craddock an Honorary Mayor s certificate and key to the City of Baker. Ms. Craddock was recognized for her role in the sale of the old Howard Brothers property, and her plans to rehabilitate adjudicated/condemned property in the city. Council Member Burges recognized Angela Weir for being a local author in the City of Baker. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTER NON-AGENDA ITEMS Council Member Burges introduced community organizer Daniel Banguel. Mr. Banguel announced the Unity Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Scotlandville Magnet High School, and encouraged everyone to attend. Montrell Henderson expressed his concerns regarding the actions of Baker Police Department employees earlier today. He stated that while in Baker on business this afternoon he was approached in the parking lot of a local gas station by two Baker police officers, put in handcuffs, and his vehicle searched. He asked that city officials address this issue. Chief of Police Mike Knaps responded to the statements made by Mr. Henderson, stating that the incident will be investigated and dealt with according to police department policy.
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 2 of 9 Council Member Vincent asked for both prayers and action from the citizens of Baker in an effort to keep the zoo in north Baton Rouge, and enhance the zoo s facilities as well. Council Member Vincent announced that a BREC Recreation Community Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at BREC s T.D. Bickham Park, 6850 Pettit Road. He asked that everyone come out and voice their opinion, in order to provide input into the type of programs they would like to see at the center. BREC Commissioner Mike Walker addressed concerns regarding the situation at the zoo. Don Jones, 1489 McHugh Road, spoke about the newly formed Cub Scout troop and their need for donations in order to purchase the requisite books and uniforms for troop members. He stated that the troop meets every third Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Baker Civic Club. Mr. Jones invited everyone to attend and asked that they support the scouts. Council Member Heine apologized to Mr. Jones for missing the last meeting, saying that he lost his beloved Cubbie that day, and was absolutely devastated. He commended Mr. Jones for the work he is doing with the scouts, and stated that it is making a big difference in the district. Discussion regarding the Cub Scouts resumed. Chief Knaps addressed the situation with Mr. Henderson, stating that Captain Murphy is talking to him now, and they have discovered that the officer who approached him was off-duty and driving a black Dodge vehicle. Mr. Henderson is going to look at pictures of City of Baker police officers to determine if it was a City of Baker employee involved in the incident. Chief Knaps reiterated that if it is an officer employed by the City of Baker, action will be taken and the officer will be disciplined. UPDATE ON DISTRICTS 1. Update on District 3 (Burges) Council Member Burges initiated discussion regarding the importance of remembering and honoring our veterans. She wanted to be sure that the people in our community were aware that bricks are available for purchase to be placed in the city s Veterans Memorial Plaza. The Mayor stated that order forms for bricks are available at city hall, and that the cost of the bricks is $65.00. She asked that the press assist in letting the citizens of Baker know about the availability of bricks to be placed at the memorial. Council Member Burges stated that she will not be at the next council meeting, as she has speaking engagements on the east coast and will be out of town for two weeks. 2. Update on District 1 (Vincent) Council Member Vincent encouraged everyone to purchase a brick to be placed at Veterans Memorial Plaza. He stated that Veterans Memorial Plaza received an award from LMA and commended Jean Byers for all of her hard work and doing an incredible job on the project. Council Member Vincent stated that District 1 is focusing and working on trying to keep the zoo at its current location and enhancing its facilities, as well as enhancing T.D. Bickham Park. 3. Update on District 5 (Givens) Council Member Givens had no update on District 5 at this time. 4. Update on District 4 (Young) Council Member Young had no update on District 4 at this time. 5. Update on District 2 (Heine)
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 3 of 9 Council Member Heine stated that he is very excited about the annexation of property on Groom Road that is in his district. He stated that good things are going to happen in this area, and annexation allows the city to protect its citizens by controlling what is allowed to come into the community. RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 1. Proclamation declaring April 2016 as Alcohol Awareness Month in the City of Baker (Vincent) The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Heine to accept the proclamation. 2. Proclamation declaring April 2016 as Cancer Control Month in the City of Baker (Vincent) Council Member Vincent reminded those present about Relay for Life, and asked everyone to support the Cheerful Givers Z Team and the American Cancer Society. The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Young to accept the proclamation. PUBLIC MEETING 1. Ordinance 2016-6, an ordinance to declare police vehicle surplus (Mayor) (Introduced 3/8/2016) Discussion regarding the agenda item was held. The motion was made by Council Member Burges, seconded by Council Member Vincent to adopt Ordinance 2016-6. Public meeting was held. Vote was called for. BIDS AND PROPOSALS APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS CONDEMNATIONS City Attorney Fabre provided an update on the status of the work being done by the city and LaMats regarding blighted property. 1. 3657 Buchanan, Lot 82, Baker Heights Subdivision (Mayor) (held over from 3/24/2015) 2. 1984 Chamberlain, Lot 8, Square 7, Leland College Annex (Mayor) (held over from 4/14/2015) 3. 2005 Chamberlain, Lot 20, Square 11, Leland College Annex (Mayor) (held over from 4/14/2015)
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 4 of 9 4. 2610 Chamberlain, Lot 8, Square 19, Leland College Annex (Mayor) (held over from 4/14/2015) 5. 1047 Sinbad, Lot 15-B, Westmoreland-Nutt Subdivision (Mayor) (held over from 6/9/2015) ANNEXATIONS 1. Annexation of 50 Acres +/- Groom Road, East Baton Rouge Parish Recovery Development Group Groom Road, LLC (Mayor) The motion was made by Council Member Heine, seconded by Council Member Vincent to introduce the annexation. NEW BUSINESS 1. Baker schools required to test for lead in drinking water? (Burges) Councilwoman Burges expressed the sentiment that you can never be too careful where children are concerned, and it is this sentiment that led to her asking the question regarding Baker schools and testing for lead in drinking water. The Mayor asked Richard Jackson, Superintendent of Utilities, to address this issue. Mr. Jackson gave a presentation on the City of Baker s procedures/processes for water testing, a question and answer period followed. Director of Public Works Julie McCulloch asked that she be allowed to take the opportunity to commend Mr. Jackson, in front of everyone, for the great job that he is doing. She stated that he will leave no stone unturned, does everything to the very best of his ability and leaves nothing undone. She said that the city and its citizens can have the utmost confidence in him. 2. Senior citizens utility discount? (Burges) Council Member Burges stated that senior citizens are very important to the city, and you want to do all you can to answer their questions as thoroughly as possible. She stated that in District 3 she s had quite a few senior citizens ask her if there is a utility rate they can get. She stated that she has been advised by the City Attorney that it is illegal to offer such discounts. REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 1. Planning and Zoning Commission 2. Annexation Review Committee 3. Economic Development Team 4. Heritage Museum/Related Committees Heritage Museum Director Jean Byers invited everyone to come to the museum. She stated that they are currently refurbishing the museum s Box Exhibits, as several area schools have expressed interest in them. 5. ABC Board 6. Other Special Committees a. Buffalo Festival Work has begun on this year s event. b. Prayer Breakfast Chief Edwards stated that the committee met today, and the theme for this year s event is Leadership Inspires Direction. He asked that everyone pray for Hokie Gajan as he continues his fight against cancer. The Mayor commended Chief Edwards for his fundraising efforts. Chief Edwards reported that the Fire Department recently held a fund raiser for an eighteen month old that has Glycogen Storage Syndrome, raising $6200.00 to help offset astronomical medical bills. c. Strategic Planning Committee d. Citizens Advisory Board to Law Enforcement Will meet mid May.
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 5 of 9 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ADJOURN The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Givens to adjourn. I, Angela Canady, 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 March 22, 2016. Angela Canady, Clerk of Council
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 6 of 9 MINUTES BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HILLCREST MEMORIAL GARDENS 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 March 22, 2016 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 March 22, 2016, with the following members in attendance at the meeting: COMMISSIONERS Joyce Burges John Givens Pete Heine Harold M. Rideau Dr. Charles Vincent Robert Young CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Rideau presided. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The meeting was called to order and the motion was made by Commissioner Rideau, seconded by Commissioner Vincent to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 8, 2016. PUBLIC NOTICE NEW BUSINESS 1. Increase the cost of lots in the cemetery from $1800.00 to $2000.00 (Rideau) Discussion regarding the agenda item was held. The motion was made by Commissioner Rideau, seconded by Commissioner Heine to increase the cost of lots in the cemetery from $1800.00 to $2000.00. Commissioner Burges asked for an update on the progress being made on entering the cemetery s data into the computer. Cemetarian Donna Allen stated that the project is approximately seventy-five percent complete. OTHER NECESSARY BUSINESS 1. Monthly Business Report 2. Other Reports 3. Items Requiring Action
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 7 of 9 ADJOURN There was no other business to come before the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Rideau, seconded by Commissioner Burges to adjourn. Bishop Ricky Sinclair announced that the Spring Family Fest will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Miracle Place Church. Council Member Burges announced that an Easter Sunrise Service will be held at New Life Baptist Church, 2640 N. Magnolia Drive, on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. I, Angela Canady, 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 March 22, 2016. Angela Canady, Clerk of Council
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 8 of 9 MINUTES BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BAKER CONSOLIDATED UTILITIES SYSTEM 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 March 22, 2016 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 March 22, 2016, with the following members attending: COMMISSIONERS Joyce Burges John Givens Pete Heine Harold M. Rideau Dr. Charles Vincent Robert Young CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Rideau presided. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The meeting was called to order and the motion was made by Commissioner Rideau, seconded by Commissioner Vincent to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 8, 2016. PUBLIC NOTICE NEW BUSINESS OTHER NECESSARY BUSINESS 1. Monthly Business Report 2. Other Reports 3. Items Requiring Action ADJOURN There was no further business to come before the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Rideau, seconded by Commissioner Burges to adjourn.
Minutes of March 22, 2016 Page 9 of 9 I, Angela Canady, 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 March 22, 2016. Angela Canady, Clerk of Council