COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT

DECEMBER 30, 2002

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, was called to order by Chairman James Green at 3:05 p.m., Monday, December 30, 2002, in the Government Chambers in Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

Councilman Hogan led the Lord's Prayer.

On Roll Call, the following members were Present: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Absent: None.

Approve Minutes. Motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Hogan to approve the Administrative Conference Summary Minutes of December 9, 2002 and the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2002. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Awards, Recognition of Distinguished Guests, and Communications of the Mayor Which Are Required By Law. None.

Awards, Recognition of Distinguished Guests and Communications of the Council.

Councilman Green: I have a Distinguished Guest that we would like to recognize today. Cuz would you come forward, please (Mr. Thompson read Resolution No. 207 of 2002 in its entirety shown in numerical order of Resolutions.)

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Gibson to suspend the rules to add the resolution to the agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Green: Also, Ms. Cynthia Dianne Lee has been with the City now for 25 years. She did not make the banquet, but we have an award for you and we would like to congratulate you. Also, Ms. Deborah Tomasek, is absent today but she has also been with the City for 25 years. Certainly, Dianne we would like to thank you for your good work. May God bless you and I would like to present your certificate to you.

Councilman Gibson: We have one of our Distinguished School Board members with us out in the audience, I see and he is also one of my fellow golfers who, in terms of setting standards, he has been a mainstay in terms of golfing, amateur golfers in the area, Mr. Tim Brooks, glad to have you here today.

Councilman Green: Thank you, Pro, good to have you and we'll hear from you later on.

Councilman Hogan: I would like to also recognize Mr. Patrick Williams. One of our fine Caddo Parish Commissioners (wave at us Commissioner).

Councilman Green: That is my Commissioner.

Public Hearings: Proposed Annexations (Postponed on December 10):

1. Tag No. 02-02: Enlarge the limits and boundaries - Tract of land located along West 70^th St. and along Dinkins Dr. (G/Jackson)

2. Tag No. 02-03: Enlarge the limits and boundaries - Tract of landlocated in the S/2 of Sec. 21 and in the N/2 of Sec. 28 (T16N-R13W). (D/Gibson)

3. Tag No. 02-04: Enlarge the limits and boundaries - Tract of land located along Norris Ferry Rd. and Southern Loop Roads. (D/Gibson)

4. Tag No. 02-05: Enlarge the limits and boundaries - Tract of land located 5895 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop. (E/Hogan)

5. Tag No. 02-06: Enlarge the limits and boundaries - Tract of land located at 3001 and 3003 Meriwether Road. (E/Hogan)

Ms. Lee: We have several annexation public hearings that are on the agenda, maybe the Administration has a Presentation?

Mr. Antee: We'd ask that those be postponed.

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford to postpone the public hearings until a later date. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Carmody: Can I find out, will we be prepared to move on these at our next regular meeting?

Mr. Antee: Probably not. It looks as though we are not going to be able to reach an agreement with the Fire Districts and so therefore we will need to go through the mediation process and then once we go through that, then we will put them back on the agenda for a public hearing.

Mr. Thompson: Do we want to remove them from the agenda?

Mr. Antee: Yeah, we can do that. We will bring them back when needed.

Councilman Carmody: I would like to amend my motion to remove these from the agenda, seconded by Councilman Walford. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Confirmations and/or Appointments: Mr. Antee: We would ask that you suspend the Rules and go and appoint Tim Cefalu, Administrator of Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax Commission. The reason being is Mr. Ed Fitch has retired effective Midnight tomorrow night and Mr. Cefalu was selected by the Board for your recommendation and the School Board has already approved Mr. Cefalu and he is here in the audience to replace Mr. Fitch.

Motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Carmody to suspend the rules. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford to confirm Mr. Cefalu as the Administrator of the Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax Commission.

Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Hogan to return to the order of the Agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Adding Legislation to the Agenda. Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Gibson to add the following legislation to the agenda:

1. Resolution No. 206 of 2002: A resolution ordering and calling a Special Election to be held in the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, to authorize the levy of Special Taxes therein, making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

2. Resolution No. 208 of 2002 by Councilman Green: A resolution naming a previously unnamed street (located at the end of and connecting to Powell Street and Mayfield Street adjacent to the Jewella Avenue overpass south of Hollywood Avenue) to Coleman College Street, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Carmody to add the following legislation to the agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Jackson: Before we get to Public Comments, we had gone through Communications from the Mayor and went through it very quickly after we took those annexations off. I was wondering if there was another time that would be more appropriate or that the Administration had planned to give the report on the Convention Center?

Mayor Hightower: We can do that now and then before we get into Communications, I've got one as well.

Report on Convention Center. Mr. Antee: To bring you up to date, we are still working out the final details of the interim agreement with Safeco and Whitaker Construction. We hope to have that, we do have drafts of the interim agreement going back and forth. With the holidays, and attorneys from New Orleans to Shreveport and principals being as far away as Seattle, Washington, it has been hard to get all the final details worked out.

So we are working on a schedule, the architects have sent us a schedule stating that provided that the interim agreement can be worked out, they can have their work with the Construction Manager done so that the bids can be ready the first part of February. I think Stewart, Slack had sent a letter stating that their work and the bid package can be put together by January 31^st.

In doing that, the bids would go out mid-February. There is a 30-day time period so, mid-March we would have the bids back. During that time, once we got the bids back and we know what the final number would be and we would have 45-days under the state law to accept or reject the bids. During that time period we would be negotiating with Safeco as to a final resolution.

Assuming all of that can be done and worked out and an agreement can be reached with Safeco, then an assignment of the Construction Management Agreement would be offered by Whitaker to the Bankruptcy Court for approvalfrom the Bankruptcy Court to assign a Construction Management Agreement to Bart Marlow and then the construction would take place. Once construction begins, it is anticipated to take 2 years.

Councilman Gibson: Just for the record, the Administration has mentioned the Construction Manager Bart Marlow and I will tell you, in industry experience standpoint, Bart Marlow is a Michigan based firm which has a wealth of experience dealing with these projects but also bring a lot of experience to the table in terms of working with minority firms not only just in the Michigan area but all over the country.

They have a tremendous track record of being inclusive in their construction management oversight of projects and also acting as general contractor on individual projects. They won't be a general contractor in this particular case, but a construction manager, but they have the philosophy that I think parallels what the Administration and what the City of Shreveport has laid out over the last four years in terms of minority participation, so I would like to make that known for the record. But, from an industry review standpoint, it will also caveat that statement by saying, Bart Marlow they are a known quantity in this area. They have been working out at General Motors for the last 3 years and have proven time and time again, to work with local firms and use the expertise of those local firms.

Mr. Antee: While we are continuing to look at other options in the event we are not able to reach an interim agreement with Safeco along the lines of we just discussed-well, Thursday, we will have meetings with our attorneys to work parallel with the negotiations with Safeco just in the event they do fall through so that we are not sitting, a month from now, starting over on that.

But I am confident that we are basically working out final details of that interim agreement and I think Safeco as well as the Bankruptcy attorneys for Whitaker and the City agree that the best thing to do right now is to get the thing out to bid and lets see what the number is so we will know what the difference in what we contracted for and what it is going to take to build it.

Councilman Carmody: For the layman Mr. Antee, can you explain to me: when we receive back the bids for the scope of work that we are asking, is Safeco bound to write us a check for whatever the difference might be above $71 million that we had budgeted for it? Is that how this bond works?

Mr. Antee: That is what the litigation would be about in the event we were not able to reach an agreement but technically when you get a bond in place then that is what the bond is for. They have taken the legal position or they have asserted a legal position that the contract is not valid and therefore the bond is not valid.

I think that is positioning on their part although it is something that does have to be considered. I think from a legal standpoint, I like our side of that argument a whole lot better than their's. But obviously they are not going to just sit down and say, okay go bid it and we'll write you a check without exploring all options and trying to minimize their losses. By the same token, we are not going to sit down and just accept anything without the taxpayers getting what we contracted for.

Councilman Carmody: Well, I guess what the scenario would be, if we receive back three bids and they rank 1, 2, and 3 then hopefully in your negotiations, you would say look, lets look at the second one or the mean between these two and ya'll cut us a check and we all go about our business.

Mr. Antee: Well, we can't do that by law. The public bid law say that once weput them out for bid then we have to take the low bidder.

Councilman Carmody: Oh, thank you for that. . . .

Mr. Antee: So the contract that we have, that is the subject of the bond that Safeco has, calls for we put them out and however many bid packages (we anticipate there being approximately 40 bid packages), we total up the bids. We put the fee and we put the General Conditions cost on top of it, and that's the contracted amount.

Councilman Carmody: Very good.

Councilman Lester: As part of your negotiations, where does the City stand with the issue of minority participation in the contract? I know there was, at some point, a minority concern that was involved in the part of the program with Whitaker Construction. Where does that process stand, right now?

Mr. Antee: Well, basically, Bart Marlow and we keep referring to them because that is who Safeco is primarily talking to, knows that the City has a Fair Share Program and if they will, be required to comply with the City's Fair Share Ordinance.

Councilman Lester: So, how does that affect the minority concern that already is part or at least, has been part of the scenario with Whitaker? In other words, as I appreciate it, you indicated that Whitaker, at some point, after you get the agreed contracted price, Whitaker is going to assign its agreement to Bart Marlow in Bankruptcy Court. My question is, how will that assignment or do you believe that assignment will mean that the minority concern that was part of the C. M. Agreement that Whitaker has would also have a similar agreement with Bart Marlow or what is the City's position in that or does the City have a position in that?

Mr. Antee: I'm not real sure what you are asking, but if what you are asking is, what's Kwame's role being the joint venture with Whitaker?

Councilman Lester: Yes.

Mr. Antee: That's basically between Kwame, Bart Marlow, Safeco. The City has made it clear that we have a Fair Share Ordinance and that they have to comply with the Fair Share Ordinance. We've also suggested to them that to explore the option of using Kwame since they've been involved and been involved extensively and that it may benefit them.

How they go about achieving the Fair Share requirements that the ordinance has, that is going to be up to them to decide. It is my understanding that Mr. Harold Johnson who was formerly with Kwame, that did a lot of the work with it, is no longer with them, so to what extent Kwame can bring that experience to them, I don't know. But the City has no position as far as it relates to any one particular company other than the fact that the City has a Fair Share Ordinance that they have to comply with.

Councilman Lester: Well, let me ask this question: If in fact Kwame is not part of that arrangement, will the Construction Manager before a contract is signed by the City to move forward, will the City make sure there is some type of minority participation on the Construction Management Agreement before that contract is let or in other words, I guess my question is, are we going to sign this contract, once the contract is assigned by Whitaker to Bart Marlow, is that going to end the City's, I guess, oversight as it relates to the minority participation on the Construction Management?

Because what I would hate to see, I think this Administration did anoutstanding job in assuring that you have minority participation on the highest levels and I think that is something to be congratulated. But at the same time, I don't want us to be in a scenario where because of what happened to Whitaker, we don't have that same over sight as it relates to making sure and insuring that there is minority participation on the construction management side and I guess that is my question.

Mr. Antee: The City in no way, shape, or form will sit back once the contract is signed and do nothing as it relates to our Fair Share Ordinance. We will be involved every step of the way. We'll be involved with every change order and we will be asking routinely for monthly reports and updated reports on where we stand and where do we stand as it relates to the Fair Share qualified companies that were submitted on the bids versus the ones doing the work and that is true with all of our projects. We don't just once the contract is signed stop, go on to another project and not pay attention to what is going on with the Fair Share. We stay on top of it and will require routine reporting from them.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Antee, I guess to piggyback on that question, notwithstanding whoever is involved currently, my concern is the preservation of the spirit of the contract in its inception. I think to say that, my concern was when we say that it will be between or among, I guess Bart Marlow, Kwame, and Safeco to decide what the participation will be. I guess my problem there is, I don't understand what Safeco's role would be as it relates to that other than obviously as the bonding company. Safeco (which leads me to this question) Safeco understand and support the spirit of our deal?

Mr. Antee: They understand that the law requires them follow the Fair Share Ordinance. Now, Safeco's involvement in it is they could very well be the one writing the check for the difference between the contracted amount and what that amount is once all the bids are taken or at least writing a check in some way, shape or form. So, once Whitaker is put into default then Safeco for all practical purposes, takes over the job.

Now, there are several different ways to do it. The way we been doing it is try to work with all parties involved to come to a solution where everybody can benefit to the most rather than just putting Whitaker into default, looking at Safeco saying okay, go build us this convention center that was designed and contracted for. Because once we do that, then there is going to be a big legal fight as to whether or not they are responsible for anything; if so, for what, and what portion of the contract may or may not be valid. And so that is why we are all trying to work to have a solution to address all of those problems ahead of time rather than spending a whole lot of time and thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars fighting over it in court.

Councilman Jackson: Well, again, and I know as we go along we will know more about it. We certainly can't discuss all of it today because it is still a lot left to be done in this scenario. However, I just want to continue to advocate for the spirit of that contract to remain the same even as we move toward an interim agreement and even as the Bankruptcy Court or whomever moves towards the assignment of that contract, that whoever is involved will understand that we continue to keep the spirit of the original contract and in no way allow what somebody may have done, lack of planning or mistake on somebody else's part, constituent a reason for us not to preserve that spirit as we move forward.

Mr. Antee: Well, the spirit of it will be the same and there is nobody that would have hoped. . . would have been in place right now and the building being constructed for the price that Whitaker quoted. But keep in mind that the money will not be the same even though the spirit of the contract will be the same because the fee will drop from 5% in the original contract to 3.50% under the new contract once there is a new contract.

Councilman Jackson: I don't have a problem with the minority firm making less money as long as everybody else makes less money. I am sure that will be-that's the scenario you are describing, right? Where everybody would make less money.

Mr. Antee: The fee for the Construction Manager dropped from 5% to 3.50%. The General Conditions which part-you've got to the Construction Manager, you've got two parts: you've got a fee and then you've got the General Conditions. It is anticipated that the General Conditions can be cut from about $4.9 million to about $4.2 million and the fee, by cutting 1.50% of $71 million or $80 million, that is pretty significant.

Councilman Jackson: Right, but it will be a proportional cut, you believe to everybody involved?

Mr. Antee: No, it won't because there is certain things that will be cut out and other things won't be. I mean, under the General Condition, you are going to pay the electric bill over there and that is not going to change.

Councilman Jackson: I guess, I'm more on the fee side.

Mr. Antee: Some things in there they saw in the General Condition that were not needed and they cut out.

Councilman Jackson: I am really, more specifically talking about the fee side of it?

Mr. Antee: The fee side of it goes to the Construction Manager, which originally was Whitaker/Kwame and now would Bart Marlow. So, Bart Marlow and their portion of the fee, I mean, that is what they have to go work out, but Whitaker won't be receiving anything and won't be a part of the project once they assigned it. So the Whitaker/Kwame joint venture will be no longer part of it. Now what Kwame does with Bart Marlow or whatever company does in terms of working out an arrangement with Bart Marlow, that's up to them.

Councilman Jackson: So, it is possible to have a scenario where you have, as you had Whitaker/Kwame it is possible to have scenario where you'll have Bart Marlow/Somebody else?

Mr. Antee: Yeah, that is possible.

Councilman Gibson: Well, as I understand it, lets be clear of it, Kwame in this process was always a consultant in this process. Is that correct?

Mr. Antee: It is my understanding, and keep in mind that is a contract between Whitaker and Kwame.

Councilman Gibson: That's my point. The construction manager. . . .

Mr. Antee: It was in no way a contract between the City of Shreveport and Kwame, so I think they were more joint venture partners in the deal rather than a consultant, but in no way was Kwame ever a consultant to the City other than as a member of the joint venture with Whitaker.

Councilman Gibson: From an industry standpoint, a joint venture partner would have signed on the dotted line with the City of Shreveport. In this particularcase, Whitaker signed on the dotted line with a consultant, Kwame, being a consultant to Whitaker. Correct?

Mr. Antee: That's correct, it was not a three party contract.

Councilman Gibson: And the other point that I just want to make clear for my City Councilman, when we talk about construction management, that is one part of the equation, contract, at this point in time, depending on how the numbers shake out, as we gleam it right now $71 million in construction which will be put out under the public bid law, govern by the public bid law, and the policies to the City of Shreveport including Fair Share.

Question I have regarding this project, if everything goes according to schedule, first the settlement or the agreement that Safeco would have with the City of Shreveport, would that be subject-Whitaker obviously, their contract right now is deemed by the courts as, an asset. Is that correct?

Mr. Antee: That is correct.

Councilman Gibson: So it is the intent that Safeco, if they are happy with what the numbers come in at bid time, write a check of which, that monies would be deemed as an asset of the courts to then be turned over to the City?

Mr. Antee: No. The way that it would work is we have an agreement. We would go to the Bankruptcy Court to approve the agreement and once the agreement, once everything was worked out then Whitaker would ask the Bankruptcy Court to approve their assigning the Construction Management contract to Bart Marlow. Once the Bankruptcy Court, they would have to have a hearing, the creditors have the opportunity to come in and object. Once they did that, if they ruled that it was in the best interest of the estate to do that, then that contract would be assigned and it would no longer be an asset of the estate. So, in essence what would happen is Safeco would write a check, that money would go into this project account, then we would have a contract with Bart Marlow and all the low bidders that were approved and we would go on our way building the project and cutting the checks once Bart Marlow submitted the bills to us.

Councilman Gibson: At that time, Whitaker would be out of the picture, clearly?

Mr. Antee: Whitaker would be out of the picture and we would be out from under the control of Bankruptcy Court once they approve the assignment.

Councilman Gibson: The next question is regarding the project in general, the site that we have and there was some prep work done and there was a lot of discussion and obviously coverage on the environmental. Is this site ready, if those bids today were received and is that site ready to begin construction?

Mr. Antee: The site is ready to go. Obviously they will need to be a little fine-tuning top grading from it sitting there and settling for a while. But since August 1^st of this past year, the site has been ready for construction.

Councilman Gibson: And Slack, Alost, McSwain, in terms of their redesign of the foundation, because of some of the things that happened out there, are they, everything is in place as we know it right now?

Mr. Antee: Not right now, but that is what they will have completed by January 31^st according to their letter to us last week so that the bids can go out and that would include the change in the foundation as well as some minor changes with the State Fire Marshal related issue and so forth. But it would be a final set of construction documents to where it would be the building that would be built, beready for bids by January 31^st.

Councilman Gibson: In that re-design, is that part of the fee that they were paid originally or were there additional?

Mr. Antee: There were some additional costs for that.

Councilman Gibson: The last question I have or it is more of comment. Obviously this project was put together and again, applaud, kudos go to the Administration for trying to 1. have minority participation and 2. have local participation by the way this thing was structured which we will accomplish both of those.

But I just want to remind my colleagues, the one thing that I heard in the presentation that once these bids are received and then we know what the number is, hopefully everybody is going to be happy but in the construction industry, these local firms that are going after this project, but a lot of effort into estimating these projects. They don't get paid for those estimates.

And it is my hope that the timing of this project, I think, couldn't be better with the market conditions and everything of that nature, but I hope that things go according to schedule because if for some reason the numbers don't come in to what they are, then these companies that have gone through an exercise that is basically put them out a lot of money. And it is imperative that hopefully all the parties that are going to and I know the Administration is doing everything they can to make this thing work, but I personally don't want to see this exercise and have a lot of companies go through this process and then be told, sorry we used your number, but it is just not good enough and then they are out of all this money. Because lets face it, ladies and gentleman, we represent small business in this town. Small business owners can't afford to take those kind of hits on a routine basis or they are going to be out of business.

Mr. Antee: That is an excellent point, Mr. Gibson and that's been part of our negotiations with Safeco. Originally, they wanted us to agree that if we could not reach an agreement within the 30 to 45 days, then we automatically had to reject the bids and we said, no, we didn't want to do that. That would give them a leverage and the negotiating at that point, that if the numbers came in and the City was comfortable in going forward and taking the risk by litigating with them in court, then we wanted to have the option to go ahead and accept the bids knowing that if we lost in court, we had to write the check for whatever the difference, if any there was.

And one of the reasons to do that if we did not want the local or we did not want the contracting community to have to go out there and bid that with a contingency that we had to reach a settlement in order to go forward because, for two reasons: 1. it is not fair to ask them to go through that expense and 2. I think it would drive up the cost because they were going to factor that in. Any kind of, what we have learned that any questions out there causes the cost to go up, so we want to eliminate as much of the risk.

It would be no different than any other project that was bid that if it came in over budget, then we would have the option out there to cancel the bids because it came in way over budget, but at least this way the City made the decision that we are willing to go forward and then litigate with Safeco if we needed to. In the event that we did that, then we are going after Safeco for the full $86 million, not whatever the cost was because that is what we would be entitled to sue.

Councilman Lester: One final statement, Mr. Chairman and this is an editorial comment for what it is worth. I just want to say this to the Administration. The joint venture agreement between Whitaker and Kwame I think was one of the shining achievements of this Administration's first term and I think rightfully so.

I think it showed everyone in our area that on these large scale projects, we can put together a team. We have a minority firm that may or may not have the experience that we are going to give them a opportunity to do some positive work and do something. And I just want to ask the Administration and Mr. Antee particularly, as you are in the negotiation process and I understand the give and the pull, and there is some things that the City has to deal with and there are some things that the City can put on the table and say, this is something that we won't bargain away. These are some things that are not critical to our bargaining position.

But I would just ask the Administration to basically remain true to that and not look at minority participation on a construction management end, whether it is Kwame, Whitaker or whoever, as a cost. Don't look at it as something where we have to make a choice between a space walk and significant minority participation.

Because what we would say is, I think that that is a significant deal and I think it set the tone for any other project of any significance in the City, so I would just ask that the Administration in your deliberative process and in your negotiations to stand fast so that we could have significant minority participation on a construction management end and I'm sure that you will do that and stay true to the Fair Share Program. Because I think it shows that this Administration is serious about Fair Share and this Administration has been and I would ask that you continue to do that, and that would be my only comment.

Mr. Antee: Mr. Lester in response to that, the City is very committed to the Fair Share Plan but the Fair Share Plan has never been one that, if it adds costs to the project then we'll do it anyway. The Plan is to get the participation in the project and get the party within the project to work to where it does not cost the taxpayers additional dollars.

Now, the fact of life is, in some instances, it does add some costs, but it is costs that can't really be determined but in no way will we be able to sit back and allow additional costs to the project just to have the Fair Share participation because that is not what the ordinance calls for and that is not what the ordinance is intended for and we will believe that with a company such as Bart Marlow we can meet the Fair Share Ordinance requirement without adding cost to the project, but in the event that it does for example we can't say, here add 1.50% to the fee just to cover the minority participation. We don't care if it add 1.50% to the cost of the project. No. Take the 1.5% off, take 25% of the 3.50% and go get your participation. But we don't add another 1.50% in order to get the 25%, that is not what the Fair Share Plan is about.

Councilman Lester: And as I appreciate it, that is not what I am asking Mr. Antee.

Mr. Antee: I am sorry if I misunderstood.

Councilman Lester: What I am asking is, you've already indicated that the fees are going to be cut and I appreciate part of that is part of the negotiation process and understand that your primary responsibility is to the taxpayers and being good financial stewards of their money and I think that is tantamount, in anything.

But, I also think at this particular time in our City's history, we need to make a stand that says that, Fair Share is more than just a piece of paper, its policy. And if it means that in fact there are some additional costs incurred if it is not cost prohibitive, I would counsel the Administration to make that an investment. Because making an investment in the minority business community, is something that is going to pertain tremendous benefits in the longrun.

But now and I going to sit here and say that it is an issue of adding a million dollars to project versus being a good financial steward, no I am not saying that at all. But, at the same time I think there is a way that you can make sure that you have significant minority participation regardless of what the fees are. If the fees are 3.50% then 25% of 3.50%, you deal with that and that is what you run with and I think that we should do that.

But I don't want to get us in a position where we say, well it is 3.50% and so that the majority firms can make more money, we get rid of the minority participation so that the whole 3.50% goes to this one particular company and they make more money because instead of calculating 5%, they are dealing with 3.50%.

My point is, if the minority is going to take a cut and the minority company can take a cut so long as you maintain that there is going to be a joint venture and maintain that there is significant minority participation and that is what I am saying. But, certainly I am not going to sit here and say because I think that would be pretty ridiculous to ask this Administration that has done an excellent job in being a good steward of the City's money, too add additional cost just for that purpose.

I mean, we could get in argument and we won't today but how much is the value of the Fair Share program. I mean you could make the argument and I think that there is some that would that, in certain instances if you are looking at maybe $100,000 or $200,000 in the cost of a multi-million dollar project, there is some other ways that you could cut the cost to make sure that is done.

All I am asking is the City has done an excellent job and this Administration has done an excellent job of being inclusive and we just want you to maintain that inclusiveness spirit because I sit in the chair of someone and that is the late Hilry Huckaby who made that a tremendous issue. And, I think a lot of citizens in the City of Shreveport applaud this Administration because they have been inclusive and we want you to continue to be inclusive even with the pressure of the line item and trying to keep costs down, that is what I just wanted to say.

Councilman Jackson: I just wanted to echo because very often when we get into these conversations they disintegrate or dissipate, if you will, to conversations about cost.

I want to say that I am not asking us to do anything that would approach anything that is so creative that it is illegal, that certainly doesn't, I am not asking that, but I do want us to understand that we must, just as we do in other things, it is not Mr. Antee and the Mayor are certainly not accustomed to understanding when we have business who are in other cities who promise to employ 600 people, there are things that we do, that we do to incentive-ize the move, we do help to make things happen and we do it because we see it as an investment. We think about what it costs and then we suggest that there is going to be an economic development multiplier effect associated with it and as a result, it makes sense to do it and we all know it cost money to make money and it just depends on what our perspective is on this investment. We do it every day in the form of recruitment andeven in incentives for businesses to expand; so, we do this because we are concerned about the proliferation of successful businesses in our community.

And, I think we go into this process, I would challenge you to think about what is the cost of not doing it? What is the multiplier effect to not making this investment to not doing it? And, that is why when I talked earlier I suggested that, I don't have any problem with anybody making less as long as everybody does and as long as it is proportional because if it is not, then not matter what we say, it is tantamount to saying that this part of this construction management piece, what they cost, that is in fact dispensable that we can use to adjust the curve and fix.

What I am saying, I guess my concern is that we would take not only this spirit but we would conquer-tize this spirit in policy and suggest that there is nothing that can happen that is going to sway us as long as what we are doing, as long as we believe what we are doing is right and it is defensible and it is legal, then it just takes courage to do it and takes creativity to do it and there is some people who will take less so that others can have more so that ultimately the City can be a better place.

Because we start talking about taxpayers dollars, then you know everybody technically, there are many people who are tax payers and so I don't know how many of the tax payers would be offended (for lack of a better term by this) but I would just like to ask us to continue and certainly I hope you all don't receive it as criticism, I hope if so, it is constructive that we would continue.

I think we've done it, I think we started by putting the Fair Share in place and now we've got to move beyond having it in place and making it real and it takes sacrifice and in many places where it works well, somebody had to do it and it puts you real close to Marta-um sometimes however you've got to do what it takes, I believe, to move the City forward and to put in place a process by which others can follow. So, I would strongly suggest that, not to anybody's detriment but to the benefit of the whole community.

Councilman Carmody: I know we talked about that we should be ready to put out the bid packages by mid-February. Are those bids going to include the exact scope of work that we asked Whitaker to bid originally?

Mr. Antee: It will not be the exact for several reasons. 1. The foundation has changed. 2. There have been some changes required by the State Fire Marshal. 3. As part of the process, we've gone to the architect as well as to Bart Marlow and even had some suggestions from Hunt Construction who was reviewing it, the project as well as some ways to cut the cost not by changing the scope of work or not by changing the structure but ways to come in and find a better way to skin the cat or a better way of doing it for less money and so we have incorporated some of those.

What we charged Slack Alost to do is go and look at it, and take their suggestions and see where we can save money by doing it different from the construction or from a general contractor's viewpoint and lets incorporate those changes in there. And so we've agreed to a list of those.

Councilman Carmody: Can we get a copy of that list of what we are changing out of the original scope?

Mr. Antee: Oh, absolutely.

Councilman Carmody: I would appreciate that and I guess all the members of the Council would like it too.

Mr. Antee: But the main thing and the main purpose was we are not willing to change anything materially that we would not be looking at if Whitaker was still under construction and came in under the contract and say, look we save you money by doing this and I'll give you a prime example.

What was designed on the security system was basically $650 worth of surveillance, cameras in just about every room and all of that. A similar facility in San Antonio that is being built was built with $250,000 in surveillance equipment and so what we told them to do is to look at it by running a conduit so that we can expand all of these areas, but if it is not needed now, then you get it ready and then as we do need it, if ever needed it then we can plug it in but that saves $400,000 because it is not necessary, and that is just the first example that comes to mind and there are many of them.

There is a lot of them that the contractor looks at and says hey you can do it this way as designed, but you can also do it this way with this manufacturer and it will save you 20%. And, they look at it and they get all the specs and everything and they say, hey you are right.

Councilman Gibson: In the industry that is known as, value engineering. And if you recall a couple three weeks ago, Chief Roberts and the construction industry are putting together, along with a design professional, a constructability study.

I think, as this City has learned and we learn everyday on what we do, I think if we had it all to do again, 2 or 3 years ago, we probably would have looked at doing a constructability study with Slack, Alost, McSwain and the construction community to look at those things. But I think you'll find that those value engineering recommendations or suggestions are definitely going to be something that will help this project move forward

But, on the bigger project in the future, I would urge that we all work with the Administration. A constructability study only works on bigger projects, it don't work on the real small projects because the time a company is willing to volunteer with their expertise is just not going to factor out. But, on the jail project there is going to be a review made, a constructability study in fact it is going to done on January 7^th to give the City a chance to along with the design professional a chance to get some feedback from local contractors to see where there is some opportunity to save some money not by compromising the scope of work but by bringing some value through substitutions of some things.

But also I would just like to make other comment. This project has the impact, in terms of the economic impact and potential of right out around a half a billion dollars when you keep that money here circulating, and I know we all could use a little extra revenue stream from the tax that is generated from that impact.

So, I think it is, we are at a point and I applaud Mayor Hightower and Ken Antee for what they have done in working with all the different parties involved in this thing, because it looks to me like we are getting close to getting to where we can put this thing to bed and get people out on the street working and circulating that money within the community. So, we are looking forward to seeing what January and February hold.

Councilman Green: When will the basic discussions, come to the table as far as us meeting with Bart Marlow?

Mr. Antee: I didn't. . . .

Councilman Green: Before we got to the court. When will we meet with themagain or is it an on-going discussion?

Mr. Antee: It is on-going and I'm speaking with David Krebs, the attorney for Safeco, regularly.

Councilman Green: My reason for asking is that, so that the Council will be updated, would it be any problem, Mayor, if in fact from this point we could possible appoint some Council members to be in on the discussion so that we know what is going on? And basically, the report, the update if you could get it to us in writing so that we could move briefly on Council meeting, would kind of help us out. Are there going to be any local meetings with the discussion before we go to the Bankruptcy Court?

Mr. Antee: There is a lot of things and it is just about daily. Believe it takes up a large part of my time on the phone with the various parties. Where we are right now. . . .

Councilman Green: Are they on the phone or. . . .?

Mr. Antee: Usually on the phone. Occasionally we have meetings with everybody present. We don't have one of those scheduled because we are in the process now of faxing back and forth an interim agreement and comments and notes and discussions and right after the first, hopefully we will be able to finalize.

Councilman Green: What I am asking is that, I'd like to appoint Mr. Jackson, Mr. Gibson, and myself to be on that committee that as you do the negotiations that you inform us and we will in fact inform the other Council members.

Mr. Antee: Do you want every time I-I'm not sure I understand what committee you just appointed. I don't. . . .

Councilman Green: It is just a basic committee that you would just kind of relay messages to, information to.

Mr. Thompson: There is one consideration that you probably need to factor into this. If you appoint a committee then all of your meetings will be public meetings and you'll have to have 24-hour notices and all of that sort of thing.

Councilman Green: Well, we'll just cancel that and just keep us informed and we'll, go with that.

Let me ask you this. Would it be in order for the Council to possible send a resolution to the court and to Bart Marlow in the spirit of the contract that we have to keep it as is, with the exception of Whitaker?

Mr. Thompson: Certainly the Council can send a resolution, if it desires to do so. As to whether or not it would be helpful is something that maybe the CAO could help us to get it since he has been in close meetings with everybody. You can certainly do one.

Councilman Green: Do you think that would be helpful?

Mr. Antee: I think once there is an agreement put in place and the motion is final with the Bankruptcy Court and I think it could be helpful for the Council to send a resolution to the Bankruptcy Court stating that it is in favor of the agreement. I don't think that it would do any good to send one to Safeco or Whitaker or Bart Marlow because in essence they are acting on what's best for their respective clients, and they realize that we are acting in concert with the Council on what is best for the City.

Councilman Lester: I have quick question.

Councilman Green: Can we ask him after the meeting.

Councilman Lester: Is on this issue, Mr. Chairman, and it is real.

Councilman Green: I know it, it understand but lets just ask it after the meeting so that I can. I've got Pro out here and he is a little older now and he is. . . .

Councilman Lester: I understand Mr. Chairman. My only request would be. . .

Councilman Green: Mr. Lester.

Councilman Lester: Yes, sir.

Councilman Green: Just ask me after the meeting and I'll ask them and we'll take care of it, I promise.

Councilman Lester: Well, Mr. Chairman, can I.

Councilman Green: Mr. Lester.

Councilman Lester: Yes, sir.

Councilman Green: Can we just do this after the meeting?

Councilman Lester: Okay.

Councilman Green: Thank you.

Public Comments. Mr. Jerry Tim Brooks (4605 Curtis Lane): Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Councilmen and thank you Mr. Gibson for those fine words and the rest of the staff.

I am here to talk about Lakeside Golf Course. I have been reading in the paper for the last, I don't know 4 or 5 months about Lakeside Golf Course and about Lakeside Golf Course maintaining itself. I want to tell you a little bit of the history of Lakeside Golf Course.

Lakeside Golf Course was given to, as Mr. Erwin said who was the Chairman of the Recreation Council in 195. . .at a ceremony out there. And of course, and it came about through the deals of Querbes/Broadmoor Golf Course, the only City course then in a City that I think maybe Broadmoor was a private course was Broadmoor and Blacks had no where to play golf. We could caddy at the Country Club, we could caddy at Broadmoor, but we didn't have any place to play. So, we built us a golf course out there at Allendale, in Allendale out there on Palace Park every Monday. And if you got caught during the week at one of those golf courses, like Shreveport Country Club, because I know in 1952, I had to jump a fence out there with a shotgun behind me and I also got beat almost to death at Querbes in 1948 for playing on the golf course.

So, at this time, Joe Singleton, Joe Elmore and Julius Miller were waiters at one of these clubs where Mr. Ewin would frequent. And he asked Mr. Ewin one night, Mr. Ewin could you give that Lakeside Golf Course to us? And Mr. Ewin said, well, we're going to think about it. Well, now Lakeside was closed then. It was closed before the war. And so Mr. Ewin said, well, I'm going to think about it Joe.

And so about six months later, Mr. Ewin told Joe to go out and get five thousand signatures if they wanted to play golf. Well, at that time, Joe and that group went out and they got ten thousand signatures. So we had that big opening, we had that big ceremony at Lakeside. And of course at that time, in 1951, Lakeside was the only black golf course in a radius of 500 miles and we had golf tournaments out there, four and five times a year, and we brought golfers in from Alexandria, Houston, Dallas, all everywhere. Because Lakeside was then only golf course and we loved Lakeside. I love Lakeside right now Mr. Mayor. And I can say that every Mayor since Mayor Fant was in office, I have trickled down, me and some more folk have trickled down to City Hall to try to get the City to keep it up, to spend some money.

Mr. Mayor we need money spent out there right now. The greens out there are deplorable. And you know, you've got leaves out there right now, you go out there right now Mr. Chairman, I want you to take a group and go out there at your time, whatever time you want and look at the things that I'm saying here today. We've got leaves out there almost high as my knee, never been moved, never been cut up, never been done anything, and its sad, its really sad Mr. Chairman, that you go out there. Lakeside has been really a good course for so many youngsters. I've sent over a hundred youngster to school on golf scholarship all over this country, some of them are lawyers and doctors. Because I was the first one to get a golf scholarship to go to Southern and didn't have no where to play.

And we need to do this. We need to look at this thing. Lakeside was never the golf course to make money. It was a golf course to keep Negroes or Blacks or whatever you want to call us out there at Lakeside. It wasn't never suppose to make money and its not making money now. And until the City gets a hold to this thing Mr. Chairman and go to other places, go to Arcadia, go to Bernice, Louisiana and look at the golf course down there. And look at the make-up of the golf course. Look at the Club House. Our club house right now Mr. Mayor is a disgrace, if I were to go out there and if I'm from out of town and I take somebody out there to the golf course now, I couldn't even buy a pair of shoes. And at one time when Mayor Fant was the mayor of this city, it was a beautiful thing out there. You had everything in those club houses then because Mayor Fant played golf, and of course I used to caddy for him.

But now Mr. Mayor, it's a shame and it makes me feel bad when I bring people in here from Dallas and California and then we go out and play either one of the golf courses, we go out and play.

But we need to move Lakeside, Mr. Chairman out of that Enterprise Zone and put in the General Funds just like we got our basketball centers, gymnasiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, that needs to be in there, because Lakeside is not going to take care of itself when you're paying $10.00 or $5.00 or $13.00 to play with cart.

And the next thing you do, is that I have a golf tournament out there, two of `em every year. When I have a golf tournament out there, I got 15 carts. Fifteen carts. With 15 carts if anybody wants to come out there and play, 15 people can take 15 carts, don't have anymore. Now you've got a lot of golf carts out there at Huntington, you got a lot of golf carts at Querbes and I tell the Administration. They say "well Jerry, we don't have anywhere to put `em." Build a place. You know you could build a place, put up a barn or something. It's not problem in that. And then when I have a golf tournament, they have to go and borrow golf carts from over here on Airline which cost like $22.00 and we lose money.

We need someone Mr. Chairman to focus on that golf course, someone who wants to take care of that golf course, who understand the golf course and understand people. And we don't have it out there. We do not have it out there. And I can appreciate Mr. Gibson and you new City Councilmen, I want y'all to take a tour and go out there and go to each one of the golf courses and look and take notes and look how it's a difference out there. You see, it's a difference out there.

Now, we got some kind of program coming up called "The First Tee. Well you know and I know that other youngsters are not coming to Lakeside to play in no First Tee, they're not coming out there and I wouldn't go out there if I was thatgroup of persons. That's all together what's wrong. It was planted wrong Mr. Chairman. It should have been planted in the right place and the right time and the right folks should have been a part of it. And I can thank you for listening. I'm not throwing any fingers at anybody, but I want you to know that Lakeside is dear to (as Mr. Ewin said) the colored folks and we want to maintain that golf course. Thank you very much.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Brooks, rather than just touring the facility, don't you think it would be better if we toured each hole of each facility?

Mr. Brooks: Yes sir, what I was saying, tour the golf course, you know that's the whole golf course, the whole nine holes.

Councilman Walford: Test them for functionality while we're doing it?

Mr. Brooks: Yeah! Uh hm.

Mayor Hightower: I've got one thing that I'd like to do if I could. The Fire Chief is here today and he's got a special guest with him that's one of those heros that we seem to have more and more of in our City and I'd like for Chief Cochran to come up if he would.

Chief Cochran: Thank you Mayor Hightower. Mr. Chairman, Council Members, on December 11, around 5 o'clock in the morning our honoree this afternoon, Mr. Andersen was alarmed at his house by a knock at the door. And when he opened the front door, he saw a young lady, his neighbor, totally engulfed in flames. She was standing by her space heater in her gown and her gown caught fire. And in panic, not knowing what to do, she went to her neighbor's house and you can imagine the surprise that he felt when he opened the front door.

Without any hesitation, he quickly wrestled her to the ground and commenced to rolling her over and over again until she was extinguished. And without question, ladies and gentlemen that are here today, she would not be alive today had it not been for his quick responsive actions. She's recovering well, she is now from ICU into the Burn Unit and her condition is improving. She is stable and of course without his action, she would not be here today.

And as a testament to his commitment and dedication and even risk his own health and safety, you can see by the looks (if I could ask you to hold your hand) he still is nursing his injuries that he sustained from saving her life. And Mayor Hightower wanted to publicly acknowledge and honor him today and as the Fire Chief of the Shreveport Fire Department, we wanted to, before our City Council Members present Mr. Alfred Anderson with the Shreveport Fire Department Certificate of Commendation for his heroic effort in saving the life of Mrs. Monica Johnson on December 11^th. Thank you.

Chairman Green: Thank you. Sir, would you like to have a word?

Mr. Anderson: My name is Alfred Anderson. I just want to thank God for allowing me to be in a position to help someone because after all, that's what God puts here for. And his greatest commandment is that we love one another as he loved us; I just thank God for allowing me to be there to help someone.

CONSENT AGENDA LEGISLATION:.

TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ON CONSENT:

RESOLUTIONS: None.

ORDINANCE: None.

TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ON CONSENT:

RESOLUTIONS:

Motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Walford for Adoption of the Resolution on the Consent Agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 195 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION REJECTING BIDS RECEIVED ON IFB #02-098, SINGLE SUCTION MIXED FLOW OR REGULAR TURBINE PUMP

WHEREAS, five bids were received as a result of solicitations for the Single Suction Mixed Flow or Regular Turbine Pump, IFB-02-098; and

WHEREAS, the City has rejected the bids because as a result of design changes to the new pump station, none of the solicitations received for the pumps meet specifications;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the bids received on IFB #02-098 be rejected.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby declared repealed.

ORDINANCE:

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Carmody for Adoption of the Ordinance on the Consent Agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

ORDINANCE NO. 205 OF 2002

AN ORDINANCE CLOSING AND ABANDONING A PORTION OF THE RETAINED UTILITY AND DRAINAGE SERVITUDES IN THE CLOSED AND ABANDONED PARK AVENUE LOCATED NORTH OF LAUREL STREET IN THE PARK VIEW SUBDIVISION IN THE NE/4 OF SECTION 2 (T17N-R14W), AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal, and regular session convened, that the portion of the retained utility and drainage servitudes in the closed and abandoned Park Avenue located north of Laurel Street in the Park View Subdivision in the NE 1/4 of SECTION 2 (T17N-R14W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and as shown an as indicated on the plat attached hereto and made part hereof, is hereby closed and abandoned.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that a certified copy of this ordinance be filed and recorded in the official records of the District Court for Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

REGULAR AGENDA LEGISLATION:

RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE:

RESOLUTION NO. 191 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSTRUCTING THE I-49 INTERCHANGE LANDSCAPING PROJECT BETWEEN LA 526 AND KINGS HIGHWAY, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal, and regular session convened, that the Mayor is authorized to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the State of Louisiana for the purposes of constructing the I-49 Interchange Landscaping Project Between LA 526 and Kings' Highway, And To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 192 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR'S SIGNATURE TO THE LANDLORD LIENWAIVER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONAL SERVICES AND RENOVAR AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Renovar and the City entered into a Landfill Gas Lease Agreement in 1996 where as Renovar constructed, operated and maintained a system for collection, processing and sale of landfill gas from the landfill at 10530 Woolworth Road, Keithville, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Renovar has entered into a financial agreement to secure funds with a financial institution which calls for the City to waive any security interest in the personal property at the Landfill belonging to Renovar; and

WHEREAS, The City will maintain a security interest in the landfill gas collection system and flare at the Landfill; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the Mayor is authorized to sign the Landlord Lien Waiver agreement between the City of Shreveport and Renovar.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport is authorized to sign all other documents required to complete the application.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications, and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Carmody passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 193 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION OF SPRING FLOWERING BULBS IN THE AMOUNT OF THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTEEN DOLLARS FROM DISCOUNT BUILDING MATERIALS OF SHREVEPORT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport desires to support beautification programs in the City of Shreveport which serve the public and render a public service; and

WHEREAS, the Discount Building Materials of Shreveport desires to support the beautification of the City of Shreveport; and

WHEREAS, the Discount Building Materials of Shreveport desires to donate spring flowering bulbs valued in the amount of Thirty three thousand nine hundred

sixteen dollars ($ 33,916.00) to be used to by the City in Parks, right-of-ways, municipal grounds and surrounding areas; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has established an Enrichment Fund as a trust fund for donations of funds and/or goods by any persons or groups. The Enrichment Fund ordinance is contained in Section 26-186 et seq., of the Code of Ordinances; and

WHEREAS, the ordinance provides that donations over $5,000.00 shall beaccepted only with the approval of the City Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that Keith Hightower, Mayor, is hereby authorized to accept the donation of spring flowering bulbs valued in the amount of Thirty-three thousand nine hundred sixteen dollars ($ 33,916.00) from the Discount Building Materials of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bulbs donated by Discount Building Materials of Shreveport shall be used to beautify the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications, and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Hogan for passage.

Councilman Carmody: A quick comment and a thank you to Discount Building Materials for this generous donation. Its nice to see businesses here in the City helping to beautify our environment.

Chairman Green: Thank you and also thank you Mr. Hogan for carrying the ball.

Resolution passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

The Deputy Clerk read resolution by title: Resolution No. 196 of 2002: A resolution rejecting bids received on IF #02-291, Amiss Water Treatment Plant Chemical Feed Building Improvements & Automation.

Mayor Hightower: on 196, we'd ask the Council to postpone that.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Gibson to postpone the resolution until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 197 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PAY SCHEDULE FOR THE MUNICIPAL FIRE CIVIL SERVICE PERSONNEL AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Mayor that the current pay schedule for the Municipal Fire Civil Service personnel be adjusted to reflect a change in the civil service pay schedule, effective January 1, 2003, provided funding is made available and appropriated for such a purpose.

WHEREAS, the proposed pay schedule attached hereto as Appendix "A" reflects said changes to the civil service pay schedule.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that the pay schedule attached thereto as Appendix "A" be and is hereby approved, effective January 1, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this Resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green for passage.

Councilman Carmody: Could I ask the Chief to come forward please. Chief, I appreciate you coming forward and I know that you and I had a conversation this morning and I had told you that I was going to ask you to come down and elaborate based on where we are with these different positions.

But after you and I got off the telephone, I fielded a number of calls from constituents all over the City that were concerned about the article in today's Times. One gentleman called and said I see it's a 55% increase in the Administrative Staff salaries. And the question that I was wanting to address to you was, the numbers that you and I had discussed this morning are not reflected in the printed article today. Can you explain what the difference is actually. And I've got a copy of it if it would help, but . . . there's a quite a variance as to what we had discussed and the numbers that are shown here.

Chief Cochran: Yes, I can elaborate. I think those who are concerned about the size of the increase for these individuals are probably aware that all of our Civil Service Employees from the Deputy Chief down to the Firefighter level, will be getting a pay increase across the board because of the sales tax increase. Allowing this to be in affect simultaneously means that these individuals would get what they would normally get at their current base pay level and then take them up to the next base pay level, and that is true.

But it is not the justification for increasing their pay is not based on what they are currently being paid. Its based on the fact that their duties and responsibilities are significantly increased and warrant the pay at the next pay level and I think that's where and the difference lies. Certainly, its going to be more but, its justified based on their duties and responsibilities increased and therefore justifies the next level.

Now, I think there was some inaccuracy in maybe one of the quotes. The current Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief is paid at the base pay of that of a District Chief. When the new pay plan is implemented, the District Chiefs' base pay will be $40,392 a year. That will be the new annual salary of the basepay of a District Chief. The next pay grade level that I'm proposing for that position is an increase to $47,032.

Councilman Carmody: Can I interrupt you at this point. Again my notes reflects I guess the individual's name, so I will not use them, but just let me make sure that we're talking apples to apples as to what my notes are showing.

You're talking about your secretary in that . . .

Chief Cochran: The Fire Chief's secretary and Administrative Assistant to the Chief.

Councilman Carmody: I had written down was that the base pay presently for that position was $26,784?

Chief Cochran: Yes, according to the current pay plan.

Councilman Carmody: And that it will increase to $30,444?

Chief Cochran: Yes, according to the current pay plan.

Councilman Carmody: But it says in this article its going from $30,288 to $47, 040?

Chief Cochran: Well, that's not accurate.

Councilman Carmody: But I thought I just heard you say that you were anticipating going up to $47,000?

Chief Cochran: That's for the Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief. Let me give you the Fire Chief Secretary.

Councilman Carmody: Okay, please.

Chief Cochran: Under the current pay plan, the Fire Chief's Secretary base pay is $26,784 annually. The next level, which is that of the Captain would increase to $30,444. After January 1 when we implement the new pay plan based on the sales tax increase, the base pay of the Fire Driver which is the current base pay that the Fire Chief's Secretary receives, it will increase to $31,734.

To take it to the next level, it would increase to $36,060 a year. So those are accurate numbers that should have been reflected. So, I don't know where the 50% increase comes from because that's not accurate.

Councilman Carmody: As I say, I didn't do the math, that was just a statement that was made by a caller.

The other question that I was asked to place to you was. . this is in regards to I guess the widows pension?

Chief Cochran: Yes.

Councilman Carmody: Will the widows receive additional money as a result of the passage for the sales tax? Has all of your personnel. . .

Chief Cochran: Does the widows benefit increase?

Councilman Carmody: Yes.

Chief Cochran: To my recollection and all that deliberation, I don't believe that the widows benefit does increase. Because the firefighter's pay does not go into affect until after they have graduated from basic training class.

Councilman Carmody: And I guess that's where I misunderstood the caller. She had said that it was her understanding that the widows compensation was based upon what a firefighter, a basic firefighter . . .

Chief Cochran: Starting pay.

Councilman Carmody: Yeah. So, if we're increasing the starting pay for those persons, are they not going to receive an increase through the widows?

Chief Cochran: Well, the starting pay in basic training is still going to be at the rate of $24,348, that will not change.

Councilman Carmody: That number will not change?

Chief Cochran: No. And that's why the widows benefit will not change.

Councilman Carmody: Okay and the other question she asked me to verify was if the increase in our sales tax es does not generate the projected funds, does the City of Shreveport have to make up that difference from our general fund?

Chief Cochran: No sir and that's one of the advantages to this proposal. And that is, we are not creating three new positions. We're only creating one new position and we're using an existing position to offset the cost of that.

We have by virtue of the pay increases, we were able to eliminate incentive pay for EMS Supervisors and substitute EMS Supervisors. We've been able to eliminate incentive pay for the Assistant Chief of Communications and Fire Communications Officer II. Justifiably, they are not losing any money, we're just eliminating those incentive pays because of things that we have done internally with the pay chart changes.

Well, the elimination of the incentive pays creates $22,500. The proposed changes that I'm presenting before the Council only cost $15,300. So, its totally paid for through internal restructuring and reorganization. So we're not asking the City Council to allocate more funds to the Fire Department's operating budget, I'm not subtracting from other personnel services, benefits, neither am I subtracting from other programs and services we've provide for our members or our citizens. Its just an expected efficient management move that's expected of me by Mayor Hightower and by members of the City Council to take what you give me and do the best that I can with it, without costing any more and that's exactly what it does.

Councilman Carmody: My last comment to you Chief and I appreciate you coming forward going through this exercise with me, but again, I reiterate to both of you and the Chief of our Police Department that in that your responsibility is to be fiscally responsible and that the taxpayer's were generous enough to vote the increase for a 4 year period, I would ask that we be very prudent with how we allocate our budgeted monies for salaries in that it will take convincing the citizens, again in four years to go back and support the renewal of this tax in order to maintain the level of funding that you'll be receiving. So, to both our Fire and Police Chief, I think that it is imperative in that we've not started to implement this yet, but that its about to come upon us that we go ahead and look down the road to contingency plan and to be frugal with that money just in case, we cannot convince the public to come back and fund us again.

Chief Cochran: Yes sir, I understand.

Councilman Jackson: Chief Cochran, just a couple of things that not new, what we discussed a week ago, what my concerns and they remain the same. I didn't know until I got here today that there was even an article in the paper today. Question about the secretary first and then I'll talk about the Administrative Assistant to the Chief.

What does the secretary currently make now, today, December 30^th, as of today?

Chief Cochran: Her annual rate Councilman Jackson is $26,784.

Councilman Jackson: Okay and this time next month, what will her, assuming this proposal were to go through as you've asked, what will the salary be then?

Chief Cochran: As I have proposed if it goes through at that rate, it will be $36,060 annually.

Councilman Jackson: So, $10,000 just about. Now that doesn't factor in the 2% longevity is that correct?

Chief Cochran: No, it doesn't.

Councilman Jackson: And so, on top of that, that $10,000 increase, there'll also be another 2% that two years from today will be added on there as well, that you might add as 2%, that's an annual scenario. Is that correct?

Chief Cochran: Yes, that's annual required by law.

Councilman Jackson: Now, let me ask this question. In your opinion, I'm assuming that this was something that you all spent some time putting together, in your opinion, is this commensurate with salaries throughout the City at the same level?

Chief Cochran: The Fire Chief's secretary?

Councilman Jackson: Yes.

Chief Cochran: I'm not aware of what executive level secretaries make in those other departments. But I am very aware of the current Fire Chief's secretary's duties and responsibilities and that they more than likely exceed the duties and responsibilities of others who perform at that same level in other organizations and even if they did not, I'm very comfortable recommending to the Mayor and to the Council, these proposals and that they are duly justified.

Councilman Jackson: One more question on that secretary. An average firefighter, lets just say at the bottom, just out of the Academy starting whether he's a driver or whether he's firefighter, what is his salary prior to the tax passage?

Chief Cochran: Starting out Councilman Jackson is $24,348. Councilman Jackson: And after the tax is passed, from $24,000, what is he now making?

Chief Cochran: $28,848.

Councilman Jackson: So basically, he had a $4,000 raise?

Chief Cochran: Yes.

Councilman Jackson: The Administration Assistant to the Fire Chief, today, what is he making?

Chief Cochran: Currently he makes the annual salary rate of $34,092 a year.

Councilman Jackson: And am I correct when I heard you say that he's going to $47,000 if all of this will be passed today?

Chief Cochran: Yes sir.

Councilman Jackson: So that's a $13,000 raise?

Chief Cochran: Yes.

Councilman Jackson: Let me ask to the Mayor. But first before I ask him, are there any other benefits connected with this Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief other than the $13,000 raise?

Chief Cochran: Yes. There are also other pays associated with other special certifications and so forth that they have. The current Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief is a paramedic and therefore will get paramedic incentive pay.

Councilman Jackson: Does the 2% apply for him as well?

Chief Cochran: Yes it does.

Councilman Jackson: So, its conceivable that this time next year, his salary may be upwards of $50,000?

Chief Cochran: Yes, that's conceivable.

Councilman Jackson: Okay. Any other benefits. Does he in fact have a car?

Chief Cochran: Yes.

Councilman Jackson: Mayor Hightower, did in fact, I think I probably sound like a broken record here today. I understood that we have had a salary parity study under your Administration. Is that correct?

Mayor Hightower: Actually, it was under the last Administration is when that took place and we revamped the City-wide pay scale.

Councilman Jackson: So, you haven't had a salary parity study since you've been mayor?

Mayor Hightower: No.

Councilman Jackson: Do you know if these increases will be commensurate with. . .and again, I apologize, that it may be apples to oranges to a great degree, but in as much as possible if we can compare it, particularly the secretary. Do you know or would you consider this commensurate with what goes on throughout the City?

Mayor Hightower: I don't think you'll find a whole lot of difference between executive assistants throughout the City. Especially when you factor in the raise that she would have gotten anyway. And then the increased duties that the Chief is going to put upon her. On the Administrative Assistant, we have an Administrative Assistant that's actually doing two jobs. Doing a Public Affairs Information Officer along with the assistant to the Chief.

So, the Chief has come to me and run both of these requests by. I do support them and my management philosophy all the long is to hire the best people you can to run the Departments that you have to run and let `em go with inside the constraints that are obviously placed upon `em by myself and by the City Council and the budget. And the Chief, I can sit here today and say, he's been a great appointment. Over the past four years, he's run the operation efficiently, we're a Class I Fire Department. They do what they're supposed to do. The save lives everyday. Admittedly, he comes to me sometimes with some things that I think, well, why don't we do it this way, but when you stop and you say, they're saving lives the way they're doing and rated by the professional. . .

Councilman Jackson: Well, I can appreciate that, but I don't want to make an emotional decision about this. My question is more about the dollars and cents.

Certainly, and I've said to Chief Cochran, its no personal indictment on him, that has absolutely nothing to do with it. He knows that, but my issue is the same issue that it was last week and the week before. The morale of employeesin total will increasingly continue to diminish if in fact, we have not made some gesture or have said something and people continue to see Public Service. Nobody wants to be without them and he doesn't make nor does anybody else that's a firefighter make enough for what they do, nor police officer. We could never pay them what they are worth. And so its not an issue of value of the service that you all provide. Its an issue of what the Mayor just said, the dollars and cents and the constraints within the budget within which we operate. Mine's has nothing to do about the Fire Department as much as it is about across-the-board being sure that we're doing what we can.

They do a great job, but so does the guy who picks up the garbage out in front of our house. I think its not they've just done a great job. And so I know that's not what you're talking. I'm not talking about at the end of the day, the guys and ladies who are going out and risking their lives, I'm talking about an executive secretary to the Fire Chief and I'm talking also about an Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief neither of which, I view as a job who are out there each day doing the most risky job.

So, my decision is not that. What it seems to be is that the phone calls that I've received, they haven't directed my conversations with you or directed these questions, they've simply come to confirm my thought process. And what it seems is if is that some people, these two in particular, these two positions not the persons, but these two positions are getting double bumps. They are getting a bump that they would have ordinarily gotten after whatever date the raise goes into affect. Then they get a bump in position. And my thought as I said to you last Monday, I didn't understand why, perhaps before the election, that this was not considered before that particular time and these things were not in fact discussed at that particular time and those were my major concerns.

Chief Cochran: Had I anticipated that it was going to create this kind of scrutiny, I would have very well brought it up front to the Council Members, but Councilman Jackson, there are several members of the Shreveport Fire Department that are going to get a double bump. These are not the only two people that are going to get promoted in 2003. We've got about six promotions taking place January 1^st. Those people are getting double bumps and there are a lot more people that will get double bumps. It has nothing to do with the amounts. Certainly their families are going to be tremendously blessed and I hope that they are tithers so their Church can be blessed on top of that. Its no question about it. It's going to be a significant raise for these individuals.

But my request to the Council Members has nothing to do with the individuals. It's the duties and the responsibilities that I need to delegate to these individuals to run the Shreveport Fire Department more efficiently. Certainly, firefighters put their lives on the line more frequently than even I do. You know, if we paid our personnel based on how often they put their lives at risk, I would be the lowest paid member of the organization.

Councilman Jackson: I agree.

Chief Cochran: So, the pay is commensurate to their duties and responsibilities and the level of obligation associated with their job functions and how it contributes to the overall mission and success of the Fire Department. And in my professional opinion, it warrants this kind of pay chart proposal.

I would love to take the time necessary to give you the experience thatwill garner your support. Because I know that if I could you would support me. But it would take you spending a few days in my office, a few weeks observing these two individuals, looking at their work histories and background, seeing the impact of their decisions and assignments on my office to come to the conclusion, that `yeah, the Chief is right'. So, I guess I'm just asking you to base your decision on the justification that I've provided from your creditable questions and then just trust that the 22 years of experience that I have put into this organization, my continuous learning and education, my deliberation with the Mayor and the CAO to try to make the best decisions following the guidelines of using the money that you give us the most efficiently which I'm not asking for any additional funds. It's freeing up money that's already been assigned to us to make these recommendations and based on those things, I would just appreciate your vote of approval.

Councilman Jackson: This other position is an IT Officer, is that, I think that's Information Technology Officer?

Chief Cochran: Yes sir.

Councilman Jackson: Is this going to be a person who is already at the Fire Department you're saying?

Chief Cochran: Yes, they are already serving in the capacity of a training officer. They've been performing the functions of an Information Technology Officer for the past year. The Training Academy has functioned quite well with them being re-assigned, so we want to make a permanent assignment to the Fire Communications Divisions, but because of the technical knowledge and expertise and the job duties it warrants pay to the next level above a training officer and so that's also part of the proposal.

Councilman Jackson: Also a civil service position, then?

Chief Cochran: Yes.

Councilman Jackson: I guess the other concern I may have is maybe that we take a look at and of course, you'll have to make those decisions at how we, when we start talking about getting expertise and the level of expertise that's necessary, you know the proliferation of civil services versus being able to go out and get the kind of expertise that's necessary, outside of the realm of civil service to make sure that we're maximizing what we can and we're getting all the bang we can for our buck. So, I don't even know who the Information Technology Officer is, however, my concern is that person really being able to offer you what you're paying them for from the Information Technology side and not just from familiarity with what's already been done, but you'll be able to maximize information technology to help the Fire Department do more than it already has done as it relates to technology.

Chief Cochran: Yes sir, I agree with you one hundred percent. And when we draw up that job classification and submit it to the State examiner, we're going to write it up to where it could be either/or a civilian city classified position or a uniformed firefighter position that meets the same pre-requisites for doing the job.

Councilman Lester: Question. I guess this would be to Mayor Hightower and to Mr. Antee. The salary parity study that was done under the prior Administration, Mr. Bo Williams as I correct. Do we have anything updated that would kinda give us an idea of what kind of scenario we would have so we canknow what apples to apples are as it relates to the Fire Chief `s request and if we don't what would be a timeframe for us to get something like that.

Mayor Hightower: I don't know that. . . obviously we can look at salary to salary and give you some sort of request. I would suggest you take a look at Council Staff and that may give you some indication as to what we're looking at, but we can get with Personnel and get some Administrative Assistant salaries back that you can take a look at those. But again, I don't think you're going to find a huge difference in most of those pays, especially when you take a look at the number of years people have been here.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Mayor. That being the case Councilman Chairman, would I be out of order to move to postpone action on this particular matter until in affect, the Administration or some other folks could give us some information regarding salary parities so we can evaluate the Chief's request so we can have maybe an apples to apples look salaries? Would that be out of order at this particular time?

Councilman Green: Thank you, at that is time we had a motion on the floor. What would we do at this point Mr. Thompson?

Mr. Thompson: This would be a substitute motion and if there is a second, I think it would be in order.

Councilman Lester: Well, I would offer it as a substitute motion Mr. Chairman.

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Jackson to postpone the resolution (until we get further information from the Administration).

Councilman Walford: I will tell you now, I will vote no on the substitute motion. I think we're getting into a micro-management that's really not our place to do.

The Chief has taken the budget that we approve for him. He's reorganizing certain functions within his department. He's giving people additional responsibility and he wants to compensate them in line with the job that they are going to do. And we're going to sit here and question it is the way that I see and I don't agree with that at all. So, I will vote no on the substitute motion and I would encourage the others to do the same.

Councilman Jackson: Again, Mr. Chairman and to the other Councilmen, my concern again in support of this motion, as it relates to postponement is again, I think from a citizen's perspective, maybe you all are different from me.

When we went to vote, when we went to pass the tax and I think I said this to the Chief the last time, when we went in the voting booth to pass the tax, the thought on our mind was the same emotional thought that the Mayor presented a few minutes ago, the same thing that the Chief has said.

We are talking about men and women who go out, put their lives on the line, and we believe that those people should be compensated at a higher level. That's what the public, the general public in my opinion and that's why we did not get an across the board proposal to go to the voters to give every City employee a raise, because it would have failed. But what didn't fail is the fact that you've got public safety people out there everyday putting their lives on theline and I think its fair to give them a raise.

I am just proceeding with caution as it relates to giving other people a raise with the tax dollars. Because these are not tax dollars--they may be civil service jobs, but these are not tax dollars that the State is okaying for a raise. These are tax dollars that are generated. The new positions and the Chief was saying this money is not new money. This money is coming from the elimination of current positions which would have utilized the same amount of money and we move the money around. We moved it around in the budget. I have no problem with that.

Again, this is not an indictment on the Chief's ability to run the Fire Department, he's done that well. This is an issue, I think of being able to work in the spirit of what the voters did to be sure that the raises remain-raises that are given, those people who are civil service that get 2% raises and these two individuals or however how many individuals we're talking about, are going to get a bump anyway.

My concern is just about using those same tax dollars that are generated because of the election that we had to then go to individuals who people generally would not have thought these would have been pay raises for; that was my concern and that's what slowed me down.

And I said this the last time that we got together. Its not anything against firefighters, it has absolutely nothing to do with that and that's why I'm asking that we would at least get it, and if we give more time to deliberate, maybe as the Chief has said, we spend some time together, it may be different. But right now as it stands, there are secretaries and administrative people throughout this City who do more than what they are compensated for and nobody is coming up here talking about that. And I think we set a precedent to get everybody walk in here, every department head to come in here and say the same thing and it could happen.

Councilman Green: Chief, if nothing happens, if we don't vote on this, what happens to that money?

Chief Cochran: Well, it'll just be in our Personal Services and it'll probably be used to implement some other personal services goals that we have for 2003.

Councilman Lester: Councilman Chief, and thank you Mr. Chairman. I spoke to the Chief prior to this and I certainly am not in a position nor would I think any of us would be in a position to micro-manage the Fire Department, that's not our responsibility. I think the Mayor has made an excellent choice and I think Chief Cochran has done and continues to do an excellent job.

From sitting from where I am, I just need additional information and once I get this information then we can compare this scenario: apples to apples and oranges to oranges, then I can make an intelligent decision, but at this particular time I can't, that's why I made that request.

Certainly its no indictment to the Fire Chief nor is an indictment as to what the Fire Chief is trying to do. I just requested some additional information. I think once we've done that, then we can move forward and I would ask the support of my motion.

Councilman Green: Chief, let me ask you one more question. If in fact, say the substitute motion passed and we postponed this until the next CouncilMeeting, would that put your budget in an awkward position?

Chief Cochran: No sir, it wouldn't but I gotta express my concern about apples to apples. You're not going to find apples to apples. It's just doesn't exist at this level.

You know the civil service pay structure does not allow me to do anything beyond what's outlined in the law. It could be questioned that for example for the Fire Chief Secretary, is it possible to give her somewhere in between where she is and the next level? Well, the Civil Service law doesn't give me that flexibility to do that. This position based on the Human Resource duties and responsibilities I'm assigning to it warrants the next level.

And you're not going to find another Administrative Assistant/Fire Chief Secretary that does what this young lady does for our Fire Department. The Fire Chief Secretary for some reason, men was put in our statute in 1947 as a Civil Service position and I came in under that law. Certainly we need to consider eliminating that when the current Fire Chief Secretary separates from the Department. It definitely needs to be looked at and done, but under the current structure, Councilmen, I have no choice. If I'm going to do right by her by paying her what she deserves based on the increased duties and functions, I have to take it to the next level. And I just don't believe you're going to find in City government somebody that does what she does, that's under a similar pay plan other than the Police Chief's secretary. And I can't speak for Chief Roberts and his secretary, but I know what mine does.

Councilman Hogan: I have a comment first of all for you Chief. I would like to commend you on your innovativeness and your creativeness and coming up with this solution. Mr. Jackson mentioned a moment ago, that we could set a precedent and my indication was that he felt like it could be a bad thing; that could be a good thing.

If we're going to continue to improve the services that we provide in the City, we can't keep going with business as usual. And you could serve as an example to the other Department Heads to look for new ways to combine jobs and so on and so forth whatever that may be and so, I would just like to commend you on your ideas. And I hope that it does serve as an example to the other Department Heads.

Councilman Carmody: Chief, one last question for you. You obviously think very highly of these three individuals, because you're trying to help them and I think that's the right thing to do. But you had mentioned the fact that the particular position of Administrative Secretary ought to be eliminated out of the Civil Service at the point where this particular individual has that position goes on to do something else. But is the Council going to move up the pay for that particular position such that if we don't eliminate that, then the next person who decides to come in and interview for this job although they do not carry the credentials nor the experience of this person that they be looking to fill a position at that higher level?

Chief Cochran: No sir. In fact, the current law states that they should start off at the base pay of a driver and that's where the current Fire Chief Secretary started out. You know to eliminate it as a Civil Service Position would untie my hands as to what their starting salary should be. It should be based on what they bring to the table-knowledge, skills and abilities up front and the Fire Chiefought to have the flexibility of determining what that base salary should be. Currently its determined by State Law and what I'm suggesting is (unclear)

Motion denied by the following vote: Nays: Councilman Walford, Carmody, Gibson, and Hogan. 4. Ayes: Councilman Lester, Green and Jackson. 3.

Motion for passage approved by the vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, and Green. 6. Nays: Councilman Jackson. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 198 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO DISPOSE BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF CERTAIN RADIO EQUIPMENT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 108 of 1980 authorizes the Purchasing Agent to dispose of certain radio equipment determined to be surplus, after consultation with the head of the department concerned; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to retain responsibility for the disposition of all surplus radio equipment having an acquisition value of $10,000 or more; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to dispose of, by public auction, the radio equipment described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, which have been determined to be surplus, obsolete or unusable for present and future City needs; and

WHEREAS, the City Council concurs in the finding that the radio equipment described in Exhibit A is surplus and no longer needed for public purposes and that the acquisition value of said property is greater than $10,000.

NOW BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened, that the Purchasing Agent is hereby authorized to dispose of, by public auction, the surplus radio equipment described in Exhibit A, attached.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Gibson passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 199 of 2002

RESOLUTION STATING CITY OF SHREVEPORT'S ENDORSEMENT OF LASER & CATARACT CENTER OF SHREVEPORT, L.L.C. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE LOUISIANA ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Act of 901 of 1981, Act 337 of 1982, Act 433 of 1987, Act 1024 of 1992, Act 581 of 1995, Act 624 of 1997, and Act 997 of 1999;

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program offers significant incentives for economic development to some of the most distressed areas in parish, and

WHEREAS, LASER & CATARACT CENTER OF SHREVEPORT, L.L.C. is located in Census Tract 239.03 Block Group 2 , which is a designated Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, said business will employ a minimum of 35% of its employees from the distressed groups targeted by the Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport states this endorsement is in agreement with the Overall Economic Development Plan for the City of Shreveport, and

WHEREAS, the attached Enterprise Zone map is marked showing the location of the business being endorsed, and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program requirements the City of Shreveport agrees:

1. To participate in the Enterprise Zone Program

2. To assist the Department in evaluating progress made in any Enterprise Zone within its

jurisdiction

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Shreveport, in due, regular, and legal session convened that LASER & CATARACT CENTER OF SHREVEPORT, L.L.C. and their project LASER & CATARACT CENTER, Enterprise Zone Application # 2002-0520, is endorsed to participate in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Walford passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 200 of 2002

RESOLUTION STATING CITY OF SHREVEPORT'S ENDORSEMENT OF AMERICAN PUMP TECHNOLOGY, INC. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE LOUISIANA ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Act of 901 of 1981, Act 337 of 1982, Act 433 of 1987, Act 1024 of 1992, Act 581 of 1995, Act 624 of 1997, and Act 997 of 1999;

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program offers significant incentives for economic development to some of the most distressed areas in parish, and

WHEREAS, AMERICAN PUMP TECHNOLOGY, INC. is located in Census Tract 239.03 Block Group 2 , which is a designated Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, said business will employ a minimum of 35% of its employees from the distressed groups targeted by the Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport states this endorsement is in agreement with the Overall Economic Development Plan for the City of Shreveport, and

WHEREAS, the attached Enterprise Zone map is marked showing the location of the business being endorsed, and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program requirements the City of Shreveport agrees:

1. To participate in the Enterprise Zone Program

2. To assist the Department in evaluating progress made in any Enterprise Zone within its jurisdiction

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Shreveport, in due, regular, and legal session convened that AMERICAN PUMP TECHNOLOGY, INC. and their project 7673 W. 70^TH STREET, Enterprise Zone Application # 2002-0485, is endorsed to participate in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the

application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Lester passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 206 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO AUTHORIZE THE LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES THEREIN, MAKING APPLICATION TO THE STATE BOND COMMISSION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), that:

SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, andunder the authority conferred by Article VI, Sections 27, 30 and 32 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the City on SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2003, between the hours of six o'clock (6:00) a.m., and eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 1

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR IMPROVING, REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING STREETS.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of improving, repairing and maintaining the streets of the City, title to which shall be in the public?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 2

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR .98 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR OPERATING AND SUPPLYING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND APPURTENANCES AND MAINTAINING THE SAME.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a .98 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of operating and supplying recreational facilities and appurtenances and maintaining the same, title to which shall be in the public?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 3

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR CONTINUING SALARY AND WAGE SCHEDULE OF CITY EMPLOYEES.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years,beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of continuing salary and wage schedule of City employees and for no other purpose?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 4

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR INCREASING POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL AND ALLOWANCE FOR UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT FOR SAID DEPARTMENTS.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of increasing Police and Fire personnel and allowance for uniforms and equipment for said Departments and for no other purpose?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 5

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.99 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR PROVIDING FUNDS FOR CITY'S PORTION OF PENSIONS, EMPLOYEE LIFE INSURANCE AND HOSPITAL PLAN FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.99 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of providing funds for City's portion of pensions, employee life insurance and hospital plan for City employees? SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in "The Times," a daily newspaper of general circulation within the City, published in Shreveport, Louisiana, and being the official journal of the Governing Authority, once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed for election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full.

SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority, acting as the governing authority of the City, shall meet at its regular meeting place, the City Hall, 1234 Texas Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003, at THREE O'CLOCK (3:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declarethe results of the said special Election.

SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law.

SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held on Tuesday, APRIL 8, 2003, as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the City are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines shall be used thereat.

SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Clerk of Council is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election and the Clerk of Council is further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election, including but not limited to, appropriate submission to the Federal Department of Justice under Section 5 of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.

SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Elections, the Clerks of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines in and for the Parishes of Caddo and Bossier, State of Louisiana, and the Registrars of Voters in and for said Parishes, as notification of the special election herein called in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law.

SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the aforesaid special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to levy and collect the special taxes provided for therein, and a certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.

EXHIBIT "A" NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), on December 30, 2002, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the City on SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2003, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the City qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the Stateof Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 1

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR IMPROVING, REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING STREETS.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of improving, repairing and maintaining the streets of the City, title to which shall be in the public?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 2

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR .98 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR OPERATING AND SUPPLYING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND APPURTENANCES AND MAINTAINING THE SAME.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a .98 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of operating and supplying recreational facilities and appurtenances and maintaining the same, title to which shall be in the public?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 3

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR CONTINUING SALARY AND WAGE SCHEDULE OF CITY EMPLOYEES.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of continuing salary and wage schedule of City employees and for no other purpose?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 4

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.31 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR INCREASING POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL AND ALLOWANCE FOR UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT FOR SAID DEPARTMENTS.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.31 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of increasing Police and Fire personnel and allowance for uniforms and equipment for said Departments and for no other purpose?

CITY OF SHREVEPORT TAX RENEWAL PROPOSITION NO. 5

SUMMARY: 5 YEAR 1.99 MILL PROPERTY TAX RENEWAL FOR PROVIDING FUNDS FOR CITY'S PORTION OF PENSIONS, EMPLOYEE LIFE INSURANCE AND HOSPITAL PLAN FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

Shall the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the "City"), continue to levy a 1.99 mill tax on all the property subject to taxation within said City for a period of five (5) years, beginning with the year 2003 and ending with the year 2007, being a renewal of the tax approved by the voters on July 19, 1997, for the purpose of providing funds for City's portion of pensions, employee life insurance and hospital plan for City employees?

The said special election will be held at the following polling places situated within the City, which polls will open at six o'clock (6:00) a.m., and close at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to-wit:

Precinct POLLING PLACE

CADDO PARISH POLLING PLACES

001 Northside Elementary School, 1950 Northside Road, Shreveport, La. 71107.

002 (IN PART) Lakeview United Methodist Church, 5550 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, La. 71119.

003 Bethune Middle School, 4331 Henry Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

004 Saint Stephens Lutheran Church, 8400 Kingston Road, Shreveport, La. 71108.

005A (IN PART) Cherokee Park Elementary School, 2010 E. Algonquin Trail, Shreveport, La. 71107.

005B (IN PART) Cherokee Park Elementary School, 2010 E. Algonquin Trail, Shreveport, La. 71107.

006 Stoner Hill Elementary Lab School, 2127 C.E. Galloway Blvd., Shreveport, La.71104.

007 Knights of Columbus Hall, 220 E. Stephenson Street, Shreveport, La. 71104.

008 Shreve City Baptist Church, 2810 Knight Street, Shreveport, La. 71104.

009 Shreve Island Elementary, 836 Sewanee Place, Shreveport, La. 71105.

010 A.C. Steere Elementary 4009 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La. 71105.

011A Arthur Circle Elementary School, 261 Arthur Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

011B Arthur Circle Elementary School, 261 Arthur Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

012 Broadmoor Middle Lab School, 441 Atlantic Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

013A Broadmoor Middle Lab School, 441 Atlantic Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

013B Broadmoor Middle Lab School, 441 Atlantic Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

014 Knights of Columbus Hall, 220 East Stephenson Street, Shreveport, La. 71104.

015 Byrd High School Learning Center, 700 Kings Highway, Shreveport, La. 71104.

016 Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, 610 Haynes Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71105.

017 Byrd High School Learning Center, 700 Kings Highway, Shreveport, La. 71104.

020 Byrd High School Learning Center, 700 Kings Highway, Shreveport, La. 71104.

021 Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

022A Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

022B Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

023 Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

024 South Highland Elementary School, 831 Erie Street, Shreveport, La. 71106.

025A Werner Park Elementary School, 2715 Corbitt Street, (Hearne Avenue entrance), Shreveport, La. 71108.

025B Werner Park Elementary School, 2715 Corbitt Street, (Hearne Avenue entrance), Shreveport, La. 71108.

026 Betty Virginia Park Recreation Building, 4010 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

027 Mall Saint Vincent, 1133 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71104.

029 Booker T. Washington High School, 2104 Milam Street, Shreveport, La. 71103.

030A Atkins Branch Shreve Memorial Library, 2709 Hassett Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71109.

030B Atkins Branch Shreve Memorial Library, 2709 Hassett Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71109.

031 Galilee Baptist Church, 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71103.

032 Mall Saint Vincent, 1133 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71104.

034A Caddo Heights Elementary School, 1702 Corbitt Street, Shreveport, La. 71108.

034B Caddo Heights Elementary School, 1702 Corbitt Street, Shreveport, La. 71108.

035 Linwood Middle School, 401 West 70^th Street, Shreveport, La. 71106.

036A Sunset Acres Elementary School, 6514 West Canal Blvd., Shreveport, La. 71108.

036B Sunset Acres Elementary School, 6514 West Canal Blvd., Shreveport, La. 71108.

037 Queensborough Elementary School, 2701 Catherine Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

038 Hollywood Middle School, 6310 Clift Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

039 Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2932 Murphy Street, Shreveport, La. 71103.

040 Ingersoll Elementary School, 401 North Holzman Street, Shreveport, La. 71101.

041 Bilberry Park Recreation Center, 1905 Alabama Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

044 Shreveport Job Corps Center, 2800 W. College Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

045A (IN PART) Lakeshore Elementary School, 1807 San Jacinto Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71109.

045B (IN PART) Lakeshore Elementary School, 1807 San Jacinto Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71109.

046 Fair Park High School, 3222 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, La. 71109.

047 (IN PART) Ford Park Baptist Church, 5755 Yarbrough Road, Shreveport, La. 71119.

048 Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, 610 Haynes Avenue, Shreveport 71105.

049A Youree Drive Middle School, 6008 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La. 71105.

049B Youree Drive Middle School, 6008 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La. 71105.

050 Caddo Middle Magnet School, 7635 Cornelious Lane, Shreveport, La. 71106.

051A 81^st Street ECE Center, 8108 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

051B 81^st Street ECE Center, 8108 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

052 Woodlawn High School, 7340 Wyngate Blvd., Shreveport, La. 71106.

053 Sunset Acres Elementary School, 6514 W. Canal Boulevard, Shreveport, La. 71108..

054 Judson Street Elementary School, 3809 Judson Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

055 (IN PART) Hillsdale Elementary School, 3860 Hutchinson Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

056A (IN PART) University Elementary School, 9900 Smitherman Drive, Shreveport, La.

056B (IN PART) University Elementary School, 9900 Smitherman Drive, Shreveport, La.

057 Pine Grove Elementary School, 1700 Caldwell Street, Shreveport, La. 71107.

058 Caddo Heights Elementary School, 1702 Corbitt Street, Shreveport, La. 71108.

059 Linwood Middle School, 401 West 70^th Street, Shreveport, La. 71106.

060 Morning Star Baptist Church, 5340 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71109.

061 Mooretown ECE Center, 3913 Powell Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

062 (IN PART) Summerfield Elementary School, 3131 Ardis Taylor Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

063 (IN PART) Summerfield Elementary School, 3131 Ardis Taylor Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

064 Stoner Hill Lab School, 2127 C.E. Galloway Blvd., Shreveport, La. 71104.

067 West Shreveport Elementary School, 2100 Weinstock Street, Shreveport, La. 71103.

068 Shreve Memorial Library, 8303 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

069 (IN PART) Westwood Elementary School, 7325 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71108.

070 Westwood Elementary School, 7325 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71108. 071 J. S. Clark Middle School, 351 Hearne Avenue, Shreveport, La.

072 (IN PART) Baptist Student Center at LSU-S, Building 43, One University Place, Shreveport, La. 71115.

073A (IN PART) David Raines Center, 2325 David Raines Road, Shreveport, La. 71107.

073B (IN PART) David Raines Center, 2325 David Raines Road, Shreveport, La. 71107.

075 (IN PART) Shreve Memorial Library, 8303 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

076A University Elementary School, 9900 Smitherman Drive, Shreveport, La. 71115.

076B University Elementary School, 9900 Smitherman Drive, Shreveport, La. 71115.

077A (IN PART) Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8895 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La. 71115.

077B (IN PART) Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8895 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La. 71115.

078 (IN PART) Calvary Baptist Church, 9333 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

079 (IN PART) Calvary Baptist Church, 9333 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

080 Mooretown ECE Center, 3913 Powell Street, Shreveport, La. 71109.

081 (IN PART) Newton Smith Elementary School, 3000 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Shreveport, La. 71107.

082 North Highlands Elementary School, 885 Poleman Road, Shreveport, La. 71107.

083A (IN PART) Ford Park Baptist Church, 5755 Yarbrough Road, Shreveport, La. 71119.

083B (IN PART) Ford Park Baptist Church, 5755 Yarbrough Road, Shreveport, La. 71119.

084 (IN PART) Western Hills Baptist Church, 4153 Pines Road, Shreveport, La. 71119.

085A (IN PART) Huntington High School, 6801 Raspberry Lane, Shreveport, La. 71129.

085B (IN PART) Huntington High School, 6801 Raspberry Lane, Shreveport, La. 71129.

086 Oak Park Elementary School, 4941 McDaniel Drive, Shreveport, La. 71109.

087 (IN PART) Huntington High School, 6801 Raspberry Lane, Shreveport, La. 71129.

088A (IN PART) Calvary United Pentecostal Church, 6811 Woolworth Road, Shreveport, La. 71129.

088B (IN PART) Calvary United Pentecostal Church, 6811 Woolworth Road, Shreveport, La.71129.

089 (IN PART) Summerfield Elementary School, 3131 Ardis Taylor Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

090A Summer Grove School, 2955 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, La. 71118.

090B Summer Grove School, 2955 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, La. 71118.

091A Ridgewood Middle School, 2001 Ridgewood Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

091B Ridgewood Middle School, 2001 Ridgewood Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

092 Forest Hill Elementary School, 2005 Francais Drive, Shreveport, La. 71118.

093 (IN PART) Southern Hills Elementary School, 9075 Kingston Road, Shreveport, La. 71118.

094A Summerfield Estates, 9133 Baird Road, Shreveport, La. 71118.

094B Summerfield Estates, 9133 Baird Road, Shreveport, La. 71118.

095A (IN PART) South Caddo Branch Shreve Memorial Library, 9701 Baird Road, Shreveport, La. 71118.

095B (IN PART) South Caddo Branch Shreve Memorial Library, 9701 Baird Road, Shreveport, La. 71118.

097A (IN PART) Ellerbe Road United Methodist Church, 10130 Ellerbe Church Road, Shreveport, La. 71106.

097B (IN PART) Ellerbe Road United Methodist Church, 10130 Ellerbe Church Road, Shreveport, La. 71106.

098 Mall Saint Vincent, 1133 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71104.

099 Stoner Hill Elementary Lab School, 2127 C.E. Galloway Blvd. Shreveport, La. 71104.

122A (IN PART) The Police/Fire Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, La. 71119.

122B (IN PART) The Police/Fire Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, La. 71119. 123A (IN PART) Grawood Christian School, 10420 Grawood School Road, Keithville, La. 71047.

123B (IN PART) Grawood Christian School, 10420 Grawood School Road, Keithville, La. 71047.

125 (IN PART) Keithville Elementary/Middle School, 12201 Mansfield Rd., Keithville, La. 71047.

126 (IN PART) Caddo Fire District #6, 10377 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71106.

128A (IN PART) Grace Community United Methodist Church, 9400 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, La. 71106.

128B (IN PART) Grace Community United Methodist Church, 9400 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, La. 71106.

129 (IN PART) Shreve Island Elementary School, 836 Sewanee Place, Shreveport, La. 71105.

133 (IN PART) Calvary Pentecostal Church, 6811 Woolworth Road, Shreveport, La. 71129.

135 (IN PART) Lakeview Baptist Church, 4520 Tacoma Blvd., Shreveport, La. 71107.

137 (IN PART) Northwood High School, 5939 Old Mooringsport Road, Shreveport, LA. 71107

BOSSIER PARISH POLLING PLACES

02-06 (IN PART) Bossier Elementary School, 322 Colquitt Ave. Bossier City, La. 71111

02-23 Waller Elementary School, 1130 Patricia, Bossier City, La. 71112

04-08B (IN PART) Curtis Elementary School, 5600 Barksdale Blvd. 71112

The polling places set forth above be and the same are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.

The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that this Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the City Hall, 1234 Texas Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003, at THREE O'CLOCK (3:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the results of the said special election. All registered voters of the City are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used thereat. Precincts listed above with the notation "(IN PART)" are those in which not all registered voters are residents of the City of Shreveport, and those who are not residents of the City of Shreveport will not be entitled to vote on this proposition.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Shreveport, Louisiana, on this, the ___day of _______, 200_.

/s/Keith Hightower

Mayor

ATTEST: ____________________________________

/s/ Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Green for passage.

Councilman Lester: Question, Mr. Chairman. Is this something that we're going to. . . .Ordinance on Second Reading and Final passage or is that go to not be adopted prior to January 14^th?

Chairman Green: No.

Mr. Thompson: That's for adoption.

Resolution passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 5. Nays: Councilman Lester. 1. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 207 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION DECLARING DOMINIC'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT A SHREVEPORT TREASURE AND AN INSTITUTION OF GOOD WILL; DECLARING TUESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2002, AS DOMINIC CORDARO DAY IN SHREVEPORT, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

BY: COUNCILMAN GREEN

WHEREAS, Dominic I. Cordaro has operated Dominic's Italian Restaurant located at 1409 E. 70^th Street in the City of Shreveport as owner and chef since 1991; and

WHEREAS, Dominic's Italian Restaurant is a "must visit" establishment in Shreveport because of its wonderful and exceptional food including Mama Lou's Spiced Iced Tea, and because of the magnetic, captivating and charismatic personality of its owner Dominic I. Cordaro; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of national and state celebrities and thousands of local citizens and officials have dined at Dominic's Italian Restaurant, including: elected officials , President Bill Clinton, Senators Mary Landrieu and John Breaux, Congressman Jim McCrery, Governor Edwin Edwards, Mayors Jim Gardner, Hazel Beard and Keith Hightower and many current and former City Council Members; sports celebrities, George Steinbrenner, Eddie Robinson, Tom Landry, Lou Brock, Bob Hayes, Tony Dorsette,Terry Bradshaw, Hal Sutton, James Harris, Bert Jones, Gerry DiNardo, Joe Torre, Tom Lasorda, Archie Manning and Eli Manning; entertainers Chuck Norris, Regis Philben, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, B. J. Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis and James Burton; and

WHEREAS, Dominic's Italian Restaurant, for many years an Italian tradition and treasure for the residents of Shreveport, is also a Shreveport institution and landmark, which generates goodwill for Shreveport in the highest echelons of power in this country and in this state; and

WHEREAS, Dominic I. Cordaro is also the corporate chef for Southland Printing, Inc., and caterer for the rich and famous including Al Gore and Dick Chaney; and

WHEREAS Dominic I. Cordaro the owner and chef of Dominic's Italian Restaurant should be recognized for transforming his culinary talent into an institution of goodwill for Shreveport.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened proclaims:

Dominic's Italian Restaurant, a Shreveport Treasure and an Institution of Good Will.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in recognition of the contributions Dominic I. Cordaro has made to the City of Shreveport, the City Council of the City of Shreveport proclaims:

Tuesday December 31, 2002,

Dominic I. Cordaro Day

in the City of Shreveport

and all citizens are urged to join in the celebration of this special occasion.

/s/James E. Green

District F, Chairman

/s/Calvin Lester /s/Monty Walford

District A District B

/s/Thomas G. Carmody /s/Mike Gibson

District C District D

/s/Jeff Hogan /s/Theron Jackson

District E District G

Councilman Green: Cuz, we would just like to say that you do so much for so many and I just think that some times, our good work go undone so our hat is off to you today and would like to present this to you.

I am going to ask that the Vice-Chairman would come down with me, we are going to present this. Also, we will have a copy of this resolution with all of the Council members name on it and we will present it to you at a later date.

Councilman Gibson: As Dominic is being in District D, I'm proud to have you down there. I would also like to commend you, you set the standard in terms of customer service and obviously in the business that you are in, in retail peers in this community, a lot of people can look to you in setting that standard and providing the examples that are necessary to showcase not only Dominic's but also the City of Shreveport and the businesses that we represent. Our hats are off to you.

Mr. Dominic Cordaro: Thank you for your comments Sir, I appreciate it very much.

Councilman Carmody: Cuz, our Chairman is very gracious but he failed to mention the fact that there are a few Saints who have not receivedtheir beatification yet, that have attended your fine restaurant.

Councilman Cordaro: I would like to thank the entire City Council for this opportunity for these kind words. Mr. Thompson, I couldn't have written it better myself, so thank you for your kindness and your thoughtfulness in this. And to everybody involved from the Mayor's office, Mr. Antee, to everyone I am proud to be a Shreveporter. I am proud to have the opportunity over the years to serve people. And as Mr. Thompson mentioned, all of the celebrities, all the personalities that may have come to the restaurant, the customer that I have served for nearly 35 years has been the mainstream and the mainstay that has provided me the opportunity to serve all of these people. So without the good customers and without the good friends and support of my family, this would be impossible. But I am deeply moved and touched because in the absence of my parents, who are deceased, you have made them very proud, and I accept the challenge and the opportunity to continue to do better and with your friendship and support, I hope I can make some other contributions to make this City proud. Thank you once again, and Councilman Chairman, thank you.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Carmody passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilman Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Walford to return to the regular order of the Agenda. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: CouncilmanWalford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 208 OF 2002

A RESOLUTION NAMING A PREVIOUSLY UNNAMED STREET (LOCATED AT THE END OF AND CONNECTING TO POWELL STREET AND MAYFIELD STREET ADJACENT TO THE JEWELLA AVENUE OVERPASS SOUTH OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE) TO COLEMAN COLLEGE STREET, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: Councilman Green

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal, and regular session convened, that the unnamed street located at the end of and connecting to Powell Street and Mayfield Street adjacent to the Jewella Avenue overpass south of Hollywood Avenue in the NW/4 of Section 35 (T18N-R14W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, be and the same is hereby named to Coleman College Street.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to comply with LSAR.S. 18:201, a certified copy of this resolution to be furnished to the Registrar of Voters for Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be filed and recorded in the official records of the District Court of Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution orapplication thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of the resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all ordinances or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby declared severable and repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Walford passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Green: If somebody is listening or watching this telecast, would you call Ms. Small and tell her that her dream has come true.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS:

1. Resolution No. 201 of 2002 by Councilman Jackson: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Cooperative Endeavor agreement with the National Baptist Convention of America (NBCA) relative to holding the NBCA's 2003 Winter Board Meeting in Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

2. Resolution No. 202 of 2002: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Steeple Economic Development Corporation relative to the First Tee Youth Golf Program and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Resolution No. 203 of 2002: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Parish of Caddo relative to the development and operation of a park and related facilities in the Martin Luther King Area and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

4. Resolution No. 204 of 2002: A resolution approving the City's contract with Michael Wainwright, Attorney At Law, for lobbying services and otherwise provide with respect thereto.

5. Resolution No. 205 of 2002: A resolution approving the City's contract with Patton Boggs, LLP, Attorneys At Law, for lobbying services and otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford for Introduction of the Resolutions to lay over until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 7. Nays: None.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:

1. Ordinance No. 206 of 2002: An ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinances relative to Vehicles For Hire and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

2. Ordinance No. 207 of 2002: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Hawkins 850 feet east of Jones-Mabry Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1H, Urban, One-Family Residence District to R-1H-E, Urban, One-Family Residence / Extended Use District, limited to "a commercial tire and repair shop" only, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Ordinance No. 208 of 2002: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the northeasterly side of North Market, 250 feet north of McKinley Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-3, Community Business District to I-2, Heavy Industrial District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

4. Ordinance No. 209 of 2002: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the east side of Youree Drive 200 feet north of Archer Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from SPI-3 (B-1, Commercial Corridor Overlay (Buffer Business) District to SPI-3-E (B-1), Commercial Corridor Overlay / Extended Use (Buffer Business) District, limited to an interior design business with light retail sales and a clothing boutique" only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

5. Ordinance No. 210 of 2002: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Industrial Loop, 1000 feet east of Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-1, Buffer Business District to B-1-E, Buffer Business / Extended Use District, limited to a dry cleaners only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Lester for Introduction of the Ordinances to lay over until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

6. Ordinance No. 211 of 2002: An ordinance authorizing the lease of city-owned property to Shreveport Baseball Club, L. L. C. and otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Hogan for Introduction of the Ordinance to lay over until the January 28, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester,Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READ AND FINAL PASSAGE:

1. Ordinance No. 200 of 2002: An ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located along the West 70^th Street and along Dinkins Drive in Section 29 (T17N-R15W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on November 26, 2002 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone the ordinance until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

2. Ordinance No. 201 of 2002: An ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located in the S/2 of Section 21 and in the N/2 of Section 28 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on November 26, 2002 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone the ordinance until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

3. Ordinance No. 202 of 2002: An ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located along the Norris Ferry and Southern Loop Roads in the SE/4 of Section 20 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on November 26, 2002 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone the ordinance until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

4. Ordinance No. 203 of 2002: An ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located at 5895 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in the SE/4 of the SW/4 of Section 1 (T16N-R15W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on November 26, 2002 was read by title and on motionordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone the ordinance until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

5. Ordinance No. 204 of 2002: An ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located at 3001 and 3003 Meriwether Road in the N/2 of the SW/4 of Section 33 (T17N-R14W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on November 26, 2002 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Gibson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone the ordinance until the January 14, 2003 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Gibson, Hogan, Green and Jackson. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Carmody. 1.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Alcohol Retail Permit: Mr. Alton Ross (2911 Milam Street - New Nat Café)(G/Jackson) (Tabled on July 23, 2002 and Deferred on November 26, 2002)

2. Alcohol Retail Permit: Ms. Deborah Hawkins (Employer: 2901 Milam St. - Take-A-Bag Grocery) (G/Jackson) (Deferred on November 26, 2002)

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I believe on the Alton Ross matter, that was postponed until a later date. And on the Alcohol retail permit for Ms. Deborah Hawkins, I believe that your comment was that you would set a time for that, but I don't think that it has been set.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Taxi Driver Permit: William Wade (Employer: Action Taxi - [Denied on Dec. 23])

2. Beer License: Walter Strickland (Business: Pinkey Liquor Store - D/Gibson [Postponed until Jan. 13, 2003])

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES. None.

CLERK'S REPORT:

Letters of Appeal (cases available for consideration on Jan. 14, 2003):

- BAC-95-02: Gumbeaux's of S'port, LLC, 760 S'port-Barksdale Hwy., Special Exception Use and Variance in hours of operation in B-3 District; Restaurant w/on-premise consumption of high alcoholic content beverages operating til 2 a.m. (C/Carmody)

S S-69-02: King Gardens Apartments Partnership, N side of MLK Dr.,600 feet W of Michoud St., King Gardens Subdivision. (A/Lester)

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, for that first item BAC-95-02, could we have a copy of the ZBA minutes in our packet next time.

Ms. Lee: Yes, as soon as they provide them to us.

Councilman Carmody: Mr. Chairman along that same line, if I could ask Mr. Kirkland to give me a call tomorrow.

THE COMMITTEE RISES AND REPORTS (reconvenes Regular Council Meeting).

ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 p.m.

/s/James Green Chairman

/s/Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council