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Council Proceedings of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana

December 27, 2004

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana was called to order by Chairman Mike Gibson at 3:00 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2004, in the Government Chambers in Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

Invocation was given by Councilman Hogan.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Lester.

On Roll Call, the following members were Present: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, and Hogan. 6. Absent: Councilman Jackson. 1 (Arrived at 3:04p.m.).

Approve Minutes: Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Carmody to approve the Administrative Conference Summary Minutes of December 13, 2004 and the Council Meeting Meetings of December 14, 2004. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, and Hogan. 6. Nays. None. Out of the Chamber: Councilman Jackson. 1.

Awards, Recognition of Distinguished Guests, and Communications of the Mayor which are required by law.

Reports:

Councilman Gibson: Mayor Hightower?

Mayor Hightower: Nothing today Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Gibson: Councilmen, I have one recognition that I would like to provide and I know the City has been instrumental in this particular group. It’s the First Tee of Northwest Louisiana. Today, we have Barbara Dean, and if I could ask her to come forward, she has some recognitions and also an overview of her program, and she also has a special guest here that will be presenting some money to here group which is always nice to see. Ms. Dean, good to see ya.

Ms. Dean: Thank you so much Councilman Gibson. Mayor Hightower and all the City Council Members, the First Tee of Northwest Louisiana certainly appreciates this opportunity. We recognize that the First Tee’s mission in Northwest Louisiana is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs, that

promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. And we were able this year also in a positive way, to also impact the coffers of our City Government. Through the First Tee, we were able to secure the architect and planner from the PGA for the Querbes Golf reconstruction and it certainly is a magnificent tribute to the City of Shreveport. We were able through that process to save the City about $25,000 through the First Tee Program to do that. So we’re proud of that and happy to do that. I wanted to mention to you that the observed changes through the First Tee Program in the life skills programs. Parents and guardians of our children report the positive impact that this program has had on the children is that communications skills has had a 74% positive impact on their children. Responsibility which is one of the other core values is competency of 74% positive impact. The confidence in the children of 76% impact. Grades in school have risen by 52%, wow- - - and social ability by 66%. We feel that, that is a very strong impact. We’re putting hopefully and mentoring these young people to go on and become the leaders that may one day (unclear) and help us move our community forward as you have. At this time, I would like to recognize Ike Salone, who is the Program Director of First Tee of Northwest Louisiana for a few comments. Mr. Salone.

Mr. Salone: Thank you Barbara and thank you for having us down. And I’d like to personally thank Mr. Gibson for inviting our group down and also thank the City and the City Council for having the First Tee in Shreveport period. You know the First Tee really is about impacting lives. And one of the things that I’ve noticed since we’ve been in is that we’ve done a good job with these kids. When we first come into this community, the children were mostly right there at Lakeside. What we did with this program is we came in and started exposing them not only to just golf, as a matter of fact what we did, we used golf as a vehicle to bring them into the program to talk to them about life skills, talk to them about courtesy, about responsibility, judgement, honesty and integrity and that’s really what the First Tee is all about. If we get a good golfer out of this, great. But we’re really trying to make good citizens. That is really our intended agenda. And listen, I’d like to bring up my personal hero, Ms. Billie Jean Reasor.

Ms. Reesor: Thank you so much. Good afternoon to all of you. It is a privilege and an honor for me to be here with you and to represent the United States Golf Association. And I would like to tell you about the USGA, in 1997, since 1997, the USGA has awarded $43,000,000 to golf programs for the good of the game. This has introduced 150,000 youth a year to golf. And golf is much more than an game to these young people. They are - - - the students that enroll in this, they learn life skills, they learn to do school work, they do get introduced to a golf game that is so wonderful and they have a lot of respect for adults. They learn integrity, etiquette and position. The USGA is the No. 1 supporter of the First Tee. They have given $4,000,000 to the home office of the First Tee and $8,000,000 to the First Tee chapters all over the United States. They’ve given golf balls and golf clubs and by the end of the decade, they will have given $65,000,000 for the good of the game. At this time, it is the pleasure for me to present Mr. Ike Salone who is Program Director of the Northwest Louisiana First Tee Chapter a check from the USGA.

Councilman Gibson: Ms. Dean, Ms. Reesor is always very modest in her presentation. What was that check amount for?

Ms. Dean: That check was for $13,000 from the USGA and we certainly appreciate it. I’d also like to introduce Tina Essler who is our Golf and Life Skills Instructor and Officer Wendal Delaney, who is also our Acting Board President and also the most important people here. I’d like to introduce to you, some of the members and their families and friends of the First Tee in Northwest Louisiana. Thank you all so much for the recognition, we appreciate it.

Councilman Gibson: Ms. Dean, before you leave, some of our colleagues may want to comment. Any comments from the Council?

Councilman Carmody: One quick one. Is Bobby Jones, the Patron Saint of First Tee. Because I’d always understood that Mr. Jones had hit a ball, really out of bounds, and he’d stepped in to find his ball and came back out, the ball came out and as he stepped back out with his caddy, the caddy said, “boy that was great, how did you find it?” He said, “Well put me down for two strokes. I touched the ball inadvertently as I was looking for it”. And his caddy said, “Well, nobody would know that you touched the ball.” And he said, “Well, it doesn’t matter, the rules of the game say, if you touch the ball, you count it as a stroke. I would know.” Which I would think that, that is what a Patron Saint would do as well.

Ms. Dean: Absolutely. That is one of our core values is honesty. And believe me, everyone of these children back here have demonstrated it this year.

Councilman Carmody: Very good lesson.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Carmody. Any other comments from Council? Ms. Dean, I want to thank you for bringing your staff, Ike and as you mentioned the other day, you had the ‘Ike and Tina Show’, and Ms. Reesor, thank you so much for your dedication to the USGA. Obviously, they’ve touched a lot of people’s lives. For the young folks, that played in the Saturday outing, and playing in some of the competitive tournaments, I’m looking forward as you continue to develop, because I saw some tremendous golf shots played on a Saturday afternoon, out at Lakeside Golf Course. And keep up the hard work and I also, every chance you get, say a couple of kudos to Gary Norman and his staff, because the golf course was in great shape that afternoon. I know it was a little wet, but the drainage was doing fairly well, but despite all the rain, but the greens were putting really good and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with you. And please invite- - - we’ve got several people on Council that play golf, to come out and play with you. But keep up the good work, and we’re looking for good things to come in the future.

Ms. Dean: Thank you so much and we appreciate it. And this program is all about diversity also of our community. Thank you all so very much.

Councilman Gibson: Ike, you have a comment?

Ms. Salone: Yeah, just one quick comment. One of the things I wanted to tell y’all is that last year, we had a great outing. First Tee and WalMart at Pebble Beach, and this year, we would love to have a kid from Louisiana, from Shreveport in that tournament. And I want to just kinda of go over there. We are not a minority program. And any kid can be a part of it, but all I want to do is see somebody from Shreveport, Louisiana on national television representing this First Tee or representing this City out at Pebble Beach next year. Thank you.

Councilman Gibson: Thank y’all. Also would like to recognize Caddo Parish Commissioner, Carl Pierson. Carl, thank you for being here today. Reports. Do we have a report? Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: Before you get there, I promised a former Council Member, Leonard Barnes, that I would say hello to him today. I went by to see him yesterday, and he was shining his wife’s shoes, and I told him, I wouldn’t tell nobody, and that I would say hello.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Green. He served when?

Councilman Green: He served during the tenure when Cedric Glover left as State Representative.

Councilman Gibson: I see. Any other awards, or recognitions, or special guests?

Reports:

Convention Center and Convention Center Hotel:

Councilman Gibson: Administration, any - - -

Mr. Dark: Mr. Chairman, nothing other than what we gave you during the Work Session.

Property Standards Report:

Councilman Gibson: For Property Standards, any additional information from Council or Mr. Bowie? I see none.

Public Hearing:

Councilman Gibson: I see none.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, just as a note, a Public Hearing has been called for January 11^th on the Annexation Ordinances.

Councilman Gibson: So noted. Thank you Mr. Thompson.

Confirmation and/or Appointments, Adding Legislation to the Agenda and Public Comments

Confirmations and/or Appointments

Plumbing & Gas Piping Board:

John C. Wilson, John J. Guth Associates, Inc. James C. (Jim) Payne, The Payne Co.

Kevin Miller, Berg, Inc. Vincent F. Giglio, Universal Plumbing Co.

Samuel D. Santone, DMR Mechanical, LLC. Lloyd L. Thompson (Qualified Voter)

Bill Ware, Plans Examiner, Water and Sewerage

Councilman Gibson: I see that we have the Plumbing & Gas Piping Board.

Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Lester to confirm appointments to the Plumbing and Gas Piping Board. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, and Hogan. 6 . Nays. None. Out of the Chamber: Councilman Jackson. 1.

Adding Legislation to the Agenda

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, there are a couple of housekeeping things Mr. Chairman.

One, we need to add Resolution 254 to the official agenda, it’s on your electronic agenda, but it was inadvertently removed

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Walford to add Resolution No. 254 to the agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan and Jackson: 7. Nays. None.

Mr. Thompson: And again, Ordinance No. 238 is on the wrong place on the official agenda, it was inadvertently removed from 9C to 9A and it needs to be moved back to 9C. It is correct on your electronic agenda.

Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Carmody to remove Ordinance No. 238 from 9A and place it under 9C on the agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan and Jackson: 7. Nays. None.

Public Comments (Agenda Items to be Adopted)

Mr. J. C. Rosborough: (1716 Michel) This zoning case that I appealed here, I asked the appeal court to look at it and take a long look at this decision that was made, which I didn’t like, the decision that was made. Because a lot of things that was - - - I think what the (unclear), what this man is telling the Zoning Board. And I have this letter, I’m pretty sure y’all have one on file too. Y’all received a letter and you can see what I’m talking about. And I just hope this decision that they made, the Zoning Board, will be reversed, overturned. That’s all I got to say.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, if I may help the gentleman along. Basically, you’re appealing, you’re the appellant in the decision they made on a mobile home being placed on Michel Street. Which on our agenda gentlemen, is item 2 under 10, BAC-110-04. And you’re opposed to the mobile home.

Mr. Rosborough: Yes sir. That’s right.

Councilman Walford: I’m just kinda helping you along there, so these gentlemen understand where you were going.

Councilman Jackson: What is it again?

Councilman Walford: It’s under No. 10, item 2- BAC-110-04, 1732 Michel Street. And this gentleman was the appellant after the ZBA decision.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Walford, is that in your district?

Councilman Walford: That is.

Mr. James Moore: (520 Olive Street) Thank you. I’m James Moore, I’m President of Highland Restoration Association. Would it be possible that I have five minutes?

Councilman Gibson: Sir, we will provide you three minutes. If you happen to go over, we will entertain a motion and a second to extend if you need additional times.

Mr. Moore: I’ll just hit the high spots. Thank you. The Metropolitan Planning Commission approved - - - it’s on your agenda, it’s under item D, 199. It says here automobile sales and light auto body work, at a location, it’s Zoning C-72-04, 1926 Creswell Street. On behalf of the Board of Directors, and members of Highland Restoration Association, and the residents living in near proximity to this address, we urge you to reverse the decision of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, and to not change the zoning at 1926 Creswell to allow Used Car Sales and/or light body work at this location. We do not want a used car lot in our neighborhood. The Ordinance No. 263 of 1986 which I think is on a handout that has been passed out to you sets forth the permitted uses at this location, which uses allow minor auto repairs on functioning automobiles or functioning vehicles. And this is intents as the use that we want at this location. Not permitted is auto sales, body work, storage of wrecked or junked automobiles. Overnight parking or storage of automobiles in front of the building. All of which the applicant has been doing on a daily basis in total disregard since prior to and after his same application was rejected by the MPC in 2001. Everyone who applies for a Zoning Change does so in their self interest. And you know in Highland, we’re delighted when there is an application that both serves the applicant and the neighborhood. But unfortunately, in this situation, that’s not the case. Only the applicant, one person will be served by approval of used car sales and body work at this location. This is a pocket book issue and a quality of life issue for us in the Highland area. A used car lot is an eyesore and detrimental to the property values of the surrounding owners. Why should we suffer a loss for the benefit of one person? At the November 3, 2004 MPC hearing regarding this application, only the applicant spoke in favor of the application. No one else spoke in favor the used car lot. Highland Restoration Association Board of Directors stated their opposition to changing zoning, at least four persons spoke individually opposing the application. Letters from nearby residents were presented along with the petition opposing used car sales and/or body work at this location. They were all saying they do not want a used car lot at this location. And at the MPC hearings regarding zoning application, the applicant has a chance to speak, and then the opposition, and then the applicant has a chance for rebuttal. And the applicant stated that he’s a working man, just trying to make a living. What I’m telling you now is that the residents of the Highland area that live in proximity to this business are also working men and women, trying to make a living, who spend their money on their money on their house, improving their houses and maintaining the value of the neighborhood, and they rely on you, their City Council to stand up for their rights and to make the decisions that will protect their investments and their quality of life. We urge the Shreveport City Council to reverse the decision of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and to require businesses conducted at this location to be in full compliance with the stipulations as set forth in Ordinance No. 263 of 1986. You know the path to a better neighborhood and city is crossed many times on issues such as this. This proposed zoning change is just for the benefit of one person and it ignores the wishes and the rights of surrounding residents and the integrity of the neighborhood. And we urge you to reverse the MPC’s decision. Thank you for your consideration.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Mr. Moore. Are there any questions or comments from the Council?

Councilman Hogan: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Moore, as I looked at our agenda on our computer, sometimes, we have the Council District from which it represents. And there is nothing on the address, there is no Councilman’s name on this. Who is your Councilman?

Mr. Moore: Councilman Walford.

Councilman Hogan: Oh, okay. Have you spoken to him about this?

Mr. Moore: Yes.

Councilman Hogan: Councilman Walford, I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but do you have any comments on this?

Councilman Walford: I’ll have a number of comments when this is brought up. This location has a history that we’ll discuss. But I don’t think now is the proper time.

Councilman Gibson: Gentlemen, I’d ask for your indulgence because of a scheduling issue with this particular organization, they have requested to speak. I’d ask for a motion to suspend the rules for item 232 in order for a speaker to make a presentation before this Council.

Motion by Councilman Hogan, seconded by Councilman Carmody to suspend the rules.

Councilman Jackson: Would you restate - - - we are suspending the rules to allow them to speak?

Councilman Gibson: To allow them to speak on item 232.

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

Mr. Chris Gabriel: (3805 Scenic Drive) Good evening to the Mayor, City Council. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak with you today. Today, I represent the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority Board of Directors, and I wanted to speak briefly about the 2005 budget decrease. However, first we want to acknowledge as a group, the necessity and importance of insuring our City Employees the appropriate salaries and benefits and we applaud your efforts to insure the same. However, we believe that Shreveport Regional Sports Authority can assist in those efforts to lay a foundation for continued salary increase for our citizens. And I say that because during the past eight years, our records indicate that the estimated economic impact of the events that we have sponsored are facilitated here have created $117,000,000 worth of economic impact to our community, while bringing in over 110,000 visitors. This also translates into over $2,000,000 in tax revenue directly into the City’s General Fund, thus benefitting the whole community. I am certain that you will agree that consistent, significant economic impact, national marketing of Shreveport via television and major publications, and significant events contributing to the quality of life of our citizens establish worthiness for continued funding of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. I was very pleased to see the First Tee organization here earlier. Because I think that too, points to the diversity of sports and it’s impact on our community. Our business is attracting sports venues and sports tourism and we continue to feel that there is great economic impact in continuing to pursue those kinds of events. Therefore on behalf of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority, I ask that you reconsider this budget decrease and move to find an avenue to restore our organization’s funding. The success of the Sports Authority is an affirmation to our desire as well as yours, to market Shreveport nationally, and internationally and claim our place as a sports tourist’s destination. So, at this time, we continue to ask your continued support for our organization. Thank you very much.

Councilman Walford: Bear with me for just a moment until I find the Sports Authority in our information here. Maybe you can answer my question. What are the salaries that are paid by the Sports Authority?

Mr. Gabriel: I don’t have that information with me, but we can certainly get that for you Councilman.

Councilman Walford: I was looking to see if that had been provided.

Mr. Gabriel: We do provide those reports annually in our budgets to show, you know we have to send our budgets in for approval.

Councilman Walford: I don’t believe your budget was submitted to the Council, and all we have is an estimate. I would like to have that information, if you could please.

Mr. Gabriel: We’ll certainly provide that for you.

Councilman Carmody: Mr. Gabriel, how are you sir? The Shreveport Regional Sports Authority utilizes the funding that’s provided by the City of Shreveport to accomplish not only, I guess the staffing of the organization, but also the solicitation of activities and events to come into this market?

Mr. Gabriel: Yes sir.

Councilman Carmody: Can you give us kinda a brief overview of how that’s done, because again, I’m not sure that all of us comprehend what it takes to get an event for a group to come to this community.

Mr. Gabriel: A lot of times, the events that we pursue will have bid fees attached to them to bring those events here. They in turn bring competitors who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and spend money in our community. We also, have done in the past, we’ve hosted footballs games, sporting events and those types of things.

Councilman Carmody: And the different events that I guess all of us are familiar with is the Bass Tournament (unclear) probably the biggest and most pressed, but how many events over say the last year, would you say that the Sports Authority has been successful in bringing into the community?

Mr. Gabriel: This particular year, we’ve done about 12-15 events. We’ve had to cut back. In the past, we’ve done over 20, but we did have to cut it back on some of the events because of the rising cost of doing business, and our funding has remained constant since 1996 when we were incorporated. We’ve been at that level since then. So, this year, we plan to do about 15 events.

Councilman Carmody: So, is the presentation then made back to the Board of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority by the staff to say that we have located a prospect and there is a bid process by which we have got to solicit to that organization in order to try to get them to secure coming to Shreveport to host their event?

Mr. Gabriel: Yes sir.

Councilman Carmody: And then the Board reviews that information that y’all grant the approval to the staff in order to make that bid?

Mr. Gabriel: Yes.

Councilman Carmody: Is that the way that it works?

Mr. Gabriel: Normally, yes sir. Sometimes because we’ve done certain events in the past, we will give them leave way to say we’ve done this event that falls within these parameters, and then you can secure that particular event. It is very difficult sometimes in pursuing those types of events, to be able to go and make the presentation, you got to have some authority at that point, since you don’t have time to get back to your organization to make a decision.

Councilman Carmody: But traditionally, the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority has not come before the Shreveport City Council to say that we’re working with XYZ organization or group to bring them to Shreveport, and we would like the authority from y’all as the Shreveport City Council to allow us to make a bid of this amount of money to bring them here. That is not a function that the Shreveport City Council has ever been involved with, not in my recollection.

Mr. Gabriel: Not normally, no sir.

Councilman Carmody: Is it normal that the Board would go to the Administration to ask them to agree or to - - -

Mr. Gabriel: Depending on what type of event it is, and what the costs are involved with that event, what things that are outside the norm that, that event may need. We may have a tendency to go outside. We do communicate to let them know what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to accomplish.

Councilman Carmody: And y’all work very closely with SPAR?

Mr. Gabriel: Oh, yes we do.

Councilman Carmody: Because normally, it’s a facility that’s either a Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation facility that’s going to be utilized in conjunction with bringing that group or organization.

Mr. Gabriel: Well, Gary Norman is actually a member of our Board.

Councilman Carmody: Oh, okay. Very Good.

Councilman Green: What’s your present budget?

Mr. Gabriel: I’m sorry?

Councilman Green: How much is your present budget?

Mr. Gabriel: $270,000.

Councilman Green: $270 (thousand)?

Mr. Gabriel: Yes sir.

Councilman Green: Some years ago, of course we started off with $250,000 that we gave other than the City of Shreveport, where else do you get funds from? Or how do you accumulate your funds?

Mr. Gabriel: We have secured some bid fees from Convention and Tourist Bureau. They’ve helped us in the past. We’ve also secured some funding from Bossier City, nothing on a consistent basis, but we have received some funding from them.

Councilman Green: So, in bringing events here, other than the tax dollars, how do you all get revenue from the events?

Mr. Gabriel: We don’t. Those events are not revenue producing events for the Authority.

Councilman Green: So, basically, the Sports Authority is not to generate revenues to sustain the Sports Authority?

Mr. Gabriel: That’s been very difficult for us to do without creating your own event, because it cost a lot of money to create your own event. Sometimes also, facilities are necessary. Our purpose has been to generate events that create economic impact for the community and bring quality of life for the citizens of our community. Another event that we’ve done that we’re very, very proud of is the recent triathalon, that brings in quite a few events, quite a few participants, and gave us national recognition.

Councilman Green: Do you all go after bringing in football games?

Mr. Gabriel: We have, we don’t do that anymore because of the expense involved in doing it, and in our community, it’s very difficult to predict ticket sales. We’re more of a walk up, buy ‘em the day of the event, so it’s very difficult to project what kind of crowd, you’re going to have, and there often lots of guarantees that you have to make to the universities, before they’ll agree to come and play and in your venue.

Councilman Green: So, this coming year, what are your three main goals to accomplish?

Mr. Gabriel: Our three main goals are to continue - - - we have a huge Bass tournament that we’re hoping to bring, that we’ve secured a bid fee on. To do the triathalon event again, and to live within our means. To stay within budget and not go outside of the funds that we have.

Councilman Green: So basically, those are the only two large events that you all are going to go after?

Mr. Gabriel: No, we’ve got some other events scheduled and I can ask Mary Ann if she wants to tell us about those particular events.

Councilman Green: Is she here?

Councilman Gibson: Ms. Tice, could you come forward for a second just to give an overview of some of the events that y’all put on, not just currently, but some things that might be fresh in our minds, that happened in recent years that probably your group might not have gotten credit for?

Ms. Tice: Sure. As you know, the main (unclear) is the Red River and obviously, the Bass Tournaments, the Red River Triathalon, which would stem from the USA Triathalon National Age Group Championships. The other thing that we do with our funding is to help fund existing sports events in the community, such as the Soccer Tournament, the Red River Soccer Classic, Sickle Cell, we help with the reception in raising the level and increasing the profile of Sickle Cell. Fencing, Wrestling, Baseball, Softball. A few years ago, we brought in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Spring Games. Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Track and Field. We continue to work with the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Previously, we worked with Southern University, brought in Southern University for football. And again, along the lines of what Mr. Gabriel was saying, those are cost prohibitive, whereas now because of the guarantees involved. But we have two large Bass Tournaments secured already for this year. We have about 13 items on calendar.

Councilman Green: How much money do you all give to Sickle Cell?

Ms. Tice: I’m sorry?

Councilman Green: How much money do you all give to the Sickle Cell Tournament?

Ms. Tice: We’re right at about $2,000. We actually host and underwrite the reception for the Sickle Cell Tournament.

Councilman Green: And you said you were involved in bringing Southern’s game here?

Ms. Tice: Yes sir. Southern and Mississippi Valley, and Southern and Northwestern State Universities.

Councilman Green: Financially, or just on the negotiating part?

Ms. Tice: I’m sorry?

Councilman Green: Were you financially supporting it, or just negotiating it?

Ms. Tice: We financially supported those. Yes sir, we lost money on both those games.

Councilman Green: Okay. Do you know about how much?

Ms. Tice: Off the top of my head, no sir, I don’t. But I can certainly get that to you (unclear) report on it. There was a $250,000 guarantee on each of those games to get Southern to come to Shreveport.

Councilman Green: You all put that money up?

Ms. Tice: It actually goes against game revenue, and there was not a good attendance of the game to support the gate. So, obviously, we had a signed contract and owed those monies and we did pay those monies on a quarterly payment.

Councilman Green: Is there anything in you all’s bylaws to prevent you from becoming self sustaining?

Ms. Tice: We were created as an economic development corporation to provide economic impact and the City’s investment was the $270,000 to secure economic impact. And reap a return on the investment. So, the City averages about 20% average annual yield on it’s investment, in tax revenue (unclear).

Councilman Carmody: That’s alright. I know that Councilman Jackson has not spoken yet, but I do have quick question, if you don’t mind Councilman Jackson. Mr. Gabriel, you had mentioned that there was a guarantee compensation made to the teams that played the football games, but that it was based upon the ticket sales and basically walk up business which if the attendance, as I understood Ms. Tice to say, was not enough to cover the guarantee, then how do you make good on a contract you signed with a team when you’re getting $270,000 a year. Does that not hinder your ability then to go out and buy down or to bid on other events, if you’re basically paying for an event that’s occurred in the past?

Ms. Tice: One of the things we did, when we knew that we had to continue to pay those back, we made it our business to try to secure some corporate sponsorship and for instance with the LSU and Centenary Baseball game, this year, we made a little money. Which we were able to dedicate toward paying back that indebtedness.

Councilman Carmody: So, it was an event that y’all did host or schedule that actually brought in some revenue, and then you in turn utilized that income to pay (unclear)?

Ms. Tice: Correct.

Councilman Carmody: Okay, that was my question. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Thank you Ms. Tice.

Councilman Jackson: Yeah, I think, let me say thank you for this discussion. I think we have a bigger problem than even what we’re talking about today. To be honest with you, I think $270,000 would be a start to as they were talking about restore and moving forward as Mr. Gabriel was saying, but I don’t think it answers the long term problem. I don’t think it answers the long term question and solves the long term problem, and that is my colleague talked about being self sustaining, it’s difficult to be self sustaining and to be an economic impact organization. Because as I interpret that, then that would mean, what you’re trying to do is get bodies in hotels, and get the sales tax and those things, which accrue right back to our bottom line, not to yours. And so, the 20% yield that you spoke of coming back to the City would seem to me that the real issue is beyond this funding, there needs to be some conversation on the part of the Administration, this Council, this organization on how we look to if we expect self sustaining, then there is something structurally wrong right now. That this allows you to be self sustaining, it would seem to me. Because the money you produced, the 20% that you talked about comes back to us. And so, it could be seen by some people that we just give you the $270 (thousand) every year to give us a 20% return. Now, I’m going to tell ya, pardon the grammar, but that ain’t a bad deal. If we get everybody we give something to, to give us 20% back, boy that would be super and we wouldn’t ever have to worry about you know funds, but I think one of the things that we have to look at, or start looking at these groups, particular economic development which is a little bit different than we do other organizations that you may be lumped in with and I believe as we move forward, that this problem not the only issue we have bigger things that we need to deal with, the reason the Sports Authority, if we’re going to continue to do it, other than just giving you the $270 (thousand). We’ve got to figure out a way so that you are able to become self sustaining. Right now, Councilman Green talked about is there anything in your bylaws that would prohibit you from being self sustaining. Technically yes, the way the money is coming in prohibits you at this point. But I think that’s something we can work on as a group, meaning the Council, the Administration, the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority to make sure that we do better, in the future, than we’ve done so far. And with that I just want to say thank you.

Ms. Tice: Mr. Chairman, may I answer back to Mr. Walford. Salary on there - there are two paid positions at the Sports Authority, the Executive Director’s is $58, 840 and the Office Manager who is basically Assistant Director is $31,950. Our total operating budget for ‘04 was $231,000, and we do have all of that on file at the Clerk’s office, and I believe we sent over an ‘04 budget to Mr. Dark’s office this morning. So, it should be relatively close by today, but I can send you that.

Councilman Walford: Okay. We had gotten it from a number of organizations, and I didn’t have one for the Sport’s Authority, is the reason I asked.

Ms. Tice: Yes sir. We do an annual report and we do our audit on file every year with the Mayor’s office and with the Clerk.

Councilman Walford: And somebody had faxed me a summary of some operating expenses that excluded salaries, so I was just trying to fill in the blanks. Thank you.

Councilman Gibson: Mr. Gabriel, appreciate it. Ms. Tice, we appreciate it. I think we have three or four others in the audience. Ms. Braddock, Commissioner Pierson, and a couple of others that are here, that are very involved in that particular organization. We appreciate you coming down today. That concludes the suspension of rules. Before we move back into regular meeting, I would like to recognize Caddo Parish Commissioner Rose McCullouch. She’s in the audience. Rose, thank you for joining us today. Regarding BAC-72-04, I also have a request to speak from Mr. Ike Cooper.

Mr. Ike Cooper: (1926 Creswell Avenue) I have a detail shop and I sell a few cars, and I do have a dealer’s license. And Mr. James Moore, I’ve had run ins with him since I’ve been there the last four years. And the reason I have run ins with him, every time I bring a car on my lot, and it don’t look decent, he calls MPC. And I called him and asked him one day, why do he keep calling MPC on me? He told me I need to take that up with them. And I told him, he need to find him some business. And every since that day, every time I look around, he calls these folks on me. I run a decent clean business. All I asked for was to put three or four cars on there and the body work there was only on my cars, not the public and I have to string my cars up and down the streets to sell ‘em because of him. And I done been all through Highland, I live over there, and there is all kind of junk over there, but it ain’t my business to go over there in other folks back yards. And I had a few people tell me I need to go see Monty Walford. But when he was running for City Councilman, and it was another guy running against him, they wanted to set up, you know, campaign at my shop, and I let them did it free of charge. And I wasn’t going ask him anything when I’ve let somebody else campaign in my shop against him. It didn’t seem like it made good sense. But you know being realistic about it, I’ve lived over there 13 years. That place was falling down when I came there and I cleaned the place up. It’s the best looking place over there. And even the Highland Restoration sent me out paperwork saying that I had a nice business. And they say, he’s not really representing the Highland Restoration because he works for free. So, by what he’s doing, he has a vendetta against me. I don’t do no drugs, I don’t none of that kind of stuff. It’s just a clean business. And I only ask for three cars. That’ll keep them off the streets. Other than that, I have dealers license, I’ve got to sell them some kind of way.

Councilman Lester: Mr. Cooper, you indicated that your request was to be allowed to sell three or four cars?

Mr. Cooper: Well, my request was to sell four or six and to do minor repair on my own cars, not to the public. But they denied me that and said I could put three. And Mr. Moore kicked against that. And I don’t see nothing wrong with it.

Councilman Lester: So right now, the MPC granted you the permission to do what?

Mr. Cooper: Three cars and to come back in a year, they would look over it and try it again. This is my second time, I done paid $350 for nothing.

Councilman Lester: Okay, so if we go and uphold MPC, you will be allowed to sell the three cars on your lot and only to do repairs to those cars that you are going to be selling?

Mr. Cooper: Yes sir.

Councilman Lester: So, it’s not like a situation where you are going to be having a bunch of hoods up and all that kind of - - - stuff?

Mr. Cooper: No sir.

Councilman Lester: Now you said, you’ve been a resident of the Highland area?

Mr. Cooper: Between 13 and 14 years.

Councilman Lester: Okay. How long have you been at your present location?

Mr. Cooper: The business or where I live?

Councilman Lester: The business. The business location.

Mr. Cooper: February will be four years.

Councilman Lester: Four years. Okay, how many people do you employ?

Mr. Cooper: About - - -between two and three. I like give jobs to the down trodden, you know, people around there that ain’t got no job or coming through for a job. Sometime, I even let ‘em sleep in my business. You know if they can’t get in a warm place at night. I had a car stolen from me because I was trying to be nice. You know let the guy stay overnight, let ‘em stay two nights, come back and the car was gone and never got it back. Reported it to the Shreveport Police Department. But I employ anybody that needs work and want to work and don’t take from me.

Councilman Lester: And you’ve not had any problems with your neighbors? Have you had any problems with your neighbors, other than obviously Mr. Moore’s objections.

Mr. Cooper: Okay, I had a problem with the lady that live right behind me when I first got there. My landlord had a choice of four people to lease the place. He chose me. She’s the one that started all this. She got in contact with Mr. Moore and they have given me hell every since.

Councilman Lester: Okay, but you’ve run a clean operation for the past four years.

Mr. Cooper: A clean operation and I keep my business clean. And I’ll call the police if any kind come up there that is against the law, I will call the police.

Councilman Lester: And so you’ve been running a clean operation for about four years. But prior to the four years that you’ve been here, where were you before?

Mr. Cooper: I was on W. 70^th at Ray’s Trim and Audio in the back.

Councilman Lester: Okay, so you went from working for someone else, now you’re an entrepreneur on your own? Is that correct?

Mr. Cooper: Well, I’ve been basically an entrepreneur basically all my life. But basically I moved out of another man’s building into my own.

Councilman Lester: Right, and now you’ve expanded your business. You chose Highland, because you thought it was a good place?

Mr. Cooper: I did.

Councilman Lester: And business was good for you.

Mr. Cooper: I did.

Councilman Lester: Okay, and you’ve been successful for those four years that you’ve been there in terms of financually?

Mr. Cooper: I have.

Councilman Lester: And what you’re asking this body to do is to uphold the MPC’s decision to allow you to operate as you have been operating the past four years, incident free, and as I appreciate it, MPC is going to take a look at this situation in a year. So, they’ve given you a year. You’re basically on probation for a year?

Mr. Cooper: Yes sir.

Councilman Lester: And so, what you’re asking us to do is to allow you to be on probation for a year, so that you can show us and everybody else that you will run the same clean business in the next year, that you have in the past four years.

Mr. Cooper: Yes sir.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Cooper, can I ask you a couple of questions real quick? And I don’t bite, not everybody in the district voted for me, but I do everything I can to help ‘em. So- - -.

Mr. Cooper: I mean, I didn’t know, you know. I don’t get into politics.

Councilman Walford: I really don’t bite, I don’t have fangs or any of those things. Have you had any court citations during your time working there?

Mr. Cooper: What do you mean, ‘court citations’?

Councilman Walford: Has Zoning Enforcement or anyone taken you to court for violation?

Mr. Cooper: They have, but I didn’t know I was in violation. I didn’t know that if I have a vehicle, I couldn’t park it on my lot overnight. I didn’t understand that. I mean, I’ve been in that neighborhood, and the people that were there before me, they’ve had car lots, they’ve dealt everything. The building was falling down. They didn’t have no problem.

Councilman Walford: Okay, and I’ve been to your place, you don’t remember it, but I dropped off somebody over there one time for you to detail their car. So- - -

Mr. Cooper: Oh, okay then. Did I do a good job?

Councilman Walford: I didn’t stay around to see, but I think it was not the first time he had been there for what that’s worth.

Mr. Cooper: Well, it must have been a good job then.

Councilman Walford: There you go. That’s all I’ve got. Thank you sir.

Councilman Hogan: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Cooper, while you were speaking with Councilman Lester, you answered most of my questions, but I had to talk to Councilman Gibson about something and you might have answered this one. Forgive me if you did. But you live in the Highland area, right?

Mr. Cooper: Yes sir.

Councilman Hogan: Now is there- - - you talk about your landlord and I wasn’t clear yet on if you own, you don’t own the property?

Mr. Cooper: No, I don’t own the place.

Councilman Hogan: You’re renting the property.

Mr. Cooper: I’m leasing the place.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, now where is your residence?

Mr. Cooper: About four blocks up the street at 2207 Creswell Ave. I’m in walking distance.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, alright. And you started this business some four years ago?

Mr. Cooper: The year 2000, in February. If I be here till February this year, it’ll be four years.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, what was the zoning on it at that time. Do you know?

Mr. Cooper: You know, I really didn’t know, because when I went in, if I knew that I was going to end up in all of this, I would have taken care of this from the beginning. All this come out when I had problem with the neighbor that used to live in the rear, I mean, I told ‘em she called everybody on me but Bill Clinton. And I mean, it made my landlord pull up some tanks, and the tanks had been there for 10 years what the other people left. But they did all of that, just to try and get me out of there, and to be realistic about it, you know what they done? One of them called me on the pay phone and say ‘ain’t no nigger gone have no business over in this area, just simple as that’. And then that’s a shame, in the year ‘04 that people still think that way.

Councilman Hogan: Well, I agree with you, that is a shame. But when you started four years ago, you were unaware about the special exception for zoning that you needed.

Mr. Cooper: I didn’t know nothing about all that, ain’t no use in me saying that I did.

Councilman Hogan: Did you have a business license when you started over there?

Mr. Cooper: Yes I did. I even had dealers license. I mean, I went through the Louisiana State Business and I called them and talked with them. They said MPC knew about that and they had to go through them to be able to give me a license to sell cars. And I don’t want a car lot, I just want to be able to set two or three or maybe four cars out there to keep from setting them out on the street. I set them out on the street, they used to have the police pulling me over and putting tickets on my cars all the time. I had to call the Chief of Police to get ‘em off my back.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, just one more question. They’ve limited you to three cars for sale on the lot?

Mr. Cooper: Yeah, they said I could set three on there, I wanted more, but I accept whatever I can get.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, so does that include the cars that you’re working on, or not?

Mr. Cooper: I just- - - what I do, I have a couple of mechanics. They do minor mechanic work, no heavy work, they come in and out. Occasionally, one may set there, and I have a big ole lot in the back, that I can park cars. They made me move ‘em all out. And it’s got a fence up there. You can’t even see in there, they don’t even want me to put my own vehicle back there. I have a couple of old antiques.

Councilman Hogan: Okay, that’s all. Thank you.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Hogan, I think Councilman Walford might be able to - -

Councilman Walford: Let me clarify what the MPC allows. They limited it auto repair, filling station and auto sales. So, they limited him to three automobiles for sale. We’d have to go to Mr. Lester for a lawyer to interpret that, but I take it to mean that he may have other vehicles that he’s working on. But that’s from the MPC decision.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Walford. Councilman Hogan, thank you. Mr. Cooper, we appreciate your comments. Thank you sir.

Ms. Kathleen Guttirrez: (1732 Michel) This land was donated to my husband and myself. When we bought the trailer and put it in there, we were unaware that we had to have any permits or anything like that or permission to live there. We’ve had to try to tie it down, plumbing has been hooked up to it and we got the electric pole. And like I said, we didn’t know we had to have all these permits to live in that trailer. And we didn’t know nothing about the code, the Zoning Codes at the place. And now half of my stuff moved in it and when we found out that we had to have permits, you know we stopped until get all this taken care of. And we would really like to live in our home.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you ma’am, we appreciate it. If I could ask because we have a gentleman that’s one of our experience citizens in town is speaking on an issue that is not on the docket, but I’d ask for a suspension of the rules.

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

Mr. John L. Taylor: (8110 Garden Park, Houston, TX) I returned to Shreveport about twice a year. During my stay- - -first of all, I’d like to say to the honorable Mayor of the great City of Shreveport and his staff, to the Council Members of the City of Shreveport, and to the friends of the counselors of the City of Shreveport. This is still considered as my hometown, but I’m here for two reasons. 1) To continue the vision, the hopes and the dreams for making Shreveport one of the great cities of Shreveport that was shared by my late brother, Jerry Tim Brooks. My second reason for being here is in reference to the naming of the Lakeside Golf Course or renaming it and my request is that some representative of the family be included in your decision making or your planning. For in doing so, you’ll be able to get factual information directly from a family member, thus avoiding the probable cause of having to make necessary changes later on. I am also here because since Jerry was a member of our family, and although he is deceased, the memory lives on, and Shreveport still benefits from what he attempted to do as a citizen of this great city, therefore, I for one assumed the responsibility of carrying on some of the things that he was doing, although I live a distance away. Because the distance does not

matter as long as you can be a contributing factor to the cause. So, that is why I am here today and thank you for listening to me, but I do hope and I do work toward the great hope of Shreveport being one of those great cities in the United States of America, because I am also property owner too.

Councilman Gibson: Mr. Taylor, before you leave, we have a couple of comments for you. Councilman Lester.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Taylor. Thank you for coming today. After the meeting, I’m going to give you my card. We have voted to make the change of the name. We have not done an official celebration and an official re-dedication primarily because we were waiting to have some communication with the family and out of respect for the family, we just kinda gonna follow you guys lead. And at the point where the family decides that they are ready to make this happen, it would just be a matter of you saying this is the time where we want to make it happen. This would be a proper weekend or whatever for us. And from our vantage point, we’ll do whatever is necessary on our end to do the proper ceremony and afford Mr. Brooks all of the honor and respect that is so very richly due him. So, after the meeting, I’ll give you my card. I’ve pretty much been out of pocket for the last two weeks in a conference, and then you know Christmas being last week, but I will submit to you that you are the representative of the family, just get with us and I say us, the Council, I’m proud to say that Lakeside is in my district, but from the City’s standpoint, we will take the lead from the family to make whatever needs to happen, happen on that regard.

Mr. Taylor: Although we have family members living in Shreveport, I am the Chief Executor of this estate. And therefore I am carrying on as best I can with the necessary security, but I’m still housing some of his personal effects that eventually I am presuming would be placed on display somewhere in the memory of his efforts here in Shreveport. So, I would be delighted to get with you sir and thank you very much for having me.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Lester. Any other comments from Council? Mr. Taylor, I will tell you, a couple of those affects are from some golf tournaments that Mr. Tim Brooks played in the construction industry tournaments with Associated General Contractors and he added to his list of titles in town. So again, I think he’s got quite a bit of memorabilia that a lot of the youth, in fact you saw quite a few of the youth here today that would be interested in seeing some of that. So, thank you again and your family members for coming here.

Mr. Taylor: His sister is here and his cousin that came along with me.

Councilman Gibson: Well, would you like to introduce them?

Mr. Taylor: His sister, Dorothy Taylor from Chicago, but she has since in the last month bought her home here. So, she has become a citizen of Shreveport also.

Councilman Gibson: So, I see we’re bringing the kids home.

Councilman Carmody: That’s a good way to put it.

Mr. Taylor: We thank you very much and I personally can share with you some expertise along organizational planning, management, financing, budgeting, and etc. Thank you.

CONSENT AGENDA LEGISLATION

TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES

RESOLUTIONS: None

ORDINANCES: None

TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES:

RESOLUTIONS:

The Clerk read the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 254 OF 2004

A RESOLUTION REJECTING BIDS RECEIVED ON IFB #04-087 FOR COVERED PAVILION AT SHREVEPORT FESTIVAL PLAZA THE DEPARTMENT OF SPAR/ DIVISION OF SPAR PLANNING AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

WHEREAS, ten bids were received as a result of solicitations for Covered Pavilion at Shreveport Festival Plaza, IFB #04-087; and

WHEREAS, the City has rejected the bids due to the lowest responsive bid being over budget;

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 #04-087 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.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Carmody , seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt.

Councilman Carmody: I do have a question. And maybe the Administration can assist us on this. Do we have any idea of the time frame from when we re-advertise for bids for this?

Mayor Hightower: I don’t think we have a specific time frame at this point, but there does have to be some re-engineering done. As soon as that happens, we’ll go back out.

Councilman Carmody: Thank you very much.

Councilman Gibson: Question for the Administration. Who was the architect on the project?

Mr. Dark: I don’t see anybody from SPAR in here right now, but we’ll get you that information.

Mayor Hightower: It’s one of the new young guys, I’m trying to remember which one it is. (Unclear)

Councilman Gibson: If we recall from last week, you had ten bidders and the project went over budget, so you had to re-bid it?

Mayor Hightower: Correct.

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

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Hogan, we voted on that item on 254, were you a Yea vote?

Councilman Hogan: I would be a Yea vote.

Councilman Gibson: Counted you in that grouping.

ORDINANCES: None

REGULAR AGENDA LEGISLATION:

RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE OR WHICH REQUIRE ONLY ONE READING:

The Clerk read the following:

1. Resolution No. 239 of 2004: A resolution approving certain matters with respect to the sublease of space within the Multicultural Center of the South. Approving sinage for the center and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford , seconded by Councilman Lester to postpone.

Councilman Walford: I think we’re waiting on information from Risk Management.

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

Resolution 250 of 2004

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE LEDBETTER HEIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AREA AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Carmody to adopt.

Councilman Lester: Is there a representative here? Is Mr. Hardy here?

Councilman Walford: I don’t think so.

Councilman Lester: I would ask that we postpone so that he could make a presentation. I’ve seen some of it and I think it’s an excellent idea. But I would like for him to make a presentation. I think the Council can get a big benefit from what he’s talking about doing. And I would stress that to Mr. Walford. I know that this is in his district.

Councilman Walford: If Mr. Lester doesn’t object, time is a factor for Mr. Hardy. I think there are applying for some grants and they need the approval from us, but I would certainly be willing to have him here to make the presentation and to share the information that he’s given me, which is very impressive. He’s got a great plan and basically they need our approval just as some subdivisions do. So, I would ask if we could to go ahead and approve it. We delayed last time, because we were lacking the map I believe.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Walford, has this information ever been provided to Council?

Councilman Walford: It’s on your agenda.

Councilman Gibson: In terms of any additional handouts or anything regarding this?

Councilman Walford: You’ve got everything I’ve got. I’ve gotten the picture from Ron and it’s impressive. And they have great plans, and again, they need approval from the City as that is a district like we did with FAME or several others.

Councilman Lester: Again, I would just ask that we would, I mean, we’ve dealt with this on some other issues. We’ve postponed them because we wanted to get the person that’s doing it to make a presentation and I would just ask. I mean, I support it. But I would just ask that we would follow that protocol. I understand that they’re applying for some grants or what have you, but as I appreciate it, they have an item that’s on the agenda. I don’t know if it’s this meeting or next meeting, so I don’t - - - I think they’ll be back. I will defer to Mr. Walford on that.

Councilman Walford: We can go with the postponement.

Substitute motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Walford to postpone for two weeks or until the next regular meeting.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chairman, I was wondering if it someway, and I don’t know, it may solve, but it may be that we’ve solved it, I just don’t know who the people are and hate for them to lose any money or what have you, and I was wondering if what we were asking is for a presentation to the Council, or would another presentation format suffice as well, i.e. them presenting to a group of Councilmen who may be interested or what have you?

Councilman Lester: My response would be simply in the past when we’ve had these types of resolutions, because its, as I appreciate it, it’s a pretty encompassing idea and I’m 100% as I appreciate it, for it. And I would just like to be able to get the maker or the actual proponent to come down and make a presentation to the Council. We’ve done that in the past and I don’t think that’s asking a lot.

Councilman Jackson: I just wanted to see if they got a snag or something, if there was a way to get around - - - that’s okay.

Councilman Lester: And I don’t know that there are any time sensitive issues on that.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 252 OF 2004

A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE PAY PLAN FOR GENERAL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE A $1,000 ANNUAL PAY INCREASE AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted 2005 operating budget ordinances which include funds sufficient to provide a $1,000 annual pay increase for general classified employees of the City; and

WHEREAS, the salary schedule attached hereto as Appendix “A” reflects said level of increase.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that the salary schedule attached hereto as Appendix “A” be and is hereby approved, effective January 1, 2005.

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 therewith are hereby repealed.

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

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS (not to be adopted prior to Jan 11, 2005)

The Clerk read the following:

1. Resolution No. 253 of 2004: A resolution making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of the issuance by the City of Shreveport of not to exceed Sixty-Two Million Dollars ($62,000,000) aggregate principal amount of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2005A in one or more series, for the purpose of refunding certain maturities of the $87,000,000 City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana GOBs, Series 1999A (the "Prior Bonds")

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Green to introduce Resolution No. 253 of 2004 to lay over until January 11, 2005 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES (not to be adopted prior to Jan 11, 2005)

Motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Jackson to not introduce items 212 through 237.

Councilman Gibson: The Chair has a comment regarding these items. 1) I think it’s important that these items remain on the docket. We talk about precedent to give an opportunity for these groups to continue to provide information to this Council, I think is important. Second of all, as I stated last week, we have items that were cut out of appropriations out of civic groups without any process and knowing that these budgets are going to kick in on January 1, I felt that it was important that we give those groups the opportunity to remain whole. And we’ve heard from several groups, both at the Work Session and today, stating why these budgets could end up hurting their organization’s ability to deliver services. But I will defer to you Councilman Jackson, who has a couple of comments regarding these items.

Councilman Jackson: Thank you Councilman. I didn’t want people to get mixed up on this subject and we talked about it on Wednesday. My hope is that there was some work that this Council could do, could begin to do. I guess what the motive, I’m sorry, not the motive, but the spirit of these amendments were. I’d like to differ just a little bit with you Mr. Chairman, with all due respect. We did have a process and we did have a process and we have an annual process of how we appropriate and how we assign to any group answers to their request for funding. We actually do deliberate as a group about what our priorities are. But more importantly to make it an effort that is one that involves this community, we also hold budget hearings and a part of that is that we held a budget hearing on civic appropriations on these very same items in this Chamber and I personally would like to thank those groups who did come. Because several, just about all those groups were here and at that particular meeting, I suggested to them as did Mr. Dark, representing the Administration that this year may be a year that we were going to have to cut and we were going to have to have a lean year. And so my commentary to them is that we may ought to be prepared. Nobody knows the final answer, but if I were guessing, I would suggest that there would be some level of cut. Now, we did have a process and I think to call that not fair is not genuine. And I would also suggest that I know I was here, Councilman Walford was here and I believe Councilman Lester was here when all of those folks were here. We had a meeting, they were here. We were supposed to be here, we talked, we listened to their comments, we talked back and forth. And that was the meeting. And I would suggest to come now with these amendments, I think erodes the integrity of that process and having said that, I would also like to say that I think that it make sense that what you said, perhaps has some validity. But I think what is called for is some leadership on this Council, to spend some time getting together to figure out where the real problems are, what the real possibilities are, and I’ve said to Councilman Hogan and a couple of other Councilmen who’ve had the conversation about it, that probably what we need to do is be sure that for the first quarter of the year, that we make sure that everybody stayed at a level line of funding that they had in prior year, by front loading notwithstanding the cuts, so that during the first quarter of the year, those individuals would not be hit or “devastated” by this cut, or by the reality of these cuts. And then that while they would making adjustments, we as a Council would offer some leadership by going back, sitting down with this Administration, to find out if some of these innuendoes about where there may be some money, if that’s true. And if it is true, then it be incumbent upon us during that first quarter to get ourselves prepared to come back perhaps in March or April and say to those groups, we’ve found more money to try to restore to these groups. I think that’s fiscally responsible, I don’t think it’s emotional, I don’t think it’s going to get these groups in a tizzy to get these groups back out here in two weeks when they were already here a month ago, I think is not fair on our part as well, and suggest perhaps that we haven’t exercised leadership and haven’t done our part. So that we won’t be victims of that, I would hope that we could get together off camera, and we could get together and try to discover some ways that we could find some money and many of these amendments to say that we are getting money from a particular place. Well if that place is a legitimate place to get the money, then we could corporately talk about it and work together to make it happen. And I think that would not only be fiscally responsible, but I think it’d be also exercising some leadership to have some consensus among this Council as to how we try to restore some of these funds. So with that Mr. Chairman, I’d just like to say that I would hope that we would be in support in removing these items.

Councilman Carmody: I’m sure that we’re about to go make a vote to go ahead and remove these, but I will make this prediction and I’m not much (unclear) looking into the crystal ball, but I have a feeling that we’ll be doing some budget amendment through 2005 to try to correct the situation that we found ourselves in. One that I agree, is not an easy one to solve, but I’ve heard from a number of different organizations saying that they’re left without anything. And for those that depended wholly on this source of financing to take care of their organization’s functions, I have a feeling that we’re going to have some long meetings in the next 12 months.

Councilman Gibson: One last comment. There wasn’t a process, there was a meeting. The decision to cut the organizations that were cut were arbitrary and capricious. There was no doubt about that. And I’m the only one that will say that on the record. Because when I asked how that took place, I was told point blank by one of my colleagues, they came into the City Council’s office, wrote down on a piece of paper what took place. Now, if that’s not arbitrary and capricious, I don’t know what. But I am very much in support of Councilman Jackson, and you’re the person that last Wednesday stated that, there was an opportunity for this Council to work together to bring together this Council to come up with ways to help these organizations who are obviously providing tremendous services at some form or level, whether it be economic development or civic pride or whatever it may be. And I for that, Councilman Jackson, I really appreciate your thoughts and your leadership on that particular item. But when it came down to looking at those numbers, and I do remember sitting at this Council, a couple of weeks ago, we had four budget amendments before we got to the final number. And which told, I think everybody watching, that we did not have a process. Otherwise we would have gone in and voted on the first amendment. So, I’ve always listened to Councilman Jackson in terms of being forthright on things, and I feel like on this particular item, that if I didn’t say that then I wouldn’t be doing my job as a Councilman. So again, I will defer over to Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: Thank you Mr. Chairman, I had decided I wouldn’t say anything. But when you bring about the words arbitrary and capricious, then that is politically incorrect. We did not just go in the Council Office, for the general public, and just write down some figures. This was a long process. And I said to you the other day on the phone Councilman Gibson, you said that to me and I said that you were wrong. But I will say this for the general public, that it was not arbitrary and capricious, this is completely political. That’s all it is. This is politics. This is what will get you on TV, this is what will get you in the newspaper. This will help you posture to run for another position. That’s what this is. Because we had an opportunity sometime ago to roll forward, to give our City Employees a raise, but we did not do that. So we had to do what was necessary to get our City Employees a raise. The Administration and the Mayor did their part. We had to come up with 1% and we did. And also, what these organizations got to understand is that the money that we give is not homestead exemption money. It’s not your money, it’s not your brand, it’s left up to Council, the Mayor and the Administration to make the decision as to where it goes to better serve our community. This year, we just didn’t choose to do that and here again, at this time, I’m not running for another office at this time. I’m going to do the best job I can while I’m in this seat now. And if in fact, there’ll come a time for me to run again two years from now, I’m not going to put my dog in the race two before time, I’m not going to try and impress people. I didn’t come up here to do that. I didn’t come up here to get in the paper. My comments to the paper when they ask me is “no comment” because the paper can make you king for a day, and tomorrow they’ll come back do whatever they like. So, this is just a political game that we play and sometimes we play it and sometimes we play it well. But when it came down to the fact of giving the employees a raise, there was one descending vote and I’ll leave it for you to figure out who that vote was. That was arbitrary and capricious, so therefore, that’s basically what I wanted to say. I didn’t want to say anything, but this is what we decided. We did not go in a room in a Council Office and just say go through these figures. That’s not how it was. We deliberated. We worked very hard and this is what we came up with. And sometimes when it don’t go your way, it’s easy to take your ball and go home. But I think as the seven of us, we are commissioned to do something. And all the time, that something may not be your way. And when that something is not your way, I don’t think you ought to try to taint everybody else up here to make it seem as though you are the great hope of the City. Because out of all seven of us including the eighth one over there, we are not the great hope. We do the best we can with what we got. And I don’t want the general public to be fooled that it’s just one of us up here that’s the genius and everybody else up here, we’ve just got to fall in line and we’re just doing something. That’s not true. We don’t have any geniuses up here, we might have some on the way, but they have not arrived. Yet.

Councilman Gibson: Okay, thank you Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: I have not finished yet.

Councilman Gibson: Are you on the point?

Councilman Green: No!

Councilman Gibson: You’re not?

Councilman Green: No!

Councilman Gibson: Then I’ll rule you out of order. Councilman Lester.

Councilman Green: And here again, that’s how it goes. That’s what I’m talking about get your ball and go home? That’s exactly what I mean. And not only that. Let me explain. This the rest of the story. I was on the phone and the Chairman said to me

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: Listen, if you don’t support this, I will not work with you for the next two years.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: I said to him now you said you’re a Christian?

Councilman Walford: I’m going to call a point of order Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Green: I said no, that’s not Christlike. And when I did

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: And when I did what he’s doing, guess what he decided to do.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Green

Councilman Green: To oust me from the Chairman.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Green.

Councilman Green: I’m finished.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you. Well, I sure appreciate it. Councilman Lester. Thank you very much Councilman Green, I sure appreciate your comments.

Councilman Green: And I approved that message.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you sir, I appreciate that.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Chairman. The problem with this entire process is that the funds that go into and more particularly, the way the funds are disseminated from the RiverFront Development or the RiverFront Special Revenue Fund are arbitrary and capricious. We all know this. I mean, why else would you have a situation where, since you have had a RiverFront Fund, my district, District A has only had one organization that has ever received a dime from this fund. One. What tells any of us that any one of these organizations that gets a dollar is better than an organization that gets two dollars. What tells us that an organization that gets $100 is better than one that gets $1,000. Each and every one of these organizations has a constituency. Some constituencies are very powerful, very vocal. Some constituencies are just regular ordinary people. The whole purpose of what we did on the last Council Meeting and I’m not ashamed of what happened. Not ashamed at all. I was always told that when you’re working toward something and you have a group of people and everyone leaves a little bit upset, then that’s how you know you’ve done a good job. But everybody didn’t get what they wanted. If we had a situation where one person leaves happy and everybody else leaves unhappy, we haven’t done our job. Because, that’s unfair. We’ve made a lot of commentary about the groups that got money, who was and who wasn’t, the whole nine yards. The fact is this budget process was one that we undertook for a number of months. Any number of us could have done a number of amendments. Any number of us, if this was of particular concern, could have taken the bull by the horns and done whatever they felt was necessary to do. But at the end of the day, at the end of the meeting, we passed a budget. We gave the City Employees a payraise, that I think they very richly deserve and we did it without using any additional revenue. Now, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I hear a lot of people saying that there’s doom and gloom because certain budgets got cut. I mean that’s not the fact. I know when you look at the percentage of monies that were cut from total budgets, I mean, you have organizations that received a cut that was anywhere from .1%, 25%, 23%, 29% of their whole budget, and so, at the end of the day, I’m proud of the process that we did. Because we took what we had and we took our two little fishes and three loaves and we fed the multitude. And we did something that we hardly ever do as a Body. We put our City Workers before our friends and the powerful, and the people that can vote for us and the people that give us money. And I think that it’s high time that we did that. For us now, after going through that very difficult, very somewhat painful exercise and to now turn around and say ‘well, never mind, it wasn’t important, let’s do it another way, because I don’t want certain people to be upset with me’, I just- - - I have a problem with that. I think what we should do is what Councilman Jackson said. If in fact, the budget figures at the end of the first quarter or as we move through the year dictate that there is additional revenue, then at that point, I think we should look at appropriating those additional monies to organizations to try and make them as close to whole as possible. But I hesitate to say ‘make them whole’, because what has happened, is many of these organizations have taken the money that they’ve gotten from the Special Revenue Fund to be an entitlement, as opposed to an appropriation that may or may not happen. And you know, correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought Republicans were against entitlements. I might be wrong on that. But most Republicans I’ve ever known are just anti-entitlement. But be that as it may, I think we need to move forward. We’ve done a tough job. It was not easy, it was not painless, but we did something very good. And for us to go back and say we’re going to dip into a fund that is for rainy day situations or dip into a fund that is set aside, that if we have an emergency situation that we deal with that, I mean, I have a problem with that. Because at that point, everyone can make the point well, I’m important. Because there are a lot of worthwhile groups that made presentations at the budget meetings that got nothing. And I might remind the Council, that several of those organizations came before that microphone on that Tuesday meeting and said ‘you know we asked for money from the City, the City gave us nothing, but we don’t have a problem with it, because we understand why you did what you did. And in this particular instance, I believe that our goal of giving our employees $1,000 as a raise far out weighs any political pain that we might get in the short term. And if it means that in what? Two years Councilman Green?

Councilman Green: Yeah.

Councilman Lester: That I’m not here because I put the employees first, then I don’t need to be here. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chairman, I want to bring this to a close and I almost feel like we ought to apologize cause I hate when our conversations recede to being personal, I want to say for the record, that the budget cuts, and again, I take exception to the idea that it was arbitrary or capricious, because as the Chairman knows, the final budget, or the final proposal to cut civic organizations came from our colleagues, and came on that day. And so even the version that I would have been in favor of was not the one that was passed as well. But I do want to say that we owe it I think to the people of this community to be honest with them and the reason, excuse me, the reason I say that because the truth of it is we look at the total amounts that we have cut from groups- - - we heard from one group today who probably had the most devastating cuts or it represents about 33% of what they suggested is their budget. That would be the highest that anybody was cut and again, that’s really not apples to apples with every group. There were some groups who were cut out of the budget, of our budget, and we gave ‘em zero, who had been getting something before. But it did not represent 100% of their funding, or at least a couple of the groups that I’m aware of off the top, that got zero dollars. It only represented a loss of 12% of their funding. And while every dollar is important to organizations like this, I also know that we have the responsibility to take care of certain things first, and I don’t want us to ever lose focus, that we want to continue to do good by everybody we can, and to increase the quality of life. But we’re here for roads, streets, drainage, water, police and fire. That’s what we really do. And that’s what the citizens are entitled to. Those are the entitlements that come along with living in the City of Shreveport. We’ve been blessed to be able to do other things. And it gets tough sometimes when you’ve got unlimited needs, and limited resources. But I would ask that those of you, and anybody that want’s to know, I’ve got a copy of all these organizations and what that total cut meant to them. Some of them, as you say the Providence House is one great example, 0.3% of their total budget is the $5,000 we’ve cut. Meaning you know, you’ve got groups, Sci-Port - 0.7% of their entire budget and so, all of it hurts. But I mean, it could be a scenario where everybody could have gotten cut 10%, or 33% or 40% of their total funding. That I would add would certainly be devastating to this whole community. So, I just wanted to be sure that even in our passing and our emotions, we keep this is context and know that it’s never easy to have to cut and we shouldn’t consider ourselves the bad guys for having to do so, as long as our motives are pure. And we try to do what’s the highest and best use of the City’s and it’s citizens’ money. So, with that Mr. Chairman, I’d like to call for the question.

Motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Lester to call for the question and end debate. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

Motion to not introduce items 212 through 237 approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Green, and Jackson. 4. Nays. Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, and Hogan. 3.

1. Ordinance No. 212 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Antique and Classic Vehicle Museum - $2500)

2. Ordinance No. 213 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Barksdale Air Show - $5,000)

3. Ordinance No. 214 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Barksdale Forward - $12,500)

4. Ordinance No. 215 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Biz Camp - $15,000)

5. Ordinance No. 216 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Caddo Council on Aging - $2,500)

6. Ordinance No. 217 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Caddo Council on Alcoholism/Drug Abuse - $5,000)

7. Ordinance No. 218 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Centerpoint - $2,500)

8. Ordinance No. 219 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal - $60,000)

9. Ordinance No. 220 of 2004: An ordinance amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (December on the Red - $2,000)

10. Ordinance No. 221 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Caddo-Bossier Film Assistance Office - $10,000)

11. Ordinance No. 222 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (First Step Services [indigent drug treatment] - $1,400)

12. Ordinance No. 223 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Greenwood Acres Neighborhood Assoc. - $10,000)

13. Ordinance No. 224 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Highland Area Partnership - $18,500)

14. Ordinance No. 225 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Hilman House - $1,000)

15. Ordinance No. 226 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (LSU-S Center for Business Research - $75,000)

16. Ordinance No. 227 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto (North Shreveport Development Corp - $25,000)

17. Ordinance No. 228 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Providence House - $5,200)

18. Ordinance No. 229 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Queensborough Neighborhood Assoc. - $18,500)

19. Ordinance No. 230 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Sci-Port - $30,000)

20 Ordinance No. 231 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Shreveport Green - $45,000)

21. Ordinance No. 232 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Shreveport Regional Sports Authority - $90,000)

22. Ordinance No. 233 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Stephens African-American Museum - $10,000)

23. Ordinance No. 234 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Theatre of Performing Arts - $5,000)

24. Ordinance No. 235 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Volunteers for Youth Justice - $1,000)

25. Ordinance No. 236 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for Riverfront Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Youth Baseball - $20,000)

26. Ordinance No. 237 of 2004: Amending the 2005 Budget for the Retained Risk Internal Service Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Funding for Resolutions 212-236 which are adopted)

Councilman Gibson: Motion passes to remove those items from the agenda. Mr. Thompson, item - - - I believe 238.

Mr. Thompson: We still have 238 to 244.

27. Ordinance No. 238 of 2004: Closing and abandoning the T-Shaped Alleyway bounded by Simms and Finn Streets and west of Clyde E. Fant Memorial Parkway to Airport Drive in the Henderson Iron Subdivision located in the NW 1/4 of Section 25 (T18N-R14W), Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

28. Ordinance No. 239 of 2004: Amending Section 90-229 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport relative to through streets designated. (A/Lester)

29. Ordinance No. 240 of 2004: ZONING - C-66-04: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located southeast of the intersection of East 70^th and Dixie Meadows Drive, from R-A, Residence Agriculture District, to R-3, Urban, Multiple-Family Residence District and B-2, Neighborhood Business District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.(C/Carmody)

30. Ordinance No. 241 of 2004: ZONING - C-77-04: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the east side of Audrey & Peach between Freddie & Willie Mays, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D, Urban One-Family Residence District, to R-1H, Urban, One-Family Residence District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

31. Ordinance No. 242 of 2004: ZONING - C-78-04: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of East Stoner at its intersection with the Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-3, Urban Business District, to R-1H (PUD), Urban, One-Family Residence District (Planned Unit Development); B-3 Community Business District to R-3, Urban Multiple-Family Residence District; and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Walford)

32. Ordinance No. 243 of 2004: ZONING - C-81-04: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by Rezoning property located on the southeast corner of Jordan and Highland, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from SP-1-E, Highland Urban Conservation/Extended Use District (Limited to Hospital, Administrative Offices and Parking Lot) to SPI-1-E, (Limited “to Hospital Administrative Offices and Parking lot, and to include Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment Facility.” only), and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Walford)

33. Ordinance No. 244 of 2004: ZONING - C-82-04: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport, zoning ordinance by rezoning property located on the west side of Youree Drive 50 feet south of Archer, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from SPI-3-E, Commercial Corridor Overlay/Extended use (B-1 Buffer Business) District, to SPI-3-E, Commercial Corridor Overlay/Extended use (B-1, Buffer Business District, Limited to “A Loan Company, and to include a Gift and Antique Shop,” ONLY and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (C/Carmody)

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Carmody to introduce Ordinance No(s). 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, and 244 of 2004 to lay over until January 11, 2005 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE (numbers are assigned ordinance numbers)

1. Ordinance No. 191 of 2004: A Supplemental Ordinance amending and supplementing Resolution No. 131 of 1984 (the "General Bond Resolution") adopted on June 12, 1984, as amended; providing for the issuance of not to exceed $12,000,000 principal amount of Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds, 2004 Refunding Series C, of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, pursuant to the General Bond Resolution; approving and confirming the sale of such bonds; prescribing the form, fixing the details and providing for the payment of principal of and interest on such bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof for refunding certain bonds issued for the purpose of constructing and acquiring extensions and improvements to the City's combined waterworks plant and system and sewer plant and system (the "System") of the City; making application to the State Bond Commission; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Having passed first reading on November 9, 2004 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

2. Ordinance No. 180 of 2004: ZONING C-69-04: 550 Cross Lake Boulevard, MYRLENE BRAZZEL , Brazzel Properties LLC & City of Shreveport, West side of Cross Lake Boulevard, 890 feet west of Dilg League, from R-1D & SPI-5 to B-3 & SPI-5-E, Marina or other permitted uses within this zoning classification. (G/Jackson) (Postponed December 14, 2004)

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chairman, I believe we had asked for postponement while we wait for additional information.

Having passed first reading on October 26, 2004 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Carmody to postpone. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

3. Ordinance No. 199 of 2004: ZONING C-72-04: 1926 Creswell Street, IKE COOPER, Dixie McClure Love, NW corner of Creswell & Olive, From B-2-E limited to an auto repair/filling station to B-2-E for additional uses, Automobile sales and light auto body. (B/Walford) (Postponed December 14, 2004)

Having passed first reading on November 30, 2004 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chairman, I think in light of some of the things that we said today, one of the things that this Council, to it’s credit has been relatively consistent, and I guess maybe I shouldn’t use the word relative in front of consistent, but relatively consistent in doing is trying to uphold the decisions and I may add, even to my personal chagrin, upholding the MPC’s decisions. This is another case of the same thing. Upholding the MPC’s decision for a gentleman who obviously has got a lot of issues in that particular area. But I think has proven to be a good citizen in that area. And from all of our records, police, MPC and otherwise, I trust the wisdom of the MPC members who- - - I was here the first day they heard this case I believe at the MPC meeting. And they went through a very arduous process to try to determine whether or not this was a legitimate scenario and they, to their credit, ran it through over and over. And I think have made a good decision, but I just ask the Councilmen if they would, to consider that work, (unclear) of work that the MPC has done and I think Mr. Kirkland and that group, one of the things they did, was they put a one year, I apologize, I can’t think of the correct term, but this is contingent on a year passing and they’ll come back to review it again. Let me say it like that. So, this approval is this. A one year conditional approval, so I would ask that we would uphold this so that the citizen can know that he can move forward and continue his business without destroying or disturbing the integrity of their neighborhood.

Councilman Walford: If you heard Mr. Cooper say, I have not heard from him. So, I have gotten one side of this issue from the neighborhood and they’ve been very vocal in opposing it. Certainly, I like to support the neighborhood, I didn’t seek out Mr. Cooper thinking I would hear from him, and I didn’t. And you heard his reason, and that’s just one of those times when communication breaks down. So, if I had my druthers, I would rather have a two week postponement, to try to visit with Mr. Cooper, but I’ll go with the will of the Council.

Councilman Gibson: Is that in the form of a motion?

Councilman Walford: I’d be happy to offer that as a substitute motion.

Substitute motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Carmody to postpone until the next regular meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE (numbers are assigned ordinance numbers) (Not to be adopted prior to Jan 11, 2005)

1. Ordinance No. 201 of 2004: Creating and establishing a “No Parking Anytime” zone on either side of the 2400 block of Leslie Street and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (G/Jackson)

2. Ordinance No. 202 of 2004: Creating and establishing a “No Through Truck Route” on Idema Street between Linwood Avenue and Mt. Zion Road and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

3. Ordinance No. 203 of 2004: Amending Section 42-216 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances relative to license permits and business regulations and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

4. Ordinance No. 204 of 2004: Amending Chapter 94 of the Code of Ordinances relative to utility rates by repealing Ordinance 187 of 2004 and otherwise providing with respect thereto..

5. Ordinance No. 205 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG No 04-02): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - a tract of land located along the south side of the East Flournoy Lucas Road (LA. Hwy. 523) in portions of Sections 4,5,8, and 9 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

6. Ordinance No. 206 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 04-04): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - a tract of land located south of the Shirley Francis Road in the NE/4 of Section 5 (T16N-R15W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (G/Jackson)

7. Ordinance No. 207 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 03-05): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - a tract of land located in the southeasterly intersection of the Flournoy Lucas Road with Pines Road in the N/2 of Section 1 (T16-R15W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (E/Hogan)

8. Ordinance No. 208 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 03-01): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - a tract of land located along the Southern Loop Road in the SE/4 of Section 20 and the NE/4 of Section 29 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

9. Ordinance No. 209 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 03-02): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - a tract of land located along the Ellerbe Road in the SW/4 of Section 5 and in the NW/4 of Section 8 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

10. Ordinance No.210 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 03-03): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the Cit of Shreveport - a tract of land located along the East Flournoy Lucas Road (LA. Hwy 523) in Sections 3 and 4 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and a portion of LA. 1 (Youree Drive), and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

11. Ordinance No. 211 of 2004: ANNEXATION (TAG NO. 03-04): Enlarging the limits and boundaries of the City of Shreveport - A tract of land located in the SW/4 of Section 29 (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, for Southern Trace, Phase IV, Section XVII- A/B, Subdivision, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Gibson)

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Green to postpone until the next regular meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, and Jackson. 7. Nays. None.

Councilman Carmody: Mr. Chairman, just to make sure, we do have a public hearing scheduled on the annexations at our first meeting in January, correct Mr. Thompson?

Mr. Thompson: That is correct. On the 11th.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Ordinance No. 98 of 2004: An ordinance authorizing the Lease of City-Owned property to North Shreveport Development Corporation, Inc. (B/Walford) (Tabled December 14, 2004)

Mr. Thompson: I believe it remains on the table.

Councilman Gibson: Do we have any update on that particular item?

Councilman Lester: No.

2. BAC-110-04, 1732 Michel Street, RILEY B. GUTTIRREZ, Riley & Kathleen Guttirrez, North side of Michel, 275 feet east of Wallace, Special Exception Use and variance in the front yard setback in an R-1D District, Mobile Home. (B/Walford) (Postponed December 14, 2004)

Having passed first reading on December 14, 2004 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Carmody to overturn the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Councilman Walford: Thank you Mr. Chairman. This one is a very, very, very difficult one. This one, I have talked to both sides, I have been out to the site, and it’s one where emotionally, I would like to make one decision. But in fairness to a neighborhood, I’m going to have to make another one. And I’m going to assume that the Zoning Board of Appeals made their decision based on emotion. If you go to Michel Street, there are no mobile homes. If you go to Rainwater, Caroline, the adjacent streets, there are no mobile homes. This is going to have a very, very, very negative affect on this neighborhood. If you go to Midway, yes there are mobile homes right in the area where Midway transitions to more commercial where Caddo Parish School Board, Cahn Electric, a tax service and other businesses, there are two mobile homes in that area. But there are none on Michel Street, none on the adjacent streets in the residential areas. I just can’t see doing this to homeowners, and I would ask your support. I’m very sorry that there was a mistake made in putting the mobile home in there, but that doesn’t do anything for those property owners. Those properties are going to be devalued, and you know this is going to be precedent setting regardless of the fact that the ZBA put a two year limit on it. It just gonna bring others. So, with that in mind, I would ask you to support me in overturning the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Very quickly. There is no way, no way, no way, no way, that they would allow a mobile home to be placed in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Broadmoor, or Cedar Grove and we- - - the fact that it even happened says volumes about how some of our neighborhoods and some of our communities are valued or I should say devalued by other people. It’s Christmas time, so I’m going to be quite.

Councilman Carmody: And I reiterated it because we actually had this same situation occur in Cedar Grove and the neighbors there were of the same mind set of the neighbors over here on Midway, that to place a mobile home within an area where we all live in basically on site built homes, devalues what we have invested here. And it does set a bad precedent if we say, oh well, although the circumstances were such that we did not understand that we had to have a permit- - -

Councilman Lester: Sir.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman?

Councilman Lester: Sir, you need to go back and wait for - - -

Councilman Gibson: Sir!

Councilman Carmody: And so my thought is this. Again that - - - I understand the position that the owners of the property are in, but it opens the possibility of saying that ‘okay, it occurred in ths area, then it can occur in anywhere else. And I would no more approve it in Cedar Grove or there in Midway. I just don’t think that it’s right for the neighborhood.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Carmody. Sir, could I ask you to have a seat for a second please. Mr. Kirkland, could I ask you to come forward? Good afternoon. Just because we’ve had viewpoints and that’s one thing I like about this Body, we have always two sides of the coin and I don’t think that the public is ever shortchanged on hearing what’s on both sides of that coin or at least seeing it. Can you kinda give a brief summary of this particular item including the vote that this was approved?

Mr. Kirkland: Councilman it was approved for a two year period on a 5-0 vote. Mr. Walford has assessed it, I think right on the money. It was an emotional decision in my opinion, watching the Board. The staff recommended a ‘No’ vote, even though emotionally, these folks are experiencing a hardship, a medical hardship. But the bottom line is what it does to that neighborhood, and again, I have to agree totally with what’s already been said by Mr. Walford, I think his assessment was right on the money. And I don’t believe there is anything else I can add Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Gibson: Any questions? Any other comments from the Council?

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, again, and I thank Councilman Lester and Councilman Carmody for their comments. It’s a very difficult decision, but I think we owe it to the neighborhoods to protect them. And so again, I’m going to ask y’all to vote to overturn the MPC or the ZBA, I’m sorry. I would appreciate your vote.

Councilman Lester: Quick comment. If in fact there is a medical situation and a medical hardship, I would ask that if a vote goes the way I anticipate it, that Mr. Guttirrez get with some of the folks from Community Development and see if there is some assistance that they might be able to provide for them or some type of direction. Maybe not from the City’s standpoint, but if there are social service organizations that might be able to help them with their housing situation, I would ask that after the meeting, that they get together to move in that direction. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Councilman Lester, any other comments? Mr. Thompson.

Citizen: I need to make a comment.

Councilman Gibson: Sir, the Chair would recognize you, but I’d ask you to state your name.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chair.

Councilman Gibson: Councilman Jackson.

Citizen: My name is Michel Street.

Councilman Jackson: Mr. Chairman, I want to move to suspend the rules and allow Mr. Guttirrez a chance to comment.

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

Mr. Ed Farrell: (1724 Michel) My neighbors across the street from me, behind me, all around said they would come down and vouch for it, that they want it there. The only ones against is the one up the street. And for what reason, I don’t know. It don’t affect him. And as far as devalued the property, come out there and look in that neighborhood. They got boarded up houses, they got yards that’s full of trash. When these people get through with that place, it’ll be the best looking place on the street. When they get through with their landscaping, paved driveway, shrubberies around the mobile home, roses on the fence. He’s already said, he’s going to put running roses on the fence, it’ll be the best looking place in the neighborhood. And he’s already spent about $4,000 getting it in there. Now, whose going to pay for moving it and restoring it. He’s already got $3,000 for the plumbing, $800 for the electric, $900 for the City Engineers to come out and make that two lights into one. And we did all that because they told us down at the court house it was okay. Now, whose going to reimburse him for all of that?

Councilman Gibson: Thank you sir. Any other questions for Mr. Guttirrez?

Councilman Carmody: I have an observation Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Farrell: Aside from that, how are they going move a trailer, there’s no (unclear) on it, there’s no wheels under it.

Councilman Carmody: Just an observation sir. Because this same circumstance happened in Cedar Grove, an area of District C in which a gentleman over a weekend moved in a mobile home on a street. And once it was there, the neighbors had said how did this mobile home appear? And of course it was the fact that the guy just moved it there. But you can’t just move something there and hopefully, I’m telling you the Gospel, somebody in the courthouse does not have the authority to tell you ‘yeah, it’s okay for you to place this mobile home in a residential area’. That is actually a function of Permits and Inspection.

Mr. Farrell: I own more land on that block than anybody out there. And I’ve been there longer than anybody. I’ve been in the same house 54 years, and I own more property than anybody on that block. I own property on Midway and Michel and it all joins. And they tell me that- - -

Councilman Carmody: I mean, I can respect that, I just want to make sure that at least the point is made that because someone does something without permission, does not make it so or correct.

Mr. Farrell: We should have gotten it in writing is what we should have done.

Councilman Carmody: Well, it sounds like to me is not to have gotten a verbal approval from someone as opposed to going through the proper process through Permits and Inspections, here in the City of Shreveport to make sure that the Zoning had checked off on it, that you were in compliance with the regulations and the rules and I think that at that point, it would have saved an awful lot of aggravation on the part of the Guttirrezs as well as their neighbors who are concerned about their welfare.

Mr. Farrell: Well, the neighbors all except that one had signed a petition agreeing for it to be there.

Councilman Lester: Mr. Guttirrez, I would suggest at this point that you would seek legal counsel and the person that gave you that information from the courthouse, whoever he or she may be, you might mention the words ‘detrimental reliance’ to your attorney.

Councilman Jackson: Thank you Mr. Chairman, what it was, I just wanted to say that there are always tough circumstances, but this is an issue of policy. Notwithstanding who are the people may be involved- - -

Mr. Farrell: Alright now, when that move’s up - - -

Councilman Jackson: Sir, sir.

Mr. Farrell: (unclear) is gone move out.

Councilman Jackson: I understand, but what I’m saying is - - -

Mr. Farrell: I’m not going to stand still for it.

Councilman Jackson: I’m just saying that this - - -

Mr. Farrell: The two trailers behind - - -

Councilman Gibson: Sir, you’re out of order. Councilman Jackson has the floor.

Mr. Farrell: Alright.

Councilman Jackson: I was just simply saying that it wasn’t about- - - I don’t know where this street is, not sure where it is, or whatever, it’s not necessarily my district, and I’m not sure exactly what the situation is. The Councilman does, but it doesn’t matter to me, because we’re not making decisions on the people who are involved. We’re just trying to base our decisions on a policy and following the guidelines of the laws of the City. And so, I don’t think anybody up here is personalizing, it’s about policy. And our decision, I think today is one of policy and not one of what may be happening with persons’ individual situations. So, I just wanted you to be sure you were aware of that.

Councilman Gibson: Thank you Mr. Jackson. Mr. Guttirrez, would you like to respond?

Mr. Farrell: Well, all I got to say, is if they have to move that out, and I don’t know how they’re going to do it, there’s no tongue on it, there’s no wheels under it. It’s already up on blocks, it’s strapped down, it’s ready to move in. Everything’s hooked up except the electricity. Now, it’s going to cost a fortune to move that out of there and he hasn’t got it.

Councilman Gibson: Yes sir, I can appreciate that. Any other comments? Thank you sir.

Mr. Farrell: And I don’t have anybody to watch after me. I’ve got cancer. I’ll be 78 years old next month. I’ve got a bad back. I go two days a week to a chiropractor to keep my back kinda half way in shape.

Councilman Gibson: Yes sir.

Mr. Farrell: I’ve got nobody there to take care of me, nobody to look after me. What we gone do about that?

Councilman Gibson: Well, I think the Councilman, Councilman Lester’s given you some advice.

Mr. Farrell: I tried that one time, and they sent a woman out there to clean my house, and she tore up my vacuum cleaner and didn’t clean nothing either.

Councilman Gibson: Yes sir, do we have any other comments from Council? We have none for you sir, we appreciate it and we move to - - - we have a motion to overturn by Councilman Walford and seconded by Councilman Carmody. Mr. Thompson, can I get a clarification on the vote to overturn? A vote For?

Mr. Thompson : I think you only need four votes.

Councilman Gibson: No, a vote For and a vote against.

Mr. Thompson: The motion was to overturn, so if you want to overturn the decision of the ZBA, and not approve the special exception, you should vote yes.

Councilman Gibson: And a vote No?

Mr. Thompson: Means that you agree with the ZBA.

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

Mr. Farrell: So, y’all gone over rule the MPA, MPC, whatever they are?

Ms. Guttirrez: C’mon, they’re gone make us move. They don’t care.

Mr. Farrell: You gone over rule that huh?

Councilman Gibson: Sir, yes sir. We have already voted. The votes are counted.

Mr. Farrell: Alright when they come in there and move those other two trailers out, then he’ll make arrangements to move his out. Not until.

Councilman Gibson: Yes sir. Again, we’ve moved on and we appreciate it sir. New Business, item 11.

Mr. Farrell: When those other two trailers are moved out, (unclear)

Councilman Gibson: Excuse me sir, we are moving on. Mr. Thompson?

NEW BUSINESS:

1. SOB Appeal: Ms. Lisa Jamerson (January 10, 2005)

Councilman Gibson: Item 1 Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Thompson: The SOB Appeal will be heard on January 10^th.

2. Alcohol Retail Permit Appeal: Mr. John Hardy, H&H Lounge. (January 10, 2005)

Councilman Gibson: Item 2.

Mr. Thompson: There’s a special meeting for the Alcohol Retail Permit Appeal for January 10^th, immediately after the Work Session.

3. C-81-04: 453 Jordan Street, NEW BRANCH OF ZION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, New Branch of Zion Church, SE Corner of Jordan and Highland, from SPI-E (Limited to hospital, administrative offices and parking lot) to SPI-1-E, Substance Abuse Counseling and treatment facility. (B/Walford)

Councilman Gibson: Item 3.

Mr. Thompson: It can be heard on January 11th.

4. BAC-115-04: 315 Pierre Avenue, SHREVEPORT GROCERY, INC, Martha McJunkins - Tanoli, Southeast corner of Pierre Avenue and Garden, Special Exception Use in a B-2 District, Liquor Store. (A/Lester)

Councilman Gibson: And item 4.

Mr. Thompson: January the 11^th.

Councilman Gibson: Any other New Business to come before this Body?

Mr. Thompson: No sir.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES: None

CLERK’S REPORT:

Councilman Gibson: Item 13, Clerks Report.

Mr. Thompson: We have none.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 5:39p.m.

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//s// Mike Gibson, Chairman

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//s// Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council