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Council Proceedings of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana

April 24, 2007

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana was called to order by Chairman Monty Walford at 3:01 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in the Government Chambers in Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

Invocation was given by Councilman Walford.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Shyne.

On Roll Call, the following members were Present: Councilmen Lester (Arrived at 4:00 p.m.), Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7.

Councilman Walford: Madam Clerk, Mr. Lester called me, and will be a little bit late, taking a child to the doctor.

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Wooley to approve the minutes of the Administrative Conference, Monday, April 9, 2007 and Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 10, 2007. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

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

Councilman Walford: Mayor Glover, welcome sir, do you have any communications or distinguished guests?

Mayor Glover: Thank you Mr. Chairman, members of the Council. We have several individuals I think that are out there, I think maybe on the Council’s agenda to recognize, so I will defer to you all. But just want to take a brief moment to express on behalf of the City of Shreveport our great sorrow for the tragedy that took place at Virginia Tech University on last week, and to let the good folks there know that people of Shreveport are certainly sending up our prayer for all of the individuals who were lost and their families, and our hearts certainly go out to all of the folks in Virginia, and in particular the Virginia Tech family. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Walford: Thank you sir. Does any Council Member have a distinguished guest?

Councilman Shyne: I do Mr. Chairman, and I would like to impose on the Council at this particular point. I’d like for this distinguished guest to come up. And Mr. Mayor, thank you for letting her be my distinguished guest, and not yours.

Mayor Glover: I do all I can Mr. Shyne.

Councilman Shyne: You know you and I have a habit of yielding to one another.

Mayor Glover: Absolutely.

Councilman Shyne: We’ve done this over the years. Mr. Chairman, she has been involved in a very worthwhile program in my area, and I know she’s going to be involved in programs just as big in other areas, and the Mayor and I talked about this maybe eight months ago, how city government needs to get involved with promoting education. And the underlying fiber of any city is to have good quality educational programs, and I think most of us know when we go out to recruit industry, the first thing that they want to know is what kind of school system do you have. So, for years we have not been involved in our educational system like we needed to be, and I’m glad that we have a Mayor on board and a Council on board, I guess Mike, since I’m an old school teacher, but I’ll say a young school teacher, I know the importance of having quality education and Mr. Mayor, what it can do for our city. And the young lady that I will be bringing up in a few minutes is a former student of mine, and I hope she can attest to the fact that I was a pretty decent teacher, Art.

Mr. Thompson: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: I wasn’t as bad as I looked. I had a lot of compassion. So at this particular time, if it’s alright with the Council, I’d like to bring Mr. Tabitha Taylor up, and let her explain to us the program that she has implemented and has put forth in District F, and especially at Bethune Middle School. And Bethune is one of those schools that over the last maybe three, four, maybe five years have ranked a little lower on their state test, and we have been trying to figure out ways by which we can improve Bethune. Bethune is improving and we know basically the center of any community is the school and the church. So, we’re working hard out in that area to make sure that Bethune not only gets to be a one Star school, but a Two Star school, and a Three Star school, and a four Star school, and a five Star school, because Mr. Mayor, we know how important education is. If this is going to be one of the great cities of the south. So, at this particular time, I’d like to bring Ms. Taylor up, and Ms. Taylor, I would appreciate it if you would explain to the Council and to the Administration, because the Administration Mr. Mayor, has played a great part in bringing about this kind of program.

Ms. Taylor: Thank you so much Councilman Shyne. Good afternoon to all of you. I think I know for the most part many of you all. My name is Tabitha Taylor, and last year I wrote a proposal entitled “Youth Organized”, and in that specific proposal, I worked with the previous Administration under Councilman James Green. And for the area in District F, we wanted to design a program that would encourage reading, but also encourage mentorship. With that I spoke to several principals in the area as well to the Caddo Parish School System as to what was the needs, or what needs need to be met for those specific children in that area. And we decided to have a bike giveaway. We had our first bike giveaway on Friday in which we gave 122 bicycles to students at Bethune Middle School, which encompasses the two campuses. We will be giving approximately 285 bicycles to Mooretown Elementary School, and at that particular school, every child in the school will receive a bicycle with the exception of two. Mooretown Elementary School has improved to where they are a one Star school, which is quite phenomenal in that particular area. Two of the students at the school will not be receiving bikes, because they have physical challenges, so we will reward them with something a little bit different. But we wanted to make sure that we included all children. And when I say all children, because I am a parent of a child who has special needs, my son is autistic, it is very important for me to include those children who are in the Special Education Department. But what I’ve done at Bethune Middle School along with Katrina Gaye, and Tangi Bell who was the author that you all gave an award to several months ago, “Tired of Being Po”, is that we went in and we were mentoring girls. And what I found there is that we had a serious problem with overage students there. When you have overage students, 14-15 years old, and they are in the 7^th Grade, psychologically that plays a lot. So we went in and we talked and helped a lot with self esteem, self awareness, and a lot of things that would help build the total person. And I will not tell you that it was an easy task. I consider myself to be ‘little Ms. Personality’, but these girls put me to the test. And ultimately with the good Lord’s help, I was able to go up there, and change a lot of what has been happening. I would submit to the City of Shreveport is that we have to really, really become engaged in what’s on in the school system, because these children are a part of our community. I would like for us to -- I would say local business and small business such as myself to really partner with the City, with Caddo Parish School System, and along with the Shreveport Police Department. Because they came in and gave bike safety courses, and all of those specific things in order for us to really build this city. In order for us to be the next great city of the south, I believe, I truly believe that we have to focus on education, and we have to take special needs to our children. And I’m a mother, as I said, I have an 11 year old son, and he’s pretty much taller than I am. So, I would understand some of the challenges that some single parents may face, but yet at the same time, there isn’t any reason for you all or for any parent not to get involved in what’s going on with their children. So, I want to thank Ms. Bonnie Moore, and the City of Shreveport Department of Community Development, Shreveport Police Department, WalMart, and this Administration for giving me the opportunity to implement this particular program, and with your help and continued support, I plan to take it even further.

Councilman Shyne: Ms. Taylor, we’re indebted to you and we’re very humbled at the outreach and again, this is what Christianity is all about. This is what we talk about, moral values, when we talk about getting out in the community, and helping the less fortunate one, and am I my brother’s keeper. You know, this is showing that you are truly your brother’s keeper, and not only I hope we don’t have too many ministers in the house, but not only on Sunday morning, after you hear the sermon, and then the tray is passed around. This is going out into the highways and hedges of life, and really helping people. And again, I’m extremely honored, and Mr. Mayor, I would hope that sooner or later, at that very distinguished award that you have with your office of being a true great Shreveporter, I would hope that we would consider Ms. Tabitha Taylor, and maybe in the near future, we could have her back, and we could present her with an award when she gets through with this program.

Ms. Taylor: Thank you so much. I appreciate that.

Councilman Shyne: And the other thing Mr. Mayor, we encourage the kids, and I want Shelly to hear this, we encourage the kids to go to the parks during the summer time and use the computers. Not only the basketballs, not only the softballs, but to use the computers. And Shelly, I’ve had about 10 or 15 parents who’ve called me and told me, say Mr. Shyne, I took my kids, and we went out to the park over there off Illinois Street, that’s Hays, and they said Mr. Shyne we went over there to get on the computers, and they weren’t even hooked up. So, Mr. Mayor, I would hope that you and Shelly would get together and make sure that we get those computers hooked up, because I don’t want those parents calling me and telling me, now you’ve told me to make sure we take our kids out there so we can get on the computers, and they’re not even hooked up. But that’s what we’re pushing. We want to push educational values during the summer. And you know how important it is. Again, Ms. Taylor I take my hat off to you.

Ms. Taylor: Thank you.

Councilman Shyne: And I don’t know whether the Chairman wants to congratulate you or not.

Councilman Walford: The Chairman certainly does, and I would suggest don’t go away Ms. Taylor, because I believe there’s going to be some more congratulations from up here. Ms. Bowman.

Councilwoman Bowman: Thank you. And you knew I would not allow you to stand there and I didn’t have any comments for you. And you know for yourself how much I admire you, and it is certainly a pleasure for me to sit here and let the whole city know how much I admired not only you as a person, but the things that you do. Not just for your own kid, but you go out and you do for so many other children. It even starts at your church. Instead of sitting there in the service with everyone else, you sit in the nursery with someone’s else children. And that says a lot. It shows that you have patience, No. 1 to even take that task upon yourself. No. 2, you care deeply about all children, and I know that you are an advocate for autism and I commend you for all that you do as far as that is concerned because so many parents do not have the understanding that you have taken the time to study and find out so much about this, that you can go out and teach other parents, and even teach the school system a few things about autism. But I do. I commend you for everything that you have done, and I am going to back up and be quiet a minute, because they started calling me out of my name yesterday afternoon, I talked so much. But anyway, I do. I commend you and I admire you for everything that you do.

Ms. Taylor: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. But y’all going to make me mess up my makeup.

Councilman Wooley: I just want to make one comment. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to say I appreciate you. I used to be a Youth Pastor for four years, and so I know what it is to work with young people, especially Jr. High, and the High School students. And so anyone who dares to take the time to work with them, and to really be personal with them, and get involved with their families to make a difference in their lives, it’s just a huge challenge. It is a big sacrifice, and so I just wanted to say thank you and that I commend you for your work.

Ms. Taylor: You’re welcome, and thank you so much. I appreciate that. May I thank my mother?

Councilwoman Bowman: By all means.

Councilman Shyne: You can thank your mother, and your former school teacher.

Ms. Taylor: I want to thank my mother, because she was the person out driving a U-Haul to deliver all of those bicycles to the schools, and I’m just really thankful to her to have a mother that supports me as much as she does. And Councilman Shyne was my teacher in High School. He taught me Civics, and American History. And there were two things that stand out in my mind. And that was -- he taught us that Shreveport was a Mayor-Council form of Government, and that when we turned 18, we had to register to vote. So, if I didn’t learn anything else, I knew that Shreveport had a Mayor-Council form of Government, and that when I turned 18, you can check the records, I was down there along with my neighbors and everybody else, registering to vote. So, thank you all so much.

Mayor Glover: And he stood on the other side of Greenwood after school was over, and told you to vote for Joe Shyne.

Ms. Taylor: He sure did. He told us that, and we said he runs the cheapest campaign you ever wanted to see. Just blow the horn and wave. Vote for Joe Shyne. Thank you so much.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, before Tabitha takes her seat, I just want to join Councilman Shyne and the rest of the Council in commending Tabitha for the outstanding work that she has done, and is doing in our city. She is an outstanding young woman, and certainly the type of individual that we need more of here in Shreveport. And she is a good person, a good friend, and a great Shreveporter. So, thanks for all that you do. My best to your wonderful mother, and keep on doing the great things that you’re doing.

Ms. Taylor: Thank you. Keep up the good work.

Councilman Shyne: And he’s going to bring you back later and give you that special award, right Mr. Mayor?

Mayor Glover: Absolutely.

Councilman Walford: We’ve got that on the record now Mr. Shyne.

Ms. Taylor: I can honestly tell you that, if you didn’t, it wouldn’t stop me from doing what I’m doing, because it’s just straight within. And thank you to Bonnie Moore in the Department of Community Development. I couldn’t have done that without them at all. Thank you.

Reports:

Property Standards Report

Councilman Walford: I know Mr. Bowie is out, but Ms. Moore is here. So, I will open it to anyone with a property standards question. No? Well, you know I’ve got one Ms. Moore. Do I need to say it, or can you read my mind?

Ms. Moore: We served 910 Texas Street on April 18^th, and the arraignment date is May 1^st.

Councilman Walford: What exactly is the citation?

Ms. Moore: It’s a court citation.

Councilman Walford: Is it criminal court?

Ms. Moore: I think it’s for a nuisance.

Councilman Walford: Okay, very good. I think we have a photo. You’ve seen it before, but -- ah yes. I’m going to have to take a better one.

Councilman Shyne: Did Councilman Long take that picture?

Councilman Walford: I took that from the steps of Lakeside Baptist Church after discussing the conditions with some of their folks. Any other questions for Ms. Moore? Thank you Sharon. That’s very good news, and I like the way that you can read my mind. That could be dangerous though.

Public Hearing: None

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

Confirmations and/or Appointments:

Mr. Thompson: There are none on the regular agenda, however, there are three that you may want to consider. They are on your e-agenda. One is the Executive Appointment of Ms. Evelyn Miller to the position of Risk Manager, Lloyd Thompson to the Civil Service Board, William Coburn to the Sports Authority, and Charlton Holmes to the Sports Authority.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Administration if it would be alright, especially with Mr. Lloyd Thompson, I’d like to add him on the agenda, so that we could vote on him today, and I think the Risk Manager –

Councilman Walford: We need a Risk Manager.

Councilman Shyne: Would you –

Mayor Glover: By all means Mr. Shyne, Mr. Chairman, members of the Council.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Thompson, would we be correct in adding these as we add legislation, or what’s the correct procedure?

Mr. Thompson: You can add them. Right now, we’re under Confirmations and Appointments, so they can be added to that, and you can act on them if you’d like to.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, did you want all four, or just those?

Mayor Glover: I would offer to you Mr. Shyne and members of the Council that the two appointments to the Sports Authority are reappointments. Individuals who have served well, are really motivated and committed. And with the timely request that you all would include them as well.

Councilman Shyne: So, my motion would include all four.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Risk Manager - Ms. Evelyn Miller

Civil Service Board – Mr. Lloyd Thompson

Sports Authority - Mr. William Coburn (re-appointment)

Sports Authority - Mr. Charlton Holmes (re-appointment)

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Bowman to confirm all four appointments by the Mayor. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I noticed we have somebody absent, and you usually ask if anybody had any questions. So, I don’t know whether you thought maybe because somebody was absent, nobody else would have any discussions?

Councilman Walford: I’m sorry, did we have any discussion on these items?

Councilman Shyne: Well, we voted.

Councilman Walford: We voted unanimously, and I apologize for that Mr. Shyne.

Mayor Glover: Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you Mr. Shyne, thank you members of the Council.

Adding Legislation to the Agenda

1. Resolution No. 69 of 2007: A resolution ratifying the signature of the Mayor on an Intermodal Transit Facility Agreement between the City of Shreveport and LSU Health Sciences Foundation, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

2. Resolution No. 70 of 2007: A Resolution amending Resolution No. 33 of 2007 to require reports concerning the operation of the Convention Center and the Convention Center Hotel and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Walford to add Resolution Nos. 69 and 70 of 2007 to the agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Public Comments (Agenda Items to be Adopted)

Ms. Judi Milke: (330 Green Terrace Road) Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, it’s nice to be here this afternoon. This is the first time I have appeared before you all, although I have been watching you on television. And I think my favorite episodes have been the Comcast episodes. But I’m here on a serious matter today, and the reason it is important to me is that my lot is the lot on Green Terrace Road, that is most affected with the request for subdivision here. And I did bring some maps along with me, but before I get there, one of the things that I heard Mr. Kirkland talk to y’all about, I think it was January or February was the relationship that exist between the City Council, and the Metropolitan Planning Commission. And someone asked the question having to do with ‘well, what is our relationship?’ I think Mr. Kirkland was given an opportunity, but I think he was cut off, and I’d just kinda like to reiterate real shortly, was that my appreciation was that the Metropolitan Planning Commission makes recommendations to y’all, but You the City Council, do make final decisions. And so what I and some of my neighbors are asking today, is that you, the MPC have approved a re-subdivision next door to my home. I believe it is going to create four lots next door to my home, and four buildings sites next door to my home, and I’m asking that it be denied. And I would like to go through, if I could some maps. We do live in Mr. Webb’s district. And for those of you who will - - -

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I believe everybody might know what she’s talking about Subdivision Request SC 15-07.

Ms. Milke: I apologize.

Mr. Thompson: No. 12 on your agenda.

Ms. Miller: Thank you Art. For those of you who might not be familiar with Green Terrace Road, if you look at that map, and this is a map that came out of a Rand McNally Book, I have darkened on the right hand side of the map, Walker Road which runs north and south along here. Okay? When you get to almost Colquit Road, if you take a right, you’re on Green Terrace Road. That road goes for over one mile. The mile between Walker Road and Dean Road, there are lots from the north side of that road, and on the south side of that road, and all of those lots consist of five acres or more. So, you go for a mile down a very nice country road. You then come to an intersection of Dean Road. You come to an intersection that has two stop signs. Okay? The stop signs all traffic stops for those coming to Dean Road. And on that corner, there are four lots, which you find on most corners. One corner of that intersection has goats. One corner of that intersection has a home that was built in 1952. One corner of that intersection has a home that was built I believe sometimes in the ‘70s. So, everybody when they’re coming down Green Terrace, either way, has to stop at that intersection. At those stop signs, and that is what is currently on those four corners. Now if I could show you going across the street, now I’m showing you what you will see as you are going west across Dean Road, and what you see are lots numbered 1 and 2 on the corner. Those are the two lots that the MPC is recommending that they be subdivided. If that subdivision is allowed, we will now have the goats on one corner, we will have one house built in ’52 on another corner. We will have one house built in ’74 on another corner, and we will have four homes on lots 1 and 2. And I’ll show you just the third one, and the third one is showing you exactly what you saw in yellow on the other map. And what it does show is all the lots across Green Terrace have a 100 foot setback. This is a 1952 plat, which is the only plat that is a matter of record, and it shows that all houses have to be set back 100 foot. And the purpose for that is to make sure that you have next door neighbors, instead of having neighbors who are building in your front yard. In any event, the MPC has recommended that this subdivision be allowed, and I have come to indicate to you the reason - - - they have said to you that the reason we believe that you can subdivide this is that the lots over on (inaudible), and I took the map away, but you have those maps. They said that the lots on (inaudible) are very, very small and therefore you can go ahead and re-subdivide your lot, and it won’t make any difference to anybody. But it makes a whole lot of difference, and it makes a whole lot of difference as to what is going on in our neighborhood. And the ordinance indicates that you cannot subdivide lots to make them smaller. The ordinance does say that you cannot change the size of lots in a 1D neighborhood, which is where we are, which is an established neighborhood, without having good cause. The good cause that the MPC has found is that there are lots on Canaan that are smaller than our lots, however those lots are not contiguous which is what is required by the ordinance, and so we don’t’ believe that that is good cause for allowing this subdivision. The second reason that they have indicated is that the visibility will be good across the street. Meaning that if those two houses are built, and you look across the street, there will be two houses so, it will be visibly compatible. Meaning if you’re coming down Green Terrace one way, or if you coming down Green Terrace the other way, or if you’re coming down Dean Road from the north, or Dean Road from the south, you’re not gonna see a compatible corner. You’re going to see a mismatch. And so I am asking that this Council please deny this subdivision application. I don’t believe it’s in accordance with the ordinance. I don’t believe it’s in accordance with the character of our neighborhood. I hope you all have had an opportunity to read what I’ve submitted, and I promise you I thank you for your time.

Councilman Shyne: Judi, you are always welcomed to come down.

Ms. Sarah Lima: (3315 Green Terrace Rd) I am here on the same ordinance that Judi is just speaking about. Although I am not as well versed in what the legality of the situation as she is. I just wanted to come and express my aggravation with the situation and request y’all to deny it. My main concern for the subdivision of the lots is they would be directly in front of my house. And I’ve only lived there for a year and a half. My grandparents owned the house before I did. And so I knew what I was buying into. I knew the property value of everything. I knew the neighbors, I knew the character of the neighborhood, and my main concern is once you subdivide these lots, I mean, they could re-zone for all we know. And I’m really mainly concerned about our property values. Our property value is based on the acre lot, and the size of the homes. And in comparison to what it is and the rest of the neighborhood, and if you start subdividing lots, our property value is going to go down. This is my very first home, and it’s a family home, and I’m very concerned with the neighborhood, with the character of our neighborhood, and I just really wanted to come here. And it’s not just Ms. Milke all by herself that’s upset about it, it is the whole neighborhood. And I know there’s a bunch of other issues with all the trees being cut down, the drainage issues, and building 100 feet from the curb, and you know I’m not well versed in all those ordinances, I just want to know that, that home that I invested in a year ago, will be - - - at least maintain the value for when my daughter grows up. So, that’s all.

Mr. Robert Zahn: (3359 Green Terrace Rd) We have a beautiful subdivision there, well taken care of. The people trying to build and divide these lots up and down there, back in December cut down probably six or more huge Pine trees. They’re still laying there. In February when we had the meeting in February, I talked to the owner supposedly of the lots, and I said when are you going to clear those lots out there? Oh, I’m working on it. Hey, they’re still there. We’re almost in to April. Now a person that takes care of property like that, I don’t want him in my neighborhood. Let him go live some place else. I don’t care where, but please not where we are. And they had put a pad in there now, on what is actually Lot 2. And set it back about 50 feet. There doesn’t meet the 100 feet requirement right off the bat. That’s one of the problems that we have with that. All the houses in there are back 100 feet. And here we’re trying to get some set back 50 feet. I don’t like that. I live there, have a beautiful house, I’m taking care of it like everyone else in the neighborhood. So, I would appreciate denial of splitting those lots up into four. Thank you very much for your time gentlemen.

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. 64 of 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RANDY JOHNSON BUILDER, INC., LOCATED AT 2716 STONE CREEK DR., TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Randy Johnson Builder, Inc. have agreed to secure all permits and inspections required by the Shreveport Comprehensive Building Code. Said party having submitted a petition for annexation to the City of Shreveport, and having agreed to fully comply with the regulations of the City of Shreveport in connection with said property, all as set forth in Section 94-1, et. Seq., of the Shreveport City Code. Said request and petition are attached hereto.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that Randy Johnson Builder, Inc., be authorized to connect the proposed building to be located at 2716 Stone Creek Dr., to the water & sewer system of the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provisions or items of this resolution or the application thereof are 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 resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Bowman to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 5. Nays: Councilman Walford. 1. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 65 of 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SOUTHERN TRACE WEST SUBDIVISION TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Aramco, Inc. has agreed to secure all permits and inspections required by the Shreveport Comprehensive Building Code. Said party having submitted a petition for annexation to the City of Shreveport, and having agreed to fully comply with the regulations of the City of Shreveport in connection with said property, all as set forth in Section 94-1, et. Seq., of the Shreveport City Code. Said request and petition are attached hereto.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that Aramco, Inc. be authorized to connect the proposed Southern Trace West Subdivision to the water & sewer system of the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provisions or items of this resolution or the application thereof are 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 resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Webb to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 5. Nays: Councilman Walford. 1. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 66 of 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BLUFFS SUBDIVISION TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Simon Building & Development, L.L.C. has agreed to secure all permits and inspections required by the Shreveport Comprehensive Building Code. Said party having submitted a petition for annexation to the City of Shreveport, and having agreed to fully comply with the regulations of the City of Shreveport in connection with said property, all as set forth in Section 94-1, et. Seq., of the Shreveport City Code. Said request and petition are attached hereto.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that Simon Building & Development, L.L.C. be authorized to connect the proposed The Bluffs Subdivision to the water & sewer system of the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provisions or items of this resolution or the application thereof are 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 resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Webb to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 5. Nays: Councilman Walford. 1. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 67 of 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LONGLAKE ESTATES UNIT 17 SUBDIVISION TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, New Century Properties, L.L.C. have agreed to secure all permits and inspections required by the Shreveport Comprehensive Building Code. Said party having submitted a petition for annexation to the City of Shreveport, and having agreed to fully comply with the regulations of the City of Shreveport in connection with said property, all as set forth in Section 94-1, et. Seq., of the Shreveport City Code. Said request and petition are attached hereto.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that New Century Properties, L.L.C. be authorized to connect the proposed Longlake Estates Unit 17 Subdivision to the water & sewer system of the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provisions or items of this resolution or the application thereof are 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 resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt.

Councilman Wooley: It’s just good to see continual growth in the area.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 5. Nays: Councilman Walford. 1. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

ORDINANCES: None.

REGULAR AGENDA LEGISLATION

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

The Clerk read the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 35 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND STAGEWORKS OF LOUISIANA, LLC IN CONNECTION WITH AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD PROGRAM LOAN; TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT WITH REGARD TO THE AMENDMENT; AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, StageWorks of Louisiana, LLC ("Company") has leased the L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall (the "facility") from the City of Shreveport ("City") for the performance of one or more of the following permitted uses: a) a film, sound, light, movie, television, broadcasting, recording and arts production studio and/or other uses related thereto; (b) industrial enterprises which would have an economic impact upon the Shreveport, Louisiana area or the State of Louisiana; (c) economic development; (d) industrial inducement; or (e) activities which are described under Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:1122, et seq., the Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act; and

WHEREAS, the lease of the facility was authorized by Ordinance Number 2 of 2006; and

WHEREAS, on February 3, 2006, the City of Shreveport entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, acting through the Louisiana Department of Economic Development ("LED") and StageWorks of Louisiana, LLC ("Company") in connection with a $1,000,00.00 ("Loan Award") Economic Development Award Program ("EDAP) loan to Company; and

WHEREAS, the Agreement was authorized Resolution 86 of 2006; and

WHEREAS, the Loan Award is to be used by Company as payment for costs related to the redesign, update and conversion of L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall ("Expo Hall") into a start-up film/television/video/studio complex pursuant to the terms of the Lease Agreement; and

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Agreement, City will act as a conduit or pass-through for the loan funds with Company as the recipient of the funds; and

WHEREAS, the loan funds will be paid to City by LED and ultimately reimbursed to Company for eligible project costs and expenditures in accordance with provisions of the Agreement and Program regulations; and

WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend the Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City of Shreveport, to execute an amendment to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation and StageWorks of Louisiana, LLC in connection with the EDAP loan substantially in accord with the draft hereof filed for public inspection in the Office of the Clerk of Council on March 13, 2007.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorize to execute any and all other documents on behalf of the City of Shreveport with regard to the amendment.

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 application, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

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

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I spoke to Mr. Lester today about this, he says he has received the information that he requested, and he is okay with the Council adopting this as it sees fit to do so.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Bowman to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

2. Resolution No. 51 of 2007: A resolution supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Postponed April 10, 2007)

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Bowman to postpone. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

3. Resolution No. 53 of 2007: A resolution acknowledging that the City Council has reviewed the 2007 Internal “Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Report” concerning the North Regional and Lucas Wastewater Plants, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto..

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, we recently just today put that report at your desk. So, we would recommend that you might want to postpone.

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

Councilman Walford: Again everyone, the quiz will be next time.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 54 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE MAYOR’S EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 23, 2006 BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By:

WHEREAS, the City entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) dated March 23, 2006, for the purpose of utilizing funds made available by DEQ to assist with the repair or replacement of malfunctioning private sewage treatment systems near Cross Lake;

WHEREAS, the City has requested a six (6) month extension of the term of the agreement in order to ensure that the grant is fully and properly utilized for the above purpose, and has also requested changes in the budget provisions of the agreement which will facilitate satisfaction of the City’s matching obligations specified in the agreement, and the DEQ has agreed to the City’s requests; and

WHEREAS, in response to DEQ’s request for prompt execution of the amendment by the City, the Mayor has executed the amendment, subject to ratification by the City Council:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Shreveport, in due, regular and legal session convened, that the execution by Cedric B. Glover, Mayor, of an Amendment to the Cooperative Agreement dated March 23, 2006, between the City of Shreveport and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, a copy of which is attached hereto, is hereby ratified.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provisions or items 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 resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Bowman to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 55 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE USE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT BY LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILMAN WALFORD

WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in programs which directly benefit the school students and visitors of the City by participating in wholesome activities which serve to benefit the educational community; and

WHEREAS, Loyola College Prep desires to provide an educational benefit to its students by hosting the All-Schools Mass for the students; and

WHEREAS, Loyola College Prep has requested the use of certain city owned staging units, sound system, and chairs during the event; and

WHEREAS, the programs sponsored by Loyola College Prep provides an education opportunity to benefit the school which serves a public benefit and serves a public purpose.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the use of staging units, sound system, and chairs by Loyola College Prep on April 18, 2007 during the All-Schools Mass is hereby ratified.

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 application, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Wooley to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 56 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in programs which directly benefit the citizens of the City by participating in wholesome activities which serve to benefit the health of the entire community; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society, desires to provide an educational benefit and fund raising support to the community by hosting Relay for Life in Shreveport on May 4-5, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society has requested the use of certain city owned staging units during the event; and

WHEREAS, the programs sponsored by the American Cancer Society benefits cancer research which serves a public benefit for a public purpose.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the use of staging units by the American Cancer Society on May 4-5, 2007 during Relay for Life is hereby approved.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the use of the equipment by the American Cancer Society is conditioned upon the execution of an indemnity and hold harmless agreement by the American Cancer Society in favor of the City of Shreveport in a form acceptable to the Office of the City Attorney.

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 application, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Bowman to adopt.

Councilman Webb: What kind of equipment are we talking about here?

Ms. Stone: The Cancer Society has asked to use the stage that SPAR, (the City) owns. They’ve used it for the past few years for their walk that they do. It actually originates at the Mall St. Vincent.

Councilman Webb: Is that the one that’s going to be held at Lee Hedges Stadium?

Ms. Stone: Yes. It’s for the American Cancer Society.

Councilman Webb: Yeah. I don’t have a problem with it. The reason why I asked that is I received a phone call today in reference to one of our local sanitation companies that’s been asked to donate a box that day. I guess they’re going to be selling hot dogs, and whatever, and they’ve agreed to donate a can for them to throw away their trash. And Mr. Mayor, I was in hopes that we would be willing to not charge them for the waste when they carry it to Woolworth Road. Could we do that?

Mr. Dark: Mike’s smiling, but I don’t know what that means.

Mayor Glover: I’ll have to ask my lawyers. But certainly, we would not want a good deed to go punished.

Councilman Webb: Exactly.

Mayor Glover: So, we will find out what our options are in that regard.

Councilman Webb: Yeah, they’d gotten a notification from the landfill that it had to contact the Councilman on that. That they couldn’t just allow them to bring the waste in without charging them for it. Mike Strong knows all about it.

Mr. Strong: We have not in the past ever allowed somebody to go through, unless it was a sponsored with the City. If it is a sponsored project with the City, we have. One thing to understand, that at the landfill, we do have a contract right there, and it does cost us for every ton that goes into the landfill. This would have to be an issue that would come up, and I’m not sure what that would cause with any other functions that may be coming about on the same thing, that would be similar to that.

Councilman Webb: I would think that’d be such a small donation on the City’s part, I don’t see where we would have a problem with it.

Mr. Strong: But that would be something that we’d have to look at.

Mayor Glover: We’ll work with you on it.

Councilwoman Bowman: Yes, Shelly are you sure that it’s in Shreveport this year? It is?

Councilman Webb: Lee Hedges Stadium.

Councilwoman Bowman: Normally, that’s where it is. But I do recall reading prior somewhere that some activities were being held in Bossier.

Councilman Shyne: Was that in the Shreveport Times under Joel Anderson? Well no, there’s Joel right there. He usually prints quality information.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Out of the Chamber: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NUMBER 59 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY’S INTEREST IN CERTAIN ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES AS SURPLUS AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, there are numerous parcels of property which have been adjudicated to the City of Shreveport and Caddo Parish for non-payment of ad valorem taxes; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Caddo Parish under which Caddo Parish will undertake to sell or donate said properties as authorized in R.S. 33:4720.11 or R.S. 33:4720.25; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 26-294 of the Code of Ordinances, the city’s interests in said properties can be sold after the City Council declares them to be surplus; and

WHEREAS, the purchasing agent has inquired of all city departments regarding the property described herein and has not received any indication that it is needed for city purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened that the following described properties are hereby declared surplus:

Lot 4, Block 14, Queensborough Annex Geographic Number 171410-015-000400

Municipal Address: 2911 Jackson Street

Council District “G”

S. 25 Ft. of Lots 29, 30 & S. 25 Ft of E/2 of Geographic Number 181435-109-003100

Lot 28, Block 5, Allendale Heights Subdivision

Council District “A”

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith including but not limited to Resolution Number 122 of 2006 are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Bowman, seconded by Councilman Shyne to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Thompson, as we go to 60 and 61, did you have any conversation with Mr. Lester about these?

Mr. Thompson: He said that he would - - - that anything else in his district, he would prefer that it would be postponed until he got here.

8. Resolution No. 60 of 2007: A resolution accepting dedication for Audrey Lane and servitudes in King Oaks Unit No. 1, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

9. Resolution No. 61 of 2007: Accepting dedication for Audrey Lane and utility servitudes in King Oaks, Unit No. 2, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Bowman to postpone. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 62 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DEDICATION FOR HOUMAS COURT AND SOUTH PLAQUEMINE IN MIDDLETON PLACE UNIT 3 IN TWELVE OAKS AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal,

and regular session convened, that the dedication for Houmas Court and South Plaquemine in Section 9, (T16N-R13W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and as shown on the plats attached hereto and made a part hereof, be and the same is hereby accepted as dedicated to the public for public use in the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the original plat reflecting the dedication for Houmas Court and South Plaquemine be recorded in the official records of the District Court for Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

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 ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Webb to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 63 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT "BROADWAY SOUTH" LEGISLATION TO CREATE A TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR PERFORMANCE PRODUCTIONS AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By: Councilman Monty Walford

WHEREAS, Louisiana has an opportunity in the post-hurricane economic recovery process to emerge as Broadway of the South; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana is presented with an opportunity to capitalize on the benefits of federal enacted tax incentives, coupled with a proposed new state tax incentive, creating an environment ripe for economic development projects surrounding live performing arts; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana has suffered a loss of 1,409 travel and hospitality businesses and 33,000 related industry jobs post storm that need revitalization; and

WHEREAS, the Louisiana film tax incentive program has proven to be a very successful model in attracting film production projects and growing annual revenues in that sector from $20 million to $475 million in less than five years; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana's policy makers have a unique opportunity in the 2007 Legislative Session to expand the film tax incentives to the performing arts arena to attract first rate productions to Louisiana and create economic activity that will generate permanent jobs and businesses; and

WHEREAS, these incentives would attract revenue-generating services to producers, institutional investors and other production-related businesses; and

WHEREAS, hurricane impacted parishes can draw these investors with GO Zone federal tax incentive opportunities for investment in renovation projects or construction of new facilities to rebuild the physical asset base for live productions; and

WHEREAS, the Hurricane Regions and the state suffer from an image crisis in the post storm environment and this opportunity could help re-brand the state as Broadway South of the nation with positive marketing impact.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the City of Shreveport supports the "Broadway South" legislation to be filed by Senator Murray and co-authored by others that would create a powerful state tax incentive program for performance productions and related infrastructure projects, thereby boosting the tourism and hospitality industries of the State of Louisiana and related spending, providing the State a unique brand, additional jobs, and exceptional venues to improve the quality of life and economic base of the State.

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 ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Wooley to adopt.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I might try out for some parts for some of these movies. So, I think this is a good piece of legislation.

Councilman Walford: I think it’s an excellent piece of legislation, but there is some opera involved. Have you given any thought to trying out perhaps for the opera?

Councilman Shyne: Well, not really Mr. Chairman, but - - -

Councilman Walford: It may also cover Country Music.

Councilman Shyne: Country Music? Yeah. I have a good friend on the Council here, who could play the fiddle, and I can sing Country Music.

Councilman Walford: Isn’t it good that we can be this lighthearted?

Councilman Shyne: It is.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

RESOLUTION NO. 70 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 33 OF 2007 TO REQUIRE REPORTS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By: Councilman Walford

WHEREAS, discussions have been held with the author of Resolution No. 33 of 2007, the Office of the Mayor, and the management of the Hilton Shreveport Hotel (Shreveport Convention Center Hotel), and the parties have agreed to the following amendments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Resolution No. 33 of 2007 is hereby amended by deleting the third "Be It Resolved" clause and substituting the following:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said reports shall contain the following minimum information concerning the operation of the Hilton Shreveport Hotel: Number of rooms available, number of rooms occupied, percentage of occupancy, total number of groups booked within appropriate quarter, total number of group rooms within appropriate quarter, average number of rooms per day per group. The report shall show this information for year-to-date actual; year-to-date budgeted; the variance of actual-to-budgeted; and the actual for the same period preceding (last) year.

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 ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Wooley to adopt.

Mayor Glover: I’m sorry. This is the item that was added for introduction today?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir.

Mayor Glover: And we’re passing it today?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir.

Mayor Glover: Is this the one that changes the - - - I wasn’t aware that you all were going to seek passage on it today. I knew we were going to seek introduction. I know that it changes the format and the information required to be reported with the Convention Center Hotel?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir.

Mayor Glover: Okay.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, if it makes you uncomfortable, I will withdraw my motion.

Mayor Glover: Well, and I’m hearing here from Mr. Dark that it’s okay. Part of what I want to make sure of has been expressed to me that there might have been some proprietary information that might be - - -

Councilman Walford: If I may Mr. Mayor, Mr. Sibley from you staff and I met with the Hilton, when I wrote the original legislation, it didn’t dawn on me that I was asking for information that could be of tremendous benefit to others. Competitors. We are now in the hotel business, and so it would be competitors with us. So, this merely amends it to provide the information that I think the Council needs without giving away the farm.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, this is also gone to Ms. Pierre, and I assume to others. That’s she’s given it to others, and they’ve accrued this language.

Councilman Walford: Right. She was in the meeting representing Hilton as well as the Hilton General Manager. And this was their recommendation as well.

Mayor Glover: As you stated Mr. Chairman, since we are in the hotel business, I wanted to make sure that we do nothing to ourselves.

Councilman Walford: That’s the purpose of the legislation sir.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I might be out of order, but I see a good friend of mine that was a part of the past Administration, and I didn’t know whether he - - - I didn’t know how long he was going to stay for the Council Meeting. I just wanted to recognize him. Mr. Hall, it’s kinda good to see you back home. Hear? Thank you.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS (Not to be adopted prior to May 8, 2007)

1. Resolution No. 68 of 2007: A resolution authorizing donation of surplus Shreveport Police Vehicles to the Village of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

2. Resolution No. 69 of 2007: A resolution ratifying the signature of the Mayor on an intermodal transit facility agreement between the City of Shreveport and LSU Health Sciences Foundation, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Webb to introduce Resolution No(s). 68 and 69 of 2007 to lay over until May 8, 2007 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES (Not to be adopted prior to May 8, 2007)

1. Ordinance No. 68 of 2007: An ordinance creating Stop intersections within the city limits of the City of Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (C/Long)

2. Ordinance No. 69 of 2007: ZONING C-21-07: An ordinance amending various sections of Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, The City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Ordinance No. 70 of 2007: ZONING C-26-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the west side of Shreve Park Road, 175 feet north of Shreve Hills, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D, Urban, Multiple-Family Residence District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (E/Webb)

4. Ordinance No. 71 of 2007: ZONING APPEAL C-30-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the west side of Audrey Lane at its intersection with Thomas E. Howard Drive, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D, Urban, One-Family Residence District, to R-1D-E, Urban, One-Family Residence/Extended Use District, limited to “Property Manager’s Office and Community Space”, only, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

5. Ordinance No. 72 of 2007: ZONING C-31-07: Ann ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the east side of Portland Avenue at its intersection with Quinton Street, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from I-2, Heavy Industrial District, to R-2, Suburban, Multi-Family District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Walford)

6. Ordinance No. 73 of 2007: ZONING APPEAL C-33-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the southeast corner of West 84^th Street and St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from I-2, Heavy Industrial District, to R-2, Suburban, Multi-Family Residence District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Wooley)

7. Ordinance No. 74 of 2007: ZONING C-34-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the southeast corner of Linwood Avenue and Mount Zion Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana from B-2, Neighborhood Business District to B-3 (PBG) Community Business (Planned Building Group) District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Wooley)

8. Ordinance No. 75 of 2007: ZONING C-36-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on east side of Avalon, 230 feet south of Hoyte Drive, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D-E, limited to “A Daycare”, to R-1D-E, limited to “A Daycare and office”, only, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (E/Webb)

9. Ordinance No. 76 of 2007: ZONING C-37-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the west side of Mansfield Road, 250 feet south of McCutchen Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-2, Neighborhood Business District, Limited to “A Counseling Office and Transitional Housing”, only, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (E/Webb)

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Wooley to introduce Ordinance No(s). 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 of 2007 to lay over until May 8, 2007 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

Councilman Wooley: Mr. Chairman, actually on No. 73, Zoning Appeal C-33-07, I’d actually like to see that one remanded back to the MPC.

Councilman Walford: It’s strictly for introduction at this time though.

Councilman Wooley: Charles, can you come up? I have a question in regards to this. Can I ask a question real quick?

Councilman Walford: Art, can it be remanded now?

Mr. Kirkland: You have four.

Councilman Shyne: I think we can.

Mr. Thompson: Sure.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, I’ll second that if you want to remand it back.

Councilman Walford: How do we need to do this? Do we need reconsideration on the whole thing, or reconsideration on just 73?

Mr. Thompson: No, did you vote to put them already - - -

Mr. Thompson: Then I think you can just reconsider this one, and remand it.

Councilman Walford: Okay, so Mr. Wooley, your motion would actually be to reconsider 73 at this time. Am I correct?

Councilman Wooley: That’s correct.

Councilman Walford: Or, could it be a motion to reconsider and remand?

Mr. Thompson: It can be both if there are no objections.

Councilman Wooley: I’d like to make a motion for both.

6. Ordinance No. 73 of 2007: ZONING APPEAL C-33-07: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance by rezoning property located on the southeast corner of West 84^th Street and St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from I-2, Heavy Industrial District, to R-2, Suburban, Multi-Family Residence District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Wooley)

Motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Shyne to reconsider and remand Ordinance No. 73 of 2007 and remand it back to Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Councilman Wooley: Thank you Mr. Chairman, and the reason being to save time for this particular development.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE (Numbers are assigned Ordinance Numbers)

1. Ordinance No. 53 of 2007: An ordinance amending the 2007 Budget for the Community Development Special Revenue Fund, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Postponed April 10, 2007)

Having passed first reading on March 27, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

2. Ordinance No. 59 of 2007: An ordinance declaring certain adjudicated property to be surplus and to authorize the Mayor of the City of Shreveport to donate the City of Shreveport’s tax interest in a certain surplus adjudicated property, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (F/Shyne)

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Bowman to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

3. Ordinance No. 60 of 2007: An ordinance declaring certain adjudicated properties to be surplus and to authorize the Mayor of the City of Shreveport to sell the City of Shreveport’s tax interest in certain surplus adjudicated properties, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester/B/Walford/F/Shyne/G/Bowman)

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

4. Ordinance No. 61 of 2007: An ordinance amending certain sections of Ordinance No. 66 of 1963, Stop Intersections, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, that’s the first time I’ve gotten a ‘thanks’ from anybody for making a motion. Thank you again here.

Councilman Walford: Is this the one - - - I had an interesting phone call. I will tell y’all this is being watched by at least some of my constituents, who have been told “no” by Traffic Engineering. So, our phones may ring.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

5. Ordinance No. 62 of 2007: An ordinance levying a tax of eight and thirteen one hundredths (8 and 13/100ths) mills per dollar on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the bounds of the Downtown Development District of the City of Shreveport as defined by Act 554 of 1978, as amended, for the purposes as set forth herein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 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 Long to adopt.

Councilman Walford: And these are strictly renewals.

Councilman Shyne: I wanted to make sure because I’m not one of those ‘tax and spend’ Liberals. I wanted to make sure that this is not an additional tax that we’re putting on the backs of our citizens. That this is a renewal.

Councilman Walford: It is indeed a renewal sir.

Councilman Shyne: Am I right, Mr. CAO?

Mr. Dark: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, I can support it then.

Councilman Long: I would have never seconded it, had it not been a renewal.

Councilman Shyne: The Mayor and I are alike on that. We’re not ‘tax and spend’ Liberals.

Mayor Glover: Absolutely.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

6. Ordinance No. 63 of 2007: An ordinance levying various taxes totaling eighteen and eighty-two one hundredths (18 and 82/100ths) mills per dollar on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport for the year 2007 in the amounts and for the purposes described herein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 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 Long to adopt.

Councilman Walford: This is a renewal.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, I wanted to make sure. You know how tricky you politicians can be sometimes.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

7. Ordinance No. 64 of 2007: An ordinance levying a tax of twenty-seven and eighty-two one hundredths (27 and 82/100ths) mills per dollar on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport for the year 2007 for the purpose of paying principal and interest on the outstanding general obligation bonds of the City of Shreveport, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt.

Councilman Long: We have to continue to be able to pay our debt.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

8. Ordinance No. 65 of 2007: An ordinance amending the 2007 General Fund budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt.

Mr. Dark: Thank you Mr. Chairman. As we talked about yesterday, this is the one that allows us to award the low bid on Fire Station #22. We have been in conversation with the low bidder and are now satisfied that he meets the Fair Share requirements, and can now recommend that you go ahead and do this.

Councilman Shyne: I would recommend that we pass this one Mr. Chairman.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Lester. 1.

9. Ordinance No. 66 of 2007: An ordinance amending the 2007 Capital Improvements budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Long.

Amendment # 1 to Ordinance No. 66 of 2007

AMEND THE ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS:

In Program E (Water Improvements):

Decrease the appropriation for Amiss WTP Plants I and II Filter Improvements (98-E006) by $700,000. Funding source is 2000A URB.

Increase the appropriation for McNeil Plant Improvements (05E013) by $700,000. Funding source is 2000A URB.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENT:

This is offered by the Administration at the request of the City Engineer’s Office. It allows bids to proceed on the McNeill Plant project by using surplus funds in the Amiss Plant project.

Motion by Councilman Webb, seconded by Councilman Shyne to adopt Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 66 of 2007.

Councilman Wooley: Just a verification Mr. Dark. It says here we recently added $30,000 to the Fire Station #22 Project, and we recently added almost $500,000 to this project, so we’ll need an additional $26.5 (thousand) and the $30,000 the same money?

Mr. Dark: It’s the same money. I’m just leaving a little bit contingency room.

Councilman Wooley: Okay, just wanted to get clarification on the different amounts.

Councilman Lester: Are we on No. 66? Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Dark.

Mr. Dark: You just missed the question about the Fair Share requirement. We have been in contact with the contractor today. He has upped his Fair Share percentage to a point where we are ready to recommend that it be approved.

Councilman Lester: What is that?

Mr. Dark: A little over 15.

Councilman Lester: From?

Mr. Dark: Eight. From Zero.

Councilman Lester: Let me ask this question. Did the second highest, well I guess it would be the second lowest bidder.

Mr. Dark: There were only two.

Councilman Lester: Okay, alright. Well, did the second bidder include their Fair Share number?

Mr. Dark: That’s not normally collected until after you know who the low bidder is. So, that information was not necessarily available at this point. But we believe that the contractor has made a good faith effort and are ready to go.

Councilman Lester: My next question is assuming that the vote is carried in this particular issue, well, let me ask this question. As I appreciate it, the process dictates that before the actual contract is signed, that several - - - Mr. Gilliam’s office has to do a compliance analysis to determine whether or not the actual bidder was responsive. Was that still the case?

Mr. Dark: Yes sir, you’re not approving the award of the contract, and Sam will in fact do all those things. But the information that the contractor provided to Sam today is the basis for the recommendation that I’m giving you. But he will in fact do his due diligence before any of the rest of us see the contract.

Councilman Lester: Okay, alright. What I would say and I would just like to go on record with this to the Administration, I think it’s very important, critical that we get the message across to the contracting community, and the building community, and the people that we do business with, that Fair Share is not just a game, and it’s not something that they can just decide just arbitrarily and capriciously what part of the rules they decide to adhere to and what parts they don’t. I’ve always taken the position, and unfortunately on this Council, it has been a minority position, but still I’m going to continue to advocate it, that a good faith showing on a Fair Share contract is when someone shows up with the 25%, with a local minority contractor, ready, willing, and able to do the work. And I think that we need to get beyond - - - and I understand for a multiplicity of reasons what our limitations are legally. But I do think that the Administration does have a bully pulpit, and does have some ways to get that message across to the contracting community. And I would hope that the Administration would send a message that Fair Share is important to the long term economic viability, not for just for African-American Shreveport, but Shreveport in general. And that it doesn’t matter who the contractor is, if he does not show up with 25%, then we are going to take the position that that is not responsive. Obviously, there are certain instances where if there is not a (inaudible), then that’s something completely different. But I just can’t believe when we’re talking about a brick and mortar project like building a fire house or fire station, that 25% of that work can’t go to a local minority company, that’s ready, willing , and able to do the work. And I’m just - - - I’m concerned about that. And I’m particularly concerned that this particular bidder manifested an attitude that he was not going to do it. And it seemed like, you know he drew his line in the sand, and rather than to adhere to what the spirit and the actual letter of the law, he has to be drug kicking and screaming. And I just in good conscious continue to support scenarios where members of the contracting community just decide that they arbitrarily and capriciously don’t want to follow the law. And I don’t think this is one of those scenarios. So, I would just implore the Administration to make this - - - make an example. And if it means that we have to make a couple of contractors mad to get the point across that we’re dead serious about adhering to the Fair Share, I think that needs to be done. So, I would ask the Administration to take that stand. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Lester, for your benefit, we’re voting on Amendment No. 1 at this time. And I have to say, you used the word three different times that I have used in the previous Council, and that was the ‘local’. And I think it’s important that we use local minority contractors to build capacity in Shreveport. Other discussion?

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, not only local minority contractors, I think it’s advantageous that we use local contractors anytime we can. I think it’s of the utmost importance that they understand that we’re about helping our people here in Shreveport, who pay taxes. Who work hard and pay taxes. And I know that the Administration understands that, but I would hope that (I’m going to call Mike Strong’s name, and I know Mike does) but I would hope that we would always keep that in mind.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester , Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, and Shyne. 6. Nays: Councilwoman Bowman. 1.

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt Ordinance No. 66 of 2007 as amended. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester , Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, and Shyne. 6. Nays: Councilwoman Bowman. 1.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, before we go on to 67, I just want to comment on the matter that was previously discussed. I want you all to know that I did in fact meet on yesterday with the contractor that’s involved with this particular situation. We did have what I guess some might describe as a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting. And I want you all to know that my signature is not yet on this particular contract. I value the goals and objectives of the Fair Share Program, as much as anybody on this Council. In fact, it’s my desire and intention as Mayor of this city to have it do actually what it was I believe, originally intended and envisioned to do. And that is to grow the level of opportunity and wealth in under-represented communities throughout this city, in particularly our minority community. And I want you all to know that I take that with the utmost seriousness, and agree with you wholeheartedly that when individuals show up down here, and respond to the various offerings that we have with something less than a 25% Fair Share, then I think that they are in fact not comporting themselves with the intent and the spirit of that measure. But more so than that, we’ve got to work to make sure that we get Fair Share focus on both local and those who are most in need of access to greater opportunity. To have a Fair Share Program that is neither local or ends up affording and extending an opportunity to those who hide behind shells and shams, do us very little good as well. And I want you all to know that we’re working as we speak right now to address and eliminate both of those problems. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, you used that word that I really like. I heard you say local.

Mayor Glover: Well, you can shells and shams to it as well.

Councilman Shyne: There you go. Now. See how you like that.

10. Ordinance No. 67 of 2007: An ordinance amending the 2007 Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund and otherwise providing with respect thereto

Having passed first reading on April 10, 2007 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 Long to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, we’ve completed all the ordinances that can be adopted, however two resolutions were postponed because Mr. Lester was not here. They are 60 and 61.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Lester, would you like to make a motion to suspend the rules and consider those?

Councilman Lester: Please.

Councilman Walford: For reconsideration is what you’ll really - - -

Councilman Lester: Okay. That would be my motion Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Mike, the reason I know that is, I’ve been down here for so many years.

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Bowman to reconsider Resolution Nos. 60 and 61 of 2007. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 60 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DEDICATION FOR AUDREY LANE AND UTILITY SERVITUDES IN KING OAKS UNIT NO. 1 AND OTHERWISE

PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal,

and regular session convened, that the dedication for Audrey Lane and Utility Servitudes in Section 17, (T18N-R14W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and as shown on the plats attached hereto and made a part hereof, be and the same is hereby accepted as dedicated to the public for public use in the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the original plat reflecting the dedication for Audrey Lane and Utility Servitudes be recorded in the official records of the District Court for Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

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 ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 61 OF 2007

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DEDICATION FOR AUDREY LANE AND UTILITY SERVITUDES IN KING OAKS UNIT NO. 2 AND OTHERWISE

PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal,

and regular session convened, that the dedication for Audrey Lane and Utility Servitudes in Section 17, (T18N-R14W), Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and as shown on the plats attached hereto and made a part hereof, be and the same is hereby accepted as dedicated to the public for public use in the City of Shreveport.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the original plat reflecting the dedication for Audrey Lane and Utility Servitudes be recorded in the official records of the District Court for Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

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 ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

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

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Shyne to adopt Resolution Nos. 60 and 61 of 2007. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

The adopted ordinances and amendments follow:

ORDINANCE NO. 53 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 BUDGET FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

BY:

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to amend the 2007 budget for the Community Development Special Revenue Fund, to adjust appropriations, reflect current revenue estimates and for other purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that Ordinance No. 166 of 2006, the 2007 budget for the Community Development Special Revenue Fund, is hereby amended as follows:

In Section 1 (Estimated Receipts):

Under "Fiscal Year 2007 Funds":

Appropriate State Housing Grant at $100,000.

In Section 2 (Appropriations):

Under "2007 Revenues":

In Housing and Business Development, appropriate Housing Program - State Grants at $100,000.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

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

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

ORDINANCE N0. 59 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING A CERTAIN ADJUDICATED PROPERTY TO BE SURPLUS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT TO DONATE THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT’S TAX INTEREST IN A CERTAIN SURPLUS ADJUDICATED PROPERTY, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has a tax interest in the herein below described property which has been adjudicated for the non-payment of City property taxes; and

WHEREAS, the herein below described property is not needed for public purposes and should be declared surplus property; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has received a request to donate its tax interest in the herein below described property as indicated below.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened that the following described property is hereby declared surplus:

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the City Council of the City of Shreveport does hereby authorize the donation of its tax interest in the herein below described property.

Property No. 1: Legal Description - Lot 30, Block 2, T & P Subdivision, a subdivision located in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat recorded in Book 150, page 331 of the records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#171416-048-0030-00) Municipal Address - 3744 Morrow Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: NONE APPRAISED VALUE: $600.00 DISTRICT F

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport shall be authorized to do any and all things and to sign any and all documents, including an Act of Donation, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney necessary to effectuate the purposes set forth herein.

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

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

ORDINANCE N0. 60 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES TO BE SURPLUS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT TO SELL THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT’S TAX INTEREST IN CERTAIN SURPLUS ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has a tax interest in the herein below described properties which have been adjudicated for the non-payment of City property taxes; and

WHEREAS, the herein below described properties are not needed for public purposes and should be declared surplus properties; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has received offers to purchase its tax interest in the herein below described properties as indicated below.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened that the following described properties are hereby declared surplus:

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the City Council of the City of Shreveport does hereby authorize the sale of its tax interest in the herein below described properties for an amount not less than the offer as indicated below:

Property No. 1: Legal Description - Lot 465, Caddo Heights Subdivision, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 50, Page 35 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#171413-116-0465-00) Municipal Address - 1460 Lash Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $70.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $450.00 DISTRICT B

Property No. 2: Legal Description - Lot 52 of Vernon Annex, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 2846, Page 319 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#171414-082-0052-00) Municipal Address - 1834 Lyons Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $1,000.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $4,200.00 DISTRICT B

Property No. 3: Legal Description - Lot 17, Block 3, Breezy Hills Subdivision, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 250, Page 226 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#181434-043-0017-00) Municipal Address - 2856 Metal Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $500.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $2,500.00 DISTRICT G

Property No. 4: Legal Description - Lot C, Arie Brooks Partition, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 900, Page 399 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#181416-003-0003-00) Municipal Address - 3019 Montana Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $225.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $1,500.00 DISTRICT A

Property No. 5: Legal Description - Lot 133, Cooper Heights Subdivision, Unit 4, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 800, Page 371 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#181418-022-0133-00) Municipal Address - 3027 Stafford Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $100.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $600.00 DISTRICT A

Property No. 6: Legal Description - Lot 132, Cooper Heights Subdivision, Unit 4, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 800, Page 371 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#181418-022-0132-00) Municipal Address - 3029 Stafford Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $180.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $1,200.00 DISTRICT A

Property No. 7: Legal Description - Lot 131, Cooper Heights Subdivision, Unit 4, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Book 800, Page 371 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#181418-022-0131-00) Municipal Address - 3031 Stafford Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $180.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $1,200.00 DISTRICT A

Property No. 8: Legal Description - Lot 436, Cedar Grove Subdivision, a subdivision in the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 50, Page 389 of the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, together with all buildings and improvements located thereon.

(GEO#171425-059-0436-00) Municipal Address - 359 West 79^th Street

AMOUNT OFFERED: $100.00 APPRAISED VALUE: $600.00 DISTRICT F

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport shall be authorized to do any and all things and to sign any and all documents, including Acts of Cash Sale, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney necessary to effectuate the purposes set forth herein.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 61 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF ORDINANCE NO. 66 OF 1963, STOP INTERSECTIONS, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, Section I, item 99, of Ordinance No. 66 of 1963 created a two way stop intersection at Atkins Avenue and Wheeless Avenue, stop at Atkins Avenue; and

WHEREAS, it has been requested that the above referenced intersection be created as a four-way stop intersection requiring that all traffic and vehicles approaching this intersection shall come to a full stop before entering the intersection;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in regular and legal session convened, that the intersection of Atkins Avenue and Wheeless Avenue is hereby made and created a four-way stop intersection requiring that all traffic and vehicles approaching this intersection shall come to a full stop before entering the intersection.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 62 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE LEVYING A TAX OF EIGHT AND THIRTEEN ONE HUNDREDTHS (8 AND 13/100THS) MILLS PER DOLLAR ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO AD VALOREM TAXATION WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AS DEFINED BY ACT 554 OF 1978, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PURPOSES AS SET FORTH HEREIN, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that:

An ad valorem tax of Eight and Thirteen One Hundredths (8 and 13/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the bounds of the Downtown Development District, as defined by Act 554 of 1978, as amended, for the year 2007, and to be expended by the Downtown Development Authority for administration, operational expenses, capital improvements, project expenses or the retirement of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, all in accordance with the results of a special election held November 5, 2002, and this shall be full authority to the Tax Assessors of Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish to extend said tax on the assessment rolls of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Director of Finance, Ex Officio Tax Collector of the City of Shreveport, be and she is hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to cause said taxes, as herein above set forth, to be spread upon the tax roll of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007, to collect said ad valorem taxes for and on behalf of said City, according to law, and to place the same to the credit of the funds described herein above as provided for and authorized by the special election held on November 5, 2002. The taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and the collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Clerk of Council shall provide a certified copy of this ordinance to the Tax Assessor of Caddo Parish and the Tax Assessor of Bossier Parish immediately after its final passage by the City Council and approval by the Mayor.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 63 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE LEVYING VARIOUS TAXES TOTALING EIGHTEEN AND EIGHTY-TWO ONE HUNDREDTHS (18 AND 82/100THS) MILLS PER DOLLAR ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO AD VALOREM TAXATION WITHIN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT FOR THE YEAR 2007 IN THE AMOUNTS AND FOR THE PURPOSES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due and legal session convened, that an ad valorem tax of Ten and Ninety-nine One Hundredths (10 and 99/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of general operating expenses of the General Fund.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of Eighty-nine One Hundredths (89/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of operating and supplying recreational facilities and appurtenances and maintaining the same, title to which shall be in the public, in accordance with the results of a special election held April 5, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of One and Fifty-seven One Hundredths (1 and 57/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of providing revenues sufficient to enable the City of Shreveport to provide a three-platoon system in the Police Department, now in effect in the City of Shreveport in accordance with Act 323 of the Legislature of Louisiana for the year 1936.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of One and Nineteen One Hundredths (1 and 19/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of improving, repairing, and maintaining the streets of the City of Shreveport, title to which shall be in the public, in accordance with the results of a special election held April 5, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of One and Nineteen One Hundredths (1 and 19/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of continuing the salary and wage schedule of City employees, in accordance with the results of a special election held April 5, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of One and Nineteen One Hundredths (1 and 19/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of police and fire personnel and allowance for uniforms and equipment for said departments in accordance with the results of a special election held April 5, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that an ad valorem tax of One and Eighty One Hundredths (1 and 80/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007; for the purpose of providing funds for the City's portion of pensions, employee life insurance and hospitalization plan for City employees in accordance with the results of a special election held April 5, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this ordinance shall be full authority to the Tax Assessor of Caddo Parish and the Tax Assessor of Bossier Parish to extend said taxes on the assessment rolls of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Director of Finance, Ex Officio Tax Collector of the City of Shreveport, be and she is hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to cause said taxes, as herein above set forth, to be spread upon the tax roll of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007, to collect said ad valorem taxes for and on behalf of said City, according to law, and to place the same to the credit of the funds described herein above as authorized by law. The taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and the collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Clerk of Council shall provide a certified copy of this ordinance to the Tax Assessor of Caddo Parish and the Tax Assessor of Bossier Parish immediately after its final passage by the City Council and approval by the Mayor.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 64 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE LEVYING A TAX OF TWENTY-SEVEN AND EIGHTY-TWO ONE HUNDREDTHS (27 AND 82/100THS) MILLS PER DOLLAR ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO AD VALOREM TAXATION WITHIN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT FOR THE YEAR 2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE OUTSTANDING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that:

An ad valorem tax of Twenty-seven and Eighty-two One Hundredths (27 and 82/100ths) mills per dollar of assessed valuation be and the same is hereby levied on all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the City of Shreveport, for the year 2007, for the purpose of paying the principal and interest on the outstanding general obligation bonds of the City of Shreveport, and creating a reasonable reserve for the payment of such principal and interest as the same respectively become due and payable, and this shall be full authority to the Tax Assessor of Caddo Parish and the Tax Assessor of Bossier Parish to extend said tax on the assessment rolls of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007.

.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Director of Finance, Ex Officio Tax Collector of the City of Shreveport, be and she is hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to cause said taxes, as herein above set forth, to be spread upon the tax roll of the City of Shreveport for the year 2007, to collect said ad valorem taxes for and on behalf of said City, according to law, and to place the same to the credit of the funds described herein above as authorized by law. The taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and the collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Clerk of Council shall provide a certified copy of this ordinance to the Tax Assessor of Caddo Parish and the Tax Assessor of Bossier Parish immediately after its final passage by the City Council and approval by the Mayor.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 65 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to amend the 2007 budget for the General Fund to shift funds between departments and for other purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that Ordinance No. 163 of 2006, the 2007 General Fund budget, is hereby amended as follows:

In Section 2 (Appropriations):

In General Government, decrease Operating Reserves by $30,000 and increase Transfer to Capital Projects Fund by $30,000.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the remainder of Ordinance No. 163 of 2006 shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 66 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By:

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to amend the 2007 Capital Improvements Budget to appropriate additional funds and for other purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that Ordinance No. 164 of 2006, the 2007 Capital Improvements Budget, be further amended and re-enacted as follows:

In Program A (Buildings and Improvements):

Increase the appropriation for Riverfront Parking Structure (05A001) by $30,000. Funding source is Downtown Parking Fund.

In Program I (Fire Improvements):

Increase the appropriation for Construct Fire Station #22 (04I001) by $30,000. Funding source is General Fund.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the remainder of Ordinance 164 of 2006, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect.

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

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

Amendment # 1 to Ordinance No. 66 of 2007

AMEND THE ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS:

In Program E (Water Improvements):

Decrease the appropriation for Amiss WTP Plants I and II Filter Improvements (98-E006) by $700,000. Funding source is 2000A URB.

Increase the appropriation for McNeil Plant Improvements (05E013) by $700,000. Funding source is 2000A URB.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

ORDINANCE NO. 67 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 BUDGET FOR THE DOWNTOWN PARKING ENTERPRISE FUND AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to amend the 2007 budget for the Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that Ordinance No. 175 of 2006, the 2007 budget for the Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund, is hereby amended as follows:

In Section 2 (Appropriations):

Decrease Operating Reserves by $30,000.

Appropriate Transfer to Capital Projects Fund at $30,000.

Adjust totals and subtotals accordingly.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the remainder of Ordinance No. 175 of 2006 shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

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

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

Councilman Walford: And Mr. Lester, for your benefit, we did postpone one other item that you had mentioned yesterday that you’d prefer to postpone.

Councilman Lester: Yes, yes I do. I do appreciate that.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, the first item we need to consider today is No. 10. It was postponed yesterday until today, it was HBO0500136. That’s the 2171 David Raines Road.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Resolution No. 100 of 2006: Authorizing the release of mortgages and cancellation of promissory notes executed by Shreveport Publishing Corporation (now Snap Property, LLC) in favor of the City of Shreveport in connection with the neighborhood improvement leveraging project and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Introduced June 13, 2006 – Tabled - November 28, 2006)

2. Ordinance No. 122 of 2006: An Ordinance to amend portions of Chapter 90 of the Code of Ordinances relative to traffic and vehicles and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester) (Introduced August 22, 2006 – Tabled - November 28, 2006)

3. Ordinance No. 131 of 2006: Amending certain sections of Chapter 38 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances relative to housing and property standards and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Introduced August 22, 2006 – Tabled November 28, 2006)

4. Ordinance No. 204 of 2006: An ordinance amending the 2006 Budget for the Riverfront Development Special Revenue fund and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Disparity Study) (A/Lester) (Introduced November 14, 2006 – Tabled December 12, 2006)

5. Ordinance No. 205 of 2006: An ordinance amending the 2006 Capital Improvements Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Introduced November 14, 2006 – Tabled December 12, 2006)

6. ABO APPEAL: Mr. Marcus Stephens, 8500 Jackson Square Apt., #18E, Shreveport, LA 71115 (D/Wooley) GiGi’s Martini Room, Commerce Street, Shreveport, LA) (B/Walford) (Postponed January 23, 2007 until outcome of upcoming trial)

7. Ordinance No. 13 of 2007: ZONING APPEAL – C-101-06: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, the City of Shreveport by rezoning property located on the south side of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop 1500 feet east of Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-A, Residence Agriculture, to B-2 Neighborhood Business District, with PBG (Planned Building Group) approval, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Wooley) (Remanded to MPC February 13, 2007)

8. Resolution No. 184 of 2006: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into, or request the Authority to enter into, one or more Swap Agreements, all in connection with certain outstanding bonds of the City or the Authority and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Tabled February 27, 2007)

9. PROPERTY STANDARDS APPEAL - HBO070006: - 1901 Perrin St., Shreveport, LA (A/Lester) Rev. Wilbert L. Malone, 7819 Gideon Street, Shreveport, La 71106 (D/Wooley) (Postponed until October 8, 2007)

10. HBO0500136 - 2171 David Raines Road, Shreveport, LA (A/Lester), Mr. Luther Moore 3946 Trent Drive, Shreveport, La 71119 (A/Lester) (Postponed April 9, 2007)

Councilman Walford: Ms. Moore, will you be? Ms. Glover, welcome.

Councilman Lester: Good afternoon Ms. Glover. What I was asking in speaking with Mr. Bowie yesterday, and looking at the Fact Sheet that was prepared for us, it appears that the bill - - - well the question I asked was when was the actual date for payment processed, or when was the actual work completed by the contractor? When did the contractor submit the invoice to indicate the work had been done?

Ms. Glover: January 25^th.

Councilman Lester: January 25^th?

Ms. Glover: Uh huh.

Councilman Lester: Okay, alright. It appears from the information that we were given that the, that we’ve got main structure demolition 1250 square feet, and there’s a price associated with that. Secondary structure, 196 square feet, and there is a price associated with that. And then you’ve got Administrative Fees and Total Fees. Okay, the problem that I had with that is from all indications, the building was torn down by the property owner, and that in fact the thing that was done, was that there was a debris cleanup as opposed to a demolition. And from the information that I’m sitting here looking at, is it appears as if our contractor charged for a demolition of a structure, when that wasn’t the case.

Ms. Glover: No, the contractor didn’t charge us for the demolition, we actually submitted that as a demolition. Once the time expired for the Board Order, and the owner hadn’t complied, we proceed on just as we would with a demolition case. We don’t start it over as a care of premise. The owner has so many days to either rehab or demolish. He indeed demolished it, but he didn’t remove anything. So this still constitutes a demolition.

Councilman Lester: So, my question is the fee that was associated with the hauling off of the trash, that was the $2125?

Ms. Glover: That was for the actual demolition cost. I’m not sure if I have anything in my files that indicate what it actually cost to remove it as a care of premise. Cause we didn’t process it as a care of premise.

Councilman Lester: Okay, and I guess that - - - well, let me tell you where I’m going. Cause I want to be fair. I think the owner should have taken care of cleaning it up. They didn’t. They should have, but they did tear the building down. But they didn’t haul it off. I don’t think they should be charged a fee for the demolition of the building, but I do think they should be charged a fee for the hauling off of the material. And so my motion is going to be to charge to amend the bill to reflect the actual cost of the hauling off of the material. But I want to find out exactly how much that is.

Ms. Glover: I won’t be able to give you a cost. What happens is if we had submitted as a care of premise, the contractors would have gone out to bid on that. So, I don’t have any bids as far as what any contractor would have charged for a care of premise.

Councilman Lester: Well let me ask this question. When we have had to do major cleanups like that, do we have an average? Can we research what the average is for cleanups?

Ms. Glover: It’s no way that we can do that. Because they submit what they really want to charge for a care of premise.

Councilman Lester: Hmm. So, so and I’m going to turn it over to you in just one second. So, the invoice that we have here, the contractors charged us for a demolition, and they gave us a demolition rate, even though they did not actually do a demolition?

Ms. Glover: They didn’t give us a demolition rate, we charge according to the square footage Xs the type of structure it is. So, it was a wood frame structure.

Councilman Lester: Right.

Ms. Glover: And at that time, we charged $1.70 per square foot.

Councilman Lester: I guess this is where I’m trying to go. If the building was demolished by our contractor, I would have absolutely no problem telling these folks our contractors demolished this building, and this is what the bill was, this is what you have to pay. So sorry, you should have taken care of this. However, in this instance it is clear that the owner did demolish the building. So, I think the only thing that we could properly charge them for is the demolition of the secondary structure which clearly they did not do, our contractor did, the administrative fee which is standard and practice under the ordinance, and the fee for the actual cost of hauling off the wood. Because clearly after they demolished this 1250 square foot building, they just left a pile of trash, and we had to get our contractor to take it off.

Ms. Glover: Right.

Councilman Lester: What I’m trying to get to is, what is that number. And I don’t know how we - - - okay, well how about this? Mr. Chairman, subject to any other questions, I’m going to move that the bill be amended to include the cost of the demolition of the secondary structure, the administrative fee, and the true cost of hauling away the trash, and task the Department of Community Development to come up with that amount.

Councilman Shyne: I’ll second that. Thank you Mr. Lester.

Councilman Lester: And if in fact, the owner after that is done, have any quarrel with that, then they would have the opportunity to appeal that to us at that time. That would be my motion.

Councilman Shyne: I’ll second that.

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Shyne to the bill be amended to include the cost of the demolition of the secondary structure, the administrative fee, and the true cost of hauling away the trash, and task the Department of Community Development to come up with that amount..

Councilman Shyne: There is a new word that you call guestimate. Have you heard that word before?

Ms. Glover: Yes.

Councilman Shyne: And I think sometimes we have to do that. I think it’s a very injustice, and I’m not saying this because Mr. Moore might have been a neighbor of the Mayor, and he might have been a student of mine, and he might have been a friend of Larry English. But I don’t think it’s fair the way he was charged, and I think Councilman Lester has come up with a good solution to that, and I would hope that you would work to solve that. Is Mr. Moore in the house? Yeah, Mr. Moore, we don’t want you to get run over by a train, hear? Okay.

Councilman Long: I just had a general comment or question, is that given what I’m hearing about the conditions or the facts of this case, the situation you guys - - - y’all are in the process of going through your process to get this situation demolished, and then the homeowner or the property owner came and actually did the function even though y’all were pretty far down the track before to stop it or to switch tracks that quickly. So, I guess from a procedural standpoint, is this something that we need to look at or address through our Property Standards discussion? I just want to make everybody aware that that’s something that we probably need to think about, because this is probably not the first time this has happened, it’ll happen again. And I agree with the solution that Councilman Lester is trying to come up with and in the process, the City is out some money, in trying to do all this, so I just think we need to kinda be aware of that and try to factor that into our discussions about all that.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, in response to that, I think we could easily pick up a telephone and make a call and tell the contractor that the building or whatever has been demolished. And it doesn’t make any sense to pay somebody for doing something they’re not going to do.

Councilman Long: I agree with that Councilman Shyne, but I think what’s happened is that contractor, they went out to bid for that situation, so you have a whole process that’s been in place relative to the amount of money involved to perform a certain function. Now again, through our discussions with Property Standards and procedures and policies, we may decide well, maybe when they bid that, they should bid a debris removal versus a demo cost, so you have two numbers to play with, and when you get to that crossroad, you can say okay, well look, the building’s down now, you can go to the different phase of your quote or your bid. But again, those are again, policies procedure (inaudible).

Councilman Shyne: That’s why you have a telephone to call him, so you we can (inaudible).

Councilman Long: Well, I understand that.

Councilman Shyne: You know, and that makes it a whole lot easier, and that should be known with the contractor in the beginning. Same thing with cutting grass. If you send a contractor out to cut a lot, he gets out there, and the lot is already cut, if it’s my property, I don’t want him coming on my lot. I don’t want him coming and just going over the lot, and we have that a lot of time. And all this ought to be a part of the process. You know, if it’s not, then it’s something wrong with the process. I mean the process is flawed. If you can’t stop - - - I mean this is not a life or death situation, we’re not talking about somebody operating on somebody, and you get to this particular point, and I can’t stop it. I mean, tearing down a house or cutting a lot, I mean, the process couldn’t be that complex where Wooley, you couldn’t pick up the telephone and call and say look, it’s been cut. Or either when he gets there, you say it’s been cut. All of that should be a part of the process when you contract with these guys. You know not a life or death situation, where I get there, and because I’m there, then I’m going to go ahead on and do it anyway, and I’m going to charge you for doing a job that doesn’t need to be done. I mean, we’re not being fair to our citizens when we do that. So, if that’s a part of the process, I mean if that’s what you all have been doing, then we need to look at the whole process. Cause this is not a life or death situation, where we can’t stop, because you can.

Councilman Walford: I agree.

Councilman Shyne: Thank you sir.

Councilman Walford: But I’m going to jump into this now. On 11-29, it was inspected, and it says ‘structure demolished by owner’, the debris still remains. A reinspection on 12-19, the inspector saw it again, and it was demolished. Why in the world would we spend city money, $2125, to pay somebody that we didn’t contract with until 1-31-06? Two months later. A little over two months later, when we already knew that it was torn down, and then we gave somebody a contract, and paid them with our city tax dollars to tear it down when it was already done. Sounds to me like, there was a little communication problem within Code Enforcement.

Ms. Glover: Well, with that process with the demolition, we don’t normally contact the contractor to tell them that it’s been torn down. We allow the owner so many days to tear it down or rehab it. In this case, he failed to comply.

Councilman Walford: No ma’am. You sent the board order on 11-22-05 with ten days to rehab or demolish the structure. November 22^nd of ’05. On November 29^th, seven days later, your inspector says the structure was demolished by owner. Debris, content of structure and secondary structure still remains. What we’ve got here is a big waste of city money. There’s no way around.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Davis, you need to start getting in that business.

Ms. Glass: Mr. Chairman, Ms. Scott and I were just discussing Mr. Lester’s suggestion that you make a decision, but make it contingent on a decision by the Property Standards Board or Staff as to what the amount should be. There’s really not a mechanism for that to then be re-appealed to the Council. It’d be sort of like you’d need to retain jurisdiction, or y’all going to lose control of the case, so you might want to postpone it until you get that amount.

Councilman Walford: Could you amend your motion?

Councilman Lester: Okay, well I’d amend my motion to postpone it until our next meeting.

Mr. Thompson: May 7^th.

Substitute motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Shyne to postpone until May 7, 2007.

Ms. Moore: Let me clarify something. What we typically have had happen is that the demolition case would have been closed, and if he left the debris, we would have gone back out there. I just wanted to clarify that.

Councilman Walford: I think that’s what all of us were thinking should have happened.

Councilman Shyne: Ms. Moore, before you leave, please make that a part of the process. Not only for a house, but even cutting a lot.

Ms. Moore: I’ll make it clearer.

Councilman Shyne: If that contractor goes out there and that lot has been cut already, that’s tough. I mean, let them know, if you go there and the work has been done already, we’re not going to pay you. For you to just go over something, because you’re contracted to go out there and do it.

Ms. Moore: This year, we instituted the before and after pictures. Before they can get paid, they have to show that there was a violation when they went there, and they have to show us that they cleared it up when they left.

Councilman Shyne: And the inspector in that area need to be informed by that contractor, that I’m going to such and such address in order to cut a lot. Because I’ve had too many people to call me and say, hey Joe, my lot was cut already when they came out there, and I’m being charged $50 or $75, hey I don’t think it’s fair. I know I would jump up. Mike if it was me, I’d jump up and raise all kind of hell with you. If you’re going to charge me $75 for a mistake that you made. Now, if you’re going to pay the $75, then I don’t have no problem. But the contractors need to know that because we’re getting too many calls. And that’s not a whole lot of work to do. Mr. Mayor, I’ll get off the council and you know for $75, a mistake like that, I mean I need some bread at home. So, lets look at our process and see if we can’t redo that process.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, is the motion to postpone with a strong suggestion as to how the matter ought to be resolved.

Councilman Walford: I think Mr. Lester has made a very strong suggestion.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, I take that offer back. I don’t want to get off the Council (inaudible)

Councilman Walford: But you did demolition?

Councilman Shyne: No, (inaudible)

11. ZONING APPEAL - C-14-07: Property located on the northwest corner of E. 70^th Street and Clyde Fant Parkway. (C/Long) (Postponed April 9, 2007)

Motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Shyne to postpone until May 8, 2007. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

12. SUBDIVISION REQUEST - SC-15-07: Property located on the northwest corner of Green Terrace Road and Dean Road – Summer Grove Neighborhood. (E/Webb) (Postponed April 9, 2007)

Motion by Councilman Webb, seconded by Councilman Shyne to overturn the decision of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and deny the application.

Councilman Webb: I’ve talked with both parties on this thing, and I’ve been out to the location, and looked at it very strongly, and this particular corner lot is going to be extremely difficult to ever find a suitable way to divide up these lots if they ever wanted to, and the way the they’re wanting to do it right now, I just don’t see it working. I just think - - - I don’t want to remand it back to the MPC, I just rather deny it.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

PROPERTY STANDARDS APPEALS:

HBO0700047 – 1834 Simpkin Drive, Shreveport, LA (A/Lester) Mr. Archie Tisby, 1756 Simpkin Drive, Shreveport, LA (A/Lester) (Postponed April 23, 2007 until May 7, 2007)

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES:

Councilman Long: We didn’t have a quorum at our Audit and Finance Committee, so we will reschedule. So be looking out for the new date.

Councilman Walford: I have a recommendation. I think Mr. Lester will probably bring it to the board, but I’ll pass it to you sometime before we meet please.

CLERK’S REPORT: (To be considered May 8, 2007)

Mr. Thompson: The only item remaining would be the Zoning Appeal C-30-07, which we received and the Zoning Appeal C-33-07.

Councilman Walford: Okay, and both of those will be considered at our next meeting.

Letter dated April 2, 2007, Executive Appointment of Ms. Evelyn Miller to the position of Risk Manager, Department of Finance to be considered May 8, 2007.

LETTERS OF APPEAL:

1. Zoning Appeal C-30-07, Property located on the west side of Audrey Lane at its intersection with Thomas E. Howard Drive; Mr. Walter Perry, 2812 Freddie Street, Shreveport, LA 71107

2. Zoning Appeal C-33-07, Property located on the southeast corner of West 84^th Street and St. Vincent Avenue; Ms. Karen Miller, T.A. Miller, Inc., 712 Milam Street, Suite 201, Shreveport, LA 71101.

THE COMMITTEE RISES AND REPORTS: (Reconvenes Regular Council Meeting)

ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.

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//s// R. M. Walford, Chairman

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