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Council Proceedings of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana

November 11, 2008

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana was called to order by Chairman Joe Shyne at 3:09 p.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2008, in the Government Chambers in Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

Invocation was given by Councilman Wooley.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Walford.

On Roll Call, the following members were Present: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Absent: None.

Motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Long to approve the minutes of the Administrative Conference, Monday, October 27, 2008 and Council Meeting, Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

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

Councilman Shyne: Okay, we’re getting ready to go into awards and recognition of distinguished guests by City Council members, not to exceed fifteen minutes.

A. Awards and recognition of distinguished guests by City Council members, not to exceed fifteen minutes.

Councilman Shyne: Council Members, I want to remind you that no longer than 15 minutes, and I hope you all will cooperate with me. This keeps from extending the Council Meeting. Before I ask any Council Members for any distinguished guests, Ms. Stacy Brown. Ms. Brown, would you come forward. Ms. Brown has a very important announcement. I know Tom Dark knows about it already. So, Ms. Brown.

Ms. Stacy Brown: Good afternoon Councilmen. I appreciate you allowing me to come before you again today. Yesterday I mentioned that we were bidding on ASA (American Softball Association) Annual Conference. We went this morning to do the bids, and I’ve actually got several employees there. They traveled with Shelly Ragle from the city, also representatives from the (inaudible) Convention Center. And one of their members of the association. We had been narrowed down previously from the original bids to the top three cities. That was Shreveport/Bossier, Orlando and Colorado Springs. We knew we had our work cut out for us in giving our presentations, so we worked ahead of time with Tim (inaudible) to do a special video, to really encourage them to come to Shreveport/Bossier. They have never been here, but they’ve never held their conference in the State of Louisiana. So we’re really excited about the opportunity. We sponsored a reception for them. Gave them the commissioners and special guests. After their vote, they did decide to come to Shreveport/Bossier. This will be over 3300 room nights, and they will be coming in the first week of November in 2010 which is very much a neat period for us, November, December, and January are our exposed months. So this is a fantastic conference for us to bring in. Not only does it means those are direct room nights, but these are all commissioners who have the opportunity to bring softball tournaments to us. And with the great improvements the Mayor is making out at Cargill Park, that will be a tremendous asset for us in the future as well. We appreciate the City working with us very closely on this bid, and we were glad that we were able to beat out Orlando, and bring it home.

Councilman Shyne: Just before you leave, any comments from this distinguished Council? You all look so energetic, and - - -

Councilman Wooley: Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to say congratulations for all your hard work, we really appreciate it, I’m really excited about it. I mean, you guys are fantastic.

Councilman Shyne: And I guess you all see how important it is to have a great communicator representing our city, and Ms. Brown you are excellent at communicating the opportunities and the advantages we have here in the City of Shreveport.

Ms. Brown: I have a great team working with me.

Councilman Shyne: We appreciate you for that. Thank you very much. Okay, any other Council Member have any important guests?

Councilwoman Bowman: Yes sir, at this time, I’d like to recognize my Commissioner, Sam Jenkins, and Commissioner Jim Smith, who are here with us today. It’s a pleasure to have you here.

Councilman Shyne: Joyce, I thought those were two old timers, I didn’t know that they were special guests. Sam, I think Joyce kinda put me up to say that now. Okay, any other Council Member? And Joyce, I appreciate you staying within the time limit. Mr. Mayor?

B. Awards and recognition of distinguished guests by the Mayor, not to exceed fifteen minutes.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Shyne, thank you. Mr. Shyne, I’m going to ask that before we proceed any further in today’s council proceedings, that we stop and pause for a moment and recognize that today is Veteran’s Day. And we’re asking you to please stand up and share a moment of silence in honor and recognition of all of those who have served our great country. Thank you Mr. Chairman and Members of the Council. I have the distinct pleasure members of the Council of being able to present a group of outstanding individuals for honor and recognition. We’re going to start while we are still awaiting the arrival of one, we’re going to start today recognizing a young lady who has at this point already been recognized by the Shreveport Fire Department, but I thought it would be more than appropriate to bring her here before this Council, and before the City to be recognized as well for her outstanding heroic actions, and that young individual is Ms. Bethany Hudson-Noble. Bethany Hudson-Noble is an outstanding and caring professional nurse. She was recently honored by the Shreveport Fire Department receiving hit’s highest civilian honor. The Civilian Letter of Commendation. Her heroic act save the life of a man she’d never met until Sunday, September 21^st while shopping at Brookshire’s on Line Ave. Paramedics arrived to find Bethany and another nurse who to date remains anonymous performing CPR on a breathless and unconscious individual, Mr. William Hayford. He had been shopping and collapsed on the floor. Bethany was there at the right place, and thankfully at the right time. Her quick thinking and life saving actions in the first few critical minutes saved Mr. Hayford’s life. Today, he is both alive and well, thanks to the extraordinary heroic actions of this young lady, Mr. Hayford’s guardian angle. Bethany Hudson-Noble. Bethany, in recognition of your outstanding service, it is my great pleasure to present to you this Mayor’s Award of Excellence.

Ms. Hudson-Noble: Thank you so much. I think sometimes we don’t realize when you’re in the healthcare profession, this is something that you do, this is something that you do on a consistent basis, it’s something that you do in a controlled environment in the hospital all the time. It’s a very different thing at Brookshire’s. And we’re just so grateful that there are people out there who are willing to stand up and make a difference and use the skills that they have, and it’s such a wonderful impact, and you know that you’re there for the right reason. And that someone put you there, this is a patient that was in cardiac arrest and I am a cardiac ICU nurse. That does not just happen. And I’ve spoken with Mr. Bill, and he and I are fast friends now. More importantly, I’d like to mention something that I’ve spoken with Ms. Campbell about. (Inaudible) in the Shreveport Fire Department, these wonderful guys behind me, we’re very excited about starting something at possibly a community outreach, where we can get nurses who volunteer and CPR instructors who volunteer to really teach the community how to use CPR. It’s something that you really just don’t realize, that first few minutes, is what saves a person’s life. Not only that, it improves their quality of life. I think it’s maybe 1% of people to have CPR performed on them walk out of the hospital with no neurological problems. And Mr. Bill happened to be that one person. And that’s because someone was there who knew how to do CPR, and so I think that’s something really important for our citizens of Shreveport to learn. Thank you.

Mayor Glover: I also believe you have some family members with you. Would you ask them to please stand and be recognized also. Let’s at least read their names into the record.

Ms. Hudson-Noble: Okay, this is my dad, Don Hudson and Naomi Hudson. This is my husband David and our son Christopher Noble.

Mayor Glover: Alright, we are not only today graced with one life saver, we are blessed to have the company of two. Mr. Ron Davis, would you please come forward and join me here up front? Is that your family also? Come on up here ladies. Mr. Ron Davis is a 19 year old. I didn’t even have whiskers that long when I was 19. God bless. Mr. Davis, lives at 1821 St. Paul Street here in Shreveport. And he is here today to be recognized as well for his heroic life saving efforts. On Sunday, October 26^th, a little after 5:00 in the morning, Mr. Davis noticed his neighbor’s house at 1824 St. Paul was in flames. Knowing that two elderly men lived in the home, Mr. Davis tried to get inside through the front door, but was stopped due to heavy smoke. She then rushed to the back door, and saw the two men struggling to get out of the burning home. One was paralyzed, and had been dragged near the back door by the other man. Mr. Davis quickly rushed in and picked up the paralyzed man, threw him over his back, and took the man to safety. The other man was then free to escape the burning home, and the actions of Mr. Davis saved them both. As Mayor, I am proud to honor and have young men like Ron Davis as citizens of the City of Shreveport. People who like Ms. Hudson-Noble don’t think twice when it comes to helping others. Mr. Davis, I’m honored today to present to you this Mayor’s Award of Excellence.

Mr. Davis: First I’d like to say thank you for this award. To the Mayor, thank you. I appreciate this award. The whole action in the chain of events that happened, it was just like you know humans are going to be humans, and if you got a heart, you’re going to use it. And also I would like to mention that I got an application in for the Fire Department, (want to get that on record), I am going for the Fire Department. And I really just want to say thank y’all and I really appreciate it. I’ve got my mamma that came up here with me, Lawanda Davis, my sister, Tasha, my neice, Tiana Davis (inaudible). This is one of the main reasons that I do the stuff that I do for my nieces and nephews, because they all look up to me, my brothers and my sister. They look up to us, and we’ve got to set examples for them. And I would love for them to grow up and do these things, because that’s why I do the things that I do.

Chief Crawford: Mr. Davis, truly what you did, I can’t underscore, unlike what you said, most people wouldn’t have rushed into a burning house. It’s true, but he did. He did something extraordinary. People expect the fire department, fire fighters, police officers to do those types of things. They’re not seen as much today in the society that we live in. And when you do something extraordinary, extraordinary recognition is called for. The Mayor has recognized you with his Award of Excellence, and now the Shreveport Fire Department bestows to you it’s highest Civilian Commendation Honor, Ron Davis, in recognition for your life saving actions on October 26, 2008, we commend you. Because of your willingness to become involved when your neighbor’s house caught fire, you entered the structure at great risk to your own personal safety and helped the two residents from the burning structure. I award you this commendation on 11/11/08 and award you a Fire Department Medallion as well. Thank you for your service to the City. I also just want to make a note, Councilman Lester is the one that brought this to our attention to my office. He emailed me, we were following up on it. We had gotten some news the night before about that, that he had prompted some expeditions actions to make sure that Mr. Davis was recognized, I want to thank you for that.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, when you mentioned St. Paul, that kinda reminded me. I believe you used to belong to a church named St. Paul that was last given by your grandfather.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, you shouldn’t speak in the past tense.

Councilman Shyne: I thought you had moved your membership to the Cooper Road.

Mayor Glover: No, no, no, no. We love St. Luke, but St. Paul, Pastor Johnny Larkins is where I remain.

Councilman Lester: Mr. Chairman, not to interrupt, I just wanted to take an opportunity before the Davis’ left, just to publicly thank them for what they do. Once before, I think earlier, maybe two meetings ago, we had Mr. Claude Marshall who was here. A gentleman in a wheel chair, who is Mr. Davis’ uncle. They are a family that is very, very, very invested in what’s happening in the Allendale community. They watch out for their neighborhood. They do some great things. They’re opening a store in the neighborhood. The thing that’s important about that is it’s going to be one of the first convenience stores that’s been opened in that neighborhood, since we’ve started this process of redevelopment, and more important than that, they didn’t ask for a liquor license. So, those that think that you have to have a store in Allendale, and it has to be based on liquor, Mr. Marshall and his family are going to prove them differently. So, I wanted to thank Ms. Lawanda and Ron and everybody because I have seen them work in the community, I’ve worked campaigns with them, worked with a number of other things, but they are truly an example of the fine folks that live in Allendale. That many times you pass by and you type cast them because they look a certain way, or they wear their clothes a certain way, but there are family values that are going on in that community, and they are doing great things. And I thank the Chief for being so willing to recognize them. And hopefully I will be granted the opportunity to sign a letter of support for his application to the Fire Department. You know some people have the - - - what is it, you have to have the ‘want to.’ And I think certainly Ronald has a ‘want to,’ to do an excellent job, and I know he’ll make a great fireman. So I just wanted to take an opportunity to thank them publicly. Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you Mr. Mayor, and thank you Davis Family for everything that you’re doing in Allendale.

Councilman Shyne: And to the Davis Family, if you all are not selling liquor, I will drive all the way across town to do some shopping with you. God bless you.

Mayor Glover: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Let’s give both of these great heroes another round of applause. Members of the Council, it is my great pleasure to be able to recognize two outstanding institutions of higher education. In fact I ran into one group as they were returning back from Washington, D.C., I believe just a couple of weeks ago. We were all in the airport and on the plane coming back together. I want to ask the fine folks from Caddo Middle Magnet along with Ms. Robinson, please join me here at the podium. We are blessed and honored to have here inside the City of Shreveport, in Caddo Parish some of the finest schools not only in the state of Louisiana, but anywhere in the country. And nowhere do we find greater proof of that than at the Caddo Middle Magnet and Caddo Magnet High School. Both of these schools recently, and lets go ahead and have the Caddo Magnet folks join us here as well. Both of the schools recently earned the 2008 No Child Left Behind Ribbon School designation. The Blue Ribbon is the highest honor an American school can achieve. The honor is given by the United States Department of Education. Only 320 schools in the nation can earn “Blue Ribbon” status each year. And we are blessed to have two of those schools right here in Shreveport. They are selected based on one of two criteria. Schools with at least 40% of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state test. Or, schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10% of their state on the state’s standardized tests. Caddo Middle Magnet and Caddo Magnet High both were awarded their No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon status for scoring in the top 10% on state tests. Caddo Middle Magnet and Caddo Magnet High are the only middle and high schools in Louisiana recognized with this honor by the Department of Education this year. If you want to have a way to calculate my age, and you’ll be able to reach that general neighborhood by calculating that it was 25 years ago. In fact May 25, 1983 that I was blessed to graduate in the first class of Caddo Magnet High. So, those of you who are mathematicians can pull out your pencils and begin to calculate. Ms. Mary Rounds is the proud principal of Caddo Magnet High, who is not able to be here with us today. In fact, they had a wonderful Veterans Day ceremony this morning there at the school. But she is represented here today by Mrs. Queen Snyder, and she is here along with other members of the staff to receive this award. And Mr. Louis Cook is the proud principal of Caddo Middle Magnet High School, the only middle school in the state to receive this national honor. This is Mr. Cook’s first year as Middle Magnet’s principal, and he shares in the excitement and honor of being a Blue Ribbon school with Mrs. Kay Robinson, who is now retired, but helped to create the launching pad that Mr. Cook now stands on as the head of Caddo Middle Magnet. She was principal at the time of the Blue Ribbon submission. So, they are both here today. Mr. Cook to accept at Caddo Middle Magnet. And Mrs. Robinson, for you your own award for architect of the submission and Mr. Cook helped to successfully guide it on home. So, Mrs. Robinson that you and Mrs. Snyder and Mr. Cook to offer some comments and we’re going to start with you Ms. Robinson, if you will.

Mrs. Kay Robinson: Well first of all, we’d like to say that we’re very proud of both Magnet, I think I can speak for them and Middle Magnet. At a time when you’re hearing so many bad stories about schools, we stand before you with some very good news. And I can tell you that having been in every school in Caddo Parish, every school in this parish is proud of what they’re doing, and they work very hard, many under very difficult circumstances. But I can tell you that we believe under our new superintendent that there are going to be some great strides in public education here. And our two schools are very fortunate, we know that. But we also know that it is important that the children who are motivated that do that two and three hours of homework every night, those teachers who go above and beyond to provide incredible opportunities for our children, and for the parents who support and come out, give their time, their money, their resources. That’s what makes the difference. And we know that. And when we stood on that stage, that national stage in Washington, D.C., and accepted this award, we were accepting it for many, many people. Certainly in Shreveport, this is great news, and we are very proud of that, and from Caddo Middle Magnet today, we brought Ms. Ginger Gustafson, who was the teacher that headed the committee that wrote the project that was sent in, a representative of our student body, we have the President of the Caddo Middle Magnet Student Council, Ms. Brooklyn Brown, and the President of the Builders Club. Now you’ll know Builders Club better as a baby Key Club. We start in Middle School getting ready, and the President of that is Ms. Hannah Fitzgerald. Imagine our surprise in Atlanta, as we were walking through the airport waiting for our plane, we pass a bookstore, and there is Mayor Glover. So we had the opportunity to visit with him and tell him how excited we were and to ask if we could come and share that good news with you today, and of course he graciously (inaudible) and of course Ms. Gwen Campbell is always so wonderful and answers that phone every time we call, which is often. Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to share this good news with you.

Ms. Snyder: Good afternoon Mayor Glover and Council Members. We want to thank you from Caddo Magnet High School, I take this opportunity to thank all of you for presenting this award to us. And I must echo the same thing that Mrs. Robinson said, not only for Caddo, but for the district. Caddo Parish Public Schools, we represent all of them. Our motto is to help and to award excellence and education to all of our students. And that’s our goal at Caddo Magnet to improve student achievement across the board. So, we take this as a very special honor to be recognized among some of the nation’s top schools and receive this Blue Ribbon Award. And with me this afternoon, I have Ms. Karen (Inaudible) who is also on our committee, Mrs. Laura Abington. So thank you again, not only for Caddo Magnet, but for Caddo Parish Schools.

Mr. Doug Cook: I also would like to say thank you to the City Council, and primarily Mayor Glover for the recognition we received today. I humbly accept this on behalf of the all the students, faculty, and parents of Caddo Middle Magnet, and everybody associated with the Caddo Parish School Board. This was a tremendous honor, I certainly take no credit for that. Ms. Robinson, with her leadership and guidance and the direction she’s provided over the last 7 ½ years as principal of Caddo Middle Magnet have certainly lead the way and I will tell you that she accepted that good job from Judy Moncrief and from (inaudible), and I really want to thank the Mayor and his office for attending the renaming of the Performing Arts Center at Caddo Middle Magnet on October 26^th, but the bottom line is I do accept this, I do appreciate this, and I’m so humbled and honored to be in your presence today to receive this recognition on behalf of Caddo Middle Magnet. Thank you all very much.

Councilman Long: As a City Councilman, I want to thank both Caddo Middle Magnet and Magnet High for what you’ve achieved here in this award. And as a parent I want to also personally thank you, because all three of my kids went through Middle Magnet and Magnet High, and I assure you the education that they receive is outstanding and I can only attribute their success in college and in life to the training they got there, and I want to personally on behalf of my wife and family, thank you for that.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, cause I guess I hate to say this, I almost said as a retired Caddo Parish Educator and now, that doesn’t have anything to do with my age, when I say retired educator, but I do want to let you all know that we are extremely proud of what you all do in the education system. The educational system of the underlying fiber for everything that we do, not only here in Shreveport, Louisiana, but in America. And you know education is going through a lot of changes all over America. And the new President has said that education will be one of his priorities. This is the thing that really makes America so great. Is the fine public education system. And remember I’m saying what? Public Education System. Because if you live in America, you have an opportunity to get an education, and an education is that something that equips to enjoy that quality of life and to be able to do what God want’s you to do. So, my heart goes out to you all, and like I say as a retired educator, I know, Ms. Robinson, I know you know what educators have to go through on a day-to-day basis. So, God bless you and you all are the background of America.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor I’d hoped to say this before Ms. Noble left. But I think her idea of bringing medical professionals, our fire department, and perhaps working with SPAR and teaching our citizens CPR, can save a lot of lives and just be a really good thing. She’s an example of what can happen. And I would be at the head of the line to take a refresher because I haven’t had CPR since ’97 or ’98. But I think it would be a great thing if we could coordinate it. I saw Brian nodding his head, and you’re nodding your head, so we’re two-thirds of the way there.

Mayor Glover: I would agree with you Councilman Walford. I would also add I think, one additional caveat to that, and that is that we get some recommendation from Chief Crawford as to what the level of (AED) presence we have across both city buildings as well as public buildings in general throughout the areas like grocery stores and what have you. And for folks who are not familiar with the acronym AED, I believe it is Automatic Emergency Defibrillator, am I correct?

Chief Crawford: Correct.

Mayor Glover: Which I know combined with having a citizenry that is skilled in CPR helps to save the lives of so many people everyday. So I think that’s an outstanding idea. And would ask that the Chief give us some direction and guidance in that regard as we hope to be able to have something to come in and talk to Council about at some point in the future.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, just before we move on, I believe we have somebody else who lives with an educator, whenever he’s at home.

Councilman Lester: Right, and the key works.

Councilman Shyne: Right, and his key still works.

Councilman Lester: Right. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to take an opportunity just to say again, thank you to Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Cook for what they’re doing for the folks at Middle Magnet. Certainly I have a connection at Middle Magnet. That’s where I matriculated, but even more than that, my mother taught there for quite some time, and retired from there. And so they have great leadership tradition. Ms. Robinson and Mr. Cook. Mr. Cook was able to convince my mother to come out of retirement to teach at Northwood, so that says something for him. And I do want to take the opportunity just a personal liberty to tell him I really appreciated how they worked with her at Northwood in making things a lot easier for her. But when you’ve been in the school system for 30+ years, and definitely old school, you have some habits, but then you have a lot of things that - - -

Councilman Shyne: Tell him Ms. Robinson, be careful.

Councilman Lester: No, this we’re talking about Mom Joe, so it’s all good. But I do want to tell Mr. Cook I appreciate the way he worked with her, and that means a lot to me, and certainly to her students that are still there at Northwood to be able to have that level of experienced teacher working with your children and providing them some of the gaps makes a great difference. So I just wanted to take the opportunity to tell him thank you publicly, and let him know she holds him in a very, very high regard. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Wooley: Thank you Mr. Chairman. I just want to personally say congratulations to Middle Magnet and Magnet High. Like Councilman Long, it’s personal for me. I’m a former student of Middle Magnet and a graduate of Magnet High back in 1991. And so definitely appreciate the education I received from both of those schools. Definitely appreciate how you represent our Parish and City very well. So, thank you.

Councilman Shyne: Thank you Mr. Mayor, we’re back in your hands.

Mayor Glover: I just simply want to thank the Council for the time, and again, stress that as we share with folks, whenever we bring them in to talk about coming to Shreveport or we go other places to share with them the story of Shreveport, that while we recognize that we have some challenges in some areas with regard to our public school system, without question, we possess some of the very finest schools, not just in Louisiana, but anywhere in the country, and these two schools here today are without questions examples of that. So we thank them for their efforts, their work, and their contributions to Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. And I’m not quite sure how you all kept time on this today, but I thank you for your indulgence, because I’m sure we’re at least a shade or two past fifteen minutes.

Councilman Shyne: Well we’ll pause just a few minutes to give y’all an opportunity to leave. Joyce, that was so cute. I’m sorry, did I call your name?

C. Communications of the Mayor relative to city business other than awards and recognition of distinguished guests.

Reports: Property Standards Report: None.

Councilman Shyne: Jim, again, I just want to commend you and thank you for the fine job that you’re doing. And you know how you can pass by some of the churches, and they’ll have a little sign that says, “God did it.” I started to make a sign that sign saying, “Jim Holt did it.” And Mr. Mayor, let me say this. You remember early on, I want to say about eight months ago, you and I, and I believe you had your sidekick, Mike Strong with you, we kinda took a little tour of Hollywood Heights?

Mayor Glover: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: Well, Jim has been back out, and he’s really making a difference. So, Jim, I won’t put the sign up, but I’ll just tell folks that Jim did it.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Shyne, I’m the one that took him back out.

Councilman Shyne: Well I don’t know how he got back out, but however he got back out, we appreciate it.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, before you wrap up, just a couple of quick things. No. 1, as I have a notice here in front of me, and I’m sure you all have as well. I want to make sure that everyone is aware that this Saturday, November 15^th the Highland Area Partnership is having the 5^th Annual, I believe, Highland Jazz and Blues Festival. As you see my lovely assistant, Mr. Walford.

Councilman Walford: I figured I would stand and hold this today.

Mayor Glover: Is holding up the official poster. That kicks off this Saturday at noon, and runs until 6:00 p.m., and is going to be filled with outstanding music and foods and frivolity and it is completely free. No charge and I’ll let Mr. Walford at some point later on some news on who some of the performers and other folks are. So, that’s going to be at Columbia Park this Saturday from noon till 6:00. A great part of the Shreveport Community. The second thing I want to make mention of is this coming Saturday as well, I believe starting at 11:00 we will have the Fall Festival for City of Shreveport Employees. That will be at Festival Plaza, downtown, starting at 11:00 a.m. and I think it will go until 5 or 6 if I’m not mistaken, and we certainly want to encourage you to come out and join with us the Fall with our employees.

Councilman Shyne: I think maybe three of those entertainers, I think we got Councilman Long, who might bring his guitar out and Councilman Wooley has a beautiful voice, and I’m told that Councilwoman Bowman is pretty good on the piano. Okay, lets move on.

Councilman Walford: Councilman Shyne, you failed to mention that I said that when you came to the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, I would do everything possible to get you the opportunity to sing.

Councilman Shyne: I think I’m hoarse. I’m a little hoarse, so I’ll have to pass that performance up, but thank you for the invitation. Okay, we now have a public hearing on the 2009 Budget Appropriation Ordinances.

Public Hearing: Proposed 2009 Budget Appropriation Ordinances

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Thompson, I will declare the Public Hearing open. Do we have a presentation from the Administration?

Mr. Dark: Mr. Shyne, in keeping with your wishes, a brief one.

Councilman Shyne: Thank you sir. I appreciate you cooperating.

Mr. Dark: (Inaudible) to this public hearing are Ordinances 129-146 of 2008, which are the City’s proposed budget ordinances for 2009. They total a little over $455,000,000 which is slightly less than the budgets for 2008. The main budget for the City, General Fund is approximately $195,000,000. That is also slightly down from 2008. The City Council was provided the submitted budgets from the Administration, at the first of October. They’ve had a number of budget meetings already, they will have a number of additional one before final passage. The City Charter requires that the budget be passed by December 15^th. There’ve been a lot challenges with this budget. We’re by no means through so the public’s input is welcome.

Councilman Shyne: Are you - - -?

Mr. Dark: I told you brief.

Councilman Shyne: I can’t believe it. God is good.

Councilman Lester: Now it’s your turn Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Dark: Can you do that?

Councilman Shyne: Calvin, you’re so bad. Okay, anyone here to speak in favor of the budget? Going once. Going twice. Do we have anyone that would like to speak in opposition to the budget? If not, Mr. Mayor I would just like to make one or two comments, and they will be very brief. I appreciated what you said on yesterday when we were talking with the - - - with SPORTRAN. I would like since our friend, T. Boone Pickens, came to the City of Shreveport, and we do have a new President Elect who, one of his priorities is to make America energy free, and I think we need to look at utilizing alternative sources of energy. And I think we need to look at how we can gradually phase in as much as we can, using natural gas with some of our vehicles. I’m told that there will be quite a bit of federal dollars coming down, that states will be able to use in order to (I’m not a mechanic), but whatever they do to change a vehicle over from gasoline to natural gas. And I was glad to hear you say, I was a little, I don’t want to say disappointed, but it seems like there might have been just a wee bit of maybe opposition from SPORTRAN in saying, ‘hey we’re going to look into this, or we’re going to get ahead of the ballgame, because this is the way America is going. And I was glad to hear you say that you’d been looking into that, and that was something that you were hoping that the City of Shreveport, and not only the City of Shreveport, but I’d like to see the Parish Commission, and when I talk to the Superintendent and School Board, I’m going to suggest to them, that I think this is something that Shreveport could do, because the city owns a lot of natural gas. And I think it would be advantageous area if we could look into making sure that we’re up front when these federal dollars start coming down. I appreciate it, if you have a remark, you can, and if not, I’m going to close this public hearing.

Mayor Glover: Well Mr. Shyne, I just wanted to say in regards to the commentary you heard from Gene Eddy last night in the budget hearing, I don’t think that would necessarily be interpreted as opposition. I think that for many folks like Gene, who’ve been in public transportation industry for as long as he has, they’ve seen this particular scenario before. In fact I think as we mentioned, my first term on the City Council, we had a similar dictate that came down from the federal government that called for municipalities to begin to make higher use of alternative fuel vehicles, and even for a period of time, I believe around 1992, Mike if I’m not mistaken, the City of Shreveport had a significant fleet of natural gas powered vehicles. I can remember there were trucks, and some others, and they continued to go as long as the incentives came down from the federal government. Those incentives went away, and so the ability for local government to have the wherewithal to make that happen, also went away. And I think part of what’s happening right now, is that in July, we were at $140 a barrel for oil, and $14 for natural, and now we’re under $60, if I’m reading the computer here correctly right now per barrel for oil. And probably somewhere about $5 for natural gas. And so that kinda ends up driving sometimes the inclination of the private sector to want to really get out and actively push to help make these things happen which is also where the government comes in with lots of the tax incentives and what have you. So I think hopefully, what we’re going to see is a general absolute commitment that regardless of where we are right now in the market, that we’re going to push more towards trying to take advantage of alternative fuel opportunities. And that’s going to take some stick-to-itiveness that won’t end up being affected and impacted by the whims of the market. One of the other important things that’s going to go along with that will have to do as Mr. Pickens discussed, he did have a chance to meet with me directly with Mike Strong during his visit here, since I was out of town, but one of the things that was discussed and I did have prior knowledge of, that one of the things that we’re going to need here in a state like Louisiana, if we want to fully take advantage of this opportunity is to be prepared to go to Baton Rouge to talk to our Governor and to our Legislators to kinda follow a path that was initially set by Oklahoma, where at the state level, they began to put in place some of the incentives that you need in order to be able to see that broader more expanded use of natural gas take place both in a governmental level and at a private level as well. But I welcome your enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of the Council, as we hope to see this be a direction that the country moves toward. Because the thing that I tell people that’s great about being here in Shreveport right now is not only do we have a great deal of natural gas that’s available to us, we also have experience in automotive industry, and the other thing is that natural gas represents the nexus from combustion power in terms of petroleum based to natural gas, and natural gas leads from there on to hydrogen. And hydrogen is what is thought to actually be the ultimate future, where we’re all trying to get with regard to alternative fuel vehicles. And we can be a big part of that here in Shreveport, and it could be so wonderful for all of us.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, and I think it will, and I think the technology has improved so much since maybe 10 or 15 years ago when we had just started kinda getting into it. And we kinda lost the interest of it, but the technology is so much better now, and I think oil is down like you said, about $60 a barrel, but I look for the next 12-18 months, and it’s going to be back up there, and we’re going to be running and scrambling in America to see what we can do. But I think we’re on the right road, and I think every time we get an opportunity to push this, and I hope they are looking at this in Baton Rouge since we do have a very young and bright governor in Baton Rouge that they are looking at this, because I’m told that there are other states who are looking at this also. So, if we don’t get ahead of the ballgame, Louisiana is going to be left out. Because I had some friends who are in California who are in state government, and this is what they’re looking at. They are looking at it and of course, I would say that we probably have more natural gas right now, of course you’ll never know what they’re going to find later on, than they do in a lot of other states. So, they’re looking at it in places like California and Oregon, we’re sitting on a gold mine, and I would hope that our governor would take advantage of the future, because the technology is here.

Mayor Glover: Well to his credit Mr. Shyne, that was actually a part of the discussion that he and I along with Council Member Webb had with the folks at General Motors when we were up in Detroit several months ago. We spoke with him about the great opportunity that the Haynesville Shale represents and obviously, our state’s interest in partnering with General Motors to be a part of the GM of the future.

Councilman Shyne: Right, because General Motors and other companies are looking at building vehicles that will use alternative sources of fuel. Natural gas, electricity, and whatever else. So I just think that this is a great time for us to make sure that we get ready to take advantage of it. And again Mr. Mayor, thank you.

Mayor Glover: And to GM’s credit, and that’s something that I think we’ll have a little bit further discussion about later on in the meeting, courtesy of Mr. Webb, but to their credit, during the U.S. Conference of Mayors, General Motors actually was one of the corporate sponsors, also provided us a courtesy vehicle. And to each of the hotels that the various mayors across the country were headquartered, they provided a fleet of natural gas powered sports utility vehicles that were used to transport groups of mayors back and forth, all as a part of trying to showcase the technology that’s out there and available and their efforts of trying to be a part of that economy of the future.

Councilman Shyne: And this is what we want to do. And no reflection on Gene Eddy, and I know he’s been in the transportation business a long time. But sometimes when you try something Mr. Davis, and you get bit once, you might not want to try it again. But you just have to keep on, that’s how you get to be successful. When you think about people with the light bulb. The guy tried hundreds of time before he came up with the right solution. He could have easily said, I’m going to give this up. So, I’m saying that to say we have to continue to make sure that we’re on the cutting edge of technology.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Shyne, I just want to make one brief comment about the budget since we’re still in the public hearing, and that is to say that this council is going into great, great depths on the budget with support from our staff, and the Administration to make sure that during these hard economic times, to put it real bluntly, we’re getting the most bang for the buck, and that we provide the services that are essential to our city, and there are some difficult decisions to be made. But I want the public to know that we’re putting a great deal into it and making sure that we protect their interest. I thank Sharon from our staff, Tom and the Administration and the Mayor from their side to make sure that we come up with the best possible budget.

Councilman Shyne: would you say that we’re trying to cut out all the fat that we can and stretch out all the lean?

Councilman Walford: I would say it looks like a rubber band that’s been stretched as far as it’s going to go, but we’re working at it.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, we’re trying to cut all the fat out and we’re trying to stretch all the lean. If there are no more comments, this this public hearing is now closed.

Adding Items to the Agenda, Public Comments, Confirmations and Appointments.

Adding Items to the Agenda (Clerk reads items into the record - public comments allowed on items proposed to be added, then items can be added only after unanimous vote [See Act 131 of 2008])

The Clerk read the following:

1. Resolution No. 267 of 2008: Approving the 2009 Budget for the Shreveport-Bossier Conven5tion and Tourism Bureau and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

2. Resolution No. 268 of 2008: A resolution to recognize the Sisters in Support Project, to encourage participation in their breast cancer workshops, and to congratulate Sisters in Support as they celebrate their third anniversary on November 15, 2008, at Holiday Inn Downtown Shreveport, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Resolution No. 269 of 2008: A resolution to request federal support for the United States automobile industry, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

4. Ordinance No. 162 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Downtown Development District Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Walford to add Resolution No(s). 267, 268, and 269 of 2008; and Ordinance No. 162 of 2008 to the agenda.

Councilman Shyne: At this point, do we have anybody in the audience that would like to speak in opposition of adding these pieces of legislation to the agenda? Do we have anyone in the audience that would like to speak in favor of adding these pieces of legislation to the agenda? If not all in favor, vote Yea, opposes, Nay. And Councilman Walford, I appreciate you going along with me on that procedure.

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

Public Comments (Comments on items to be adopted)

Mr. John Darrett: (2528 Merwin) Council, I appreciate this opportunity to come before you this afternoon. I come before you because of the concerns of the neighborhood. My neighbors drafted me as the spokesperson. I was cutting my yard and Shirley Britt who lives in the 2600 block came up and pleaded with me to come down and see if I could get the Council to overturn the vote of a liquor license for Racetrac. So, I’m here on behalf of those people that are in and around the Racetrac. Their concerns are that this would not be a viable thing for the neighborhood. The number of cars that have come to the Racetrac as far as the police being called on so many occasions is a tax payer’s asset. It’s so many calls that have come to the Shreveport Police Department regarding the Racetrac. The customers that come to the Racetrac are not safe because they’re shooting. I think they need some security, so at this time, I’d like the Council to NOT grant the Racetrac a liquor license, but in terms ask that some type of security be put down there just for the sake of the patrons that come there and do business. I don’t know what the answer would be, but hopefully some type of security would be something that could help.

Mr. Jim Smith: (2039 Evergreen Dr) We’re really here to protect the neighborhood, as you’ve heard John say. Actually the police calls have been like this for 2 years now. In October the police calls through October. Would you believe there are only 442 to this location? It would appear to me Mr. Mayor that we could cut some police expense here, and do something to protect this neighborhood better than we’re doing it. I cannot tell you the answer or why they have so many calls, because they’re so varied. They’re all times of the day, so we would ask the Council to seriously consider their votes and how you would treat this neighborhood. It’s not right for them to have to live with this condition, it’s not right for our city to have to pay for this condition. I appreciate your time.

Councilman Walford: And Mr. Smith, I want to make sure all the other Council Members understand, you are a property owner in the area, you have quite an interest in this area.

Mr. Smith: We have property in this area, and we’ve had it for 20-25 years. And the people that live there, are not renters or residences, they happen to be friends of our families. I know their children, I know everyone of them by name. They are afraid to come out of their house at night. It’s not right for them to have to live like that. I want to provide them with good homes, and we do. And they’ve been there with us a long time. I’d rather for them to stay there, but I don’t want them hurt.

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, obviously sine both Commissioners have been recognized earlier, and both are good friends of mine, but I also want to take a moment to express publicly my condolences to Commissioner Smith for the recent loss that he and his family have suffered. Know that you are in the collective prayers of the Glover family, and both you and your wife and your daughter and the rest of the Smith family appreciate you and thank you for coming down here today to share your sentiments with the Council.

Mr. Smith: As you know my dad liked you a lot.

Mr. Sam Jenkins: (2419 Kings) First of all, let me say good afternoon to you Mr. Chairman and the members of the Council, and to our Mayor and his Administrative Staff and my Councilwoman, Ms. Joyce Bowman. In fact I shared my concerns about the Racetrac location on Hearne Avenue with my Council Representative a couple of nights ago. I represent that area of the Caddo Parish Commission, but that alone is not the reason I’m here. My office is located there within walking distance of this particular location. I’ve been there since 1986. I’ve seen that community go through many different transitions. And through it all, you’ve had some people who are fighting to save that community or to bring their community back. And I want to say to the members of this Council, I know that I do not envy your task when you’re trying to balance a business and looking out for the safeguard of that business, and also try to be fair to the citizens and the residents that’s around there when it’s not an easy thing to do. But I do think you’ve made a good decision as I understand it to have been at this particular case, which is to require this particular business at this location to have some extra security there. I think it’s very important that you do. I know of at least two occasions where I personally went to this particular location. On both of those occasions there was the presence of police cars. I was there trying to get gas, and two or three cars of police were driving up. I don’t know what the reason is, but I would say to the proprietors of this business, you lost my business behind that. And you’re going to continue to lose business from people in that area. I want to see businesses make it, and I know they need to make it. I know they need to be competitive, and I know they need to have some of the same things that the other stores have. At the same time, I think those businesses have to come first in showing some concern for safety of their customers and the safety of their employees. Prior to then when I was going into that store, most of it was young ladies working behind that counter alone. And I see the presence of a man on many occasions. That particular location was very convenient to my office. I was there to get gas Mr. Chairman. On my way to my office and on my way back, I simply said I’ve stopped going after I’d had a couple of experiences and I’ve expressed that to Councilwoman Bowman last night. I do not think what you’re asking this business to do is unbearable. Hopefully something could be looked at, visited later on down the road. If it’s something that’s requiring them at some great expense, maybe could be looked at again later on. I do think right now, it’s in the best interest of the residents of that area, and it’s in the best interest of the surrounding businesses of that area, and in the best interest of the employees of that business, to have the presence of some security. With 442 calls what more should we say. That’s in excess of almost a call a day. And so it’s not like they’re being picked on or singled out. I mean, whatever reason it is, there is something festering there, and these residents there, you know this Councilman Walford you represent that area, just like I do. They don’t need anything else working against them. Believe me when I tell you that. There are some people who are working very hard to reclaim their community. You’ve got businesses, Willis Knighton, LSU, and everybody else coming there investing, the Bio-Med Center. All this is in that area. You’ve got people coming in and out of that area. I’m asking this Council to bring this neighborhood back in the inner city. Mr. Mayor, I know your deep concern for the inner city, you’ve expressed it on many occasions. I admire that. Let’s don’t do anything else to have something working against them. What you have come up with is a very good balance to this situation. So those are my comments, and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak. Good to see you Councilman Lester.

Councilman Lester: Good to see you too Mr. Jenkins.

Councilman Walford: Just one brief comment. Those requirements for security came from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and this Council is going to have the chance to either affirm that decision or overturn it. But I appreciate your comments very much.

Mr. Jenkins: I hope that they would affirm it Mr. Councilman. I think it’s needed, I think it’s appropriate, and it’s not against the business. All businesses to make it, we know they have to be competitive, but they’ve got to take the first step in making certain that there is a safe area there. I believe that this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Mr. Phillip Downer: (333 Texas, Suite 1325) Thank you very much, thank you for having me today. I was here a year ago before this Council on appeal of the Zoning Board’s denial of the application for Racetrac on the Hearne Ave location. Today, I appear on behalf of Racetrac on an essential denial, because of a requirement of a stipulation that Racetrac provide essentially 24 hour a day Shreveport Police Security, including a marked patrol car. Now, I’ve furnished each Council Member a letter, I attached the ZBA Minutes from 2004, 2007, and the recent 2008. I also attached pictures of the different gas stations and convenience stores in the area, and I included some pictures of structures that are located in the neighborhood that you’ve heard about today. Now at the last hearing at this Council, there was a discussion between the Administrator, Mr. Kirkland, Councilman Walford, about the ZBA taking a bus tour, bumpy ride and going, and they look at each area and they get a free lunch as part of the deal. So last week about 2:00 on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, I took a bumpy ride in a pick up truck, and I bought my own lunch and went and looked at the area. I found businesses surrounded by high fence, razor wire. I found security bars on windows. I found boarded up and dilapidated structures. I found burned out houses, and I found residents with groups of young adults sitting in the front yards. Now it’s not clear to me how the ZBA concluded that the sale of alcohol at this location creates a crime problem, but that’s apparently what they did. But I couldn’t find any evidence for the ZBA’s conclusion. Now there was a general discussion as there’s been here tonight, about a number of police calls to this site. At the last Council hearing, you told this business to keep a vigil. And you said if there’s a problem, you call and let somebody know. Now, the opposition would argue that this location is a problem. Well first on those calls that you heard about 442? I was told 396, and I’ve been unable to verify that. I’ve asked for the same information from the Shreveport Police, but I was not able to get it. But not one call and this was verified at the ZBA hearing, now one single call was alcohol related. Now if the opposition argued that this location is a problem for the adjoining neighborhood, you look at this neighborhood, and you consider the submitted calls, loitering, fighting, problems with cruisers, etc. Unfortunately, I’ve got to tell you, it’s not this business that’s causing the problem, it’s this community. And it’s this area that’s causing the problem. Now Racetrac operates in 12 states. It runs over 518 separate stores. The business they conduct is a lawful convenience store and gas station. It’s the conduct of our residents in this area and in our city that’s unlawful. Not what Racetrac is doing. Now Commissioner Smith has been opposed to this application since 2004. Mr. Smith doesn’t live in this area, he has rental properties in this area. Rev. King is typically opposed, but I don’t see him today, but I have pictures of Mr. King’s church. It is a boarded up building literally with 2 x 4s holding up the walls. This picture was taken a year ago. I included in the letter that I sent to you another picture of the church that was taken last week, and it looks exactly like this, except this 2 x 4s are weathered by a year. I don’t know if we have structural requirements in this city or not. I would think there would be some, but I would hope that a structure of this type would not be allowed to be standing indefinitely. It takes me 20 seconds to walk from the Racetrac location to the AMPM gas station and convenience store from the Racetrac location, and I have a double knee replacement. Directly across the street on Hearne Avenue is the Texaco gas station and convenience store, and they all sell alcohol, and the operate exactly like Racetrac has done and ask to do again. Now I urge the Council to approve the Racetrac zoning application. Delete the ZBA unwarranted stipulations. I don’t know of any other gas station and convenience store being subjected to stipulations of this nature. That action would continue what’s been done at this very site since 2004, that same conduct is allowed directly across the street at the Texaco station, and within the same block at that AMPM. I’ll be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Downer, before I turn it over to Councilman Walford whose district it’s in, did you say that you all have a 24 hour officer on duty? Did I hear you say that?

Mr. Downer: You did not hear that from me sir. That was the ZBA stipulation.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, that you had to have a - - -

Mr. Downer: It’s 22.5 hours a day. Essentially 24 hour a day supervision by a Shreveport Police Officer and a marked police car.

Councilman Shyne: Do we have anyone in here from the Police Department?

Mr. Mark: We do, this is Chief Holley.

Councilman Shyne: Chief, I’ve been hearing a couple of people say we had over 400 calls at that particular location, and then I think Philip said we had what was 392? And of course we rounded it off to make it 400. Can you all document that?

Cpt Holley: Yes sir, I know our crime analyst has run calls for service there in the last couple of weeks, I have not seen the final listing. So I can’t tell you which number is accurate. I can probably get my hands on it fairly quick.

Councilman Shyne: Cpl Collins, you have the data? Chief, would that be alright? I just wanted to go by rank first.

Cpl. Collins: The only number I can actually verify was from 1/1 to 10/3 of this year, and that’s where the 396 calls came into play. If anybody ran one today, or recently, it probably was a larger number of calls. 395 was only until October 3^rd.

Councilman Shyne: At that particular location?

Cpl. Collins: Yes.

Councilman Shyne: Now right across the street is another location, I believe where they operate the same. Am I asking you something that you can answer or you can’t answer? How many calls have they had?

Cpl. Collins: I cannot tell you exact numbers. What I did, is I ran a call listing for the 36, 37, 3800 block, and you can’t really see it. It’s this piece of paper here. And what I started doing was highlighting all the ones at that single address, and it was the majority of the calls at 3701. And it got to be so many, I decided to just run it on 3701 because there were just hundreds upon hundreds of calls, and most of them as you can see are all highlighted was all 3701. It’s the majority of all the calls in those three blocks were all 3701, the address for Racetrac.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, Councilman Walford, would it be alright if I let you kinda come in as the cleanup hitter, and then I go to Councilman Lester and then Councilman Long.

Councilman Walford: That’s fine, I don’t have anything right now.

Councilman Lester: Yeah, really briefly, and I’m going to have some other comments to say a little later. I guess my concern Mr. Downer, I guess I’m trying to find out what was the purpose of making reference to the character and/or quality and/or look of Rev. King’s church. I mean, the fact that he has boards on his church. What does that have to do with the question before us as it relates to calls for service and what’s going on and your client’s establishment?

Mr. Downer: The question before you Councilman Lester is a zoning application. And I don’t understand why we’re talking about police calls in a zoning application in the first place. But that seemed to be what the ZBA talked about, so I felt like it needed to be addressed at this Council Meeting. I simply showed you - - - I made a circle starting at Merwin Street and circled the block by Rev. King’s church, whose been such a staunch opponent, and I was a little bit - - -

Councilman Lester: As is his right as an American to do.

Mr. Downer: And I certainly understand that. But it looks like to me that if Rev. King is going to oppose a facility that’s operating within the legal limits, then he should operate his church within what’s required to have a building structure in the City of Shreveport. And I also think that Rev. King’s church is indicative of some of the other structures or lack of structures that I personally saw when I circled through this neighborhood. And so the purpose for me showing those was to show some of the pictures and some of the area that we dealt with the last time. I did not show the picture at the last Council Meeting, but I felt like it was important for you, because of the police call issue now coming up at this time, for you to see the area that this business is operating adjacent to.

Councilman Lester: And I’m still trying to find what the cause of connection is. Let’s say for the sake of argument, that Rev. King’s church was an outhouse, or a tent. I mean, what difference does it make what his church looks like as it relates to the issue of calls for service, or whether or not your establishment has operated in a good and prudent manner?

Mr. Downer: I don’t know if there’s a direct connection Councilman Lester. I felt like it was important that the Council see that 1) that if they’re opponents to a particular business operating lawfully and has complied with all the zoning requirements. There is a security fence separating this facility from the neighborhood, that you see that some of the other people are a little more lax on some of the requirements. And also is indicative of a neighborhood that needs help. And it’s not this business that’s causing these problems. These problems were there. This business started in 2004. As you know all that was crimes long before 2004.

Councilman Lester: Not to characterize your comments, but it almost sounds like I’m hearing the whole ‘blame the victim’ type of deal, and ‘she got raped because she deserved it.’ Look at the what the color she wearing, or how dare you wear high heels on Sunday around these folks. I mean it just - - -.

Mr. Downer: Let me address that. Now I appreciate your characterization, and I apologize for coming across that way. The way I intended to come across was this business just like everybody else in this neighborhood needs the help of this city. We need the help of the Shreveport Police, just like everybody else does. We’re entitled to operate a business lawfully in this city, and to receive city protection. Every resident that lives in that neighborhood and maintains their property, or obeys the law is entitled to protections just like this business is. We’re a corporate citizen just like they are. And so to come in and say, to operate lawfully in this business, have crimes happen at your place that are unrelated to you, that are unrelated to the people that work for you, they’re unrelated to alcohol. Not one single alcohol related incident at this store out of the calls, and Cpl Collins can verify that. He verified it at the ZBA hearing. So that was my intent. That was what I was driving at, is that we got all take care of the neighborhood, we got to all do what we’re supposed to do. We’re doing that, and we would ask that the other people do the same.

Councilman Lester: I asked that because I was making notes and I mean, that’s not all how it came across to me. I can’t speak for anybody else, but it seemed as if you were saying to quote a good friend of mine, and I use “good friend” in quotation marks. You know Mr. Chairman, the last time I said something about a liquor store I got an opponent in the City Council race. But it all worked out for what it’s worth. But it just seems that this was this whole ‘these people’ - - - ‘they’re doing bad’ - - -‘I’m doing good’ - - - ‘it doesn’t matter,’ you know.

Mr. Downer: Not at all, and I apologize again if that’s the impression I gave. My impression was we all should be treated the same when it comes to crimes that we don’t have anything to do with.

Councilman Lester: Let me ask - - - put a pin in that, if I could get Cpl Collins up, and Cpt Holley. I sent you an email sometime ago about a concern that I had with this particular establishment selling some things. Are you familiar with that?

Cpt Holley: Yes.

Councilman Lester: Could you kinda talk to the Council about the substance of the questions that I asked and what you were able to glean during your research?

Cpt Holley: Yes, the email you sent questioned whether establishments could sell what we perceive to be drug paraphernalia, and we did check with the District Attorney on prosecuting things like that, and basically we were told by the District Attorney’s office that unless the paraphernalia was found with dangerous substance, i.e. marijuana, cocaine or whatever, that they could not do the prosecution. Not accepted for prosecution.

Councilman Lester: Were you able to determine whether or not those items that I thought were paraphernalia would be considered paraphernalia?

Cpt Holley: In my opinion, they would be considered paraphernalia. But working with the DA’s office, they said that they wanted drugs found with those items when we made a seizure.

Councilman Lester: And just for the benefit of those up here, and our listening audience, could you kinda describe some of the items that I talked to you about that I saw were being sold at this particular location?

Cpt Holley: Well they were different items that could be used to use illegal substances. Used to package illegal substances for sale and such as that. And we’ve addressed those issues in the past with other stores in the Shreveport area, and we’ve actually made arrest and sent over for prosecution, but we weren’t successful. And that’s when the DA decided that they would rather prosecute a drug paraphernalia case if we had actual drugs with it.

Councilman Shyne: And Mr. Downer, let me apologize to you for one minute. This that we’re going into, we should be actually be handling at a later point when we get to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Councilman Lester: I’ll reserve my comments until then Mr. Chairman, I apologize. I got carried away.

Councilman Shyne: I could see the emotion on Councilman Lester’s face. But I apologize to you with the back and forth, because at this point, this is not the time to have this discussion. Thank you for coming up. And this is not really the time. Councilwoman Bowman?

Councilwoman Bowman: No sir, Councilman Long.

Councilman Long: Can I save my questions until debate? Then I’ll defer until then. So put me on the list.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, let me let Councilman Walford - - -

Councilman Walford: No, I think I’m going to reserve mine as well. I definitely have comments to make, but I think they come more under the heading of the debate on the item.

Councilman Shyne: And let me apologize Mr. Downer, because s not supposed to be a back and forth at this particular point.

Mr. Downer: No apology needed and I appreciate the questions. I welcome the questions.

Councilman Shyne: I know, just hold up, we’re going to give you another shot at it in just a few minutes, but thank you very much. And I think those are all the persons that we had. What is this name here?

Ms. Pilkinton: Jim Smith.

Councilman Shyne: Jim, it’s not proper at this particular point. When we get to what we’re talking about the appeal, we’ll give you another time. But it’s not proper at this particular point. When we get to the point of appeals, you can come up and talk about Rev. King’s church or his sermons or whatever you desire, but we’re not ready for it at this particular point. And again, I apologize to Mr. Downer. We really got into a discussion here, and this is not what this particular point is about. It’s not about a discussion. Let’s move on.

Confirmations and Appointments: The Housing Authority of The City of Shreveport

Mr. Herbert G. Murphy

Motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Bowman to confirm the executive appointment of Mr. Herbert G. Murphy.

Councilman Shyne: Is Mr. Murphy here Mr. Mayor?

Mayor Glover: No he’s not Mr. Chairman.

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

Councilman Shyne: If it’s alright with the Council, I’ll take just a minute to appoint a committee, the GIS (Geographic Information System). Councilman Long, would you be kind enough to accept an appointment, if I appointed you to that committee?

Councilman Long: I would be honored.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, so you would. Thank you Mike. I thought you were going to turn me down, you know generally you do when I ask you to buy me lunch, you’ll always turn me down. Councilman Wooley?

Councilman Wooley: Yes.

Councilman Shyne: Would you be kind enough to accept an appointment to that committee?

Councilman Wooley: Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Councilman Monty Walford, would you be kind enough to honor (inaudible) serving on that committee?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Thompson, did you get those names?

Mr. Thompson: Yes sir, I did.

Councilman Shyne: Okay, now when I ask you all sometimes for lunch, I mean time to time, you all have turned me down, but I appreciate you all agreeing with me today hear? And you all will - - - I’ll let you all determine who the Chairperson will be, and what time y’all want to meet. Of course Mike, I hope he doesn’t mean it, but since Monty has seniority, I don’t know whether it’s time on the Council Bryan, or whether it’s just age period, we’ll let Monty set the time and when you all will meet. Monty will you accept that responsibility?

Councilman Walford: Absolutely. Mr. Chairman, is there some subliminal message or why do I keep hearing the bell ring over here? You hear that dinging?

Councilman Shyne: That’s my cousin over there, Councilwoman Bowman getting my attention on something. Okay Mr. Thompson, Consent Agenda legislation.

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. 258 of 2008

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING B. KENNY TAYLOR, INC., LOCATED AT 9527 MAZANT, TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, B. Kenny Taylor, 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 B. Kenny Taylor, Inc. be authorized to connect the structure, located at 9527 Mazant, 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. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen, Long, Wooley, Webb, and Shyne. 4. Nays: Councilmen Lester, Walford, and Bowman. 3.

RESOLUTION NO. 259 of 2008

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STANLEY R. RODGERS, JR. & ANNIE CECILE RODGERS, LOCATED AT 817 EAST ROCHEL, TO CONNECT TO THE WATER & SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, Stanley R. Rodgers, Jr. & Annie Cecile Rodgers 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 Stanley R. Rodgers, Jr. & Annie Cecile Rodgers be authorized to connect the structure, located at 817 East Rochel, 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, and Shyne. 4. Nays: Councilmen Lester, Walford, and Bowman. 3.

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. 254 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR’S SIGNATURE ON AN ACT OF CORRECTION OF CASH AND EXCHANGE DEED BETWEEN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND THE YMCA, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

WHEREAS, prior to improving the realignment of Flournoy Lucas Road at its intersection with Ellerbe Road, the City of Shreveport entered into negotiations with the YMCA and reached an agreement wherein the YMCA donated a portion of right-of-way along the new alignment of Flournoy Lucas in exchange for the portion of right-of-way along the old alignment; and

WHEREAS, on May 10, 2004, the City of Shreveport and the YMCA entered into a Cash and Exchange Deed to reflect said agreement; and

WHEREAS, subsequent to May 10, 2004, a third party has made claims of ownership of portions of the property to be exchanged by the City of Shreveport to the YMCA; and

WHEREAS, in order to complete the transactions between the parties despite such claims, the City of Shreveport and the YMCA desire to modify and reduce the parcel of land that was granted to the City of Shreveport and to exclude the exchanged portion of the transaction so that the City of Shreveport does not transfer ownership of the parcel in dispute; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport and the YMCA have reached an agreement wherein the YMCA shall landscape and maintain to the reasonable satisfaction of the City the southwesterly right-of-way neutral ground at the intersection of Ellerbe Road and Flournoy Lucas Road.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Cedric B. Glover, Mayor, be and is hereby authorized and empowered to execute an Act of Correction of Cash and Exchange Deed between the City of Shreveport and the YMCA, substantially in accordance with the document filed along with the original copy of this resolution in the Office of the Clerk of Council on October 15, 2008, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

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

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 255 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND BKD, LLP FOR AN EXTERNAL AUDIT OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2008, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City is required by City Charter Section 4.28 to cause to have accomplished an annual financial audit of the City; and

WHEREAS, BKD, LLP agrees to conduct an audit of the City in accordance with the requirements of the City Charter and applicable law; and

WHEREAS, external audit firms are normally selected by the City for four years with one year contracts executed for each of those four years; and

WHEREAS, the engagement of BKD, LLP best meets the needs of the City.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal, and regular session convened that it hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute a contract between the City of Shreveport and BKD, LLP substantially in accordance with the agreement filed for public inspection in the Office of the Clerk of Council on October 28, 2008.

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

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

Read by title 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.

3. Resolution No. 256 of 2008: Declaring the intention of the City of Shreveport (The “City”) to hire professionals in connection with the issuing of not to exceed Ninety Million and No/100 ($90,000,000) Dollars Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds (Shreveport Utility System Project) Series 2008 for the purpose of refunding certain existing indebtedness previously issued for the Shreveport Utility System (The “Prior Bonds”), funding a Debt Service Reserve Fund, paying fees arising from the termination of the existing Integrated SWAP agreement related to the prior bonds and paying the costs of issuance of the bonds, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Wooley to withdraw.

Mr. Thompson: I might mention that a new ordinance will be introduced later to do basically the same thing.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Thompson, thank you.

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

RESOLUTION NUMBER 260 OF 2008

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 26-300 of the Code of Ordinances, the city’s interests in said properties can be sold or donated 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:

Geographical #: 171521-012-0132-00, Legal Description: North 55 feet of Lots 127 & 128, Greenwood Acres Subdivision Annex 2, Municipal Address: 6987 Arizona Street, Council District “G”

Geographical #: 171526-012-0021-00, Legal Description: Lot 21, Fox Ridge Townhouses, Municipal Address: 30383 None, Council District “E”

1) Geographical #: 181421-018-0259-00, Legal Description: North 50 Feet of South 175 Feet of West 135 Feet of Lot 164, Jones-Mabry Subdivision, Unit 2, Municipal Address: 21396 None, Council District “A”

2) Geographical #: 161406-006-0047-00, Legal Description: Lot 47, Pine Forest South Subdivision, Unit No. 1 Municipal Address: 42296 None, Council District “E”

3) Geographical #: 171434-001-0060-00, Legal Description: Lot 60, Pine Croft Subdivision, Municipal Address: 2304 McCutchen Avenue, Council District “E”

4) Geographical #: 171401-026-0051-00, Legal Description: Lot 51, Gary Subdivision, Municipal Address: 1523 Gary Street, Council District “A”

5) Geographical #: 181421-033-0080-00, Legal Description: Lot 80, Carver Heights, Unit 2, Municipal Address: 1934 Simpkins Drive, Council District “A”

6) Geographical #: 181420-011-0010-00, Legal Description: Lot 10, Mathis Subdivision, Municipal Address: 1921 Linear Street, Council District “A”

7) Geographical #: 181425-000-0063-00, Legal Description: A tract of land in Section 25 T18N-R14W, Municipal Address: 31000 None, Council District “A”

8) Geographical #: 171427-008-0043-00, Legal Description: Lot 43, Thrift Subdivision, Unit #2, Municipal Address: 7122 Suntan Avenue, Council District “F”

9) Geographical #: 171424-000-0043-00, Legal Description: 2 Acres – E. 175.4 ft. of W. 556.2 ft. of S. 496.7 ft. of N. 1186.7 ft. of NW/4 of Section 24 (17-14), Municipal Address: 1461 West 59^th Street, Council District “F”

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

RESOLUTION NO. 261 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AND ENDORSE THE SUMBISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, RECREATION AND TOURISM, OFFICE OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, TO DESIGNATE THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AS A STATE-CERTIFIED CULTURAL DISTRICT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the Downtown Development Authority (“Authority”) will submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, for certification as a state-certified Cultural District; and

WHEREAS, the area requested for inclusion in the Cultural District encompasses the present territorial jurisdiction of the Authority as shown in the map attached hereto and designated as Attachment “A”; and

WHEREAS, designation as a Cultural District confers many benefits on the City of Shreveport as a whole and the designated area in particular including but not limited to: a) sales tax exemption on the sale of certain original works of art sold in the district; b) individual income tax credits for eligible expenses incurred during the rehabilitation of certain owner occupied residential or owner-occupied mixed use structures located within the district; and c) income and corporate franchise tax credits for eligible expenses incurred during the rehabilitation of certain historic structures located within the district.

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, regular and legal session convened that the City Council of the City of Shreveport endorses the submission of an application to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development to designate the area shown in Attachment “A” as a state-certified Cultural District and encourages the Downtown Development Authority to submit said application and all supporting documents, reports, and other forms required for the creation and administration of the Cultural District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport, is hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the City of Shreveport, any or all documents required by the State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development to evidence the City of Shreveport’s endorsement and support for the application and to cooperate with the Authority’s efforts to compile all necessary information and data required for the application and all subsequent reporting necessary for the administration of the Cultural District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council requests that all affected citizens and businesses support and promote activities consistent with the purposes of the Cultural District.

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

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

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION NO. 262 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT (THE “CITY”) TO PROCEED WITH THE ISSUING OF NOT TO EXCEED NINETY-FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($95,000,000) LOUISIANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS (SHREVEPORT UTILITY SYSTEM PROJECT) SERIES 2008 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFUNDING CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THE SHREVEPORT UTILITY SYSTEM (THE “PRIOR BONDS”), FUNDING A DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND, PAYING FEES ARISING FROM THE TERMINATION OF THE EXISTING INTEGRATED SWAP AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE PRIOR BONDS AND PAYING THE COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, by prior resolution, the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana (the “City”) became a participating political subdivision and member of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (the “Authority”); and

WHEREAS, the Authority has previously issued its $75,000,000 Revenue Bonds (Shreveport Utility System Project) Series 2005 (the “Prior Bonds”). The Prior Bonds were used for the acquisition and construction of improvements, enlargements and upgrades to the City’s water and sewer system (the “Utility System”); and

WHEREAS, the City desires to proceed with a financing through the Authority by the issuance of its revenue refunding bonds (Shreveport Utility System Project) Series 2008 in an amount not to exceed Ninety-Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($95,000,000) (the “Bonds”) in a manner and structure to be determined by a related ordinance, for the purpose of (i) currently refunding the outstanding Prior Bonds; (ii) funding a debt service reserve fund; (iii) funding termination payments (the “Termination Payments”) arising pursuant to the termination of an existing integrated swap agreement related to the Prior Bonds, and (iv) paying the costs of issuance of the Bonds, all of which shall collectively be known as (the “Project”) or (the “Refunding”).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, acting as the governing authority thereof (the “Governing Authority”), that:

Section 1: LCDA Approval. The City is authorized to proceed with the Refunding through the Authority with the issuance of the Authority’s Revenue Refunding Bonds (Shreveport Utility System Project) Series 2008 in an amount not to exceed Ninety-Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($95,000,000), to provide funds for the purpose of (i) currently refunding the outstanding Prior Bonds; (ii) funding a debt service reserve fund; (iii) funding termination payments (the “Termination Payments”) arising pursuant to the termination of an existing integrated swap agreement related to the Prior Bonds, and (iv) paying the costs of issuance of the Bonds.

Section 2: Structure of Financing. The structure, terms and conditions of any such borrowing by the City shall be determined by subsequent ordinance of the City Council, provided, however, that the term of said borrowing shall not exceed twenty-five (25) years from their date of issuance and will bear interest at a fixed rate not to exceed seven and fifty hundredths per centum (7.50%) per annum.

Section 3: State Bond Commission Application. This governing authority hereby authorizes and directs that application be formally made to the State Bond Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for final approval of the issuance of the Bonds by the Authority for the benefit of the City within the parameters set forth above.

Section 4: SWAP Approval. By virtue of applicant/issuer’s application for, acceptance and utilization of the benefits of the Louisiana State Bond Commission’s approval(s) resolved and set forth herein, it resolves that it understands and agrees that such approval(s) are expressly conditioned upon, and it further resolves that it understands, agrees and binds itself, its successors and assigns to, full and continuing compliance with the “State Bond Commission Policy on Approval of Proposed Use of Swaps, or other forms of Derivative Products Hedges, Etc.”, adopted by the Commission on July 20, 2006, as to the borrowing(s) and other matter(s) subject to the approval(s), including subsequent application and approval under said Policy of the implementation or use of any swap(s) or other product(s) or enhancement(s) covered thereby.

Section 5: Existing Swap. It is the intention of the Governing Authority that the existing integrated swap be terminated and the Governing Authority authorizes the authorized officers of the City and the Authority to terminate such swap.

Section 6: Costs of Issuance. The Governing Authority acknowledges that it has received from bond counsel a report of the estimated costs of issuance of the Bonds required by La. R.S. 39:1405.4(A).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governing Authority hereby authorizes and directs its Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Finance, and/or Clerk together with such other officials of the City to do any and all things necessary and incidental to carry out the provisions of these resolutions.

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any provision or item of these resolutions 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 to be severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions in conflict herewith, including but not limited to Resolution 253 of 2008, are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Long, seconded by Councilman Lester to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Shyne: Councilman Lester, thank you for the second.

Councilman Lester: You’re welcome Mr. Chairman.

Mayor Glover: Thank you members of the Council.

Councilman Shyne: Thank you Mr. Mayor, since we know what we’re thanking one another for this time. Thank you. I was always taught Mr. Mayor, to not let anybody be any kinder to me than I am to them. Okay Mr. Thompson.

Mayor Glover: I’m going to hold you to that Mr. Shyne.

Councilman Shyne: Uh oh, maybe I talk too much. Okay Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Thompson: There were three items that were added that can be considered by the Council at this time. Would you like me to read the first one?

Councilman Shyne: What is the pleasure to be considered?

The Clerk read the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 267 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2009 BUDGET FOR THE SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CONVENTION AND TOURIST BUREAU AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

WHEREAS, the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is required to submit its annual budget to the City of Shreveport for approval.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in legal session convened, that the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau budget for 2009, a copy of which was filed with the Clerk of Council on November 11, 2008, be and the same is hereby approved.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Shreveport- Bossier Convention and Tourist Commission, acting as the governing body for the Bureau, is hereby authorized to adjust individual line items within the approved 2009 budget, provided that any adjustment which increases the total budget shall require the approval of the City Council.

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 which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications; and, to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared to be 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 Wooley, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt.

Councilman Shyne: I’d just like to tell the bureau that Mr. Brown, you all have been doing an excellent job. Continue, and may God be with you.

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

The Clerk read the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 268 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE SISTERS IN SUPPORT PROJECT, TO ENCOURAGE PARTICPATION IN THEIR BREAST CANCER WORKSHOPS, AND TO CONGRATULATE SISTERS IN SUPPORT AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR THIRD ANNIVERSARY ON NOVEMBER 15, 2008, AT HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILWOMAN BOWMAN

WHEREAS, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among nearly every racial and ethnic group. Race is not considered a factor that might increase a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer. However, the rates of developing and dying from the disease differ among ethnic groups; in part, because of differences in breast cancer screening rates and treatment; and

WHEREAS, the difference in screening rates and treatment could be due to lack of awareness about mammography, and the cost of health insurance; and

WHEREAS, Sisters in Support will present workshops in the inner-city neighborhoods of Shreveport to provide general information about breast cancer, to encourage residents to get mammograms, and to provide information about free mammograms; and

WHEREAS, Sisters in Support will hold their Third Anniversary Celebration on November 15, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Shreveport.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due regular and legal session convened, that the Shreveport City Council recognizes the Sisters in Support Project, encourages participation in their breast cancer workshops, and congratulates Sisters in Support as they celebrate their Third Anniversary on November 15, 2008, at Holiday Inn Downtown Shreveport.

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

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

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

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, I can’t let this resolution pass without at least acknowledging Ms. Wanda Brooks, who I know has contacted the Mayor’s office concerning the event on Friday. We look forward to having a proclamation there for the event as well, and I know that Councilwoman Bowman will be there also. Mrs. Brooks has been an outstanding educator in Caddo Parish for a number of years. She was the French teacher to my older brother and sisters, and I know that she has touched in a very special way the lives of untold numbers of young folks throughout Caddo Parish. And her husband Coach Brooks I think was a former colleague of yours, and is also someone who is held in very high esteem in this community. So, we commend them for the great work that they’re doing for this worthy cause.

Councilman Shyne: Ms. Brooks and I probably still have some of the red mud and dirt from the Cooper Road on some old pairs of shoes Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Glover: We thank you for the sacrifice Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: In case you all don’t know, there were quite a few years on the Cooper Road. The Mayor probably hasn’t told you all when there were mud and dirt streets up there. I don’t think Mike understands what we’re talking about, because they never had that in Broadmoor. I think when they laid Broadmoor out, they paved the streets before the people moved in.

Councilman Long: Joe, it was a cotton field before it was streets.

Councilman Shyne: Mike thank you, I appreciate that. Councilwoman Bowman, would you represent the Council at that meeting?

Councilwoman Bowman: Mr. Chairman, I have every intention of being there, and I did speak to Ms. Brooks, and it is a very worthwhile organization. A group of women that really do need the support. Here recently over in your district over at Airport Park, they held a symposium and a lot of the survivors were there, and I thought it was just wonderful. I support Ms. Brooks and this organization wholeheartedly, and I look forward to being there this Saturday.

Councilman Shyne: Ms. Bowman, I was surprised at the number of men that I’m told that have begun to develop breast cancer. I knew that men could develop breast cancer, but I thought it was just a small number. But I’m told that the numbers are rising.

Councilwoman Bowman: Yes sir Mr. Chairman, and you might want to form a group for the men, cause this is Sisters in Support.

Councilman Shyne: Councilwoman Bowman, thank you very much.

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

The Clerk read the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 269 OF 2008

A RESOLUTION TO REQUEST FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED STATES AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILMAN WEBB

WHEREAS, what happens to the United States (U.S.) auto industry matters in Shreveport, Louisiana and in towns and cities throughout the United States, because:

• There are some 14,000 U.S.-brand dealers in cities and towns across the country, employing approximately 740,000 people, with a total payroll of some $35 billion

• U.S.-based companies have 105 assembly and component plants in 20 states, including such, “non-auto” states as California, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Maryland

• The three companies purchased $156 billion in parts, materials and services, supporting jobs in all 50 states

• The companies provide benefits for 775,000 retirees and surviving spouses, and provide health care benefits for 2 million; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. auto industry has been hard hit by the credit crisis in the United States; and

WHEREAS, prior to this crisis, the U.S. auto industry was aggressively and successfully restructuring; and

WHEREAS, the General Motors Corporation has been in the process of building a winning auto company for the long term. These efforts are threatened by a severe downturn in sales and a sharp drop in revenue caused by a widespread economic and credit crisis; and

WHEREAS, the long-term security of the U.S. requires a strong auto industry and strong domestic Research and Development programs; and

WHEREAS, federal support to help the U.S.-based carmakers through this historic downturn is a good investment in America’s future; and

WHEREAS, automotive manufacturing is a 21^st Century growth industry, and the U.S. needs to earn its share; and

WHEREAS, the collapse of the U.S.-based auto industry would be devastating, in just the first year, because:

• Direct, indirect and spin-off employment would drop by 2.95 million people

• Personal income would drop by $150.7 billion

• Government transfer payments would increase by $14.3 billion

• Social security receipts would drop by $21.1 billion

• Personal income tax paid would drop by $24.7 billion.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due regular and legal session convened, that the Shreveport City Council hereby requests Federal Support for the United States (U.S) Automobile Industry, and requests the President of the United States, the President-Elect of the United States, and the United States Congress to provide the support to U. S. car makers needed to complete their restructuring, and to become a 21^st Century Growth Industry.

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

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

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

Councilman Webb: Yes, when you look at these numbers, it’s just alarming when you think about the automobile industry and the position that we’re in, when you talk about almost 3,000,000 people that will be directly or indirectly affected if the automobile industry were to go under. Not only General Motors, but the big three basically. I’d hate to see America have nothing but foreign products here being built by Nissan, Honda, whatever - - - but it’s just that we as one city, I’m hoping that cities and states around the country will be sending resolutions to Washington, and I’m hoping that the automobile industry will get some help to help them out of this crisis. I think it’s imperative that something be done. I know all my life, when I was growing up, you think about the automobile industry when the automobile sales were good, the economy was good. And when automobile sales were down, the economy was bad, and we’re seeing a prime example of that, and I just appreciate the support of the resolution. I appreciate the Administration for bringing this information forward for me. Thank you.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Webb, would you be inclined that we would send maybe an individual copy of this to our legislation delegation also?

Councilman Webb: I think it’d be a wonderful idea.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Thompson, could you arrange for that?

Mr. Thompson: I will most certainly do it Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Thompson, I appreciate it, and let me say this publicly. I have enjoyed working with you. You are extremely cooperative with the Chairman. Joyce, thank you.

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

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, did you see how my cousin enjoys ringing that bell on you and I. I don’t know what it is. But thank you Joyce, we love you.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS: (Not to be adopted prior to November 25, 2008)

The Clerk read the following:

1. Resolution No. 263 of 2008: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract between the City of Shreveport and Triton Water Technologies, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Resolution No. 264 of 2008: A resolution authorizing the use of certain equipment by St. John Berchmans, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

4. Resolution No. 265 of 2008: A resolution authorizing the use of certain city-owned equipment by Sci-Port Discovery Center, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

5. Resolution No. 266 of 2008: A resolution declaring the intention of the City of Shreveport (The “City”) to hire professionals in connection with the issuing of not to exceed Ninety-Five Million and No/100 ($95,000,000) Dollars Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds (Shreveport Utility System Project) Series 2008 for the purpose of refunding certain existing indebtedness previously issued for the Shreveport Utility System (The “Prior Bonds”), funding a debt service reserve fund, paying fees arising from the termination of the existing integrated swap agreement related to the prior bonds and paying the costs of issuance of the bonds, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Long to introduce Resolution No(s). 263, 264, 265, and 266 of 2008 to lay over until the next regular meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: (Not to be adopted prior November 25, 2008)

The Clerk read the following:

1. Ordinance No. 161 of 2008: An ordinance amending the 2008 General Fund Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

2. Ordinance No. 162 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Downtown Development District Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read, motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Long to introduce Ordinance No(s). 161 and 162 of 2008 to lay over until the next regular meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

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

The Clerk read the following:

1. Ordinance No. 149 of 2008: An ordinance enacting Article X, Division 2 of Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances relative to setting the franchise fee for certain uses of City rights of way and property and requiring the payment of public educational, and governmental access programming support fees by cable or video service providers operating within the City’s municipal limits under a state-issued certificate of franchise authority and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Walford to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

2. Ordinance No. 150 of 2008: An ordinance amending and reenacting Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances relative to animals and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Lester to adopt.

Councilman Shyne: Councilman Long, since you are an animal man, would you like to make any remarks?

Councilman Long: No comment, thank you. No seriously, what we’re trying to do here is help the animal control and Police when situations where we have animals being stored in houses that are not occupied. And I think this is a good addition to our ordinances to help police in that matter and help control certain situations. Appreciate your support.

Councilman Shyne: I think in some neighborhoods, when you see animals at a house that’s unoccupied, it kinda make you think they might have a little dope going on there. Okay, so thank you very much Councilman Long for coming up with that brilliant idea.

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

3. Ordinance No. 151 of 2008: Ann ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances by adding Article IX relative to the travel policy, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Walford. The Clerk read the following:

Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 151 of 2008

In Section 2-453(1), delete the first sentence and substitute the following:

1) All travel other than local travel shall be subject to approval before the travel takes place, except in cases approved in accordance with the regulations.

Motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 151 of 2008.

Councilman Shyne: I’m going to ask you to explain or give us some insight.

Councilman Walford: Let me start with the amendment if I may Mr. Chairman. Based on conversations that were initiated by Mr. Lester that we discussed doing away with car allowances, and paying mileage to employees for using their cars. The way the ordinance itself is written, it would require permission for each trip. This says that local mileage, local trips will be at the discretion of the employee and do have to be approved ahead of time. Mr. Strong was kind enough to call this to my attention. I think the amendment is very necessary. I merely says that the employee does not have to get permission for every trip for which they’ll be reimbursed.

Councilman Shyne: Let me ask one thing. Is Jim Holt here?

Mr. Dark: Mr. Chair, I believe after he left.

Councilman Shyne: Cause you know Mike, I love you too. I was just wondering how this would impact Jim Holt, because he does a lot of - - - I tell you what. I’ll hold up, and we’ll pass it, and we’ll ask Jim, and if we have to maybe amend two or three people out, we will do that.

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

Motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt Ordinance No. 151 of 2008 as amended.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Mayor, I see that look on your face, it’s kinda like I believe Joe and Jacobe’s face. When Mr. Walford gets through, if you have some comments, we’ll be glad to entertain them.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, despite what some of the media has played this up to be, it is really taking a 1993 policy which is the last time our city travel policy was issued, incorporating as we’d talked about removing auto allowances and it requires the CAO to come up with a new travel policy which will be submitted to the Council and the Council will approve by resolution. But the policy itself will be in the form of an ordinance. So, it will in effect be law. I think it’s very, very necessary. The most significant change that I put in it, and the real reason that I started out doing this is it will change us to payment of per diem instead of employees having to keep the receipts for each meal and researching I found that Ms. Washington and her staff at times had written interoffice communications saying that the tear off stubs from restaurants was not sufficient. But I think going to per diem, I discussed this with the lady at LSU Shreveport who pays all the travel, and she couldn’t believe we hadn’t gone to per diem like the federal government, the state government, and most other government agencies. But I think going to per diem will set a limit for lodging and for meals. People will know what they can spend. It will make budgeting much easier. It will take away any temptation to stay in lavish quarters at the taxpayers expense. So, I think this will be a very, very good policy. I’ve spoken to Mr. Dark, and he will, as the ordinances says, in December be required to submit to us an updated travel policy, which we will in turn adopt our resolution. I think it will make us better stewards of the taxpayer’s money. And basically it will be very, very good for the city.

Councilman Shyne: Does this apply to the Council?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: Does it apply to the Administration?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir. If you’d like me to, I can tell you it’s all elected, appointed, it also includes the members of boards and commissions that are appointed by the city. This policy applies to travel by elected officials, appointed officials, classified and unclassified employees, members of boards and commissions and any other persons for whom the city reimburses travel expenses incurred for city business or training.

Councilman Shyne: So Rick would be included in that? Rick Seaton?

Councilman Walford: He’s an employee, he would sir.

Councilman Shyne: Alright, how about Bryan Wooley?

Councilman Walford: He’s an elected official, he would be included in there Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Alright now, how about Arthur Thompson?

Councilman Walford: He’s an employee, he would indeed sir.

Councilman Shyne: Now, would it include Bea in there or do we leave her out?

Councilman Walford: No, Bea’s in there too.

Councilman Shyne: Oh, okay. As long as we got Bea in there.

Councilman Walford: And you and me Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Well, I hate to say this, Mr. Walford, I guess this my be reflected on me a little bit. But you know I don’t mind taking it. I haven’t had an opportunity, Mr. Davis to travel anywhere but from here home. Usually I have attended quite a few meetings, but this year, I have not had an opportunity to use the travel.

Councilman Walford: Well Mr. Chairman, I was going to use mine, but I decided that I should stay home.

Councilman Shyne: Well that might have been good for you.

Councilman Walford: Since they cancelled all the airline flights it was good. But again Mr. Chairman, I believe this would be beneficial to the city.

Councilman Shyne: I think so. Councilman Lester.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of comments for clarity sake. And I would ask Mr. Walford to consider a motion to postpone this for two weeks, and let me say why. I would like to run some numbers to look at what we’re doing now versus a proposal of going to per diem. Not saying that one is necessarily going to be better than the other, and certainly I would not take any position that something that another governmental body is doing is necessarily something that we should have to do. And certainly, I think I would want to have that information before I vote. Of course I’m just one person. The other concern that I have, and I did make the comment in terms of the vehicle allowances, is something that I wanted to do away with. I think we were all in the back - - - let me not say we were all in the back, there were a couple of us in the back, not to say that we were violating public meetings law. But I think there were a couple of us in the back and we were talking about some budget issues, and that was one of the issues that I came up with. And I am looking forward that I just - - - I don’t know that - - -what’s the word that I want to say? I don’t know that I would feel comfortable moving forward on a complete cessation of the car allowance policy at this particular time, forever and a day, in terms of policy wise going across. Maybe moving forward, maybe yes. Certainly my concern was motivated relative to where we are on the budgetary situation. Certainly if we were not in a negative budget situation, I don’t think any of us would have any conversation about doing away with people’s car allowances and then again we don’t know how that’s going to affect any of those other issues, so I just offer that for the general consumption of the Council. But I do agree that we do need something. If there have been some abuses, I would like for us to say that there have been. If what Councilman Walford is offering is just a mere clarification of policy, I think that we should say that we’re looking to clarify the policy. Because I am concerned with the way that this thing has been portrayed as if this is another instance of us having some acrimonious things or that there was something untoward happening, or something underhanded happening as it relates to what’s going on with travel. And I accept your explanation that this was not the case. So, just throwing that out there for Council’s consideration.

Mayor Glover: I’ll yield Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: No, because we’re going to move on as soon as - - -

Mayor Glover: I mean if that’s a Council discussion, I wan that Council discussion to take place before I offer my comments.

Councilman Shyne: Right, offer your comments, because even after you offer yours, if a Council Members wants to come back and throw a little something, not long. Do you yield?

Councilman Walford: Oh, it’s his turn anyway.

Mayor Glover: I’m not a Council Member Mr. Walford, so I don’t apply to that second.

Councilman Walford: Well actually when we amended the rules, each Council Member gets a debate, and the Mayor gets a debate.

Councilman Lester: How about this, let’s let the Mayor say what he’s going to say. And then let’s say what we’re going to say, because we know that’s what’s going to happen.

Councilman Shyne: That’s why we’re giving the Mayor an opportunity.

Councilman Lester: Less talking, less dancing.

Mayor Glover: Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you members of the Council. I guess the first thing that I find interesting is that Mr. Walford has spoken to Mr. Dark about this matter, but never chose to either email or call or attempt to communicate with me concerning this issue. I guess one of the purgatives I’ll have to exercise now is as Mayor is to direct that Mr. Walford direct his communications to the Administration to the Mayor’s office, so that we can avoid these types of lapses and voids in effective communication. The other thing I find interesting is that Mr. Walford now attempts to blame the media for the way in which this issue has been framed. And I’m not quite sure if that’s what Mr. Lester was attempting to direct his comments towards or not, but it appears as if the intent is to somehow try and create the basis for offering this legislation based upon actions or conduct for circumstances involving the administration. Now, if that’s not the case, then I think that there is some explaining that needs to be done. Or at least it should be on the part of Mr. Walford. Because certainly you did not seem very shy or reluctant upon yesterday to create the context that you did for this particular matter. So that we are very clear with regard to travel for the Administration, everything regarding travel for the Mayor’s office and the executive branch has been directed towards Accounting for some time. There were a few receipts that needed to be identified and located, and ultimately provided. As we speak at this particular point and time, right now, there is not a single dollar that is unidentified and unaccounted for. In fact, as you will find Mr. Walford, as it stands right now, what you stated upon yesterday, and stated to others is simply to blame the media just a few minutes ago for, as being tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for. As the balance sheet would not show, the City of Shreveport now owes yours truly exactly $1,983.62. So, I’m a bit taken aback by the effort to throw a rock and then hide your hand. But I guess that’s not necessarily uncommon for some folks.

Councilman Walford: (Inaudible) cause this is going to get good.

Mayor Glover: The Council has the prerogative of taking which ever action it believes to be appropriate with regard to this particular matter. The one thing that I would offer and add is that as you seek to try and figure out whether a per diem is the appropriate way to go, the one thing that you ought to give some consideration to is that when it comes to the various events and functions is that I as Mayor or someone else within the Administration or you all as individual Council Members may choose to attend, you end up putting the per diem restriction and requirement, you have an event that may be held at one particular location or another, then what you may end up finding is that the per diem allocated for lodging may not put in a position to be able to actually be accommodated at the particular facility where the event is being hosted, which could result in you having to find lodging somewhere else, incurring the cost and expense of transporting yourself back and forth. One of the other things, that you occasionally find yourself doing in the capacity as Mayor or part of the administrative staff or department head or what have you, is that you may on occasion have to find yourself in a position of having an opportunity to be able to sit down and entertain someone who may be interested in coming to Shreveport to make an investment of some sort, start a business expansion, bring a movie, company or what have you. I would hope that the Council would make sure that it would be possible, certainly absent alcohol for the appropriate individuals to be able to sit down and engage in just that type of activity, and not have to bear the burden and responsibility of paying for it either personally or (inaudible). But I also want to explain to the Council and to the public, and Rick would you go ahead and put that on the overhead for me, part of what explains why it is that you see numbers that may be a bit unusual for this administration in comparison to previous with regard to travel.

Councilman Shyne: Where is Sharon? Over there?

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, I don’t understand the relevance of this to the motion at hand.

Councilman Shyne: Could I extend the Mayor some courtesy.

Mayor Glover: It has complete relevance to the motion at hand. You have an ordinance on the books that seeks to change and alter the city’s travel policy. You have given a series of reasons within this meeting, some outside of this meeting, for the context for which you offered. And I’m offering this Council as well as the public as a whole, the Administrations position and perspective on this Mr. Walford. I think that’s entirely relevant. Mr. Walford, only you should be afraid of allowing the entirety of an argument to take place. I would invite you to allow us to engage in this discussion.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Mayor, I have a great deal of information that I could share as well.

Mayor Glover: We would welcome that.

Councilman Walford: Okay.

Councilman Shyne: And Leanis, would you make sure you take this information down and check it the validity of it?

Ms. Graham: Yes I will Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Will it show on that screen?

Ms. Pilkinton: The projector’s on, they’re just trying in the back to get it to project up here. They’re having problems with it, but Dan Thomas and Cliff are in the back.

Councilman Shyne: Well let ‘em know now, if they need me, I’ll go back there and take care of it.

Mayor Glover: You got your rubber mallet Mr. Chairman?

Councilwoman Bowman: On his ‘Red Berry.’

Ms. Johnson: Would you like us to make copies?

Councilman Shyne: Yeah, it might be easier to just make some copies. How long would it take to make copies?

Ms. Pilkinton: There we go.

Councilman Shyne: Sharon, when you get through, make us a hard copy. Some of the Council Members want a hard copy.

Mayor Glover: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Members of the Council, before this Administration started, during Mr. Walford’s initial term of service, the City of Shreveport expended some $22,876 per month for Washington and Baton Rouge lobbying services. It broke down to $7,000 for state lobbying. The balance of the $15,000 plus for Washington, D. C. based services. We made a decision very early on this administration to sever those contracts. And accepted the challenge of being the presence of this Administration, in Washington, and in Baton Rouge. Understanding that while there’s often times an important place and important role for lobbying professionals to help advance the City’s agenda, that there’s nothing that can substitute for having the opportunity to be able to make face to face contact. Whether it be with our U.S. Senators, or our U.S. Representatives, or members of our legislative delegation, the governor or any other elected or appointed official that we might be in a position to advocate on behalf of Shreveport. And so rather than continue to expenditure of dollars, we made it clearly known to the Council and to the public at large, that you would probably see a level of activity that was probably unseen in previous years, but that we thought it would end up yielding better results if not the same results, but certainly hopefully better results. And at substantially less expense than what had been incurred in years past. If you’ll go back over some plus eight years, that total number that you will see comes in somewhere about $1.782 (million) that has gone out of the coffers of the City of Shreveport for these particular services. Now, just this year alone, not including just my travel, and my expenditures, but for the entirety of the executive branch, that number is somewhere around $69,000. Now that’s a significant number as well, but when you put it in the context of the state lobbying contract alone, being $84,000 per year, we think that what we’re doing here is providing a significant value and significant benefit to the City of Shreveport and it’s citizens. Mr. Walford didn’t offer this legislation at any particular point and time, during his first six years of his service. Certainly not under the four years of his service, that $22 plus thousand, almost $23,000 per month left the City of Shreveport to go for paying for services that to the best that I’ve been able to determine were completely unvouchered, and completely undetailed. As I’ve just related to you, everything that has to account for any expenditures that this Administration has incurred during our tour of service has been accounted for. But now, not just that, despite the fact that I’m a large fellow, have a pretty decent appetite, I find it interesting that if you’ll go and look at just the trip that I along with Brady Blade and Rick Seaton took in May of this year to the International Council of Shopping Centers, where our three person team was much smaller in delegations that you saw coming from cities and communities, one-half if not one-third the size of Shreveport. The meal expenditure during those four days was somewhere under $250. So, to be able to see three grown men with relatively healthy appetites, managed to be able to come back from a trip of that length with those levels of expenditures, is something I think is not anything that deserves honor and recognition, but in no way represents any of what Mr. Walford is trying to intimate both in these Chambers, to you all individually, certainly to the media, that he now appears to back away from. But simply represents the wise and prudent expenditure of public dollars. You all have the right and the prerogative to do whatever it is that you are inclined to do in this matter. The one thing I just simply don’t want you all to do is do it based upon a context that is attempted to be created here today, that has no basis or bearing. In fact as I’ve said to you, at this point and time there is a check that’s due to me for almost $2,000. That wouldn’t be available under this particular provision that Mr. Walford is talking except for the fact we will still reimburse mileage which is what that represents, is mileage reimbursements for trips back and forth to Baton Rouge, and to Forth Worth and to other places. But act as you will, do what you will, but lets do it based upon that which is fair, that which is accurate and that which is objective. I would also ask that you give us the continued ability to be able to, for instance, Arlena Acree right now is where I would also be were it not for this budget process, and today’s and yesterday’s meeting. She’s in Los Angeles representing the City of Shreveport at the Annual Film Conference that takes place out there every November. We’ve seen our film activity go from $184,000,000 last year to at the point of her departure, and a number right now that’s over $250,000,000 for this year, during the course of her time and activity out there, there may be a producer or two who is empowered with the authority to green light a project for this city, or for this region, that would have the ability to be able to bring tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars and economic benefit to Shreveport and northwest Louisiana. The possibility the idea might be actually struck over a cup of coffee or a breakfast or a lunch, is something that ought to be reasonably allowed and compensated and reimbursed by the City of Shreveport. I’m not sure if what’s being proposed here today actually would allow for that. We’re talking right now about the issues and challenges facing this city in Washington, D.C., and there are a myriad of those from a new administration coming on board with a new congress, people who need to be met people who need to be networked with. We have a potential lame duck session coming up that could cause for a stimulus package that would be directed towards local government, and state government that has been more than a few lobbying firms who have contacted the City of Shreveport and offered their services at tens of thousands of dollars per month to be able to represent us in that regard. In my estimation, the phone calls that I made today to Senator Landrieu, yesterday to Senator Vitter, this afternoon to Congressman McCrery’s office, serve us better in being able to be positioned to take advantage of those opportunities, than hiring a lobbyist. Making the necessary visits to those particular offices, to sit down with those individual representatives and senators as well as their staffers, I believe is a better value. Councilman Webb just read aloud for you, or had read aloud for you rather by staff and presented, and you all unanimously passed, a measure that seeks to express, this Council’s, this City’s, this community’s support for assistance for General Motors. That may very well end up entailing a presence in Washington, D.C. from this local community. That may well entail as I’ve already done, communications with members of congressional delegations from around this country. It may entail going back to do that yet again, and having to do so, under situations and circumstances that might call for some of these types of interactions. We ought to be in a position to be able to affectively do that and not have to encumber ourselves with the kinds of considerations that this Council may be considering today. If it helps to bring about the kind of relationship that results in a vote in the affirmative, for the support that’s necessary to save a company as vital to not just Shreveport, but this country, as General Motors, then I think that would time and dollars and effort well spent. I’ll close with this. $23,000 almost per month that went out the door under four years of Mr. Walford. As I can best research the records, never a Council discussion about what those dollars produced, where they were spent, how they were detailed, and how they benefited the City of Shreveport. And we sit here today with a situation where this Administration is now owed reimbursements, an effort has been made to characterize as if there’s been something wrong or improper taken by myself or my staff. And we still in comparison to the $274,000 spent in a year saved over $200,000 in comparison to what’s been expended in previous years. Obviously its an issue that Mr. Walford has spoken to everyone except me about. For those of you who have committed your votes, you are welcomed to exercise them the way that you will. The only thing that I ask that you do is recognize that there may be a larger greater point to be made, greater consideration to be given. Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you members of Council.

Councilman Walford: I do have to respond. The first item Mr. Mayor, the two items that you’re making such a big thing of, not being able to go to certain functions and stay at the hotels has been addressed with Mr. Dark, and will be included for exceptions in the policy that the CAO will be responsible for writing. The issue of meals - - -

Mayor Glover: Who does Mr. Dark work for Mr. Walford?

Councilman Walford: I’ve got the floor now Mr. Mayor. Who is responsible for writing according to my ordinance, Mr. Dark. And I’m not going to sit here and debate with you. It’s my turn, I gave you the courtesy, you give me the same now. You opened the floor to this, I didn’t. So, that has been addressed. Where there are high cost for conventions or conferences or anything else, that can be addressed in the policy if this council will adopt by resolution. The issue of meals and entertainment was addressed. And will be taken care of. Those are not issues that are in this particular ordinance. They will be addressed in the policy that this Council will adopt by resolution, and you will have every opportunity to work with Mr. Dark on preparing the travel policy. However, there are some serious violations to the travel policy that have existed. Now, you’ve made a great presentation about what’s been spent, but I wasn’t going to go there, but lets do. Let’s talk about how things have been handled within the Administration. They haven’t been proper. There is to start out with Mr. Seaton’s travel card, there is a procedure’s handbook, dated 4/16/2008, which I assume your finance department put out, you approved of. Is that a correct assumption?

Mayor Glover: You have the floor Mr. Walford.

Councilman Walford: Okay. According to the Internal Auditor, I’m reading from a memorandum to me dated October 28, 2008:

The office of the Mayor has not timely submitted all of the detail for the amount of travel charged that they have made for 2008 on the travel card. Of the $66,700 charged, the Office of the Mayor has submitted about $23,000 (35%) of travel receipts so far. The Mayor’s office is working with Finance to reconcile the remaining charges. The office of the Mayor also has outstanding about $12,000 in expenses in 2007 that have not been supported by adequate detail to post to their budget.

Councilman Walford: So, what happened, and the way this part came about, when I requested our office look at your travel budget to see what we needed to do for 2009, we couldn’t get any answers, because nothing had been posted., Now, of that $67,000 that Mr. Seaton has charged to his city travel card, it starts in January, it goes up through October, but under the travel card agreement, first of all it says each travel card has a preset monthly spending limit as set by the Director of Finance, which may not exceed $3,000 per transaction, and $3,000 per month. No personal expenses are to be charged to the travel card. There was a personal expense there. We don’t need to go there.

Receipts – Individual transaction receipts are to be submitted to the department card administrator for review and approval as soon as you return.

Councilman Walford: So quite honestly, Mr. Seaton has not adhered to the travel card policy at all. It makes impossible to know what the travel was. We don’t know where the travel has been paid for from, and Finance could not tell that. That is as of October 28^th. It wasn’t a question of that. But you had a travel budget approved by the Council for the Administration of $20,034 for 2008. When you look at $66,700, it gives you the distinct impression that you’re $43,700 over your budget because these weren’t submitted. Now, when we go to the city travel regulations which were I assume adopted:

Within ten working days after the completion of authorized travel, the traveler shall complete the travel expense statement.

Councilman Walford: There were none of those for the Mayor’s office, for Mr. Seaton. So, we don’t know what you spent the money on. We know you spent a great deal of money. We’re not questioning the money. The question is neither the travel card agreement, nor the city’s travel policies have been followed. You are the leader, you are the one that should set the example, and yet apparently your staff has set the worst example. I don’t doubt for a minute that every penny is authorized. And I know you well enough to know you probably have spent more out of your pocket, just like any of us would traveling and not be reimbursed. I don’t doubt that for a minute. You probably have gone in the hole. Because nobody keeps up with every receipt. Nobody uses a travel card for everything. I’m questioning the record keeping. I’m saying that for you, for Mr. Seaton, for Mr. Dark for every member of this council, and every employee, we should have a travel policy that’s adhered to. We have a travel policy dated 1993 with the only updates being to change the mileage amount one time, and Ms. Washington advising that - - - I’m sorry, her office advising that tear off slips from restaurant receipts were not adequate. The Policy has not been updated. A 1993 policy. In fact that policy didn’t even address travel cards. There’s no real problem with per diem except that it is a better system. Now, if you ask Mr. Washington, she will tell you that during my first term, I proposed this. I didn’t put it in ordinance form. I discussed it with her. I was discouraged from doing it. They didn’t want to go to a per diem. To me, per diem is the right way to do it. All of the issues that you brought up today will be addressed in the travel policy that your Chief Administrative Officer will be responsible for preparing. This Council will adopt it by resolution. It’s not a question of what was spent my first term, or how much money we’re saving. It’s prudent use and record keeping for the taxpayer’s money that we’re spending now. And to argue that per diem is a bad thing, just doesn’t make sense. There will be exceptions for the items that you noted. So suggest that this Council adopting a travel policy and putting it in ordinance form, just doesn’t make sense - - - to oppose it, just doesn’t make sense. Now, you wanted to go there. I have details of your travel. We can go a lot farther in the discussions with Mr. Seaton’s use of the travel card and how it doesn’t follow the travel policy, but I think that you as the leader should set the example and your office above all should have the transparency to have all the records available. You want transparency in government, and that’s what we’re here to have.

Mayor Glover: And here is the transparency Mr. Walford.

Councilman Walford: But it was not available to the Internal Auditor on October 28^th.

Mayor Glover: And the mere fact that you were able to be able to go to the Administration’s Finance Department, asses the information and be able to report it here today again speaks to that transparency.

Councilman Walford: I didn’t go to the Finance Department Mr. Mayor, the Internal Auditor went there. But again, that’s not where I was going with this ordinance. (Inaudible) personal expenses, we can talk about all kinds of things.

Mayor Glover: And we’re here. When you square it all up, when you evaluate every line that’s here, what you will determine is, that every penny is properly accounted for.

Councilman Walford: I’m not questioning that Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Glover: And at this point (inaudible)

Councilman Walford: Well you sit there and tell the public right now, that you have provided the proper records within ten days of each travel, or that Mr. Seaton has followed the City’s travel card regulations and provided the documentation as required.

Mayor Glover: There are two individuals - - -(inaudible)

Councilman Walford: Now those things were done in the last seven days (inaudible).

Mayor Glover: Mr. Walford, there are two individuals who have been designated to be responsible for dealing with and administering travel within the Mayor’s office. One is Mr. Seaton, and the other is Mr. Sibley. There are occasions where I am gone or someone in this administration is gone on the next trip before that ten day period has come down. So yes, if you want to go and say specifically chapter and verse, has every rule been followed, has every I been doted in terms of every time, every situation, every circumstance? The answer to that particular question is no. But now is that a justification to say here to this Council and to this city that or to create the impression that somehow dollars have been dealt with or administered improperly? Now, the rules that you’ve just outlined, and the rules that you’ve just laid out are just simply those things that we have to adhere to and follow by. But I also will notice and also will note to you that several of those have been things that have been directed to be expanded and adjusted at my direction as Mayor. In realization that they do not affectively accommodate or encompass exactly what it is that an administration is trying to accomplish when you go from spending $274,000 a year covering Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., to seek to try and do that as an administration to where you’re obviously going to spend more, but you’re not going to spend that much. To say that you had a previous administration with a travel budget of $20,000 per month, but also expended, $1.78 (million) to do what we now go and do on behalf of this city, is not a reasonable comparison Mr. Walford. And so if there are adjustments that I need to direct my staff to make with regard to what our travel polices and procedures are, then we will make those adjustments. But for you to sit here today and attempt to try and justify what it is that you’re asking the Council to do, which you are well within your right to do. And to what extent Mr. Dark will get to work on whatever provisions of this particular ordinance will probably be dictated largely by what his workload may be between now and the time that it’s due. So, what I’m here to tell you is that we’ve chosen to go a different way. And if we’ve not managed to be able to get every particular per diem filed or every particular travel report filed in the time and the fashion which the current policy calls for, then we will accept and give an account of that. But what we will not do is allow you or anyone else to characterize this Administration as being anything other than honest, and up front and prudent, and wise.

Councilman Walford: Nor have I done so Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Glover: Well now Mr. you just blamed the media when you started your comments earlier for the way in which this has been given - - - the context that it’s been given, when in fact it was you who gave it that context Mr. Walford.

Councilman Walford: Well.

Mayor Glover: That’s why I called it throwing a rock and hiding your hand.

Councilman Walford: And I would call what you’re doing today quite a smokescreen for avoiding the real issue. There’s no way that you can justify 2007 expenses still not being documented in 2008.

Mayor Glover: I can tell you that the documentation for those expenses have been within the accounting office. Now where the breakdown is between those properly being processed and being properly signed and filed, I will determine. But what I do not take lightly is your attempt to somehow characterize me or this Administration as something that it’s not. Now you may be familiar with that, but it’s not within this administration.

Councilman Shyne: If it’s alright at this juncture, we will move on. We come back to the vote.

Councilman Webb: Was there a substitute motion?

Councilman Lester: Yeah, I offered a substitute motion to postpone. I’m sorry.

Councilman Walford: But there was no second.

Councilman Webb: I’ll second the motion.

Substitute motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Webb to postpone until the next regular meeting.

Councilman Lester: My substitute motion is to postpone this issue for two weeks, so that we can get the documentation, some of the documentation that Councilman Walford has spoken to. Some of the things that the Mayor has spoken to and see if that can be resolved. If it can, it can. If it can’t, it can’t. The other issue I had was and I’m going to say this again. I appreciate Councilman Walford’s - - - his efforts certainly as it relates to the issue of car allowances, but I will say, the idea about cessation of car allowances was an idea of mine. And I do appreciate you moving forward on that. But my intention was not to move forward on the car allowance until we had finished dealing with the budget issue. So, that’s where I am on that.

Councilman Webb: And I might add, seconding the motion, anytime we have a big issue like this, I don’t see a problem with waiting two weeks and letting everybody have a little more time to digest all this information and the way the comments that we’ve heard today before we make a decision, make a change as big as this.

Councilman Shyne: I think Councilwoman Bowman had a question on this.

Councilwoman Bowman: I don’t think he wanted to answer. The question was in reference to the instance the Mayor mentioned Arlena and her travels. I want to know how does that come into play. Will she - - - because she travels quite a bit, and it is with the film industry. And that’s certainly something that I hadn’t considered, and I’d like to see how that’s addressed in this.

Councilman Walford: It doesn’t address it at all. It shouldn’t be an issue. She will travel if she needs to travel. Travel policy will be very similar to what we have in place now, updated in 1993. And she’ll file her travel documents. I don’t understand - - - this isn’t going to limit anybody’s travel. It merely is going to bring a travel policy forward from the Administration that we will adopt and it will be part of the ordinance.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I believe that’s under the Riverfront budget, and it just depends on the amount of money that you put in there as to how often she can travel, but she will have to follow these policies if they are adopted.

Councilman Webb: Are we going to get a copy of this or - - - to review?

Councilman Walford: A copy of - - -

Councilman Webb: Of the changes that we’re trying to make take place here.

Mr. Thompson: I believe that Mr. Walford said that they will be adopted by the Council when the budget policy is presented by the CAO.

Councilman Walford: So, today we would be doing what if we voted to approve it?

Mr. Thompson: Well he’s directing the CAO to come up with a policy with certain guidelines in there as to what some of the things are supposed to be. For instance, switching to a per diem, from paying for item by item. That was one of the major things. And the other thing that this does is to insure that everybody, all elected officials, appointed officials and everybody else must comply with the policy. The policy as is written today, that’s not really clear.

Councilman Webb: Okay, so what we would be doing, so we would then later on after we get the policy written, then we would vote up or down to approve or disapprove.

Councilman Walford: So, what you’re doing today, if I may Mar. Chairman, is essentially, the only major change that we would be making is to go to per diem, and then we’ll be directing Mr. Dark and the Administration to come up with a travel policy, and in December we well get that policy, introduce it, and adopt it by resolution. So instead of it just being like Mr. Thompson said, something that not everybody is following, will actually be an ordinance that says how you file your travel and so on.

Councilman Webb: So, we’ll have plenty of time to digest this.

Councilman Walford: Plenty of time, but I would you to vote (inaudible)

Mayor Glover: Mr. Chairman, can I offer this consideration in relation to the need to continue to look at this. If you all will give yourselves time to take a look at what some of the actual expenditures are, what you will probably discover is that the possibility exist that you may end up expending more money for the average travel by having the per diem, than you would by sticking to the current system. Here’s why. The example that I gave you of travel that’s taken place where you had two, three, four individuals come and be gone for two and three days, and you come back and you’ve got actual meal reimbursements that are somewhere in the $200 range. Well those represent actual expenditures that are being reimbursed. Had you extended the per diem for each of those days for each of those individuals, that’s not reimbursed. It doesn’t represent their actual expenses. Their actual expenses as you would see based on those types of numbers is actually substantially less. And so the dollars that are expended by the per diem, because they’re unvouchered, because they’re undetailed, because they’re unreceipted, end up being essentially a windfall for the traveler, where they otherwise would not be entitled to. You have someone whose inclined to wake up in the morning and have a breakfast that is within the reasonable range, a lunch that’s within a reasonable range, and may end up eating at a function related to the event that you’re attending that evening, you’ve got $15 in actual expenses as opposed to the actual amount of dollars that you would be advanced for per diem. The difference between what’s expended and what the actual per diem represents would actually amount to dollars being given to that individual. So I think that you all are well within your bounds to request an opportunity to be able to examine this situation. To evaluate it and see what the actual real numbers are and see where the actual real savings may be. As well as to see what the limitations may be. Now, Mr. Walford has alluded to instances of personal expenditures on behalf of the city. He says I don’t want him to go to. Mr. Walford, this is a public discussion. There is not a place or anything that’s contained in here that I’m not willing to go. Now the only expenditure in my estimation that you could be referring to would be instances where I have traveled with my wife and the expense of that was initially covered under the reservations that were made for her particular air flight. And then I in turn reimbursed to the City of Shreveport the expense of her flight, so that we would be assured of being able to travel on the same day and at the same time. Now that’s a violation, and again as I pointed out earlier, that’s something as Mayor I need to sit back down with my staff and have us re-evaluate and see if there’s not a reasonable way in which we can be able to accommodate those types of occurrences. And Mr. Walford if you’ve got something else personal besides that, then please let’s lay it out and let’s hear it.

Councilman Shyne: I don’t really think, and I hope not that this is meant to have been personal, but I believe what we’re looking at is to give the CAO the authority to draw up a new travel policy. I don’t think voting for this today means that we do have a new travel - - - this is not voting a new travel policy. Am I understanding what your intent is?

Councilman Walford: Is to give him an opportunity. Now, we’ll have plenty enough time to come back and discuss, to amend, postpone, to kill this. You know I think if that’s what you want the CAO to draw up a new policy, that’s your prerogative like the Mayor said. But today, we’re not voting on a new policy.

Councilman Lester: Actually Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, I think we are.

Councilman Shyne: Now, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, let me say this. This is not the intent of this piece of legislation. And I think Mr. Thompson has said the same thing. Let me go to legal so we can move on with this. What is this? Is this giving him the intent, or are we voting on a new policy?

Ms. Glass: Well Mr. Chairman, what the ordinance does is it sets some broad rules. For example, the per diem, car allowance. Yes, it does set basic broad policy on those. But then the idea is that the CAO would come back and fill in all the details. And that the Council would approve that by resolution.

Councilman Shyne: If we wanted it. Now if we do not want it, then at that time, we can disapprove it. So this is what I’m looking at.

Councilman Walford: And then we can also amend what we’ve done at that time.

Councilman Shyne: I’m going to give Councilman Lester an opportunity to speak, and then I’m going to ask for the vote.

Councilman Lester: Okay. Thank you Mr. Chairman, and not to belabor the point, my concern and I’ve expressed those, adulates to the policy or what have you. But Section 2.452 does prohibit car allowances. And that is going to be a fundamental change in policy for the City of Shreveport. And it was something that I talked about. It was an idea that I had. I do appreciate Councilman Walford giving it some discussion, but with all due respect, I would have preferred to move in that direction at a time when I was much more comfortable. Specifically in the contents of the budget. Because in talking to several staff people as it relates to car allowances, in some instances by prohibiting car allowances, and going to mileage, we could actually wind up spending more money at a time when we need to be spending less money. And to the extent that if we move to adopt this particular ordinance, we will be changing the car allowance policy, that could have a negative effect on the budget. And I do again appreciate Councilman Walford, but as a person, and I’m going to pat myself on the back for a minute, who has offered more legislation, and passed more legislation than any two or three of my colleagues up here. I don’t need him to offer legislation on my behalf, particularly when it’s my idea. So that’s why I’m asking for a postponement. If that - - - I’m going to let y’all finish.

Councilman Shyne: Look, and again.

Councilman Lester: Mr. Shyne, I didn’t want to be disrespectful, because y’all were having a conversation.

Councilman Shyne: No, I’m hoping that you’re through.

Councilman Lester: I’m not. But what I asked for a postponement Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Lets start timing some of this.

Councilman Lester: And I would appreciate moving in that direction.

Councilman Shyne: Now, I’m going to call for the vote. And correct me if I’m wrong again, the attorney. What we’re voting on is to give the CAO an opportunity, we’re giving him some parameters within to work to come up with a travel policy. At that time, we will bring it back to the Council. We can either vote it up or vote it down. At this particular time, we’re not voting on no travel policy. Am I right or wrong.

Ms. Glass: Well except that you do have certain policies that are in the ordinance. Certain broad policy such as or certain specific policy such as the per diem and the car allowance. Those are in the body of the ordinance. The other details would be filled in by the regulations when it comes back to council.

Councilman Shyne: I agree. But when it comes back to Council, we can vote it up or we can vote it down, and then this gives I mean if we vote it down, then this negates everything?

Ms. Glass: No sir. No, the ordinance would still be in effect.

Councilman Shyne: It would be in effect that it would be a per diem based policy?

Ms. Glass: That’s correct.

Councilman Shyne: But we still have an opportunity to come back and amend that if we want to. I mean nothing is in concrete.

Councilman Walford: Right, but at least we will have a new travel policy.

Councilman Shyne: Let’s look at we need to do. If what Tom brings back to us is not what we want, we can vote it down, and if we decide that this is not a - - -

Councilman Walford: Or we can amend.

Councilman Shyne: Right and we can amend it.

Mr. Dark: Actually I have a comment if you’d allow me.

Councilman Shyne: We will allow you at this time.

Mr. Dark: Well since I seem to have gotten in the middle of this by virtue of the way this particular piece of legislation is done, I don’t’ have a problems with it. I can deal with it. But I will tell you I have some concerns about per diem. I actually asked Ms. Washington in hopes that this might be postponed to let me look at some of what I would consider multi-day travel. Not just by our office, but by other folks that travel for us. I actually believe that multi-day travel will cost you more with a per diem system perhaps than not. Now I must admit, I speak from the perspective of I’m a very cheap traveler. I don’t spend a lot of money on meals when I go out to a convention, but quite often, at least one of those meals a day is paid for as part of the convention. I’m going to get that money if I travel whether I would have spent it or not, and I do have some concerns about that. I think that we’ll come up with something that addresses the Mayor’s concerns clearly. I don’t think that you all have the desire to prohibit reasonable business meals when we’re trying to attract people. I don’t think you all specifically wan to make it impossible for someone who is going to a national convention to stay at one of the four or five convention hotels if the cost is reasonable. I think you certainly are going to want me to give you at least the option to deal with that. You’re probably going to want me to tell somebody or at least people have to ask individually if they’re going to go above the per diem for something like that. The provision I actually have the most problem with in the ordinance is the one that does away with car allowance and again has an ordinance. If you choose not to budget the money for them any given year, because we don’t’ have the money or whatever, I don’t’ know that I have a problem with that. That’s a year to year choice based on how much money we have. But to say that a policy that in large part has worked fairly well for more than two decades ought to be thrown away, simply because money’s tight this year or because we’re unhappy with each other in some way, shape or form, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. And if you postpone it just for that reason, I’d probably be happier. But if you decide to pass this, and ask us to provide something, we’ll give you something. If you decide to postpone it, please give me two more weeks after that, so that I’ve got two meetings basically to work on. But we’ll do what you’ve asked. I’ll tell you I have misgivings about it. I know a lot of other people make per diem work, and it won’t be the end of the world if it passes that way. I do think it will be some trips that will cost more.

Councilman Shyne: And let me say this. I’m a firm believer in good discussions, cause we see it all the time, and in Baton Rouge or Washington, the English and I would hope that which ever way this goes, that this is not personal. And I know from time to time, that we might make a few little jabs at one another, and that’s all in being human , but you know I would hope that when we leave here, Monty I could hug you. I don’t want to kiss you, but I could hug you and tell you I still love you. Okay Mr. Thompson, you want to restate the motion?

Mr. Thompson: The motion is to postpone Mr. Chairman.

Motion failed by the following vote: Nays: Walford, Wooley, Shyne, and Bowman. 4. Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Long, and Webb. 3.

Motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Long to adopt Ordinance No. 151 as amended. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 5. Nays: Councilmen Lester, and Long. 2.

Councilman Shyne: Let me see if I can clear this up again. We will still have an opportunity Mr. Dark after we get the information from to vote up or down, or to clear this up. And I see Mr. Davis back there who is a concrete man and who will tell you from time to time, if you pour concrete, you can come back and break it up. Can’t you? There you go. Now you know people would say, this is in concrete, it is not concrete. So whatever he brings back to us, we have the prerogative to change it. But I think what Mr. Walford is saying let’s at least take a look at it. If it doesn’t pan out to be advantageous, then we don’t have to go with it. If after we do the research if it pans out that this is what we need, then we’ll go with it. If the research shows that this is not what we need, then we will not go with it.

Councilman Walford: Let me make one comment, since we’re both out of order.

Councilman Shyne: No you are out of order, I’m always in order. I’m the Chairman. Okay, now ask me for you to make a comment.

Councilman Walford: If for some reason during our budget discussions, we decide that car allowances are indeed a good idea, I will offer the amendment.

Councilman Shyne: Now, let me say this so you won’t get too far. Car allowances for this year might not be in order. But if you’re talking about deleting car allowances out of the ordinance period, you know we can look at that.

Councilman Walford: Exactly.

Councilman Shyne: But I’m for deleting car allowances. And that’s no hard feelings toward anybody, I still love you.

4. Ordinance No. 153 of 2008: An ordinance amending and replacing Section 66-141, relative to Health Benefits, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Shyne to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

5. Ordinance No. 154 of 2008: An ordinance declaring temporary construction servitudes on certain properties adjudicated to the City of Shreveport, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Wooley to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

6. Ordinance No. 155 of 2008: ZONING – C-32-08: An ordinance amending Section 1 of Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Webb to adopt.

Councilman Walford: Could we have Mr. Kirkland come up and give us a quick (inaudible). One of my biggest questions Charles, is what does this do to ATMs?

Mr. Kirkland: It exempts them and allows them as an accessory use to a bank or to a savings and loan institution. But the (inaudible) be like a free standing kiosk, and there are a few examples around the city, they would have to apply for specific approval. But ATMs can certainly operate and of course postal facilities and there are a number of others that (inaudible) have the right already. But night deposit boxes at a bank, and again other savings institutions can operate like they always have.

Councilman Walford: Okay, thank you.

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

7. Ordinance No. 156 of 2008: ZONING – C-53-08: An ordinance amending Section 28 of Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Subdivision Ordinance, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Bowman, seconded by Councilman Webb to adopt.

Councilwoman Bowman: Charles?

Mr. Kirkland: Yes, this simply says that if a subdivision of any land fails in the final vote that can be before the MPC, City Council, or the Parish Commission, the applicant, owner or anyone would have to wait one year before they can reapply. And I think the homebuilders and developers wanted six months as a maximum, the real world if you heard me two weeks ago say, most developers work all those issues out at the MPC level anyway. There is the rare case where one reapplies that quickly.

Councilman Wooley: And usually with some controversy.

Councilman Webb: One thing I like about this is that right there. That’s been part of the problem. They don’t try to work out all the problems. They come in here and then we get all these postponements when they need to do all the leg work before they get here. And if it fails we don’t have to worry about it for another year. I like it.

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

8. Ordinance No. 157 of 2008: ZONING – C-73-08: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the SE side of Texas Avenue, 660’ south of Levy Street, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-3, Community Business District, to I-1, Light Industry District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester)

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Webb to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

9. Ordinance No. 158 of 2008: ZONING – C-74-08: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the east side of Samford at the intersections of St. Vincent, Jennings & Woodrow Streets, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from SPI-4 (R-2) Interstate corridor, overlay (Suburban, Multi-family Residence) District and SPI-4 (B-2) Interstate corridor overlay (Neighborhood Business) District to SPI-4-E, (B-3) Interstate Corridor Overlay (Community Business )/Extended Use District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Walford)

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Webb to adopt.

Councilman Walford: This is the new hotel.

Councilman Shyne: Oh, well we had our discussion on it yesterday. Godspeed.

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

10. Ordinance No. 159 of 2008: ZONING – C-75-08: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Jordan between Highland and Magnolia, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana from SPI-1-E, Highland Urban Conversation/Extended Use District (Limited to Hospital Offices, Substance Abuse Treatment Counseling and Parking) to SPI-1-E, Highland Urban Conservation/Extended Use District with the addition of transitional housing to permit a homeless shelter for veterans, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Walford)

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 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 Wooley to adopt. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Lester, Walford, Long, Wooley, Webb, Shyne, and Bowman. 7. Nays: None.

11. Ordinance No. 160 of 2008: ZONING – C-76-08: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the east side of Youree Drive, 400 feet south of King Place, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from I-1, Light Industry District to B-2, Neighborhood Business District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Wooley)

Having passed first reading on October 28, 2008 was read by title, and on motion, ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Wooley, seconded by Councilman Webb to adopt. 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. 149 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE ENACTING ARTICLE X, DIVISION 2 OF CHAPTER 78 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO SETTING THE FRANCHISE FEE FOR CERTAIN USES OF CITY RIGHTS OF WAY AND PROPERTY AND REQUIRING THE PAYMENT OF PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS PROGRAMMING SUPPORT FEES BY CABLE OR VIDEO SERVICE PROVIDERS OPERATING WITHIN THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL LIMITS UNDER A STATE-ISSUED CERTIFICATE OF FRANCHISE AUTHORITYAND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Consumer Choice for Television Act of 2008, codified at LSA-RS. 45:1361 et seq., there are persons or entities which have been or may be granted authority pursuant to Louisiana statutes to utilize the City’s rights-of-way and property to conduct business operations, (hereinafter referred to as “Business Operations”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 45:1366, the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority for cable or video service is required to pay a franchise fee to a municipality in which it operates upon the passage of an ordinance by municipality setting such a fee; and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has requested those entities providing cable or video services within the municipal limits of the City of Shreveport to provide public, educational, and governmental access programming, streams, or channels (“PEG”) and desires to collect PEG access support from these cable or video service providers pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S.45:1370.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that Article X, Division 2 of Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby enacted to read as follows:

X. Use of City Streets, Sidewalks and Other Property for Business Operations

Division 2. Franchise Fees and Public, Educational and Governmental Access Fees

Section 78-490. Franchise Fee.

All persons or entities utilizing the rights of way and property of the city pursuant to a state-issued certificate of franchise authority as provided in LSA-R.S. 45:1361 et seq. shall, pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 45:1366, pay to the city a franchise fee equal to five percent (5%) of the person or entity’s gross revenues, as that term is defined by the “Consumer Choice for Television Act of 2008,” as it exists now or may hereafter be amended, derived from operations within the City’s municipal limits.

Section 78-491.

Pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S.45:1361 et seq., providers of cable or video services holding a state-issued certificate of franchise authority as provided in LSA-R.S. 45:1361 et seq. and operating within the City’s municipal limits shall pay to the city an amount equal to one half percent of the gross revenues, as that term is defined by the “Consumer Choice for Television Act of 2008,” as it exists now or may hereafter be amended, derived from operations within the City’s municipal limits.

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 affect 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 and resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, except those approving any cable or video franchise agreement in force and effect between the City and any cable or video service provider.

ORDINANCE NO. 150 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE ANIMALS TO AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened that Section 14-5(13) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport is hereby enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 14-5.  Owner's responsibilities.

* * *

(13) No owner shall keep a dog confined on any residential premises on which no person is living.

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 affect 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. 151 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING ARTICLE IX RELATIVE TO THE TRAVEL POLICY AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By: Councilman Walford

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened that Article IX of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport is hereby enacted to read as follows:

Article IX. Travel Policy

Sec. 2-450. Applicability.

This policy applies to travel by elected officials, appointed officials, classified and unclassified employees, members of boards and commissions, and any other person for whom the city reimburses travel expenses incurred for city business or training.

Sec. 2-451. Travel policy.

It is the city’s policy to reimburse travelers for ordinary, necessary and reasonable travel expenses. Travelers are expected to exercise prudent business judgment regarding expenses reimbursed by the city, and this policy is intended to result in travelers neither gaining nor losing financially due to travel expenses.

Sec. 2-452. Car allowances prohibited.

No elected official, appointed official, classified employee or unclassified employee of the city shall receive a car allowance. For transportation expenses related to city business or training, when transportation is by a vehicle other than a public carrier, officials and employees shall either be provided the use of a city-owned vehicle or reimbursed for transportation expenses at the standard automobile mileage rate authorized by the Internal Revenue Service.

Sec. 2-453. Establishment of travel regulations.

The Chief Administrative Officer shall establish travel regulations which implement the above stated travel policy in accordance with the following criteria. Said regulations shall be subject to approval by the City Council by resolution.

1) All travel shall be subject to approval before the travel takes place, except in cases approved in accordance with the regulations. The regulations shall establish the person or persons responsible for approving requests for travel for each category of officials or employees. No official or employee shall be responsible for approving his or her own travel except the Mayor and City Council members. The Mayor and City Council members shall be responsible for ensuring that their travel expenses are reasonable and prudent and properly documented.

2) The regulations shall provide standard rules for reimbursement of transportation expenses, including mileage for travel by private automobiles at the standard automobile mileage rate authorized by the Internal Revenue Service rate, rules for determining when private automobiles, city vehicles and air transportation should be used, and rules relating to the use of air travel. No reimbursement for first class air travel shall be authorized.

3) The regulations shall provide standard rules for reimbursement of hotel or lodging expenses during travel, on a standard per diem basis, with documentation that at least the amount of the per diem was expended by the traveler. The per diem rates shall be those published for lodging by the General Services Administration of the United States.

4) The regulations shall provide standard rules for reimbursement for meals and incidental expenses during travel, on a standard per diem basis. The per diem rates shall be those published for meals and incidental expenses by the General Services Administration of the United States.

5) The regulations shall provide standard rules for determining whether or not other travel expenses, such as registration fees, tips, local transportation when traveling, telephone, and laundry expenses, will be eligible for reimbursement.

6) The regulations shall provide standard rules for reimbursement of local travel expenses.

7) The regulations shall not provide for reimbursement of personal expenses of the traveler other than those stated above.

8) The regulations shall provide a standard procedure for reimbursement, including requirements for documentation of expenses.

Sec. 2-454. Compliance with regulations.

No expenses shall be reimbursed except in accordance with the travel regulations established in accordance with this Article and with adequate documentation. Records of travel and training reimbursements shall be retained as provided in the Records Management Procedure Manual.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2009, except that the Chief Administrative Officer shall submit the travel regulations to the City Council for approval by December 8, 2008. The Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Finance shall enforce the current travel policy until this ordinance becomes effective.

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 affect 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 No. 1 to Ordinance No. 151 of 2008

In Section 2-453(1), delete the first sentence and substitute the following:

1) All travel other than local travel shall be subject to approval before the travel takes place, except in cases approved in accordance with the regulations.

ORDINANCE NO. 153 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REPLACING SECTION 66-141, RELATIVE TO HEALTH BENEFITS, 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 Section 66-141 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Shreveport pertaining to health benefits is hereby amended and replaced to read as follows:

Sec. 66-141. Contributions by participating employees and city; changes in benefits; administrative expenses, etc.

* * * * * * * * * * *

(a) (3) Each Medicare eligible retired employee for employee coverage and his/her Medicare eligible dependent for dependent coverage shall become a part of a fully-insured health benefits program. Those retirees, as well as his/her dependent, who are not Medicare eligible shall continue in the self-insured health benefits program.

(b) (1) For the year 2009, the percentages of contribution to the health care trust fund of the rate of contribution required for each eligible active employee coverage and for dependent coverage shall be as follows: the city shall contribute sixty (60%) percent; the eligible active employee shall contribute thirty-six (36%) percent; and assets of the health care trust fund shall be contributed in an amount equal to four (4%) percent of the cost of the plan. In the event there are two or more alternative health care delivery programs, the city shall contribute an amount equal to sixty (60%) percent of the lowest rate for that tier or classification. Additionally, assets of the health care trust fund shall be contributed in an amount equal to four (4%) percent of the cost of the plan of the lowest rate for that tier or classification.

(2) For the year 2010 and thereafter, the percentages of contribution to the health care trust fund of the rate of contribution required for each eligible active employee coverage and for dependent coverage shall be as follows: the city shall contribute sixty-four (64%) percent; and the eligible active employee shall contribute thirty-six (36%) percent. In the event there are two or more alternative health care delivery programs, the city shall contribute an amount equal to sixty-four (64%) percent of the lowest rate for that tier or classification

(c) (1) For the year 2009, the percentages of contribution to the health care trust fund of the rate of contribution required for each eligible retired employee for employee coverage and for dependent coverage shall be as follows: The city shall contribute fifty (50%) percent; the eligible retired employee shall contribute forty-five (45%) percent; and assets of the health care trust fund shall be contributed in an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the cost of the plan. In the event there are two or more alternative health care delivery programs and the eligible retiree lives outside of the Health Management Organization (HMO) network, the percentages of contribution shall be as follows: the city shall contribute fifty (50%) percent and assets of the health care trust fund shall be contributed in an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the cost of the plan. In the event the eligible retiree lives in the HMO but chooses the private fee-for-service, the percentages of contribution shall be as follows: the city shall contribute fifty (50%) percent of the lowest rate for that tier or classification and assets of the health care trust fund shall be contributed in an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the lowest rate for that tier or classification.

(2) For the year 2010 and thereafter, the percentages of contribution to the health care trust fund of the rate of contribution required for each eligible retired employee for employee coverage and for dependent coverage shall be as follows: The city shall contribute fifty-five (55%) percent; and the eligible retired employee shall contribute forty-five (45%) percent. In the event there are two or more alternative health care delivery programs and the eligible retiree lives outside of the HMO network, then the city shall contribute fifty-five (55%) percent. In the event the eligible retiree lives in the HMO network but chooses the private fee-for-service, the city shall contribute fifty-five (55%) percent of the lowest rate for that tier or classification.

* * * * * * * * * * *

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. 154 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION SERVITUDES ON CERTAIN PROPERTIES ADJUDICATED TO THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has a tax interest in certain properties adjudicated for more than three years for the nonpayment of property taxes, said properties being more fully described below along with the names of the last known owner of record of each property; and

WHEREAS, under La. R.S. 33:2878 property adjudicated to a city more than three (3) years for nonpayment of taxes may be declared by the city as a public servitude by destination of the owner; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that it does hereby declare a temporary construction servitude on the following described adjudicated properties:

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that in accordance with La. R.S. 33:2878 this ordinance shall be recorded in the conveyance records of Caddo Parish and said temporary construction servitudes shall remain in effect until issuance of a final completion letter for the 60” W/M-AMISS Plant to W. College Project (06-E001).

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Office of Property Management of the City of Shreveport shall give notice of this servitude declaration to the record owners of the property.

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 affect 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. 155 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 106-1 OF CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Section 106-1 of Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby repealed and re-enacted as follows:

Sec. 106-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Accessory kitchen means a second kitchen or kitchenette in a dwelling unit which allows incidental use, but does not allow an additional independent housekeeping unit. Upon presentation of a detailed floor plan showing the location of the accessory kitchen and that such accessory kitchen does not constitute a separate independent housekeeping unit, the zoning administrator shall be permitted to consider such accessory kitchen as an accessory use.

Accessory structure means a detached subordinate building or structure on the same building site with the main building, the use of which is incidental to that of the main building. An accessory structure shall be considered detached despite an intervening attached structure or shelter that is not enclosed. No living or sleeping quarters shall be permitted in accessory structures.

Accessory use means a use customarily incidental to the principal use of a building site or to a building and located upon the same building site with the principal use.

Agriculture means the science or art of cultivating the soil, producing crops, raising livestock, and in varying degrees, the preparation of these products and their disposal (as by marketing).

Alley means any public space or thoroughfare 20 feet or less in width which has been dedicated or deeded for public use.

Apartment-hotel means a building containing a combination of guestrooms and apartments, where the number of apartments exceeds 25 percent of the total guest units, to provide lodging, with or without meals, for compensation, and which is open to transient or permanent guests, or both.

Automotive vehicle wrecking, dismantling or salvage yard means any building site or tract of land or contiguous tracts of land in the same ownership, where two or more wrecked, junked, burned, salvaged, disassembled or inoperative motor vehicles, not stored within a completely enclosed structure, are collected, accumulated or stored.

Bed and breakfast lodging means overnight sleeping and breakfast accommodations subject to the following limitations:

(1) Business is to be conducted as a family business conducted in a dwelling by a resident-owner family;

(2) No more than eight registered overnight guests;

(3) Serving of one meal limited to breakfast for registered guests only;

(4) No sale of other goods and/or services;

(5) Shall not be advertised as a hotel, motel, inn, boardinghouse, roominghouse, or the like;

(6) No on-premises business conducted by persons other than the resident-owner family;

(7) No business sign shall be permitted;

(8) One off-street parking space shall be provided per guestroom in addition to the two required parking spaces for the resident-owner family;

(9) With respect to such establishments, all persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods and services, facilities, advantages and accommodations in such establishments, without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

Boardinghouse means a building where, for compensation and by prearrangement, five or more persons, other than occasional or transient customers, are provided with meals.

Borrow pit means a place or premises where dirt, soil, sand, gravel or other natural material is removed by excavation or other means of extraction for use at another location. It includes any property used for the storage or stockpiling of such material for use at any other location. It does not include the removal of hazardous material or waste required for construction of improvements on the same piece of property.

Building means any structure intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattels. The term "building" shall be construed to include the term "structure."

Building height means the vertical distance from grade to the highest finished roof surface of a flat or pitched roof.

Building site means the land area occupied, or to be occupied, by a building and its accessory buildings and including such open spaces, yards, minimum area, offstreet parking facilities and offstreet truck loading facilities as are required by this chapter; every building site shall abut upon a street.

Building site boundary means any line separating a building site from a street, an alley, another building site, or any land not part of the building site.

Church means a building, together with its accessory buildings and uses, where persons regularly assemble for religious worship, and which building, together with its accessory buildings and uses, is maintained and controlled by a religious body organized to sustain public worship.

Clinic, dental or medical means a building in which one or more physicians, dentists, and allied professional assistants are engaged in carrying on their profession. The clinic may include a dental or medical laboratory but it shall not include inpatient care or operating rooms for major surgery.

Community home means a facility certified, licensed or monitored by the department of health and human resources to provide resident services and supervision to six or fewer handicapped persons. Such facility shall provide supervisory personnel in order to function as a single-family unit but not to exceed two live-in persons.

Completely enclosed structure means a building enclosed by a permanent roof and by solid exterior walls pierced only by windows and customary entrance and exit doors.

Dwelling, multiple-family means a detached building containing three or more dwelling units and used by three or more families living independently of each other. The term includes apartment house.

Dwelling, one-family means a detached building containing one dwelling unit and used exclusively by one family.

Dwelling, one-family townhouse means a building containing two or more attached one-family dwelling units, each located on a lot of record, in separate, private ownership, and often separated by party walls.

Dwelling, two-family means a detached building containing two dwelling units and used by two families living independently of each other.

Dwelling unit means one room or a group of two or more rooms, designed for or used by one family for living and sleeping purposes and having only one kitchen or kitchenette.

Embosser means printing from metal engravings to produce high quality business and social stationery, invitations and announcements, etc., print from die stamp presses, which are small in comparison to those used by periodical and form printers, and have a very limited production capability.

Factory built housing means a prefabricated structure designed for long-term residential purposes. For the purpose of these regulations, factory built housing shall include manufactured homes, modular homes and mobile homes.

Family means one or more persons, including not more than four lodgers or boarders, living together as a single housekeeping unit.

Farming means the practice of agriculture; to engage in raising crops or livestock.

Gambling or gaming establishment means a building or location in which one or more gaming tables, wagering devices or machines, or other games of chance are present and available for persons to wager money or something of value on an uncertain outcome, with a prospect of winning money or other stakes, prizes or items or services of value, including by way of illustration, but not limitation: bingo, keno, raffles, video poker, roulette, parimutuels, blackjack and other card games. No part of this ordinance shall be construed to preempt or conflict with state regulations concerning locations and/or rights to operate such establishments.

Garage sale means the exchange, for money or other consideration, of household goods, clothing, merchandise or other tangible personal property belonging to the owner or lessee of a dwelling, from the dwelling building site on an infrequent and temporary basis; includes estate sales, carport sales, yard sales and similar occasional sales at a dwelling. Sale items may not be transported to the site from other locations using a vehicle nor include merchandise acquired for the express purpose of resale.

Gross floor area means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building, including interior balconies and mezzanines; all horizontal dimensions shall be measured between the exterior faces of walls, including the walls of roofed porches having more than one wall. The gross floor area of a building shall include the floor area of accessory buildings on the same building site, measured the same way.

Heliport means a landing and takeoff facility for rotary wing aircraft subject to use at a frequency of once a week or more, but not including fueling or servicing facilities for such aircraft and subject to FAA safety and airspace utilization requirements.

Home-based business means any business, profession, occupation or commercial activity that is conducted or petitioned to be conducted from property that is zoned for residential use that is incidental and secondary to the use of the property. It includes home offices as well as specially regulated and limited business uses of the home such as barber or beauty shops; but does not include garage sales or the provision of child care services in residential districts. When exercised or asserted as a use by right, full compliance with section 106-1124 criteria is required.

Hospital means an institution providing health services, primarily for inpatient and medical and surgical care of the sick or injured, including as an integral part of the institution, such related facilities as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central service facilities, and staff offices.

Hotel or motel means a building containing guestrooms in which lodging is provided with or without meals for compensation, and which is open to transient or permanent guests, or both, and where provision is made for cooking in no more than 25 percent of the guestrooms.

Inoperative motor vehicles means a motor vehicle which is unable to travel under its own power and/or one which does not have a current, valid state inspection sticker.

Lot of record means a lot which is part of a subdivision, the plat of which has been recorded in the office of the clerk of court and recorder of Caddo Parish, or a lot described by metes and bounds, the description of which has been recorded in the office of the clerk of court and recorder of Caddo Parish.

Manufactured home means a dwelling unit fabricated in an offsite manufacturing facility for installation or assembly at the building site, bearing a seal certifying that it is built in compliance with the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Code.

Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Code means title VI of the 1974 Housing and Community Development Act (42 USC 5401 et seq.), as amended (previously known as the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Act), rules and regulations adopted there under (including information supplied by the home manufacturer, which has been stamped and approved by a Design Approval Primary Inspection Agency, an agent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to HUD rules), all of which became effective for mobile/manufactured home construction on June 15, 1976.

Mobile home means a transportable structure, designed to be used as a year round residential dwelling, built prior to the enactment of the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Act of 1974.

Mobile home park means a unified development of two or more mobile home pads, plots, or stands arranged on a large tract usually under single ownership, meeting the area and yard requirements of section 106-1126 but not meeting the criteria required for special exception approval of a secondary residential use, and designed to accommodate mobile homes for more or less permanent duration. Mobile home parks may include travel trailer accommodations provided that no more than 25 percent of the development is used for this purpose.

Mobile recycling unit/collection center means a manned facility, usually a trailer/truck body used for the collection and temporary storage of empty aluminum cans and other discarded recyclable products. No flattening or flattening equipment is allowed on site. The use is subject to the following limitations:

(1) Units shall be attended during all hours of operation;

(2) Exterior of units shall not be used for advertising purposes. The name of the business, a logo, hours of operation, etc., is permitted on the side of the unit. No other signage shall be allowed;

(3) Units shall not be located on required parking spaces for the principal use of the building site and shall not impair traffic flow;

(4) The unit shall not be placed within 100 feet of residentially zoned property;

(5) Only one mobile collection center or reverse vending machine is permitted on a building site; and

(6) A certificate of occupancy is required.

Modular home means a prefabricated dwelling which can be certified as being constructed in accordance to the International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council, and the city comprehensive building code.

Nonconforming building site means a building site lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereof, and which does not conform to all of the regulations for open space, lot width, site coverage, minimum area, off-street parking and loading facilities, lighting, fencing, lot access and other building site regulations of this chapter for the use and district in which it is located.

Nonconforming structure means a building or part thereof lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereof, and which does not conform to all of the regulations of the district in which it is located.

Nonconforming use means a use which lawfully occupied a building or land on the effective date of this chapter and which does not conform to the use regulations of the district in which it is located.

Official map means the map established by the city council pursuant to the provisions of Act 34 of the 1954 Legislature, showing the streets existing and established as public streets and the lines of planned new streets or street extensions, a right-of-way width increase, decrease, closure or abandonment.

Open for business means that patrons and proprietors or other representatives of an establishment are simultaneously present on the property to enjoy a use in accordance with the rights and requirements of this chapter, except as specifically noted otherwise herein. It does not include any automated or unattended activity, for which the public does not require the assistance or presence of the proprietor or other representative, so long as the activity is clearly limited and incidental to the operation that occurs during normal business hours. For the purposes of this requirement, each enterprise shall be considered separately even when contained on a lot with another enterprise. Except as follows, all uses desiring to be open for business outside of the hours of operation for a given district shall obtain a variance in accordance with the prescribed procedures:

(1) Federally owned or operated post office lobbies and drive-thru facilities;

(2) Hospital, nursing home or healthcare patient and emergency services; and

(3) Hotel or motel guest room service activities.

Permitted structure means a structure meeting all the requirements established by this chapter for the district in which the structure is located.

Processing facility means a business which stores, keeps, dismantles or salvages scrap or discarded material or equipment wholly inside a building. Scrap or discarded material includes, but is not limited to metal, paper, cloth, plastic or glass. A minimum distance of 500 feet is required between a processing facility and a residential district, unless this requirement is specifically waived by the planning commission in its approval.

Recyclable materials means clean, source-separated, recyclable materials including aluminum, steel cans, copper, plastics, glass, paper, cloth and/or similar materials.

Recycling collection center means a manned facility used for the collection and temporary storage of empty aluminum cans and other discarded recyclable products, wholly inside a building. No flattening equipment or trailer/truck bodies are allowed on site.

Recycling service center means a facility used for the flattening and storage of empty aluminum cans and other discarded recyclable materials wholly inside a building. No trailers/truck bodies shall be used as accessory structures.

Recycling service center with trailer/truck body means a facility used for the flattening and storage of empty aluminum cans and other discarded recyclable materials wholly inside a building. One trailer/truck body permitted as an accessory structure.

Reverse vending machine means a wholly, self-contained mechanical process machine for the collection of recyclable materials which will dispense U.S. currency to the depositor according to the number or weight of collected recyclable materials. This use is considered as an accessory use to retail stores, churches, parks, playgrounds and recycling centers. The use is subject to the following limitations:

(1) Machines shall be enclosed in a structure; and

(2) A certificate of occupancy with special permit is required.

Roominghouse means a building, other than a hotel, where for compensation and by prearrangement, five or more persons, other than occasional or transient customers, are provided with lodging.

Street means a public right-of-way which provides pedestrian and/or vehicular access to adjacent properties.

Street line means the line or boundary separating the public right-of-way from the land or property adjoining.

Structure means anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground; provided however that utility poles, fences and walls (other than building walls) shall not be considered to be structures.

Subdivision design standards review committee means a committee made up of the planning director, the city engineer, the director of the operational services department and the chair of the planning commission, or their respective designees, for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations with respect to design and improvement standards.

Temporary medical care means medical care which is typically provided in the home by one family member for another. It does not include skilled nursing, convalescent or acute medical care.

Trailer court means any premises used or set apart for the purpose of supplying to the public parking space for one or more trailer coaches for living and sleeping purposes, and which include any buildings, structures, vehicles, or enclosure used, or intended for use, as a part of the provisions of such trailer camp or court.

Travel trailer means a vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling so that it may be hauled along a public right-of-way.

Travel trailer park means any premises designed primarily for transient occupancy on which one or more pickup coaches or travel trailers are parked or situated and used for the purpose of supplying to the public a parking space for one or more such coaches or trailers.

Truck farm means a farm devoted to the production of vegetables for the market.

Truck stop means a building site and structures where a business involving the maintenance, servicing, storage or repair of trucks, tractor-trailer rigs, busses and similar commercial or freight vehicles is conducted, including the sale or dispensing of motor fuels or other petroleum products and the sale of accessories or equipment for trucks and similar commercial vehicles. A truck stop may also include overnight sleeping accommodations and restaurant facilities.

Variance means a modification from the strict application of this chapter or any amendment thereto which does not qualify for an administrative variance in accordance with the requirements contained herein.

Yard, front, means an open, unoccupied space on the same building site with a main building, extending the full width of the building site and situated between the street line and the front line of the building projected to the side lines of the building site. The depth of the front yard shall be measured between the front line of the building and the street line.

Yard, rear, means an open, unoccupied space on the same building site with a main building, extending the full width of the building site and situated between the rear line of the building site and the rear line of the building projected to the side lines of the building site. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear line of the building site and the rear line of the building.

Yard, side, means an open, unoccupied space on the same building site with a main building, situated between the side line of the building and the adjacent side line of the building site and extending from the rear line of the front yard to the front line of the rear yard. If no front yard is provided, the front boundary of the side yard shall be the front line of the building site, and if no rear yard is provided, the rear boundary of the side yard shall be the rear line of the building site.

Zoning administrator means the official primarily responsible for the enforcement of this chapter, zoning and site plan determinations, and interpretation of this chapter.

BE IT FUTHER ORDAINED 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 156 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 82-28 OF CHAPTER 82 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY:

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that section 82-28 of Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby repealed and re-enacted as follows:

Sec. 82-28. Administration and appeals.

The provisions of this article shall be administered by the metropolitan planning commission, and as provided in R.S. 33:140.1 et seq., no plat of a subdivision of land lying within the metropolitan planning area shall be filed or recorded until it has been submitted to and approved by the planning commission, and such approval entered in writing on the plat by the secretary of the commission or his/her designee. The clerk of court and recorder shall not file or record a plat of a subdivision without the approval of the planning commission; and the filing or recording of a plat of a subdivision without the approval of the planning commission shall be void.

The planning commission may delegate to their executive director or his/her designee, the authority to approve and sign on their behalf, resubdivision plats which consolidate lots or tracts or portions thereof into single lots, the same number of lots or a fewer number of lots and resubdivision plats which shift the boundary line between adjoining lots without creating any additional lots or building sites.

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the planning commission may, within ten days from the date such decision is rendered, file a written request with the clerk of the city council for a review of such decision, and thereupon the city council shall either affirm, modify or reverse the decision rendered by the planning commission. No land for which an application for approval of a plat or subdivision of that land that has been denied by the planning commission or the city council shall be considered again for approval for at least one year from the last date such application was denied.

BE IT FUTHER ORDAINED 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 157 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SE SIDE OF TEXAS AVENUE, 660’ SOUTH OF LEVY STREET, SHREVEPORT, CADDO PARISH, LOUISIANA, FROM B-3, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT, TO I-1, LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO

SECTION I: BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the zoning classification of property located on the SE side of Texas Avenue, 660 feet south of Levy Street, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, legally described as a tract of land in Sect. 2, T17N, R14W, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA, described as: Beginning at a point on the north line of the VS&P Railroad (RR) R/W 1084.58 feet SW (measured along said R/W) from the east line of Sect. 2, T17N, R14W, run thence NW along the south line of Standard Oil Co.’s tract 389.52 feet to Texas Avenue; thence SW along Texas Avenue 153.1 feet, thence SE 344.51 feet to a point on said RR R/W 204.65 feet from the POB; thence NE along said R/W 204.65 feet to the POB, said POB more fully shown on the map of survey. Said lot containing 1.482 acres M/L together with all buildings and improvements located thereon, be and the same is hereby changed from B-3, Community Business District, to I-1, Light Industry District.

SECTION II: THAT the rezoning of the property described herein is subject to compliance with the following stipulation:

1. Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with the revised site plan submitted with any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Planning Commission.

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

ORDINANCE NO. 158 OF 2008

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF SAMFORD AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF ST. VINCENT, JENNINGS & WOODROW STREETS, SHREVEPORT, CADDO PARISH, LOUISIANA, FROM SPI-4 (R-2) INTERSTATE CORRIDOR OVERLAY (SUBURBAN, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCE) DISTRICT AND SPI-4 (B-2) INTERSTATE CORRIDOR OVERLAY (NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS) DISTRICT TO SPI-4-E, (B-3) INTERSTATE CORRIDOR OVERLAY (COMMUNITY BUSINESS) /EXTENDED USE DISTRICT, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO

SECTION I: BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the zoning classification of property located on the east side of Samford at the intersections of St. Vincent, Jennings & Woodrow Streets, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, legally described as Lots 13-20, Guy & Stinson Subdivision and ½ the abandoned alley less the R/W, Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, be and the same is hereby changed from SPI-4(R-2) Interstate Corridor Overlay (Suburban, Multi-Family Residence) District and SPI-4(B-2) Interstate Corridor Overlay (Neighborhood Business) District to SPI-4-E(B-3), Interstate Corridor Overlay (Community Business) /Extended Use District limited to a hotel only.

SECTION II: THAT the rezoning of the property described herein is subject to compliance with the following stipulation:

1. Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with the revised site plan submitted with any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Planning Commission.

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.

ORDINANCE NO. 159 OF 2008

BY:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF JORDAN BETWEEN HIGHLAND AND MAGNOLIA, SHREVEPORT, CADDO PARISH, LOUISIANA, FROM SPI-1-E, HIGHLAND URBAN CONSERVATION /EXTENDED USE DISTRICT (LIMITED TO HOSPITAL OFFICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT COUSELING AND PARKING) TO SPI-1-E, HIGHLAND URBAN CONSERVATION/EXTENDED USE DISTRICT WITH THE ADDITION OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO PERMIT A HOMELESS SHELTER FOR VETERANS, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO

SECTION I: BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the zoning classification of property located on the south side of Jordan between Highland and Magnolia, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, legally described as Lots 1-7 and the N/2 of Lot 8 lying next to and adjoining Lot 7, and the N/2 of the abandoned alley lying south of Lots 4, 5, and 6 and the S/2 of the abandoned alley lying next to and adjoining Lot 7, block 2, Howard Cole Subdivision, Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, be and the same is hereby changed from SPI-1-E, Highland Urban Conservation/Extended Use District (limited to hospital offices, substance abuse treatment counseling and parking) to SPI-1-E, Highland Urban Conservation/Extended Use District with the addition of transitional housing to permit a homeless shelter for veterans.

SECTION II: THAT the rezoning of the property described herein is subject to compliance with the following stipulations:

1. Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with a revised site plan showing the 6’

screening fence on the south property line. This plan shall be submitted to and approved by the

Planning Director. Any significant changes or additions shall require further review and approval

by the Planning Commission. No permits shall be issued until the revised site plan and/or

replatting of lots has been approved by the MPC Director or the Planning Commission.

2. Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 2, Howard Cole Addition (the 4-plex lots), shall not be operated separately from the hospital site for transitional housing or counseling. Under the site plan, the 4-plexes will be used for housing a maximum of 2 people in each 2-bedroom duplex. The counseling will take place in the hospital facility.

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.

ORDINANCE NO.160 OF 2008

BY:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF YOUREE DRIVE, 400 FEET SOUTH OF KING PLACE, SHREVEPORT, CADDO PARISH, LOUISIANA, FROM I-1, LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT TO B-2, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO

SECTION I: BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the zoning classification of property located on the east side of Youree Drive, 400 feet south of King Place, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, legally described as Lot 1, South Shreveport Storage, Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, be and the same is hereby changed from I-1, Light Industry District to B-2, Neighborhood Business District.

SECTION II: THAT the rezoning of the property described herein is subject to compliance with the following stipulation:

1. Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with the revised site plan submitted with any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Planning Commission.

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.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. 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)

2. 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)

3. Resolution No. 51 of 2007: A resolution supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Tabled May 8, 2007)

4. Ordinance No. 122 of 2006: Amending portions of Chapter 90 of the Code of Ordinances relative to traffic and vehicles and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester) (Tabled September 11, 2007)

5. Ordinance No. 32 of 2008: An ordinance to amend and reenact portions of Division 3 of Article V of Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances relative to Retained Risk and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Tabled April 22, 2008)

6. Ordinance No. 24 of 2008: Amending Chapter 42 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances to add Article XI relative to operation of a rendering plant or transfer center within the City of Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Tabled May 13, 2008)

7. Ordinance No. 58 of 2008: ZONING - C-25-08: Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the west side of N. Market, 3,322 feet north of Martin Luther King Drive, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D, Urban, One-Family Residence District to B-1, Buffer Business District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester) (Tabled July 8, 2008)

8. Ordinance No. 83 of 2008: ZONING: C-35-08 Amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the north side of Hilry Huckaby, 1800’ south of North Lakeshore, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-3-E , Community Business/Extended District, to B-3-E, Community Business/Extended Use District Limited to “an office, equipment storage yard, with the addition of stockpile materials (wood chips/recyclable wood products” only, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester) (Tabled August 26, 2008)

9. Ordinance No. 69 of 2008: An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an act of donation of City-Owned property to Urban Housing of America, Inc., Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Tabled October 14, 2008)

10. Ordinance No. 97 of 2008: An ordinance amending Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances relative to itinerate vendors and to otherwise providing with respect thereto. (E/Webb) (Postponed September 9, 2008 until October 28, 2008) (Tabled October 14, 2008)

11. Ordinance No. 108 of 2008: ZONING C-56-08 - An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the north side of Greenwood Road, 460 feet west of Marston, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D Urban One-Family Residence District, to B-2, Neighborhood Business District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Lester) (Postponed September 23, 2008) (Tabled October 14, 2008)

12. Ordinance No. 115 of 2008: An ordinance requiring a permit for use of municipal property for business operations in the City of Shreveport; requiring the provision of certain information prior to issuance of such permit; and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Postponed September 23, 2008) (Tabled October 14, 2008)

13. 2009 Budget Appropriation Ordinances (Introduced and Tabled on October14, 2008) (To be adopted by December 15, 2008)

1. Ordinance No. 129 or 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Capital Improvements Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

2. Ordinance No. 130 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Riverfront Special Revenue and appropriating the funds authorized therein and otherwise provide with respect thereto.

3. Ordinance No. 131 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 General Fund Budget Appropriations, the funds authorized therein and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

4. Ordinance No. 132 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Airports Enterprise Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

5. Ordinance No. 133 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Community Development Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

6. Ordinance No. 134 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Debt Service Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

7. Ordinance No. 135 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Downtown Entertainment Economic Development Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds therein and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

8. Ordinance No. 136 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

9. Ordinance No. 137 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Golf Enterprise Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

10. Ordinance No. 138 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Convention Center Hotel Enterprise Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

11. Ordinance No. 139 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Information Technology Internal Service Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

12. Ordinance No. 140 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

13. Ordinance No. 141 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Shreveport Redevelopment Agency Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

14. Ordinance No. 142 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2008 Budget for the Public Safety Grants Special Revenue fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

15. Ordinance No. 143 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Retrained Risk Internal Service Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

16. Ordinance No. 144 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget funding contractual services provided to SPORTRAN by Metro Management Associates, Inc., and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

17. Ordinance No. 145 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Water and Sewerage Enterprise Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

18. Ordinance No. 146 of 2008: An ordinance adopting the 2009 Budget for the Environmental Grants Special Revenue Fund, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

14. PROPERTY STANDARDS APPEALS:

HBO0700145 – 426 Woodrow, Shreveport, LA (F/Shyne) Ms. Carolyn Miller, 424 Woodrow, Shreveport, LA 71105 (C/Long) (Tabled August 25, 2008)

HBO0700081 – 1062 Dalzell Street, Shreveport, LA (B/Walford) Mr. Stanley W. Burke, III, 8848 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71115 (D/Wooley)(Postponed October 13,, 2008 until November 10, 2008)

PSD0700243 - 129 Stoner Ave, Shreveport, LA (B/Walford); Ms. Maria Orellana, 909 Anthony, Bossier City, LA 71112)(Postponed August 11, 2008 until November 10, 2008)

PSD0700347 – 4129 Theo Street/4709 Norton (F/Shyne): Mr. Johnny Myles, 1041 Sheridan Street, Shreveport, La 71104 (B/Walford) (Postponed May 12, 2008 until November 10, 2008)

PSD0700058: 557 Egan Street, Shreveport, LA (B/Walford) Mr. Daniel Markulus, 853 Place, Shreveport, LA (B/Walford) (Postponed October 27, 2008 until January 12, 2009)

PSD0700214: 2732 Logan Street. Shreveport, LA (G/Bowman) Willie Roberson, 6915 Quilen Rd, Shreveport, LA (E/Webb) Postponed October 27, 2008 until January 26, 2009)

PSD0700131: 1530 Arlington, Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Inc., Shreveport, La (A/Lester) Mr. Winnifred Jackson, 2200 Laurel St, Shreveport, La (A/Lester) (Tabled June 9, 2008)

PSD0600413 – 2330 Darien Street, Shreveport, LA 71103 (G/Bowman) Ms. Thressa Lovelace French, 2401 Darien Street, Shreveport, LA 71103 (G/Bowman) (Postponed October 27, 2008 until January 12, 2009)

PSD0600117 – 7024 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA (G/Bowman) Ms. Tanya Luker, 7024 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA (G/Bowman) (Postponed September 22, 2008 until December 8, 2008)

PSD0700260 – 2115 Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA (G/Bowman) Tax Sales Properties, Inc., c/o Mr. Buddy Collins, 707 Benton Road, Suite 125, Bossier City, LA 71111 (Postponed September 22, 2008 until December 8, 2008)

PSD0800043 – 7017 Janey Street, Shreveport, LA (F/Shyne) Mr. E. B. Robinson, M.D., 7941 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105 (D/Wooley) (Postponed October 14, 2008 until December 8, 2008)

NEW BUSINESS

ABO APPEALS:

Mr. Daniel Miers, 6106 Ripplewood Drive, Bossier City, LA 71107 – Thrifty Liquor (Ace Brtending), 5821 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA (C/Long) Decision rendered November 10, 2008

PROPERTY STANDARDS BOARD OF APPEALS:

CAB0801625 - Mr. Jarrod Hammonds, 2714 Phelps Road, Shreveport, LA (A/Lester) Decision rendered November 10, 2008

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:

BAC-118-08: Racetrac Petroleum, Inc., 3701 Hearne Avenue (G/Bowman)

Motion by Councilman Webb, seconded by Councilman Walford to uphold the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Councilwoman Bowman: Mr. Chairman, Point of order. I just want correction on here. This is not in my district. Councilman Walford claimed it the last time, so I want to make sure he has it.

Councilman Shyne: That’s right.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Chairman, from the middle of the street to the east is mine.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Downer, I guess you can move forward, and Mr. Smith if you want to come up and Sam, since you’re representing them legally, you can come up and if they ask any of you all to come - - - yeah.

Councilman Long: I have a question for Cpl Collins please. Cpl Collins, of all those police calls, is there anyway to determine who originated them and what the reasons for the calls for?

Cpl Collins: The information I have in front of me, I can’t determine that. I’d have to go back and check.

Councilman Long: Is it conceivable that somebody could be essentially making false calls?

Cpl Collins: There is no pattern that would indicate that. The only thing that I can really tell you about some of these calls, a very large number, loitering and trespassing, That would be safe to say that was actually called in by the business itself. And there are 179 calls that’s loitering and trespassing. It would be safe to say that the business called that about individuals on their lot. Besides that - - -

Councilman Long: About 180 of that (inaudible), what’s the nature of the other calls?

Cpl Collins: Traffic stops in front of the business, 32 thefts, 22 (these are some of the larger numbers) prowlers and suspicious persons, 11. Citizen assistance, 17. Disorderly persons, 20. Disputes, 9. That’s the biggest. A bunch of real small ones in there.

Councilman Long: It just seems so overwhelming that that many calls at that one location . I’m a little dumbfounded by that.

Cpl Collins: Another one, 5 shots fired calls is another one that’s kinda significant.

Councilman Long: Thanks, appreciate it. I’m done.

Councilman Shyne: Let me explain to you all now. The only way that you all can come up is that you have to be invited by a Council Member.

Councilwoman Bowman: I would invite Commissioner Jenkins back up because he made a comment when he was up speaking in reference to his place of business being walking distance from there, and even his reluctance to go in the place. And I know that I drove back, and I noticed that gas had dropped to $1.99 and almost went myself, and thought better of it. Because of the - - - these problems. And as my commissioner, I appreciate you coming to state your views and your experiences with this, and it is directly across the street from my district. And of course the Texaco was mentioned. However, I am almost assured that they have not had the type of calls that we’re getting in reference to the other location.

Mr. Jenkins: And if I may Councilwoman Bowman, as I said, we want to support businesses, we want them to stay open, we know they have to be competitive, and they can’t do it if they don’t have the same type products. That location is a convenience to people there for what they sell which is gas for the most part and small items, ice and things like that. But given the nature of what’s happening there, I think the business has to step up first, increase the security, try to deter what’s going on, and if it’s something that can be re-visited and modified a little bit later, then you know that may be a good idea. So we’re not here to beat up on the store. I don’t want to give that impression. But we do need to look out for the safety of the residents. I had two personal experiences when I was there, when police cars came up on the premises while I was there. They lost my business doing that. I’m just trying to say to the proprietors of the store, people who would continuously come there, but after two or three times a week, nobody is going to step into situations where they feel as though they’re endangering themselves. So, it’s something to think about.

Councilman Walford: Mr. Kirkland please. Mr. Kirkland, can you talk to us about what the ZBA did. There was a security requirement as part of the approval.

Mr. Kirkland: As I think all of you know, we had a, what I call, a full blown hearing on this business’ request to keep their alcohol. They had it for one year, part of that one year approval, and that was by you folks, was to say we want to see how you operate. You’re already having problems, loitering or whatever you want to call it. Now I think Mr. Downer is right. We can’t absolutely say that it’s all exactly alcohol related. What we can say though is that it is somehow I think, and what the Board thought, (inaudible) management related with their business and aggressive enough and if you will, policing through private sources of the loitering and other problems on their site. Now not out on the sidewalk, out of their control. Of course the responsibility, the police would have acknowledged that this was out in the public median or somewhere else. Most business, without question, all of us as citizens respect to be responsible. That means to monitor, you may recall (inaudible), a case in your district, where we had a lounge where people gathered out in the parking lot, and there were fights occurring. Now was that the fault of the business? Yes, they were providing food and other things, and they weren’t discouraging the use of their property for improper purposes as you’ve already heard. So, the fact that alcohol was a use they wanted, and that you and the (inaudible) and ZBA and look at any additional right that a business wants to have at their location, and look at how things are operating. And nine out of 10 times, if it’s not being operated well, you’re going to say no. Now you might ask the real questions, why didn’t the ZBA turn around and (inaudible) say no, like they did the first time? Well burden is in on it and substantial upon our Shreveport Police Department every time they call to respond. And so what some of the ZBA members, I think their first thought was to say, ‘we’re going to do what we did the last time, deny it.’ But what they really thought through and decided finally was if we approve it, we can put conditions on that approval that will force them to monitor this site, with a - - - doesn’t have to be a Shreveport Police Officers, and although Philip’s not exactly right on 24 hours, it is 22 ½ hours that the officer would be there with the presence of a police car, and yes that would be expensive. But if they don’t want the alcohol (inaudible), they don’t have to operate with it with those conditions. They could simply say we’re not going to meet those conditions, and therefore we won’t sell alcohol. But the Board thought and I believe finally was that if we put this burden on them, since they have it within the year that they’ve had to prove they would operate in a better manner, I’ll bet it would be enough of a burden that they would do the best to operate better. And basically cause these problems to diminish. Now that’s the rationale, and again, it’s - - - I will say Racetrac is certainly been a good corporate citizen in other locations, and we don’t know why this location is so difficult to deal with. It may be just that some of the folks are just moved to another location, when they were up at Greenwood Road or somewhere else. But that was the rationale.

Councilman Shyne: Let me ask Charles a question. Charles, what you’re saying is that the ZBA thought about it. They said, ‘well if we deny ‘em it’s not really right, let’s give it to ‘em but make sure that they have policies in place that’s going to make this area, or that’s going to diffuse some of the controversy that’s going on.

Mr. Kirkland: Right, we had some control with that method. Not at the City of Shreveport’s expense, and it doesn’t have to be a Shreveport officer, it could be a Bossier Officer, or a Sheriff’s Deputy, or Post Certified simply means they have a certification in the State of Louisiana that they are fully trained officer.

Councilman Webb: Mr. Smith, I wanted to give him the opportunity to respond about the church. He was dying to make a comment, so I wanted him to do so.

Mr. Smith: I know my good friend doesn’t know the history of my better friend, Rev. King. He took this church about six or eight years ago, when it was vacant and dilapidated. And as a matter of fact, I helped him clean some of it out. He’s done a lot of work there, landscaped it, totally remodeled the sanctuary and the educational part. Then about two years ago they began to have foundation problems in the church causing some kind of drainage under the church. I don’t know what those problems really are, but yes it is propped up. But they have done a great job in that community. We need him there, whether he can fix the church or not, I don’t know. But he’s had Bible Schools there all summers, had day care there, and he has a good crowd on Sunday when he preached.

Councilman Shyne: Are you quite through?

Councilman Webb: I’m through with Jim, but I’m not through with my question.

Councilman Shyne: Well let me while we’ve got Jim up here. Tom is our legal - - - maybe we’ll go over here. If we, and Mike you might be involved in this too. If they worship in there and we know that there is a problem, and the building collapse and kill somebody, are we legally responsible.

Ms. Glass: Mr. Chairman, I don’t think that we need to jump to legal conclusions, when we do not have all the facts. Liability is based on particular facts of a situation, and we do not have all those facts.

Councilman Shyne: So, even with (inaudible)

Mayor Glover: In other words, she can’t answer that question.

Councilman Shyne: And I understand that, but I also want to know, and I also know this too. And I also understand that she’s not a judge. I also understand that what she’s giving us is an opinion, and that law is made - - - judges make the final decision. But I want to ask you this also. What we have heard then, we cannot be held responsible for something? I mean, it’s - - - what I’m hearing is that the building might be dilapidated. No, nope you can’t say anything right now.

Ms. Glass: As I just said, it’s hearsay. We do not have the facts. There’s no possible way to - - -

Councilman Shyne: So, it’s hearsay?

Ms. Glass: Well it’s not exactly hearsay, because we’re not in a court of law. Because that’s why we don’t know, we don’t know what a judge would say. We do not have the facts. Also I’m not really clear on how this is relevant to the - - -

Councilman Shyne: Hold it, let me finish now. Let me finish before we - - - before you jump to it doesn’t have any relevancy. There are cases and there are incidents where if you are privy to an act that could be determined to be criminal, you can be held responsible. And this is all that I - - - I want to make sure that - - - I just wanted to make sure that, I don’t want anybody knocking on my door or sending me a subpoena and telling me that I need to be in court. I mean, if you tell me I don’t have to worry about that, then we can move on.

Ms. Glass: I do not think you need to worry about that Mr. Shyne. You have not been given any facts on which to make a decision.

Councilman Shyne: Well that’s - - - I wanted to get that from you. Not from Michael, and not from the Mayor, because I don’t feel like they have no more knowledge about the law than I do. So you are the attorney. Although I may practice a little law every now and then, or Sam is a lawyer, and Calvin is a lawyer, but other than that Jim, you can go head on and take your seat.

Mr. Smith: Just one other thing. They haven’t been meeting in the sanctuary for at least a year and a half.

Councilman Shyne: You said they have not? Or they have?

Mr. Smith: They have not. No sir. But they do meet sometimes in the educational part, which has no structural problems at all.

Councilman Shyne: I just wanted to make sure that I was clear. Because I don’t have very much. I live in a little ole place out there in Mooretown, and Sam, I don’t want nobody suing me for it.

Councilman Webb: I agree with Councilman Lester that I don’t think the condition of the church should have any bearing on the case that’s at hand, but we do have Mr. Holt which we say has done a fine job in Property Standards, we can always get him to check that out next week and see if - - - this is a public hazard.

Councilman Shyne: But it might not have any bearing on the case, but those statements were made, and I just wanted to make sure.

Councilman Webb: But anyway Mr. Downer, is your client that you’re representing I guess the store owner, he’s aware of I’m sure of the security that ZBA is making approval of, with it, is agreeing to let him operate if he has security.

Mr. Downer: My client is Racetrac which is the property owner in this case, and yes sir, they are aware of the zoning board decision that it had to be a uniformed police officer with a marked patrol car, and we’ve run the numbers and it’s over $200,000 a year as of today. It will be $200,000 a year to comply with those security measures.

Councilman Webb: Are they willing to go that route for approval?

Mr. Downer: I don’t think they can afford to go that route, no sir.

Councilman Webb: So, if that’s what the Council passes today, are you saying he would probably just withdraw his alcohol license and operate without alcohol?

Mr. Downer: No, I’m not saying that at all sir. I don’t know what he’s going to do. But I’m telling you as a practical matter, no gas station that I know of and convenience store can afford over $200,000 a year for security.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, in response to Mr. Webb, there were two appeals. One was from the applicant because of the requirements that he would have security, and the other was from the neighborhoods. So you have two appeals from this decision.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Chairman. I appreciate what you said Councilman Webb, because you know what’s going on in Rev. King’s church or how his church looks is of no consequence to the matter at hand. I mean, that’s fine. And whether the horse is dead or you know the headless horseman is my right to beat it, and I’m going to beat it. And I appreciate your support on that. I think it’s actually rather offensive to be honest with you for us to be spending time, when we should be talking about the issue at hand relative to 400 and some odd calls for service. Sam will appreciate this. They teach us in law school, when you have the law on your side, you argue law. When you have the facts, you argue the facts, and when have neither, you argue like hell. And to bring in something that happens on the church or you say I drove around looked at how bad this looks to me is arguing like hell. It has nothing to do with the substantive issue. I voted in 2004 when we had this issue that came before, I voted to give this particular operator or this particular establishment the alcohol, and I did it because I believed it was unfair to deny something that we had given before, but I did it with the knowledge that it was going to come back and that we’re going to have a chance to re-visit the issue. And certainly given the proprietor and the owner an opportunity to conform their conduct if they chose to. I think by any objective standard. You can see that the conduct has not conformed to what we consider to be normal standards, as it relates to the operation of business. I applaud what the ZBA did because you cannot look and you cannot always subscribe what someone’s frame of mind was particularly if you were not there. I suspect what may have happened in the decision as it relates to security was they put something in affect that they thought would pass the Council. Because I would imagine, and again, I’m not as good as our Chairman in terms of reading people’s minds but, I would think that they would think that the Council would not move to remove the liquor or the license to sell liquor. In fact, what I’m going to do is offer a substitute motion at this time to remove the liquor license period. Because I was one of the people who voted in the opposite way. Had I voted something different, we wouldn’t be here, because they wouldn’t have the alcohol. The idea that we would have an operation that is so hazardous or is run in such a slip shot fashion, that in order to do the normal course of business, we’re going to have to assign a post certified police officer and a vehicle for 22 or even five hours, for 22 ½ hours out of a 24 hour day says to me, that’s an operation that’s not run properly that should not be open, that is hazardous by it’s design. I’m not saying it’s an ultra hazardous activity Sam, but it’s pretty dad gum close to it, and I think that’s what the ZBA was saying and for us to say that we believe that this place should be open and granted the right to sell alcohol, and it is not a privilege, it is a right that we decide whether you can do it or not, and at the same time, take a post certified police officer off of the street, off patrol and sit it in the parking lot for 22 hours? I can’t vote for that. I have my constituents in some parts of my district that haven’t seen a police car driving down the street in a week, but I’m going to put a police car in a parking lot to do hall duty for 22 hours, just somebody can sell alcohol? NO! No, my substitute motion is to deny the alcohol permit and I pray for a second.

Substitute motion by Councilman Lester, seconded by Councilman Walford to deny the alcohol permit.

Councilman Walford: Well I’m seconding, I was going to second, but I didn’t want to interrupt since you made the motion much earlier too.

Councilman Lester: Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Is that your - - -?

Councilman Walford: I just seconded for discussion.

Councilman Shyne: It’s been moved by Councilman Lester that we would deny - - - am I quoting you right?

Councilman Lester: Yes sir.

Councilman Shyne: That you would deny alcohol, and you seconded? That’s for discussion. Now you want to do first discussion and then I take it after you?

Councilman Walford: Yes sir, I’ve got some discussion that I would like to make. Like Mr. Lester, I was offended at Mr. Downer’s characterization of the neighborhood as a reason that we should grant alcohol? I mean that and coming in with the photos of the church is - - - I hope they taught you better than that in law school. But that offended me. I can’t believe that you came in here with that as your case to try and justify alcohol for this location. Because it was a very weak case. I agree with Calvin with what he said. You don’t have a right to alcohol. It’s a privilege that we grant. You made the very statement that the public, the citizens are entitled to protection and indeed they are. And then the protection that they have in this kind of case is from the Zoning Board of Appeals and this Council right here. That said, while I really would like to go along with Mr. Lester, I think what I’m going to do - - - they have clearly shown the lack of management. A year ago, against my wishes, this Council granted them the license, but for one year to see how it would be operated. And now we see how it’s been operated. I can’t blame Racetrac because I frequent the one on North Market. Mr. Lester and I had a discussion, they don’t have that problem. We buy gasoline, my wife and I frequently at E. 70^th, they don’t have that problem. I never see it on Bert Kouns, which tells me it’s a management issue. They don’t have the management. So, if they’re going to operate, they need the security. So with that Mr. Chairman, I’m going to offer a substitute motion of the substitute motion that

Substitute motion by Councilman Walford, seconded by Councilman Wooley to modify the ZBA decision as follows:

1. Monday through Friday, they have a post certified uniformed security officer with official law enforcement agency vehicle shall be present on the exterior of the premises, Monday through Friday, from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. On Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

2. Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with the site plan submitted and any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

3. Not to exceed one year.

Councilman Walford: Because I think it’s clear that this is one that we need to watch.

Councilman Wooley: The reason why I’m saying this is because I have to agree with the, I think the majority who has spoken. It is a privilege. We gave you guys a year. You didn’t follow through, you didn’t come through, and in my opinion, and some of our opinions, it’s just that simple. They had the opportunity to prove themselves and prove to this city that they could handle it, and they didn’t. Did not handle their business properly. It affected our community, it affected that community directly. I have to agree, I think those other comments were really improper to make in reference to the community, and so that’s why I’m supporting this. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Downer, you know and really, I guess I have a fault of lecturing people from time to time, and I don’t want to lecture to you because I’m going to kinda take that aside. I don’t really think that you meant the harm that it might have seemed like you did. Am I understanding you right?

Mr. Downer: I certainly never meant to offend anyone. I tried to point out basic facts. Maybe what I tried to do, I tried to point out that it was a zoning case and I (inaudible)

Councilman Shyne: Okay, that’s alright. That’s all I want you to say. That’s all I want you to say. And you know I don’t - - - cause we all say things sometimes that we might not have any business saying. And we all say things from time to time that people will take out of context. I know that I’ve been guilty of that a number of times, and if people rode me to death, I don’t know where I’d be. You know. And I guess I don’t know where the other folks would be. I mean, we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect All of us say things from time to time that we don’t have any business saying. And if you’re an attorney, you’re in the business of talking. And you can’t tell me that you have not said things from time to time that you wish you could take back. But I don’t really think it came from the heart. And now a lot of things, I do. A lot of times, people do say things, I do kinda take it from the heart, but I don’t really think that you meant any harm by saying what you did about the neighborhood or even saying what you did about the church, because you seem like you might be a good church going man. Now whether you are or not, I don’t know, and one of the Council Members alluded to the fact that I do a little mind reading from time to time, and he’s right. I do. And if I can read your mind right, you seem to be a good family man. You seem to be a good Christian. And you seem to be concerned about human nature. So what I would say to you is, to go back and make sure that they have the kind of management in place that they need to have. Because it seems like somewhere down the line now, there is a problem. And I know you will admit that there is a problem. And what I would suggest is that you might would help those people there. Do a study to identify what the problem is. Because you can’t keep on operating like you operate. Because I think what he’s asking for is to give you another year, or to give them another year, and if it continues to be a problem, I don’t want to do it. And I’m not going to try to speak for anybody else, cause some people have said, well hey look, lets their license to sell alcohol. And I’m against - - - I’m going to be truthful with you, I’ve always been against having alcohol in neighborhoods every since I’ve been here. Especially in the Mooretown, the Allendale, the Queensborough neighborhood, where you’ve just got a whole bunch of liquor stores. Now from time to time, I might have voted for one or two out on Youree Drive. I might have voted for one or two somewhere else. But I’ve always been against because in the early days, and Charles can tell you, you could find more liquor stores in Mooretown, than you could churches. I mean they were just everywhere. And I don’t know whether thought Mr. Davis, that we drink a lot of liquor or not, but over in my neighborhood, we drink a lot of Kool Aid, and we drink these energy drinks now. We don’t drink a lot of alcohol. But I would say it’s something going wrong at that place. Now what it is, I don’t know. You’re a businessman, and I would hope that you would go back and take a look at it, find out what it is, identify the problem, and come up with some solutions to it. Now I’m not asking you to say anything else now.

Mr. Downer: I just wanted to thank you for your comments. I appreciate him, I’m taking them to heart, and I’m taking them back to the people that need to hear your comments. I will take them back as verbatim as I can possibly remember. The one question I would ask permission to ask which is with respect to the resolution. If we shortened the hours of alcohol sales, could we get a reduction on the hours of security?

Councilman Shyne: He’s saying no. So it’s in his district, and basically we will follow - - - you want to restate?

Councilman Walford: Bea, do you have my motion, or do I - - -

Ms. Johnson: I have a substitute motion to the substitute motion to modify the security provisions and for one year only.

Councilman Walford: And you have the hours of the - - - and also it’s development of the property, shall be in substantial accord with the site plans submitted, with any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Councilman Webb: Point of information. We have three motions on the floor and that’s Councilman Walford’s and Councilman Lester’s were to deny the alcohol renewal, and what is the ZBA’s ruling that my motion was to uphold.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, the motion was to uphold the decision of the ZBA which approved a special exception use in a B-3 community business district to permit a convenience store with packaged wine and beer on the southeast corner of Claiborne and Hearne Ave with the following stipulations. 1) Development of the property shall be in substantial accord with the site plan submitted with any significant changes or additions requiring further review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals. 2) At least one post certified uniformed security officer with official law enforcement vehicle shall be present to control the exterior of the premises from one hour prior to and two hours after the legal hours for the legal sale of alcoholic beverages, and 3) This approval is for a one year period only. The applicant shall reapply for Board consideration prior to the end of this one year period if they wish to continue this use. Mr. Lester’s substitute motion would have overturned the decision of the ZBA, but would denied the special exception use in a B-3 Community Business District, and would have denied them the right to sell alcoholic beverages. The Substitute motion by Mr. Walford would approve of everything that the ZBA did except he modified the second stipulation.

Councilman Lester: Discussion Mr. Chairman. If I could, Mr. Kirkland, I have a document in front of you. Would you turn to the very first page and read the caption of that document of the very first page.

Mr. Kirkland: It says Excerpts of the City Council Proceedings, November 27, 2007.

Councilman Lester: Okay, and would those be the proceedings of this issue, one year ago.

Mr. Kirkland: They represent that, I presume they’re correct.

Councilman Lester: Okay, I’ve showed you something, and the second page, I have something underlined and checked. Could you start and read that I have checked for you.

Mr. Kirkland: Mr. Kirkland: Well let me, if you’d like Mr. Shyne, I’ll try again right now. If this motion passes, I think - - - I know Mr. Downer follows this, it’s approved for one year. And if you let that year expire without reapplying, you will lose these rights again, and you would have to reapply prior to rights expiring probably nine months from now in order to get your approval if it’s forthcoming. And my understanding is you’re running on your record. If there are Police Department complaints or other things coming from this site, that will be a major detriment to your getting reapproved. If that’s the course that sought within that time frame.

Councilman Lester: Okay. I have something else highlighted, could you read that next highlighted portion please?

Mr. Kirkland: You have a number of things checked here

Councilman Lester: Yes sir.

Mr. Kirkland: Councilman Shyne: Yeah. Right, I would hope that the attorney would come forward and make sure that you understand what we’re about to do.

Councilman Lester: Okay, and could you read the next passage?

Mr. Kirkland: Okay. Mr. Downer: I appreciate the explanation. I’m not certain I do understand. Would we reapply to the Council or would we reapply to the ZBA?

Mr. Kirkland: MPC or to the ZBA.

Councilman Lester: Alright. The next section? Mr. Kirkland: The next section is: Now if you don’t want this tacked on, you probably are going to get a ‘NO’ vote, so this is what I was trying to say to you in the beginning. And that’s why I was explaining to the Pastor, that in case I voted against him, it was a love vote, so I’m explaining this to you. This is kind of like a gift to you, and this is kind of like saying now, you’re open, make sure that you take care of these problems, because if you don’t take care of these problems, you see you’ve got people that live in that area that’s going to be suffering. So we don’t want to put them at a disadvantage, and we don’t want to put you at a disadvantage. So, the best compromise is to say that if you do it, you run on your record, if you really mean what you say, then you don’t have no problem with this. So, if you’re going to get security on high peak hours and if you’re going to make sure that you keep around your property clean and that kind of stuff, it’s kind of a safeguard for all of us instead of us saying to you, NO, we’re going to turn you down.

Mr. Downer: I certainly appreciate that, and when you said he was explaining, I wanted to make sure that I did understand what procedure we were putting in place. And it was a question, it wasn’t an argument sir, and if it sounded that way, I didn’t mean it to.

Mr. Kirkland: Go on and continue as checked?

Councilman Lester: Please.

Mr. Kirkland: Mr. Wooley: Thank you Mr. Chairman, and the reason I joined Mr. Lester on this, especially with the substitute or amendment I should say, I was concerned even the last hearing about the level of management. Nothing personal. But when you hear about people selling shoes out of the back of U-Hauls on a gas station/convenience store lot, it makes you question what exactly going on and whose overseeing the operation. That was my concern, obviously in an area of some crime activity, granted it could happen anywhere, but we didn’t get calls about other gas stations, we got calls about this gas station. I think it’s important to note that and I think it definitely concerns the Pastor, and for the residents of the area that are concerned about what goes on there. So, I think this is a great compromise and I think positive results will come from it.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Chairman, just one other statement. I would just like to say I think that you have one of the best managers that you could find anywhere. Ms. Williams there has an impeccable record of making sure that things operate the way they need to operate. Now you know we’re all human, and if it’s you or I, whoever it is, some things slip by us, but Ms. Williams, I want you to know that I have the utmost of respect and the utmost of trust in you. And this is probably one of the reasons, it could be one of the major reasons the owner and to the attorney that I’m voting the way that I am and I kind of suggest it because this is in Monty’s district and I didn’t want to come up with it, but it’s because of the kind of management that you have there, Ms. Williams is a super lady. And it’s not because you were in school with the Mayor either, but it’s just because you are a super individual Ms. Williams, and I have the utmost of trust in you, and of course if you don’t mind, it’s really not my district, but it kind of borders my district on the other side, and on the other side, it’s Joyce’s too. So, we will be coming by from time to time, and maybe buying a stick of candy or something.

Councilman Lester: Mr. Chairman, and particularly to Mr. Walford. I understand your desire to offer a substitute motion. And I just wanted to make sure we read that into the record. Because we were here a year ago, and this operator made it clear, and I think this Council made it clear, that they were going to run on their record. Made it real clear. And even a year ago, we spoke to issues concerning management specifically. And Mr. Kirkland as he read his comments back then said, if you have further incidents it’s going to look very dimly upon us moving forward giving you alcohol. If you have a scenario Mr. Chairman and Members, where you tell someone you’re going to do something, and you vote that you’re going to do something, and you give that person an opportunity to make the substantive corrective changes, and they do not, I think it demeans the Council for us moving forward, for us to look an operator in the eye and say, you have a year to conform you conduct to do something different, or else we’re not going to look favorably, and then they do not, in fact it got worse. There were not 400 calls for service in 2007. There were almost 400 calls for service from January to October before we’re here. If this situation does not scream out for a change, in terms of denying the right and is not a privilege, the right to sell alcohol, I don’t know what is? This is a text book case. Yes some people are concerned and there’s going to be other litigation, but hey - - - I mean you can’t be afraid to do what you say you’re going to do. And more than one said on that record, and for the record, I’d like to introduce Exhibit I into the record as part of these proceedings (Exhibit I is filed with ZBA CASE BAC-118-08). But more than one Council Person said you were going to have to run on your record. We don’t want anymore of these incidents, and spoke to management. And here again a year later and the exact same things that we said to change have gotten worse, and yet, we’re talking about giving them another year and to compound it in a time when we’re dealing with budget where we’ve got crime going down because of the hard work of our citizens as well as the Police Department, we’re going to commit a police officer for 20 some hours to do hall duty on someone’s parking lot. And yet, I’m going to tell my constituents that I can’t give them an officer dedicated to their neighborhood. I mean, it almost speaks to the fact that instead of citizens calling and complaining about a lack of police presence, what they need to be doing is opening liquor stores. Cause you can have 400 calls for service, and you know what? Apply for alcohol, we’ll make sure that we have an officer standing out in your parking lot to make sure your property is safe. I can’t see us committing, and yes, it’s not something that we’re going to pay for if the operator decides to, but that’s going to be one less officer patrolling one less neighborhood, making sure more of our people are safe. And I don’t see how given what we said one year ago, that we can justify putting an officer on that parking lot to do hall monitoring duty on this particular situation. So, I respect this as your district, and I understand where you’re coming from Mr. Walford, but my vote is going to be NO in terms of extending alcohol to those folks for those reasons.

Councilman Shyne: Charles, just one more and then I’m going to call for the vote.

Mr. Kirkland: Let me just clarify one thing. With all respect to Councilman Lester. The Board did not say at public expense. That was at private expense, and I think you may have known that, by this Racetrac. But those are off duty police officers, and unless the Police Chief has changed that policy, many of our officers do work off duty to supplement their income. And so it would not be in my opinion and my knowledge, taking away from any enforcement of any of our neighborhoods. Now we require and have required off duty policemen to be employed at other locations throughout our city. But again, if it ever gets to the point where it is taken away from enforcement of the law, I’m sure the Police Chief would say don’t do that anymore.

Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Walford, Wooley, Shyne, and Bowman. 4. Nays: Councilmen Lester, Long, and Webb. 3.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES

CLERK’S REPORT

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 7:10 p.m.

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//s// Joe Shyne, Chairman

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