[9:08] The meeting will now be in order. I'd like to welcome everyone to the

[9:13] regular and legal session of the Monroe City Council

[9:18] meeting. Uh today is September 8th, 6 p.m.

[9:22] At this time, we will have a roll call and to [clears throat] the

[9:27] cleric quorum. Mrs. Ezernette,

[9:32] » present. MS >> present. Mr. Muhammed,

[9:36] » present. >> Mr. McFarland,

[9:38] » present. >> Mr. Harvey,

[9:40] » present. >> There is a quorum. Present. At this

[9:44] time, we'll move to item two, education and pledge. Pastor uh Dr. AB Davis

[9:50] Johnson's Davis Johnson of senior pastor Rosa Sharon Baptist Church

[9:56] uh will offer the pledge and the prayer tonight.

[10:00] If everyone please stand.

[10:15] May we pray. Oh God, our father,

[10:20] we thank you for this day and the blessings you've given us this day.

[10:26] New mercy, daily bread. Thank you for the favor

[10:32] that you've shown us in our lives. Lord God, Jehovah,

[10:38] Jehovah Gyra, who is our provider, who sustains us with all things. We come

[10:46] to you tonight to present this city, these elected officials and this body

[10:54] before you. Where is now, oh God, that you look and have mercy on us?

[11:01] You said, "If my people which are called by my name would humble themselves and

[11:04] pray and seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then you would hear from

[11:08] heaven, forgive our sins, and heal the land." Lord, our land needs healing.

[11:17] » We're calling on you tonight. Violence is rampant. War is raging. Murders are

[11:24] happening. Yay, even in our city. We ask now that you forgive our sins. Come and

[11:33] heal the land. Bless this council. Bless this city. Bless this state. Bless this

[11:39] entire world. We thank you for the victory in advance. Jehovah Gyra. Thank

[11:46] you for the for supplying our need. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

[11:52] » Amen. >> [snorts]

[11:58] » To the flag of America and to the republic for which

[12:04] it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[12:09] for all.

[12:14] » Thank you, Pastor Davis Johnson Davis,

[12:19] um, for that prayer. Okay, we'll move down to our announcements.

[12:24] Um, ask everyone would please make sure you silence your cell phones tonight.

[12:30] Um, Mr. Harvey, >> no announcements. Thank you,

[12:33] » Mr. >> Just welcome everyone here this evening.

[12:37] Thank you for coming. >> Miss Woods,

[12:39] » I'd like to say good evening. It's good to see so many of our great friends here

[12:43] with us this evening. Good to see you. I see you. And so, thank you so much for

[12:49] being here. looking forward to um having a very good meeting tonight. You know, I

[12:55] got a lot of things that I want to talk about, but for the sake of time, I'll

[12:58] talk about it at another time. So, thank you all so very much for being here.

[13:02] » Thank you, Miss Woods, Mr. Bishop McFaren.

[13:05] » Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Uh again, we welcome everybody here on

[13:10] tonight. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule.

[13:17] Since this is the allotted time for us to speak,

[13:21] I do have some issues concerning uh the sick cell anemia foundation

[13:28] banquet and how they was pretty much forced out

[13:33] of the civic center and placed gave options to be placed

[13:40] somewhere else or c cancel their contract.

[13:47] Now, I'm going tell you this. I'm going to speak more on this matter,

[13:52] and I really need some answers for someone.

[13:57] Why in the world we going to make them get out

[14:03] of the BD Robertson building for their banquet

[14:08] when BD Robertson was one of the driving forces

[14:12] behind the sick cell anemia foundation. Now, I don't know who got these answers

[14:19] from me, but I done heard horror stories for the last week

[14:25] of how they have been treated and talked down

[14:31] and pretty much take it or else your contract is null and bored.

[14:40] That's problem with me. I'm putting it on record tonight that tonight is just

[14:47] day one that I'm going to be speaking about

[14:50] this. Everybody know me. I'm going to say what

[14:56] I want to say and I'm going to do what I want to do. But I don't tolerate

[15:02] foolishness and putting a organization out or

[15:09] forcing them. you go here because we got folks coming

[15:15] all over the world going to be at this other event

[15:21] that is ludicrous. A lot of people hadn't heard about it,

[15:28] but I hope that I can get some answers by tomorrow morning about this issue.

[15:36] I don't know, Mr. Jones is you or the civic center director.

[15:44] The mayor is not here tonight to address these concerns,

[15:50] but for someone to say, I'm going to call the mayor

[15:55] if you don't take this offer.

[16:01] That to me is a threat. What the mayor is supposed to do? Whoop somebody for

[16:06] not taking the offer to vacate the civic center when they are the one that has

[16:12] rented the civic center, plan their event, put all this information out to

[16:17] the community and they have supporters coming from all over the United States

[16:22] too. But to be talked down to

[16:26] is unacceptable. Unacceptable.

[16:32] And I'm not going to let nobody get away with that

[16:38] and talking down to my people as if they have no voice,

[16:45] no say so, and being forced to do something.

[16:52] If the public hadn't heard about it, they're going to hear more about it

[16:55] because I will go live. I am gonna go live and talk more on this issue, but

[17:03] I'm going give you opportunity. Somebody give me I'm going give somebody

[17:06] opportunity to get that information to me before tomorrow morning.

[17:14] That's the problem. Mr. Chairman, I know that you know about

[17:18] it. Miss Woods, I know that you know about it. Mr. chair, I know you ain't

[17:23] had an opportunity to speak on speak tonight,

[17:26] but but uh madame vice chair, you had your opportunity to talk on it, and this

[17:32] is something that is very hurting. It's hurting to our people for our people to

[17:38] be treated in this manner, especially

[17:44] the legacy of BD Robertson. And if you don't know him, you need to

[17:50] read about him. And that has really teed me off. And I'm

[17:56] saying teed off cuz I'm a pastor. Yes, sir. But that is wrong.

[18:03] And everybody that's behind this the curtain on this map, [clears throat]

[18:10] all that's going to be brought to light. Foolishness.

[18:16] Yes. I'm starting this meeting all fussing because it's wrong.

[18:22] And probably many of you all out there tonight hadn't even heard anything about

[18:26] it. But again, I'm telling you, I'm giving you to tomorrow morning to get me

[18:31] some answers on this matter. And I'm going to talk what I have heard

[18:37] from the Six Cell Anemia Foundation and what they have told me and who have said

[18:44] what to them. These matters will be addressed

[18:51] and we as city council members got to stand up

[18:55] for our people and not let our people be dogged out

[19:01] just because

[19:04] who you rented the civic center the whole complex whole complex out

[19:12] and saying now sick of sale got to So the other group can come in and have

[19:18] the whole complex

[19:22] need some answers. Yeah, you can sit there and and look all

[19:29] side faced with me all you want. I'm not going to go to sleep on this

[19:35] matter.

[19:40] We We got a hot agenda tonight. There are some things that we going to have to

[19:44] air out and put on record. So, it's going to it's it's going to happen

[19:49] tonight. We're going to have these discussions

[19:52] tonight. Lastly,

[19:59] majority of this council has spoken. There was a motion

[20:07] on the floor that we table a matter a passover.

[20:16] Only one council member voted nay.

[20:22] shameful that somebody that voted for it is going

[20:28] to gaslight the community as if he wasn't in support of it. Well,

[20:35] why in the Dickens did you vote for it if you wasn't for it? But you want to

[20:42] talk about Miss Woods and her issues. Why don't you tell the the public that

[20:49] you voted for the motion that was on the floor?

[20:54] See that type of foolishness? I call it out and I call it out here at this board

[21:00] table because you know that's foolishness

[21:06] when you supported it. If you wasn't going to support it, just vote nay. Do

[21:12] the same as Miss Ezan. Vote nay.

[21:18] This is what we dealing with. I'm going to say it again to everybody.

[21:23] [clears throat] Ain't nobody going to shut me up.

[21:26] I was voted into this office

[21:31] to be a voice for the people. I'm not going to be bought out.

[21:39] Nobody going to push me in a corner. Nobody going to make me hold my head

[21:44] down. When I came into this seat, I came in

[21:48] here with my head up. And when I leave this seat, I'm going to leave here with

[21:54] my head up. I'm not going to be ashamed of how I

[21:59] vote, what I vote for, and who I support.

[22:06] But all of this backdoor stuff is going to be exposed.

[22:11] We got a hot agenda, Mr. chairman and there's a lot of lot of questions

[22:17] I'll be asking on tonight. Thank you so kindly.

[22:20] » Thank you, Bishop. Uh I do echo the same sentiments about

[22:24] the sickle cell uh situation. Uh they did have to for those who don't know

[22:30] they had to relocate to the hub which is on Washington Street on Thursday night.

[22:36] Uh so it's my understanding that uh you know civic center did help with the move

[22:43] and they uh did they're doing all they can to make it a [clears throat]

[22:47] comfortable transition [cough] but I am very concerned about the mixup and uh we

[22:54] we really need to uh get those answers to uh to us on what really actually

[23:00] happened u because I know they booked they were booked well in advance

[23:05] uh for that for this event. It is an annual event. This is their signature

[23:09] event and um um just unfortunate they had to be the ones to actually uh

[23:16] relocate. Okay.

[23:19] [clears throat] >> And I try not to come back, but let me

[23:22] speak >> um regarding the cle cell uh banquet.

[23:27] » Uh and I'm sharing the sentiments of my colleagues. However, I've spoken with

[23:33] Mr. Jones and Mr. Jones gave an explanation as to what happened. No, not

[23:40] really what happened, but but kind of what happened, but what they were doing

[23:44] to correct it. And I'm certain that he's going to be in touch with you, Bishop,

[23:48] to share that uh information with you. So, now we had a long lengthy

[23:53] conversation, but that was prior to a conversation. Okay. I had

[23:58] » Okay. Uh I just want to mention that we have Chief Zordan here tonight, and he

[24:01] he's going to present. Uh, as you know, I I tend to track and keep up with our

[24:07] homicides and violent crimes in the city. And uh, you know, we highlight

[24:12] highlight when there are a lot of negatives. But I do want to highlight in

[24:17] 2026 uh, we are really trending. We are in

[24:20] September and we are at four homicides. So that's uh, that's excellent. Uh, of

[24:27] course zero would be the best, but uh we are at four if you can see from 2020 uh

[24:34] 22 homicides, 2021, 20 16 and 22 and then you know

[24:41] eight and 24 uh 2025 there were 12 and right now we're holding at

[24:48] [clears throat and cough] four homicides uh for 2026.

[24:52] So, uh, not only that's a commitment to the PD, but it's a commitment to the

[24:57] community as well, the community, those who have been participating in those

[25:02] peace walks and those uh, you see some, say some, and actually uh, help to deter

[25:09] uh, these violent crimes, particularly the homicides. All right, thank you. So,

[25:14] with that being said, um, we'll move down to item four. Can I have a motion

[25:17] to approve the minutes? >> So, move. Second.

[25:21] » Been moved and second that we approve the minutes from August 25th. Uh, any

[25:27] comments from the audience? Public >> council. Any comments? Madame clerk?

[25:34] » Mr. Harvey. >> I,

[25:35] » Miss Woods. >> I,

[25:36] » Mr. Muhammed. >> I,

[25:38] » Mrs. Desette. >> I,

[25:40] » Mr. McFarland. >> I.

[25:42] » Okay, that motion carries. Right now, we're down to presentations. Uh, we have

[25:46] tonight a presentation from Gro Neil. Mr. Rob Cleveland is here to give us an

[25:51] update. Uh while he's coming, Mr. Wilson, you want to talk about your all

[25:55] the meeting with the pastors? Um >> Okay.

[25:59] » Last week. >> Okay. So, yes. Thank you so very much. U

[26:02] Mr. Chairman, and as Mr. Cleveland is coming, I would like to thank uh Mr.

[26:07] Cleveland with Grila and thank um Nathan Hall with Delta Community College. We

[26:12] had aformational setting uh informational meeting for uh

[26:17] ministers here in Parish and very very informative about you know gave gave the

[26:25] ministers an opportunity to ask questions to get more understanding

[26:30] about what it is that grow is doing what their intents are you know what classes

[26:35] what opportunities and all of the above and it was um they were delighted and uh

[26:42] they're looking forward to, you know, doing that um job fair on the south side

[26:48] of Monroe and getting the congregants of their churches, you know, into Delta

[26:54] Community College, getting them the skill sets that they need and getting

[26:57] them a job at META. Everybody talks about META. That's right.

[27:03] » So, thank you. Thank you so much. >> Okay, Miss Cleveland, you've got the

[27:07] floor. >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Woods. Um I

[27:10] and listen I would just reiterate I I appreciate you making that happen. Again

[27:15] I know you've all have heard us say this but we want the opportunity to spread

[27:19] the good word and and what we're doing and we'll go to any audience that'll

[27:23] listen. So um you know I I I think we all have a love and hate relationship

[27:28] with social social media. Um it is a great way to get uh messages out, but uh

[27:33] we still like going in person and so to go in front of the pastors and and share

[27:37] some of the good things that were happen to get in front of a different audience.

[27:41] So um we're happy to do it and and appreciate that opportunity.

[27:46] Listen, I just wanted to stop in give you a regular update. I know I see each

[27:50] of you individually and and certainly I hear from you occasionally if you've got

[27:54] any questions but wanted to come and address the the full body and just give

[27:57] you a quick update. Um so to date we're uh what eight months

[28:03] into the year. Um and so we have been working on we have over 50 active

[28:11] projects that we have worked throughout the year. over 50 projects. Those

[28:16] projects, again, sometimes they'll come through the state, sometimes they'll

[28:20] come directly to us, sometimes we won't know anything about those projects. Um,

[28:24] but on the 50 projects, they represent over $25 billion in new investment, and

[28:30] over 10,000 new jobs among those projects. So, um, some some big

[28:35] projects, some smaller projects, and, uh, really projects of all various uh,

[28:40] industries. So, we're going to continue to work on them. Some of those are

[28:44] active, some of those are stronger than uh than others, but the majority of the

[28:49] projects we're working right now are in Richland Parish and Parish. Um most of

[28:54] the companies obviously right now everything is being driven by workforce

[28:58] and and those are our uh two most populated uh areas of the the the

[29:03] region. So looking a lot in in Washington and Richland Parish. the

[29:07] majority of the projects that we're working on that are looking in this

[29:11] area. They look at just a, as you would imagine, a small number of very specific

[29:16] sites. Usually, they all want to see the Mil Haven area. There's a lot of

[29:20] property out there. Um, so they we take them to Mil Haven. They request the

[29:24] Charleston Industrial Park a lot in Richwood. Again, that's a it's a flat

[29:29] site. It's it's it's a big a very large site and um owners who are very

[29:34] cooperative when companies come. So, you never know when sites will be taken. You

[29:38] never know when companies will find the right site, but we are showing u many

[29:43] companies uh they're in this community regularly. You probably don't know it um

[29:49] but they're coming and they're visiting and they're seeing a lot of great sites.

[29:52] So, we're going to continue to push that. Just want to remind you of a

[29:55] couple of announcements we've had in the last year. So, certainly you are all

[29:58] aware of the candy company uh project. Uh that was a project that started with

[30:02] Grow Nila. We were working with those developers on another project and and

[30:07] they really liked the opportunities in the downtown Monroe area. We're still

[30:10] actively working with them. They're still going through their due diligence

[30:13] uh process and and we're certainly working with Morgan and his team on

[30:17] that. But that that project is still ongoing, but they're in the due

[30:20] diligence phase. Um you probably heard of the Faith Technologies project that's

[30:25] been announced six, eight weeks ago at this point uh out in the Mil Haven area

[30:29] just south of High School. 80 million in new investment, 200 new jobs for our

[30:34] residents and and as Councilwoman Woods said, um we've talked to them. We had a

[30:40] call with them last week with our HR people and we made the request that we

[30:44] want to we would ask them to consider going directly into High School and

[30:49] directly on the southside to host some job fairs. So, those are those are

[30:53] requests we're making directly when we have new companies come and um we'll

[30:56] continue to push that message. Uh two last things I want to talk about real

[31:01] quick. Hopefully you had a chance to see the Nila growth website. This is the

[31:04] sales tax website that um we were excited to push out. Uh the bottom line

[31:09] is there's a lot more money in our region because of the meta project and

[31:13] all of the subcontractors and all of the great things that come along with that.

[31:17] The bottom line is I'm happy to report to you the second quarter numbers are

[31:22] starting to filter in. We're going to have an update to that website probably

[31:25] next week. Um, but I can tell you all 10 parishes in this region have higher

[31:32] sales tax right now in the first half of this year than they had in the first

[31:36] half of 2024. Every one of our 10 parishes is up significantly over sales

[31:41] tax. Um, and again, this is just starting to get out. We just we

[31:46] literally had a uh a meeting today about some of this data. I can tell you that

[31:49] in the first half of 2026, so in the first two quarters of this year, the

[31:54] city of Monroe saw $1.1 million and more in sales tax than in the first half of

[32:00] 2025. So again, significant dollars are coming in um and and not just the city

[32:06] of Monroe, but the police and fire and the libraries and all of our entities

[32:10] are are seeing more money come in. So we're all really excited about that.

[32:13] Last thing here, and I left this with you, is a document for the LCRED

[32:17] dollars. Now, this is a a program that I think it was 2023, the state of

[32:22] Louisiana gave each region $1 million and then we had to u put it into

[32:27] economic development activities. There was a match component. Um, and every

[32:31] region did theirs differently. Some regions spent the full million dollars

[32:34] on one project. We chose to disperse that money uh throughout the region.

[32:40] There are a few projects in here. I certainly want to highlight. We spent

[32:43] some money at the Charleston Industrial Park, South Monroe Industrial Park,

[32:47] Panland, the Milhaven area. Um, we had reached worked with Morgan and the mayor

[32:52] on uh that Pan land uh and in the Mil Haven area on an early rendering of what

[32:59] a an o over um interchange would look like there. And so we were able we never

[33:07] came and asked you guys for any of the match. Again, that's that we're grateful

[33:10] for the support you provide us. we use those dollars to to do these kinds of

[33:14] projects and and so we spread that money out, but certainly uh a lot of that

[33:18] money came right here in the city of Monroe. So that's all I have for you. Um

[33:22] happy to take any questions and just appreciate you being given the

[33:25] opportunity to address you guys. >> Thank you u Mr. Cleveland for coming and

[33:31] sharing with us about what you all are doing out there in the 10 parishes,

[33:36] particularly in northeast Louisiana. any council members comments, concerns,

[33:40] questions. >> I just want to say thank you for all

[33:43] your efforts. It's uh things like this that keep keep us going knowing what's

[33:49] going on. The communication is terrific. So, thank you. Keep that up.

[33:53] » Yes. Yes, ma'am. And I'll I'll make sure I share that with team. I got a great

[33:56] group of people. Brandon Welsh, Brookley Barnes, Benjamin Stokes, and Meline. Uh

[34:01] I know you guys all know them, but they're working they're working their

[34:04] tails off. So, uh we're having a lot of fun. We're making uh You got to make hay

[34:07] while the sun shines. And the sun's shining right now.

[34:11] » You want to >> And of course, I'd just like to say

[34:14] thank you. I >> I know how you work hard. The only thing

[34:17] I need is for you to come back to I20. >> Okay.

[34:21] » Yeah. We need you back out there looking at some things and and bringing some

[34:26] renderings for us out there. >> Okay. Yes, ma'am.

[34:30] » You know, my concern, Charleston, South Richwood. I'd like to see something come

[34:34] to Richwood. Uh, I know you you working on it.

[34:39] » We had a project out there last week. Talked to the property owners last week.

[34:42] So, it's an active site. >> Okay.

[34:47] » Thank you so much. >> Thank you all. Appreciate the

[34:50] opportunity. >> You had his heart.

[34:52] » I I call Rob all the time. He gets money from me.

[34:54] » All right. Okay. At this time, we'll move to uh I've asked Chief of Police to

[34:59] come tonight. Uh he's going to present on some numbers. Uh, Chief Zoit, how you

[35:05] doing tonight? >> Doing well, council. Thank you, Mr.

[35:08] Muhammed, for the opportunity. [clears throat and cough]

[35:13] » Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about something that

[35:16] matters to every person who calls Monroe home, the safety and quality of life in

[35:20] our community. Over the past several years, the Monroe Police Department,

[35:24] working alongside our community partners, has made significant progress

[35:28] in reducing violent crime and particularly homicides.

[35:32] Let me put that progress into perspective. Uh in 2020, Monro recorded

[35:37] 22 homicides. In 21, we had 20. In 22, the number

[35:42] dropped to 16. Uh in 23, we saw 18. Then in 24, we experienced a significant

[35:49] reduction with just eight homicides. In 25, we recorded 12. If y'all

[35:54] remember, that was the year we had that tragic triple homicide with a child lost

[35:58] lost a life as well. As far as 26 is going, we're holding currently at four.

[36:03] U those numbers represent more than statistics. They represent lives saved,

[36:08] families spared from tragedy, and neighborhoods that are safer because of

[36:12] the work being done every day by officers in our community. From 22

[36:16] homicides in 2020 to just four so far in 26 represents a substantial reduction.

[36:22] But I want to be very clear, we're not declaring victory in any sort of sense

[36:26] of the word. Every homicide is one too many. Behind every number is a victim, a

[36:31] family, friends, an entire community affected by that loss. Our goal is not

[36:36] simply to reduce a statistic. Our goal is to prevent violence before it happens

[36:40] and to make Monroe a place where people feel safe raising their families,

[36:44] operating their business, businesses, and living with their families. This

[36:48] progress has not been by accident. It is a result of a dedicated police officers

[36:52] working around the clock, investigators holding violent offenders accountable,

[36:57] proactive policing, intelligenceled strategies, partnership with other law

[37:01] enforcement agencies, and perhaps most importantly, cooperations with the

[37:05] citizens we serve. When our community gives us information, when witnesses

[37:10] come forward, when residents work with us instead of against us, we are able to

[37:14] take dangerous individuals off the streets and prevent additional violence.

[37:18] I also want to recognize the men and women of the Monroe Police Department.

[37:21] They come to work every day knowing that the job can be difficult, dangerous, yet

[37:25] they continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication. To

[37:29] the mayor and council, thank you for supporting our department, investing in

[37:33] public safety. We should be proud of the progress we've made, but we should also

[37:37] remain focused on the work ahead. Four homicides in 2026 is progress, but our

[37:42] ultimate goal is zero. We will continue to work with council, our law

[37:46] enforcement partners, our schools, neighborhoods, and businesses, and our

[37:49] citizens to make the goal a reality. The citizens of Monroe deserve to feel safe,

[37:54] and the Monro Police Department will continue doing everything within our

[37:57] ability to deliver on that promise. Thank you.

[38:01] » Thank you, Chief. Um, any council members have concerns,

[38:07] comments?

[38:10] The only thing I would like to say is um well congratulations first and thank

[38:15] you. Um I did appreciate getting getting the updates on things that are not

[38:21] always readily available. Did not know that we had a situation today. So thank

[38:27] you for sharing. >> Yes ma'am.

[38:28] » And I'm very happy that everything turned out good.

[38:31] » Yes ma'am. So, a violent crime

[38:36] that includes rape. Uh what else? Aggravated?

[38:42] » Uh armed robbery, rape, murder. Um >> yeah. So, I'd like to see some of those.

[38:47] And I'm Is that trending, too? >> I don't I didn't have them in front of

[38:51] me. We're overall from when I paid attention to it from getting here in

[38:55] November of 2020, we've had some ups and downs, but most all of it has been

[39:00] trending down the last three years. >> I read about a lot of lot of rape, a lot

[39:04] of domestic >> that is one that'll be up one year and

[39:07] down the next year. >> Yeah.

[39:10] » No, no, no, no, ma'am. No. Now, one of the things that one of the things that I

[39:16] get a lot in my district, uh, Kingsway is in my district, and there are

[39:22] constant fights in Kingsway, you know. I I send you textes all the time. as they

[39:27] send them to me, [clears throat] I send them to you, you know, and there's, you

[39:31] know, it's almost like it's a game, you know, they they treat it like it's

[39:35] almost a um a boxing match and, you know, and everybody is looking,

[39:42] everybody's out there with their cameras. How do we stop that? Because

[39:46] those are things that really, you know, could lead to increased homicides.

[39:52] » Well, the instant somebody sees that, we need to know about it. the sooner we can

[39:56] get a police officer there, uh, the quicker we can keep that situation under

[40:01] control. Uh, we have we have regular, uh, routine patrols.

[40:07] Kingsway is one of them that uh, we we make a priority. Uh, so if if the

[40:12] citizens that live there, they're the ones that see that.

[40:15] » And maybe not sit there and look at it and film it and put it on Facebook or

[40:19] Instagram or something like that and actually call 911 or us, our response

[40:23] time is pretty quick. Okay, that's good. That's good to know because um you know

[40:28] anytime that I've ever sent it sent you anything, you know, y'all have responded

[40:32] to it. >> So that's good and I thank you very much

[40:35] for that. But you know if we could just kind of put a stop to it and I know it's

[40:39] hard because you know they do it and then people will disperse

[40:43] [clears throat] and then you know you don't know where

[40:46] they came from and nobody is telling on anybody.

[40:50] » It's a form of entertainment. >> Yeah. All

[40:54] right. Thank you to you. Thank you. >> All right. We'll move now to item six,

[40:58] uh, public hearings, none. Post condemnations, none tonight. Item seven,

[41:05] accept the rejection of bids, none. Resolution amended entries.

[41:10] Uh, Department of Administration A, consider

[41:13] an application. >> So move.

[41:15] » Second. Been moved and properly seconded that we consider this application by

[41:19] Miss Whitfield at 215 PAL Avenue. Uh any comments from the audience?

[41:27] » Please come to the microphone. State your name and address.

[41:40] » I just want to speak on >> No, no, no, no. We can only speak on

[41:45] this agenda item. >> Okay.

[41:48] » Okay. So, you can sign up to speak on whatever you like at the end, but right

[41:53] now we're speaking on agenda items. >> Okay.

[41:55] » Okay. Thank you. Council, you have any comments?

[41:59] » Uh, yes. Is Miss Whitfield here tonight? >> I would just like to say um thank you

[42:09] for opening up a business in the community. I do know this place and

[42:14] hopefully you'll have much success with it.

[42:18] » All right, >> madame clerk,

[42:22] » Mrs. Ezernac, >> I.

[42:24] » Miss Woods, >> I.

[42:25] » Mr. Muhammed, >> I.

[42:27] » Mr. Harvey, >> I.

[42:29] » Mr. McFarland, >> I.

[42:31] » Motion carries. B, consider [clears throat] an application by 2K

[42:35] Family Operating. Been moved and properly second that we consider this

[42:39] application by 2K family operating. Anyone in audience to speak for or

[42:43] against this item? >> Seeing none council you have any

[42:47] comments? >> Madame clerk.

[42:49] » Miss Woods >> I.

[42:51] » Mr. Harvey >> I.

[42:53] » Mr. McFarland >> I.

[42:55] » Mrs. >> I.

[42:56] » Mr. Muhammed >> I. That motion carries. C. He adopt a

[43:00] resolution authorizing the city of Monroe, state of Louisiana to incur debt

[43:04] and to issue sale and deliver not to exceed 110 million aggregated principal

[43:11] amount of sales tax revenue bonds in one or more series making application to the

[43:17] Louisiana State Bond Commission employing bond council and other

[43:21] professionals and otherwise providing with restraint there too. There's been a

[43:25] motion there. Second >> second. been moved and properly second

[43:28] that we consider this resolution. Um I would ask u I think Mr. Mallister you

[43:36] want to talk so we'll get comments from um from the administration and uh we can

[43:42] go from there.

[43:49] » Yes, council chair. Thank you uh council members. Very good to see you uh this

[43:53] evening. So, this proposed bond package, as you stated, is presented at $110

[43:59] million. Uh, we know that the city of Monroe has a capacity that is over that.

[44:05] However, um, the mayor, administration, council, uh, having a number of

[44:10] conversations and preliminary meetings leading into today. So, I could speak

[44:15] uh, from the engineering standpoint of this. Um, I've been with the city of

[44:18] Monroe approximately five years. came in. There were a number of emergency

[44:24] projects that were taking place. Um I undertook the management of those and we

[44:29] ultimately saw those projects completed successfully. Uh we've had the

[44:33] opportunity to move on a number of other projects u since my time here under

[44:37] Mayor Ellis. Uh projects that were desperately needed uh other projects

[44:42] that are u are a benefit and to the quality of life of the citizens of

[44:46] Monroe. And so this particular package as presented uh what we started out with

[44:52] was roughly over $200 million outlined within specific categories. And what we

[44:57] have proposed is different trunches um financial term a draw if you will from

[45:03] the overall approved bond package amount by the bond commission. And so the

[45:08] information that was shared with you uh a number of days ago u I believe you've

[45:13] seen different versions of that. And what we did was is break out those

[45:17] classifications. Uh you've got streets, uh you've got quality of life projects

[45:22] associated with community uh or recreation centers, community centers.

[45:27] Uh we've got infrastructure in there as well, that being water and sewer. Um and

[45:32] also within your own districts. So, this first trunch that we've proposed

[45:37] allocates u you know uh roughly $4 million to each council district at your

[45:44] discretion and your use. Obviously, that is something that that you bring before

[45:48] the public and we publicly bid those projects. Uh but the hope is is that

[45:52] those allocations associated with each district, each district um are tied to

[45:58] projects based on u uh public interaction uh that that which mayor

[46:03] Ellis has had and also that which you have had with your constituents. Uh just

[46:07] hearing the needs and the wants within your districts. And so this first

[46:12] trunch, if you will, of this ultimate $110 million bond package, uh we would

[46:17] hope to move on that as early as November. Um and then following next

[46:21] year with a $50 million uh the second trunch of that. Now this is tied

[46:27] directly to the 1% sales tax that was approved uh by the voters of Monroe in

[46:33] late 2024. And so we know that every sales tax uh

[46:39] or every dollar that is spent, 1% of that dollar is allocated to a fund

[46:44] that's been around uh to the benefit of the city of Monroe for a number of

[46:47] years. And so what this would do is is allow us to move um in a more rapid

[46:53] fashion on those projects um moving things together or projects uh forward

[46:59] in a group if you will rather than one at a time. Uh I will say that the

[47:03] engineering department along with those that we work with third party are more

[47:07] than capable and willing to move on a group of projects simultaneously. And so

[47:12] um from the engineering standpoint um I could share that from the administrative

[47:17] standpoint I could share or or answer any questions that you may have but that

[47:21] is it uh in its basic form. We do have our bond attorneys that are here that

[47:27] are willing to uh and capable of providing any specific details at how

[47:32] this bond is laid out and and how we will see that play out over time.

[47:39] » Thank you Master. Um,

[47:43] do we want to hear from um anyone from the audience? Any other

[47:48] comments?

[47:52] Council,

[47:55] » are you coming, sir? >> Yeah. Okay.

[48:01] Tony Little 131547. Um, I have not seen any of the

[48:09] the the packet that Mr. Mallister is talking

[48:14] about on the bond layout in the packet. Is that open to the public?

[48:22] » What's the question, sir? >> I haven't seen the project list or or

[48:26] anything like that that's laid out for the public.

[48:28] » We have a proposed project. Yes. >> Okay. I haven't seen that. Okay.

[48:33] So, is it open to the public? >> To the public?

[48:37] » Yes, it will be. Yes. >> Okay. It will be. So, my only thing is

[48:41] what I'm saying is on tonight and you and I had a Thank you for calling me

[48:46] back and we had a a nice conversation, but what I'm saying is um on tonight

[48:56] when you and I talked, Mr. Chairman, I brought to your attention that and you

[49:02] are correct that under Louisiana revised statute

[49:10] that the city cannot incur debt

[49:15] without bond commission consent. And I think I've had many conversations with

[49:22] most of the council about the need to bond. So, I don't want to be

[49:28] hypocritical, but

[49:31] my point has been is on the document in your packet that on tonight

[49:41] from the title on down, this is a resolution authorizing the

[49:47] city of Monroe to incur debt

[49:52] and to issue bonds to sell to deliver

[49:58] not to exceed $100 million $110 million. The document calls itself an

[50:07] authorization to incur debt. So, it's not a preliminary step step.

[50:14] This is what you're doing. On page two of the document,

[50:19] um it says uh including but not limited to street

[50:24] sewer and any other capital project not I mean authorized by the voters.

[50:33] Um in section one it approves an issuance up to 6%.

[50:41] Um, and it matures December 31st, 2050. Okay, that's about $8.8 million a year,

[50:52] roughly $100 million in interest, and this is what I'm saying.

[50:58] If you guys agree that we need to do this and we don't

[51:05] need to put it um in a formal document that needs to be passed,

[51:14] that's I don't agree with that. I believe that

[51:18] people do contracts for a living, but you're the council and you represent

[51:27] a a a a each one of you represent a district.

[51:32] This has been a controversial issue. It has

[51:37] been something that was passed. We had an election on it. We had a recall

[51:44] election on it. And I think the public needs to see it in a transparent way

[51:53] before it's done. So you won't have the issue of this person got this and this

[51:59] person got this and we know it from a holistic point of view because this

[52:07] authorization on tonight in section three it says an application is formally

[52:13] made. Section four, it says the city binds itself to its successors and

[52:21] assigns. That's in the package. Uh in section

[52:26] five, it says the mayor and any other officer authorized and powers

[52:34] and directs to to execute all documents before a single project is named. But

[52:42] you said you have the projects. I don't have that. And so my my perspective on

[52:50] this because it's been so many back and forths is that very few people know

[52:57] about this. And at 6% once you do it, you're talking about

[53:05] $110 million and $95 million in interest. That's $200

[53:11] million. And

[53:16] I personally think that we just need to get clarity on this. Make sure each

[53:22] person knows exactly what they're doing, what's going on in every district.

[53:28] Uh so there will be 100% transparency. Again, I don't want to be hypocritical.

[53:35] I have probably spoken to Mr. Harvey um and even uh Councilman Muhammad a

[53:43] thousand times about the need to borrow, the need to do projects, but at the same

[53:49] time we do this, we need to make sure that the public knows

[53:56] because of the history of this that that they know what we're doing,

[54:03] why we're doing it, so we won't have the backlash.

[54:08] Think about the calls you get. They're mowing on this side. They're not mowing

[54:13] here. >> Mr. Little.

[54:14] » Yeah. And >> go ahead and land your plane now.

[54:17] » No, you are you hear me? Thank you again so much.

[54:20] » All right. >> Thank you, sir.

[54:23] » Okay. Um,

[54:28] Mr. Bose, you want to speak to some of this

[54:32] before we hear from council?

[54:39] Let me just say this uh that uh this is uh you know I've I've we sat down I sat

[54:45] down with council >> uh

[54:49] Bishop McFarland and we are very concerned that we do this right. We're

[54:55] not rushing into anything. Um there is a need to fix our streets in the city of

[55:01] Monroe. These streets need fixing. So uh everything will come back. This is

[55:09] just to give uh the bond council authorization to go to Baton Rouge

[55:15] to request that we borrow the money. Once they say yay or nay, they could say

[55:20] nay, right? So then we come back and then we bond and create ordinances on

[55:27] specific let me say it again specific projects

[55:33] it'll be in the ordinance ordinance mean it'll be law so no one can do anything

[55:38] other than what's in the ordinance law

[55:43] Mr. BS. >> Thank you. Bill BS B Chatau, 1818

[55:48] Avenue, America, Monro, Louisiana. I appreciate what Mr. Little said and

[55:52] that's exactly what you're doing here. You're just going to the bond

[55:55] commission. You're not obligated. You're not issuing debt. You'll be coming back

[55:59] to pass an ordinance if you choose. Uh the only thing we're doing here is going

[56:04] to the bond commission and getting approval. um when you come back to pass

[56:08] your ordinance, there will be very specific projects in that ordinance to

[56:12] where it's totally transparent. The people can see what's you're approving,

[56:18] what's going to be worked on. And so, uh again, there's no debt. There's no

[56:23] obligation to issue debt. Nobody can make any money. None of the

[56:27] professionals until debt is actually issued after an ordinance. And the

[56:32] ordinance will contain projects involved with projects that will be uh set out

[56:38] specifically so that the public can see. >> Thank you sir.

[56:42] » I have a question. Okay. >> Okay. So now

[56:48] thank you so much for that Mr. BS. Now when we talk about it [clears throat]

[56:53] you know because the language says one thing and then we say something else.

[56:58] Right here in the title, it says, "A resolution authorizing the city of

[57:03] Monroe, state of Louisiana to incur debt and to issue, sale, and deliver." Now,

[57:14] now that doesn't mean because I was under the impression that we were

[57:21] going to the bun commission to get on the agenda. That's correct.

[57:28] » Now that's >> the header doesn't have anything to do

[57:30] with the substance. The substance is in here and it's preliminary approvals.

[57:34] What it could we change the header if you want, but the header is nothing more

[57:38] than general summary description, but the the there's nothing in here that

[57:43] says you're issuing debt from number one to the end. And so there is no debt

[57:50] authorized to be issued until you go to the bond commission and then after that

[57:55] you've got to issue by the city's charter and most other even in Laurens

[57:59] act or non-charter cities you have to have an ordinance to issue debt. So

[58:03] you're not issuing debt. The only thing you're doing by this resolution is going

[58:07] to the bond commission. >> Okay. So, I'mma ask you this because and

[58:13] I have to ask you when I have conflicting information, then I go to

[58:16] the experts. All right? Now, I have a group of folks saying that something of

[58:21] this magnitude, $110 million and calling it a resolution

[58:28] versus calling it an ordinance. >> This is a resolution.

[58:34] » It's a resolution. >> This is a resolution. Anytime you go to

[58:37] the bun commission, it's always done by resolution.

[58:41] » Always. >> Never.

[58:42] » This is the same way we've done it for since I've been doing it for 30 years.

[58:46] » All right. And then cuz see what this is, this once this is done, what it does

[58:51] is it obligates the city for the next 25 years once you sell the bonds. Right.

[58:58] Once you come back and you all decide to to pass an ordinance with all the

[59:03] specifics in it, this doesn't obligate you to do anything. Just authorizes us

[59:08] to go to the bond commission and get approval. So there's no debt being

[59:13] issued by this or could you issue debt by this resolution

[59:17] » and so so it's just out there. It's just out there until you until we actually

[59:22] y'all will actually go out and sell bonds. We're not incurring any kind of

[59:25] debt. >> None at all. and you don't you this

[59:28] doesn't obligate you to go forward do anything. We'll just go to the bond

[59:31] commission >> get approval and get uh that's a very

[59:36] cumbersome process. Uh Mr. uh Thompson and I spend a lot of time as I said it's

[59:43] a probably about 40% of what we do is getting it through the bond commission.

[59:47] » But we have to come back and before we sell any bonds, you'll introduce an

[59:51] ordinance if you choose. You'll have a public hearing on it where people can

[59:56] speak to it and then you'll decide whether or not you want to pass it. But

[59:59] no debt can be off can be issued without an ordinance from the city.

[1:00:03] » Okay. Now, let me ask you this part because I now I don't know the fancy

[1:00:08] word that you call that's equal to a draw a draw down. You know, he calls it

[1:00:16] something. It's a it's a financial term that's equal to a draw.

[1:00:20] » He was talking about TR. It just means a a a

[1:00:25] what's the best way to describe it? It's just the first first group of first

[1:00:31] amount of debt. >> Yeah. So you Yes. The first amount of

[1:00:34] debt, the first draw down. It's called the F.

[1:00:38] » It's not a draw. It's we'll issue the debt [clears throat] in whatever amount

[1:00:42] you all choose, but it'll be issued all at once. It won't be drawn down. It'll

[1:00:47] be requisitioned out of that amount that we borrow from uh the trustee or paying

[1:00:52] agent to make sure it's all being spent where you want to be spent. But it'll be

[1:00:56] issued in one group of debt. What's the word for

[1:01:00] » series or or loan? >> It's like getting a line of credit and

[1:01:05] you go and get part of it and you come back and get the rest of it later.

[1:01:09] » Okay. So, on this $110 million, we're going to we're going to bund it all.

[1:01:14] » No ma'am. No ma'am. No, 60 million we are proposing in the first year.

[1:01:20] » That's going to be in November according to Mr. Mcc.

[1:01:22] » Right. >> Where is it written?

[1:01:25] » H >> where is it? Where is that written?

[1:01:27] » It'll come back in ordinance. >> Okay. But where is it written tonight?

[1:01:31] » So it's it we won't have we won't we will not have the timing written inside

[1:01:36] the resolution. That is legit. That is truly up to this council.

[1:01:40] » That is truly up to this council. So the council will make the decision

[1:01:44] » how much as well as when you guys want to issue

[1:01:47] » 60 million 70 million 50 million >> as or nothing

[1:01:51] » or or nothing as Bill said the I'm going to do a really quick timeline if that's

[1:01:57] okay so we can kind of run through the steps

[1:02:00] » one these are sales tax bonds >> tell us who you are please

[1:02:02] » I'm sorry I apologize Namy Thompson with government consultants serving as

[1:02:06] municipal adviser for the city of Monroe on their bond issues so all we do is

[1:02:10] bond issues issues and in Louisiana how um you would issue a bond issues just

[1:02:15] how Bill and Mr. Mallister stated earlier, all municipalities will issue,

[1:02:19] excuse me, will u pass a resolution. The resolution is strictly permission. It's

[1:02:25] no different than our kids coming to us and say, "Mother, may I?" We're passing

[1:02:28] a resolution. Hopefully, you'll be passing a resolution that will say,

[1:02:32] "Hey, bond commission, can't we borrow up to 110?" If you guys change the

[1:02:37] number, you're asking, can you borrow bond commission up to whatever number

[1:02:41] you decide? That is strictly up to this council. Once the council passes this

[1:02:46] resolution with that number in there, then bond commission will fill out an

[1:02:50] application. Bond commission will review it and they'll say yes or they'll say

[1:02:54] no. But we're going under the assumption bond commission is going to say yes, you

[1:02:58] can. You have permission to issue up to the number you put inside

[1:03:03] this resolution. Right now it says 110. After they pass that, then we'll come

[1:03:08] back to you and we'll ask the question, not in the city council meeting. will

[1:03:12] ask you over emails, over calls or whatever and say how much do you want to

[1:03:16] issue on your first the name that we say on on our side is tunch or we'll say

[1:03:21] series but it's just how much how much money do you want first you guys have

[1:03:25] all decided your projects city has decided their projects and you've added

[1:03:28] it up and you say hey what we need in order to do our first set of projects is

[1:03:33] 50 million 60 million 70 million you guys make that determination you'll also

[1:03:37] make the determination of when you want to borrow it assuming that you guys want

[1:03:41] to borrow it in November. If you say we don't we want to borrow it in December,

[1:03:45] that's when we'll do it. You may say you want to borrow it in February. It's

[1:03:49] strictly your decision >> and you'll do that decision by

[1:03:53] ordinance. So when you say we want to go forward, we want to borrow the 50, the

[1:03:57] 60, the 70 million. We'll draft or excuse me, I should say Mr. BS will

[1:04:01] draft that that ordinance. Put it in front of you guys with those list of

[1:04:05] projects that >> projects in the ordinance

[1:04:08] » and you'll have the projects inside the ordinance. you're [clears throat] making

[1:04:11] that determination. I It's going to sound like I'm demeaning Mr. BS, but

[1:04:15] he's filling in blanks at that point or whatever. He's putting in your projects.

[1:04:19] He's putting in how much you guys decide that you want to do. After that, that

[1:04:24] gives us permission to now go out and go sell. It's when I really kick in the

[1:04:29] gear, Mr. Antie behind me really kicks in the gear, the other underwriters kick

[1:04:33] in the gear to go sell that number that that this council decided on. We'll go

[1:04:38] out and go sell it. We'll come back to you and say council this is the interest

[1:04:42] rates this is how much you got will you approve the will you finalize adopt the

[1:04:47] ordinance so we have to come back to you twice but all decisions are made by this

[1:04:51] council this truly this resolution is strictly the way Louisiana issues debt

[1:04:56] and it has to go to the state bond commission to literally ask for

[1:05:00] permission that's all this resolution does and it says on there occur debt in

[1:05:04] the header and it's do that because state bond commission likes to see that

[1:05:08] that that you understand if you come back with an ordinance, you

[1:05:11] will be incurring debt. And so the header just says that in there, but as

[1:05:15] Mr. Bull said earlier inside of there, you're not incurring debt. You're asking

[1:05:19] for permission. That's all this resolution does.

[1:05:24] » Okay. So, >> can I ask some questions?

[1:05:26] » Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. >> All right.

[1:05:30] » Go right ahead. >> And and it's it's not really directed

[1:05:34] towards you all, >> but it is a trust factor.

[1:05:39] It's a trust factor in this city. Now,

[1:05:43] Mr. Mac, he he made some reference to uh the mayor and has has talked to the

[1:05:50] council members numerous times. He only talked with me

[1:05:55] one time. Let's let's make that clear. And I was expecting tonight that the

[1:06:02] mayor would be here. So the tough questions tonight would be

[1:06:07] asked of him so it to be on record that this is exactly what we're doing

[1:06:14] because really Mr. Moore is the one supposed to

[1:06:19] be answering tonight for the mayor. I was unaware that he wasn't going to be

[1:06:26] here until at the last minute cuz I read one email but then apparently there was

[1:06:32] a second email that he going to miss this meeting. Now I do have some

[1:06:37] reservations because the mayor is not here to put

[1:06:42] certain things on record. Mr. Mallister, he made reference that um these projects

[1:06:50] will be going at the same time.

[1:06:56] I don't believe that. Why is that? Thank you for asking the question.

[1:07:02] because there's projects on the book right now

[1:07:07] that we have passed here and nothing has been done.

[1:07:15] And the same engineer has said to me and Mrs. Woods that certain things is not

[1:07:20] priority anymore and by ways in action

[1:07:26] nothing has been done. So, how do I know if I vote for this on

[1:07:31] tonight that that same attitude

[1:07:35] won't be displayed? That's not priority anymore.

[1:07:41] That's a problem especially to make a statement like that

[1:07:45] to me. And that's why I don't have certain I don't have meetings by myself.

[1:07:50] I always have a witness with me when when I meet with certain people because

[1:07:55] they change their stories. But here it is.

[1:08:02] We want a resolution tonight for $110 million.

[1:08:09] But somebody need to answer these questions for me.

[1:08:14] The last tax it expired when?

[1:08:21] Can somebody answer that? >> 850.

[1:08:24] » Huh? >> 50.

[1:08:25] » No. What are you talking about? This one tax this this 1%

[1:08:30] expires in 2050. When when did the last one expire?

[1:08:37] » 25 years. 26. >> Yeah. No, he's

[1:08:40] » getting ready to wait. No, Mr. Mr. Muhammed.

[1:08:44] We going >> see this this is the stuff here.

[1:08:47] » Expire. >> See, I'm not going to be hoodwinkedked

[1:08:49] now. >> So, let's let's

[1:08:52] » I I think I might be able to answer that. So before the renewal that passed

[1:08:56] before the renewal that extended it out to 2050 and I I'm I'm going from memory

[1:09:02] here so I might >> Was it a renewal?

[1:09:05] » Was it identical? >> So on legally I will say I'm not sure if

[1:09:11] you call it a renewal or not and so I'm >> you cannot answer the question for me.

[1:09:16] » I can tell you I I believe the date though for that previous tax it would

[1:09:20] have expired in 20

[1:09:25] I believe >> 2030. I believe it would have expired in

[1:09:28] 2030. I think that's correct. >> So it it it ends in four more years.

[1:09:34] » It would have. >> It would have.

[1:09:36] » Yes, sir. >> And so now we overlapping another tax.

[1:09:41] Are we what we do with the the remainder? It just go away.

[1:09:46] » Yes. >> Okay. So, with that being said, now

[1:09:49] that's that's your that's your statement,

[1:09:52] » your answer on that, right? >> Yes.

[1:09:53] » Okay. All right. So, uh we have a lot of bonds out there, correct?

[1:09:58] » We have a lot of bonds for the city of Monroe.

[1:10:01] » That's correct. >> That's That's still that we still paying

[1:10:04] on. >> That's correct.

[1:10:05] » Okay. See, I I really didn't want you all to answer this. I wanted the mayor

[1:10:10] to answer this. So, I don't know if I need to direct these questions to Mr.

[1:10:14] more because you're the finance man and you should have all of these answers for

[1:10:18] me. So, I'm going to ask that you answer these questions on the record for us

[1:10:25] tonight. How many bonds do we have actively out

[1:10:29] there as of today?

[1:10:34] » Mr. Mr. McFarland to tell you accurately I would need to double check. Sir,

[1:10:39] » do you have an approximate number? >> I am reluctant to give a number. with

[1:10:44] not knowing exactly what it is. >> Do you want to pass that question to

[1:10:47] somebody else that may know?

[1:10:53] » I can answer >> Nandy, you have been getting some

[1:10:58] information from us. Do you know the exact number?

[1:11:01] » So bonds, >> sales tax bonds, the number of sales tax

[1:11:04] bonds that the city has currently are six. You issued one in 2009. And all

[1:11:10] these bonds I'm about to mention were all secured by the 1% sales tax. Okay?

[1:11:15] So you issue bonds in 20 excuse me 2009 in 2011 and 2012 in 2013 2017 as well as

[1:11:24] 2021. And all of those bonds all six of them are secured by that 1% sales tax.

[1:11:30] » And what is what is the total amount of those bonds

[1:11:33] » when they were issued? I'm going to borrow someone's glasses. I'm getting

[1:11:36] old. >> [cough]

[1:11:42] » Let's see.

[1:11:46] I'll do quick math and >> yep. So, let me tell if somebody can

[1:11:52] keep up with this. In 2014, and it's in the resolution in and the third whereas

[1:11:58] or the second whereas the 2009's were 14 million. That's how much you issued in

[1:12:03] 2009. In 2011, you issued another 14 million. In 2013, you issued 11,700,000.

[1:12:13] In 2017, you issued 18,435,000. And in 2021, you issued 11,910,000.

[1:12:23] » So, what is the total amount debt so far?

[1:12:27] » Uh, I was reading them all, so I didn't add them up, but I'm going real quick.

[1:12:33] That's going to be somewhere around 60 to 70 million.

[1:12:39] » That was the initial amount. >> So, so the downtown

[1:12:46] bond that falls under >> that one I believe was the ED.

[1:12:52] » Oh, so it wouldn't fall under the city of Monroe.

[1:12:54] » No, it falls underneath the city of Monroe. It does not fall underneath the

[1:12:57] security. So, if I can do just quick, um, when you issue bonds, you tie to it

[1:13:03] a security. You tie to it a revenue stream. The revenue stream for all the

[1:13:07] ones I just listed are the 1% sales tax. >> The the one that you mentioned, I

[1:13:13] believe, was is backed by sales tax directly inside that district. So, it's

[1:13:17] still a city of Monroe deal, but it's not secured by this sales tax.

[1:13:20] » I'm going somewhere with it in just a second.

[1:13:22] » Yes, sir. >> I'm just getting you on record on what

[1:13:24] you're saying. >> Yes, sir.

[1:13:26] » All right. So what about the tower drive bond?

[1:13:31] » Correct. That is secured by sales tax, but that is secured not by this 1% sales

[1:13:36] tax. >> Well, who's responsible at the end of

[1:13:39] the day or something fall? Well, >> still is still the city of Monroe.

[1:13:42] However, though, the bond holders that buy it, they know which sales tax they

[1:13:47] are um they have rights to. >> And how much is that bond?

[1:13:51] » Oh, there's a couple. I don't have that one off the top of my head. However,

[1:13:54] though those >> I have an estimate that we have out

[1:13:56] there about $176 billion worth of bonds. >> I think you probably issued that much. I

[1:14:02] don't believe that that's the amount current right now.

[1:14:04] » Only a few that from my understanding is getting ready to mature. The rest of

[1:14:10] them will be from 2030, 31, 39, 43. >> And we are we talking about the ones

[1:14:18] that are we talking about the ones that are out there at the Pan

[1:14:21] » at the end of the day? Mhm. >> Everybody need to understand that the

[1:14:26] city of of Monroe is going to be responsible for all of it.

[1:14:31] » Now, I want you to understand something. I'm not saying that I'm against this

[1:14:38] » resolution on tonight. I would rather the mayor to be here

[1:14:44] tonight to answer questions, to put it on record because there's a trust

[1:14:50] factor. When somebody makes statements to me

[1:14:56] after something has been passed by this council

[1:15:00] that that project is no longer priority that's problematic.

[1:15:07] How do I know that won't happen after tonight? Why you

[1:15:12] saying that? Thank you for asking the question. Is because this is a

[1:15:17] resolution. >> Mhm. is not an ordinance at all. Or

[1:15:21] ordinance is law. >> Correct.

[1:15:23] » Now, Mr. Bows, I I trust you and I believe what you said,

[1:15:31] but why this couldn't have been an ordinance on tonight and not a

[1:15:35] resolution?

[1:15:39] » So, in Louisiana, when you issue debt, any political subdivision, when you

[1:15:44] issue debt, you have to go to the bond commission. the bond commission to apply

[1:15:48] to the bond commission. It has to be a resolution. You're not incurring debt

[1:15:51] here. All you're doing is asking for permission. When it's time to issue

[1:15:55] debt, we will come back with the ordinance and that ordinance will be

[1:15:58] filled out. I'm sorry. >> You it'll have the projects in there

[1:16:02] that the council wishes desires to have in there. And again, we're getting that

[1:16:06] project list from the council. So that count that will be inside that ordinance

[1:16:12] as well as you'll have um information on you know where the money is going but

[1:16:17] that's inside there that's inside the ordinance after we get bond commission

[1:16:22] approval. So to go to bond commission it's a it's a resolution it is not an

[1:16:26] ordinance. You're asking for permission. You can't go issue bonds. You can't have

[1:16:30] an ordinance until you get permission from from them.

[1:16:33] » So So we just This is the standard. This is correct

[1:16:40] protocol. >> Absolutely.

[1:16:42] » Resolution. >> Absolutely.

[1:16:43] » Let's go back. >> Yes, sir.

[1:16:45] » Mr. Mallister, I'm not ready to hear from you at this point.

[1:16:49] » Let's go back. >> What is the interest rates on on on

[1:16:54] these bonds? >> We don't know. So in the resolution,

[1:16:57] » I'm talking about the ones that we got actively right now.

[1:17:00] » I off the top of my head, I don't have it, but I can tell you that they are all

[1:17:03] sub 6%. Because they were they are all sub 6%.

[1:17:07] » All underneath 6%. Each one had when they were sold, they had different

[1:17:11] interest rates. >> So So even if they were 5%, you know, 5%

[1:17:16] is still high. >> Not Not in the MUN market. No, sir.

[1:17:21] Not in the MUN market. Not at all. So how much we are actually paying back on

[1:17:26] $110 million in interest? >> We we won't know until we go lock in the

[1:17:31] interest rates with >> So what's the estimate?

[1:17:33] » Estimate. So we have not to exceed 6%. We don't know because again

[1:17:37] » and that will equal up to >> so it first to lock in the interest

[1:17:43] rates. We can't do that until after one we get bond commission approval. Two we

[1:17:47] come back and get an introduction of the ordinance that we spoke of. And when

[1:17:52] that happens, then we'll look at the bond market and I'll be able to come up

[1:17:55] here and say, >> "Before a man build his house, he must

[1:17:59] count the cost." >> So, you can't give me no roundabout

[1:18:05] figure. >> I I can say that the interest rate will

[1:18:08] be no more than 6%. You're locking it in and saying you will not accept an

[1:18:13] interest rate higher than 6%. It's a not to exceed. So if it come back at 8% we

[1:18:18] can return. >> We can't you can't even take it because

[1:18:20] you've locked yourself in to say that you will not accept a

[1:18:22] » are you able to refinance at a lower rate if it's as six.

[1:18:27] » So at some Yes. >> You can refinance get it down to three

[1:18:31] maybe. >> If in in the future that it's a lower

[1:18:33] interest rate you can. But let me go ahead and tell you 5% right now 6% is

[1:18:38] still relatively low. Right now rates are trending upwards. We're talking

[1:18:42] about a rate [clears throat] increase when the Fed meets next time. So we're

[1:18:45] still talking about a really low interest rate. Historically, municipal

[1:18:49] bonds used to be a leave a lot higher. They used to be 6 7 8 9.

[1:18:52] » So So the the resource of repayment, the proposed repayment of these bonds is

[1:18:58] coming strictly from the 1% sale tax.

[1:19:04] » Matter of fact, you can't even pay it with anything else. You can only

[1:19:08] » The way to get this done, you got to have an estimate. So in the resolution

[1:19:13] it says not to exceed 6%. That is going to be the highest interest rate. So max

[1:19:18] 6%. It may be a four. It may be a four. >> I I I would have feel better tonight

[1:19:24] about this if the mayor would have been here because I had one discussion with

[1:19:29] him with Mr. Muhammad. And I wanted things to be said tonight

[1:19:37] on record to asssure

[1:19:41] that I won't get this backlash of it's not priority anymore.

[1:19:49] That's my issue right now because the mayor is not here

[1:19:54] and it don't seem like Mr. Moore or anybody else can speak for him.

[1:20:00] How do I know that things that I want done in my

[1:20:06] district, we won't receive the same

[1:20:12] statement [snorts]

[1:20:14] » is not priority anymore. >> It'll be in the ordinance spelled out

[1:20:18] » and and in the ordinance it's going to say that all of these projects will be

[1:20:22] going on at the same time. in there. What what it will say inside the

[1:20:27] ordinance is two million is for this project, one million is for this

[1:20:30] project, >> but it won't say the start date.

[1:20:32] » It it won't say the start date. >> It won't say what project going out the

[1:20:35] gate first. >> Let it won't say that. But let me tell

[1:20:37] you for municipal bonds and Bill, please back me up because I'm going to say it a

[1:20:41] little bit off. I'm going say it from a journeyman's standpoint. When you issue

[1:20:45] municipal bonds, one of the things because we get a tax exemption, we tell

[1:20:49] the IRS that they have an understanding that they're going to spend the money

[1:20:53] within three years. Now, we can get an extension and go out to 5 years.

[1:20:57] However, though, when you borrow money, I don't care what city you are in

[1:21:00] America. I don't care what school district you are in the mayor America or

[1:21:02] county or parish. When you borrow money through a municipal bond issue, you are

[1:21:07] also telling within three years, I expect

[1:21:11] to have all these projects done. you can get extension and go out to five years

[1:21:16] if I'm not mistaken. And so those projects, which is why you're going to

[1:21:19] keep hearing uh me and Mr. BS keep saying it's going to be in the ordinance

[1:21:24] because when those bond holders buy it, one of the reasons they're buying is

[1:21:27] they looked at your sales tax collection. They understand you're

[1:21:30] killing it right now and so they feel really good. So they feel comfortable.

[1:21:33] They're going to offer lower rates. The other thing is it's no different than

[1:21:36] when we do sales memos and we see something in circulars that come in our

[1:21:39] uh that come in our mailbox. when we they look in there and they see in the

[1:21:43] ordinance because it will be part of their documents they get before they buy

[1:21:46] it. They'll see in the ordinance, oh, I see that they're fixing Third Street.

[1:21:50] Oh, I figured I see that they're fixing South Six. It will be in there. And so,

[1:21:56] there are a couple of things that hopefully will give you some comfort in

[1:22:00] that the list of projects will be in there and we have to tell the IRS we

[1:22:04] expect to get those projects done within three years.

[1:22:07] » I I I hear what you're saying. and the list of projects would be in there, but

[1:22:11] it's not guaranteeing that these projects would be done in a timely

[1:22:16] fashion and equally across the districts from past experience.

[1:22:23] And what I'm saying tonight, I would have felt better if the mayor would have

[1:22:28] came through the door and sat here tonight and gave thumbs up saying, "Yes,

[1:22:34] these are the agreements and concessions that I made that everything is going to

[1:22:39] run smoothly across all of the districts. Everybody will have something

[1:22:44] going on in each and every district at the same time." Mhm.

[1:22:48] » But I can't trust that tonight because statements that has already been

[1:22:54] said to me by certain individuals.

[1:22:59] If the mayor was here, I would have been good.

[1:23:04] But I got some reservations now about who going to tell me that this is all

[1:23:10] factual. Who can I hold accountable?

[1:23:16] Whose feet can I hold to the fire? I can't hold you all

[1:23:23] can't hold them. The man

[1:23:29] is the chief he he's chief executive of of this

[1:23:34] city and he should have been here tonight.

[1:23:38] Yes, it's my fault. I missed that second email,

[1:23:42] but I was reading the email that said he was going to be here.

[1:23:50] This is a problem. And this problem with statements

[1:23:56] that throw up a red flag, but Mr. Mallister when he got up there

[1:24:02] and spoke beforehand, if he [clears throat] would have just hadn't

[1:24:07] said what he said, the red flag wouldn't went up to the top of the pole.

[1:24:13] But now the the flag is up there and I got a problem.

[1:24:21] We got to talk this out because again, there's still a lot of debt. I'm

[1:24:27] understanding from you all tonight that all of these other bonds

[1:24:33] is going to go inside the new uh tax and be paid by the by the new

[1:24:40] tax. >> But I'm not understanding how much money

[1:24:46] is going over into the new. Do you have those figures? So, those six bond issues

[1:24:52] that I mentioned earlier, what you're [clears throat] paying on them right now

[1:24:55] is approximately $8 million a year

[1:25:00] » in interest >> in principal and interest. No difference

[1:25:03] no different than our our house note. We know that we pay $1,000 a month on our

[1:25:07] house. >> So, you we're paying $8 million

[1:25:11] » on the current six sales tax issues that you have currently. You're paying

[1:25:16] approximately. >> Okay. But that's not counting

[1:25:21] Tower Drive and downtown. >> Not counting that.

[1:25:26] » Because you know just as well as I know

[1:25:31] if the bottom falls out who is responsible.

[1:25:34] » Mhm. >> The city of Monroe.

[1:25:37] » The city of Monroe and the city of Monroe sales tax collections that secure

[1:25:41] this. I I just want to be make sure and be clear because

[1:25:45] the bond holders, the people who buy it, they don't have rights to all of

[1:25:48] Monroe's [snorts] money. They don't have rights to all of Monroe's fund balances.

[1:25:52] Okay? >> They only have rights to this 1% sales

[1:25:56] tax. The bonds that are out on I20 at Panley Mall, they only have rights to

[1:26:02] that one to the money that they collect out there. That's it.

[1:26:07] So th that's why you'll always hear me talk about whatever the security is and

[1:26:12] look at those bonds in itself by themselves because if something happens

[1:26:16] out of Mland Mall or that whole district that Conland uh tiff district it have it

[1:26:21] doesn't have a bearing here with these bonds

[1:26:23] » and it's not like when you're on the school board we issue those bonds

[1:26:26] general obligation bonds and that means they're totally you know everything the

[1:26:31] full faith and credit schools was behind that. This is only that one revenue

[1:26:36] stream. >> That's it.

[1:26:36] » Uh that one tax. This will be the 1 cent u infrastructure tax that was was

[1:26:42] passed, renewed, extended >> uh in the last election over here.

[1:26:46] » What is the estimate collection of these bonds are the let's go back the the

[1:26:54] estimate collection of taxes. >> So this one

[1:26:57] » for this for this 1% over how many years? O over it goes out to 2050.

[1:27:04] » So, >> so what is that number

[1:27:06] » right now? I think in fiscal year 2025, you collected somewhere north of $19

[1:27:10] million

[1:27:13] » from that 1% sales tax >> for this B for the bonds that and that's

[1:27:21] going to take care of the new new bond and all.

[1:27:25] » Yes, sir. And the old bonds completely are gone in

[1:27:31] the next three to four years. >> They gone and paid off.

[1:27:37] » They're paid off in paid off by 2030. >> Okay. And then we will have

[1:27:44] extra revenue >> to start pay. Yes, sir.

[1:27:50] » So now let me ask you, I'm going to jump in, bishop. Now, what you say the um

[1:27:54] estimated value for this one penny sales tax for the next 25 years?

[1:28:00] » Well, how much? >> So, right now annually, you've been

[1:28:04] collecting somewhere around $19 million. I think as we heard uh Mr. Cleveland

[1:28:08] talk earlier, salesside collection is up. So, probably next year, this is me

[1:28:12] guesstimating. If it's up, if you're collecting around 19 million right now,

[1:28:15] you're probably going to be collecting somewhere around 20 next year. And we

[1:28:19] can't ever I can forecast but I don't know what you're going to collect in

[1:28:22] 2015. See 2015 2020 [clears throat] 2035 2045. I have no idea. But right now

[1:28:29] you're collecting somewhere north of of $19 million with just that 1% sales tax.

[1:28:37] So over the

[1:28:41] 25 years, >> we're looking to bring in water.

[1:28:48] » Oh, so I'm going to do back of the envelope math.

[1:28:50] » I'm going to round up and say 20. You're collecting $20 million a year for 25

[1:28:54] years. That's going to be 200. Excuse me. It's going to be 500. Thank you.

[1:28:57] » $500 million. >> You got it.

[1:28:59] » $500 million. And with this resolution on tonight,

[1:29:05] we're going to zap >> 110

[1:29:08] » one of it. >> You're going to issue about 110. Now

[1:29:14] » 110 is one. >> The 500 million is how much money you

[1:29:19] come in. what you pay out on that 110. Uh this year with all of the sales tax,

[1:29:27] it'll be about uh 12 million until 20 29 and then it drop to 9 million 8 million

[1:29:36] and it'll drop from there. >> So you can't you got the revenue coming

[1:29:40] in and then the debt service going out. The revenue over that period of time

[1:29:46] would be the 500 million and then on an annual basis it pays down just like when

[1:29:51] you pay any other debt down. And in 2030 the existing debt's gone. So

[1:29:58] that's going to knock about half of that debt service payment off at that time.

[1:30:05] » Okay. Miss Washington. Um, [clears throat]

[1:30:09] oh yeah, we have uh we we still we still try to close 2526 out, right?

[1:30:17] » That's correct. Yes, sir. >> Uh, could you come up cuz I don't want

[1:30:21] you all to go down to Baton Rouge and we got a problem with 2526 budget. Uh, and

[1:30:27] we got a Can you talk on that?

[1:30:33] » Closing out the fiscal year for 2526. Well, we did the um uh budget amendment

[1:30:39] didn't pass and so right now our fiscal year 2526 is not closed technically. Um

[1:30:46] we've missed that deadline and it's going to be an audit finding.

[1:30:50] » Will that be a problem? >> We'll be able to talk through that.

[1:30:54] » Huh? >> We we'll be able to talk through that.

[1:30:57] when you say talk through it. >> One one of the great things about you

[1:31:01] guys issuing sales tax bonds, and I know I sound like I'm beating a dead horse,

[1:31:05] but because those bond holders only have access to that 1% tax,

[1:31:12] » we can show, and one of the great things about sales tax, you collect them

[1:31:15] monthly. So, you're able to show we are generating the city, regardless if our

[1:31:20] budget amendment hasn't gone through, we are generating $19 million, $20 million

[1:31:25] a year. That's number one. Number two, state law states, now that sounded uh

[1:31:30] redundant real quick, the state law says that

[1:31:34] whatever you bring in in a year, the most you can ever spend on debt service

[1:31:40] is 75% of it. The state won't even allow it. So again, back of the envelope math,

[1:31:45] you're bringing in 20 million. the largest the highest debt service annual

[1:31:50] debt service that the city any city in Louisiana can issue can issue debt is

[1:31:54] you can't get up to 15 million. So you can issue as much debt as you want but

[1:31:58] if you get up to where your annual payments are 15 million state bond

[1:32:01] commission will not allow you to do it. You couldn't even pass the ordinance if

[1:32:04] you wanted to. Right now, we're looking at somewhere around with with you doing

[1:32:08] 110, you're looking somewhere around nine $10 million a year because we know

[1:32:13] that the current debt, those six issues that I spoke spoke on earlier, they're

[1:32:17] coming off your books in 2030. When we issue this debt, we're going to wrap it

[1:32:21] around there so that you don't get anywhere near that [snorts] 14 million

[1:32:24] that we just that I just spoke of. Actually, you're going to be staying

[1:32:27] somewhere around 10 million and coming in and then after those 30, 20, 30 hits,

[1:32:31] we're going to drop it down even more. So you're bringing in about 20 million.

[1:32:36] The most by state law you can ever have is 15 million. We won't get anywhere

[1:32:40] near there. That 110 [clears throat] million, just the the the amount itself,

[1:32:45] the 110 million just will limit you. You won't get anywhere close to that.

[1:32:49] » Okay. All right. U good discussion. >> I got another question.

[1:32:53] » Okay. >> Okay. So this one is going to just Okay.

[1:32:57] So this one is for Mr. Creek Bomb. >> Okay.

[1:33:05] I'll stand. >> Maybe not. Let him let him hang out for

[1:33:07] a few minutes. Okay. >> Okay. So, when we look at this

[1:33:10] ordinance, I mean, look at this um resolution.

[1:33:14] Then it talks about the council acting as the governing authority. We are

[1:33:20] referred to in here as the governing authority.

[1:33:24] Yes, >> that is the defined term as it's used in

[1:33:28] this document. Yes, >> as it's used in this document. Is that

[1:33:33] this document or is that everything that we do when it comes to dealing with the

[1:33:38] finances of the city or the obligations financial obligations of the city? Are

[1:33:43] we the governing authority? >> So are you so that's an abstract

[1:33:48] question and unrelated at all to this? >> Yes.

[1:33:51] » Okay. Unrelated at all to this. Yes. for for purposes of the expenditure of funds

[1:33:56] in this this is the body that appropriates funds for use for the city

[1:34:01] of Monroe. So that is done annually through the budget process. You control

[1:34:06] the allocation of funds throughout the city of Monroe. So I don't know that the

[1:34:13] term governing authority is right. That's a specific legal term that has

[1:34:18] you know that's not in our charter which is what governs how

[1:34:22] this is done but you do appropriate the funds.

[1:34:27] So I think general answer to your question is yes. Council controls the

[1:34:31] purse strings. >> Yes.

[1:34:32] » As a general matter >> for for financial obligations for the

[1:34:38] city. >> Yes.

[1:34:39] » Governing authority. >> Again, you're using a very specific term

[1:34:42] that I don't think is used in our charter. Like I'm not disputing the

[1:34:46] premise, but when you start using a term and importing it into something that's

[1:34:50] not in our charter, I'm not disappre and and I'm I'm not going to we're not

[1:34:55] going to bel label this one. Yeah. >> But the thing of it is is that in most

[1:34:59] instances where the council is overseeing um the dispersement of

[1:35:04] funding and that kind of thing, they're referred to as the governing authority.

[1:35:08] » So state law state law generally defines governing authorities. refer to it here,

[1:35:13] » you know, and then I tell people all the time, you know, we we talk about the

[1:35:18] different entities that we participate with within the city. We're the same

[1:35:23] people. So, it's the same the same the same people are doing the same thing in

[1:35:29] different other entities. I chair I20. >> All right. I20 calls this council the

[1:35:38] governing authority. I think that's also in their specific

[1:35:44] agreement with the city of Monroe fire >> governing authority. All right. So, let

[1:35:48] me go with my point. Let me go with my point.

[1:35:51] » So, here we've got the right >> to sign off and say

[1:35:58] um that we can approve this this and this

[1:36:02] will move forward as a governing authority.

[1:36:06] When it comes to I20, when we talk about being the governing authority and we

[1:36:10] want to approve something, um, council, not I20, um, board, but council send

[1:36:18] governing authority because this this council said to pay an entity as the

[1:36:25] governing authority. We approved them to be paid and they still haven't been

[1:36:29] paid. So my point is when is it [snorts] when are we the governing authority?

[1:36:35] Okay. >> Can we make this decision? Are we really

[1:36:38] the governing authority? Can we really approve them to go to to the bond

[1:36:44] commission and ask or uh ask permission to bond $110 million.

[1:36:51] » Okay. So, there is a whole lot baked into that question. So, let me try to

[1:36:56] break it down into every piece that I can. As a general matter, state law

[1:37:01] defines governing bodies of municipalities. legislative bodies. It's

[1:37:05] not governing. I shouldn't use the word governing. Legislative bodies of

[1:37:08] municipalities as governing authorities. That does not that's the general default

[1:37:13] rule. And so when we use broad terms like general rules, that means there can

[1:37:17] be exceptions. That's why context matters. So for purposes of this

[1:37:22] document in our charter, there is no dispute that our charter says that

[1:37:26] authorization to borrow money or incur debt must be done by an ordinance passed

[1:37:30] by council. So, for that purpose, under our charter, y'all are the determiners

[1:37:35] of whether or not an ordinance gets passed. And there's a legislative

[1:37:38] process that goes with that. The mayor has veto rights, but it starts with this

[1:37:42] body, which is why this document says clearly and whatever defined term it

[1:37:48] used, it used the term governing authority. Y'all will be responsible for

[1:37:52] issuing an ordinance. Agreements though like contractual

[1:37:59] documents can have defined terms on their own which establish different

[1:38:02] bodies. I don't want to get too much into the I20 stuff because there is

[1:38:06] pending litigation, >> right? And so I don't want to get into

[1:38:09] that into a public war again. >> We're not we're not

[1:38:12] » but there is an agreement between the I20 board and the city of Monroe. That

[1:38:17] agreement controls. Okay. So that's what's going to that's what's going to

[1:38:22] govern the legal relationship of the parties because there is an ordinance

[1:38:26] that authorizes an agreement. I don't want to get much further down that

[1:38:29] route, but you can as a matter of contract law, unless it violates some

[1:38:33] other law, define terms. And if you define the governing authority for

[1:38:38] purposes of an agreement as the council and the mayor, you can include the mayor

[1:38:42] in there because you've entered into a contractual agreement that does those

[1:38:46] things. So as a general matter, state law is going to say legislative bodies

[1:38:51] are governing authorities, but the context of every situation is going to

[1:38:56] matter. >> Yeah.

[1:38:58] » What was the last word? >> The context of every situation is going

[1:39:01] to matter. >> Okay.

[1:39:02] » So as a general matter, again, there's always exceptions to rules. There may be

[1:39:06] state law somewhere that says, well, for this purpose, it's the CEO who makes the

[1:39:11] decision. So state law can establish a general rule that hey the council is the

[1:39:16] governing authority but they may have an exception for some other very particular

[1:39:20] purpose. That's why when you say hey are we the governing authority for this

[1:39:24] purpose all I can do is tell you our charter says you all decide whether or

[1:39:29] not to authorize an ordinance incurring debt. That is this council's function

[1:39:33] under our charter. So there's no dispute that if we're going to incur debt in the

[1:39:37] city of Monroe, this body has to pass an ordinance to do that. No one else can do

[1:39:42] that. >> So this resolution on tonight,

[1:39:46] if passed,

[1:39:51] Mr. BS will go down on our behalf and then you will come back and then we

[1:39:59] will put an ordinance in place. >> Absolutely.

[1:40:02] » Right. >> There's no money will be bonded, not one

[1:40:05] cent without an ordinance by this council.

[1:40:08] » Who going to write that? Well, that's what you're hiring them to

[1:40:12] do. >> Who going to write that ordinance? We

[1:40:14] will. >> It's a trust factor.

[1:40:20] I have no problem with you.

[1:40:25] But I got a problem. When we pass things across this table

[1:40:33] and nothing happened and statements be made

[1:40:38] is not priority anymore. Mr. B, how can you assure me

[1:40:46] that that will not happen after we pass this tonight?

[1:40:54] We'll put the projects in the ordinance and they'll be as specific as we can get

[1:40:58] them uh to your satisfaction. If they're not, then and we'll talk and we can like

[1:41:03] this conversation we're having tonight, we can sit down and talk about that to

[1:41:07] make sure that you get comfortable and secure and that your projects will get

[1:41:11] done. I want to see projects done across the

[1:41:15] city. But this

[1:41:19] spirit of uh this vendettic spirit of of don't

[1:41:25] want to do certain things because certain council members has asked for it

[1:41:31] to be taken care of and after it has been passed by this council.

[1:41:38] That's a problem.

[1:41:42] I got receipts of everything I'm saying.

[1:41:51] I just would have felt better tonight if Mary Ellis would have been here

[1:41:57] because he is the one that had the conversation with me and Mr. Muhammad

[1:42:07] and got my thumbs up.

[1:42:11] And when this important vote comes down tonight,

[1:42:15] he's ghost. That's a problem.

[1:42:23] Who can stand for it? No one.

[1:42:32] This is a problem.

[1:42:36] I want to see it pass. But it's a trust factor

[1:42:44] because I know what Mr. Mallister has said to me

[1:42:49] about other projects. I know we got projects on the books that

[1:42:54] we had voted on months ago and nothing has happened.

[1:43:01] I don't have that assurance tonight. even if you go down there and come back

[1:43:09] things going to be in order. You got an individual that's holding down two jobs

[1:43:15] that shouldn't be holding down two. Should just have one.

[1:43:21] » Let me um let me let me get in here. >> Wait a minute, Mr. H.

[1:43:25] And let's say this too. Now, this is an important issue. I know it is

[1:43:28] » because when we long gone off this council,

[1:43:33] » go ahead and make your point. >> We going to be we going we are the ones

[1:43:36] that's going to be responsible. >> Go ahead and make your point.

[1:43:38] » And if it's $500 million, that's the estimate amount of tax being collected.

[1:43:44] When I look at 1.10, and I do understand that at one time it was 179 million and

[1:43:52] we got it reduced down to 110. I still would have felt comfortable

[1:43:58] tonight if the mayor would have been here to support this with us.

[1:44:04] He was in the room with the you and I and he's not in here today to vouch for

[1:44:10] what he said and agreed to. Now, you can go along with certain

[1:44:15] things like that, but it it bothers me when the person that was in the room

[1:44:20] with us and said, "This is how things is going to go is not here to vouch for it

[1:44:26] himself." That's the issue.

[1:44:31] I heard what Mr. McCallister said tonight,

[1:44:35] but it's a trust factor,

[1:44:39] and I understand you want things done just like I want things done. But let's

[1:44:43] do a decent and in order, not on the backs of our people,

[1:44:48] [clears throat] that they are not taken care of. And

[1:44:51] when we long gone off this off this council, we got to make sure that

[1:44:56] there's monies available for this city to continue to go on without any

[1:45:00] hiccups. That's my issue.

[1:45:05] I want to see things done.

[1:45:12] All right, just for clarification real quickly, and I'm not going to beat my

[1:45:15] horse, Mr. M Mr. Creek Bomb. Now, did you Now, did you say that the charter

[1:45:20] does not address the council as the governing authority?

[1:45:23] » It may. I don't have it right in front of me. I don't think it's a defined term

[1:45:26] in there, but I I have access to the charter on my phone. I can search the

[1:45:30] word and it may have it in there as a defined term. I know state law defines

[1:45:34] it um generally as legislative bodies. So, I do know that ex is in state law.

[1:45:39] Didn't bring a copy of the charter down here with me.

[1:45:41] » Okay. So in article two section 2-7 >> sure

[1:45:46] » I think that it's there. >> Yeah. Let's see. It may be a defined

[1:45:49] term in here. [snorts]

[1:45:59] [clears throat] >> It just concerns me. The trust factor

[1:46:01] comes in with me too because you know you trust all right and when it's when

[1:46:06] it's convenient or when you need it the governing authority works but when you

[1:46:12] don't want to do a certain thing then the governing authority does

[1:46:15] [clears throat] not apply. So I'm just trying to understand when does it apply

[1:46:19] and when it doesn't. So it's applying tonight but then you know other times it

[1:46:25] doesn't. >> I I don't understand the question. So,

[1:46:28] can you can you >> I think it was clear.

[1:46:31] » Okay. I don't think it was clear because I think

[1:46:34] » I think we you're using the term governing authority as some

[1:46:38] all-encompassing grant of power. The law gives rights to governing authorities

[1:46:43] just as it gives to executive officials or administrative employees. Those are

[1:46:49] things that are spelled out in the charter. And again, state law provides a

[1:46:52] backdrop. Our charter >> So, it's in the charter.

[1:46:54] » I haven't gotten there yet. You said section two. What was that? Section two.

[1:46:58] What?

[1:47:02] » Give it to me again. >> Huh?

[1:47:04] » Section 230. Is that what you said? >> 217.

[1:47:07] » 217.

[1:47:15] Yeah. So, this isn't a defined term. It it it it doesn't establish the council

[1:47:20] as a governing authority. This is what it says. says, "The council shall have

[1:47:24] and is hereby granted all of the authority to levy and collect taxes, to

[1:47:28] incur debt and issue bonds and other evidences of indebtedness as is now or

[1:47:33] hereafter conferred on governing authorities of municipalities by the

[1:47:37] constitution." Okay. So, it is saying this council has the power to issue debt

[1:47:40] the same as other governing authorities. Again, governing authority is a specific

[1:47:44] term and you didn't hear me dispute that state law does define governing

[1:47:48] authorities generally as legislative bodies. I'm not disputing that. What I'm

[1:47:52] saying is the context of each individual power. You have to look at each

[1:47:59] individual power. Some powers may be granted to this council. Some powers may

[1:48:04] be granted to the mayor. The term governing authority isn't some magic

[1:48:09] talismanic term. You take the power and you see who it is ascribed to. So state

[1:48:15] law might define governing authority as legislative bodies and then have a whole

[1:48:19] bunch of laws that say governing authorities can do this, this, and this.

[1:48:22] So that's how they make it apply to every legislative body across the state.

[1:48:28] There may be exceptions to that where the state has passed a law that says,

[1:48:33] "Hey, mayors have this power or certain other officials, boards and commissions

[1:48:38] have this power." You look at the individual grants of power and see who

[1:48:44] they're obscribed to. In this case, said from the beginning, y'all have the power

[1:48:49] over incurring debt. Nobody's arguing that here. I think you're taking this

[1:48:54] particular item that's on the agenda and trying to

[1:48:58] » graft it onto some big broader discussion that we're not having here

[1:49:01] tonight. >> One side, one size fit all. But no.

[1:49:04] Yeah. But it's but at the end of the day, you know, I still say

[1:49:10] when it's convenient when it's convenient.

[1:49:15] And I'm going to leave that and we're going to go on. Bishop, you

[1:49:19] » I got one other thing. And I know Mr. Chairman, you you anxious

[1:49:23] to to get this passed. >> No, I want to say something when Mr.

[1:49:27] » BS, as [clears throat] I said to you

[1:49:30] earlier, I trust you. Are you saying in the ordinance that we

[1:49:38] could put the language in there to make it law

[1:49:44] to make those others that's in charge

[1:49:50] to make sure that all of these projects are moving at the same time? Can that

[1:49:55] type of language be in there and be lawful?

[1:49:58] » I believe it can. >> No, Mr. Mr. M I I want to know Mr.

[1:50:05] is it a yes or no we can make what you do and you pass will become law. It will

[1:50:10] be there. The language in there is there. Now if if it's no discretion

[1:50:15] which it won't be you can bring a mandamus to enforce it. If it's not

[1:50:18] there's no discretion. It's only ministerial. But we put in there

[1:50:22] language that these projects have to proceed with all due speed each and all

[1:50:28] of them to the extent that you know there's weather and you know building

[1:50:33] things that come in is that would affect everything I would think not that but we

[1:50:38] we can put that language in there and we know what you're saying and you all have

[1:50:42] to approve it. It's got to be or we don't

[1:50:44] » and all projects will happen at the same time. It'll be in the ordinance. they

[1:50:49] shall break ground at the same time that will be in there,

[1:50:54] » right? And the ones that's on the books need

[1:50:56] » we can put all of that. I just don't know if I don't know if

[1:51:01] » we'll have to work with the with the >> Well, well, the thing about it, this

[1:51:05] » we can put it in there. >> This is your catch 22.

[1:51:09] I can support this tonight, >> but nothing.

[1:51:13] » But wait a minute now. I can [clears throat] support this tonight and

[1:51:18] then when you come back from Baton Rouge if it's not written correct the

[1:51:24] ordinance >> then I can vote it down

[1:51:27] » right >> my thing is

[1:51:30] it's trust factor things that should have already happened has not happened

[1:51:37] » so maybe

[1:51:40] these other projects that should have been completed. Maybe

[1:51:46] they get completed now before you get back before this council cuz I'm going

[1:51:53] to have a no vote. I'm going to vote for this tonight. Well, I'm going to have a

[1:51:58] no vote for it when you come back

[1:52:03] and I hear the same and see the same attitude.

[1:52:09] what they're telling the mayor this that and the other that is not priority

[1:52:14] anymore.

[1:52:17] That's that's a promise.

[1:52:22] I'm I'm supporting it. I'm going to support it tonight on your strength on

[1:52:28] what you have said.

[1:52:32] Yes, I said that and I say what I want to say and I do

[1:52:37] what I want to do. because you have never

[1:52:43] lied to me and that stands for something. Thank

[1:52:47] you. >> Okay. Um

[1:52:52] I'm we're going to call for the question and uh

[1:52:56] I'll just say this. Uh yes, Mayor Ellis is not here. Uh

[1:53:02] he see your word is your bond. Now you so if

[1:53:10] you break that word then that's you know we heard what he said and we we going to

[1:53:16] we going to follow what he said we come back in the orders put everything in

[1:53:20] there how this council wanted projects to look this is just I think we getting

[1:53:26] it we just want them to have go down to Baton Rouge and get the permission and

[1:53:31] then we come back this 110 million is divided over a two-year period. The

[1:53:38] first round of projects, we saw a preliminary project list that's not in

[1:53:44] stone. So once we come back in, we can get together and figure out what

[1:53:50] projects will roll out first, how much projects will roll out, what type of

[1:53:56] projects shall go out, uh what streets, what particular streets in our district

[1:54:01] will that's the after we come back. So, uh, you know,

[1:54:09] as far as Mr. Ellis, I mean, he don't have to be here. In my opinion, he

[1:54:13] » That's your opinion. >> Yeah. Right. Well, in my opinion, he

[1:54:15] don't. >> But, but it was the three of us in the

[1:54:18] same room together. >> He gave us He gave I know what he said.

[1:54:21] » Okay. But it's better that Mr. Mr. Ellis would have been here tonight to amen

[1:54:28] everything that we're saying to give his support publicly, not behind closed

[1:54:35] doors. That's what I'm saying. >> Okay,

[1:54:41] Mr. Mr. McAllister, the project down at uh Madison Foster, is that moving?

[1:54:49] That's the project that Mr. Mr. McFaren is concerned about. that project can

[1:54:55] move now through the CIC. And let me explain, Mr. McFarland, if you recall,

[1:55:01] we did submit a capital outlay application for that particular project.

[1:55:06] Whenever you submit a capital outlay project, then you are issued P1, P2, or

[1:55:11] P5. If you move on that project without getting a cash line of credit through

[1:55:16] the state bond commission and getting approval to bid the project and then

[1:55:22] getting approval of whatever um bid you receive and accept that bid, there are

[1:55:27] steps that you have to take with the with FPNC before you move forward. That

[1:55:32] project was wrapped up in capital outlay until July of this year. state bond

[1:55:38] commission pulled um our FPNC pulled four of our nine projects and that was

[1:55:44] one of them. And so if they had not pulled that and had issued a line of

[1:55:50] credit and we had already started that project, we would not have received any

[1:55:55] funds from state capital outlay. We would have been on the hook for

[1:55:58] everything that we spent. That is with every project. We have to advertise it

[1:56:03] after their approval. we could only sign that contract after their approval. So

[1:56:08] since it is now one of the projects that they have not allocated funds to, they

[1:56:12] have removed it from the capital outlay act 4 as of July of this year. That is a

[1:56:17] project that we can move on and pay cash for out of this 1% sales tax that we

[1:56:22] currently have not as a part of this bond package but as a part of the money

[1:56:26] that we currently have in the account. So that is the update on that particular

[1:56:32] project. Um, that's why we've not moved that project.

[1:56:35] » Mr. McCelie, you know just as well as Miss Woods know that what you're saying

[1:56:39] is not true. You look me square in my eyes in the council conference room and

[1:56:46] told me that's not priority anymore. >> Now I have a witness. No sir. No sir.

[1:56:53] Now you you trying you trying to smooth it over. Don't mess up this vote

[1:56:56] tonight. >> No. No. Don't mess it up. Absolutely.

[1:56:59] Because you about to mess it up. >> It appears that I'm not um Because you

[1:57:02] know that is not true. You know that's not true. You told me in front of Miss

[1:57:09] Woods >> that it was not priority anymore.

[1:57:14] You did not say any of what you're saying tonight.

[1:57:19] » And yes, you're right. You know I'm correct.

[1:57:23] » Yes, sir. >> So So don't mess up this vote tonight on

[1:57:26] on trying to polish this. All I'm saying if things

[1:57:34] doesn't happen between now and when they come back,

[1:57:39] as grandma say, it's going to be trouble at the river for me because I'm not

[1:57:44] going to support it. I'm going to support this tonight on the

[1:57:50] strength of Mr. B

[1:57:54] of what he said and how we can craft this.

[1:57:58] And I'm praying that you will do the right thing and get those other projects

[1:58:04] that we have already voted for completed cuz it shouldn't come out of

[1:58:10] any of this money that we going to be bonding out in the future. That's what

[1:58:16] I'm saying. >> Yes, sir.

[1:58:18] » Thank you. >> I'm going jump in on my project, too.

[1:58:20] What about the ditch in Booati? >> We've been talking I was in Baton Rouge.

[1:58:25] I was in Baton Rouge a couple of weeks ago advocating for that 1 million

[1:58:29] surplus to be put back in the project. Um I believe we're going to be able to

[1:58:34] get that. Um I'm not sure,

[1:58:38] » but as I stated in our meeting that Mr. McFarland is is referring to, I did say

[1:58:44] priority. I did. But out of those fives that are out of those five projects that

[1:58:49] are on there, Georgia Street pump station was the priority. And that's

[1:58:53] what I shared and it still is. It's a project that is under construction right

[1:58:57] now that we anticipate being done in May. Your project is a great project.

[1:59:02] It's a roadway project, but Georgia Street Pump Station is a project we have

[1:59:07] been fighting for for years. We are finally under construction. I myself,

[1:59:11] council members, you were there during the last major rain event a year ago,

[1:59:16] April. I [clears throat] was standing waist deep in water. That project is

[1:59:20] priority and it is still priority. We will finish that project in May. We're

[1:59:25] very thankful for that. But [snorts] to your point, sir, I did make that

[1:59:29] statement. Priority. That's the the what I just stated is um the the premise for

[1:59:37] making that that comment. Georgia Street Pump Station is priority.

[1:59:41] » Nothing about that. You you you're getting yourself in in in in deep water

[1:59:46] and you're going to cause me to just vote no on this.

[1:59:51] » Forgive me, sir. Forgive me. Thank you. >> All right. Listen, we going to call for

[1:59:54] the question. Thank you, Mr. Bones, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Anti for your input. Um,

[2:00:01] Madame Clerk, >> Mr. McFarland,

[2:00:09] » I, >> Mr. Harvey,

[2:00:11] » I, >> Mr. Muhammed,

[2:00:13] » I, >> Mrs. Ezren,

[2:00:15] » I, >> Miss Woods,

[2:00:16] » I. >> Motion carries. Adopt a resolution

[2:00:20] authorizing agreement with travels and move. Second

[2:00:23] » been moved and properly several that we consider this resolution. Any comments

[2:00:27] from the audience? Any from council?

[2:00:32] » I did notice u you did send us the email, Mr. Thank you, sir. Y'all have a

[2:00:36] good evening. Uh Mr. um more about the uh the increase here with the travelers.

[2:00:43] » Yes sir, I did. Correct. what you >> in the packet it was just uh included

[2:00:48] the premium summary and then the markets that they had went to uh but on the

[2:00:53] premium summary it um give some um some of the reasons for the um increase

[2:01:00] » okay all right thank you sir any comment from council madam clerk

[2:01:06] » Mr. Muhammed >> I

[2:01:07] » Mrs. Ezernette >> I

[2:01:08] » miss woods >> I

[2:01:10] » Mr. McFarland >> I

[2:01:12] » Mr. Harvey >> I that motion [snorts] carries

[2:01:14] department of plann and urban development none legal department none

[2:01:18] mayor's office a adopt a resolution authorizing

[2:01:22] » be moved and properly second that we consider this resolution

[2:01:26] any comments from the audience any from council

[2:01:31] Mr. uh m uh Mr. uh creek bomb. This um is is it designated for a lawnmower or

[2:01:40] is it >> Yeah, that's the designated and the all

[2:01:42] of this is straight from the appropriation language that was used.

[2:01:46] » Okay. All right. Okay. All right. Madam clerk,

[2:01:50] » Mr. Harvey, >> I

[2:01:51] » Mr. McFarland >> I

[2:01:53] » Mrs. Zernac, >> Miss Woods,

[2:01:56] » I >> Mr. Muhammad,

[2:01:57] » I motion carries B. adopt the resolution authorizing cooperative endeavor

[2:02:02] agreement. Been moved and properly second that we consider this resolution.

[2:02:08] This is for United Way. Any comments from the audience?

[2:02:12] Any from council? >> Yes. For the purpose of those that are

[2:02:17] in the audience and for the purpose of those that are at home.

[2:02:23] Mr. Creek Bomb, will you tell them where this money is coming from? And it is not

[2:02:28] the city doing this. This we are just a pass through. Correct.

[2:02:32] » That is correct. We are a pass through for um [snorts] the line item

[2:02:36] appropriations to non-governmental organizations

[2:02:40] uh that were allocated money by the state legislature in the last

[2:02:43] legislative session. >> So why did they do this? Because

[2:02:47] typically I've not seen this before. So t help me understand why are we a pass

[2:02:52] through for this money? it. So, the legislature can actually do it both

[2:02:56] ways. They can do direct appropriations. They can do pass through appropriations.

[2:03:01] They have used both um really no rhyme or reason historically. I think there's

[2:03:07] uh we have four this year that I think there were 17 pass through allocations

[2:03:12] statewide this year. If I remember right when I was talking to the treasury about

[2:03:16] how many there were. Um, in the past it seems like the local legislators

[2:03:21] typically used the pass through allocations through the city of Monroe.

[2:03:24] We went back in 2023, there was pass through allocations that were done

[2:03:29] through the city of Monroe to other entities. It's up to the individual

[2:03:32] legislature when they're getting these funds appropriated, how whether they

[2:03:36] want to do it direct or whether they want to do it um as a pass through. So,

[2:03:40] you'd have to ask the legislature, the legislator that

[2:03:44] » I guess was behind the appropriation, why they chose which method. But, but

[2:03:48] both have happened both ways um in the past.

[2:03:52] » Okay. >> Now, has this money um I think we've

[2:03:56] talked about it uh this resolution, this corporate agreement,

[2:04:01] this money is not sitting in our treasury yet, is it?

[2:04:04] » No, it is not. So what what will what will happen is we'll sign the

[2:04:09] cooperative endeavor agreement with the state and the money will go to the

[2:04:13] entity. So we won't get the money until we get the agreement with the state and

[2:04:17] the money comes and then it goes to the nonprofit.

[2:04:20] » So the money actually comes to us and and then we write the check for

[2:04:27] » to the nonprofit. So what we did in 2023 was when the last time that I saw that

[2:04:32] we had these direct appropriations, the forms that we filled out basically said,

[2:04:36] "Hey, as soon as it gets the money, the city gets the money, we'll send it on to

[2:04:40] the next person." Um, >> so that's a line item

[2:04:43] » that these are Yeah, these are line items that were done at the state level

[2:04:47] that that >> I'm talking about for us.

[2:04:49] » Yeah. So it's actually part of So you fill out a whole lot of paperwork for

[2:04:52] these agreements and it's part you explained you know I looked back at the

[2:04:56] ones we did from 2023 and we would literally put in there you know the

[2:04:59] intended use of the money the city will receive and disperse to x entity and

[2:05:03] then that's how we did it just straight. >> So so it it seems that u

[2:05:09] we won't even get the money if we vote no tonight

[2:05:15] is it's not coming to us anyway. Right. >> That is correct. And it's and this is

[2:05:20] the first process of just saying, "Hey, we're gonna allow it to pass through us

[2:05:26] and and pass it on to them." >> Yeah. And and and they have to do that

[2:05:29] because that's the way the appropriations were written. If we

[2:05:32] didn't accept this and enter into these agreements, then the money would never

[2:05:35] reach its entire >> and there's no such thing as collecting

[2:05:38] the money and then holding the money that Right.

[2:05:42] » So the only the only the only caveat to that again, yes. So what when I looked

[2:05:47] back in 2023, we we got the money and we sent it straight out the door. To the

[2:05:52] extent that there are any operational requirements, and I'm verifying this

[2:05:57] with the state, that we can do it the exact same way that we did it in 2023 in

[2:06:01] straight out. Um I don't think that there should be any oversight

[2:06:05] obligations with respect to the expenditures because we are the pass

[2:06:08] through entity. But in the event that there's paperwork that needs to be

[2:06:12] filled out and we've got to rely on these organizations to fill out the

[2:06:15] paperwork, I do need the flexibility to impose those obligations on them. And so

[2:06:19] that's what this resolution does. All right. So, and then my question now

[2:06:23] because I kind of remember maybe some money coming and we it was a pass

[2:06:28] through for us and I think with that oversight if there was some scrutiny and

[2:06:35] I think it was SEDD and we held on to their money and they had to do do you

[2:06:41] recall that was >> I don't recall that.

[2:06:42] » Okay. I think I recall >> that was if I remember correctly that

[2:06:46] was passed through money from Senator Jackson either in 2020.

[2:06:49] » Well, isn't that the same thing? You know, it it just she chose to pass it

[2:06:54] through right >> her versus the treasurer department, you

[2:06:59] know. >> Yeah, the treasury department.

[2:07:01] » So, I'm not familiar with So, that's not one of the ones that I looked at. I

[2:07:04] looked at the 2023 ones and I don't know if SCDV was in the 2023 trunch or it may

[2:07:09] have been before that. >> Do you remember?

[2:07:11] » I remember a couple passing through. I don't remember SEDD. I remember one was

[2:07:14] like >> there was like some BMX stuff that was

[2:07:16] in one thing. There was another charity that went to another and they were

[2:07:19] passing through here and there were people asking why we were awarding that

[2:07:23] money when it was really just a pass through at the legislator level.

[2:07:26] » Yeah. And legislators certainly have that option

[2:07:28] » which each specific spend was. I remember us getting challenged on it.

[2:07:32] » Yeah. And so to the extent that there are any closeout obligations I and what

[2:07:36] these resolutions do and I'm not getting ahead of myself but they're all largely

[2:07:40] identical B and D. Uh we'll focus on B for this purpose. It says hey to the

[2:07:47] extent that we can we're going to just straight pass it through accept it and

[2:07:50] pass it through. But if the state is going to require any

[2:07:53] closeout paperwork or anything like that, I have the authority to enter an

[2:07:57] agreement with the nonprofit that will also impose those obligations on them to

[2:08:01] make sure the eyes are dotted and the tees are crossed because we really just

[2:08:05] want to be the intermediary here that just passes everything through. And if

[2:08:08] there's obligations with respect to the funds, we need to make sure that those

[2:08:12] obligations are imposed on the ultimate recipient as well.

[2:08:16] » All right. Thank you, sir. Madame clerk,

[2:08:21] » Mrs. Ezernette, >> I

[2:08:24] » Mr. McFarland, >> I

[2:08:25] » Mr. Harvey, >> I,

[2:08:27] » Miss Woods, >> I,

[2:08:28] » Mr. Muhammed, >> I c adopt a resolution.

[2:08:33] » Second >> this corporate in grief with the state

[2:08:35] of Louisiana is moved and properly second. This is for Strauss youth

[2:08:39] academy and for arts. Anyone in the audience to speak for against this item?

[2:08:44] Seeing none cler councel madame clerk

[2:08:48] » miss woods >> I

[2:08:50] » Mr. Muhammed >> I

[2:08:51] » Mrs. Ezernac >> I

[2:08:53] » Mr. Harvey >> I

[2:08:54] » Mr. McFarland >> I

[2:08:56] » motion carries adopt the resolution >> so move

[2:08:59] » second >> who move you you

[2:09:03] » y got at the gate together >> got together

[2:09:06] » who you got miss Mrs. Who? Who? >> McFarland.

[2:09:10] » Okay. What? I heard one Woods leave it to me. So, put

[2:09:14] » I I'll give it to you. [laughter] >> You guys can have it.

[2:09:17] » You You can take the motion. She wants the motion.

[2:09:22] » I'm not attached to anything. >> I'll let I'll let I'll let you have

[2:09:24] that. >> Miss Woods made the motion. Okay. Miss

[2:09:26] Woods and Mr. Harvey. Anyone in ought to speak for against this particular

[2:09:30] resolution? >> Seeing none, council, you have any

[2:09:33] discussion on it? >> Madame clerk,

[2:09:36] » Mr. Mr. McFarland >> I

[2:09:38] » Mrs. Ezernac >> I

[2:09:40] » Mr. Muhammed >> I

[2:09:41] » Miss Woods >> I

[2:09:44] » Mr. Harvey >> I

[2:09:46] » motion carries department of public works none department community affairs

[2:09:50] none police department none fire department a adopt the resolution

[2:09:54] authorized forever agreement >> right been moved and second that we

[2:09:58] enter into into this agreement with the state of Louisiana um we've got Chief

[2:10:04] Maxi you want to talk a little bit about this chief

[2:10:10] Before we do that, is anyone else in the audience to speak for against this item?

[2:10:15] » Okay, chief. >> Uh, good evening, council. This is the

[2:10:18] same thing we did last year. The state of Louisiana appropriated funds for USAR

[2:10:22] teams. There's four in the state. The idea of this is for them to furnish

[2:10:27] funds so that all the four USR teams are equipped alike. So, when we deploy,

[2:10:33] we'll all have the equipment that we need. And this year we're focusing on

[2:10:37] some vehicles to pull trailers and some uh additional trailers to house the

[2:10:41] equipment. >> Okay. All right. U any questions for Mr.

[2:10:47] Maxi? >> I don't have any questions for you,

[2:10:50] Chief, but I do want to say thank you. Um you always keep me informed on

[2:10:55] everything that's going on in my district and I really do appreciate it.

[2:10:58] It gives me the opportunity to go follow up with families that have been impacted

[2:11:03] by fire or whatever it is. >> So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[2:11:06] » Yes, ma'am. >> Well, let me say he don't only keep you

[2:11:10] informed. [laughter] >> He keeps everybody informed.

[2:11:13] [clears throat] >> So,

[2:11:16] » no special. >> Thank you. [laughter]

[2:11:18] » All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[2:11:19] » Thank you. Appreciate it. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Muhammed.

[2:11:23] » Hi, >> Mr. Harvey.

[2:11:25] » Hi, >> Mr. McFarland.

[2:11:26] » I >> Mrs. Ezra

[2:11:28] » I. >> Miss Woods

[2:11:30] » I. >> That motion carries engineering

[2:11:31] services. None. Y'all need a break? >> No.

[2:11:34] » No. No. No. >> Okay. Introduce introduction resolution

[2:11:39] and ordinance. A introducing ordinance approving collective bargaining

[2:11:43] agreement. >> Second.

[2:11:44] » Been moved and second that we approve this agreement uh for collective

[2:11:49] bargaining with transit. Any comment from the audience?

[2:11:54] » Yes. State your name and address, please.

[2:12:01] My name is James Tatum. Uh, address 69, >> Highway 139 here, Chris Apartment,

[2:12:09] » 904. Uh, I have a

[2:12:15] bunch of paperwork dating back uh with the communication between uh the union

[2:12:21] and uh PE bomb. So, I know I don't have we don't have time, you know, to go

[2:12:26] through all of this. So, what I've done was that I just uh

[2:12:35] picked out a certain things that need to be talked about based on the contract in

[2:12:41] our races and that the contract that uh CBA and uh and uh Cream Bomb had with uh

[2:12:50] our IVP. Uh I I noticed upon the raises and stuff that cream bomb he wants to do

[2:12:57] the raise it for five years. We want to do the raise.

[2:13:06] » We are asking for

[2:13:10] 8% for each year

[2:13:17] for three years. Greenbomb wants to do it I think for

[2:13:24] » 6% over five years but four years but not even counting

[2:13:30] 2026. >> Did y'all get in and hammer this out?

[2:13:33] » So I guess we need to withdraw this tonight and again

[2:13:36] » see cuz see see I'm ready to vote on it because

[2:13:38] » me I am the conduit for negotiations. I'm not

[2:13:41] » you know cuz see when it gets here to this point we ready to vote. Now if

[2:13:45] y'all ain't ready I mean you on that. >> I mean if Huh. I I different with you

[2:13:50] all. >> Hold on a minute.

[2:13:51] » Hold on. >> So if you all are not ready, uh I mean

[2:13:57] go ahead. Go ahead and say what you got to say, Mr. Anthony. Because

[2:13:59] » I'm Horses Anthony, president of local 1160, 1401 Alabama Street. What he's

[2:14:04] offering us is a five-year contract. It's over five years at 6% a year for

[2:14:09] four years. That's what we get paid for. 26 is not considered in it. The last

[2:14:13] raise we received was in 2025. Okay. I've been trying to get with them

[2:14:18] to negotiate a contract since July June of 25 and we just coming to the point to

[2:14:24] we getting >> to this point.

[2:14:26] » Yes. Okay. >> So the whole deal of 26 is gone. They

[2:14:29] don't they don't they don't retro. So >> we done lost a year. So instead of

[2:14:34] asking for four years which he considered but put 26 in there is five.

[2:14:38] We asking for a three-year raise >> because you lost a year.

[2:14:41] » Yes. Instead of instead of a four year >> which I say it's five because of 26.

[2:14:46] [clears throat] We asking for a three a threeyear 8% raise which still would be

[2:14:49] 24%. >> Okay,

[2:14:51] » the same thing that's all we asking. >> So a couple of things just for

[2:14:55] clarification purposes. Number one, I am the conduit by which through which

[2:15:01] proposals are made. I don't drive proposals or make them. I am not the

[2:15:06] source of any of these obligations. >> So who are you talking with? So I deal

[2:15:11] these negotiations were conducted with Horus at the table and with

[2:15:15] international vice president Anthony Garland. Mr. Garland has conducted the

[2:15:20] majority of these negotiations and is my understanding by virtue of the union

[2:15:25] that they are part of. The national organization can drive these

[2:15:29] negotiations and make determinations that they believe are in the best

[2:15:32] interest of the employees that they represent ultimately. Mr. Garland has

[2:15:37] been in communication with me on a lot of these issues. These proposals were

[2:15:41] approved by the international vice president for this local union. And so

[2:15:46] this is the first that I am hearing that this proposal is not acceptable by the

[2:15:51] local union because Mr. Garland as far as I understood and the international

[2:15:55] union has approved it. If this is not the case, it can be withdrawn.

[2:15:58] » Right. Right. Have you all been talking with Mr. Garland? Your international

[2:16:02] » Okay. So this is what this is what we going to do. I'm going to amend the

[2:16:06] motion that we withdraw cuz we going to move on. So we can go y'all go back to

[2:16:10] the table. >> He he he still got so deliberate on the

[2:16:14] matter because it's a open motion. >> Okay, we're going to come back. But

[2:16:17] that's that's going to be what I'm going to suggest that we do cuz I you know

[2:16:22] y'all not ready. >> I withdraw my motion for introduction.

[2:16:29] » I move to table it. Okay, that's a motion to table.

[2:16:35] » Is there a second? >> I second.

[2:16:39] » Okay, >> got second. I got it. Any discussion

[2:16:44] from the audience on that motion? >> Seeing none council.

[2:16:49] » Thank you so much. Now, one thing we got to get straight. We got to understand

[2:16:55] that we won't know that there's an issue if you don't hear it from them.

[2:17:01] Now, under my tenure, I have tried and you all have worked around me on a on

[2:17:08] contracts with employees with union contracts to

[2:17:12] do it your way. And I keep saying the same thing. These

[2:17:18] contracts come out better if you had a council member to sit there while all of

[2:17:23] this going on to try to work through it. But y'all just want to keep doing things

[2:17:30] your way. You always run into this brick wall.

[2:17:34] Now, let's understand something. I heard one gentleman say retroactive that you

[2:17:43] can't get it retroactive. Hogwash. And y'all know it's hogwash

[2:17:50] because I know that there was another contract

[2:17:55] that never came across this board table that the raises was given to them

[2:18:02] anyway. Hogwash.

[2:18:07] Don't make me pull it out cuz I know.

[2:18:14] But we take certain unions, certain groups,

[2:18:20] and certain people, and we decide if we're going to do this

[2:18:25] for them, no, we're going to do this for these

[2:18:29] folks over here. I'm going to call a ace of ace and a

[2:18:34] spade of spade. You all can do better with these

[2:18:39] contracts. You can work through this just like

[2:18:45] y'all did before when you tried to bring a contract

[2:18:49] through me and I wouldn't allow it to come through.

[2:18:54] You worked around me and you did your thing and you thought I'd never find out

[2:19:00] about it. I call you out tonight. Hogwash.

[2:19:08] We hear what they're saying. We have a motion now to withdraw this that they go

[2:19:14] back to the drawing board and work this out.

[2:19:20] Still say the same. It'd be better that somebody from this council

[2:19:28] sit there with them, too. But y'all don't want to do that because of that P

[2:19:33] R I D. You got so much pride that you don't

[2:19:37] want to just say, "Hey, maybe we all need to work together and get this thing

[2:19:41] done." You got too much pick [clears throat]

[2:19:44] and chooses. The ones that you want to do for and the

[2:19:48] ones you don't want to do for. I'm going to end with this statement

[2:19:53] again. I want to say what I want to say and I want to do what I want to do.

[2:19:58] Thank you so kindly. >> Uh, what's the motion, Madame Clerk?

[2:20:04] » Harvey Woods. >> Wait, wait.

[2:20:08] » No, no. Wait, wait. I'm asking the clerk.

[2:20:11] » What's the motion? >> Harvey Woods to um table or withdraw?

[2:20:17] » Which one is it? Table or withdraw? >> I got table.

[2:20:20] » What is your motion, Mr. Har? >> I withdrew my original motion and I made

[2:20:23] a motion to table it. >> Okay, there's a

[2:20:25] » That's what I had. >> Point order, M. Mr.

[2:20:27] » You got Mr. there. >> Just a minute. You got two instructions

[2:20:31] in there. Mr. Creek Bond, >> he withdrew his motion

[2:20:38] » and he he voluntarily withdrew his motion and then he made a separate

[2:20:41] motion to table. >> That is and that was second. That is the

[2:20:45] motion that is on for you all to vote on.

[2:20:48] » He withdrew it and tabled it. >> He he withdrew it first. He voluntarily

[2:20:53] withdrew his bill. >> Okay. Then he made a motion to table.

[2:20:56] » Then he made a motion to table. All right.

[2:20:58] » And that's it. >> All right.

[2:20:59] » Can't do it. >> And that's it.

[2:21:01] » Can't do it. Then you know you can't do that.

[2:21:04] » Due due to the fact if you table this matter according to Robert rules of

[2:21:10] order, you have to pick it up before the close of this meeting.

[2:21:13] » I didn't make the motion. >> You should Mr. Creep, you should be

[2:21:18] telling them that that's wrong. >> You know, you know Robert rules of

[2:21:23] order. >> Just a minute. Just a minute. No. No. No

[2:21:26] sir. You sat right there and we're going to let that go through. And that's why

[2:21:31] that's why I ask for clarity. >> That's not problem procedure.

[2:21:34] » If if he say table, we have to take this up before the end

[2:21:40] of this meeting. We would have to pass over or just withdraw the motion and it

[2:21:49] dies until it comes back again. >> That's correct.

[2:21:53] » I don't know Mr. Harvey's intent and I can't assume his intent. If Mr. Harvey,

[2:21:57] if that is what you intended, then just withdraw it.

[2:21:59] » I'm going to withdraw my motion to table and I'll let Mr. McFarland decide how he

[2:22:03] wants to run with this going forward. >> No, no, no. That just a minute. Just a

[2:22:07] minute. Cuz we not going to get in the weeds. There's a motion to do what? M

[2:22:11] » I've withdrew my motion. I've withdrawn both of them.

[2:22:13] » You withdrew it. So we through with it. >> Withdrawn both.

[2:22:15] » Okay. So you all go back. We if it's withdrawn, it's been second.

[2:22:20] » Did you withdraw it? >> A volunteer.

[2:22:22] » Just withdrew it. So it's there's no motion. So it was nothing. Now there's

[2:22:27] » we don't want it to die and it be lost. Now

[2:22:30] » the floor's open. >> You can make a motion yourself.

[2:22:33] » I know what I can do, Bishop. But I'm trying to see. I'm trying to make sure

[2:22:36] that y'all know what's going on here. >> If you're asking if you're asking

[2:22:42] » cuz if you with God and don't make a motion, it's going to die.

[2:22:45] » Unless somebody does something. >> If you're asking, this is this is for

[2:22:48] introduction. >> Well, it's going to be lost, brother.

[2:22:50] » No, this is for introduction. Okay. >> If we're going back to the table, then

[2:22:56] just remove it from the agenda for tonight.

[2:22:58] » Okay. >> We proceed and come back because it's

[2:23:00] not even been introduced yet. There's no pending legal consequences.

[2:23:03] » Mr. Chairman, I move that we remove this item from the agenda.

[2:23:07] » Okay. >> Second motion.

[2:23:08] » Moved and promptly second. Any discussion on that from the audience?

[2:23:12] » Seeing none, any from councel? Madame clerk?

[2:23:16] » Mr. Harvey. >> I.

[2:23:17] » Mr. Muhammad. >> I.

[2:23:19] » Mrs. I. >> Miss. Woods.

[2:23:22] » Hi, >> Mr. McFarland.

[2:23:23] » I motion carries. Okay.

[2:23:30] » So, so what it means uh gentlemen that that you all going to go back to the to

[2:23:35] the table and negotiate. All right. Okay. Thank you.

[2:23:44] » That's right. That's right. So, we took it all. All right. So uh B introduce an

[2:23:49] ordinance authorizing the city of Monroe to

[2:23:51] » move >> second

[2:23:52] » to okay been moved and properly second on this introduction of ordinance. Any

[2:23:57] comment from the audience? Any from council?

[2:24:02] » Madame clerk. >> Mrs. Ezernette

[2:24:05] » I. >> Mr. McFarland

[2:24:07] » I. >> Miss Woods

[2:24:09] » I. >> Mr. Muhammed

[2:24:11] » I. >> Mr. Harvey

[2:24:12] » I. Motion carries. C. He introduced an ordinance authorizing city of Monroe to

[2:24:17] take corporate possession of and sell to San Diego Group. Been moved and properly

[2:24:21] second that we introduce this ordinance. >> Any comment from the audience? Any from

[2:24:26] councel? Madame clerk. >> Miss Woods.

[2:24:30] » I. >> Mr. Muhammed.

[2:24:33] » I >> Mr. Harvey.

[2:24:34] » I >> Mr. McFarland.

[2:24:36] » I >> Mrs. Internet.

[2:24:38] » I. >> That motion carries D. Induce an

[2:24:40] ordinance authorizing the city of Monroe to take corporation.

[2:24:42] » Second motion. Been moved and properly second that we introduce this ordinance.

[2:24:47] Any comment from the audience? Any from councel?

[2:24:51] Madame clerk. >> Mr. McFarland.

[2:24:54] » I. >> Mrs. Zernette.

[2:24:56] » I. >> Mr. Muhammad.

[2:24:58] » I. >> Miss. Woods.

[2:24:59] » Hi. >> Mr. Harvey.

[2:25:01] » I. >> That motion carries. E. Introduce an

[2:25:05] ordinance amending the city of Monroe operating budget for fiscal year 2627.

[2:25:10] Second. to been moved and properly second that we introduce this ordinance

[2:25:13] to amend the budget. Any comments from the audience?

[2:25:19] Any from council? >> Yes.

[2:25:22] Who going to speak on this matter?

[2:25:28] » I'll speak on it. Mr. McFarland, >> put it on the record for us, please. Why

[2:25:34] are you asking for this amendment? The reason for the amendment, sir, let

[2:25:39] me get back to it in in here. Um, first off,

[2:25:48] the uh amendment was based on there there's two different

[2:25:54] things that we requesting a um budget amendment on. Uh, one had to do

[2:26:00] with the um salary and wages for transit. Uh, based on the calculation

[2:26:08] and it was based on the assumption that the it was going to get introduced um

[2:26:14] with the contract, but it had to do with um the calculation for this fiscal year

[2:26:21] for the salary and wages, payroll taxes, pensions

[2:26:25] um and then set on down the line. Uh and then the other was to increase the line

[2:26:31] item for the transit um insurance which was budgeted at 668,980

[2:26:38] and it was to increase it for the cost of the insurance.

[2:26:44] » So what was the increase? >> The increase was $170,78

[2:26:50] » more. >> More. That's correct.

[2:26:53] » You're making a total what? a total of eight um $839,688

[2:26:59] on on the insurance. And overall this particular budget of

[2:27:04] amendment, you know, looking at the um the salaries

[2:27:10] and and um benefits on that. Uh and then on the

[2:27:16] insurance the total net change that we were proposing was 22 2,972,788.

[2:27:26] So portions of this budget amendment were based on the union contract that

[2:27:31] was just removed to fund the raises that were contained within that union

[2:27:36] contract. So a portion of this budget amendment um may may no longer be

[2:27:40] necessary. Well, let me say this because again,

[2:27:48] y'all got double standards. And I say what I say about that because

[2:27:53] there was another union. You went right around me and this

[2:27:59] council and they got their raises anyway.

[2:28:04] And when it came down to this one, you don't want to do it.

[2:28:10] And you knew I'm telling the truth. >> The the the raises were funded by this

[2:28:15] amendment. >> Oh, yes. But you didn't want to

[2:28:19] retroactive these raises.

[2:28:23] » The union I don't know where that came from. I But I don't normally discuss

[2:28:27] union negotiations in public because union negotiations are just that

[2:28:31] confidential negotiations. >> You don't want to discuss a lot of

[2:28:34] things. That's what it is. >> Hold on. I would appreciate not being

[2:28:38] interrupted, sir. So this agreement does not get on this

[2:28:44] agenda without the approval of the international vice president of that

[2:28:49] union. >> So the document that was presented here

[2:28:54] matters that you are addressing right now were discussed and the agreement

[2:28:59] that was reached is in front of y'all. So, two union members coming tonight and

[2:29:05] discussing that and saying something different is not anything that was

[2:29:09] discussed at the table. It was not anything that was brought up with the

[2:29:13] international vice president. And the international vice president

[2:29:16] specifically agreed to the term of the raises, the amounts of the raises, and

[2:29:22] the length of the contract before it went on this agenda.

[2:29:26] So, what I heard tonight was the first that I have heard of that particular

[2:29:30] complaint. And I've already reached out to the international vice president

[2:29:34] about what I heard tonight. So that is a matter that I will discuss with him

[2:29:37] because there's clearly a disconnect between what the international is

[2:29:41] approving and what the local is expecting. How that gets resolved

[2:29:45] internally with their union is an internal matter for their union. But I

[2:29:50] need clarity on that before I can move forward.

[2:29:54] That's what you going to say on record and you know that's not factual cuz you

[2:30:00] and I Wait a minute now. Don't you don't now you don't interrupt me

[2:30:04] » because we had a discussion about this a couple weeks back

[2:30:11] » and you said everything wasn't clear yet and you're the one who brought it to me

[2:30:18] about the retroactive >> raising. Now you act like it's all a

[2:30:24] surprise to you. It's not. It's not a surprise to you, Mr. Creek Bum. You are

[2:30:30] the one of the main negotiators in those contracts and you knew exactly what they

[2:30:35] were seeking and you all desired not to do it for them, but you did it for

[2:30:41] another union. >> Okay.

[2:30:42] » Hogwash. >> Hold on. No, cuz I do want to explain

[2:30:45] this. >> Okay. Just a minute.

[2:30:46] » So, the surprise over

[2:30:49] » just just a minute. What are we talking about? No,

[2:30:53] » I want I want to clarify here because now because now there is a public issue

[2:30:57] with this. The surprise tonight was asking for 8% over three years. The

[2:31:00] surprise was not the request for retroactive pay. So I want to be very

[2:31:04] clear about what the surprise was tonight. The change in the material

[2:31:08] terms of the compensation. What I shared with you privately a couple of weeks ago

[2:31:13] is at the last minute there was an issue about retroactive pay. Immediately

[2:31:18] before the meeting, and I can give you a time and date, happy to do it. The

[2:31:22] international vice president called me and said, "I spoke with another

[2:31:26] international vice president about how raises had typically been structured at

[2:31:30] the city of Monroe. You were correct, Mr. Creekbomb. We have not historically

[2:31:34] done retroactive pay in our unions. Therefore, I withdraw that request for

[2:31:39] retroactive pay." So that was a voluntary concession by the

[2:31:44] international vice president with with regards to retroactive pay. Now again,

[2:31:50] these are not things that we typically discuss publicly. There is a process for

[2:31:54] negotiating raises. But now I've been accused of doing certain things and

[2:31:58] favoring certain things when number one, all I am is a conduit for negotiations.

[2:32:03] And number two, I am privy to information concerning those

[2:32:07] negotiations. So I will happily discuss whatever issue it is with the union just

[2:32:13] like I was willing to discuss it last time with the union.

[2:32:15] » I mean what you do not present >> we just passed over that item.

[2:32:19] » No. No it's not. It's in this item. It's it's in this

[2:32:23] » with the the transit. >> Okay.

[2:32:26] » So again I do not present an agreement to you without the blessing of the

[2:32:30] international vice president. The surprise tonight was that the union is

[2:32:35] asking for a different raise structure than that than what was agreed to. That

[2:32:40] was the surprising element. So, I'll get clarity on that matter just like I

[2:32:44] always do, just like I did last time. And when I got clarity on the issue, the

[2:32:49] revised agreement was presented to you. If there are other issues that need to

[2:32:53] be ironed out, that's what we're going to do. My point with respect to this was

[2:32:57] that there are portions of this budget amendment that may no longer be

[2:33:01] necessary either because we're going to renegotiate something or

[2:33:07] some other outcome might occur. But the raises that are in this budget amendment

[2:33:12] for that particular item were based on the union agreement as presented.

[2:33:18] » Okay. What y'all want to do with this item?

[2:33:22] » What are you saying? What do you all want to do with this

[2:33:25] agenda item? >> We still need to make sure that

[2:33:30] transparency is priority, Mr. Muhammad.

[2:33:35] Transparency. >> What do you all want to do with this

[2:33:38] agenda item tonight? >> We're going to have to

[2:33:43] vote on this item because there's a motion and a second on it.

[2:33:48] So, it's going to have to be disposed of some kind of way. Either we're going to

[2:33:54] vote it up or vote it down. >> There's a motion in a second. Who made

[2:33:59] the motion? You second it. >> I like it.

[2:34:02] » Isn't it? >> Did you second it?

[2:34:04] » Well, I was just going to >> So, let me ask this. With them passing

[2:34:07] with with us passing over the transit contract, we need to just probably do

[2:34:11] the same here because it may affect affect the numbers.

[2:34:14] » So, the budget amendment portion related to the insurance. Yes,

[2:34:17] » y'all did approve already the expenditure for the insurance which is

[2:34:21] almost $180,000 >> mail cost.

[2:34:24] » So I think if you are inclined to do anything with this budget amendment, it

[2:34:31] would be it would be only to address the portion related to the transit insurance

[2:34:36] expenditures which y'all have already authorized tonight. I'd like to amend my

[2:34:40] motion to just include only the transit portion for the insurance the insurance

[2:34:45] portion of the >> second the motion

[2:34:49] » been moved and properly second that this motion be amended uh with only the

[2:34:55] vehicle insurance premiums >> correct

[2:34:58] » is there anyone any order to speak for against this amended motion hearing none

[2:35:03] councel creek bomb so what will have so you will

[2:35:07] bring back the transit personnel cost once you hammer out and we they work out

[2:35:12] the details >> and then because this is an introduction

[2:35:15] for a budget amendment we'll revise the the ordinance so it's only addressing

[2:35:19] the transit insurance portion of this amendment

[2:35:23] » okay madam madam clerk >> Mr. Muhammed

[2:35:27] » I >> miss woods

[2:35:30] » I >> Mrs. Desernac

[2:35:31] » I >> Mr. Harvey

[2:35:33] » I >> Mr. I Forland

[2:35:34] » I >> motion carries.

[2:35:37] We are now in the public hearing.

[2:35:41] Finally adopt the ordinance approving the annexation of.3 acres extending

[2:35:46] enlarging the boundaries of city of Monroe, Louisiana providing for re

[2:35:51] recordation recordation of the revised boundary establish an effective date

[2:35:56] otherwise providing for related matters. Anyone in the audience speak for against

[2:36:02] this particular item? This final adoption of this ordinance

[2:36:10] public hearing is now closed. A finally adopt an ordinance approving an exation

[2:36:15] of 38 acres extending and enlarging the boundaries of the city of Monroe,

[2:36:19] Louisiana providing for coordation recordation of the revised boundary

[2:36:25] establishing effective date and otherwise and providing for related

[2:36:29] matters. Is there a motion? >> So move for final adoption.

[2:36:32] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[2:36:35] » Moved and properly second that this ordinance be finally adopted. Anyone in

[2:36:40] order to speak for or against it? Seeing none, any from councel? Madame clerk.

[2:36:45] » Mr. Harvey. >> Hi.

[2:36:47] » Miss Woods. >> Hi.

[2:36:48] » Mr. Muhammed. >> I.

[2:36:50] » Mrs. Zernette. >> I.

[2:36:51] » Mr. McFarland. >> I.

[2:36:55] » We are now in the public hearing B. Finally, adopting orders amending

[2:36:59] section 924 permit fees. City of Monroe code to provide relative to permits

[2:37:07] uh for the placement and transportation of mobile homes, manufactured homes,

[2:37:11] buildings, and other structures to require applicable state license to

[2:37:16] require transport moving permit for the movement of certain structures over

[2:37:21] public streets, alleys, and rightaways. and further providing with respect there

[2:37:26] too. Is there anyone in order to speak for against this final adoption of this

[2:37:30] ordinance? Seeing none, any from council,

[2:37:35] » Mr. Mohammed, >> did did he close it? You didn't close.

[2:37:40] Okay. >> Public hear is now closed. Finally,

[2:37:44] adopt an ordinance amending section 924 permit fees of the city of Monroe code

[2:37:49] to provide relative to permits for placement and transportation of mobile

[2:37:54] homes, manufactured home, buildings, and other structures to require state

[2:37:59] license to require transport moving permit for the movement of certain

[2:38:03] structures over public streets, alleys, and right of way uh and providing with

[2:38:09] respect there too. There a motion to finally adopt this ordinance.

[2:38:13] » So move to finally adopt this. >> Second motion

[2:38:16] » moved and fought the second to finally adopt this ordinance. Any comment from

[2:38:20] the audience? Seeing none, any from councel? Madame clerk.

[2:38:25] » Mrs. Ezernette [clears throat] >> I.

[2:38:29] » Mr. McFarland >> I.

[2:38:30] » Mr. Harvey >> I.

[2:38:32] » Mr. Muhammed >> I.

[2:38:34] » Miss Woods >> I.

[2:38:35] » I've been asked to pass over item C. >> So move to pass over.

[2:38:39] » Second. It moved and properly second that we pass over this item.

[2:38:44] Any comment from the audience? Any from councel? Madame clerk,

[2:38:51] » do we have a when we going to put this back on? This is on for final adoption.

[2:38:57] » When we going to put it back on for final adoption to the next meeting?

[2:39:02] Okay. Pass over to the next meeting. We'll bring it back. Madame clerk.

[2:39:10] Miss Woods. >> Hi,

[2:39:12] » Mr. Harvey. >> Hi,

[2:39:13] » Mr. Muhammed. >> Hi,

[2:39:15] » Mr. McFarland. >> Hi,

[2:39:17] » Mrs. Ezernac. >> I

[2:39:21] We are now in the public hearing D. Finally, Finally, Dr. [clears throat]

[2:39:24] Norton is approving a collective bargain agreement

[2:39:28] by the by and between the city of Monroe and the International Union of Operating

[2:39:32] Engineers, AFL CIO Local 407. send one in order to speak for against

[2:39:38] this final adoption. Any from C? Oh, good.

[2:39:43] Get out of it. We're now out of a public hearing. D finally adopt an order

[2:39:49] approving a collective bargain agreement by this in between the city of Monroe

[2:39:54] and the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL CIO Local 407.

[2:40:01] Is there a motion to finally adopt it? >> Some move for final adoption. Second.

[2:40:07] » Been moved and properly second that we finally adopt this ordinance. Any

[2:40:11] comments from the audience? Audience? None from the audit council?

[2:40:16] » Yes, I have a question. >> Okay.

[2:40:19] » So, Mr. Creek, help me understand.

[2:40:24] When when we get to these when we have these um collective bargaining

[2:40:30] agreements,

[2:40:33] the members of the local uh union,

[2:40:39] do they have any input? Are they in the negotiations? Are they in the talks? Or

[2:40:44] is it someone from another location that comes in and does all the talking for

[2:40:50] them? And then does this person talk to the members that are part of our

[2:40:56] local unions. >> So I I can't

[2:41:01] speak precisely about the internal governing structures of each union. So I

[2:41:05] can speak from my experience. >> Okay.

[2:41:08] » Um we have in my eight years here I've had the opportunity to negotiate I think

[2:41:14] at least two contracts or be part of the negotiations. I didn't personally

[2:41:18] negotiate some of the older ones um with I think at least two from each union.

[2:41:24] Some of the unions handle everything locally. Um we

[2:41:29] don't see any state or international representatives in those negotiations at

[2:41:35] all. Some of the unions have had exclusively

[2:41:41] international or state level negotiators. They send up negotiating

[2:41:45] teams who have general authority over, you know, the outcome of the agreement

[2:41:51] subject to local ratification by the local union. Um I think each union's

[2:42:00] structure is different about who has what authority and we are typically told

[2:42:06] at the outset of negotiations who is going to be speaking with authority over

[2:42:11] those particular negotiations. So, you know, I've walked into

[2:42:15] negotiations where a person from international um has been present and

[2:42:21] has said, "Hey, all final approvals will come directly from me." Now, what

[2:42:26] they're doing on their back end before they get those final approvals, I do not

[2:42:29] know. All I know is I am told at the outset, this is the person who's going

[2:42:34] to be telling me yes or no on these proposals, and that's where I'm going to

[2:42:38] take my direction from. I do not know what level of involvement. Now, I've sat

[2:42:42] at at negotiating tables where, you know, a state level official was there

[2:42:47] along with all the people from the local um I've sat in negotiations where we've

[2:42:52] had local involvement and then later on it's hey, we're close enough that I'm

[2:42:56] going to handle the rest of this contract on behalf of the international

[2:43:00] given what provisions are left because the international or state level unions

[2:43:05] have interest in uniformity across contracts in making sure that certain

[2:43:11] things are not disperate across those things. And so that's a long way of

[2:43:14] saying each union does their own thing and I just listen to who they tell me at

[2:43:18] the beginning who I'm talking to. >> I got you.

[2:43:21] » Cuz you know sometimes look like you know it looks like it's been consistent

[2:43:26] coming before council. You the local unions are sometimes not in agreement

[2:43:32] with what is being said and what's being communicated to council. So, I was

[2:43:38] really just wondering what type of input uh was being offered by our local union

[2:43:45] representatives.

[2:43:49] » Yeah, that's just a matter of internal governance. I can't

[2:43:52] » I [clears throat] can't speak to their internal governance.

[2:43:54] » Gotcha. Not a problem. >> All right, Madam Clerk.

[2:44:00] » Mr. McFarland.

[2:44:10] I >> Mr. Harvey

[2:44:14] » I >> Mr. Muhammed

[2:44:15] » I >> Miss Woods

[2:44:16] » I >> Mrs. Ezette

[2:44:18] » I >> that motion carries. [clears throat]

[2:44:23] Uh we're down to the end of our meeting tonight. We're into uh citizens

[2:44:29] participation. the most important part of the meeting

[2:44:33] I would say and the first one on our list tonight Mr. Robert Johnson.

[2:44:44] » Do you want me to

[2:44:52] » You ain't started yet. And I just got sir. Set it up.

[2:44:56] » I need all my minutes. >> Please. I need my minutes.

[2:45:00] Robert Johnson, 2608 Street, Monroe, Louisiana,

[2:45:05] city employee, president of Local 2388. Before I get started, I need to make an

[2:45:11] apology to you, Mr. Harvey. [snorts] I'm that type of man. I made a mistake

[2:45:17] saying that he sent out I sent a message to him. He never got it. I sent it to

[2:45:21] Doug Lambert, but also sent one to you, miss just to talk. I got it on my

[2:45:26] folder. But let's get down to our contract.

[2:45:33] We've been out of a contract ever since 2022.

[2:45:40] That's when it end. It's going to be 27. And I do know that Brandon is the voice

[2:45:49] of all contracts. That's who do the negotiation cuz Angie done it. But

[2:45:55] however, Mr. Mallows came in. He assured me that we going to make it priority.

[2:46:01] Then I got Mr. Jones just came on board.

[2:46:07] We didn't miss no one to come in for the community fast director. He just came

[2:46:13] in. So it's no blister on him.

[2:46:18] Doug Harvey, not Doug Harvey, Doug Seagars was dismissed.

[2:46:24] No one came and talked for giving us raises and then they hired Mr. Gerard in

[2:46:29] October coming up to negotiation for money. We never was put in the package.

[2:46:36] But what I'm saying is Brandon Creek,

[2:46:42] he knew that in 2025 that they came over to negotiate a

[2:46:50] contract with Brian Drayton. was the president at that particular time. They

[2:46:57] negotiate an agreement with Jimmy Bryan and Brandon. They got the paperwork

[2:47:02] right now today as we speak. We're talking about 4 and a half years us

[2:47:07] without a contract. That's a problem.

[2:47:12] Now, we work those peoples that up under me.

[2:47:18] You come and tell them they're doing a good job. We can't even get a decent

[2:47:23] contract. We can't even get a pay scale in our contract. We deal with Gallagher.

[2:47:29] So, you know, it's not to say that um we're not doing our work,

[2:47:35] but it's to say that we is in negotiation for a contract and we do not

[2:47:41] even have one. And that's saying

[2:47:46] what is the terms of where we need to be at for is us

[2:47:52] getting a contract a waste living contract.

[2:47:58] I look at Mr. Toiver. He was in the back. Oh my god. This will be continued.

[2:48:05] Um >> finish your point. Finish your point.

[2:48:08] » Mr. Toiver in the back. He gave all his guys

[2:48:14] raises, substantial raises over than what we got.

[2:48:18] » They got new equipment. It's in the record. Look at it. It's in they got

[2:48:22] equipment. And yet we still trying to get where we need to be at.

[2:48:27] » So far as Mr. Taliviver taking care of his fleet, I'm praying that Mr. Gerard

[2:48:31] Jones would do the same thing with us as we go.

[2:48:35] » All right. Now, when you pray and you come in and that's where you do local

[2:48:41] 2388, mind you, local 2388 supported the tax

[2:48:45] for the fire and the police right out there with them. But yet, we can't even

[2:48:50] get a good contract. >> Well, we'll see to it that that happen.

[2:48:54] » I pray so. And I listen at Mr. Creek Bond say that he tired of people

[2:48:59] carrying him the wrong way. But then what about me? I was told I was the

[2:49:04] baddest person to watch him. I do recordings. Uh oh, not to be trusted,

[2:49:09] but All right. I rest for the extra minute. Thank you. I rest. Mr. Har, did

[2:49:13] you accept my apologies? >> Apologies like I did last time.

[2:49:16] » Okay. You did. >> I just wanted to put it on records.

[2:49:19] » Mr. Johnson, before you leave, when does your contract come up again for

[2:49:23] negotiations? >> It's been up ever since 2022.

[2:49:26] » They have a contract. >> Oh, so y'all don't y'all are not even

[2:49:28] working under a contract? No, we we under we're operating on the old

[2:49:32] contract. >> Okay.

[2:49:34] » But we don't have a contract that need to be where it need to be here.

[2:49:37] » Okay. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. >> All right.

[2:49:38] » Okay. Let's see. A lot of people have left. U Quinton McFarland.

[2:49:52] » Give us your name and address.

[2:49:56] Quinn McFarland, 1204 Stone Avenue. Good evening, council, staff, administration.

[2:50:05] » Good evening. >> I call the permitting office, the

[2:50:09] engineering, water, sewer department so much that they know my voice and

[2:50:14] concerns. It has [snorts] been frustrating process trying to do the

[2:50:18] right thing by following the proper procedure for new construction in the

[2:50:23] city of Monroe. I purchased land. I made the decision to put my future double

[2:50:27] wide home on this property, which is 1204 Stone Avenue.

[2:50:34] I made calls, walk-in visits to learn what needed to be done and how.

[2:50:39] I arranged a sit down meeting with Mr. Morgan to get the understanding to make

[2:50:44] sure I was taking the right path and expressed my concerns about the property

[2:50:50] and its needs. The previous owner of the property already had approved survey

[2:50:56] plans and also um it included the extension of Stone Avenue. I requested

[2:51:03] insight on how this process worked. Still no true answer on this matter, but

[2:51:10] I received a little answer to get me to stop investigating.

[2:51:14] I knew that this process would be a learning experience and there would be a

[2:51:20] lot to do. But I'm not discouraged when I set my

[2:51:25] mind to it. God will surely guide me to the right answers and I will find my

[2:51:30] answer. >> My frustration is with communication of

[2:51:35] information. The same thing that you see here tonight at every meeting when

[2:51:41] council members do not answer or ask questions, we don't get the true details

[2:51:47] of the information. Just like at a previous meeting, you know, y'all asked

[2:51:52] the question where the money come from, but you know, you were voting on it, but

[2:51:57] nobody had the insight of it of where is the money coming from.

[2:52:02] That's a problem that's going on in this city. When people ask questions, it

[2:52:08] seemed like it's really hard to get those true answers, the information.

[2:52:14] That is a concerning factor. I started this process March 2026.

[2:52:21] I applied for every permit

[2:52:25] as instructed June 1st and I uploaded all the documents that are needed and I

[2:52:31] paid all necessary fees. I will continue to learn and I will continue to press

[2:52:36] and I'm speaking today just to put it on record. 1204 Stone Avenue. Thank you.

[2:52:43] » Thank you, Mr. McFarland. Um, I do pray that uh we can work out

[2:52:49] whatever communication or concerns that Mr. McFarland has with uh getting this

[2:52:56] property situated. So, we'll keep monitoring it and we'll we'll keep our

[2:53:01] eyes close on it. All right. Uh Herbert Gillery.

[2:53:14] » [clears throat] >> Good evening y'all. Herb Gillery, 1801

[2:53:17] Wood Haven Drive, Monroe, Louisiana. Excuse my dress, but uh I usually a

[2:53:22] little fly in this, but not tonight. So, sorry. I [clears throat] come um tonight

[2:53:27] on behalf of uh the Northeast Louisiana Cathemia Foundation. I am the vice

[2:53:32] president and I just want everybody to know that we have our banquet coming up

[2:53:38] this Thursday and we encourage everyone to be able to attend and get a chance to

[2:53:42] see what sickel does and what they have been doing throughout the years when it

[2:53:48] comes to um supporting and helping a population that has been suffering for a

[2:53:53] long time when it comes to sickale. Now, at one point, it it came to a point

[2:53:59] where we almost didn't have the the banquet this year because it was a

[2:54:02] conflict. Okay? A conflict which happened with with human error. You

[2:54:07] know, you have rumblings in the air or people saying different things. But, you

[2:54:12] know, the best thing is to always when you want some answers is to make sure it

[2:54:16] comes out the horse's mouth. Well, I'm one of the horses. Okay. We had some

[2:54:21] discussion. We had professional discussion. We had nonprofessional

[2:54:26] discussion when it came to it. Okay? Back and forth, back and forth, uh,

[2:54:30] opinions, different thoughts and everything, but we came to a solution

[2:54:35] that will be able to help everybody. And because of it, we're going to have the

[2:54:40] the U banquet at the hub this year. And I just wanted to come and personally

[2:54:45] thank Mr. Gerard Jones for emptying the kitchen cabinets, the sink. Uh what

[2:54:53] else? What else in the cabinet? The cupboards, everything for for for

[2:54:58] looking out and making sure that we're going to have a great and positive

[2:55:02] event. That's one thing about the SECell Banker. We always want to make sure that

[2:55:06] we are having a a a good exciting and positive time. And you know, we just

[2:55:12] don't want any type of like negative publicity or anything when it comes to

[2:55:16] what was going on. Hey, like I said, it's human error, but we made it work.

[2:55:21] And I promise you, if you attend, you're going to enjoy yourself. And a lot of

[2:55:25] that is going to be on behalf of because of what Mr. Gerard or Mr. Jones has done

[2:55:30] to assist us, accommodate us and all parties in that's in play, especially

[2:55:35] with us are happy and we are going to have a good time and we want everybody

[2:55:40] else to come in and smile and see what we have been doing to help those that

[2:55:45] has been in sick cell disease and has been in need and what we're going to

[2:55:49] continue to do throughout the years. So, thank you.

[2:55:52] » Thank you, Mr. Gillery. >> We stand adjourned.

City Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

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