1 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:27,680 How you doing? How are you? Well, I mean, I'm just 2 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:37,360 I'm supposed to do uh too much more. I just got  my blood results back and my phone's been blowing   3 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,800 up. The doctor's like, "This number's not right.  This number is not right." So, I'm waiting for him   4 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:53,040 to tell me what to do. Something after a while,  the cancer not all the incident stuff. Anyway,   5 00:00:53,040 --> 00:01:01,920 thanks for asking. just right now and I we've gone  through a lot. There's a there's a list and you're   6 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:11,120 on the list. Thank you so much. I appreciate  you. I can feel it. I can feel it. Okay. 7 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:22,640 Hey, how are you? Good. Okay. What you got?  Miss Wing is going on vacation tomorrow. How   8 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:29,360 you doing? We are signing stuff tonight.  Oh, I got you. So, we got new stamps with   9 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:40,880 new names on. Hey, mayor. Hey. Hey. How you  doing? I'm doing well. How you This is way 10 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:45,120 hot this time. Kind of hot. 11 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,440 and I'm going to send an email to  that lady and I'll copy you on it,   12 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,360 confirm that audit letter and all  that. She sent it to me and I said,   13 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:04,400 "Are we in a hurry?" She said, "I  don't know about a couple more days." 14 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,240 So, I'll send I'll send her a response to you. See   15 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:20,320 if I think it's okay. I actually had  the language about it's got to say 16 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:26,960 today. Hey, I just got in trouble cuz you  didn't tell me who we forgot. I forgot.   17 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:34,480 All right. I was going to see if  he was going to acknowledge it. 18 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:39,840 Opioid. Yes. I have four clients who sent  it to me to review. Okay. cuz I represent   19 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:48,960 the uh I represent the treatment facility.  I represent So you see us. I'll look at it.   20 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:56,160 Yeah. Cuz I think you're going to  be turned by September 1st. Okay. 21 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,680 It's a 22 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:05,840 don't don't hesitate to text me two or three  days before I say, "Hey bro, check everything.   23 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:10,560 Every document that you sign that's binding  has to go through the council. Okay. So,   24 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:19,200 we probably wouldn't be able to do that. No,  it's going to have to be on September. final   25 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:32,960 action on October cuz the application  would have to be submitted due diligent 26 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:37,760 on council approval which is feel  like we make I'll make a change   27 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:44,080 you know that says contingent on  just ice cream we'll work around   28 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:51,760 all that there's ways I've done this  30 years That's why I was actually I   29 00:03:51,760 --> 00:04:03,840 do. It's not working around it. It's just  allowing it to happen without Yeah. Without 30 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:09,680 Yes, ma'am. Aren't they cute? 31 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,840 You see me wearing crew something that feels.   32 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:19,600 There you go. If you see  me wearing crew glasses on 33 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:25,680 you 34 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:41,760 can see over 35 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,000 prescription from her. 36 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:05,440 1 2 3 37 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:09,280 one is the 38 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:35,040 I just want to make sure I was in the correct 39 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:51,200 sticky. 40 00:05:51,200 --> 00:06:01,520 So these will be at the 41 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:08,640 That's right. everything 42 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:09,840 cuz it's going to be an ordinance. So,   43 00:06:09,840 --> 00:06:18,160 it's got to be two your approvals or  resolutions. They don't have to first 44 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:48,960 actual last time. This is this is the second  meeting for this. No, I'm saying the second 45 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:52,640 voice 46 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:52,960 have a 47 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:21,120 Hey, I got a I got a bullet. I should  have brought her bought for her. 48 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:34,560 We don't have the motor. back. 49 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:03,840 He has a right to 50 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:28,560 Good. 51 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:32,320 You got 52 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:39,360 Let's 53 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:46,000 bring this meeting to order, please. 54 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:50,640 I'll rise, please. Invitation. 55 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:55,040 Lord, we just come to you tonight and ask you for  your guidance and your mercy over our decisions.   56 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:58,800 Lord, may we uh have you in our  vision and have you guiding our   57 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:04,400 steps and we may make the best decisions  for the city to move forward, Lord, and   58 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:10,560 uh the best decisions for the citizens of Sula.  We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.   59 00:09:10,560 --> 00:09:17,920 Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the  United States of America and to the republic   60 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:30,080 for which it stands. One nation under God,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 61 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:41,440 Mr. Loo here, Mr. Dory here, M here, Mr. B  here, Mr. here. Here. Um, due to public opinion,   62 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:46,800 we're going to have a couple things just kind  of straightened out tonight. The the first three   63 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:52,320 chairs over there in the first row, if it starts  getting a little crowded or if we have meetings,   64 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:57,440 it's going to be a little crowded. We're going to  leave those people who may have mobility issues.   65 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:03,920 At the last meeting, uh, Miss Cindy was was forced  to kind of go back and forth and back and forth. I   66 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:12,000 called her to let her know that I felt bad about  it. Um, I'll let her tell you what happened after   67 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:18,800 that. But, um, I I think that's a good idea for  people who can't get around very well. Crutches,   68 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:23,360 wheelchairs, whatever the case may be, or  just any type of mobility issue is going   69 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:30,880 to go there. And by public opinion, we're asking  that everybody in here, please take your hats off.   70 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:37,920 Uh this is what out of respect for the office  and out of respect for the uh city council   71 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:46,800 and the city of Sulur. Thank you all everybody.  Appreciate it. First iting item today is public   72 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:54,720 hearing on ordinance amending chapter 2 article 2  section 216 of the code of ordinance of the city   73 00:10:54,720 --> 00:11:01,280 of sulfur Louisiana and repeal any conflicting  ordinances to establish council meeting dates   74 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:12,400 times and locations of meetings ordinance  4826 myself I have a motion I'll have a motion   75 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:28,480 Have a motion. Have a motion. Have a second. I'll  second. Have a second. Mr. Leoo, second by Mr. B. 76 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:34,160 I'm going to go ahead and read the rest of  the ordinance. Ordinance amending chapter 2,   77 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:40,320 article 2, section 216 of the code of ordinances  of the city of Sulford, Louisiana, and repeal any   78 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:45,680 conflicting ordinances. Be it ordained by the  city of city council of the city of Sulford,   79 00:11:45,680 --> 00:11:53,440 Louisiana, the governing authority thereof,  that they do hereby amend chapter 2, article 2,   80 00:11:53,440 --> 00:12:01,520 section 1216 of the code of ordinances of the  city of Sulford, Louisiana be and it it is hereby   81 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:09,680 amended to read as follows to wit section 216  council meeting date, time, location, and agenda.   82 00:12:09,680 --> 00:12:16,320 A. The city council shall hold all meetings on  the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.   83 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:23,360 Excuse me. Or for Monday falls on legal holiday,  then the following business day of 5:30 p.m. If a   84 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:31,120 meeting does not finish, the council may recess  or continue it to a specific date and time. B.   85 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:38,000 All meetings shall be held in the council chambers  at 501 Willow Avenue. If the chairman determines   86 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:44,720 at any time that the council chambers will be  inadequate to handle expected audience attendance,   87 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:50,480 the chairman may relocate the meeting to the  West Calcue Community Center at 401 Arena Road,   88 00:12:50,480 --> 00:13:00,080 Sulford, Louisiana, if available. The notice  shall comply with applicable state law. 89 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:09,840 Do we have any uh comments from the council? 90 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:18,400 No comments. This of course was done at the uh  request of Mr. Billy Laughlin Loftton in order   91 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:22,960 for us to be able to move these uh meetings  if they should get to a point where it should   92 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:32,960 overload this location. Uh, Miss Wendy, it says  number one on meeting number three. Sure. There's   93 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:42,720 three number ones. So, I'm the third. Okay. Not  till later. Okay. Not the third item. Okay. Third.   94 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:49,040 Sorry. Being no comments, um, just for the record,  members of the council, the charter does require   95 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:54,800 that this be designated by ordinance. And so  with all the potential changes in location,   96 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:59,280 I wanted to make sure and it turns out that  historically we haven't probably been doing   97 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:04,160 this right, but I figured that doesn't make an  exception or doesn't make it right to not move   98 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:09,360 forward doing it right. So that's why I've  suggested that we get this adopted. Thank   99 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:25,120 you. May I speak? Thank you. Thank you. And  please fill out the card at the end. Sure. 100 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:32,640 My name is Sheila Brussard and I have a quick  question. Um I understand that according to Billy   101 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:39,200 has said according to the um the charter that we  have to have a location in the ordinance. Is that   102 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:47,280 correct? That's correct. Would it be possible  if if we're going to say that the chairman can   103 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:54,560 uh relocate? Is it necessary that we give an  address where he will relocate to? Couldn't   104 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:59,840 that be just be an option just in case that  one's not available? We could do WW Lewis or   105 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:06,000 some place. Then we would go to a second option  after that. We talked about that. We didn't feel   106 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:12,320 like we had a sure place to put in there. Also,  I feel like we're already potentially stretching   107 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:17,360 it because it says you shall designate the  place and I felt like it was reasonable in   108 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:24,800 light of potential overcrowding to have  uh you know a backup. Uh so that was my   109 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:29,920 recommendation to them that we So if we can't  get into West Cow, what will happen then?   110 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:37,760 If we can't get into Westcow, then we would  either, you know, either delay the meeting or   111 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:42,960 uh or or try to work change the date. Maybe we  could uh we could change the date of the meeting.   112 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:47,120 There's different things that we can do to get  around and change venue possible change. Well,   113 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:52,000 and we could Yeah, we we wouldn't want to go  through all that. We might just say start the   114 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:58,640 meeting and say we're going to adjourn and  pick the meeting back up on Thursday at the   115 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:06,400 West Cal Center. Okay. Other question is the  uh charter says 7 days advanced notice for the   116 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,880 regular meeting. So if the regular meeting is  going to be postponed then it does it follow   117 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:15,440 then it falls under the state. We only have to  do 24-hour notice of the next location if it's   118 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,120 going to be a different day. Correct. You don't  have to do if you've already noticed that meeting   119 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:29,200 and you start it and adjourn it, then you've  satisfied that requirement. Good. Thank you. 120 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:36,800 Yes, sir. If I may, Miss Sheila. Yes, sir. We  talked about WW Lewis. We're in unprecedented   121 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:41,440 times in Sulfur. We're in a temporary building.  So, we're trying to accommodate everybody   122 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:47,360 we can. We want to be fair, transparent, have  everybody there that wants to be here. Hopefully,   123 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:50,960 we don't need it. It's going to be a lot  of trouble to get people there and set up,   124 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:55,040 but we're trying to accommodate the  people is the whole goal here. So,   125 00:16:55,040 --> 00:17:02,400 that's all I wanted to put in. Thank you. Thank  you. All right. Comments. Uh, roll call vote,   126 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:10,560 please. Mr. Leoo, yes. Mr. Garvey, yes. Miss  Monzo, yes. Mr. B, yes. Mr. Capetta, yes. 127 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:18,480 Have a motion to adjourn this meeting.  Motion to adjurnn. Do I have a second?   128 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:26,480 I'll second. Second by Miss Monso.  Motion by uh Mr. Troy. Mr. Chairman,   129 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:33,760 we don't need a motion. We don't need a motion.  Okay. We'll be back in five minutes. Thank you. 130 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:48,960 No, if anybody wants to do  anything everybody good. All right. 131 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:55,440 Bring this special meeting to order number two. 132 00:17:55,440 --> 00:18:00,160 Invocation we leave. 133 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,480 You ready? 134 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:10,800 You ready or 135 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:16,160 you keep these? And Mr. Chairman, we can  go back to back when we get to the third   136 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:26,080 one. Okay. Thank you. Are you ready?  Okay. Um, please have the uh invocation 137 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,840 James. 138 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:34,880 Dear heavenly father, we come to you to to make  these decisions for our city to be able to move   139 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:39,840 forward. Please help us make the right decisions  through everything that we do in Jesus name.   140 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:48,240 Amen. Amen. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of  the United States of America and to the republic   141 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:57,520 for which it stands. One nation under God,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Two   142 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:05,920 items on this. Roll call, please. Mr. Leoo, here.  Mr. Derby here. Miss Monzo here. Mr. Bagel here.   143 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:13,440 Mr. Capetta here. Um, we have two resolutions I'll  be going over. Resolution number one approving   144 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:18,160 the recommendation of Mayor Stouts for the  appointment of Reed Ellander as interim director   145 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:26,720 for information technology. Resolution 3326.  Resolution number two, resolution approving the   146 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:32,560 recommendation of Mayor Stouts for the appointment  of Lindsey Luch as am I pronouncing that   147 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:45,520 correctly? Yes. Thank you. as interim director  of finance. Resolution 3426. Mayor students, 148 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:53,280 can you hear me? So Reed Ellander um has  over 30 years of experience. Um of course   149 00:19:53,280 --> 00:20:01,920 you know the past uh IT director has retired  I think with 20 plus years experience. So,   150 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:07,280 I am going to appoint uh or  have him serve interim director   151 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:19,440 uh for the IT department at this time  until we find I find someone long term. 152 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:28,240 Are we actively searching right now, Mayor? We'll  be. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Um this this appointment will   153 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:33,360 carry us through the first of the year. Okay.  My concern was with uh Mr. Ellen during his   154 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:37,520 retirement. Not to affect that was the only  question I'd heard. So I wanted to just make   155 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:42,240 sure we wasn't putting him on a long term. No,  we we've taken care time frame. Yep. For that.   156 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:46,880 So we we've covered that base and I agree with  your Reed's been here forever. So it's a great   157 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:57,440 choice I believe and you as well. So congrats.  Any other comments? Just like to make this quick   158 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:03,040 comment. you know that you know as a council we're  not here to question is whether the individual is   159 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:08,400 a good good employee or not. The council wants  to determine whether the appointment meets the   160 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:13,600 charter or whether the city's personnel  procedures have been followed. Uh before   161 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:19,040 we vote on either one of these resolutions, I  would like to ask the administration and human   162 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:24,960 resources to confirm for the record that both  nominees have been reviewed for compliance with   163 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:32,240 the applicable home rule charter qualifications  and the city's personnel policies and to have   164 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:42,320 identify any personal requirements  that remain outstandings or were waved. 165 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:48,640 Mayor, they are currently employed with the  city. So that's that's my reason for appointing   166 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:56,000 them. Okay. But do they meet all the the items  within the charter? And do they meet all the   167 00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:01,280 requirements for each one of those positions  that you're as it stands? Yes. As it stands,   168 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:07,120 yes. Yes. Okay. Because you're asking us to vote  and and this is determined by the charter. So,   169 00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:13,040 I just want to clarify that what we're  voting for in a positive manner is in is in   170 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:18,000 uh both candidates are qualified. Yep. Both  candidates are qualified. Compliance with the   171 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:24,080 charter. Yep. Yes. Thank you. Both qualified.  Thank you. All right. Any other questions? I   172 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:33,040 do have one other question now. I thought about  it. So, Billy, um I guess does this normally come   173 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:38,560 to the council before they appoint these people  and then they're appointed or we members of the   174 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:46,320 council? I really don't think that for an interim  appointment that charter really requires this. We   175 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:52,080 wanted to do it in an abundance of caution to  make sure that nobody felt like we were just   176 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:59,360 making decisions without coming to you guys for  approval. So, I think that that the both of these   177 00:22:59,360 --> 00:23:04,720 resolutions and approval by the council are being  done by the mayor to make sure that y'all agree   178 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:13,440 with the decisions he's made and not really for  compliance with the that was my if the permanent   179 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:19,280 appointments come up or should he make these  either one of these guys permanent, you'll need to   180 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:25,040 approve it again. Okay. and that that is required  and this is more of an abundance of caution and   181 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:29,920 out of respect to the council to make sure that  we're doing uh the right thing and giving you   182 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:34,960 all the opportunity for input. Okay, that's what  I was curious. Okay, thank you. I'd like to say   183 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:40,880 I appreciate the the actually the interaction  trying to get these guys in here to fill a void   184 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:46,560 being that we have an absence and in the presence  of having these people's position and um I think   185 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:55,280 the interim appointments are are all right.  I'm in approval of both of them actually. So, 186 00:23:55,280 --> 00:24:03,760 thank you. Any more comments from the council?  We have no comments from the motion from the   187 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:07,760 audience. We have to do them separately, Mr.  Dep. What? We have to do them separately,   188 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:19,920 right? Uh we have a motion. A motion. Motion by  Mr. Batty. Second. Second. Second by me. Okay. Is   189 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:28,640 this on Reed Ellener? On Reed Ellander. The first  one. Okay. Roll call vote. Mr. Leoo. Yes. Mr.   190 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:38,720 Derby? Yes. Mr. Monzo? Yes. Mr. B? Yes. Mr. Dea?  Yes. Okay. Uh, Lindsay. Uh, number two, resolution   191 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:43,840 approving the recommendation mayor students  for the appointment of Lindseay Douch. So move.   192 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:53,040 Interim director of finance. Do we have a second?  Second. Second by Mansono. Roll call vote. Mr.   193 00:24:53,040 --> 00:25:06,960 Leoo. Yes. Mr. Derby. Yes. Miss Monzo. Yes. Mr. B.  Yes. Mr. Dep. Yes. Okay. Going on to number three. 194 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:25,840 Call to order the third part of our  special meeting. Invocation. Sure. 195 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:31,360 Okay. Go ahead. Dear Lord, as we gather here  tonight, I ask that you take and lead each and   196 00:25:31,360 --> 00:25:36,160 every one of our hearts, dear Lord, and guide us  in the right direction. Let us be open-minded,   197 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:40,480 dear Lord, to the things that we're actually  in search of, dear Lord. is not of destruction,   198 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:45,600 but is it's for clarity and to shine a light  on the things that we need to correct to better   199 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:50,720 ourselves. God, I ask each and every one of us  that sits up here on this board to have a clear   200 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:56,240 conscience and a clear mind as we move forward  through this entire process. Jesus name I pray.   201 00:25:56,240 --> 00:26:05,200 Amen. Amen. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of  the United States of America and to the republic   202 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:14,400 for which it stands. One nation under God,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 203 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:26,320 Roll call, please. Mr. Loo here, Mr. Dy  here. Mr. B here. Mr. Dea here. Okay. Uh,   204 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:31,120 this is a resolution requesting an opinion  from the attorney general related to potential   205 00:26:31,120 --> 00:26:43,760 violations of public bid law by the city of  Sulford, Louisiana. Resolution 3526, Josh B. 206 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:52,880 Read it. Yeah, it's to you now. So, I am asking  for a resolution uh tonight be voted upon uh   207 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:57,600 requesting an opinion from the attorney general  uh related to potential violations of public bid   208 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:04,000 law by the city of Sulfur. Uh, be it resolved  by the city council of the city of sulfur,   209 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:08,320 Louisiana, the governing authority thereof,  that they do hereby request attorney general's   210 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:16,960 opinion related to the potential violations  of public bid law by the city of sulfur. 211 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:19,280 Uh this is requesting for attorney general's   212 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:23,840 opinion on suspected violations of  public bid law concerning real estate   213 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:32,240 uh lease and real uh related improvements  at 501 Willa Avenue sulfur Louisiana 70663. 214 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:37,440 Dear Mrs. Merl, as a member of the sulfur city  council, I respectfully request an opinion from   215 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:41,280 your office regarding whether there are  violations of the Louisiana public bid   216 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:45,840 law in connection with the acquisition,  lease, and related improvements of the   217 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:52,960 uh building located at 511 Willow Avenue, Sulford,  Louisiana 70663. the property. Specifically,   218 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:57,680 I seek guidance on whether the actions  described below, comply with the applicable   219 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:02,320 uh public bid and procurement requirements,  including the mandatory fair market analysis,   220 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:08,800 bid solicitations, and competitive bid  procedures. Statement of facts and concerns   221 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:14,480 as I understand them. The property, which is  currently under FEMA reimbursement funding,   222 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:22,160 was acquired and leased under a 2-year  agreement with a monthly rent of $20,853. 223 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:28,640 The lease was signed on a contingency basis before  the purchase of the building closed. A private   224 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:36,320 contractor owner of 10X Services LLC is alleged  uh to be involved. And this contractor alleged has   225 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:43,280 uh family connections to the city marshal Brand  Endeavors by marriage. The city marshall publicly   226 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:49,280 indicated in council meeting minutes that he had  worked for approximately 4 years to lock this   227 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:56,320 building down to enable the project. There is no  public record of a formal fair market analysis or   228 00:28:56,320 --> 00:29:03,040 an appraisal comparing the rent or the building's  value against comparable properties. No documented   229 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:08,960 comparables or written verification of fair market  price have been disclosed by the city of sulfur.   230 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:14,320 The lease provides that all buildouts are to be  funded by the city of sulfur. It alleged that   231 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:20,400 the buildout work estimated at $50 to $60,000  performed by 10x services. The building's owner   232 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:25,920 without a public bid or advertised competitive  bidding process for the work related improvements   233 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:33,600 project. A separate $325,000 improvements project  was awarded to 10X Services LLC with no public   234 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:39,120 bid advertisement or required by the city of  Sulfur. According to the public records, public   235 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:45,360 records indicate a request for $100,000 additional  from the city uh court judge to be donated from   236 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:50,480 the building fund towards this project. This  donation raises concern about bid integrity,   237 00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:56,000 potential bid splitting or malfeasants involving  the judge, the city marshall, the city clerk,   238 00:29:56,000 --> 00:30:02,000 mayor, and the uh council members who approved  the imp uh the improved projects. The project   239 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:08,000 was reszoned from residential to business nearly a  year after the building purchase and nearly before   240 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:15,120 the completion of uh internal finish work  uh with alleged inadequate or non-compliant   241 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:19,920 uh inspections. During a council meeting, it  was observed that a drinking fountain was not   242 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:24,720 installed, potentially violating municipal and  plumbing codes, yet inspectors allowed occupancy.   243 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:30,080 These matters have been eroded public trust in  city government and compliance with applicable   244 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:37,200 uh procurement and permitting proc uh procedures.  Requesting uh conclusions and questions for the   245 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:42,320 attorney general's opinion. Do the facts described  raise material questions about compliance with   246 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:48,640 Louisiana's public bid law and related procurement  status in relation to A the lease arrangement for   247 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:55,360 the property and its rent. B the lack of formal  fair market analysis or appraisals, the decisions   248 00:30:55,360 --> 00:31:00,560 uh to fund perform building improvements without  publicly advertised bids, any potential bid   249 00:31:00,560 --> 00:31:08,080 splitting or bid ridding concerns, and the related  conflicts of interest involving public officials. 250 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:14,640 What uh procedural steps, if any, should the city  undertake uh to cure possible non-compliance,   251 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:21,280 including further uh bidding, rebid adjustments  to the lease terms, or any requirement disclosures   252 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:27,520 regarding related uh party interest? If  deficiencies are found, what enforcement   253 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:32,800 remedies or correction actions would the attorney  general's opinion recommend that will ensure   254 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:37,840 compliances with the public bid law and related  procurement requirements? Are there any additional   255 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:43,680 factors under the federal FEMA guidelines or  state building zone zoning or building uh code   256 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:50,000 requirements that could affect the legality or  the funding of the project? Supporting materials,   257 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:54,720 public meeting minutes, and transcripts uh  mentions four years of efforts by the city   258 00:31:54,720 --> 00:31:59,920 marshall to secure the building. Lease agreement  documents including the contingency language and   259 00:31:59,920 --> 00:32:05,920 the stated monthly rent. any available public  records uh related to the uh the buildout costs   260 00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:12,480 and payments to 10X services. Uh public records  indicating the $325,000 improvements project   261 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:18,080 and the lack of advertised bids, the zoning,  reszoning, inspection and occupancy records for   262 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:23,760 the for the property. Any communication or records  suggested a potential conflict of interest related   263 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:28,880 party involvement and a conclusion. I request  the attorney general's opinion to determine   264 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:33,680 whether the city sulfur's actions concerning the  property's acquisition, lease, and improvements   265 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:38,880 were consistent with the Louisiana public bid  law and related procurement requirements and to   266 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:44,720 identify any corrective measures that may be  warranted to restore compliance and public trust.   267 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:50,960 I certify that I have have reason to believe  these matters may involve violations of public   268 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:55,440 procurement and related laws and that  a timely opinion from your office is   269 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:59,600 sought to clarify applicable law and  potential remedies. Other concerns are   270 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:12,800 federal violations of FEMA guidelines and  laws. Respectfully submitted Joshua Batten. 271 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:18,720 Any comments from the city council? 272 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:23,280 I have a few. 273 00:33:23,280 --> 00:33:31,120 Uh um yeah, I'm going I'm going I'll go ahead  and start if that's okay. Um you know, I I don't   274 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:36,480 think we should only be getting an opinion from  the attorney general. I really think that there   275 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:43,920 needs an be an investigation first. Um, I think  the letter uh the information in this letter is   276 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:50,240 incomplete and it's one-sided opinion in order  to influence the AG to make an opinion in his   277 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:57,760 favor. You know, and one question is where's the  intent? I would like to add that Mr. Brandon De is   278 00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:03,760 purely a tenant in this building. Make a motion to  challenge I'm going to make a motion to I want to   279 00:34:03,760 --> 00:34:08,960 challenge you on what you just said. Point of  order. Point of order. The challenge of chair   280 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:14,560 goes across a point of order. Go ahead. But I'm  going to fix You're incorrect in what you just   281 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:19,920 said and I want to correct you because you say  it's inaccuracy. I have a whole stack of proven   282 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:30,160 documents right here if you'd like to go into  them. We can do it now if you'd like. We can do it   283 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:36,320 when you want. Are you done? Order, guys. Order,  please. Order. Are you done? Order. Are you done?   284 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:45,120 as long as you don't get me involved. Okay. Why  don't we just let everybody speak? Okay. Uh and   285 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:49,840 had no involvement in the purchasing process  of this building. Get your card. He wanted a   286 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:56,240 safe and secure building for his team and a and  a sulfur city court. Any mention of him in this   287 00:34:56,240 --> 00:35:02,080 investigation is no more than a grandstanding  and part of a personal campaign against him.   288 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:09,120 And I'd also like to point out a letter and an  email that you received as a part of your public   289 00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:14,000 uh request where it pointed out all of  the different options that were given   290 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:19,600 to us and how all of these options  were proved to be wrong by different   291 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:27,040 uh means of uh real estate investigation.  The Goodwill building was one of them.   292 00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:36,720 47 47 The building on Napoleon Street where 10X  Services is located across from the current DMV   293 00:35:36,720 --> 00:35:42,400 building where warehouse own the building  across from Missy's grocery store. The   294 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:49,200 building in the property recently purchased on  Rof Street and it goes on and on and on. Well,   295 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:54,640 that's funny that you had those cuz they weren't  privy to me whenever I did public records request.   296 00:35:54,640 --> 00:36:04,240 Okay. This lease was signed on a contingency  basis for $20,000. 90% of that was paid by FEMA.   297 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:12,640 This familiar uh association that you put in there  happens to be the fourth cousin of the Marshall's   298 00:36:12,640 --> 00:36:19,280 wife. Okay. The Marshall and his team had been  in the in at least four different buildings that   299 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:25,200 were moldinfested and people were falling through  the floors. Of course, he wanted a safe and secure   300 00:36:25,200 --> 00:36:32,480 building. You forgot to mention that. Okay. You  can't do it by awarding illegal contracts. One   301 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:39,920 more one more outburst and you'll be removed.  Okay. One more outburst and you'll be order   302 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:45,920 citizen. That's inappropriate. I'm sorry. Yeah.  So, so to challenge So, to challenge the chair,   303 00:36:45,920 --> 00:36:51,440 it doesn't matter whenever you're wrong and  stating in improper facts. I didn't you're you're   304 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:59,280 stating improper stuff and if you if you would  like me to to to speak on that. This is an email   305 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:04,160 from Jennifer Thorne and Brandon Devers. Do you  remember the conversation that Babino was going   306 00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:13,360 to fund a portion of the parking lot? I pulled  the clear check and we paid the total of $325,000. 307 00:37:13,360 --> 00:37:21,520 This contradicts completely what we've been saying  to folks. Wow. Wow. $325,000 on a public bid. And   308 00:37:21,520 --> 00:37:27,680 whenever I asked for public records, folks, public  records came back on letter six of my question.   309 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:36,080 Was any public bids put out on this building?  No. So, you can't go and exceed $250,000 on any   310 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:40,800 capital improvements project without putting it  up for public bid. It was never put up for public   311 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:45,280 bid. It was disclosed by the city that they  didn't put it up for public bid. And then we   312 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:50,560 go to the city judge and we get $100,000 to take  and reduce the amount of that to bring it below   313 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:56,800 the public bid requirements. That's bid rigging  in order to award a job. And not one time has   314 00:37:56,800 --> 00:38:02,080 anyone decided that they wanted to ask me to look  at any of these documents. You just want to take   315 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:09,520 an avoid it. It's a violation of public bid law.  And and to to go into it a little bit further,   316 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:14,640 I'm not really sure that you're aware that we  haven't received not one receipt of reimbursement   317 00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:19,840 on this particular building because you know  why? Because the contract agreed that it had to   318 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:26,800 be a movable building and so no one's actually  engaged into a contract agreement from FEMA to   319 00:38:26,800 --> 00:38:36,000 reimburse it. So it's kind of a interesting  topic that maybe we need to really look at. 320 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:40,240 Members of the council, for the record,  this matter has been submitted by the   321 00:38:40,240 --> 00:38:45,040 administration to the legislative auditor.  That was another question. Yeah. At this time,   322 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:49,680 it's has it been to the DA's office as  well? The DA can't really do anything.   323 00:38:49,680 --> 00:38:56,000 He doesn't he has to accept charges or or  reject charges after an investigation. But   324 00:38:56,000 --> 00:39:02,480 the legislative auditor, how  long has it been, mayor? So, 325 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:08,720 I don't know the exact date, but it's already been  sent over. There was a three-prongong process.   326 00:39:08,720 --> 00:39:14,960 I sent everything over to the legislative  auditor's office. The DA's office is only   327 00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:24,240 put on notice until there are findings from  that investigative authority. And by speaking   328 00:39:24,240 --> 00:39:33,760 with the two attorneys there, they have to calm  through that. Then the auditor of which who was   329 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:42,000 doing the auditing at that time had to be put  on notice. And let me tell you, I'm going for   330 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:49,680 another auditing session with another auditor. We  will not the city of Sulford be using that same   331 00:39:49,680 --> 00:39:56,480 person. We're going to use state resources  that is investigating it. once they form an   332 00:39:56,480 --> 00:40:04,560 opinion that will be given to attorney general.  However, but I'm I'll be here to tell you it's   333 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:14,240 been submitted from a nonbiased outlook weeks  ago just because it's at the DA's office. They   334 00:40:14,240 --> 00:40:25,440 do not investigate things once. Hang on. Once the  findings of what the legislative auditor finds,   335 00:40:25,440 --> 00:40:36,160 then it comes back here. So that's as far as what  the administration side has done. Um at that time   336 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:41,680 possibly. I don't want to answer for it, but  maybe. Does it go to the attorney general? I don't   337 00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:50,480 know. So you've got two investigations going. Do  I understand that right? One. one two parts. Well,   338 00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:57,200 the DA's office is just put on notice, but they  can't accept or reject charges that don't exist.   339 00:40:57,200 --> 00:41:07,280 There's no conclusion. So, we've got one request  for the DA. We've got your request for the Let me   340 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:14,080 finish your request for a legislative auditor.  And then on September 14th, we've got another   341 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:20,160 resolution or an ordinance that's going to be  a third investigation. Is that correct? Let   342 00:41:20,160 --> 00:41:26,720 me just correct you. You said DA. I think you  meant attorney general. Ag. That's correct. So,   343 00:41:26,720 --> 00:41:32,240 we've got three possible investigations are going  to be going on in less than a month on the same   344 00:41:32,240 --> 00:41:41,280 item. Is that correct? Technically, if they  all occur. Okay. Are they from three different   345 00:41:41,280 --> 00:41:47,280 agencies? The only one that I've submitted  everything to has been uh the legislative   346 00:41:47,280 --> 00:41:53,120 auditor's office only. Okay. So, if we ask for  an attorney general's opinion can then we can ask   347 00:41:53,120 --> 00:41:57,600 for attorney general's opinion to slim down the  amount of money that our taxpayers spend for an   348 00:41:57,600 --> 00:42:03,120 investigation to help move this thing forward  and save ourselves the taxpayers money. Also,   349 00:42:03,120 --> 00:42:08,000 I think we need to attack attach an ethics  review to the e Louisiana ethics board to   350 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:12,240 assist them in that. There's absolutely nothing  wrong with that. If there's ethics violations,   351 00:42:12,240 --> 00:42:19,200 let's put it all on the table and move forward and  that'll slim down our investigative process. Yeah,   352 00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:25,680 that from what I've been told speaking with the  legislative auditors, um I would definitely let   353 00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:32,480 them go through with that process and if there's  another process, that's fine. um and not have   354 00:42:32,480 --> 00:42:39,440 from an attorney standpoint of pulling that on a  on a whole another investigation. It's where it   355 00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:46,000 definitely needs to be at this point. I can tell  you that by speaking with them. They they are the   356 00:42:46,000 --> 00:42:51,120 first point of contact. I was told that as well.  And once it goes to them, it comes back to us.   357 00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:55,760 If we're going to do an investigation oursself,  it's got to be sent to them at the end anyway.   358 00:42:55,760 --> 00:42:59,840 So, if we go ahead and give it to them,  it reduces the amount of taxpayers money   359 00:42:59,840 --> 00:43:09,120 we're spending in legal fees to fight something  that they're going to go through and review it. 360 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:20,000 I got a question with the Go ahead. You want  to send it to the state to let them look at it,   361 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:22,480 right? Yeah, that's what you're  saying. So, what if he comes back   362 00:43:22,480 --> 00:43:26,960 and says nothing's wrong? We're going to  then we're going to move forward. Are we?   363 00:43:26,960 --> 00:43:31,920 We should. Absolutely. That's all I want  to know. Thanks. Yeah, absolutely. I mean,   364 00:43:31,920 --> 00:43:40,400 but what what took so long to get to this point is  my question. I don't know what that took so long. 365 00:43:40,400 --> 00:43:49,680 Do you think I could finish what I had to say?  Yes, please do. Can I? Thank you. You know 366 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:56,480 I in my opinion you know because the ex execution  of this agreement was approved by then city   367 00:43:56,480 --> 00:44:06,400 attorney Mr. Kate Cole then by Mr. Billy Loftton  and then by Patrick Vega Vega of the legislators   368 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:13,200 auditor's office. I just want to make that very  clear and that's and that's correct is it not? I   369 00:44:13,200 --> 00:44:17,520 don't know that I approved that. I was under the  understanding that was a Kade Cole project, but   370 00:44:17,520 --> 00:44:22,960 if I did, I did. So, but then, okay, we take you  out of that. There's still a legislative audit,   371 00:44:22,960 --> 00:44:26,480 right? I just don't remember being involved in  it. I'm not saying that I did. Well, you know,   372 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:31,040 I'm I'm going to make this very brief. I'm not  put my name on this. I'm not putting my name on   373 00:44:31,040 --> 00:44:40,880 this at all. I'm not putting my name on a document  that is is seriously making uh accusations against   374 00:44:40,880 --> 00:44:51,680 an elected official. an elected official has  just recently been re uh re-uped. No. Uh so and   375 00:44:51,680 --> 00:44:58,240 I'm not gonna I am not going to be I'm not going  to be a part of this and I don't want any legal   376 00:44:58,240 --> 00:45:05,520 ramifications that would come out of it for me.  Thank you. It's a sad indictment. Well, Danny,   377 00:45:05,520 --> 00:45:11,840 only one of these statements had anything to do  with him. There's a whole lot of other things that   378 00:45:11,840 --> 00:45:16,640 sit on here. Well, I think what Mr. Danny says  is for three years he got up and spoke in favor   379 00:45:16,640 --> 00:45:20,560 of everything that they did. So, he's not going  to get up there and go against it. I don't think   380 00:45:20,560 --> 00:45:27,680 you're not in a position to to think what I You  cannot have me removed. I'll be willing to walk   381 00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:32,320 out of here, but I'm going to say what I have to  say. Danny Deetta, you are on a political move to   382 00:45:32,320 --> 00:45:39,360 attack Jacob Stoops as a turned into a political  stunt. Order. Order. Order for sure. Let's talk   383 00:45:39,360 --> 00:45:47,520 about what we're on the items, guys. And let's  quit quit that. Danny, order both of you. Order.   384 00:45:47,520 --> 00:45:53,920 Really? Order, guys. Once again, stay on point to  what we're talking about. This isn't a vindictive   385 00:45:53,920 --> 00:46:00,400 to beat each other up. I'm trying. No, it's going  to be done. Okay, that's enough. Really, let's   386 00:46:00,400 --> 00:46:08,080 talk about the item at hand. Any more comments?  I have more. I got a question for the mayor and   387 00:46:08,080 --> 00:46:18,720 Billy. Hey, chair. I got a question for Billy and  uh the mayor. So, if we approved this, do you feel   388 00:46:18,720 --> 00:46:23,520 that we're putting a card before the horse?  Since you're already at the auditor's uh it's   389 00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:29,920 already at the legislative auditor. You want me  to answer? What? And well, go ahead and I may shed   390 00:46:29,920 --> 00:46:40,080 some light. Yeah. Um, I I personally think I'm not  opposed to what Mr. Ben's trying to do, right? Uh,   391 00:46:40,080 --> 00:46:46,720 and I'm not saying that this that there would be  anything wrong with having a multi-prong attack,   392 00:46:46,720 --> 00:46:54,880 but I also agree with Mr. Depeta that an elected  official's name with those accusations should not   393 00:46:54,880 --> 00:47:00,640 be in the letter. Maybe the answer is to amend the  letter. We can all get along. I mean, this is not   394 00:47:00,640 --> 00:47:08,320 about we want the result. We don't have to make a  specific allegation against a specific person. If   395 00:47:08,320 --> 00:47:12,080 they're looking into it, they'll figure it out.  I just put the names of the people who's in the   396 00:47:12,080 --> 00:47:16,400 emails and all the transactions or the public  records that was handed to him by the city. Once   397 00:47:16,400 --> 00:47:23,040 again, I'm not disagreeing with you about your  purpose. I just agree with Mr. Depeta about the   398 00:47:23,040 --> 00:47:28,400 public official. That's it. It's all I got to say.  The mayor may have something else. So, real quick,   399 00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:36,880 you had referenced Patrick Bergado. Um, he had not  had all of this information, by the way, of which   400 00:47:36,880 --> 00:47:45,920 you're speaking of, but he did approve it. Okay.  Upon speaking with the legislative auditor, we'll   401 00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:52,080 we'll wait to see what what comes out of that. And  and I hope that after everything comes back that   402 00:47:52,080 --> 00:47:56,960 the people that have been at the forefront of this  will wipe their hands of it so we can do business   403 00:47:56,960 --> 00:48:02,240 in the city itself and not have to carry on this  type of thing over and over and over again. Yeah.   404 00:48:02,240 --> 00:48:14,720 Bid law procedure needs to be followed.  I agree 100%. Miss Wendy, you want to go? 405 00:48:14,720 --> 00:48:19,520 Yeah. I'm I'm Bill Leblon live at 17 Roberto  Drive. I don't have much to say other than the   406 00:48:19,520 --> 00:48:24,960 fact that we cannot continue with this city with  the shame that's going on. We're the laughing   407 00:48:24,960 --> 00:48:30,400 stock of this area, you know, with you guys up  there arguing like kids. I mean, I got kids that   408 00:48:30,400 --> 00:48:36,400 don't argue like y'all do. And and you know,  follow the guidelines that are set down by the   409 00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:41,760 charter and do whatever it takes to find out if  somebody made a mistake. If somebody did something   410 00:48:41,760 --> 00:48:47,360 intentionally, let's find out about it, you  know. But it doesn't have to be a war. You know,   411 00:48:47,360 --> 00:48:51,360 there there's a war going on and everybody  feels it. That's why we go into a bigger,   412 00:48:51,360 --> 00:48:56,160 you know, people like to see a fight. I know  I've been involved in a lot of them, you know,   413 00:48:56,160 --> 00:49:01,760 and and and you got to stop some of this stuff.  Quit being childish about everything. And I'm   414 00:49:01,760 --> 00:49:05,840 talking to everybody. I mean, you know, we got  this deal with the mayor going on, you know,   415 00:49:05,840 --> 00:49:11,760 and his lady friend, you know, we got Josh is mad  at everybody. You know, you guys need to settle   416 00:49:11,760 --> 00:49:17,600 down. I mean, we had a council here at one time  that got a lot done and I never heard the kind of   417 00:49:17,600 --> 00:49:26,320 discussions that you guys going through. Thank you  for your time. Thank you, Miss Wendy. Thank you.   418 00:49:26,320 --> 00:49:33,600 Um Wendy Wingate, uh 256 Madison Crossing. I feel  like that uh discussion was a perfect reason as   419 00:49:33,600 --> 00:49:40,160 to why the council should not be in charge of an  investigation to this magnitude. Um, just a couple   420 00:49:40,160 --> 00:49:44,800 of points that were brought up just a second ago  before I even go into my spill. Um, you know, if   421 00:49:44,800 --> 00:49:48,400 you looked into the Goodwill building and the roof  street building, then you would have seen in those   422 00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:54,240 meeting notes from a foyer request that they did  mention that they had to follow public bid law and   423 00:49:54,240 --> 00:49:59,200 how long it actually takes to um, get that process  started. Um, if you didn't see the minutes,   424 00:49:59,200 --> 00:50:05,280 then you probably wouldn't see that. Um, that was  nothing but personal attacks. And if we're here to   425 00:50:05,280 --> 00:50:11,200 um save our friends, then I'm not interested and I  will call it out every single time. I feel like I   426 00:50:11,200 --> 00:50:17,680 hope uh everybody can keep the same energy about  not accusing our elected officials of wrongdoing   427 00:50:17,680 --> 00:50:23,520 in a personal and public uh setting in the next  couple of meetings that we have because clearly   428 00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:28,560 there's some ulterior motives and the colors  were just shown pretty clear for me as to what   429 00:50:28,560 --> 00:50:34,400 what side people stand on. Are we here to actually  call out problems and fix them or are we here to   430 00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:40,080 protect our friends? I feel like that conversation  was proof that we all got the answer that we   431 00:50:40,080 --> 00:50:46,960 needed. So, back to the actual problem which was  a clear violation of public bid law. Just to be   432 00:50:46,960 --> 00:50:53,280 very clear with everybody, this goes all the way  back to 2024 um when the city back in that time   433 00:50:53,280 --> 00:50:58,560 was actually just buying buildings like we were  playing Monopoly. um including a building that was   434 00:50:58,560 --> 00:51:04,080 over $300,000 for one of the previous council's  brother. A building that we couldn't do anything   435 00:51:04,080 --> 00:51:09,200 for with like we still to this day don't have any  purpose for that building. So we were just blowing   436 00:51:09,200 --> 00:51:14,480 money left and right. That's the only reason why  I had my attention on this project in itself. They   437 00:51:14,480 --> 00:51:20,720 called a special meeting in 2024. They showed up  to the special meeting with one agenda item that   438 00:51:20,720 --> 00:51:25,760 they had to amend because they didn't even bring  the right dates on the contract. So, we can't sit   439 00:51:25,760 --> 00:51:31,040 here and act like this just started yesterday when  Josh started making his videos. This started years   440 00:51:31,040 --> 00:51:37,040 ago. These are years of problems that have been  covered up and y'all are scared of exposing them.   441 00:51:37,040 --> 00:51:44,240 Period. With the public bid law, um there are  some emails from Jennifer Thorne to the council.   442 00:51:44,240 --> 00:51:49,600 They were first notified in August of 2024. At  that time, she said it was in the best interest   443 00:51:49,600 --> 00:51:55,040 of leasing this building instead of purchasing  the building so we could get reimbursement for   444 00:51:55,040 --> 00:52:00,400 FEMA. Um, come to find out, we still don't have  any information on if we've ever even received   445 00:52:00,400 --> 00:52:06,320 FEMA funding or not, which if you actually did  do some investigation and foyer requests, then   446 00:52:06,320 --> 00:52:12,000 you would have probably seen that an investigative  journalist did request information regarding FEMA.   447 00:52:12,000 --> 00:52:17,840 Uh, Miss Natalie Lindon did a great job with her  foyer request and Jennifer Thorne very clearly   448 00:52:17,840 --> 00:52:24,800 stated that none of this change of venue uh from  the modular buildings which were approved for 90%   449 00:52:24,800 --> 00:52:31,760 reimbursement. There was never any notification  to FEMA that we moved buildings. As far as I can   450 00:52:31,760 --> 00:52:37,600 read, the only FEMA coverage is for modular  buildings. So, do we even know if this place   451 00:52:37,600 --> 00:52:42,480 is being funded by FEMA right now? I don't  think there's a person in this building that   452 00:52:42,480 --> 00:52:48,880 can answer that question if we're truly getting  90% reimburseed of that $20,000 a month rate.   453 00:52:48,880 --> 00:52:55,280 Maybe she can, but I am not about to put her on  a spot in a meeting such this magnitude. But that   454 00:52:55,280 --> 00:53:00,000 is one of the biggest questions I would have in  this entire thing is no one can actually say if   455 00:53:00,000 --> 00:53:06,320 we are getting any reimbursement for the monthly  rate that we're paying. If we want to bring Kade   456 00:53:06,320 --> 00:53:11,280 Cole into it, then yeah, let's bring Cade Cole  from the meeting back in 2024 when he clearly   457 00:53:11,280 --> 00:53:18,880 said that they upcharge essentially to um make it  easier for contractors to invest because it's so   458 00:53:18,880 --> 00:53:23,520 difficult to deal with FEMA. So, if we really  were truly investigating and not just believe   459 00:53:23,520 --> 00:53:28,160 in everything we're told right off the bat, then  you would have found that information out as the   460 00:53:28,160 --> 00:53:34,720 the chair of the council who's quick to call  inaccuracy of another council member. You're   461 00:53:34,720 --> 00:53:38,720 you're passing 3 minutes, Mr. I would like you  to vote and give me three more minutes, please,   462 00:53:38,720 --> 00:53:49,600 cuz I have a lot more to say. So move second.  I second it. Vote. Mr. Leoo, yes. Mr. Darby,   463 00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:59,040 yes. Miss Monzo, yes. Mr. Baden, yes. Mr. Yes. So,  the council was notified in 2024 um that there was   464 00:53:59,040 --> 00:54:05,280 movement. The council to their defense at the time  did have uh quite a few um problems with the uh   465 00:54:05,280 --> 00:54:09,600 building in itself. They were concerned about the  cost that it was going to um take in order to get   466 00:54:09,600 --> 00:54:15,600 this building up to par. Um and they were gas lit  at that time and told lies. I'll get into that in   467 00:54:15,600 --> 00:54:23,680 just a second as I do have actual documents to  support it. Um so the total cost, yes, was the   468 00:54:23,680 --> 00:54:31,280 $232,000. What they did was they said that they  took away the $100,000 that was given by the city   469 00:54:31,280 --> 00:54:38,640 core. Um, but what they don't tell you is is once  a donation is made public to public fund, it is   470 00:54:38,640 --> 00:54:45,280 public money. So once they donated that money from  the city court fund, it becomes public funds. That   471 00:54:45,280 --> 00:54:51,520 is our money. So it doesn't matter how you split  this project, which if you pulled up the law,   472 00:54:51,520 --> 00:54:57,360 it states pretty clear that under no circumstances  shall there be a division or separation of any   473 00:54:57,360 --> 00:55:02,480 public work project into smaller projects. Which  division or separation would have the effect of   474 00:55:02,480 --> 00:55:08,640 avoiding a requirement that public law public work  be advertised and let by contract to the lowest   475 00:55:08,640 --> 00:55:15,120 responsible and responsive bidder. Clearly that  says under no circumstances can you split this   476 00:55:15,120 --> 00:55:21,840 project to get what you want out of it. Not only  did they bring the $100,000 when we buffed that,   477 00:55:21,840 --> 00:55:27,520 they still called me a liar. All right. So  then they started sending out emails that   478 00:55:27,520 --> 00:55:33,040 the contractor actually took on some of the cost.  Nowhere in the contract that the council approved   479 00:55:33,040 --> 00:55:39,200 states that it was okay for the contractor to take  on cost. But if we want to go ahead and say that   480 00:55:39,200 --> 00:55:44,880 that's not against the law, the same ordinance  or the same resolution that Miss Thorne put in   481 00:55:44,880 --> 00:55:53,760 the email to Mayor Stouts before he even was  um in the job, she flat out lied to him. Okay,   482 00:55:53,760 --> 00:55:58,880 so that's what she said. And in the law, it  actually says again, under no circumstances   483 00:55:58,880 --> 00:56:05,360 shall the agreement of a contractor to finance a  public works project be used in any way to avoid   484 00:56:05,360 --> 00:56:10,160 the requirement that public work be advised and  led by the contract to the lowest responsible   485 00:56:10,160 --> 00:56:17,280 and responsive bidder. So whether the contractor  paid for it, whether the city court put money in   486 00:56:17,280 --> 00:56:24,720 for it, it doesn't matter how you split it or  who you ask, that is still bid rigging. Period.   487 00:56:25,280 --> 00:56:32,720 So all he is asking is that hey if the AG finds a  loophole in all of this then fine but you cannot   488 00:56:32,720 --> 00:56:38,000 sit here and gaslight the public into believing  that the previous council and mayor followed   489 00:56:38,000 --> 00:56:45,200 the law. That is obvious if you actually pulled  any record. If we want to talk about total cost,   490 00:56:45,200 --> 00:56:52,000 then we have to talk about the additional cost  outside of the parking lot where um the $6,100 was   491 00:56:52,000 --> 00:56:57,520 paid for a canopy right outside on the southeast  end that wasn't included in the project. Remember,   492 00:56:57,520 --> 00:57:04,320 we can't split at all under no circumstances. They  also paid $800 extra dollars to 10X services for   493 00:57:04,320 --> 00:57:11,520 a handicap stencil. Wendy, we're past our time  and I I'll I want more time. I would like a vote.   494 00:57:11,520 --> 00:57:19,760 I'll make a motion to do it. I'll sell you.  How much time? Three. Yes. Three minutes. 495 00:57:19,760 --> 00:57:30,240 So, five. Mr. Leoo. Yes. Mr. Derby? Yes. Miss  Monzo? Yes. Mr. Baden? Yes. Mr. Deet? Yes. So,   496 00:57:30,240 --> 00:57:35,840 on top of the $6,100 extra dollars and the $800  extra dollars, we're going to now we're going to   497 00:57:35,840 --> 00:57:42,400 say that the contractor spent $30,000 outside  of what we um agreed to in a contract. So,   498 00:57:42,400 --> 00:57:47,840 now we're agreeing to violating a contract,  which would ultimately make it null and void. So,   499 00:57:47,840 --> 00:57:54,640 that's stupid in itself. Not only did we do that,  she is still essentially lying by saying the next   500 00:57:54,640 --> 00:58:01,440 excuse from Jennifer Thorne uh was that the she  told the mayor, let me read it so I don't screw   501 00:58:01,440 --> 00:58:07,040 it up. The property lease, which was approved  by the council, stated that the parking lot   502 00:58:07,040 --> 00:58:12,400 was to be completed by the property owner.  Did y'all read that in the contract? Because   503 00:58:12,400 --> 00:58:18,400 I didn't. What the contract actually says is  that the tenant, that's not the contractor, the   504 00:58:18,400 --> 00:58:23,920 tenant is to pay for all of the exterior parking  construction costs. That includes the parking lot,   505 00:58:23,920 --> 00:58:29,360 handicap parking, and removal of poles, soil,  rocks, and hard surfaces, architectural drawings,   506 00:58:29,360 --> 00:58:36,000 and permittings. That clearly does not say that  the construction person is responsible for that.   507 00:58:36,000 --> 00:58:41,440 So again, if we did our research and didn't  just flat out want to call people a liar because   508 00:58:41,440 --> 00:58:48,240 you don't want to have to agree that they are  correct, you would have seen that information.   509 00:58:48,240 --> 00:58:54,080 The biggest problem that I have is that this has  been created personal by such defensive strategy.   510 00:58:54,080 --> 00:58:59,360 when I started looking at all of this, the the  one person that we are talking about today,   511 00:58:59,360 --> 00:59:06,160 which is the marshall, honestly, is gonna not even  be part of the um process when it comes down to   512 00:59:06,160 --> 00:59:12,000 who's actually in charge here cuz he can't sign  that. And so, you're sitting here defending him   513 00:59:12,000 --> 00:59:17,360 when he doesn't even need to be defended. And on  his end, I don't know why his panties are in such   514 00:59:17,360 --> 00:59:23,760 a wad because he it's not going to be on him. But  we can't sit here and say that he wasn't involved.   515 00:59:23,760 --> 00:59:28,400 he was very clearly involved. We can't sit  here and say that the council wasn't aware.   516 00:59:28,400 --> 00:59:34,400 They knew what was going on and if they didn't,  they just didn't ask any questions. So, again,   517 00:59:34,400 --> 00:59:39,200 I had a feeling that this meeting was going  to go this way and I'm very disappointed,   518 00:59:39,200 --> 00:59:47,200 but I I'm not shocked one bit. Um the I have a  lot more to say, but the way that just went down,   519 00:59:47,200 --> 00:59:51,840 I I'm going to hold off and I I genuinely want  to see how this plays out. And I just want to   520 00:59:51,840 --> 00:59:58,480 end with the simple fact that let's hold that  same energy about accusing elected officials   521 00:59:58,480 --> 01:00:05,760 when we don't have anything to actually produce  um on that topic. Especially since there's an   522 01:00:05,760 --> 01:00:12,560 agenda item today that is very vague and no one  has even bothered to even talk about it. It's a   523 01:00:12,560 --> 01:00:18,880 secret. But y'all let the entire city stir up  drama instead of addressing the real problem.   524 01:00:18,880 --> 01:00:24,480 Here we are trying to address a real problem and  you turn into this defensive personal mode and try   525 01:00:24,480 --> 01:00:30,640 and shut it down. If if Jennifer Thorne talked to  the legislative auditor's office, which she says   526 01:00:30,640 --> 01:00:37,600 in her email and several foyer requests, including  Natalie McClendon, she sent it to KPLC. Mr. John   527 01:00:37,600 --> 01:00:45,280 McCartney, who had a 45minute video right before  the election, she sent the same wrong lies to him.   528 01:00:45,280 --> 01:01:08,560 Time. Thank you, Sheila. For the record, it was  10 minutes total. 10 minutes. So, Miss Sheila, 529 01:01:08,560 --> 01:01:21,280 Sheila Brousard. Um, I am happy that discussions  take place in the chambers instead of outside of   530 01:01:21,280 --> 01:01:31,360 the chambers. Of course, it is um disheartening  um that the chair would and I made notes. It was   531 01:01:31,360 --> 01:01:38,320 the first time somebody got personal uh that  the chair would ascribe intent to somebody's   532 01:01:38,320 --> 01:01:48,160 um request for uh for information. Requests  for information, investigations are what   533 01:01:48,160 --> 01:01:58,240 uh give us transparency. Um, if and I love  what Billy had said, a multi-prong approach, a   534 01:01:58,240 --> 01:02:05,200 multi-prong approach cannot be a bad thing. I have  dealt with the attorney general's office. Um, they   535 01:02:05,200 --> 01:02:10,800 they gave me lots of information at one point and  a few months later I asked for more information   536 01:02:10,800 --> 01:02:17,360 and it's been a year and they have not contacted  me back in spite of me trying to get information   537 01:02:17,360 --> 01:02:25,200 from them continually. So for information to be  requested from the attorney general, from uh the   538 01:02:25,200 --> 01:02:32,160 legislative order, from the ethics board, it needs  to be requested everywhere it can be requested. Um   539 01:02:32,160 --> 01:02:38,480 I do have a question for Mr. Ben. He had said  and I think uh Wendy referred to it also. Will   540 01:02:38,480 --> 01:02:47,760 you adjust me with a question and I'll pass on Mr.  B. Okay. May I ask Mr. Ben a question? Mr. chair.   541 01:02:47,760 --> 01:02:51,600 That's also another way I can do that. Address  the chair, please. I'm addressing you and asking   542 01:02:51,600 --> 01:02:57,120 you permission to ask Mr. Ben a question. You can  ask me the question. Go ahead. You do understand   543 01:02:57,120 --> 01:03:01,040 it can be done. I'm not holding you back. I'm  asking you a question first. You do understand   544 01:03:01,040 --> 01:03:05,280 it can be both ways and it's appropriate. You  do know that, right? However you want to do   545 01:03:05,280 --> 01:03:11,920 it. Okay. I'm asking permission to address uh the  district for representative. May I do that? Sure.   546 01:03:11,920 --> 01:03:17,840 Thank you. Mr. Bane, you said in a telephone, a  very short conversation, so I didn't get to ask   547 01:03:17,840 --> 01:03:26,240 you on the phone. You had stated on the phone and  here that uh it would be saving us money to give   548 01:03:26,240 --> 01:03:31,040 to give this request to the AG's office. Could  you please expound on that? How would that work?   549 01:03:31,680 --> 01:03:36,000 So, if we're sending our information to the  attorney general's office, they're a state paid   550 01:03:36,000 --> 01:03:40,560 agency for them to review the documents that we're  sending over to them to give us a finding, whether   551 01:03:40,560 --> 01:03:45,280 it's a prosecutable finding or just some advice  how to correct it to where we don't make the   552 01:03:45,280 --> 01:03:50,880 same mistake again. And so, that's what I've been  asking for all along. But, being that I've been an   553 01:03:50,880 --> 01:03:55,680 outside citizen and not an elected official, it  was harder to get an attorney general's opinion   554 01:03:55,680 --> 01:04:01,760 on that issue. I was also hitting a block wall  with other people interfering on state levels   555 01:04:01,760 --> 01:04:07,360 and trying to stop it, which is also a sad  indictment. But if we go through the process,   556 01:04:07,360 --> 01:04:12,960 whether we go through three separate agencies or  if we go through one, I mean, you know, where one   557 01:04:12,960 --> 01:04:17,840 might be completely slammed and dragging their  feet and we ask for one through ethics board,   558 01:04:17,840 --> 01:04:22,400 we have one through attorney general's office and  one through Louisiana legislative order. Each one   559 01:04:22,400 --> 01:04:28,560 of these offices do something totally different.  Mhm. And so I think it's a very important thing   560 01:04:28,560 --> 01:04:36,080 that we address all three. And then we're supposed  to be holding a hearing, an investigative process,   561 01:04:36,080 --> 01:04:41,280 which is something that no city council  in sulfur has ever done before. So we're   562 01:04:41,280 --> 01:04:47,840 going to sit here and try to act like we're a a  judge and and and attorneys and by questioning   563 01:04:47,840 --> 01:04:53,680 people and doing what? Look, I'm just asking for  guidance. Mhm. and head us in the right direction   564 01:04:53,680 --> 01:04:59,360 by people that are skilled and trained. I  mean, and and here's the whole question.   565 01:04:59,360 --> 01:05:06,720 The past administration constantly alleged of  transparency. If there was complete transparency,   566 01:05:06,720 --> 01:05:11,440 look, then move forward with the dog on  investigation. Let's get it over with. If   567 01:05:11,440 --> 01:05:16,080 you said there's nothing to hide, then there's  nothing to hide. Move forward with it. Get get   568 01:05:16,080 --> 01:05:21,360 it over with. Get it behind us and let's move  forward. I'm not trying to attack one person,   569 01:05:21,360 --> 01:05:26,720 but let me tell you something. Whenever I bring up  issues in every single email that I come across,   570 01:05:26,720 --> 01:05:33,600 certain people's names are mentioned in every  single one of them. Then that's an indication that   571 01:05:33,600 --> 01:05:38,960 those people are directly involved in that thing  that needs to be looked at in the investigation. I   572 01:05:38,960 --> 01:05:44,640 don't care if I named them. I named who was in in  in the in the paperwork that was given to me. So,   573 01:05:44,640 --> 01:05:49,440 I mean, I'm sure there's a whole lot that I missed  in here that I probably go in and name. I probably   574 01:05:49,440 --> 01:05:55,840 wouldn't have enough paper to put them on, but I  do believe it would drastically I mean, Mr. Billy,   575 01:05:55,840 --> 01:06:03,760 what what does an attorney charge an hour? I  charge $450 except for public work. Okay. So,   576 01:06:03,760 --> 01:06:11,840 $450 an hour, we're looking at saving the city.  So, on something that could go on for months.   577 01:06:11,840 --> 01:06:18,560 So you figure how much money that would actually  save the taxpayers. And not to mention Mr. Depetta   578 01:06:18,560 --> 01:06:24,240 would actually be allowed to get an attorney to  represent resolution one that he's passing for   579 01:06:24,240 --> 01:06:29,520 the investigation. He's asking for Mr. Stouts.  And then I would also I'd like to make a point   580 01:06:29,520 --> 01:06:38,800 of clarification if I could. The investigation is  for the hiring and firing practices of the city.   581 01:06:38,800 --> 01:06:45,120 Never in that document of any document that  I put out there is Mayor Stouts or any of the   582 01:06:45,120 --> 01:06:51,520 other employees in the city council in the city  of Sul excuse me? Never. That's what you've been   583 01:06:51,520 --> 01:06:56,400 doing and that's what other people been doing.  And I'd like to make this perfectly clear. We're   584 01:06:56,400 --> 01:07:01,920 investigating the process. We're not investigating  the people. And let's make this perfectly clear.   585 01:07:01,920 --> 01:07:07,360 I am I'm clear on individuals names again  and that's a problem. If you're pointing   586 01:07:07,360 --> 01:07:12,880 fingers at individuals, like Mr. Billy said,  that's a problem. Okay. Well, I guess I'm not   587 01:07:12,880 --> 01:07:16,640 pointing fingers. I'm stating a fact that I  received in your email and you said, "Please   588 01:07:16,640 --> 01:07:23,120 give me all investigative documents involving  Jacob Stews." So, that clarifies that. And so,   589 01:07:23,120 --> 01:07:27,440 being we got that on the table, we verified who he  Can we get some order and go back to the point of   590 01:07:27,440 --> 01:07:32,640 what we're talking about? Not not the biting. Once  again, guys, we're back. We are back off point.   591 01:07:32,640 --> 01:07:37,840 I want to correct it like he said that he wasn't  talking about one specific person but his email in   592 01:07:37,840 --> 01:07:42,080 correspondence to me iterate something completely  different. I don't I don't believe that. But to   593 01:07:42,080 --> 01:07:49,440 bring it to bring it back to the to bring it back  to the topic um if if someone's name is brought   594 01:07:49,440 --> 01:07:54,880 up in a in an investigation, it's not going to  sway the attorney general one way or the other.   595 01:07:54,880 --> 01:07:59,920 If your name is in a document and your name is  brought up, that's not going to sway the attorney   596 01:07:59,920 --> 01:08:07,920 general at all. Um, so whether the mayor's name or  Dubra's name, whoever's name is an investigation,   597 01:08:07,920 --> 01:08:15,200 I don't think that's important. I am disheartened  that any member of this council would say before   598 01:08:15,200 --> 01:08:20,240 the discussions took place, before the council  has spoken about it, before the citizens have   599 01:08:20,240 --> 01:08:28,560 had a chance to speak that you would say, "I'm not  going to put my name on this." That's a sad thing   600 01:08:28,560 --> 01:08:34,400 that your mind is made up before you've heard from  people from people who've read it certainly more   601 01:08:34,400 --> 01:08:41,200 than I have read the investigative papers more  than I have. I don't think for anybody to come   602 01:08:41,200 --> 01:08:47,200 in here with their mind made up on something as  detailed as this is a shame. I do have a quick   603 01:08:47,200 --> 01:08:52,160 question for the mayor. You had said that you  sent everything to the attorney general. Was it   604 01:08:52,160 --> 01:08:57,680 everything that Mr. uh that the representative  from district 4 had sent you in that correction   605 01:08:57,680 --> 01:09:02,880 she legislative order. Thank you very much. Have  you sent the legislative auditor everything that   606 01:09:02,880 --> 01:09:08,400 the representative from district 4 gave you in  regards to the will of street building and deeper?   607 01:09:08,400 --> 01:09:15,360 So the total lease agreement, total contract  price um is what they are looking at because   608 01:09:15,360 --> 01:09:23,680 that scope of work um goes by that um no other  information has been submitted as far as from   609 01:09:23,680 --> 01:09:30,320 Mr. Ben. Um so so it is not redundant for him  to put forth something because much of that is   610 01:09:30,320 --> 01:09:35,200 not in yours to the legislative. Is that  correct? Would is that a fair statement?   611 01:09:35,200 --> 01:09:40,320 if he had other information that is beyond the  scope of the lease agreement and the total scope   612 01:09:40,320 --> 01:09:47,200 of work is is what they're interested in because  it's new construction they wanted a final amount   613 01:09:47,200 --> 01:09:53,840 it doesn't matter if I paid for it you paid for it  goes by the total scope of work being that it was   614 01:09:53,840 --> 01:10:01,120 new construction with public funds I I gave them  that and the lease agreement no other information   615 01:10:01,120 --> 01:10:08,400 was given by me to them only what they've asked  for they wrote back to me what they needed to   616 01:10:08,400 --> 01:10:13,840 go with that scope of work in an investigation.  Now, if there is other information that I need to   617 01:10:13,840 --> 01:10:20,480 include in that, I'd be more than happy to pass  that along. However, they need to come through.   618 01:10:20,480 --> 01:10:27,840 But they wanted to know procurement process and  total scope of the work job related. Mhm. They're   619 01:10:27,840 --> 01:10:34,240 only looking at the process legally of what you  would have had to do with those two things. So,   620 01:10:34,240 --> 01:10:39,280 it would be very beneficial to have what you are  getting from the state legislative auditor. And   621 01:10:39,280 --> 01:10:47,600 do we need to take a vote for me to be able to  continue to speak? Do I hear a motion? So, move 622 01:10:47,600 --> 01:10:58,320 second. Okay. Mr. Leoo. Yes. Mr. Dory. Yes. Miss  Monzo. Yes. Mr. Ben. Yes. Mr. Deet. Yes. Thank   623 01:10:58,320 --> 01:11:05,520 you. Um, so, so it's not a redundant request, but  even if it were, if if everyone in this room sent   624 01:11:05,520 --> 01:11:10,640 a letter to the attorney general stating  their concerns on this particular matter,   625 01:11:10,640 --> 01:11:17,280 it would lend more credence to uh the the fact  that an investigation needs to take place.   626 01:11:17,280 --> 01:11:21,840 I don't think we can have too many requests  on anything. I think they're smart enough to   627 01:11:21,840 --> 01:11:27,600 sort out the duplication and to sort through  what information that they need from every   628 01:11:27,600 --> 01:11:34,640 uh person that submits information. Um see  I want to go to a couple of things that Miss   629 01:11:34,640 --> 01:11:41,680 Winggate brought up because uh I was listening  to um uh Ben Shapiro today speaking on the   630 01:11:41,680 --> 01:11:47,920 uh PBD pro broadcast a podcast uh that  deals with politics and and much much more.   631 01:11:47,920 --> 01:11:56,400 But uh Ben Shapiro said it doesn't make uh a  difference to him and I don't think it should   632 01:11:56,400 --> 01:12:02,640 to me and I don't think it should to anyone in  this room. If someone has done something that is   633 01:12:02,640 --> 01:12:12,640 illegal, immoral, unethical, has harmed this  city, it should not matter. Your friends, 634 01:12:12,640 --> 01:12:28,320 thank you for your time.  Sheila, anybody? Yeah, this Amy 635 01:12:28,320 --> 01:12:36,960 Amy Feliz 2329 Augustine and Mr. Chair, I don't  know if this is the last public comment or period   636 01:12:36,960 --> 01:12:44,240 or is there one after this? This is it. Okay.  So, just a couple of questions based on some   637 01:12:44,240 --> 01:12:50,320 observations and I did not intend to speak. Um,  so I may fumble on my thoughts a little bit,   638 01:12:50,320 --> 01:12:54,240 but my first question based on an  observation is do we have a deputy   639 01:12:54,240 --> 01:13:01,280 clerk? Miss Blanchard is phenomenal. And um I  don't know if she ever gets any time off. So,   640 01:13:01,280 --> 01:13:05,680 I don't know what happens if she, you know,  bless her heart gets sick or something. So,   641 01:13:05,680 --> 01:13:16,560 that was one question that I had. And  another question that I have is there a way 642 01:13:16,560 --> 01:13:27,680 that that the chair uh positions can be changed.  Um I know that it was voted on every year. Every   643 01:13:27,680 --> 01:13:33,920 year. Okay. Um I just I I've noticed how Mr.  Darby um does a good job trying to keep order   644 01:13:33,920 --> 01:13:47,600 and stay on task. And I hear some um phrases in  other municipalities like point of order um um 645 01:13:47,600 --> 01:13:53,760 well uh anyway that's all huh request for  information. Yes. Uh you can't speak to   646 01:13:53,760 --> 01:14:02,240 motives um things like that. So  uh that that's all. Thank you. 647 01:14:10,240 --> 01:14:19,520 Mike Granger, 521 Oakland Drive, software.  Uh, a couple things. I really think that   648 01:14:19,520 --> 01:14:26,160 we shouldn't be using anyone's name, whether  it be the finance director, the past mayor,   649 01:14:26,160 --> 01:14:32,320 whoever in investigation and make accusations  on. you can say the position, but I don't think   650 01:14:32,320 --> 01:14:38,160 any of us needs to get up here. I think it's why  it's become so personal is we using names. So,   651 01:14:38,160 --> 01:14:42,560 I don't think it's fair to those individuals  that we whoever is calling whatever individual   652 01:14:42,560 --> 01:14:50,560 out about whatever they did or didn't do before we  know because once you now that you said the name,   653 01:14:50,560 --> 01:14:55,600 you can't go back and retract what you said.  The mouth is a very powerful thing. Once you   654 01:14:55,600 --> 01:15:02,320 say something, it's done. I want to reiterate  on bills too. This is not just there's people   655 01:15:02,320 --> 01:15:07,360 calling from Cal. They calling from all over  the country about the city of software. What's   656 01:15:07,360 --> 01:15:15,200 going on right now? I've been all my life. So  we got to do something to quit. I'm talking   657 01:15:15,200 --> 01:15:22,800 about radio stations all over. Okay. So another  thing, so I want to address the money issue. Is   658 01:15:22,800 --> 01:15:30,320 the ethics board being paid? Are they a state  agency? Are they being paid? What about the   659 01:15:30,320 --> 01:15:36,400 attorney general? Are they being paid? And then  the legislative order is being paid. So there's   660 01:15:36,400 --> 01:15:41,360 no way you can save money if you got three  different agencies. Go ahead. By the state,   661 01:15:41,360 --> 01:15:47,920 sir. They get paid by That's what I'm saying. But  they who our taxes, huh? Is it our taxes? Okay.   662 01:15:47,920 --> 01:15:54,000 So you got three investigations going on. There's  no way you can save a public any kind of funds by   663 01:15:54,000 --> 01:16:00,000 having three investigations. State funds. It's not  state funds. Please let him talk. But correct him   664 01:16:00,000 --> 01:16:05,200 then. Please let him talk. There's a difference.  I think we want to give the investigation to you.   665 01:16:05,200 --> 01:16:11,200 Well, I think you got So anyway, I'm getting just  like you. I apologize. I I apologize. Excuse me.   666 01:16:11,200 --> 01:16:16,480 Strike that. Can we strike that comment?  Wendy, if you want I'm not saying names.   667 01:16:16,480 --> 01:16:24,480 Okay. Strike that comment. So my part being  where the funds coming from state, the city,   668 01:16:24,480 --> 01:16:30,320 there's no way you can tell me we saving money by  getting three different groups involved. So let   669 01:16:30,320 --> 01:16:35,200 the let the mayor send let them do that. If they  come back with some a finding, then we send it   670 01:16:35,200 --> 01:16:40,640 to attorney general. Attorney general comes back  with finding then we send it to the ethsics board.   671 01:16:40,640 --> 01:16:45,280 I think it's a little overkill for going  three different but it would be going   672 01:16:45,280 --> 01:16:50,640 the same direction by saying that could still be  doing the same thing. Yeah. So I mean you already   673 01:16:50,640 --> 01:16:54,160 got one going. So I just don't see where it's  saving us any money. Well three they're three   674 01:16:54,160 --> 01:16:59,440 totally separate agencies. Not saving us any  money. Is it saving us any money having three?   675 01:16:59,440 --> 01:17:08,960 Well well no there's there's no discussion.  There's no discussion on this. Miss Lena. 676 01:17:16,480 --> 01:17:21,360 I didn't really come here to speak tonight, but  my name is Lena MacArthur. I live at 5514 Clark   677 01:17:21,360 --> 01:17:29,600 Drive, Sulford 70665. My question is, where is  the integrity of this city? I've lived here for   678 01:17:29,600 --> 01:17:35,920 65 years and never seen a hornets nest to this.  Not fussing with any of y'all, but my question is,   679 01:17:35,920 --> 01:17:40,800 Mayor Stouts has an investigation going  on. Why another one? At the end of the day,   680 01:17:40,800 --> 01:17:48,400 doesn't the DA get to make the decision whether  they accept charges or reject charges if there   681 01:17:48,400 --> 01:17:54,960 was something done wrong? As I've sat here  tonight, there keep saying there is something,   682 01:17:54,960 --> 01:18:01,120 but you got to get the answer to get to  the DA to find out what really happened.   683 01:18:01,680 --> 01:18:06,720 And I'm in agreement. Don't call people's  name out. We all have families. I've been   684 01:18:06,720 --> 01:18:10,400 one of the people that's been in the  videos. I really don't appreciate it.   685 01:18:10,400 --> 01:18:23,840 And I don't appreciate the attack we have on  our citizens of software. Thank you. Thank you. 686 01:18:23,840 --> 01:18:33,360 Have a motion. So move. Second for the  vote. Second. Second by Miss Danielle.   687 01:18:33,360 --> 01:18:49,120 Roll call vote. Mr. Loo. Yes. Mr. Derby. Yes.  Miss Monica. Yes. Mr. B. Yes. Mr. Teta. No. 688 01:18:49,120 --> 01:19:24,640 Motion to adjourn. Mr. No motion. Meetings  adjourned. You get free. And you get free. 689 01:19:24,640 --> 01:19:43,200 Heat. Heat. 690 01:19:48,960 --> 01:19:59,040 Heat. Heat. 691 01:20:00,480 --> 01:20:30,480 has change into 692 01:20:30,480 --> 01:20:39,360 Oh, 693 01:20:39,360 --> 01:20:56,240 heat, 694 01:20:56,240 --> 01:20:58,160 heat. 695 01:21:14,000 --> 01:21:23,680 I take 696 01:21:23,680 --> 01:21:35,200 Heat. Heat. 697 01:21:35,200 --> 01:21:46,640 Heat. Heat. 698 01:21:54,880 --> 01:22:04,800 Oh yeah. 699 01:22:06,400 --> 01:22:32,000 Wow. 700 01:22:32,000 --> 01:22:33,600 Yes, ma'am. 701 01:22:40,800 --> 01:22:52,160 Be careful. 702 01:22:54,080 --> 01:23:10,560 That is appropriate. You heard  me call your representative. 703 01:23:15,600 --> 01:23:26,560 I mean, 704 01:23:26,560 --> 01:23:31,520 how do we turn off? 705 01:23:31,520 --> 01:23:39,280 How do we turn off? 706 01:23:39,280 --> 01:23:42,560 Yeah, that is Oh, yeah.