By Jim Wilkerson

The first Ruston City Council meeting of the new year lasted just under 25 minutes with little discussion being had over each resolution. Every resolution/ordinance was unanimously passed.

The City Council first voted to reenter four cooperative endeavor agreements which are renewed annually – one with the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana; one with LTP Medical Mobile, Inc.; one with North Louisiana Farm Fresh Corporation; and one with the North Louisiana Military Museum.

Additionally, the Council voted to declare the malapportionment status of the current districting plan of the single member election districts of the City of Ruston. A new districting plan has not yet been introduced, but this is the first step toward redrawing district lines.

Next, the City entered a contract with Ouachita Electric Contractor, LLC, to replace and upgrade the automated weather observing system at the Ruston Regional Airport. Ouachita Electric had the lowest bid for the contract at $124,205, and Mayor Ronny Walker emphasized that all the funding for the contract comes from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Council then voted to authorize a five-year lease agreement with BancorpSouth Equipment Finance to acquire a combination sewer cleaning truck for $6,643.15/month. The Council concluded this will ultimately save the City more money versus buying a new sewer cleaner.

Lastly, the Council voted to refinance the Economic Development District No. 1’s bonds with Origin Bank from a 3.07 interest rate down to a 1.85 interest rate. According to the bond counsel, Wes Shafto, this will save the City over $700,000 over the bonds’ lifetime.

Agenda here:

1. Agenda and Minutes:
2. Adopt Agenda
3. Approve Minutes of the December 6, 2021 Regular Meeting
4. Administration:
5. Authorize City to Enter Into Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana
6. Authorize City to Enter Into Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with LTP Medical Mobile, Inc.
7. Authorize City to Enter Into Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with North Louisiana Farm Fresh Corporation
8. Authorize City to Enter Into Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with North Louisiana Military Museum
9. Consider Ordinance No. ______ of 2022, Declaring the Malapportionment Status of the Current Districting Plan of the Single Member Election Districts of the City of Ruston Utilizing the Population Data from the 2020 Federal Decennial Census; and Providing for Adoption of a Redistricting Plan

e(1).   Public Hearing Regarding Ordinance No. ______ of 2022, Declaring the Malapportionment Status of the Current Districting Plan of the Single Member Election Districts of the City of Ruston Utilizing the Population Data from the 2020 Federal Decennial Census; and Providing For Adoption of a Redistricting Plan

III.                 Airport

1. Consider Resolution No. ______ of 2022, Authorizing City to Enter into Contract Related to the Replacement and Upgrade of the Existing Automated Weather Observing System at Ruston Regional Airport
2. Water Utilities:
3. Consider Resolution No. ______ of 2022, Authorizing Execution of Equipment Conditional Sales Lease Agreement with BancorpSouth Equipment Finance, A Division of BancorpSouth Band for the Purpose of Leasing Certain Equipment
4. Finance:
5. Consider Resolution No. ______ of 2022, Authorizing the Economic Development District No. 1 of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana to Incur Debt and to Issue Not to Exceed Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($18,500,000) Aggregate Principal Amount of Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, in One or More Series; Making Application to the Louisiana State Bond Commission; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto
6. Introduce Ordinance No. ______ of 2022, Providing For The Issuance and Sale of Eighteen Million Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($18,015,000) of Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2022 (The “Bonds”), of the Economic Development District No. 1 of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana; Prescribing the Form, Fixing the Details and Providing for the Rights of the Owners Thereof; Awarding the Sale of the Bonds to the Purchaser Thereof; Designating the Paying Agent for the Bonds; and Providing for Other Matters in Connection Therewith
7. Treasurer’s Report
8. Adjourn Meeting

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