Police Jury Meeting Notes: July 7, 2021

Organizers of special events to be held in Bossier Parish will now have to obtain a permit after an ordinance governing “public interest and special events” was adopted Wednesday by the Bossier Parish Police Jury.

Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson said the ordinance applies only to commercial events generating revenue, or held in exchange for goods and services,  that would attract gatherings of 100 persons or more. Events held within the city or corporate limits of towns in the parish will not be covered by the ordinance, he said.

Included in the term “public interest and special events” are outdoor music events, carnivals, circuses, trail rides and similar activities held in all areas of Bossier Parish. Non-commercial events such as family, church, political or other assemblies of people would not be affected by the ordinance.

Individuals or organizations seeking a permit must do so within 45 days of the event, and must submit parking and security plans. Also, organizers must agree that the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office will be the only agency or entity authorized to provide security.

Time limits for events have been established. No event will be allowed to begin before 8 a.m. and must conclude by 10 p.m., the time established under the parish’s noise ordinance.

“We have set standards and empowered the sheriff’s office with black and white rules, not a lot of gray area interpretations,” Jackson told jury members. We want to give unit commanders authority to shut it down if it gets out of hand or violates terms of ordinance.”

Jackson said the ordinance may need to be tweaked if changes become necessary.

“We tried to write a set of rules that anybody can understand.  It puts minimum requirements on the applicant and gives some public notice,” he said. “We’re trying to do this the right way, in a transparent way. It will be a work in progress.”

In other business during Wednesday’s meeting, police jury members:

• Awarded bid for Project No. 2021-100, Bossier North-South Corridor (Flat River to Crouch Rd.) clearing and grubbing, in accordance with bids received July 1, 2021.
• Rejected all bids for Project No. 2019-125, Caplis Sligo Rd. bridge over Red Chute Bayou, and agreed to rebid at a later date.
• Approved the application of Matt Abrams, Abrams Architecture and Design, to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission, for a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a tract of land being 22.45 acres, more or less, located in Section 32, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish, from R-A, Residence-Agricultural District, to B-1, Business, Commercial Office District, for a proposed commercial development. (Black Stag Development). (Located on the Southeast corner of Benton Rd. and Vanceville Rd.).
• Approved the plat of the proposed development of Hope Hills subdivision, located in Section 3, Township 21 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish. (Located on Martin Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Henry’s Way subdivision, located in Section 10, Township 18 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Adner Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Bellevue Plantation subdivision, Unit No. 1, located in Section 33, Township 20 North, Range 11 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Cotton Valley Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Canal Place subdivision, Unit No. 3, a Planned Unit Development, located in Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Old Brownlee Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Canal Place subdivision, Unit No. 4, a Planned Unit Development, located in Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Old Brownlee Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Canal Place subdivision, Unit No. 5, a Planned Unit Development, located in Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Old Brownlee Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Canal Place Estates subdivision, Unit No. 2, being a Gated Subdivision, located in Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish. (Located off Old Brownlee Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Barmore’s Way subdivision, located in Section 25, Township 17 North, Range 11 West, Bossier Parish, said plat to replace that certain Minor Plat recorded March 12, 2019, Registry No. 1208118. (Located off Johnson Koran Rd.).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 4, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Sligo Industrial Park subdivision, Unit No. 4, a re-subdivision of Sligo Industries Park subdivision, Unit No. 2, located in Section 22, Township 17 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish.  (Located off Caplis Sligo Rd. on Crown Court Place).
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 18 to consider approval of the application of Brandon Ray, Ray Property Investments, Inc., to the Bossier City-Parish MPC, for a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a certain tract of land being 2.47 acres, more or less, located at 4900 Benton Rd., Bossier City, from R-A, Residence-Agricultural District, to B-2, Limited Business District, for a proposed retail development.
• Scheduled a public hearing on August 18, to consider the application of the Bossier City-Parish MPC to revise the Unified Development Code, Conditional Use regulations, Article 3.3.2.H in reference to the expiration of alcohol sales.
• Accepted the resignation of Doc Barnett from the Northeast Bossier Parish Fire District No. 5 Board of Commissioners effective immediately.
• Tabled until July 21 meeting an appointment to the Northeast Bossier Parish Fire District No. 5 Board of Commissioners, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Doc Barnett.
• Ratified appointment of Joe E. “Butch” Ford, Jr., as police jury representative to the North Louisiana Council Of Government’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2021.
• Approved a request from the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council for the police jury’s participation by sponsoring the 2021 Celebrate Barksdale Picnic.
• Approved a request from Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Byrd to lease parish-owned property located at 265 Hurricane Bluff Rd., Elm Grove, Tax Assessment No. 119651.
• Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 10, Article III, of the Bossier Parish Code of Ordinances “Public Interest and Special Events” to add and/or amend certain sections or subsections.
• Approved a proposal of David W. Volentine, MAI, for appraisal services for force main sewer servitude in connection with removal of existing Magnolia Chase treatment plant.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the Bossier Parish Police Jury to acquire and/or expropriate all parcels, tracts, properties or servitudes required for the Sligo Rd. extension to Highway 527, including but not limited to Parcel Nos. 1-1, 5-1, 7-1, 10-1, 12-1, 13-1, 13-2, 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 15-1, 15-2, 16-1, 16-2, 18-1, 22-1 and 23-1, Bossier Parish, and authorize the Parish Administrator or Parish President to execute any and all documents, instruments, or affidavits that may be necessary or convenient to said acquisition and/or expropriation, including a certificate of authorization to expropriate.
• Approved a proposal of David W. Volentine, MAI, for appraisal services for Sligo Rd. extension to Highway 527.
• Approved a proposal of Robert L. Russell, MAI, for appraisal services for Sligo Rd. extension to Highway 527.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 2020-109, Bossier Parish Police Jury exterior wall joints.
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Project No. 2019-115, Bossier Maximum-Security Jail touchscreen locking control and  camera system replacement.
• Authorized parish attorney to file an injunction that would deny access to Edwards Street, located in Edwards subdivision, to an individual operating a business from a residence.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Bay Hills subdivision construction entrance improvements project.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Belmere subdivision entrance improvements project.
• Approved a request for a variance of parish regulations to allow a home to be built below the road surface level on a tract of land located off Finley Rd., Tax Assessment No. 175986.
• Approved change order #1 for improvements and repairs at Johnny Gray Jones.
• Authorized parish attorney to obtain court order to cease any occupants of 308 Twin Point Dr. from operating a business from that residence.