Kenner council extends hurricane emergency, approves multiple contracts and emergency repairs

The Kenner City Council on Feb. 21 voted unanimously to extend the city's state of emergency related to Hurricane Francine and approved a series of contract amendments and emergency repairs during its regular meeting.

Councilmember Brannigan moved, and Councilmember McKinney seconded, an amendment to the meeting agenda to add an ordinance approving the use of a state contract for bleachers at Musperdalino Stadium; the amendment passed 7-0. The council approved the meeting's consent agenda, which included minutes and alcohol-permit resolutions, by a 7-0 vote. Several other items were approved unanimously after brief staff explanations or limited council questions.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to extend the state of emergency for Hurricane Francine after a motion by Councilmember Brannigan and seconded by Councilmember Dunne; the motion passed 7-0. The mayor explained that a recent state law change requires council approval for extensions that go beyond the initial period. No end date for the local extension was specified in the meeting record.

The council also approved administrative contract actions that city staff characterized as amendments or emergency hires: - An amendment to the agreement with Arco Company Services Inc. to increase the amount for load-bank testing and preventative maintenance on city generators by $150,000 (motion by Councilmember Sharwitz; seconded by Councilmember Wilmot). The motion passed 7-0. - A temporary, emergency grass-cutting agreement with HNO Investments LLC in an amount not to exceed $45,000 while the city re-bids the longer-term contract (motion by Councilmember Wilmot; seconded by Councilmember LaHatt). The mayor and public-works staff said the previous low bidder from Thibodaux withdrew, creating a gap in service. - Acceptance of the lowest bid from Monopoly Rental Properties to provide soft starts and variable frequency drives (VFDs) on an as-needed basis not to exceed $200,000 (motion by Councilmember Dunn; seconded by Councilmember Brown). City staff explained soft starts and VFDs control motor start-up and ramping to prolong pump life and improve operations. - Approval of Gulf South Engineering & Testing Inc. to provide testing services related to lift-station improvements for wastewater in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (motion by Councilmember LaHatt; seconded by Councilmember Brennan).

Several first-reading ordinances were introduced (no council final votes were recorded during the meeting). Those items included a proposed Section 108 HUD application for $2,080,445 to reconstruct the Arthur P. Clay Resource Center; purchases and emergency repairs for wastewater lift stations; purchase of six field monitoring units for the fire department; DARE T-shirts for the police department; and engineering and construction amendments for public works. Council added an item at the start of the meeting to approve use of a state contract for stadium bleachers at Musperdalino Stadium; that ordinance was listed for first reading.

All recorded votes during the meeting were unanimous and recorded as 7-0 in favor. Council members did ask a few procedural questions on temporary contracts and emergency procurements, and staff said more detailed updates and rebids would follow where appropriate.