S-2

CITY COUNCIL
August 12, 2019
DeQuincy, LA
The city council of the city of DeQuincy met in regular session on the above date in the city hall council chambers located at 300 Holly Street, DeQuincy, Louisiana, with the following members present: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: None.
Council Chairman Denise Maddox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Mark Peloquin led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the July 8, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. With the FYE 9/30/19 amendments. As of July 31, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $4,335,285.21 with the 9/30/2019 beginning budget being $4,161,100.00, with a remaining budget of $(174,185.21), the amended budget as of 9/30/2019 being $4,416,100.00 and a remaining budget of $80,814.79. The total expenses, as of July 31, 2019, actual year to date totals are $3,805,666.79, with the budget 9/30/2019 beginning budget total expenses being $5,409,770.00, the remaining budget being $1,604,103.21, with the 9/30/2019 amended budget being $4,747,770.00 and remaining budget of $42,103.21.
FIRE REPORT
The July 2019 fire report was read by Chairman Maddox. The Fire Department had six (6) calls for July and two (2) additional calls were reported for June that were left off last month’s report. Daisy Cole commented on the two calls to the Coward Street Elderly Housing. She was concerned about the night workers at the facility and told the council she thought the Elderly Housing Board needed to be looked at and new members appointed. Council Chairman Maddox explained to Ms. Cole the City does not run that board nor do they appoint anyone to the board.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief, Casey Whitehead gave the police report. There were 171 violations issued, 49 arrests, 315 complaints filed, 107 warnings issued and 78 warrants served. The fines and bonds collected for the month of July totaled $37,431.00. The number of calls for service in District 1 was 68, the number of calls in District 2 was 42, the number of calls for service in District 3 was 65, the number of calls for District 4 was 82 and DeQuincy PD assisted or backed up the CPSO out of the city limits on 50 calls. Councilman Jacobs asked if officers would be present at the schools to help with the flow of traffic on the first day. Chief Whitehead said they would be present and would also be checking for cell phone use in the school zones which is a hands free zone. Councilman Cole mentioned an incident that happened in her district and asked if the Police Department or DeQuincy News would put an article in the paper stating that property owners that live out of town need to designate a person in town to handle any emergencies that occur on their property. To prosecute any incident that happens, the property owner must be the one to sign the prosecution document unless they have designated a local person to sign.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The crew is still cleaning ditches and culverts by district which seems to be working well. The sewer department has been busy also on several sewer jobs.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
Several city employees and city council members joined Mayor Smith at this year’s LMA Conference on August 1-3.
Our National Night Out, under the direction of Chief Casey Whitehead, was held on August 6 and was a great success. It was very well attended and a lot of positive feedback was received from the community.
Our Volunteer fire Department had its big inspection on August 6 and we hope to be getting the results back soon. Chief Copeland has worked very hard to prepare for this inspection and hopefully we will again receive a good rating. This rating is what effects our fire insurance rates.
We are currently looking into getting a new work order program implemented for our public works department which we hope will get everything working more efficiently.
Mayor Smith thanked his Department Heads for helping him with the day to day business of the city. He expressed his sincere appreciation for their hard work and dedication and for making his job much easier.
Mayor Smith recognized Gerald Johnson, our Customer Service Representative for Risk Management, Inc. who was present at our council meeting
Judy Landry made a motion to approve the August 12, 2019 agenda and Judy Daisy Cole seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input:
Items Not on Agenda:
Elizabeth Carrier announced her candidacy for Sheriff. Seymore Pullam asked the council to please vote on the sale of alcohol after noon on Sundays in DeQuincy, asked that the gas leak on 206 Front Street be fixed, asked that the drainage ditch on Front Street, going toward Coward Street, be cleaned out and the yard at the Grand Avenue Gym be mowed. Lorraine Lewis discussed a disturbance on Coward Street and voiced her concerns about why the police were not able to get into the building. Frank Torres commented on the mechanical engine brakes used by large trucks around the schools on Hwy. 12 and asked for help with this problem from the council. Frank Jones also commented on the mechanical engine brakes.
Items on the agenda.
None
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the high bids received on the surplus vehicles being sold by the city. The bids were as follows:
2005 Ford Expedition – min. bid $500.00; Larry Gatlin – bid $600.00 High bid; Lynn’s Enterprise – $577.00; 2007 GMC Yukon – min. bid $1,000.00; Lynn’s Enterprise – bid $1,577.00 High Bid Denis Suchanek – $1,234.56; 2013 Ford Explorer, min. bid $1,500.00; Lynn’s Enterprise – bid $1,777.00 High Bid; Larry Gatlin – $1,700.00; Case 990 2 wheel drive tractor, min. bid $2,000.00 Lynn’s Enterprise – bid $2,077.90 High Bid.
Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Ronda Jacobs and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to introduce an ordinance amending the FYE 9/30/19 budget and set a public hearing for September 9, 2019. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to adopt an ordinance regarding the proposed Budget of Expenditures for the FYE 9/30/20. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to authorize Mayor Smith to sign the Grant Offer for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Project No. 3-22-0014-019-2019 at the DeQuincy Industrial airpark consisting of the reconstruction of perimeter fencing not required by 49 CFR 1542. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to table the introduction of an ordinance repealing ordinance no. 733 and replacing it with ordinance no. 917, prohibiting the accumulation of junk, wrecked or abandoned automobiles and other junk within the DeQuincy city limits until City Attorney Doug Cox has had the opportunity to do more research. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy
Denise Maddox Chairman of Council Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Daisy Cole and seconded by Judy Landry to table the introduction of an ordinance amending ordinance no. 839 regarding weeds and offensive accumulations in the city until City Attorney Doug Cox has had the opportunity to do more research. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to introduce an ordinance amending the current liquor ordinance to allow local restaurants that are 300 feet or more from a church or school,to sell alcoholic beverages in conjunction with meals and set a public hearing for September 9, 2019. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Daisy Cole and seconded by Judy Landry to continue to the next step of condemnation, which will be an inspection of the property. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Mark Peloquin thanked Eddy Dahlquist cleaning ditches in his district. He also commented on the good turnout for the National Night Out. He received a lot of positive feedback and appreciates all of the people that came out and worked the event.
Ronda Jacobs also thanked Eddy and his crew for the work they are doing in the districts. Ms. Jacobs also commented on the work being done on 111 Boise Street and the dumpster that has been removed from Margaret Street.
Daisy Cole thanked Eddy for cutting down the trees at the back of the Grand Avenue Gym and advised she and Eddy have walked through the gym and have made a list of the work that needs to be done. She also mentioned, while she appreciated the signs that have been put up for children playing, she would like to see larger signs put up.
Judy Landry thanked Chief Whitehead for the National Night Out Event and thanked Eddy for all the work he is doing in the districts.
Denise Maddox had no concerns.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Judy Landry seconded the motion.
ATTEST
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
Council Chairman:
/s/Denise Maddox
Run: Sept. 11, 2019 (S-2)

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