CITY COUNCIL
December 9, 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 Daisy Cole led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the November 11, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the November 25, 2019 special session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of November 30, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $685,867.66 with the FYE 9/30/2020 budget being $4,366,100.00 and a remaining budget of $3,680,232.34. The total expenses, as of November 30, 2019, actual year to date totals are $772,061.64, with the FYE 9/30/2019 budget total expenses being $5,380,920.00, and the remaining budget of $4,608,858.36.
FIRE REPORT
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report for November. The Fire Department had ten (10) calls for November 2019.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report. There were 244 violations issued, 29 arrests, 235 complaints filed, and 221 warnings issued. The fines and bonds collected for the month of November totaled $28,222.00. The number of calls for service in District 1 was 44, the number of calls in District 2 was 35, the number of calls for service in District 3 was 40, and the number of calls for District 4 was 67. The DeQuincy PD assisted or backed up the CPSO out of the city limits on 39 calls and the BPSO on 4 calls.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. Three driveway culverts were put in, two gas services added and finished moving the gas service on Nursery Street. Ronda Jacobs asked who will be talking care of the high grass along Buxton Creek. The Gravity Drainage Board will take care of this but it will be sprayed for the high grass rather than mowed.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
We had a great attendance with the KCS Holiday train this year. Over 3100 people actually went in the train and an estimated 5,000 people attended the event.
Ms. Ceola Marburgh, DeQuincy’s oldest resident, passed away at the age of 107.
Reminder that the city will be having a retirement party on the 19th at 3:30 for three of their recent retirees.
Mark Peloquin made a motion to approve the December 9, 2019 agenda and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Items Not on Agenda:
Scott Wylie thanked the city employees for all of the work being done around town, especially for trimming the sidewalks. He also asked what the city was doing with their old buildings. Are they going to be renovated or are they going to be rented or sold? He feels like once an asset becomes a liability, something should be done with them.
Joey Gilland thanked the Volunteer Fire Department and the Community of DeQuincy for all of the help they gave them when their house burned down. He also mentioned he would like to speak to the necessary people to discuss the troublesome drainage through his property on Hayes Street. He is willing to work with the city to do whatever is necessary to correct the problem.
Larry Royer asked for the city’s help in getting a lot on Boise Street cleaned up.
Items on the Agenda:
None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to table item no. 6, Tamika Scott to speak on the 2020 Census. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith advised the council, the property at 211 N. Pine was advertised for sale in the Lake Charles American Press and the DeQuincy News for 4 weeks and we had no response. The business that had previously bid on the building upped their bid to $50,000.00 and the Mayor asked the council to consider accepting this bid.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to accept the bid for $50,000.00, from Mathew Statum, to purchase the building at 211 N. Pine Street. 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 approve the applications submitted by Brookshire Brothers #31, Dequincy Iron Horse Pub, Tiger Speedy Stop, Super Stop 25, Market Basket #32, and Circle K. 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 proceed to the next step with the demolition of the structure at 1101 Allen Street. The next step will be getting quotes and having the structure demolished. 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 Mark Peloquin to appoint Darwin Pinder to serve another three (3) year term on the board of the West Calcasieu Parish Community Center Authority. 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 appoint Darlene Hooker to serve as Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of DeQuincy. 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 to nominate Mark Peloquin as the 2020 City Council Chairman. 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 to nominate Judy Landry as the 2020 City Council Vice-Chairman. 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 the city employees and volunteers that helped with the KCS Holiday Express Train this year. He also mentioned how much he appreciated Mr. Gilland for coming to our City Council meeting and publicly thanking our volunteer fire department and citizens that assisted when his house caught fire.
Judy Landry asked when limb pickup is scheduled. Mayor Smith told her our truck goes around the city daily but usually tries to go in the order of districts.
Daisy Cole mentioned she has been talking to the people at the JCE building about possibly using the tennis court behind their building but the owners are worried about the liability aspect of this venture. She mentioned they may consider selling the tennis court to the city. Ms. Cole also mentioned the other tennis court on Overton Street needs attention. She would like to see the city invest in the south part of the city.
Ronda Jacobs also thanked the volunteers that helped with the KCS Holiday Train. She mentioned she would like the various committee members to move forward with their ordinances and approve a code enforcer for DeQuincy.
Denise Maddox asked about red tags and thanked the city crew and Chief for the Christmas decorations put up around town. She also mentioned Singer had their Homecoming Ceremonies the same night as the KCS Holiday Train so she was unable to attend but did hear what a great turnout we had.
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: January 15, 2020 (J-3)
