City Council meeting held June 14

By Evalin Hester

Some of the topics discussed at the monthly City Council meeting on Monday, June 14 were maintaining ditches and high weeds.

Loren “Bubba” Rollo addressed issues with his ditch and all the high grass. Rollo stated that he had been maintaining his ditch all his life but he is now at an age where he is no longer able to keep his ditches groomed. He wanted to know if the city could help the elderly people who could no longer maintain their ditches. The Council discussed several things that might be able to be put in place to help improve the appearance of our town. No agreement was reached and the Council will bring it back to the table for further discussion. This seems to be a large problem in all the districts.

One citizen expressed his concerns about our streets being in poor condition with potholes and water standing in the streets. To solve some of the problems the whole street would have to be taken up and removed then overlay the whole street. Each district turns in the streets in their district that are in need of repair and it is put in the overlay program. Potholes are randomly being repaired. This is a slow process due to two hurricanes back to back. The City is aware of these problems and they are working on a solution for them. An engineer is doing a study on the streets in town.

The Council approved several items on the agenda. They approved the May 10, 2021 regular meeting minutes, the May 18, 2021 emergency meeting minutes, and the June 14, 2021 agenda.

The DeQuincy News was appointed as the official journal for the City of DeQuincy.

A public hearing was held and the council adopted an ordinance amending the FYE 9/30/20 Budget.

An Ordinance was adopted and a public hearing was set for July 12, regarding the proposed budget of the expenditures for the FYE 9/30/22.

A public hearing was held and an ordinance was adopted abandoning the front sidewalk on the North side of the DeQuincy Iron Horse Pub.

Due to the many projects that will be underway at the airport, Mary Jo Bayles will be working closely with these projects leaving her position as City Planner available. This position is part time but can work into a full time position. Bayles will be available to train an individual for this position.

Police Department

During the month of May, the City Police Department Collected $13,192.70 in Fines and Bonds. There were 263 complaints, 11 arrests, seven warrants served, 73 violations and 36 warnings. The call for service are listed here by District: Dist. 1 – 55, Dist. 2 – 38, Dist. 3 – 65, Dist. 4 – 58, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office – 44, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office – 3. The Police Dept. patrolled 4,567 miles.

Fire Department

The Fire Department had six calls during the month of May: Structure fire, alarm at Primary Elementary School, twice, one false alarm of a structure fire, electrical smell investigation and a vehicle fire.

Sewer Department

Hank Frazier stated that the sewer department completed work on the Wilcox lift station. They worked on Tigerland sewer line crossing at Buxton Creek, and the sewer tap was repaired at Nichols Dept. Store. The sewer main repair on Highway 389 under Buxton Creek was damaged from the heavy rain. Rags were cleaned out of all three pumps in Douglas Station. They worked on sludge rake at WWTP. The crew started working with Mark who is with Myers and Associates on future projects such as the Highway 27 lift station rehab, Douglas Rd. station rehab and sewer mains that need to be replaced.

Public Works

Ditches were cleaned on Chavis Square, North Grand, Highway 12 north to 3rd St. Mowing has been getting done when weather is permitting. Some street signs have been replaced, mowers have been serviced, bushhog and dump truck have been repaired.

Code Enforcement

Ronnie Collins had 13 violations for the month of May, and seven were completed.

City Report

The project for Chavis Square will get underway Monday, June 21. A meeting with Waste Management will be scheduled soon regarding trash pick up. Mary Jo Bayles is looking into getting a trash bash together possibly for August.

Daisy Cole is still in Methodist Hospital in Houston.

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