? CITY COUNCIL
February 14, 2022
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.
Council Chairman Denise Maddox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Ronda Jacobs led the pledge of allegiance.
Chairman Maddox announced a change of order in the agenda so that our new council member, Margaret Brown could be sworn in prior to the February 14, 2022 roll call. At that time Margaret Brown, council member for District 4 was sworn in by notary public, Roy Williams.
City Council Clerk called roll call and the following members were present: Judy Landry, Margaret Brown, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: Mark Peloquin.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the January 10, 2022, regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the January 19, 2022, special meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the January 26, 2022, special meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of January 31, 2022, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $2,070,599.93 with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget being $4,521,710.00 and a remaining budget of $2,451,110.07. The total expenses, as of January 31, 2022, actual year to date totals are $1,802,858.91, with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget total expenses being $6,166,670.00, and the remaining budget of $4,363,811.09.
FIRE REPORT
Mayor Smith read the fire report. There were thirteen (13) calls for January 2022.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report for January 2022. There were 220 violations, 18 arrests, and 234 complaints filed. The fines and bonds collected for the month of January totaled approximately $18,591.87. There were 61 calls for service in District 1, 40 in District 2, 59 in District 3 and 46 in District 4. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 7885 miles during the month of January 2022.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Carroll furnished the council with a copy of his report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the public works report for the street department.
? Installed a culvert on West Park Loop and a driveway culvert on Caroline Street
? Received 20 tons of cold mix used for patching pot holes so the crew has been patching a lot of pot holes
? Killed gas lines of McNeese Street, Cole Street and Kelly Street.
? Repaired a big gas leak on MLK.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the sewer report.
? The blower at the waste water plant was changed out and a new grit pump was installed
? Repaired the sewer line that crosses the creek between the city side and Tigerland.
? Installed a new sewer tap on Overton Street
? Pulled all of the pumps out of the Douglas Street lift station so we could remove all of the rags that were hung up in them.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
? Mayor Smith reported on the squirrel hunt put on by the Masonic Lodge. It was a great success again this year and he thanked everyone involved.
? The CEA between the city and the Community Center & Playground District #1 of Ward 6 is being prepared but they are waiting on information from the insurance company from the Police Jury. As soon as that I received the CEA will be given to our City Attorney Doug Cox, for review.
? Please keep the family of Johnny Copeland in your thoughts and prayers as they are dealing with the loss of their son, Logan.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the February 14, 2022 agenda. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input
Items Not on the Agenda:
None.
Items on the Agenda:
None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to introduce an ordinance abandoning the alleyway in Hereford Additional No. 2 behind The Pentecostal Church. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Margaret Brown, Denise Maddox, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A public hearing was held regarding the condemnation of the structure located at 110 Self Street.
? Mr. Laughlin, the property owner, advised the council that he intends to start tearing down the front of his house this weekend but that he did not want the back of the house torn down.
? Mrs. Jacobs stated she does not have a problem giving Mr. Laughlin more time to tear down the structure but he would have to show progress each month. In the meantime the house must be secure.
? Mrs. Maddox asked the Code Enforcement Officer to make periodic checks on the house to make sure it remains secure and to provide pictures to the council. She also advised Mr. Laughlin that it is very possible, after the front of the house is torn down and he begins work on the back of the house, the Parish inspector still may not approve the structure because of the extent of the damage.
Hearing Closed.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Margaret Brown to give the home owner six (6) months to show improvements on the demolition of the front of the house. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Margaret Brown, Denise Maddox, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to reject the offer of a lump sum payment from Branch Communications on their tower lease and to make a counter-offer to them. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Margaret Brown, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Ronda Jacobs welcomed our new council member and also commented on how good the city barn property looks now that they have been able to get things cleaned up.
Judy Landry also welcomed Margaret Brown to the council and offered to help her in any way she could.
Margaret Brown thanked the council and the Mayor for the opportunity to serve the people of DeQuincy.
Denise Maddox also welcomed Mrs. Brown to the council. Mrs. Maddox also commended the city crew on the great job they were doing and the police department for the great job they were doing as well. In addition, she asked Mayor Smith if the city was able to secure any more funds for the fire equipment the Volunteer Fire Department was needing. Mayor Smith said they were still working on it but it looked like the funds were going to be given to the city for the Fire Department.
There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded Margaret Brown to adjourn the meeting.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith:
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Denise Maddox
Run: March 16, 2022 (M-3)
