?CITY COUNCIL
June 13, 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, with the following members present: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, and Denise Maddox and Mark Peloquin. Absent: Ronda Jacobs.
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 Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the May 10, 2022, regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the May 19, 2022, special meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Margaret Brown to approve the May 25, 2022, special meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of May 31, 2022, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $4,331,238.34 with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget being $4,521,710.00 and a remaining budget of $190,471.66. The total expenses, as of May 31, 2022, actual year to date totals are $3,486,549.76, with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget total expenses being $6,166,670.00, and the remaining budget of $2,680,120.24.
FIRE REPORT
Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report. There were eight (8) calls for May 2022.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report for May 2022. There were 364 violations, 21 arrests, 228 complaints filed, and 171 warnings given. The fines and bonds collected for the month of May totaled approximately $23,151.29. There were 52 calls for service in District 1, 39 in District 2, 55 in District 3 and 61 in District 4. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 5828 miles during the month of May 2022.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Carroll gave the council a brief run down on all the violations issued in May2022.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the public works report for the street and gas department.
? The backhoe has been in the shop for about a month, but it is back now, and the crew has started filling potholes.
? We had another meeting with FEMA to go over lift stations to see what we can do about getting money for the damage there caused by Hurricane Laura.
? Repaired gas leak at corner of Main and LeBlanc.
? Killed out gas service at OB Pete Road
? Installed a new gas service at the baseball complex for Vyve’s backup generator.
? Installed new gas services on Azalea Street and Hugh Street.
? Repaired a gas leak on Rigmaiden Cemetery Road and Rosa Park Road.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the report for the sewer department.
? Installed a new sewer tap o Azalea Street.
? Dug up sewer tap on Fourth Street where the new fireworks stand will be built.
? Installed a sewer tap on Overton Street and Hereford Street.
? Repaired a sewer tap on North Overton.
? Located a sewer tap on Beech Street
Cleaned sewer main running south in alley on Gordon Street along the railroad track.
? Completed Bio-Essay testing at sewer plant.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
? The cameras are finally up in and around City Hall and the part and are being monitored by the Police Department.
? Our walking path project is moving to the next stage with FEMA for funding and money should be allocated soon.
? The Police Department will be at the library, which is currently in the Railroad Museum, Tuesday.
? The Farmer’s Market will be this Saturday on the Railroad Museum parking lot.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the June 13, 2022 agenda. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input
Items not on the Agenda:
Tonya LeBlanc – 208 LeBlanc St., asked about the status of DeQuincy getting a new Market Basket and whether there is anything we can do about the inflated prices at the only other grocery store in town. Mayor Smith advised we have reached out to Market Basket several times and they have said they would like to come back to DeQuincy but, at this time, have not found a location to rebuild.
Items on the Agenda:
April Jordy, a local business owner, asked the council to consider amending the liquor ordinance to allow drive through liquor sales.
Shane Nelson, also a business owner, asked the council to consider amending the liquor ordinance to allow drive through liquor sales.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to appoint the DeQuincy News as the official journal for the City of DeQuincy. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for July 11, 2022 regarding amending the FYE 9/30/2021 budget. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to authorize Mayor Smith to sign a Contract of Retainer with Stutes & Lavergne, LLC regarding legal action concerning Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta insurance claims. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve and authorize Mayor Smith to sign the Amendment to extend the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the City of DeQuincy concerning animal control.. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Margaret Brown to introduce an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 874 regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages, packaged to take out only, at a retail business located at 702 W. Fourth street, which is located within 300-foot distance from a public school. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to introduce an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 874 to allow the selling of any alcoholic beverage directly to any person 21 years old or older, while in, on or otherwise occupying any automobile or other motor vehicle with stipulations set forth by the council. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 668D regarding policy procedures on pay scale for essential employees during a declared emergency. There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Mark Peloquin adopt an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 668D regarding policy procedures on pay scale for essential employees during a declared emergency. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to table starting the condemnation process on 217 Kelly Street until the August 8, 2022 City Council Meeting. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the proposed spending, out of the American Rescue Plan Funds, for a new fire truck for the DeQuincy Fire Department and four (4) plate readers for the DeQuincy Police Department. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Judy Landry to authorize Mayor Smith, on behalf of the City of DeQuincy, to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the PRD&G Alumni Association to take over, for an extended amount of time, the Grand Avenue Gym property. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, and Mark Peloquin. Nays: None. Absent: Ronda Jacobs. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Margaret Brown mentioned they are still working on demolitions in her district and needs to get with Hank on work to be done on Richard Allen Street.
Mark Peloquin thanked the city for getting the house down on Leblanc Street.
Judy Landry has no concerns that have not already be addressed.
Denise Maddox had no concerns at this time.
Judy Landry made a motion to adjourn, and Margaret Brown seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Denise Maddox
RUN: July 13, 2022 (JY-7)
