CITY COUNCIL
March 13,2023
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: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Absent: None.
Council Member Eddy Dahlquist called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation, and Scott Wylie led the pledge of allegiance.
A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Margaret Brown to approve the February 13, 2023 regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of February 28, 2023, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $2,742,548.37 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget being $6,527,710.00 and a remaining budget of $3,785,161.63. The total expenses, as of February 28,2023, actual year to date total is $2,333,666.80 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget total expenses being $8,672,570.00, and the remaining budget of $6,338,903.20. There were no questions or comments from the council.
FIRE REPORT
The fire report from Fire Chief Johnny Copeland was in the council’s file. There were six (6) calls for February 2023. There were no comments or questions from the council.
POLICE REPORT
The police report from Chief Roy Williams was in the council’s file. There were 17 arrests, 186 complaints filed, and 154 violations. The fines and bonds collected for the month of February totaled approximately $32,509.78. There were 64 calls for service in District 1, 32 in District 2, 29 in District 3 and 36 in District 4. There were no comments or questions from the council.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
There was no code enforcement report from Mr. Carroll. There were no questions or comments from the council.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
The public works report from Hank Frazier, for the street department, gas department and sewer department was in the council’s file. It was as shown below and there were no questions or comments from the council.
Street:
? Dug ditches on North Perkins Street
? Dug ditches on North Overton Street
? Broke up and hauled off concrete at Thompson Ball Field
? Cleaned right of way on Highway 12 West
? Repaired Electrical boxes at Railroad Museum
? Worked on parking lot North of City Hall
Gas:
Repaired gas leak on H. Robertson Road
? Repaired gas leak on Highway 12 West
? Replaced stolen gate on meter station Highway 27
? Repaired gas leak on Hargrove Loop
? Killed out gas service on Velmer Street
Sewer:
Rehab manhole by O’Reilly Auto Parts
? Repaired manhole and sewer main on Pugh Street
? Repaired sewer line 720 North Division Street
? Installed new sewer tap on Self Street
? Pulled and replaced sewer pumps on Highway 12 lift station
CITY REPORT
Mayor Smith reported the City received the audit report and there were 4 findings. Two findings were on bid law, one on budget and one on Purchase Orders. He asked for the council to choose two council members to work with him on annexing and building codes. Mayor Smith also asked the council to help with the golf carts at the Railroad Festival and to ride in the parade that will be held on April 7, 2023 at 3:00 pm. Council can reach out to Kim Rainwater to volunteer. He also thanked all the council members for attending the annual chamber banquet.
A motion was made by Scott Wylie and seconded by Cameron Smith to approve the March 13, 2023 agenda. Without objection motion carried.
Public Input
Items not on the agenda:
Vivian Boyd, 1207 Richard Allen Street, addressed the Council with concerns about the sewer issues in her neighborhood. Hank Frazier addressed the concerns and stated the city has received the funding for the sewer project but they are waiting on parts to arrive. Margaret Brown and Mayor Smith addressed the concern and assured Vivian it is being worked on. As soon as the parts and equipment arrive it will be worked on.
Items on the agenda:
None.
Margaret Brown spoke about the condemnation of 1001 Richard Allen Steet. Margaret has spoken to someone that is purchasing the property. Once the sale is complete he will clean up the property. He said the sale should be complete by May, 2023. A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Cameron Smith to table the condemnation hearing until the May 8, 2023 council meeting. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None. Absent. None. Abstain: None.
Ronnie Carroll addressed the council about the mobile home on 217 Kelly Street. The mobile home has been torn down and it will no longer be a condemnation process. Ronnie has sent the owner of the property a summons for court to be held on April 17, 2023, for the debris. A motion was made by Scott Wylie and seconded by Jim Smith to table the condemnation hearing indefinitely. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie.
A motion was made by Scott Wylie and seconded by Margaret Brown to proceed to the next step of the condemnation process on structure located at 522 Beech Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None: Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Scott Wylie and seconded by Margaret Brown to start the condemnation process on property at 603 Velmer St. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None. Absent. None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Scott Wylie to approve a variance to allow Ella Chapman to purchase a permit for her 16 x 72 mobile home to put on her property at 1202 Richard Allen Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None: Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Martha Gross to addressed the council regarding a variance to build a home at 722 Beech St that will be smaller than the square footage allowed in our Ordinance. Jim Smith addressed Martha about the home. The home will be a 22 X 22 home. A family member will live in this home on her property at 722 Beech St moving from the travel trailer they are currently living in. Martha had been approved to build a tiny home before the change in our ordinance requiring a minimum size of 900 square foot. Martha has had issues getting the plans drawn up. A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Scott Wylie to approve a variance to allow Martha Gross to build a home on 722 Beech St that will be smaller than the square footage allowed in our Ordinance. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None: Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Cameron Smith and seconded by Margaret Brown to Authorize Mayor Smith to act on behalf of the City of DeQuincy to consider and take appropriate action for Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with The Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy and the City of DeQuincy. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith and Scott Wylie. Nays: None: Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Scott Wylie and seconded by Margaret Brown to adjourn.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Eddy Dahlquist
RUN: April 12, 2023 (A-2
