CITY COUNCIL
May 8 ,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 Scott Wylie and seconded by Margaret Brown to approve the April 10, 2023 regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion was carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of April 30, 2023, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $3,736,848.56 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget being $6,527,710.00 and a remaining budget of $2,790,861.44. The total expenses, as of April 2023, actual year to date total is $3,242,128.12 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget total expenses being $8,672,570.00, and the remaining budget of $5,430,441.88. 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 seven (7) calls for April 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, 208 complaints filed, and 119 violations. The fines and bonds collected for the month of April totaled approximately $327,176.00. There were 83 calls for service in District 1, 27 in District 2, 38 in District 3 and 34 in District 4. There were no comments or questions from the council.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
The code enforcement report from Mr. Carroll was in the council’s file. 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 were in the council’s file. It was as shown below and there were no questions or comments from the council.
Gas:
? Killed gas service at 1109 Banneker.
? Installed new gas service at The Pentecostal Church
? Moved gas service at 420 Coward Street
? Repaired gas leak on Lois Street
? Repaired gas leak on West 4th Street
? Replaced gas meter on Yoakum Street
? Repaired leak on Hargrove Loop
? Killed gas service on Delores Pullard Street
? Killed gas riser on Jackson Street
? Repaired gas leak on South Perkins Street
Street:
? Cleaned right of way on Highway 27 South
? Demolished house on Self Street
? Demolished house on Banneker Street
? Replaced 3 bridges at the Walking Path
? Repaired 2 swings at Museum Park
Sewer:
? Dug up and replaced 24 feet of 8-inch sewer main on South Perkins Street
? Cleaned out sewer main on Pugh Street
? Cleaned sewer main on McNeese Street
? Replaced electrical panel in Douglas lift station
? Cleaned sewer main on Live Oak Street
CITY REPORT
Mayor Smith gave the city report.
Work at the Walking Path has begun Engineer has done a scope of work on the Railroad Museum so we can keep moving forward with repairs
? Cruise-In Car show was held on April 29 and was well attended
? CEA with PRD&G was requested in November 2022. City is waiting to hear from PRD&G in regard to the Certificate of Insurance
? The City Council will host a fish fry on May 12 at the Museum to show appreciation for first responders, city personnel and community leaders.
? Pat Brummett will be retiring at the end of May after 13 years of service. Mayor Smith spoke about Pat’s years of dedication and loyalty to the city and was very grateful for everything she had done for him and the city. Wished her many blessings and a happy retirement
A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Cameron Smith to approve the May 8, 2023 agenda. Without objection motion carried.
Public Input
Items not on the agenda:
Blane Russell spoke in regard to a book he had loaned to the Railroad Museum to be displayed and was having trouble getting the book back. He asked for help getting the book returned.
Lawrence Henagan, Jerry Bell, Mike Suchanek and Mary Jo Bayles all spoke about Pat Brummett and her years of service. Pat has been a great access to the City of DeQuincy and is greatly appreciated for all she has done for them and the City of DeQuincy. She will be missed. They wished her a happy retirement.
Items on the agenda:
None.
A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Margaret Brown to table proceeding on the structure located at 1001 Richard Allen Street until June 12, 2023 Council Meeting. This will allow time to see if any progress has been made on this structure. 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 Cameron Smith to proceed to the next step of the condemnation process, which is to send condemnation to Parish Inspector, on the structure located at 304 E. Harrison 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 Jim Smith and seconded by Scott Wylie to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for June 12, 2023 for an ordinance authorizing Mayor to sign all documents necessary to buy 2.00 acres, more or less, with all improvements, at the industrial airport from the Ward 6 Drainage Board for $30,000. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith, and Scott Wylie. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None
A public hearing was held regarding amending our personnel policy ordinance. There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Scott Wylie to adopt an ordinance amending our personnel policy ordinance. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Cameron Smith, Margaret Brown, Eddy Dahlquist, Jim Smith, and Scott Wylie. Nays: None: Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Margaret Brown made a motion to adjourn, and Cameron Smith seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Sherri Breaux
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Eddy Dahlquist
Run: May 14, 2023 (Ju-4)
