? CITY COUNCIL
June 12 ,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 Scott Wylie to approve the May 8, 2023 regular meeting minutes and May 30, 2023 special meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion was carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of May 31, 2023, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $4,137,978.97 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget being $6,527,710.00 and a remaining budget of $2,389,731.03. The total expenses, as of May 2023, actual year to date total is $3,661,805.28 with the FYE 9/30/2023 budget total expenses being $8,672,570.00, and the remaining budget of $5,010,764.72 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 7 calls for May 2023 while 3 were canceled. 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 9 arrests, 228 complaints filed, and 66 violations. The fines and bonds collected for the month of May totaled approximately $37,149.19. There were 56 calls for service in District 1, 50 in District 2, 55 in District 3 and 47 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 108 Paul Robertson Road
? Killed gas service on Anise Street
? Killed gas service at 1108 Allen Street
? Repaired gas leak at 412 Yoakum Street
? Repaired gas leak on Hargrove Loop
? Replaced gas meter on Lois Street
? Repaired leak on Hargrove Loop
Street:
? Cleaned lot on Allen Street
? Demolished house on Allen Street
? Cleaned lots on James Street
? Replaced windows in the railcar at the Railroad Museum
? Repaired electrical boxes at the Railroad Museum
? Patched potholes in all districts
Sewer:
Killed sewer service at 1103 Allen Street
? Killed sewer service at 603 Velmer Street
? Killed sewer service at lot on Center Street
? Killed sewer service at lot on Yoakum Street
? Cleaned sewer main on Center Street
CITY REPORT
Mayor Smith gave the city report.
Retirement party for Pat Brummett was well attended and thanked all who attended
? Kim Rainwater, Sherri Breaux and Cameron Smith represented the City of DeQuincy at the Chamber Day that was held at the Capital
? District G meeting will be held on June 14, 2023 and Council Margert Brown and Eddy Dahlquist will attend
? Chennault Air show was a success and thanked the staff that worked and attended
? Memorial Day program was held at the DeQuincy Veteran Memorial Park and he thanked Vance Perkins for helping make this happen. It was a beautiful service and well attended
? Farmers Market was held on June 3,2023
? Work will begin soon on the Douglas Road lift station
? Kenneth Blagrave who was a big supporter of the council passed away
A motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Cameron Smith to approve the June 12, 2023 agenda. Without objection motion carried.
Public Input
Items not on the agenda:
Blane Russell asked for an update on his request from last month’s meeting in regard to a book he had loaned to the Railroad Museum to be displayed and was having trouble getting the book back. The staff is searching for the book and stated since the hurricane things have been moved. They will continue to try and find the book. Blane also thanked the City employees for cutting the grass behind his home as it should help with the drainage issues.
Vance Perkins addressed the council as he would like to hear the reports of what the city has been doing, instead of it only in the Council package. He would like to understand the financial report. He would like to see the Railroad Museum have a new roof before the 100th anniversary. Mayor Smith said the city will move forward in getting a new roof.
Items on the agenda:
None.
A motion was made by Cameron Smith and seconded by Jim Smith to appoint DeQuincy News as the official journal for 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 Jim Smith and seconded by Margaret Brown to begin the condemnation process on the structure located at 609 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 Margaret Brown and seconded by Cameron Smith to proceed to the next step of the condemnation process, which is a Condemnation hearing, 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 Margaret Brown to table proceeding on the structure located at 1001 Richard Allen Street until July 10, 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 Scott Wylie to proceed to the next step of the condemnation process, which is to send condemnation to Parish Inspector, on the structure located at 120 Maple 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 Jim Smith to approve a permanent variance for Lisa Gentry/Calvin Smith to keep a FEMA trailer at 315 Kelly 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 Cameron Smith to approve a 12-month variance for Shelly Gaspard to live in a travel trailer on property she owns at 732 Beech Street while her home is built on the property. 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 Cameron Smith to table discussion of extension of variance for David Jones to live in a travel trailer on his property at 201 Jefferson Street until the July 10, 2023 council meeting so he can get his paperwork for in order. 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 Jim Smith to approve a 12-month variance for Martha Gross family member to live in a travel trailer on property she owns at 722 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 Margaret Brown and seconded by Scott Wylie to approve a 6-month variance for Venessa Thomas/Dexter Thomas to live in two travel trailers on property they own at 1110 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 Cameron Smith to adopt a Resolution for the City of DeQuincy to update policies and procedures to comply with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s New Statewide Agreed-Upon Procedures. 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 introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for July 10, 2023 for an ordinance regarding the proposed budget of expenditures for the FYE 9/30/24. 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 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. There was no public comment. Public hearing closed.
A motion was made by Jim Smith and seconded by Scott Wylie to adopt an ordinance 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 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: July 12, 2023 (Jy-2)
