CITY COUNCIL
March 11, 2019
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: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: Daisy Cole.
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 Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the February 11, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of February 28, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $2,456,012.31 with the budget being $4,161,100.00, with a remaining budget of $1,705,087.69. The total expenses, as of February 28, 2019, are $2,007,969.95, with the budget being $5,409,770.00, with a remaining budget of 3,401,800.05.
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland gave the fire report for the month of February 2019. They had five (5) calls for the month.
Chief Suchanek gave the police report. The bonds and fines totaled $38,435.10. Out of this total, $12,314.00 was for the fines paid in the new Amnesty Program.
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The crew put in one (1) new sewer tap at a business, repaired four (4) sewer lines, killed four (4) gas risers, added one(1) gas riser and replaced four (4) culverts. They were able to do some mowing at the ball complex but still have more to do.
CITY REPORTS GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
The old playground equipment at the Dixie Youth Complex has been taken down and new playground equipment has been ordered.
The opening day at the Dixie Youth Complex will be March 29 at 5:30
Mayor Smith and Councilman Ronda Jacobs attended this year’s Mid-Winter Conference. It was well attended and overall was a very good conference.
The bridge at the walking path behind the hospital has been repaired and the city is working on getting the lighting worked on. Because of the wet ground, we have not been able to get a big truck in so we can reach the lights.
The Amnesty Program started by the DeQuincy Police Department is doing very well and we are very pleased with the number of offenders that have taken advantage of the program.
Judy Landry made a motion to approve the March 11, 2019 agenda and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
Items not on the agenda.
Arnold Blagrave appeared and asked for the council’s assistance with a problem he is having with residents of a house on Yoakum Street cleaning their yard by throwing all of the trash over the fence onto another property.
Items on the agenda.
None
Marjorie Harrison, Director of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library System addressed the council and spoke about a public meeting that will be held on April 2 at 6:00 pm at the local Public Library. At that time they want to hear any input the public may have on how they would like to see the space for the new library utilized.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to accept the high bid from David Boyer on the 1988 Chevrolet Bucket Truck. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to accept the high bid from Howard Sonnier on the 2006 Dodge Durango. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to take the remaining three (3) surplus vehicles that did not receive bids, to the salvage yard. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Having received no response from the letter sent to the homeowners, a motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to move on to the next step of the condemnation process on the house at 603 W. Velmer. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to table the discussion on the condemnation of the house at next to 130 Khalon Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith explained to the council his reasons for suggesting an increase in our city sewer rates. Our current rate of $8.00 is the lowest rate in our area. Council Chairman Denise Maddox asked that a committee be formed to discuss the change in rates. The committee will consist of Mark Peloquin, Ronda Jacobs, Mayor Smith, Eddy Dahlquist and Hank Frazier. No other action was taken by the council.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to approve Mayor Smith obtaining loan rates from our local financial institutions regarding a $1,200,000.00 loan for the cost of upgrades to our wastewater plant. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to table the discussion on the sale of city property at 211 N. Pine Street until Mayor Smith can obtain an appraisal on the property. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Judy Landry asked about the trash bash. City Hall is trying to get it set for the first Saturday in May. There will be an article in the newspaper telling when and what can be disposed of.
Mark Peloquin asked about repairing lights around the walking path. Mayor said they would either be repaired or replaced with LED. The problem has been the saturated ground has been too soft to get the trucks with ladders or lifts in. Mr. Peloquin also asked when the playground equipment will be in for the ballpark playground. He also asked about the amnesty program and whether or not it will be done again. Mayor Smith said there were no plans to have it next year.
Ronda Jacobs asked what would be done with the old library now that they have purchased the Capital One building and she was told it will be sold.
Denise Maddox asked that the Mayor have the inmates sweep the streets in the middle of town.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Judy Landry seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Denise Maddox
Run: April 10, 2019 (A-4)
