My-3

April 8, 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, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: None.
Council Chairman Denise Maddox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Daisy Cole led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the March 11, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of March 31, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $2,779,056.08 with the budget being $4,161,100.00, with a remaining budget of $2,311,499.86. The total expenses, as of March 31, 2019, are $2,311,499.86, with the budget being $5,409,770.00, with a remaining budget of 3,098,270.14.
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland gave the fire report for the month of March 2019. They had eleven (11) calls for the month.
Chief Suchanek gave the police report. The bonds and fines totaled $29,907.00. Out of this total, $3,934.00 was for the fines paid for the month in the new Amnesty Program.
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The new sludge pump for the sewer plant came in and has been installed. Two sewer services had to be replaced and the main sewer line under the KCS Railroad tracks was replaced. Two gas services were killed and the city crew got the baseball fields ready for opening day. In addition, the lights in the baseball complex bathrooms were replaced.
CITY REPORTS GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
The new playground equipment has been installed in the park at the baseball complex.
Mayor Smith thanked Eddy and the city crew for all of the work they did on the ball fields getting them ready for opening day.
The city purchased a new truck for the Police Department and have ordered a new vehicle for the street department. The two trucks that are being replaced will be passed down to the street department.
We ordered and received a new brush that will be installed on city equipment to sweep our streets when needed.
We are still waiting on the appraisal for 211 Pine Street and when it is received, this matter will be put back on the agenda.
Mark Peloquin made a motion to approve the April 8, 2019 agenda and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
Items not on the agenda.
Arnold Blagrave appeared and advised the council he is still having problems with a person on Yoakum Street throwing debris from their yard over the fence rather than hauling it off. He asked that the Chief look into this matter.
Items on the agenda.
None
Aaron Cooper addressed the council and reported his findings on the FYE 9/30/2018 audit.
There were a couple of purchases over $150.00, that were listed on a blanket purchase order, and, according to city policy, should have been put on separate purchase orders. The second finding was regarding compliance with the bid law. Mr. Cooper noted there was a purchase of a police vehicle over $10,000.00, which did not comply with bid law. While the bid law does allow the city to purchase from a local vendor, which is an exception for the state contract price, it specifies, in fine print, that “local vendor” is defined as a business located within the jurisdiction (e.g., city limits) of the local government.
The new vehicle was purchased out of Lake Charles and therefore not a local vendor. Other than these two minor infractions, DeQuincy had a very good audit and is in good shape financially.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Daisy Cole to approve the liquor license for the new owners of Tiger Speedy Stop. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to authorize Mayor Smith to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and City of DeQuincy concerning the Summer Food Service Program. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to introduce an ordinance accepting an offer of $8,000.00, from Alvin Dale Smith, to purchase city property at 114 S. Pine Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to adopt a resolution in opposition of all proposed legislation that transfers the administration and collection of local sales and use taxes to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith explained to the council the need for the increase in sewer rates and stated the sewer rates have not been increased since 1995. The new proposed rates will be as follows:
Residential property in the City Limits – $16.00 per month. Beginning in 2020, the rate will be $18.00 per month. Beginning in 2021, the rate will be $20.00 per month. Beginning in 2022 the rate will be $22.00 per month. Beginning in 2023 and each succeeding year, the monthly rate will be increased by 4% at the beginning of each new year.
Residential property outside the City Limits – $20.00 per month. Beginning in 2020, the rate will be $22.00 per month. Beginning in 2021, the rate will be $24.00 per month. Beginning in 2022 the rate will be $26.00 per month. Beginning in 2023 and each succeeding year, the monthly rate will be increased by 4% at the beginning of each new year.
Commercial property in or outside the City Limits – double the current rate for each customer for the remainder of 2019. In 2020, the rate for each customer will be increased by $2.00 per month. In 2021, the rate for each customer will be increased by $2.00 per month. In 2022, the rate for each customer will be increased by $2.00 per month. In 2023 and succeeding year, the rate for each customer will be increased by 4% per month.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to change the sewer rates, as shown above, for customers connected to the city sewer system and set a public hearing for May 13, 2019. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Attorney Alan Offner, with the Foley, Judell Law Firm, addressed the council and explained the application to the State Bond Commission for approval of the issuance of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00) of Sales Tax Bonds, Series 2019, for the City of DeQuincy.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Daisy Cole to adopt a Resolution approving the application to the State Bond Commission for approval of the issuance of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00) of Sales Tax Bonds, Series 2019, for the City of DeQuincy. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to introduce an ordinance authorizing the issuance of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00) of Sales Tax
Bonds, Series 2019, to the City of DeQuincy and set a public hearing for May 13, 2019. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
The owner of the home at 603 W. Velmer, Leonard Darson, addressed the council and asked for more time to work on this house. A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to table the condemnation of the house at 603 W. Velmer until the May 13, 2019 council meeting. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacob and seconded by Judy Landry to table moving forward to the next step of condemnation on the house at 309 N. Perkins. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to amend the employee handbook amending Section 8-I Purchasing, to read, “Any Purchases over $500.00 by an employee or Department Head must be pre-approved by the Mayor. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent none. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith explained the need for changes in some of our ordinances and suggested a committee be formed to make such changes. The Committee will consist of Mayor Smith, Denise Maddox, Judy Landry and Mike Suchanek.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Mark Peloquin thanked the Mayor for approving the purchase of playground equipment for the baseball complex playground and also commented on how good the bleachers look at the complex.
Ronda Jacobs asked that the city crew continue to fill potholes around the city.
Daisy Cole mentioned there is still a street light out at the corner of Richard Allen and William Still. She also addressed the noise ordinance and asked if there was a set decibel rate for the noise in the neighborhoods and if not, that issue needs to be addressed.
Judy Landry thanked Mike Suchanek for taking care of the travel trailer problem in her district.
Denise Maddox also reminded the council of the trash bash scheduled for May 4th at City Hall. Republic and Waste Management will have dumpsters here and will take tires, car batteries and cans of paint, if the paint is dry. Cat litter can be used to dry up the paint. Mrs. Maddox also asked that the city crew start working on drainage such as cleaning out the ditches and culverts. Mayor Smith advised that as soon as our new dump truck get here that this will be priority one.
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: May 15, 2019 (My-3)

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