CITY COUNCIL
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, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin 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 Judy Landry led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to approve the June 10, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of June 30, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $3,943,482.89 with the budget being $4,161,100.00, with a remaining budget of $217,617.11. The total expenses, as of June 30, 2019 are $3,432,992.08, with the budget being $5,409,770.00, with a remaining budget of $1,976,777.92.
FIRE REPORT
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland gave the fire report for the month of June 2019. They had six (6) calls for the month.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief, Casey Whitehead gave the police report. The number of complaints received was 228, persons booked into city jail was 29, warnings given was 127, calls in District 1 was 57, calls for service in District 2 was 33, calls for service in District 3 was 43, calls for service in District 4 was 66 and DeQuincy PD assisted or backed up the CPSO out of the city limits on 29 calls.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist was absent and Mayor Smith gave the public works report. The crew put in four sewer taps and killed two gas lines. They worked eight (8) days on cleaning ditches and culverts but the rain has slowed them down some. The street crew will start picking up limbs on Thursdays of every week and the Drainage Board advised the city they crews will be working on clearing Buxton Creek on the east end.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
The ditch cleaning is going really well and we have received a lot of positive feedback from people in each district. Please remember to call in your work orders to City Hall rather than the city workers.
We have received several complaints about noise and a committee will be formed to go over the current ordinance. The committee members will be Daisy Cole, Ronda Jacobs, Roy Williams and Mayor Smith.
Our mobile home ordinance will also be revisited and the committee will be Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox, Arnold Blagrave, Kim Rainwater and Queen Elizabeth Gray.
The committee working on the junk ordinance will also meet this week.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to approve the June 10, 2019 agenda and Judy Landry seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input:
Items Not on Agenda:
Kelly Smith asked for guidance on what to do with property that is not maintained. She has had a continued problem with rodents from high grass on lots around her property on Amber Circle and would like the council’s assistance in getting the property cleaned up.
David Barrow also spoke of the problem with unmaintained property around Amber Circle and also about the problem with the drainage in his ditch.
David Brawner, also a resident of Amber Circle, suggested the city may need to get the health department involved to deal with the property at 111 Boise Street.
Queen Elizabeth Gray spoke of the problems they are having with the sewer at and around 210 Booker Street. This has been an ongoing problem and she is requesting help from the city in trying to find a solution to the problem.
Barbara Robinson with the Love Community Mission asked the council if DeQuincy has an evacuation plan for the elderly. It was explained to her an evacuation plan was put in place after Hurricane Rita.
Darlene Hooker spoke regarding the Harry L. Hooker Memorial Fund and reminded the Mayor and council of the Back to School Drive that will take place at the Oak Street Recreation Center on August 2, 2019.
Items on the agenda.
None
DeWith Carrier addressed the council regarding his candidacy for District 32 Louisiana State Representative.
A public hearing was held regarding the 2019 millage rates. There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by July Landry to adopt a resolution on the 2019 millage rates. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to table, for 90 days, the condemnation of the house at 120 S. Pine Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of an ordinance for a Solid Waste Collection Contract with Waste management.
Comments:
Queen Elizabeth Gray asked if we would be changing companies in which the council explained that was what the council would be voting on tonight.
Arnold Blagrave asked how debris, such as limbs, white goods, etc., had to be put out. A representative with Waste Management explained the requirements.
Ms. Cole asked when they would start delivering the new containers and it was explained they would start delivering the new cans the end of September and the new contract begins in October.
Frank Jones asked if the pickup days would change. They will probably be Monday, Thursday and Friday when the new contract begins.
Prior to the beginning of service by Waste Management, the public will be advised of the new guidelines for the garbage pickup. There were no further comments.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to adopt an ordinance regarding the solid waste contract with Waste Management. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to authorize Mayor Smith to go out for bids on the following surplus vehicles and sell to the highest bidder: 2005 Ford Expedition, minimum bid $500, 2007 GMC Yukon, minimum bid $1,000, 2013 Ford Explorer, minimum bid $1,500, Case 990 2 wheel drive tractor, minimum bid $2,000. 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 authorize Mayor Smith to accept the bid received from American Fence for the Perimeter Fencing Phase III project for the amount of $107,226.50. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Daisy Cole commented on the grant funding requested for Chavis Square from the Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Trust Fund. She does not feel we should be applying for a grant for Chavis Square when it is one of the newest subdivisions in DeQuincy. It should be for more needy subdivisions.
The council explained this is to finish up the Buxton Creek project that was started years ago and that this grant funding is for drainage not sewer.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Smith to sign any and all documents necessary to apply for grant funding from the Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Trust Fund. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: Daisy Cole. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
In regard to the lots on Pine Street owned by the city, it is agreed that the Mayor should obtain an appraisal on the property. If the lots are put up for sell, the council feels there should be a first right of refusal clause, on behalf of the city, in the Deed.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Judy Landry had no concerns that have not already been addressed.
Daisy Cole passed on the appreciation, given by one of her constituents in the Lincoln Heights Subdivision, for the street signs that were put up on the west end of the subdivision. Now they ask that the street signs be put up on the east end of the streets. Ms. Cole also asked that the house on 1101 Richard Allen Street be put on the agenda next month for consideration for condemnation. She thanked the Mayor for the Proclamation for Albertha “Ms. Sugar” Brown Day on June 29. Lastly, Ms. Cole informed the council the Evergreen Baptist Church would be celebrating their 108 year anniversary on July 21 at 3:30 pm.
Ronda Jacobs would like for the ballpark to be sprayed around the fence.
Mark Peloquin thanked the street crew for the work they did in District 2.
Denise Maddox had no concerns.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Judy Landry seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
Denise Maddox
RUN: August 14, 2019 (Au-2)
