D-2

CITY COUNCIL
November 11, 2019
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 Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the September 9, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of October 31, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $384,411.41 with the FYE 9/30/2020 budget being $4,366,100.00 and a remaining budget of $3,981,688.59. The total expenses, as of October 31, 2019, actual year to date totals are $382,342.92, with the FYE 9/30/2019 budget total expenses being $5,380,920.00, and the remaining budget of $4,998,577.048.
FIRE REPORT
In Fire Chief Johnny Copeland’s absence, Mayor Smith read the fire report for September. The Fire Department had five (5) calls for September 2019.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report. There were 187 violations issued, 40 arrests, 219 complaints filed, 1150 warnings issued and 30 warrants served. The fines and bonds collected for the month of October totaled $39,226.00. The number of calls for service in District 1 was 44, the number of calls in District 2 was 27, the number of calls for service in District 3 was 43, the number of calls for District 4 was 56 and DeQuincy PD assisted or backed up the CPSO out of the city limits on 50 calls.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. Two new gas lines were installed and one was killed by the gas crew. Next week they will be working on the gas line on Nursery Street so the Parish contractors can continue work on the new bridge. There has been some major gas leaks around the manholes in town and the crew has been working diligently to repair what they can.
CITY REPORT GIVEN
BY MAYOR SMITH
Our Fall Festival had a very good turnout with an estimated 500 people attending. The Yoakum Street project is moving forward and the Chavis Square project grant has been funded. Our engineers will be starting the plans for that project in the very near future.
Judy Landry made a motion to approve the November 11, 2019 agenda and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Items Not on Agenda:
None
Items On the Agenda:
Preston Chenier, Jr., asked why the Grand Avenue Board was not contacted when the State Fire Marshall’s Office came to inspect the gym. Mayor Smith explained the Fire Marshall was contacted so the city would know what needed to be done in order to bring the building up to code.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the liquor license requested by LaRumba. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to accept the offer by Dr. Jeffery Hennigan to purchase city owned property on Pine Street with the stipulation the city has first right of refusal. Mr. Peloquin also included in the motion that the money from this sale be used for revitalization of the downtown area. Motion carried as follows:
Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Daisy Cole.
Mayor Smith advised the council he has had two offers to purchase city property located at 211 N. Pine Street. A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Daisy Cole that the property be advertised for sale in both the DeQuincy News and the Lake Charles Press until December 9 for the asking price of $60,000 or best offer. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith advised the council Branch Towers had offered to purchase the property on LeBlanc Street, which they are presently leasing from the city for $850.00 a month, for the sum of $132,600.00. The council asked that Mayor Smith get more information from Branch Towers and get back with the them. Judy Landry made a motion that this matter be tabled. Daisy Cole seconded the motion. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A condemnation hearing was held on the property located at 1101 Allen Street. The owner of the property did not appear and there were no public comments. A motion was made by Daisy Cole and seconded by Ronda Jacobs that the property at 1101 Allen Street be condemned. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith advised the council he would like to get with the Grand Avenue Community Center Board and see what their plans are regarding improvements to the Grand Avenue Gym. He suggested a joint committee be formed to discuss the improvements. He heard from several residents and all agreed that with better communication between the city and the Grand Avenue Community Center Board, will result in a lot more being done for the Grand Avenue Gym.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Daisy Cole had a few pothole issues which she discussed with Eddy Dahlquist. She also again thanked the street crew for the work they do.
Judy Landry has no concerns.
Ronda Jacobs thanked all Veterans for their service.
Mark Peloquin thanked all Veterans for their service.
Denise Maddox had no concerns this month but did recognize all veterans present.
Mary Jo Bayles reminded the council about the Christmas Train coming to DeQuincy on December 6 and the Christmas Parade on December 7 at 10:00 am.
Mark Peloquin 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: December 11, 2019 (D-2)

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