CITY COUNCIL
June 8, 2020
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 and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: Mark Peloquin.
Council Vice 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.
Daisy Cole asked that there be a correction in the minutes on her council concerns. The typed minutes stated there were two break-ins at the Grand Avenue Gym and Ms. Cole stated she said there had been 5 break-ins. Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the May 18, 2020 regular session minutes with the correction Ms. Cole pointed out. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of May 31, 2020, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $3,295,275.61 with the FYE 9/30/2020 budget being $4,366,100.00 and a remaining budget of $1,070,824.39. The total expenses, as of May 31, 2020, actual year to date totals are $3,031,804.86, with the FYE 9/30/2019 budget total expenses being $5,380,920.00, and the remaining budget of $2,349,115.14.
FIRE REPORT
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland was absent and the Mayor read the fire report for May. The Fire Department had three (3) calls for May 2020.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report. There were 107 violations in May 2020, 14 arrests, 230 complaints filed, 4 warrants served, and 79 warnings issued. The fines and bonds collected for the month of April totaled $12,757.00. The number of calls for service in District 1 was 38, the number of calls in District 2 was 36, the number of calls for service in District 3 was 71, and the number of calls for District 4 was 47. The DeQuincy PD assisted or backed up the CPSO out of the city limits on 35 calls. The PD Officers patrolled 7001 miles during the month of May.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. They were able to get the ball fields ready for the kids to play ball. They are playing on grass this year so the field was much easier to get ready. The crew is also mowing and digging ditches as needed.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the sewer plant report. They removed and replaced two culverts on Chavis Square, which were originally set too high and causing drainage problems. They cleaned the sewer main on Hwy 389, worked on and cleaned the sewer main on Herford Street, worked on the rake system at the sewer plant and got it back up and running, worked on Douglas Road lift station and worked on the drainage between the shooting range and the airport.
Ronnie Carroll was off sick and was not available to give the code enforcement report.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
Georgia Pacific has contacted us and advised they have extended their closing for one more month.
District 4 will be meeting in the Council Chambers on Thursday to discuss community involvement and Ms. Cole will be present.
The Community Prayer went very well last week. The attendance was good and it was a very positive gathering.
Judy Landry made a motion to approve the June 8, 2020 agenda and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Items Not on Agenda: Because, with the social distancing rules, our Council Chamber is not big enough to allow the public in the building, speakers and a microphone was set up outside the building for anyone that was present, to speak into for public input.
Items Not On Agenda:
Daisy Cole spoke on behalf of Seymour Pullam. She has a letter from Seymour, regarding the Grand Avenue Gym, to give to the Mayor. Seymour went to the Drainage Board and they allowed him to use the $4,000 they donate, that is usually used for recreation, to now be used for upkeep and maintenance on gym. They want to ask the city for matching funds. Also, Seymour wants to give the Mayor a key to the gate.
Items on the Agenda:
None
Valecia Royer explained the proposed budget of expenditures for the FYE 9/30/21. There are not many changes because we can’t anticipate yet what will be coming in because of the Covid-19 closures. We have moved animal control to the General Fund, rather than putting it in the Police Department. We also left the funds budgeted for renovations to City Hall because if things go back to the way they were, the funds are there. If they do not, those funds will not be spent. If any council members would like to discuss the budget, they can come in and see Valecia with any questions or changes.
Daisy Cole asked about $7,000 that is budgeted for the Grand Avenue Gym. She asked when and where would they get that. Valecia explained some of the $7,000 goes to insurance for the gym and some goes to the Summer Program. Ms. Cole mentioned it was her understanding the insurance was paid out of the $4,000 paid by the Rec Board. It was then explained the Rec Board gave the Grand Avenue Gym a check for $4,000, of which the city has a copy, but the city takes the $7,000 budgeted and from that takes out insurance and expenses, if any expenses, and pays the Grand Avenue Board the difference. Ms. Cole then asked since the Rec Board is giving them a check for $4,000 to be used for repairs to the gym, the Board is asking the city to match that amount to be used for repairs to the gym. It was then explained, because this was a city building, which is a public building, any repairs necessary to bring the building up to code would need to go through a bid process. City Planner, Mary Jo Bayles, explained the process but stated an estimate for repairs, from a reputable contractor, would need to be obtained and brought before the council to start the bid process.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to introduce an Ordinance and set a public hearing for August 10, 2020 regarding the proposed budget of expenditures for the FYE 9/30/21. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to issue a temporary variance of 60 days to the owner of the travel trailer on Groves Street with the specific understanding the Code Enforcement Officer will check back with the owner in 60 days. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None Abstain: None.
A condemnation hearing was held on the structure located at 208 Kelly Street. The owners did not appear. A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Daisy Cole to commence to the next step on condemnation. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and Daisy Cole to advertise for bids on a 2002 Blue Ford Ranger Pickup, min. bid $200.00. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to accept the bid of $525 from Haley Manuel for the 2006 Dodge Durango. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to advertise for bids on a 1999 ? ton Chevrolet truck, with utility bed, for $200.00 or best offer. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to appoint the DeQuincy News as our official journal. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: Daisy Cole. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Daisy Cole to introduce an ordinance amending our current Weed and Offensive Accumulations ordinance and to set a public hearing for July 13, 2020. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Daisy Cole and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Mark Peloquin. Abstain: None.
A lengthy discussion was had on the ditch situation in the city. Mayor Smith suggested a committee be formed to discuss the matter and come up with a plan that would work for the city as well as the property owners. The conclusion was, the property owners, as is already stated in our ordinance, shall maintain their property, by mowing and weed eating, including the ditches, all the way to the road. The city would continue to dig out ditches as they see the need in order to improve drainage.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Daisy Cole stated there needs to be some sort of communication with the water company. She stated that on Truth Street, every so many weeks, there is a drop on the side where ground caves in. This is from the water line. The water folks need to maintain their lines. She went on to say, how can we tell our citizens this is clean and healthy water if they don’t maintain their lines. This is a health issue. Ms. Cole also mentioned the baseball field and whether or not signs were put up about social distancing at the field. She went by the complex and it was full of people and there was no social distancing. Lastly she asked for help pushing big brooms to clean up the site where the Juneteenth Celebration will be held. She also needs trashcans put out.
Ronda Jacobs asked about the corner of Hays and Groves Street. Have we heard anything from the Engineers regarding this ditch? Mary Jo said she would check on the status.
Denise Maddox asked about the Brantley Street ditch. She is worried about the deep drop off. Hank Frazier and Eddy Frazier said they had worked on that location.
Judy Landry had no concerns.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Judy Landry seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Mark Peloquin
Run: July 15, 2020 (Jy-3)
