CITY COUNCIL
December 14, 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, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: None.
Council Chairman Mark Peloquin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Ronda Jacobs led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Denise Maddox and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the November 9, 2020 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer was absent and no financial report was given.
FIRE REPORT
Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report. There were 12 calls for November 2020.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead was absent but Assistant Police Chief Roy Williams gave the police report for November 2020. There were 106 violations, 10 arrests, 314 complaints filed, and 63 warnings given. The fines and bonds collected for the month of November totaled approximately $16,250.00. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 5443 miles during the month of November.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
REPORT
Mr. Carroll gave the council a brief run down on all of the travel trailer and mobile home temporary variances he has issued since the Hurricane Laura.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The crew is still assisting with debris pickup and is pushing debris out to the side of the roads so Crowder Gulf can reach it for pickup.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the sewer plant report. Mr. Frazier reported he rebuilt the rake at the sewer plant on Douglas Road and unloaded more equipment for the repairs to the plant. He also reported unstopping sewer lines on Seymour Pullam Lane, Allen Street, Sunshine Lane and West Park Drive. He also had to remove debris from the ditch that caused the water to build up over a manhole on West Park Loop. Mr. Frazier then advised the council that it would probably be after the first of the year before the renovations started at the Wastewater Plant on Douglas Road.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
The contractors have been working on the Yoakum Street project and are almost through at that location.
Approximately 95% of the equipment has been delivered to the wastewater plant on Douglas Road so repairs should start there after the first of the year.
Although the attendance seemed smaller, the Christmas Parade went well this year and the firework display Saturday night was spectacular.
We are happy to report that the daycare on the north side of town is set to reopen in the very near future.
A motion was made by Denise Maddox and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the December 14, 2020 agenda. Without objection, the motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Items Not on Agenda:
Dillon Thompson addressed the council regarding changes he would like to see happen in DeQuincy and asked the council for their support.
Larry Mendoza with Builders of American donated a $500 check to the City of DeQuincy which was part of the proceeds they received from the Haunted House his company sponsored.
Items on the Agenda:
None
A motion was made by Denise Maddox and seconded by Judy Landry approve the applications for a beer/liquor permits submitted by Circle K, Tiger Speedy Stop, Market Basket #32, Brookshire Brother’s #31, Super Stop # 25 and LaRumba. 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 Denise Maddox and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Smith to sign any and all documents regarding the grant for airport repair and recovery due to Hurricane Laura. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
On behalf of The Pentecostal Church, Pastor Neyland and Jason Langley spoke to the city council regarding getting full building rights on the property set out on the plat that was presented to the council members. After a lengthy discussion a motion was made by Denise Maddox and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to table this matter until such time as our city attorney has had a chance to research the matter further, but to allow The Pentecostal Church minor exploration and planning rights in the meantime, as long as a city employee is present for the exploration. 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 Judy Landry to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for January 11, 2021 regarding amending the alcoholic beverage ordinance to allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. 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 Denise Maddox and seconded by Daisy Cole to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for January 11, 2021 regarding amending our personnel policy ordinance to allow employees to be paid for any unused vacation time, at his/her regular rate of pay. 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 nominate Denise Maddox as Council Chairman/President for the year 2021. 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 Judy Landry to nominate Mark Peloquin and Vice-Council Chairman/President for the year 2021. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Denise Maddox wished everyone a Merry Christmas and again thanked the city employees for the work they have done this year.
Daisy Cole also thanked the city employees for their hard work. She also asked how the FEMA funds for the Grand Avenue Gym renovations would be disbursed.
Judy Landry asked the Mayor about the debris in the road next to Market Basket.
Ronda Jacobs also thanked all of the city workers for their hard work and asked if, at the location where Dr. Jacobs had his office, a building would be going back up.
Mark Peloquin asked about the employees having the option of banking their vacation rather than getting paid for it.
Judy Landry made a motion to adjourn and Ronda Jacobs seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Mark Peloquin
Run: January 13, 2021 (J-2)
