CITY COUNCIL
May 10, 2021
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, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: Daisy Cole.
Council Chairman Denise Ma??dox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Mark Peloquin led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the April 12, 2021 regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of April 30, 2021, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $3,631,055.70 with the FYE 9/30/2021 budget being $4,471,100.00 and a remaining budget of $840,044.30. The total expenses, as of April 30, 2021, actual year to date totals are $3,131,682.66, with the FYE 9/30/2021 budget total expenses being $5,604,970.00, and the remaining budget of $2,473,287.34.
FIRE REPORT
Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report. There were five (5) calls for April 2021.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report for April 2021. There were 70 violations, 18 arrests, 234 complaints filed, and 37 warnings given. The fines and bonds collected for the month of April totaled approximately $25,430.70. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 4420 miles during the month of April 2021.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Carroll gave the council a brief run down on all of the violations issued in April 2021. Mr. Carroll mentioned he talked with the owner of the Market Basket property and he said he was just about to settle with the insurance company so a contractor should be starting the cleanup on the lot within the next two weeks.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The crew is filling pot holes and mowing grass between rains. Hank Frazier has had six (6) point repairs for the sewer system, three (3) of them on the main line. The new sewer rehab is finished for the most part. Also, when the dump truck gets back from the shop we will start digging ditches and picking up limbs. We also have a lot of culverts to put in but need a dump truck to do even that. One way or another, we are going to get a truck running so we can get our work done.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier had a family emergency and was absent.
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
An update on councilman Daisy Cole; she is still having serious health issues as a result of her recent fall and therefore was unable to attend tonight. She does keep in touch via text or e-mail. Her heart is here but her health just will not allow her to attend. Please keep her in your prayers.
Our District G Meeting will be June 9 in Vinton. Please get with Pat if you are planning to attend.
The LMA Convention will be held on July 28th-31st in Baton Rouge. Again, please let Pat know if you plan to attend and she will register you.
We will have a Town Hall Meeting May 17th at 6pm to discuss the problems we are having with Waste Management. We will have Waste Management Officials in attendance so you can ask any questions you may have. Also, I would like to mention, Waste Management suggested this meeting so they are very willing to address any issues the citizens are having with their services.
On May 15th at 4 pm there will be a Community Gospel singing at the Railroad Museum and I invite everyone to come out and enjoy the singing.
The DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce Banquet was held last week and it was absolutely wonderful. The attendance was one of highest they have ever had, having over 200 in attendance. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from everyone and we are very proud of the turnout and public support.
A motion was made Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin approve the April 12, 2021 agenda. Without objection, the motion carried.
Kurt Ryder with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering gave an update on the projects at the DeQuincy Industrial Airport since Hurricane Laura.
(1) Two T-Hangers are in the preliminary design phase. Each T-hanger holds 10 hangers each and should be completed in 2022. These hangers are being funded through the Capital Outlay Plan which is funded by DOTD Emergency Relief Plan.
(2) The Airport Emergency & Operations Program, a pilot program the state is funding as part of the Emergency Relief Fund and after the Hurricanes, was born at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark. This pilot plan will be a role model for the airports across the state and will be used state wide.
(3) A small terminal is also planned for the Airpark which will also be used as an emergency personnel base during emergencies such as Hurricanes, etc. This should be constructed by 2023 and is also funded by DOTD Emergency Relief Plan.
(4) Also, there is a drainage study being conducted at the Airpark.
Kurt Ryder gave the council a brief update on the FEMA Public Assistance. To date, the city has received $38,644.20 from FEMA for reimbursement of the temporary roofs put on city buildings. We should be receiving a pretty large check soon for the 100% reimbursement for the first month of debris removal. After the first month, the reimbursement percentage will be 90/10. We are still in the estimate process and have not started on any repairs as of this date.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to authorize Mayor Smith to advertise for bids regarding a Request for Qualifications-Engineering and Architectural Services – Hurricane Laura DR-4559 at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to authorize Mayor Smith to advertise regarding the request for bids on the DeQuincy Airpark Pilot Lounge. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to ratify Mayor Smith’s signature on the Grant Application for the Drainage Study at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Smith to enter into a Work Authorization to provide engineering services to complete a Drainage Study at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark in the amount not to exceed $170,000, to be paid for by the Grant Application mentioned in the above paragraph. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for June 14, 2021 amending the FYE 9/30/20 budget. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Mr. Joseph Eaglin, on behalf of the PRD&G Alumni Association, addressed the council regarding the DeQuincy Colored School Gym. His association would like to request grants to help renovate the gym and will need a letter from the city approving their request for these grants. Mr. Eaglin also advised the council that the PRD&G Alumni Association would like the city to donate the gym to their organization and in turn, they would secure insurance for the gym and maintain the gym.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to approve the writing of a letter requested by Joseph Eaglin, representing the PRD&G Alumni Association, approving their application for a grant or grants for the DeQuincy Colored School Gym. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to move to the next step of condemnation, which is to set a condemnation hearing for June 14, 2021, on the structure located as 331 Hall Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Mayor Smith addressed the council regarding the abandonment of the sidewalks in front of and on the side of The DeQuincy Iron Horse Pub. He said he had hoped to have more than one option for the council but, after talking to our city attorney, it looks like the only choice is abandonment of the sidewalks so it will be up to the council to decided where or not to abandon. The Mayor clarified, the issue was the sidewalks on the North and West side of the DeQuincy Iron Horse Pub building. Ms. Jacobs asked for the opinion of the city attorney and he stated that he draws up the ordinances and the council makes the decisions. Mr. Peloquin mentioned he thought it had been decided at the April council meeting that there was not a problem with the front of the building. Therefore, he thought the front was good. Mayor Smith said he understood the sidewalk belongs to the city but the owner has the right of usage. The issue is, they have the right of usage but can they actually drink alcohol out front on the city sidewalk. Both Mr. Peloquin and Ms. Jacobs both said they were comfortable with the front being used but Mr. Cox mentioned they could use the sidewalk but they cannot obstruct the sidewalk. Mayor Smith stated he had actually taken pictures of the West side to have a record of where the tables were placed. He then parked and walked down the west side and the tables do not block the flow of people walking up and down the sidewalk. Ms. Maddox said she was comfortable with the front being used by the Pub and the council members present agreed.
Mr. Scott Wylie asked to address the council regarding the DeQuincy Iron Horse Pub. Mr. Wylie asked if the council could agree, the front of the building is considered an approachment to the front of the business and is not a sidewalk and, a one year variance, with stipulations, be given for the west side sidewalk. That way, the Pub will have use of the west sidewalk but the council would still have control with the variance in place. Then, it would be up to the owner to abide by the variance.
Ms. Maddox said a one year variance, with stipulations, could work for the front (north) sidewalk but then Mr. Wylie stated a variance was not needed on the north side since it was agreed this is the approachment (entrance) to the Pub and not a sidewalk. Ms. Maddox then stated, because of the customers drinking alcohol in the front of the building, either a variance or an abandonment would be needed. Mayor Smith suggested an abandonment be done for the north side of the building and a variance, with stipulations, be done on the west side of the building. Both Ms. Jacobs a?nd Ms. Landry voiced their concerns about a variance on the west side of the building and both stated they were against doing anything on the west side.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for June 14, 2021 regarding the abandonment of the sidewalks by the DeQuincy Iron Horse Pub but made an amendment to the ordinance by omitting the second description describing the sidewalk on the west side of the Pub. The motion was seconded by Judy Landry. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Judy Landry asked if we were going to start cleaning streets and ditches on June 1 and the Mayor said, if our dump truck is repaired by then, the crew will start on June 1.
Ronda Jacobs asked if anyone was picking up limps and it was explained the crew could not pick up limbs until the dump truck was repaired.
Mark Peloquin asked about the Private Property Debris Removal the city discussed with FEMA after the hurricane. Our consultant, Kurt Ryder, explained it was a lengthy process but the matter was still being researched. It would depend on the percentage that the city would be responsible for and whether or not it would be affordable for the city.
Denise Maddox mentioned to the council that the Smith Street was clear now so there should be no more issues. She also mentioned her concern about debris in the ditches. Ms. Maddox also asked that the council form a committee to discuss the hurricane ordinances. The committee will be Denise Maddox, Ronda Jacobs, Pat Brummett and Mayor Smith.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Judy Landry seconded the motion.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Denise Maddox
Run: June 16, 2021 (JU-8)
