?CITY COUNCIL
September 13, 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: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole.
Council Chairman Denise Maddox 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 Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the August 9, 2021, regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of August 31, 2021, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $5,304,404.97 with the FYE 9/30/2021 budget being $4,471,100.00 and a remaining budget of ($833,304.97). The total expenses, as of August 31, 2021, actual year to date totals are $5,087,982.57, with the FYE 9/30/2021 budget total expenses being $5,604,970.00, and the remaining budget of (516,987.43.)
FIRE REPORT
Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report. There were eleven (11) calls for August 2021.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report for August 2021. There were 166 violations, 18 arrests, 235 complaints filed, and 6 warrants served. The fines and bonds collected for the month of July totaled approximately $17,423.95. There were 55 calls for service in District 1, 37 in District 2, 50 in District 3 and 55 in District 4. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 5653 miles during the month of August 2021.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Carroll furnished the council with a copy of his report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the public works report for the street department. In the street department the crew cleaned ditches of Louise Street, Chavis Square, S. Frazier, Front Street and the big ditch between Maple Street and Hwy. 389 by Dr. Chada’s Office. They also installed one new gas service and killed two gas services on houses that have been torn down.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier gave the sewer report. They repaired a manhole on Front Street and Azalea Street and cleaned the sewer main on Smith Street and W. 4th Street. They also repaired the sewer main on Hayes Street.
CITY REPORT GIVEN
BY MAYOR SMITH
? The Task Force Coordinator for the State, regarding Covid-19, contacted City Hall about setting up a location within the city for the Covid-19 Infusions. They will be setting up within the next week at the DeQuincy baseball complex on Velmer Street.
? Mayor Smith talked to Senator Reese about possibly getting help from his office on the FEMA reimbursements for the city. Senator Reese told Mayor Smith that all of the municipalities in our area are having the same problems as us getting FEMA to reimburse.
? At the October 11th council meeting, Mayor Smith will be recommending Hank Frazier as the new Public Works Director and will seek council’s approval. He asked that the council members contact him prior to the 11th if they have any questions about that appointment.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin approve the September 13, 2021 agenda. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input
Items Not on the Agenda:
Peyton Yellott reported on the status of his property, the old Market Basket location. He furnished the Council with a letter that was given to him by his attorney which stated a mediation is set for October 6. Hopefully they will then allow him to clear the property.
Items on the Agenda
? Jason Bradshaw asked the council if he could speak about the Variance he had coming before the council but Denise asked that he wait until that item came up.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement from the Vinton Fire Department to the DeQuincy Volunteer Fire Department donating some used fire equipment. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to table the appointment of two more members to the Zoning Board until such time as the Mayor and Council has a chance to talk to more candidates for the position. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Terry and Debra Jones spoke to the council about, and presented pictures of, the double wide mobile home they wish to have set on their property located at 206 Jefferson Street. The mobile home is just over the age requirement of mobile homes but is in very good condition and was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Jones prior to their knowledge of the age requirement in our mobile home ordinance.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the Variance filed by Terry and Debra Jones for approval of a double wide mobile home to be placed on their property at 206 Jefferson Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Judy Landry to table the introduction of an ordinance amending the hazardous pay for First Responders until the Hurricane Ordinance Committee has had a chance to research the matter a little more. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
Jason Bradshaw spoke to the council about the variance he filed requesting he be allowed to place a new mobile home on his property on 312 N. Perkins Street. After a brief discussion by the council and constituents, a motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the variance filed by Jason Bradshaw to place a new mobile on his property located at 312 N. Perkins Street. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Smith to accept the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark’s Improvement Program (AIP). Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to accept the low bid from Gunter Construction for work on the DeQuincy Airport Terminal. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the re-appointment of Ira W. Royer to serve as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: Judy Landry and Daisy Cole. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Ronda Jacobs asked if we were able to talk to anyone about the temporary roof on the DeQuincy Railroad Museum. She was informed that we are still working on getting it re-tarped.
Mark Peloquin thanked the sewer crew for fixing the manhole on Front Street and advised Mr. Frazier that the City Council is willing to help the sewer department with any type of help they needed in securing equipment that might be needed for city sewer jobs. Mr. Peloquin also thanked Mr. Peyton Yellott for giving them an update on the Market Basket situation and thanked the members of the Zoning Board for the work they do.
Denise Maddox thanked the city crew for all of the hard work but advised them that the hole on West Park Drive still needed attention.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Mark Peloquin seconded the motion.
ATTEST:
/s/Pat Brummett
City Council Clerk
APPROVED:
/s/Riley Smith
Mayor
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN:
/s/Denise Maddox
Run: Oct. 13, 2021 (O-3)
