CITY COUNCIL
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: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, 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 Margaret Brown led the pledge of allegiance.Motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the March 14, 2022 regular meeting minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Valecia Royer read the financial report. As of March 31, 2022, the overall total revenue, actual year to date is $3,469,070.57 with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget being $4,521,710.00 and a remaining budget of $1,052,639.43. The total expenses, as of March 31, 2022, actual year to date totals are $2,728,096.85, with the FYE 9/30/2022 budget total expenses being $6,166,670.00, and the remaining budget of $3,438,573.15.
FIRE REPORT
Chief Johnny Copeland read the fire report. There were fifteen (15) calls for March 2022.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Casey Whitehead gave the police report for March 2022. There were 206 violations, 10 arrests, 217 complaints filed, and 118 warnings given. The fines and bonds collected for the month of March totaled approximately $27,986.25. There were 46 calls for service in District 1, 31 in District 2, 56 in District 3 and 51 in District 4. The PD Officers patrolled approx. 6523 miles during the month of March 2022.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Carroll gave the council a brief run down on all of the violations issued in March 2022
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Hank Frazier was absent and Mayor included public works report in his report.
SEWER PLANT REPORT
Hank Frazier was absent
CITY REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR SMITH
Public Works has 14 projects on the board that are either being worked on or in line to be worked on. They have been working on several sewer projects as well as getting ready for the Railroad Festival.
? The Louisiana Railroad Days Festival was a great success again this year. The weather was perfect and we had a great turnout.
? The city was able to secure new insurance for all city property. The old coverage had the city under insured with buildings valued at $1,317,000 and the new coverage has coverage at $5,140,000 which is replacement value. Our premium did double but the additional coverage was needed and should take care of the city in the event of another disaster.
? Evergreen Baptist Church had, last week, a training seminar for hurricane preparedness and they had a very good turnout.
Denise Maddox asked the Mayor if, because of the increase in the insurance premium, there will be a need to increase the budget. He advised no, an increase had already been put in budget so he felt we were ok.
Margaret Brown requested that item No. 7 on the agenda be corrected to read “Council to review the names of new board members that have been submitted for approval for the DeQuincy Colored High School Gym Board.” Delete PRD&G Alumni Association Board.
Judy Landry asked that item No. 6 on the agenda be changed to read “Discussion and Council action on advertising for lease or purchase of property at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark.”
A motion was made Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the April 11, 2022 agenda with amendments made to item No. 6 and Item No. 7. Without objection, the motion carried.
Public Input
Items Not on the Agenda:
Joseph DeMary, 207 Gordon Street, spoke to the council about his hardship after Hurricane Laura. His mobile home was damaged and he is trying to figure out what he can do, within the guidelines of the city in order to have a roof over his head. He was told by the council that he could in fact build a small home on his property. The square footage stipulation in the ordinance refers to mobile homes not homes built on site.
David Brawner, 847 Amber Circle, spoke to the council about people demolishing buildings and or houses in DeQuincy and not cleaning up the lots after the house is torn down.
Frank Lawrence asked what can be done about the trains blocking tracks in DeQuincy for long lengths of time without moving. The Police Chief explained there isn’t really much you can do to the railroad.
Vance Perkins, 902 Overton Street, asked when the city would be replacing street signs that are missing and if we had a long term plan on street and sewer infrastructure. Lastly, he asked if the city would consider purchasing the historical Perkins Building.
Mr. Brown asked about why Google Maps has so many streets in the parish misnamed.
Linda Ned, 215 Jackson Street, explained what PRD&G stood for. It is the initials for Primary, Rosenwald, DeQuincy Colored & Grand Avenue Alumni Association. This is not the alumni that has the Rosenwald reunion each year.
Items on the Agenda:
None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Mark Peloquin to table the discussion and council action on the Branch Tower Lease Agreement. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Margaret Brown to approve the advertisement of the property at the DeQuincy Industrial Airpark for lease or purchase. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Margaret Brown and seconded by Judy Landry to table the naming of additional board members to the DeQuincy Colored High School Gym Board. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to authorize Mayor Smith to sign documents pertaining to the 2021/2022 LGAP grant. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Margaret Brown to authorize Mayor Smith to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the state of Louisiana and the City of DeQuincy for the purpose of funding the City of DeQuincy’s Water Sector Program Project. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin, and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Mark Peloquin to approve the allowance of the DeQuincy Volunteer Fire Department to piggyback on the Ward 6 Fire Protection District No. 1 – SD-202-WD6FD, including future renewals and/or amendments, for 13 Scott self-contained breathing apparatus. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A motion was made by Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the purchase of 13 Scott self-contained breathing apparatus. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Margaret Brown, Judy Landry, Denise Maddox, Mark Peloquin and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Margaret Brown had concerns about Richard Allen Road. There is still raw sewage in the ditch. A work order was called in in March but the problem is still there.
Judy Landry has no concerns that have not already be addresses.
Ronda Jacobs commended the clean-up crew for the city that worked at the Railroad Festival. They did a great job keeping the festival grounds clean.
Mark peloquin thanked the DeQuincy Police Department for their presence at the Railroad Festival.
Denise Maddox commended everyone on a great Railroad Festival and also mentioned what a great job the DeQuincy Federated Service League does with the festival. Mrs. Maddox asked the Police Chief how we are doing on fighting drugs in DeQuincy and if we had any problems with underage drinking or the selling of alcohol to underage kids.
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: May 11, 2022 (My-3)
