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 Denise Maddox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Smith gave the invocation and Daisy Cole led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Judy Landry and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to approve the January 14, 2019 regular session minutes. Without objection, the motion carried.
Valecia Royer, CPA, gave the financial report. As of January 31, 2019, the overall total revenue, the actual year to date is $1,873,648.20 with the budget being $4,161,100.00, with a remaining budget of $2,287,451.80. The total expenses, as of January 31, 2019, are $1,576,326.59, with the budget being $5,409,770.00, with a remaining budget of 3,833,443.41.
Fire Chief Johnny Copeland gave the fire report for the month of January 2019. They had six (6) calls for the month.
Chief Suchanek gave the police report. The bonds and fines totaled $23,492.92.
Eddy Dahlquist gave the public works report. The crew repaired two pumps on Douglas Road, cleaned culverts, put in three new gas taps, repaired two sewer taps and repaired the road going into sewer plant. As soon as the rain stops, the crew will start getting the ball fields ready for opening day.
The city inmate crew has been working on cleaning up the sidewalks and curbs around town.
The Chief of Police has started enforcing our red-tag system in all four districts and has gotten very good results so far.
The archway going into West Park, off of Hwy. 12, has been washed down and painted.
City Hall is in the process of having security locks installed on the back and side doors. Once installed and activated, the only entrance into City Hall for the public will be the front entrance on the west side of the building. All other entrances will be secured with safety locks and will be employee entrances only.
The city crew have started implementing work orders and the system is working very well.
The Mayor is in the process of collecting information and figures for repairs to our sewer plant and should have that information to the council next month.
Mark Peloquin made a motion to approve the February 11, 2019 agenda omitting item number 8 and Daisy Cole seconded the motion. Without objection, the motion carried.
Seymore Pullam thanked the Chief for taking care of the chickens that were running loose in his neighborhood. He also let the Chief know he will be taking care of the junk vehicles on his property. Mr. Pullam then asked that a speed limit sign be put up on Frazier Street going North.
A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of an ordinance amending the FYE 9/30/18 budget. CPA Valecia Royer explained the changes made were to keep the budget within the 5% variance allowance. The hearing was closed with no further comments.
A Motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to adopt an ordinance amending the FYE 9/30/18 budget. 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 Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs to adopt a resolution informing the Louisiana DEQ that the city will continue maintaining our wastewater treatment plant and continue required analytical analysis in accordance with the current LDEQ permit, including monthly monitoring of influent CBOD. 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 Mark Peloquin to approve Addendum A to the City of DeQuincy’s Employee Handbook of Policies and Procedures. 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 Mark Peloquin and seconded by Ronda Jacobs authorizing Mayor Smith to advertise for bids on city surplus vehicles. 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 approving the appointment of Mayor Riley Smith as Director and Bobby E. Dahlquist as Alternate Director, for a term of four (4) years, to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Municipal Natural Gas Purchasing and Distribution Authority. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding city rental property at 211 N. Pine Street. The Mayor will get the appraised value of the property back to the council so a decision can be made on a sale price. Everyone agreed that if the building is sold it will be sold “as is”.
A motion was made by Ronda Jacobs and seconded by Judy Landry to renew the Joint Service Agreement with the Community Center and Playground District #1 of Ward 6. Motion carried as follows: Yeas: Judy Landry, Daisy Cole, Mark Peloquin, Denise Maddox and Ronda Jacobs. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mark Peloquin advised of problems with vehicles parking over the sidewalk at 314 First Street. There is also a sink-hole in front of 104 First Street that needs to be addressed. Further, Mr. Peloquin asked about the process of putting a lien against a property owner that refuses to clean their property. Lastly, Mr. Peloquin thanked the Mayor for the sidewalk cleanup around the city by the inmate crew.
Ronda Jacobs asked what the process was for work orders and also commented on the good job the Police Department is doing with the red tags.
Daisy Cole thanked the city crew for cleaning up at the corner of Coward and Front Streets. Ms. Cole also asked that the structure next to 130 Khalon Street be put on the agenda for March.
Judy Landry asked a letter be sent to the owner of the property next to the old DeQuincy Flower Shop. She also asked about all of the wires handing down from the telephone poles around town.
Denise Maddox thanked the Mayor for having the sidewalks cleaned and for all of the communication the council is receiving from him.
Ronda Jacobs made a motion to adjourn and Daisy Cole seconded the motion.