Documenter name: Tracy E. Antoine

Agency holding meeting: DeQuincy City Council

Date: April 10, 2023

Summary

The city council of DeQuincy voted on condemnations discussed the upcoming Summer Food Program.

Notes:

The Scene

The scene was very casual. Council members spoke with city workers and the public. Thirteen citizens and members of the press were in attendance. The DeQuincy City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mr. Eddy Dahlquist. Mayor Riley Smith gave the invocation. Mr. Scott Wylie led the pledge of allegiance and Ms. Sherri Breaux called attendance.

Community Perspective

Mr. Vance Perkins, president of the DeQuincy Railroad Museum, addressed the council regarding the continuing structural damage sustained by the Railroad Museum during inclement weather. “The goals are to get necessary FEMA funding to complete construction of the DeQuincy Railroad Museum and to get updated information for the application process and dates of the DeQuincy Summer Food Program.”

Policies

The approval of March 13, 2023, regular meeting minutes were approved, with a motion by Mr. Jim Smith and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Brown. The Finance report was read by Valencia Roy, as follows: Year to date as of March 31, 2023, actual year to date revenue is $3,324,460.00 with a budget of $6,527,710.00 and a remaining budget of $3,203,249.00.  The actual year to date expenses is $2,840,551.00 with a budget of $8,672,570.00 and a remaining budget of $5,832,018.00.

The council voted to give a 30-day extension to the owners of the properties at 603 Velmar St. and 1103 Richard Allen St., before proceeding with the next steps in the condemnation process. The council voted and approved, to begin condemnation processes at 304 E. Harrison St.

The agenda item to introduce an ordinance and set a public hearing for May 8, 2023, regarding amending the DeQuincy personnel policy ordinance. The only ordinance to date, it refers to any public officials that use city vehicles are subject to random drug screenings.

Mayor Smith said, “The hearing is to determine what fees will be applied to city vehicles being used by city employees. This was one of the infractions found during the audit conducted in March 2023.”

More details for the ordinance amendment will be updated after the public hearing on May 8, 2023. Mr. James Smith made the motion to approve and was seconded by Mrs. Margaret Brown, with a unanimous approval by the council.

A motion was made by Cameron Smith and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Brown to approve the authorization of Mayor Smith to act on behalf of the City of DeQuincy to consider and take appropriate action for Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the City of DeQuincy regarding the Summer Food Program, provided each year at the DeQuincy Elementary.

Outcomes

A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Margaret Brown and seconded by Mr. Cameron Smith. DeQuincy City Council meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

Follow-up questions

What will determine the amount of fees charged for employee/company vehicle usage and will these fees be on the website for public viewing?

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