Denham Springs City Council Briefing - 2024 Year in Review

  Purpose: This briefing document provides a comprehensive overview of the key themes, decisions, and significant activities of the Denham Springs City Council from January 9, 2024, to December 23, 2024, based on publicly available meeting agendas and minutes.

Executive Summary

The Denham Springs City Council's activities throughout 2024 demonstrate a strong focus on infrastructure development and maintenance, particularly in water and wastewater systems, as well as road improvements. There was a consistent effort to manage city finances through budget amendments, grant applications, and a proposed hotel occupancy tax. Public safety remained a priority with various initiatives for the Police and Fire Departments, including equipment upgrades and training agreements. The Council also regularly addressed zoning and land use requests, including special use permits and variances, reflecting ongoing urban development and community needs. Furthermore, there was a notable emphasis on community engagement and quality of life issues, such as noise variances for local events and condemnation of blighted properties.

Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts

1.  Infrastructure Development and Maintenance

   A significant portion of the Council's work revolved around improving and maintaining Denham Springs' infrastructure.

   Water and Wastewater Systems:

   • Brignac Water Well Project: This project saw multiple payment applications approved throughout the year, totaling significant investments:
     • Payment Application #1 for $237,575.10 (May 14, 2024).
     • Payment Application #2 for $597,785.60 (June 11, 2024).
     • Payment Application #3 for $364,890.10 (July 9, 2024).
     • Payment Application #4 for $418,183.02 (August 13, 2024).
     • Payment Application #5 for $453,651.70 (September 10, 2024).
     • Payment Application #6 for $641,592.28 (October 8, 2024).
     • Payment Application #7 for $339,632.22 (December 10, 2024).
   • Lift Station Improvements: Multiple payment applications were approved for lift station projects, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance the city's wastewater infrastructure.
   • Water Department Engineering Services: A resolution was adopted to "authorize Mayor Gerard Landry to enter into an agreement with Forte & Tablada, Inc. for Water Department Engineering Services" for various projects (March 25, 2024).
   • Grants for Water Infrastructure: Resolutions were adopted for a Local Government Assistance Program grant for water department isolation valves and a Community Water Enrichment Fund grant for water sample stations (February 26, 2024).
   • Municipal Water Pollution Prevention: A resolution was adopted for the annual Municipal Water Pollution Prevention audit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (April 22, 2024).

   Road and Street Improvements:

   • Centerville St. NW Improvements: Amendment No. 2 to the Forte & Tablada contract was adopted (January 9, 2024) and a resolution for DOTD Centerville St. NW Improvements was adopted (March 12, 2024).
   • Kelli Dr. Drainage Improvements: Payment Application No. 4 in the amount of $24,840.58 was approved, and a clear lien certificate accepted (February 26, 2024).
   • Hillon Hood Gas Improvements: Payment Application No. 6 for $44,605.00 was approved, and a clear lien certificate accepted (March 12, 2024).
   • La Highway 16 Gas Improvements: Authorization to advertise for bids was given (May 14, 2024).
   • Cook Road Extension & Home Depot Road Improvements: Resolutions were adopted for Capital Outlay Funding for these projects (September 23, 2024).
   • S. Range Ave. DOTD Traffic Improvement Project: This project was discussed, noting that DOTD "addressed some major issues with the new S. Range Avenue improvements project," including "expanding the turning area for larger vehicles" and a "new U-turn project, north of Juban Road" (August 13, 2024).

2.  Financial Management and Budgeting

   The Council demonstrated ongoing financial oversight through various budgetary actions.

   Operating Budgets:

   • Public hearings were held and ordinances adopted for both amending the Consolidated Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and adopting a new budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (June 11, 2024).

   Hotel Occupancy Tax:

   • The Council declared its intent to take action for an election on a hotel occupancy tax (March 25, 2024) and later adopted a resolution calling for an election of a "6.75% hotel occupancy tax" (April 22, 2024). This tax is intended to distribute "50% of the proceeds from the Tax to fund salaries and benefits for employees of the fire department and 50% of the proceeds from the Tax to fund salaries and benefits for employees of the police department." (March 25, 2024)

   Millage Rate:

   • The millage rate for 2024 was adopted at 2.898 (August 13, 2024).

   Audits:

   • Hannis T. Bourgeois, CPA, provided audit updates (September 10, 2024, and September 23, 2024), and presented the final audit for FY 2023-2024 (December 23, 2024).

   Grants:

   • Applications for various grants were authorized, including a FEMA BRIC FY23 grant for Long Slash (January 22, 2024) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Services (May 14, 2024; August 13, 2024). Authorization was also given to "enter into an agreement with the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development to administer the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program grant, with a maximum value of two million, seventy five thousand four hundred seventy three dollars and fourteen cents." (November 25, 2024)

3.  Public Safety Enhancements

   Improvements to the Police and Fire Departments were regularly addressed.

   Police Department:

   • Equipment: A resolution for a Custom Security System for the Animal Shelter was adopted (January 9, 2024). A contract was renewed with Advanced Office Care for the Denham Springs Police Department building (February 6, 2024). A resolution for American Integration Contractors, LLC for "cameras and sitespotters" was adopted (March 12, 2024). A resolution for Applied Concepts radar rental was adopted (August 13, 2024), and a resolution for eticket readers was adopted (September 10, 2024). Axon Enterprises was approved for police body cams (June 24, 2024).
   • Vehicles and Surplus: Police Units were approved for surplus and donation (April 22, 2024; May 14, 2024; December 23, 2024). Other assets "of no use to DS Police Dept. and are no longer needed for evidentiary purposes" were approved for surplus (September 10, 2024).
   • Training and Welfare: A resolution for a CEA with the Baton Rouge Fire Department for Rookie School was adopted (April 9, 2024, and renewed on June 24, 2024). A resolution for Lexipol was adopted for both the DS Police Department and DS Fire Department, providing "Wellness Services and Peer Support Training and Certification Annual Subscription" (May 14, 2024).

   Fire Department:

   • Software: Authorization was given to enter into a contract with EPR Systems USA for FireWorks Software (January 22, 2024).
   • Insurance: Fire Department VFIS insurance was approved (June 11, 2024).
   • Defibrillators: A resolution for Cintas for defibrillators was adopted (February 6, 2024).

   Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness:

   • A resolution was adopted for an Information Sharing Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (February 26, 2024), and an "Agreement with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness" for "FEMA approved structures in the City" was adopted (August 13, 2024).

   CRS Class Improvement:

   • The city discussed its CRS (Community Rating System) Class improvement, with the Building Official reporting on FEMA Community Rating System use to "determine flood insurance rates" and that the city "gives flood insurance policy holders a 15% rate reduction beginning in October." (August 13, 2024).

4.  Zoning, Land Use, and Variances

   The Council regularly reviewed and decided on requests impacting land development and property regulations.

   Special Use Permits (SUPs):

   • A public hearing was authorized and later approved for a multi-tenant development on Lot #3 for Alaykumar Patel (January 9, 2024; February 26, 2024; April 9, 2024). This permit was for a "multi-tenant development on Lot #3 located in Section 37, T7S-R3E, G.L.D., City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (SUP-114-23)." (January 9, 2024)
   • A public hearing was authorized and later approved for a Bowling Alley on Tract B-1 for Airborne Extreme, LLC (March 12, 2024; April 9, 2024).
   • A public hearing was authorized for a Vehicle Service Garage (body & welding) on Tract B-1 for Denham Home Depot Dr, LLC (November 25, 2024), and held on December 23, 2024.

   Zoning Amendments (RZ):

   • Public hearings were authorized and ordinances adopted to amend zoning from C-3 Commercial to R-3 Residential for Alaykumar Patel (RZ-449) on Lot #3 (March 12, 2024; April 9, 2024).
   • Public hearings were authorized and ordinances adopted to amend zoning from C-3 Commercial to I-1 Industrial for Larry Smith (RZ-450) on Lots 5A & 7 (March 12, 2024; April 9, 2024).
   • An ordinance was introduced and a public hearing authorized to amend zoning from R-1 Residential to R-2 Residential for Leanto Thomas (RZ-451) on Lot 16 (May 14, 2024).
   • An ordinance was introduced and a public hearing authorized to amend zoning from R-1 Residential & I-1 Industrial to R-2 Residential for Luke 10:27 Church (RZ-452) on Tract 1 (July 9, 2024).

   Variances (V):

   • A variance from 25 ft. to 10 ft. was approved for Steven Howze (V-1031) (February 6, 2024).
   • A structure setback variance was approved for Vertical Bridge (V-1032) (March 12, 2024).
   • A fence setback variance from 20 ft. to 3 ft. was approved for Ismary Santos (V-1033) (April 9, 2024, and for a different property at 249 Edgewood Dr. on June 11, 2024).
   • A front yard setback variance from 30 ft. to 28 ft. was approved for Legacy Properties III, LLC (V-1034) (May 14, 2024).
   • A variance from 1 space/3 Units to 1 space/1 Unit was approved for DS Housing Authority (V-1035) (July 9, 2024), with a representative explaining "that this is mainly elderly living and being less residents are driving."
   • A lot size variance from 5 acres to 0.24 acre was approved for Gaynell Howard (V-1036) (September 10, 2024, and discussed again on September 23, 2024).

5.  Community Engagement and Quality of Life

   The Council addressed various aspects of community life, including events, property issues, and city services.

   Local Events and Noise Variances:

   • Public hearings and approvals were granted for noise variances for Le Chien Brewing outdoor concerts (February 6, 2024; February 26, 2024).
   • Public hearings and approvals were granted for noise variances for a Cinco De Mayo outdoor event at Tquilas Bar and Grill (March 25, 2024; April 9, 2024).
   • Public hearings and approvals were granted for noise variances for outdoor events/weddings on Jan Mar (March 25, 2024; April 9, 2024).
   • The Juneteenth Parade was approved for June 22, 2024 (April 9, 2024).
   • Street closures were approved for the Spring Antiques Festival (April 27, 2024) and the Fall Festival (October 5, 2024) (March 12, 2024; August 13, 2024).

   Property Condemnation and Blight:

   • Action was taken on the condemnation of a structure at 313 Rose St., with the Building Official stating "improvements such as renovation of safety hazards are complete and boarded up and locked." (February 26, 2024)
   • Condemnations were authorized for structures at 971 Centerville St. NE, 440 Summers St., and 444 Summers St. (September 23, 2024). The Mayor noted that "38 blighted structures have been demolished."
   • Further condemnations for 440 Summers St. and 444 Summers St. were discussed and tabled (October 8, 2024, and November 12, 2024), indicating ongoing challenges in resolving these properties. A new condemnation was authorized for 711 Bowman St. (October 28, 2024). Another condemnation for 553 East St. was authorized (December 10, 2024), but tabled for 60 days to allow the city attorney to gather signatures for demolition.

   Proclamations:

   • March 2024 was proclaimed as Flood Awareness Month (March 12, 2024).
   • April 2024 was proclaimed as Fair Housing Month (March 12, 2024).
   • May was proclaimed as Building Safety Month (May 14, 2024).

   Appointments and Staffing:

   • Kelli Varnado was confirmed for the Historic Commission, Earline Sceroler to the Civil Service Board, and reappointments were confirmed for the Planning & Zoning Commission and DS Housing Authority Commission (August 13, 2024).
   • The appointment of a new City Clerk, Buffy Anderson, effective October 18, 2024, replacing Joan LeBlanc, who was retiring, was confirmed (September 10, 2024).
   • Perrin Watkins was appointed as Agent of Record for health insurance (May 14, 2024).

6.  City Operations and Administration

   Routine city business, contracts, and administrative matters were consistently handled.

   Contracts and Agreements:

   • Renewals for "stand-by" emergency fuel contract with CR Fuels and Cox Internet Services for the Animal Shelter were authorized (May 14, 2024).
   • Amended contracts with Lard Oil and Lavigne Oil, "updated to reflect current OPIS pricing structures," were authorized (January 22, 2024). A resolution to renew OPIS Services was also adopted (July 9, 2024).
   • A resolution for a CEA (Cooperative Endeavor Agreement) with the LA Department of Treasury was adopted (January 9, 2024).
   • A resolution for LA Pest Control for the Street Department Building was adopted (February 6, 2024).
   • A resolution for Desire Line Services for Substantial Damage Determination services following a natural disaster was adopted (February 6, 2024).
   • A resolution to renew a contract with P Group, LLC for drug testing was adopted (February 26, 2024).
   • A resolution for COX Internet service for the Gas Department was adopted (April 9, 2024).
   • A resolution for Standard Printing Company, Inc. was adopted for printing services for the utility billing department (May 14, 2024).
   • A resolution for Gulf States Engineering Co. Inc. was adopted for wastewater submersible pumps (May 14, 2024).
   • A resolution for Uniti Fiber internet service was adopted (June 24, 2024).
   • A resolution for an "Agreement with Forte & Tablada for First Baptist Church Cemetery" for "professional land surveying services to establish property lines" was adopted (July 9, 2024).
   • A resolution for a License Agreement with C&A for the Police Dept. for "Padtrax RFID License Agreement and Maintenance Service Agreement with C&A Associates, Inc. – for police evidence tracking software, labor & parts maintenance" was adopted (July 9, 2024).
   • A resolution for Star Service Maintenance Agreement was adopted to renew the "Maintenance Agreement contract with Star Service, Inc. for HVAC at the annual rate of $64,092.00 for the following buildings: Police Dept; Street Dept; Council on Aging; Arts Council; Animal Control; Wastewater Dept; Fire Station #1; Fire Station #2; Fire Station #3/Water Dept; Gas Dept/Motor Pool; Old City Hall; Municipal building." (September 23, 2024)
   • A resolution to renew the Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Total Energy Solutions for City Hall’s generator was adopted (October 8, 2024).

   Surplus of Equipment:

   • Numerous items were declared surplus, including a Piney Bowes Postage Machine (February 26, 2024), street department's John Deere backhoe and tractor (April 9, 2024), Sewer Unit #339, 2000 John Deer excavator and Street Dept. heavy equipment attachments (May 14, 2024), Street Department 2002 CrewCab Truck (June 11, 2024), 4 Kubota digging buckets (July 9, 2024), a 2014 Ford F-150 Reg. Cab (July 22, 2024), a Street Dept. 2007 Ford truck (August 13, 2024), and City computers and monitors (October 8, 2024).

   Insurance Renewals:

   • The Council approved various insurance renewals, including Blue Cross health, vision, and HRA administration, United Health Care Life, Cobra Administration, Citizens Dental, Hidalgo Health Associates for EAP, LWCC for Workers' Compensation, The Hartford Insurance Co. for flood insurance, and Liberty Mutual for Wastewater Treatment Plant (May 14, 2024). Insurance quotes were also approved for Contractor’s Equipment Policy, Cyber policy, property coverage, general liability, auto, public officials & employment practice liability, and law enforcement officers (June 24, 2024).

   Office Renovations:

   • Payment applications for renovations at 940 Government Drive were approved and a bid awarded (February 6, 2024). Payment Application #1 for $29,706.65 to Blount General Contractors, LLC for the DS Office Renovation was approved (April 9, 2024), followed by Application #2 for $31,631.50 (May 14, 2024), and Application #3 for $6,404.85, with substantial completion approved (May 28, 2024). This project continued with Payment Application #4 for $7,527.00 (July 22, 2024).

   Utility Billing and Subdivision Discussion:

   • The Council discussed "cut-off procedures for utility bills and the 24 hour notice door tag (cut-off)" with the City Attorney (June 24, 2024). They also discussed a proposed subdivision off Hatchell Lane (June 24, 2024).

Conclusion

The Denham Springs City Council's 2024 calendar reflects a proactive approach to city governance, prioritizing critical infrastructure upgrades, responsible financial management, and enhanced public safety. The consistent attention to zoning and land use indicates ongoing development pressures, while regular consideration of community events and blight remediation underscores a commitment to the quality of life for its residents. The detailed minutes highlight a busy and engaged Council working through a wide array of municipal issues.