Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - January 14, 2025

Meeting Summary

The Denham Springs City Council meeting on January 14, 2025, primarily focused on routine governance, financial management, and infrastructure development. Key actions included the unanimous approval of the December 2024 consent agenda totaling over $2.4 million, which covered payroll, accounts payable, and utility expenses, demonstrating the city's significant recurring financial commitments. Furthermore, the council actively pursued infrastructure improvements, evidenced by the approval of payments and final acceptance for the E. Railroad Ave Improvements Project, and authorized Mayor Gerard Landry to enter into multiple contracts for essential projects like sand filter rehabilitation and road connectors. The meeting also underscored transparency in taxation with the introduction of a new tax ordinance and scheduled public hearing, all reflecting a streamlined decision-making process given the consistent unanimous votes.

Key Topics

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City Council Meeting Briefing - January 14, 2025
This briefing summarizes the key actions and themes from the Denham Springs City Council meeting held on January 14, 2025, at the Municipal Building. Mayor Gerard Landry presided over the meeting, with all Council Members and the press in attendance.

1. Meeting Opening and Attendance:
   • The meeting commenced at 6:00 P.M. with Mayor Gerard Landry presiding.
   • Council Members Present: Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, and Jeff Wesley. A quorum was confirmed.
   • Also Present: Buffy Anderson (City Clerk), Rick Foster (Building Official), Rodney Walker (Police Chief).
2. Departmental Reports: Several departmental reports were noted, with specific statuses provided:
   • Building Official: Written report submitted.
   • City Attorney: No report.
   • Engineers: No report.
   • City Treasurer: No report.
   • Planning and Zoning: No report.
   • Animal Control Report: Written report submitted.
   • Fire Report: Written report submitted.
   • Police Report: Written report submitted.
3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
   • The minutes from the December 23, 2024, City Council Meeting were unanimously approved (5-0 vote).
4. Consent Agenda Approval (December 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024):
   • The consent agenda for December 1-31, 2024, was unanimously approved (5-0 vote) in the amount of $2,487,750.39.
   • Key financial breakdowns within the consent agenda include:
     • Payroll & Taxes: $681,431.73
     • Accounts Payable: $1,733,311.44
     • Natural Gas Payment for October 2024 Purchases: $53,068.88
     • Ward 2 Marshal's Office: $19,682.73
     • Ward 2 City Court: $375.91
5. Election Returns Canvassing:
   • The Council adopted a Resolution Canvassing Election Returns, with the vote count certified at 2,736 For and 1,163 Against. This resolution was unanimously approved (5-0).
6. Introduction of Ordinance for Levying Tax:
   • An Ordinance for Levying the Tax for the adoption was introduced. A public hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Court Room of the Municipal Building at 116 N. Range Ave., Denham Springs, LA. This introduction was unanimously approved (5-0).
7. Approval of Payment Application for Railroad Ave Improvements:
   • Payment Application No. 3 in the amount of $46,711.23 to Cape Construction for H.014419-E. Railroad Ave Improvements was unanimously approved (5-0).
8. Final Acceptance of E. Railroad Ave Improvements Project H.014419:
   • A Resolution authorizing Mayor Gerard Landry to execute the Final Acceptance of the E. Railroad Ave Improvements Project H.014419 was unanimously approved (5-0).
9. Contracts Approved with Mayor Gerard Landry's Authorization: The Council authorized Mayor Gerard Landry to enter into multiple contracts, all of which received unanimous approval (5-0):
   • Alvin Fairburn & Associates AFA contract for sand filter rehab and grit system removal rehab.
   • Forte & Tablada for Home Depot Drive.
   • Forte & Tablada for DEMCO Drive and Rushing Road Connector.
10. Authorization of Surplus and Destruction of Inoperable Assets:
    • The Council authorized the surplus for destruction of two inoperable HP Officejet 8740 Wireless All-in-one Printers:
      • Asset #10014 (S/N: CN69E6117) - located in Permits Lobby.
      • Asset #10014 (S/N: CN69E6117) - designated as "White Printer in Permits Lobby."
      • Note: There appears to be a clerical error in the source document, as both printers are listed with the same asset and serial number.
11. Adjournment:
    • The meeting was adjourned upon motion by Lamm-Williams, seconded by Poole.

Key Themes and Important Ideas:

• Routine Governance and Financial Management: The meeting focused heavily on the regular operations of the city, including approving past minutes, managing the consent agenda (which includes substantial payroll and accounts payable), and authorizing routine financial payments. The $2,487,750.39 consent agenda highlights the significant recurring financial commitments of the city.
• Infrastructure Development and Maintenance: Several items indicate an ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements. The approval of payment for Railroad Ave Improvements and the final acceptance of the E. Railroad Ave Improvements Project H.014419 show progress in this area. Furthermore, the authorization of contracts for sand filter rehab, grit system removal, Home Depot Drive, DEMCO Drive, and Rushing Road Connector demonstrates proactive planning for future infrastructure needs.
• Mayoral Authority in Contract Execution: Mayor Gerard Landry was explicitly authorized by the Council to execute several important contracts, indicating confidence in his leadership for project implementation.
• Transparency in Taxation: The introduction of an ordinance for levying a tax, with a scheduled public hearing, reflects a commitment to public engagement and transparency in fiscal policy decisions.
• Streamlined Decision-Making: The consistent unanimous votes (5-0) across almost all agenda items suggest a high degree of consensus and efficient decision-making among the City Council members present.