Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - February 11, 2025

Meeting Summary

This document provides a summary of the Denham Springs City Council meeting held on February 11, 2025, detailing attendees, departmental reports, and most importantly, unanimously approved actions and resolutions. The council's decisions focused on infrastructure improvements such as drainage projects and gas system mapping, community development through a water enrichment grant, and proactive disaster preparedness by seeking bids for debris removal. Additionally, the council scheduled a public hearing to discuss potential changes to alcohol licensing regulations, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to both maintenance and legislative review within the city.

Key Topics

20250211-Meeting-Summary

Denham Springs City Council Meeting Briefing - February 11, 2025
This briefing document summarizes the key themes, ideas, and facts from the Denham Springs City Council meeting held on February 11, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Court Room of the Municipal Building. Mayor Gerard Landry presided over the meeting, with all Council Members and the press notified in accordance with state law.

I. Key Attendees

The meeting was attended by the following individuals:

• Mayor: Gerard Landry (presiding)
• City Council Members: Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, and Jeff Wesley.
• Other Present: Buffy Anderson (City Clerk), Rick Foster (Building Official), Stephanie Hulett (City Attorney), Rodney Walker (Police Chief), and Michelle Hood (Treasurer).

II. Reports from City Departments

Several city departments submitted reports, or noted that no report was provided, on various operational areas:

• Building Official: A written report was submitted.
• City Attorney: No report was submitted.
• Engineers: No report was submitted.
• City Treasurer: No report was submitted.
• Planning and Zoning: No report was submitted.
• Animal Control Report: A written report was submitted.
• Fire Report: A written report was submitted.
• Police Report: A written report was submitted.

III. Approved Actions and Resolutions

The City Council approved several significant items, with all votes on these items being unanimous (5-0, with Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, and Wesley voting "Yes"):

1. Approval of Previous Minutes: The official journal minutes of the January 24, 2025 City Council Meeting were approved as published.
2. Consent Agenda Approval: The consent agenda for January 1, 2025, through January 31, 2025, was approved.
3. Public Hearing for Alcohol Licensing Ordinance Amendment: The Council introduced an ordinance and authorized a public hearing for an "Ordinance to Amend Section 10-162 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Denham Springs regarding location restrictions for the licensing of premises desiring to serve alcohol." This public hearing is scheduled to be held on March 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Court Room of the Municipal Building.
4. CWEF Grant Resolution Adoption: A resolution adopting and entering into a contract with and between the Office of Community Development's grant program pertaining to Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) was approved. This authorizes Mayor Gerard Landry to apply for the grant.
5. Janitorial Services Contract for Old City Hall: Mayor Gerard Landry was authorized to enter into a contract with Advanced Office Care for janitorial services to be performed twice monthly at the Old City Hall and at City Hall.
6. Gas System GIS Mapping Approval: Task Order 1 in the amount of $50,000.00 for gas system GIS Mapping to be completed by Alvin Fairburn & Associates, LLC, was approved.
7. E. Railroad Avenue Drainage Improvements Project: The Proposal Recommendation Package for the E. Railroad Avenue Drainage Improvements Project (F&T 221301-600) in the amount of $128,600.00 was approved.
8. Spring Park Pavilion Project: The Proposal Recommendation Package for the Spring Park Pavilion Project (F&T 240377) in the amount of $198,800.00 was approved.
9. Request for Disaster Debris Removal & Disposal Bids: A request to advertise bids for Disaster Debris Removal & Disposal (Bid 25-01) and Disaster Debris Monitoring (Bid 25-02) was approved.

IV. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by motion of Lamm-Williams, seconded by Poole. The time of adjournment was not specified in the provided excerpts.

V. Signatures

• Gerard Landry, Mayor
• Buffy Anderson, City Clerk

VI. Key Takeaways and Notable Facts

• Unanimous Council Decisions: All substantive decisions and approvals made by the City Council during this meeting were unanimous, indicating strong consensus among the members.
• Focus on Infrastructure and Maintenance: Several approved items relate to city infrastructure (E. Railroad Avenue Drainage, Spring Park Pavilion, Gas System GIS Mapping) and facility maintenance (janitorial services), highlighting ongoing efforts to develop and maintain public assets.
• Preparation for Disaster Management: The approval to advertise bids for disaster debris removal and monitoring indicates proactive planning for potential emergencies.
• Community Water Enrichment: The adoption of the CWEF grant resolution signifies an investment in community water resources.
• Alcohol Ordinance Review: The upcoming public hearing on the alcohol licensing ordinance suggests a review or potential modification of existing regulations related to alcohol sales and service within Denham Springs.