Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - February 24, 2025

Meeting Summary

The Denham Springs City Council convened on February 24, 2025, to address a variety of municipal issues, demonstrating a unified approach through unanimous votes on all key decisions. The council approved significant development projects, including a new retail alcohol outlet and a townhouse development, alongside rezoning an area for industrial use. Crucially, the meeting highlighted a strong commitment to financial matters and community resilience, with the authorization of a grant application for general assistance and the substantial approval of a $1.2 million Flood Mitigation Assistance grant aimed at protecting properties. These actions underscore the city's proactive stance on urban planning, infrastructure, and addressing environmental challenges.

Key Topics

20250224-Meeting-Summary

Briefing Document: Denham Springs City Council Meeting - February 24, 2025
Date: February 24, 2025
Location: 1003 Florida Ave SE, Denham Springs, LA (Municipal Building)
Presiding Officer: Mayor Gerard Landry
Attendees (City Council): Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, Jeff Wesley
Also Present: Buffy Anderson (City Clerk), Rick Foster (Building Official), Stephanie Hulett (City Attorney), Michelle Hood (Treasurer)

Executive Summary

The Denham Springs City Council convened on February 24, 2025, addressing a range of municipal affairs including the approval of previous meeting minutes, business and residential development requests, zoning ordinance amendments, and significant financial matters related to community development and infrastructure. Key decisions involved multiple approvals for commercial and residential projects, the allocation of substantial funds for flood mitigation, and the authorization of a grant application to support community development.

Main Themes and Key Decisions

1. Meeting Administration and Approvals:
   • Minutes Approval: The minutes from the February 11, 2025 City Council Meeting were "approved as published in the official journal."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
2. Business and Residential Development Requests:
   • Package Sales Outlet Approval: A request from Surinder Singh with SG Jimbo's Corner LLC for a Retail Class B High (Package Sales) Outlet Alcohol Permit at 1003 Florida Ave SE, Denham Springs, LA, was "approved."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
   • Townhouse Development (Special Use Permit):
     • Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for a "Special Use Permit request for the purpose of a Townhouse Development on Tract B-1-A & Remainder of Tract A located in Section 59, T6S-R2E, G.L.D, City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (SUP-117-24); requested by Brad Marcotte Construction, LLC [569 Florida Ave SW]." The public hearing was closed.
       • Vote (to close public hearing): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
     • Approval: The Special Use Permit request for the townhouse development was subsequently "approved."
       • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
3. Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Industrial Reclassification):
   • Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for "an Ordinance to Amend Section 1.02 of Article One of the Denham Springs Zoning Commission Ordinance of 1990, as Amended, City Ordinance 1001 by Adding Thereto, Paragraph 190, from R-1 Residential & C-3 Commercial to I-1 Industrial on Parcel# 0365718 & Parcel# 0363564 located in Section 68, T7S-R2E, G.L.D, City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (RZ-453). Requested by Varnado Brothers, LLC [2500 Florida Ave SW]." The public hearing was closed.
     • Vote (to close public hearing): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
   • Approval: The ordinance amendment to reclassify the specified parcels from Residential/Commercial to I-1 Industrial was "approved."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
4. Community Events and Public Access:
   • Go Tell Livingston Parish Crusade:
     • Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for a "noise variance for the outdoor event Go Tell Livingston Parish Crusade to be held on March 16th through March 19th from 7pm to 9pm at the Denham Springs High School Football Stadium." The public hearing was closed.
       • Vote (to close public hearing): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
     • Approval: The "noise variance for the outdoor event Go Tell Livingston Parish Crusade to be held on March 16th through March 19th from 7pm to 9pm at the Denham Springs High School Football Stadium" was "approved."
       • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
5. Financial Matters and Grant Applications:
   • LGAP Grant Application Authorization: A resolution "authorizing Gerard Landry, Mayor of the City of Denham Springs to apply for the LGAP grant and enter into a contract by and between the Office of Community Development's grant program pertaining to the Local Government Assistance Program, if awarded" was "approved."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
   • Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Discussion and Action: The council discussed and took "appropriate action authorizing the application of a Flood Mitigation Assistance grant in the amount of $1,266,255.90 for the completion of six elevations of property in the City." The document specifies that "the match amount will be covered by the homeowners depending on the percentage amount of funds received (100%, 90% or 75%)."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
     • Key Fact: This represents a significant investment in flood resilience for the city, with a substantial portion of the match potentially borne by homeowners.
   • Payment Application Approval: "Payment Application #9 in the amount of $94,736.28 to L. King Company, LLC for the DS Brignac Water Well (F&T 221273)" was "approved."
     • Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley voted Yes).
     • Key Fact: This indicates ongoing infrastructure work related to the city's water supply.

Conclusion

The Denham Springs City Council meeting on February 24, 2025, demonstrated a proactive approach to managing urban development, zoning, and crucial infrastructure projects. The unanimous votes across all agenda items reflect a strong consensus among council members on these matters. The significant approval of the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant highlights the city's commitment to addressing environmental challenges and protecting its residents.