Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - April 8, 2025

Meeting Summary

This briefing document summarizes the key themes, decisions, and notable facts from the Denham Springs City Council Meeting held on April 8, 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 present.

Main Themes

The meeting agenda primarily focused on routine city governance and administrative actions, including:

• Approval of previous meeting minutes and consent agendas.
• Addressing legal and ordinance amendments.
• Approving resolutions and inter-governmental agreements.
• Authorizing financial transactions and project payments.
• Planning for community events and public hearings.

Most Important Ideas/Facts

1. Council Membership and Attendance: The meeting had a full attendance of Council Members: Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, and Jeff Wesley. A quorum was confirmed. Key city officials present included City Clerk Buffy Anderson, City Clerk Rick Foster, Building Official Stephanie Hulett, City Attorney Rodney Walker, Police Chief, and Treasurer Michelle Hood.
2. Reports from City Departments: Several city departments submitted reports, or reported no activity.
   • Written Reports Submitted: Building Official, Animal Control, Fire Report, and Police Report.
   • No Report: City Attorney, Engineers, City Treasurer, and Planning and Zoning.
3. Approval of Previous Minutes and Consent Agenda:
   • The minutes from the March 24, 2025, City Council Meeting were approved upon motion by Poole, seconded by Gilbert. (Item 2)
   • The consent agenda for March 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025, was also approved, upon motion by Gilbert, seconded by Poole. (Item 3)
4. Community Events and Public Hearings:
   • Juneteenth Parade Approval: The Juneteenth Parade was approved upon motion by Gilbert, seconded by Poole. (Item 4)
   • Public Hearing for Kratom Ban: A public hearing was introduced to consider the adoption of an ordinance to ban the sale of MITRAGYA SPECIOSA KORTH (Kratom) on April 28, 2025, at 6:00PM in the Court Room of the Municipal Building. Councilwoman Dugas referenced House Bill #253 and requested the introduction and authorization for the public hearing until May 13th, 2025, to allow further research. (Item 7)
   • T'aquilas Bar & Grill Outdoor Event: A public hearing was authorized for a noise variance for T'aquilas Bar & Grill for a Cinco De Mayo outdoor event on May 3-5, 2025, from 11am to 10pm each day. (Item 8)
5. Ordinance Amendments and Legal Matters:
   • Appeals Process Amendment: Two approvals were made to hold public hearings to amend the Code of Ordinances for the City of Denham Springs, Chapter 10, by Adding Section 94-7 Relative to Appeals to the City Council. The first was authorized by motion from Lamm-Williams, seconded by Dugas (Item 5), and the second was approved by motion from Lamm-Williams, seconded by Gilbert (Item 6).
6. Inter-governmental Agreements and Resolutions:
   • Resolution for CEA with Louisiana Department of Treasury: A resolution was adopted for a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Louisiana Department of Treasury, upon motion by Lamm-Williams, seconded by Dugas. (Item 9)
   • Resolution for Municipal Water Pollution Prevention: A resolution for the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention was adopted, upon motion by Gilbert, seconded by Dugas. (Item 10)
   • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Animal Shelter Fundraiser: Mayor Gerard Landry was authorized to enter into an MOU with Jordan's Way, LLC and PetAid, Inc. regarding a fundraiser to be held at the Denham Springs Animal Shelter on April 21, 2025. (Item 11)
7. Financial Approvals and Project Payments:
   • Feliciaana Welder, Inc. - LA-16 (Hillon Hood to Juban Road)-Gas Improvements:
     • Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $32,907.00 was approved. (Item 12)
     • Payment Application No. 2 in the amount of $331,385.65 was approved. (Item 13)
     • Substantial Completion was approved. (Item 14)
   • L. King Company, LLC, Inc. for Brignace Water Well: Payment Application No. 10 in the amount of $407,144.52 was approved. (Item 15)
8. Asset Disposal:
   • The disposal of Asset #10069 Freezer at Station #3 was approved "due to it no longer freezing due to the lids rusted out." (Item 16)

Conclusion

The Denham Springs City Council meeting on April 8, 2025, demonstrated the council's ongoing commitment to managing city operations, addressing community concerns through public hearings, and approving essential infrastructure projects. The upcoming public hearing regarding the ban of Kratom and the authorization of a noise variance for a Cinco de Mayo event highlight the council's engagement with both public safety and community events.