Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - May 13, 2025

Meeting Summary

This Denham Springs City Council meeting summary details a session where routine administrative approvals for various contracts, projects, and personnel benefits were swiftly passed. However, the meeting also featured contentious public hearings and discussions, most notably regarding the creation of new council districts. This proposed change aimed to increase accountability and representation but faced significant debate and ultimately saw conflicting voting outcomes that underscore the challenges in reaching consensus on politically charged issues, particularly with one proposal failing despite majority present support due to an absent member. The council also authorized a public hearing for a potential ban on Kratom, indicating attention to emerging social concerns within the community.

Key Topics

20250513-Meeting-Summary

Briefing Document: Denham Springs City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025
Date of Meeting: May 13, 2025
Presiding: Mayor Gerard Landry
Attendees: Mayor Landry, Council Members (Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, Jeff Wesley), City Clerk Buffy Anderson, City Attorney Rick Foster, Building Official Stephanie Hulett, City Engineer Rodney Walker, Police Chief, Treasurer Michelle Hood.
Quorum: Present

I. Key Administrative Actions & Approvals

The City Council swiftly approved several routine administrative items, demonstrating a unified front on these matters. All listed approvals below passed unanimously with "Yeas" from Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, and Wesley.

A. Prior Meeting Minutes and Consent Agenda:

• Approval of April 28, 2025 Minutes: The official journal minutes from the previous City Council meeting were approved.
• Adoption of Consent Agenda for April 1, 2025 through April 31, 2025: The council adopted the consent agenda for the specified period.

B. Personnel and Benefits Related Approvals:

• Perrin Watkins as Agent of Record for Health Insurance: Approved.
• Blue Cross Health Insurance Increase: Approved a 3.5% increase.
• Health Reimbursement Account: Approved.
• Cobra Professionals, Inc. for HRA Administration: Approved.
• Blue Cross Vision Insurance: Approved.
• United Health Care Life Insurance: Approved.
• WageWorks for Cobra Administration: Approved.
• Citizens Dental Insurance: Approved.
• Hidalgo Health Associates as Administrator for Employee Assistance Program: Approved.
• LWCC for Workers' Compensation Insurance: Approved.

C. Ongoing Projects and Agreements:

• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Livingston Parish to Relocate Lift Station: Authorized Mayor Gerard Landry to enter into an agreement for a lift station connection with the Cook Road Improvement Project.
• Change Order #1 for Cook Pump Station and Pete's HWY (F&T 83145): Approved an adjustment of -$8,820.00 to Change Order Attachment 1 - Removal of Existing 12" DIP Sewer FM (LA 16) for the Cook Pump Station and Pete's HWY.
• Change Order #001 for Arbour Construction, L.L.C. for the E. Railroad Drainage Improvements: Approved in the amount of $8,236.76.
• Payment Application #001 for Arbour Construction, L.L.C. for the E. Railroad Drainage Improvements: Approved in the amount of $123,153.08.
• One-Year Service Agreement with Pelican Playgrounds for Kidz Korner Playground Safety Inspection: Approved a one-year service agreement effective May 15, 2025 - May 14, 2026, including annual safety inspection and recommendations in the amount of $900.00.
• State Contract #4400030165 with Sharp for Office Printer, Copier, and Scanner: Authorized Mayor Gerard Landry to utilize this contract.
• One-Year Contract with Standard Printing Co. for SPC-SEBIS Direct: Approved an additional one-year term (8/01/25-7/31/2026).
• Agreement with L. King Company, LLC for City of Denham Springs Vortex Grit Removal System Rehab-2025: Authorized Mayor Landry to enter into this agreement in the amount of $389,396.00.
• Agreement with L. King Company, LLC for City of Denham Springs-Travelling Bridge Sand Filter Rehab-2025: Authorized Mayor Landry to enter into this agreement in the amount of $495,170.40.

II. Public Hearings & Controversial Discussions

Two significant items generated considerable discussion and divided opinion, primarily concerning district representation and land use.

A. Introduction and Authorization of Public Hearing for Preliminary Plat (12.736 tract into Lots 1-39 & Lots CA-1 & CA-2 in Sec 48, T6S-R3E):

• Request: Submitted by Dixie Development, LLC for "The 540 Metals Tract."
• Public Hearing Scheduled: June 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Court Room of the Municipal Building.
• Vote: Unanimous approval to introduce and authorize the public hearing.

B. Introduction and Authorization of Public Hearing for Ordinance to Ban the Sale of Mitragyna Speciosa KORTH (Kratom):

• Public Hearing Scheduled: June 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Court Room of the Municipal Building.
• Vote: Unanimous approval to introduce and authorize the public hearing.

C. Adoption of an Ordinance to Create Council Districts (3 districts with two at large for a total of 5 council seats / 3 districts with three at large for a total of 6 council seats):

This agenda item sparked significant debate, highlighting concerns about representation and fairness in the city's governance structure.

1. Initial Proposal: Three Districts with Two At-Large Council Seats (Total 5 Seats):

• Presentation: Leslie Akin, Durwin Walker, and Kathryn Martin presented a division of the city into three Council Districts, with one Council Member serving each district and two additional members elected at large.
• Public Engagement: Mayor Landry "offered for members of the audience who were opposed to this proposition to allow someone to speak for an equal time against the measure. No speakers were offered. Each member of the audience was then offered an opportunity to speak regarding this measure. 22 citizens spoke in favor of this item while 6 spoke in opposition to this item." Leslie Akin stated " a petition with almost 200 people in favor of the proposition."
• Supporting Arguments ("Points made by the citizens who spoke included:"):
  • "Desire for more accountability"
  • "Preference for council members who reside in the districts they represent"
  • "Need for better representation in underserved areas, while maintaining 2 seats at large to look at the big picture"
  • "Concern about over-representation in some areas"
  • "Support for increased transparency"
  • "Approval of having three council members per district to ensure stronger local representation"
  • "Encourages fair and equal representation"
  • "Encourages greater responsiveness by Council Members to concerns raised by citizens in their districts"
  • "Desire to reflect the model used by the state & national government"
• Opposing Arguments ("Opposed:"):
  • "Believe current representation is fair"
  • "There are already council members from each district, so this change is not necessary"
  • "Prefer any major changes be decided by a public vote rather than by the five current council members"
  • "Confusion on the ballots"
  • "Concerned that qualified candidates may be discouraged from running"
• Council Discussion:
  • Jeff Wesley: Opposed the proposition.
  • Councilperson Poole, Gilbert, and Dugas: Submitted a statement in support of the proposition.
  • Councilman Wesley also made statements.
  • "Several were asked to address questions raised in the comments of the Councilmembers. Additional comments were made by citizens both for and against this proposition."
  • Councilwoman Lamm-Williams: Stated she "believed that the Council members work well together to represent everyone. She believed that the people present were in addition to those who had contacted the Council members prior to the meeting provided enough information for the Council to move forward with the vote."
• Vote (3 districts, two at large / 5 seats total):
  • Yeas: Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Wesley
  • Nays: None
  • Absent: Poole
  • Abstain: None
  • Result: FAILED to pass due to the absence of Poole, despite four "Yea" votes (required a majority of the full council, or 3 votes, if all 5 were present and voting). Note: Given 5 council members, a simple majority is 3. With Poole absent, 4 votes would be 4/4, or if 5 were present, 4/5. The "failed" likely implies that the total number of votes needed from the full council was not met, even with the majority of those present voting yes.

2. Second Proposal: Three Districts with Three At-Large Council Seats (Total 6 Seats):

• Vote:
  • Yeas: Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Wesley
  • Nays: None
  • Absent: Poole
  • Abstain: None
  • Result: PASSED
  • Note: The document then shows an additional item 17, "Approve the adoption of an ordinance to create council districts for the establishment of three districts, with two at large for a total of five council seats." This appears to be a re-vote or a final clarification of the initial failed motion. Its outcome is recorded as: Yeas: Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Wesley; Nays: None; Absent: Poole; Abstain: None. The document then states "the City Council denied the adoption of an ordinance to create council districts for the establishment of three districts, with two at large for a total of five council seats." This is contradictory to the listed "Yeas" unless the intent was to "deny" by failing to get enough votes, even with the "Yeas." It's critical to note the discrepancy between the listed "Yeas" and the stated outcome of "denied." This requires further clarification.

III. Key Themes and Interpretations

• Efficiency in Routine Governance: The unanimous approval of numerous administrative and contractual items suggests a functional and efficient council regarding day-to-day operations and necessary service agreements.
• Significant Public Engagement on Representation: The district re-drawing discussion was a highly contentious issue, drawing considerable public input both for and against the proposed changes. This highlights a desire for perceived fairness and accountability in local government.
• Challenges in Achieving Consensus on Controversial Issues: The conflicting outcomes and descriptions regarding the district ordinance demonstrate the difficulty in navigating complex, politically charged issues. The recorded "denial" despite a majority of present members voting "Yea" for the 5-seat model suggests a nuanced rule or a lack of clarity in the minutes regarding the exact voting threshold or procedure, or a re-vote with a different outcome than the first listed.
• Focus on Infrastructure and Public Services: Numerous approved items relate to city infrastructure (drainage, lift station, sand filter rehab) and public services (health insurance, employee assistance, playground inspection), indicating a continued investment in these areas.
• Emerging Social Concerns: The public hearing for banning Kratom suggests a growing awareness or concern within the community regarding certain substances.