Denham Springs City Council Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2025

Meeting Summary

This document summarizes a Denham Springs City Council meeting from May 27, 2025, detailing key decisions and discussions made by the Mayor and Council Members. The meeting covered a range of topics, including adjustments to the agenda and the scheduling of public hearings for financial ordinances related to the city's operating budgets for two fiscal years. Significant actions included the introduction of an ordinance to re-establish council districts, which will create three districts and maintain two at-large seats, alongside approvals for various infrastructure projects and a cooperative endeavor agreement with Livingston Parish for fire department equipment. All motions, from approving minutes to renewing contracts, received unanimous support from the attending council members.

Key Topics

20250527-Meeting-Summary

City of Denham Springs City Council Briefing Document
Date: May 27, 2025
Attendees: Mayor Gerard Landry, City Council Members (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley), Buffy Anderson (City Clerk), Rick Foster (Building Official), Stephanie Hulett (City Attorney), Michelle Hood (Treasurer).

Main Themes and Key Decisions:

1. Agenda Management and Public Hearings:

• Agenda Item Removal and Variance Authorization: The Council voted to lift agenda item #3, which aimed to authorize a variance, and to remove agenda item #5, related to adopting an ordinance to create council districts. Both actions passed with unanimous "Yeas" from Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, and Wesley.
• Public Hearings for Financial Ordinances:
  • Ordinance Amending Consolidated Operating Budget: The Council authorized a public hearing for an ordinance to amend the Consolidated Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. This hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. (Approved unanimously)
  • Ordinance Adopting Consolidated Operating Budget: A public hearing was also authorized for an ordinance adopting a Consolidated Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. This hearing is likewise scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. (Approved unanimously)

2. Council District Re-establishment:

• Introduction of Ordinance to Create Three Districts: The Council introduced an ordinance to establish three districts, each with a total of five council seats. The ordinance specifies that one council member will be assigned to each district based on their residency, and two council seats will remain at large. A public hearing for this is set for June 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (Introduced, and Agenda lifted item removed from Agenda at the beginning of the meeting refers to a prior version of this item being pulled).

3. Infrastructure and Public Works Projects:

• DOTD Mowing and Maintenance Agreement: Approval was granted for a Resolution for a DOTD Mowing and Maintenance Agreement. (Approved unanimously)
• E. Railroad Avenue Drainage Improvements: The Final Acceptance of the E. Railroad Avenue Drainage Improvements Project was approved. (Approved unanimously)
• Cook Road Improvement Project - Lift Station Relocation: Mayor Gerard Landry was authorized to enter into an Amended Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Livingston Parish to relocate a lift station in connection with the Cook Road Improvement Project. Grace Kennedy of Forte & Tablada noted a cost reduction of $2,000.00 for the removal of the existing 12" D.I.P. sewer force main.

4. Inter-jurisdictional Agreements:

• Fire Chief Richard Stafford - Cooperative Endeavor Agreement: Authorization was given for Fire Chief Richard Stafford to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Livingston Parish and Livingston Parish Fire Districts. Jason Populas stated that this agreement includes "all fire stations within the parish will receive an automated compression device, a suction device, and an AED."

5. Administrative and Financial Approvals:

• Official Journal Minutes: The minutes of the May 13, 2025 City Council Meeting were approved. (Approved unanimously)
• Variance Authorization for D.L.D. City of Denham Springs: A variance was authorized for 5 ft. to 2 ft. for lot 5 SQ B-10 located in Section 58, T6S-R2E, G.L.D, City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (V-1037). This request was duplicated by Dax Bratton (206 Leslie 54). (Approved unanimously)
• Highest Bid for Cypress Cabinet: The highest bid of $210.00 for a cypress cabinet from Old City Hall was approved. (Approved unanimously)
• Flood Insurance Renewals (The Hartford): Approval was requested and granted for City Flood Insurance renewals from The Hartford. (Approved unanimously)
• Floodplain Management Software Advertisement: Approval was requested and granted to advertise for Floodplain Management Software. (Approved unanimously)
• Evoqua Water Technologies Contract Renewal: Approval was requested to renew the contract with Evoqua Water Technologies for the Wastewater Department in the amount of $2,640.00/year. (Approved unanimously)
• AT&T Copper Phone Line for Security System: Approval was granted to change the current AT&T copper phone line for the security system at Old City Hall to a cellular option. The cost will be a one-time installation charge of $95 and an additional $16/month to the current monitoring bill with Certified Alarm. (Approved unanimously)
• Surplus HP Pavilion Laptop: The surplus of an HP Pavilion laptop (SN: 5CD101JWS0) Asset #10619 from Animal Control was approved. (Approved unanimously)
• Disposal of Brother Printer: The disposal of a Brother Printer MFC-L3720CDW Serial # U67023E3N126567 from the Business License Department was approved. (Approved unanimously)

Summary of Voting:

All motions presented during the meeting were approved unanimously by the attending Council Members (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley). No "Nays," "Absent," or "Abstain" votes were recorded for any item.

Adjournment:

The City Council meeting was adjourned upon motion by Lamm-Williams, seconded by Poole.