Denham Springs City Council Briefing - July 8, 2025

Meeting Summary

The Denham Springs City Council meeting on July 8, 2025, primarily addressed routine governmental approvals and crucial city operations, but was significantly marked by a failed vote to adopt the millage rate, indicating a deep division among council members on property taxes. Beyond this central disagreement, the council unanimously approved a land exchange to improve access to the emergency debris site, demonstrating a proactive approach to infrastructure. They also initiated a process to amend gas tap fees and authorized a cooperative agreement with the Livingston Parish School Board for resource officers, underscoring ongoing efforts to manage city services and ensure community safety. These discussions highlight the council's diverse responsibilities, from financial decisions to essential community partnerships.

Key Topics

20250708-Meeting-Summary

Detailed Briefing Document: Denham Springs City Council Meeting - July 8, 2025
Date of Meeting: July 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: Court Room of the Municipal Building
Presiding Officer: Mayor Gerard Landry

I. Key Themes & Major Decisions:

The meeting focused on routine governmental approvals, a significant debate and failed vote on the millage rate, and land exchange/ordinance adoptions related to city infrastructure and resource management.

A. Millage Rate Discussion & Failure to Adopt (Item 4)

• Central Issue: Adoption of the 2025 Millage Rate.
• Proposed Reduction: Robert Poole spoke, advocating for rolling back the Millage rate to 2.75 mills.
• Outcome of First Vote: A motion to adopt the 2.75 mills failed with a vote of 3 Nays (Lamm-Williams, Wesley, Landry) to 2 Yeas (Gilbert, Poole). "The motion fails."
• Subsequent Proposal: An "alternate motion was made to stay at the current millage of 2.898 mills."
• Outcome of Second Vote: This motion to maintain the current millage rate of 2.898 mills also failed, with 3 Nays (Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley) to 0 Yeas. Mayor Landry abstained from this vote, but his vote on the previous motion suggests he would have supported the 2.75 mills.
• Significance: The failure of both motions indicates a significant disagreement within the council regarding the city's property tax rate, with no clear consensus reached. This will likely require further discussion or a revised proposal.

B. Land Exchange for Emergency Debris Site (Items 5 & 6)

• Purpose: To widen the entryway into the City's Emergency Debris Site.
• Action Taken: The Council held a public hearing (Item 5) and subsequently approved an ordinance (Ordinance No. 25-07) for the exchange of 0.06 acres of land located in Sections 43 & 44, T7S-R2E, G.L.D., Livingston Parish, Louisiana (Item 6).
• Public Hearing Speaker: Ricky with Alvin Fairburn spoke on behalf of Greg Martrain.
• Vote: Both the motion to close the public hearing and the motion to approve the ordinance passed unanimously (5 Yeas: Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley; Dugus was absent from the meeting).
• Significance: This demonstrates the city's proactive approach to managing emergency infrastructure and logistics, ensuring efficient access to critical facilities.

C. Code Amendment for Gas Tap Fees (Item 7)

• Purpose: To amend the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 106 by adding Section 33 Relative to Gas Tap Fees.
• Action Taken: The Council introduced and authorized a public hearing for an ordinance to implement this change. The public hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Court Room of the Municipal Building.
• Vote: The motion passed unanimously (5 Yeas: Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley; Dugus was absent from the meeting).
• Significance: This indicates the city is reviewing and potentially adjusting its fee structure for gas services, likely to reflect current costs or policies.

D. Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with Livingston Parish School Board (Item 8)

• Purpose: To enter into a CEA with the Livingston Parish School Board for resource officers.
• Action Taken: The Council adopted a resolution authorizing Mayor Gerard Landry to enter into the CEA.
• Vote: The motion passed unanimously (5 Yeas: Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley; Dugus was absent from the meeting).
• Significance: This highlights ongoing collaboration between the city and the local school board to ensure the safety and security of schools within the community.

II. Important Ideas/Facts & Quotes:

• Council Attendance: Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, and Jeff Wesley were present. Amber Dugus was absent.
• City Officials Present (Acting/Regular): CJ Dunnaway (Acting City Clerk), Rick Foster (Building Official), Stephanie Hulett (City Attorney), Rodney Walker (Police Chief), Richard Stafford (Fire Chief), and Michelle Hood (Treasurer).
• Report Submissions:
  • Building Official, City Attorney, Planning and Zoning, Fire Report, and Police Report: "written report submitted"
  • Engineers: "no report"
  • City Treasurer: "Bill Lawson gave a verbal report"
  • Animal Control Report: "written report submitted"
• Approval of Previous Minutes (Item 2): The journal minutes of the June 23, 2025, City Council Meeting were approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Adoption (Item 3): The consent agenda for June 1, 2025, through June 31, 2025, was adopted unanimously.
• Failed Millage Rate Vote (Item 4): "The motion fails." - This direct quote underscores the inability to agree on a new millage rate of 2.75 mills. Subsequent failure to approve the current 2.898 mills suggests a deeper impasse.
• Approval of Payment Request (Item 9): Payment Request No. 3 of the retainage in the amount of $29,645.35 to Feliciana Welders, Inc. for the L.A.-16 Gas Improvement Project (Hillion Hood Road to Juban Road) was approved unanimously, indicating progress and payment for infrastructure projects.
• Surplus of Gas Department Unit (Item 10): The Council declared Unit #329, a 1998 Belshe Trailer 14' with VIN 16JF01421W1031598, as surplus. This is a routine asset management action.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned upon motion by Lamm-Williams, seconded by Poole, with a unanimous vote.

III. Notable Absences & Disagreements:

• Amber Dugus's Absence: Council Member Amber Dugus was absent from the entire meeting, impacting the voting record, though most items passed unanimously or with a clear majority among those present.
• Millage Rate Disagreement: The inability to pass either a reduced millage rate or maintain the current rate represents the most significant point of contention and unresolved issue from the meeting. The split vote (3 Nays to 2 Yeas) on the reduced rate and the complete lack of "Yeas" on maintaining the current rate highlight a deep division within the council on this critical financial matter.