Denham Springs City Council Briefing - July 28, 2025

Meeting Summary

The Denham Springs City Council held a meeting on July 28, 2025, where they made several unanimous decisions regarding city development, land use, and municipal operations. Key actions included approving various infrastructure projects and financial agreements, such as improvements to the Vortex Grit Removal System and Yellow Jacket Boulevard. A major point of discussion revolved around alcohol permits for businesses near churches, specifically the "500-foot rule," leading to the denial of a permit for Mustard Seed Creamery Inc. after the City Attorney advised that the nearby "Denham Springs Church Project" met the legal definition of a church. Additionally, the council addressed zoning amendments through public hearings and recognized a police officer with the inaugural Shawn Kelly Memorial Award.

Key Topics

20250728-Meeting-Summary

Denham Springs City Council Briefing - July 28, 2025
Date: July 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Municipal Building, Court Room of the Municipal Building
Presiding Officer: Mayor Gerard Landry

I. Key Personnel Present:

• Council Members: Amber Dugas, Jim Gilbert, Lori Lamm-Williams, Robert Poole, and Jeff Wesley. (A quorum was present).
• Other Officials: Buffy Anderson (Police Chief), Rodney Walker (Fire Chief), Richard Stafford (Chief of Communications), and Michelle Hood (Treasurer).

II. Main Themes and Important Decisions:

The Denham Springs City Council meeting on July 28, 2025, addressed a variety of topics, including project approvals, land use changes, and a significant discussion regarding alcohol permits for businesses operating near churches.

A. Project and Contract Approvals:

Several projects and contracts were approved, indicating ongoing development and maintenance efforts within the city.

1. Vortex Grit Removal System Rehab-2025:

• Action: Approved Change Order #1 for an additional $51,597.00 to L. King Company, LLC.
• Total Amount (from previous mentions and this change order): Originally mentioned as $23,076.00 in item #19, but then item #20 clarifies a separate "Vortex Grit Removal System-2025 Project" for $51,597.00. This suggests two distinct change orders for L. King Company, LLC, relating to different projects or phases.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

2. Yellow Jacket Blvd Improvements and Payment Estimate Number 4:

• Action: Approved the final acceptance and payment of $22,137.00 to Barriere Construction.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

3. Brignac Water Well Payment Application No. 11:

• Action: Approved a payment of $219,220.53 to L. King Company, LLC.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

4. Spring Park Pavilion:

• Action: * Approved Payment Application #2 for $54,552.94 to Blount General Contractors, LLC. * Approved the Final Acceptance of the Spring Park Pavilion.
• Vote: Unanimous for both (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

5. Traveling Bridge Sand Filter Rehab-2025 Project:

• Action: Approved Change Order No. 1 for $23,076.00 to L. King Company, LLC.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

6. OPIS Contract:

• Action: Adopted a Resolution for an OPIS contract for $2,040.00.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

7. SAUP Engagement Letters with Hannis T. Bourgeois, CPA:

• Action: Approved.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

B. Land Use and Zoning Amendments:

The council addressed several requests for variances and public hearings related to zoning and land use.

1. Lot Size Variance (Thomas Annison - King David Drive):

• Action: Approved a lot size variance for a lot measuring 78' X 82' to reflect item RS-843, located in Section 45 T6S-R3E, G.L.D., City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

2. Public Hearings for Zoning Ordinance Amendments:

• Ordinance 1001 (Two-Family Duplex Residences, R1-R2 Residential): * Action: Introduced and authorized a public hearing for a proposed Ordinance to Amend Section 1.02 of Article One of the Denham Springs Zoning Commission Ordinance of 1990, as amended, City Ordinance 1001. This amendment would add thereto Paragraph 199, from R-1 Residential to R-2 Residential for the purpose of Two-Family Duplex Residences, located in Section 04, T6S-R3E, G.L.D., City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (RZ-656). Requested by Bryant Brooks [Myrtle St & Coronet St]. * Public Hearing Date: August 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Court Room of the Municipal Building. * Vote (to introduce and authorize public hearing): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).
• Ordinance 1001 (Contractor Laydown Yard, R1-I Industrial): * Action: Introduced and authorized a public hearing on an Ordinance to Amend Section 1.02 of Article One of the Denham Springs Zoning Commission Ordinance of 1990, as amended, City Ordinance 1001. This amendment would add thereto Paragraph 198, R-1 Residential to I-1 Industrial for the purpose of a contractor’s laydown yard, located in Section 45, T6S-R3E, G.L.D., City of Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana (RZ-455). [East St]. * Public Hearing Date: Public meeting for discussion, but not specified in the initial motion text. * Vote (to approve the ordinance after discussion): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).
• Ordinance 106 (Gas Tap Fees): * Action: Held a public hearing for an Ordinance to Amend the Code of Ordinances for the City of Denham Springs, Chapter 106 by adding Section 33 relative to Gas Tap Fees. * Public Speaking: Eddie Avdell with Alvin Fairburn & Associates spoke in support, noting the ordinance would allow subcontractors to use projects and enable the city to collect associated fees from homeowners. * Initial Vote (to table for four weeks): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes). * Subsequent Action: The Council then voted to take the item from the table. * Final Vote (to deny the ordinance): Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes). This is a notable denial after a public hearing.

C. Alcohol Permits and Church Proximity Discussion:

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a detailed discussion and vote regarding alcohol permits for businesses located near churches, particularly the 500-foot rule.

1. Request from Mustard Seed Creamery Inc. (Retail Class A-R High, Restaurant Outlet Alcohol Permit):

• Applicant: Jessica Starns, representing Mustard Seed Creamery, Inc.
• Issue: The business is located near Denham Springs Church Project, a non-profit entity previously associated with the church. The ordinance prohibits alcohol sales within 500 feet of a church.
• Key Arguments/Points: * Jessica Starns: Argued that the church project is no longer actively operating as a church and has been dissolved. She questioned, "What precedent does this set? What precedent could it set?" and "How many people are wanting to set up a church to want to be a boozing church?" * Tim Levert (Owner and Pastor, Denham Springs Church Project): Stated his group originally started as a church meeting weekly in his home and then purchased a building. He clarified that the group now operates as a non-profit for two hours a week and costs nothing to gather. He stated, "We're not a church, we're a restaurant 166 1/2 hours, and we're trying to be charitable by allowing weekly church services for 1 1/2 hours on Sundays." He further clarified that "The Mustard Seed Church" appears on Facebook, but it is not a legal entity, and the church is simply a group of people who gather. * Deann Wells (Resident of Greenwell Springs, in support of alcohol license request): Stated the church congregation is comfortable meeting in a space that serves alcohol during normal business hours. She noted that Mustard Seed Creamery, Inc. is not The Denham Springs Church Project. * Carolyn Cassidy (Resident, against): Expressed concern about the alcohol permit, stating, "I'd rather be on the side of black and white." * Councilman Poole and Gilbert (Support in favor): Stated that a restaurant that happens to allow worship gatherings is within the same space. "Before we open, what business is it of mine what he does—within the confines of the law—when your business isn't open?" * Councilman Wesley (Support in favor): Stated that if the Council approves this door and goes against the ordinance, the advice of the City Attorney might not be supportive. * Councilwoman Lamm-Williams (Against): Expressed concern, stating, "When this conversation began, the business was meeting as a church on Sunday mornings while also operating as a restaurant. She said, “What’re you’re saying now is ‘you really, really want to be a restaurant, and you can find another place to meet.’ She added, ‘It goes back to what I said last time: do you want to be a restaurant or do you want to be a church? You can’t have both.’" She also mentioned that "there are many gray areas in the operation and application of the business, and that the space is being used consistently every Sunday for worship services." * City Attorney Stephanie Hulett: Clarified that the City's ordinance clearly prohibits the sale of alcohol within 500 feet of a church. She further noted that the City does not have a formal definition of a church in its code, and therefore recommends using the IRS definition, and based on that definition, the stated that this use does in fact meet the criteria of a church. Crucially, she concluded that the City cannot legally issue an alcohol license for the property.
• Action: The motion to approve the request was ultimately denied.
• Vote: * Nays: Dugas, Lamm-Williams, Wesley * Yes: Gilbert, Poole * Abstain/Absent: None * (Note: The final vote was 3 Nays, 2 Yes, leading to denial.)

2. Request from Brianna Schexnayder & Thomas Riddle with PMUD LLC dba Philly Me Up Denham (Retail Class A-R Low, Restaurant Outlet Alcohol Permit):

• Action: Approved the request for a business located at 120 Bass Pro Blvd Ste. A1, Denham Springs, LA.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes). This approval implies it did not face the same church proximity issues or was not deemed to violate the 500-foot rule.

D. Other Approvals:

1. Shawn Kelly Memorial Award:

• Action: Presented the first annual Shawn Kelly Memorial Award to Communications Officer Lt. Keith Cosby for his outstanding work and beyond his duties.
• Note: Lt. Cosby was "voted on the recipient of the award" by the employees of the Police Department.

2. Approval of Minutes:

• Action: Approved the official journal minutes of the July 8, 2025 City Council Meeting.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

3. Star Service Maintenance Agreement:

• Action: Adopted a Resolution for a Star Service Maintenance Agreement.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

4. Surplus of Police Department Equipment:

• Action: Approved the surplus of two 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Units (572 VIN 1GNLC2EC0FR519533 & 572 VIN 1GNLC2EC0FR519544), L Shaped desk (Tag#'s 10190 & 10191), Desk(s) (Tag#'s 10202 & 10203), and Credenza/Hutches (Tag#'s 10203 & 10211).
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

III. Adjournment:

• Time: Not explicitly stated, but occurred after all items were addressed.
• Motion: Moved by Lamm-Williams, seconded by Poole.
• Vote: Unanimous (Dugas, Gilbert, Lamm-Williams, Poole, Wesley: Yes).

IV. Notable Facts/Ideas:

• Transparency and Public Engagement: Public hearings were held for significant zoning changes, allowing for citizen and expert input. The discussion regarding the alcohol permit highlighted varying interpretations of the ordinance and community sentiment.
• Impact of City Attorney's Advice: The City Attorney's definitive legal opinion that the "Denham Springs Church Project" met the criteria of a church under IRS definition, and therefore the City "cannot legally issue an alcohol license for the property," was pivotal in the denial of Mustard Seed Creamery's alcohol permit. This underscores the critical role of legal counsel in City Council decisions.
• Ongoing Development and Infrastructure: Numerous project approvals demonstrate continuous investment in Denham Springs' infrastructure and public facilities (e.g., grit removal, road improvements, water well, park pavilion).
• Law Enforcement Recognition: The first annual Shawn Kelly Memorial Award highlights a commitment to recognizing outstanding service within the Police Department.