The Denham Springs City Council met for their regular meeting on September 28, 2026 during which they declared September as National Service Dog Month and voted on several ordinances.
The first order of business was to read a proclamation recognizing September as National Service Dog Month in the City of Denham Springs, honoring the role of service dogs in assisting individuals with disabilities and encouraging community awareness and respect for their rights.
“Millions of adults and children in the United States live with disabilities and trained service dogs can provide individuals with disabilities greater independence, confidence, and opportunities to participate fully in their communities,” the proclamation read.
“National Service Dog Month provides an opportunity to recognize the important role of service dogs, increase public awareness and understanding of their contributions, and educate the community about the laws protecting individuals who use service dogs,” Councilwoman Lori Lamm-Willaims continued.
The council then discussed approving a pay application to the city for the Centerville Street North West improvements in the amount of $100,209.36.
The project, which Mayor Gerard Landry described as a "major deal for Centerville," includes upgrades to gas lines, drainage lines, water lines, and the addition of a 5 foot sidewalk and bicycle path that will stretch the entire street.
This application will cover the cost of the work done through the end of August as well as temporary barricades and some preemptive drainage work.
The council voted unanimously to approve the order.
The council then needed to vote on an ordinance to amend the city’s code of ordinances relative to grills, chimineas, and recreational fires.
The amendments focus on determining what an approved incinerator qualifies as, including screen presence to combat spreading embers, as well as fire size and describing what can and cannot be burned.
Councilman Robert Poole stated that he felt there was “a lot of micromanaging in this” adding that “I’m probably not going to vote for it because of the in-depth micromanaging in it.”
“It’s there to protect the citizens and their property… but it’s just an update,” Councilwoman Amber Dugas added.
Mayor Landry added that, although the weather and falling leaves make for a wonderful time to sit around a fire pit, citizens must be aware that “your neighbor also wants to open their windows and they should not have to endure the smoke that’s generated by leaf fires,” hence this ordinance’s amendments.
The amendment passed with only Councilman Robert Poole voting against it.
Afterwards the council discussed approving an ordinance amendment concerning the compensation of the city Mayor.
“This past year we did a study of our municipality compared to 8 or 10 other municipalities in our area and we’ve made some payroll adjustments for the department heads… the only one left is the mayor,” Mayor Landry explained.
Councilwoman Lamm-Williams noted that the ordinance is “not proposing to change the Mayor’s salary, [but is] proposing to change what the old ordinance says to make it reflect what he’s actually making.”
Essentially, since 2018, the mayor has received cost of living adjustments to the salary, causing the actual salary to be higher than what the ordinance currently says the mayor makes, hence the need for an adjustment to reflect the actual amount.
The amendment sets the new rate of the mayor's salary at $101,000, payable in equal monthly installments. The mayor will also be eligible for cost-of-living percentage increases, at the same amount as other city employees, but he or she is not eligible for vacation or sick leave.
The council approved the amendment to the ordinance, with only Councilman Jim Gilbert abstaining, and the meeting was adjourned.
