TOWN OF KENTWOOD January 8, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
The Town Council of the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana held its regular session on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6:00 P.M., included public hearings at 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., with continued session after the hearing, at the Kentwood City Hall with Mayor Irma T. Gordon presiding. Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order following the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
The roll was called with the following results:
Present: Gary Callihan, Xavier Diamond, Michael Hall, and Jakoiya Wilkerson.
Absent: Paul Stewart.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of our December meeting.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of our December special meeting.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to approve the Financial Reports as written and submitted.
Mr. B.J. Couvillion, Entergy Representative, was not present.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to approve the 2025 Engagement Letter from Ms. Minda Raybourn, for the Agreed-Upon Procedures.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to approve Ms. Minda Raybourn, CPA, LLA of Franklinton, LA as Independent Auditor for the Town of Kentwood FYE 2025.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire FYE 2025.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to approve Dollar General’s Liquor License Renewal for 2026.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution approving Council Meeting dates for 2026.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution No. 01 of 2026 (A resolution appointing the director and an alternate director to represent the Town of Kentwood on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Municipal Natural Gas Purchasing and Distribution Authority).
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to adopt Resolutions approving the filing and appointing of the Mayor as agent of the Town of Kentwood to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including but not limited to applications for the 2026 grants; LGAP, Highway Enrichment Program, Local Road Safety Program, Delta Regional Authority, Federal Appropriations, CWEF, Recreational Trails, Capital Outlay, USDA Rural Development, Land and Water Conservation Fund and LCDBG.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to adopt Ordinance No. 1 of 2026 (Amendment to Chapter 24, Article II, Section 24-19, Noise Control).
The roll was called with the following votes:
Yeas: Diamond, Hall, and Wilkerson.
Nays: None.
Abstained: Callihan.
Absent: Stewart.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to adopt Ordinance No. 2 of 2026 (Amendment to Chapter 4, Section 4-3, Code of Ordinances prohibits persons under the age of 21 years from entering “any business or the parking area surrounding it”).
The roll was called with the following votes:
Yeas: Callihan, Diamond, Hall, and Wilkerson.
Nays: None.
Absent: Stewart.
A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to table Chief Kazerooni’s recommendation to hire part-time dispatcher, Pamela Newton to a full-time dispatcher, at a rate of $13/hr, until the Chief is present.
The roll was called with the following votes:
Yeas: Callihan, Diamond, Hall, and Wilkerson.
Nays: None.
Absent: Stewart.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to declare the following vehicles as Surplus property, but allowing Chief Kazerooni to set the minimum bid amounts:
2008 Ford Crown Vic VIN: 2FAFP71V38X140572
2009 Chevy Tahoe VIN: 1GNEC03059R189091
2011 Nissan Altima VIN: 1N4AL2AP0BN476716
A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to keep the current $50 assessment for the Mardi Gras Vendor’s fees, with $25 going to the Town of Kentwood and $25 going with the committee.
There were no new bids for the parks.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously carried to not seek rebids on the parks, but seek proposals, per recommendation of the Town Attorney.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed commercial water meters for businesses and rate increases for residential customers, once the businesses are addressed. A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to set a special meeting for 6:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026, to invite the business owners and receive input from them.
A motion was offered by Micheal Hall, second by Xavier Diamond and unanimously carried to adjourn the January 8, 2026 council meeting.
Fredrika M. Ruffin, Town Clerk Irma T. Gordon, Mayor
Cost of notice: $89.65