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TOWN OF OIL CITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION
OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Present: Mayor Cheryl Clifton Driskell, Aldermen Jackson, Clifton, Jones, Barkschat and Town Clerk Veronica Brown, Chief of Police Laing and members of the Public
Absent: Town Attorney Doug Dominick, Aldermen Frieson
There was a quorum
Mayor Cheryl called the meeting to order 6:00 pm, Alderman Clifton then led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the Agenda. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: There were no public comments on agenda items
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Cheryl explained what happened during the bad weather. Updates on the upcoming Gusher Days 05/02/2026 & Easter Egg Hunt 04/04/2026
Staff Reports: Police Department- No use of force incidents for the month of January, he also gave a thank you to the Mayor on the handling of the recent weather event
Water/Sewer Department- No report
Fire District 7- Ms Neicy Bass reported there the burn ban has been lifted, there had been 9 fires in the last72 hours and gave thanks to the Mayor & Aldermen for all of the work put in on the recent weather event
Approval of Minutes: January 20, 2026
A motion was made by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the Minutes. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
Approval of Financials: January 2026
After a brief discussion by Alderman Clifton, a motion was made by Alderman Clifton, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the Financials. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
1. Approval for the Mayor to declare a State of Emergency for the Town of Oil City for Winter Storm FERN-EM-3638, with incident period of 01/23/2026-01/27/2026.
A motion was made by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the Agenda. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
2. Discussion of the position of Mayor to be re-classed from a part-time position to a full-time position.
A discussion was held, Alderman Clifton advised that the town clerk call surrounding areas and inquire on the Mayor salary and benefits. Follow-up discussion to be held at March Council Meeting.
Public Comments on non-agenda items: NONE
Adjourn: There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Jackson and seconded by Alderman Barkschat the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 pm. Next meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. for a Regular Session of the Board of Aldermen. All meetings held in the Town Hall Chambers Cheryl Clifton Driskell, Mayor Veronica Brown LCMC, Clerk
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BLANCHARD MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 - 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Galambos, Alderpersons Lee, Fuller, Guin, Presley, Roberts, Chief Allen, Perry Fuller, Candy Foshee, Town Clerk
Mayor Galambos called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Presley
Invocation was given by Chief Allen
Questions and Statements of Citizens – Jayne Tappe addressed to the council two questions regarding Magnolia Water and the property between Linda Lane and Womack. Her questions were answered satisfactorily. Motion made by Fuller to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting held January 13, 2026, second by Roberts. All voted yea.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 4 of 2026 – An Ordinance to amend Section 3.8 of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Blanchard, Louisiana, Establishing Compensation for Elected and Appointed Officials and otherwise providing with respect thereto
Public hearing was opened at 6:04 p.m. There being no public comments either for or against Ordinance 4 of 2026, the public hearing was closed at 6:05 p.m.
Vote on ordinance 4 of 2026
ORDINANCE 4 OF 2026
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 3.8 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE
TOWN OF BLANCHARD, LOUISIANA, ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Blanchard,
Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, as follows:
Section 1. Section 3.8 of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Blanchard is amended and
re-enacted to read as follows:
Section 3.8 Establishing Compensation for Elected and Appointed Officials
"The monthly/annual salaries of the elected and appointed officials are as follows:
Town Clerk $58,492.93 Annually Effective February 11. 2026
Section 2. If any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.
Section 3. All ordinances or resolutions or parts hereof in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Town hereby ratifies any payments heretofore made to
any such public officials.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of the ordinance or the application
thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict
herewith are hereby replaced.
Said Ordinance having been read and introduced on the 13th day January, 2026 by Galambos,
notice of a public hearing having been published, said public hearing having been held, the title having been read and the Ordinance considered, on motion of Lee, seconded by Fuller, to adopt the ordinance, a roll call vote was taken and the following was had:
YEAS: Lee, Fuller, Guin, Presley, Roberts
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
And Ordinance 4 of 2026 was adopted this 10th day of February, 2026.
Resolution 3 of 2026 – A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Complete and Submit an Application for 2025-2026 Grant Funds from the Louisiana Governmental Assistance Program (LGAP)
RESOLUTION 3 OF 2026
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO COMPLETE AND
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR 2025-2026 GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOUISIANA
GOVERNMENTALASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LGAP)
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the Town of Blanchard, Parish of Caddo,
State of Louisiana, wish to apply for grant funds from the Louisiana Governmental Assistance Program (LGAP) for the purchase and outfitting of a new police vehicle;
WHEREAS, the Town of Blanchard maintains a municipal Police Department that provides law
enforcement functions for the Town's 3,300 residents;
WHEREAS, a number of the Town's existing police vehicles are over 8 years old and are
functionally obsolete;
WHEREAS, Town's Police Department understands that there are elevated community
expectations associated with punctual and reliable response to resident's emergency needs;
WHEREAS, the Town's Police Department is committed to maintaining public safety built on a
foundation of justice and through stronger alliances with the communities it serves;
WHEREAS, a new police vehicle will greatly benefit the Town's Police Department in meeting
these stated goals and help improve service and response times;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Aldermen, in regular session
convened, this 10th day of February, 2026 that they do hereby authorize and fully support the application for LGAP funds in the amount of $35,000, and do authorize the Mayor of the Town of Blanchard to execute the application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict with this
resolution are hereby repealed.
Motion made to accept Resolution 3 of 2026 by Fuller, seconded by Lee.
After being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: Lee, Fuller, Guin, Presley, Roberts
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
And Resolution 3 of 2026 was duly adopted this 10th day of February 2026.
Resolution 4 of 2026 - A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Complete and Submit an Application
for 2025-2026 Grant Funds from the Community Water Enrichment Fund Program (CWEF)
RESOLUTION 4 OF 2026
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR 2025-2026 GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COMMUNITY WATER
ENRICHMENT FUND (CWEF) PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the Town of Blanchard, Parish of Caddo,
State of Louisiana, wish to apply for a grant of funds from the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) for improvements and upgrades to its water distribution system;
WHEREAS, the Town of Blanchard owns, operates, and maintains a large public water system
serving approximately 22,000 residents in north-central Caddo Parish, Louisiana;
WHEREAS, the Town's water distribution system includes 3"-20" water mains that serve those
22,000 residents in an approximate 120 square mile service area roughly bounded by Cross Lake, Caddo Lake, the Red River, and the State of Texas;
WHEREAS, the Town's water distribution system occasionally experiences water mains leaks,
blowouts, and breaks during winter weather that drain water from the system, reduce system pressures below recommended minimums, and require that the Town issue water boil advisories;
WHEREAS, the Town is unable to effectively and efficiently detect leaks in the water
distribution due to the large geographical size of the water system service area and the relatively low population density;
WHEREAS, the proposed CWEF funding will be used to purchase and install automated
isolation valves at strategic locations in the water distribution system;
WHEREAS, these improvements will directly and beneficially impact all residents of the Town's
public water system by enhancing the Town's ability to maintain water pressure in the water distribution mains, increase system reliability and sustainability, and reduce or eliminate direct threats to public health, safety, and welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Aldermen, in regular session
convened, this 10th day of February 2026 that they do hereby authorize and fully support the application for CWEF funds in the amount of $35,000, and do authorize the Mayor of the Town of Blanchard to execute the application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict with this
resolution are hereby repealed.
Motion made to accept Resolution 4 of 2026 by Fuller, seconded by Lee.
After being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: Lee, Fuller, Guin, Presley, Roberts
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
And Resolution 4 of 2026 was duly adopted this 10th day of February 2026.
January 2026 Financials to be emailed when completed
January 2026 financials will be emailed when completed.
Report From:
Perry Fuller, Utility Manager – One meter set by plumber, no cutoff in January, 485 locate tickets.
Gerald Allen, Chief of Police – No use of force complaints in January, several warrant arrests were made in January. Comments by the Mayor –Bryan Kaufler, who is retired from city of Bossier, was a great asset during the recent winter ice issues as a consultant for Town of Blanchard-Blanchard Utilities. It is suggested that we keep Mr. Kaufler as a consultant when needed.
Captain Tony LeBlanc, with the Caddo Parish Sheriff Department was a great help also during the recent winter ice issues. They used their drone to fly the entire distribution system to help find leaks. Captain LeBlanc was quick to tell us that they would be available anytime to help.
I also want to thank our water plant operators, Lonnie Smith, Matt Alexander and R. J. Swinford, who stayed 24/7 at the water plant during winter ice issues.
There being no further business, Fuller made motion to adjourn, seconded by Presley. All vote yea. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Jim Galambos, Mayor Candy Foshee, Town Clerk