The Town Council of the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana held its regular session on Thursday,
September 5, 2024 at 6:00 P.M., at the Kentwood City Hall with Mayor Irma T. Gordon presiding.
Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order following opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
The roll was called with the following results:
Present: Gary Callihan, Michael Hall, Paul Stewart, Jakoiya Wilkerson
Absent: Xavier Diamond
Councilman Diamond arrived at 6:23 p.m.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously carried
to approve the minutes of last month’s regular meeting.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously
carried to approve minutes of last month’s special meeting.
Financial Reports will be submitted to Council Members at a later date.
Ms. Minda Raybourn, Auditor, gave an overview of the 2023 FYE Audit Report.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously carried
to accept the 2023 FYE Audit Report.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously
carried to approve Minda Raybourn, CPA, LLC of Franklinton, as the Independent Auditor for the Town
of Kentwood FYE 2024 Audit.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to
approve Chief Kazerooni’s recommendation to accept the resignation of Steven Snow, effective August
21, 2024.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously carried to
approve Chief Kazerooni’s recommendation to hire Joshua Shipp as a full-time police officer, at
$13.75/hr.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously carried to
approve Fire Chief Griffith’s recommendation to hire Chistopher Jones as a full-time fire fighter, at
$9.75/hr.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to
approve Fire Chief Griffith’s recommendation to hire Calin Buckley as a part-time fire fighter, at
$9.75/hr.
Fire Chief Griffith presented information on fire hydrants and what the colors means.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously
carried to accept Fire Chief Griffith’s recommendation to accept the retirement of Deputy Fire Chief
Michael Neyland, effective August 30, 2024.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to
approve the reimbursement to the Estate of Judy Jones, for property damage from a tree.
Mayor Gordon asked the Board to amend the agenda. A motion was offered by Councilman Hall,
second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously carried to amend the agenda.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Callihan and unanimously
carried to add the Moratorium on Re-Naming Streets in the Town of Kentwood to the agenda.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously carried to
adopt the Resolution Establishing a Moratorium on Re-Naming Streets in the Town of Kentwood.
Mayor Gordon asked the Board to amend the agenda to add the Fall Tent Revival, to be held in the
MLK Park, Sept. 16 th – Sept. 20 th , from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A motion was offered by Councilman
Diamond, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried to amend the agenda and add
that item.
A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously
carried to approve the Fall Tent Revival, pending the requesting church provide its proof of Liability
Insurance with the Town of Kentwood listed as the Certificate Holder.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Hall, and unanimously
carried to adjourn.
Fredrika M. Ruffin, Town Clerk Irma T. Gordon, Mayor