[0:01] St. John the Baptist Parish Council regular meeting Tuesday August 25th [0:07] 2026 6 PM St. John the Baptist Parish Government Complex 1811 West Airline [0:14] Highway Council Chambers Lelass Louisiana Robert Auri Chairman Tammy [0:19] Houston vice chairman please silence any cell phones for the [0:25] duration of this meeting. >> Miss Barbara could you please call the [0:28] role? Yes. [0:32] » Lennox Mer >> here. [0:34] » Vie Johnson >> here. [0:36] » Warren Torres >> present. [0:38] » Tyra Dway Griffin. >> Robert Auri [0:41] » here. >> Tammy Houston [0:42] » here. >> Vernon Bailey Senior [0:44] » here. >> Dixie Ramirez. [0:46] Michael Wright >> here. [0:47] » We do have a quorum. >> Thank you. [0:53] » All right. Opening prayer. I will lead the opening prayer and the pledge of [0:56] allegiance will be Mr. Bailey. [1:01] » Name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be [1:06] thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give [1:11] us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those [1:16] who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from [1:21] evil. [1:25] To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it [1:29] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice [1:34] for all. [clears throat] [1:42] Public comment agenda items only. Three minutes per citizen. Please state your [1:46] name, address, and the agenda item you are commenting on. Public hearing. [1:51] Public comment is now open. [1:56] Public comment is now closed. Special business. [2:01] Jacqueline Holto. Presentation. President Holto. [2:06] » Thank you. >> Is it on? Oh, good evening. Uh um Mr. [2:11] Chairman, members of the council, and members of the public, we will carry [2:15] this item over as Becky was unable to make it tonight. But just so that you [2:20] all know and you have received a copy of um the audit that was submitted that um [2:25] our audit was clean on time, no findings, no waste, abuse and fraud and [2:29] Becky is going to come and give the update at the next meeting. [2:35] » Okay. [2:38] » Thank you, President Toto. Consent agenda, [2:43] approval of minutes, August 11th, 2026 council meeting. Do we have a motion to [2:49] approve the consent agenda? [2:55] » Miss Houston, >> I make a motion to approve um the [2:59] consent agenda item. >> Mr. Bailey, [3:02] » second. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we [3:05] have any discussion? Let's vote. [3:23] Motion carries. >> Consent agenda is approved. [3:27] Reports. President President's report. President Colto. [3:50] We do not have a president's report tonight. [3:52] » Thank you, Mr. Mutz. Monthly financial report. [3:58] President, >> thank you. I apologize about that. I had [4:02] to um step out for a second. Um this is confirmation that the monthly financial [4:07] report has been submitted to the council. [4:10] Thank you, President Odd. [clears throat] [4:14] Public hearing and consideration of ordinances. [4:18] Ordinance 26-57, an ordinance amending chapter 28, [4:22] section 28.2, two fireworks sales discharge safety and penalties penalties [4:28] to add Labor Day and Memorial Day as allowed discharge dates while retaining [4:32] the existing 7-day retail sales window and replacing subjective dusk times with [4:39] specific start times. See exhibit one. Public hearing is now open. [4:48] Public hearing is now closed. Administration [4:51] » Administration requests this item be removed from the agenda and no action be [4:56] taken. >> We have heard administration's [4:59] recommendation. Do we have a motion? [5:04] » Motion to uh remove from the agenda. >> Do we have a second? [5:10] » A second. >> Second by Miss Houston. We have a motion [5:13] and a second. Are there uh any discussion? [5:21] Please vote. [5:28] » Motion carry. >> Ordinance 2657 has been removed from the [5:33] agenda. [5:36] Ordinance 26-58, an ordinance for acceptance of a [5:40] dedication of a 40x20 servitude located on parcel M-2-B-1 [5:48] of a Riverwood business park in Riverwood subdivision, Lelass, St. John [5:52] the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Public hearing is now open. [6:01] Public hearing is now closed. administration. [6:07] Mr. R. >> This dedication request is to secure the [6:12] land to house and maintain a sewer lift station to accommodate services to the [6:16] Summerland Lake subdivision. The planning and zoning department finds [6:20] this request meets the technical sufficiency for consideration by the [6:23] parish council. >> Thank you, Miss Rome. [6:29] » Do we have a motion? [6:34] Mr. Bailey. >> Motion to approve. [6:37] » Approve what? >> 20 2658. [6:41] » Okay, we have a motion, Mr. Wright. >> Second. [6:44] » We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [6:50] Let's vote. [6:59] That motion carries with two absent. >> Ordinance 26-58 [7:04] is approved. [7:07] Ordinance 26-59, an ordinance approving the resubdivision of two unassigned [7:12] tracks of land located at 5817 Highway 18, St. John the Baptist Parish, [7:18] Louisiana PZs-1480. [snorts] [7:24] Public hearing is now open. [7:29] Public hearing is now closed. Administration [7:43] request of Edgar to Wallace. [7:50] » Okay. So, we need um Miss Johnson. >> I make a motion to um remove Edgard and [7:57] replace Wallace in this ordinance 2659. [8:03] » Okay, Mr. Mart, >> we have a second. Please vote. [8:10] Any discussion? Okay, vote. [8:17] » Okay, that motion carries. Okay. [8:23] So now we need a motion to approve or disapprove [8:27] » to approve it. >> The the regular ordinance with [8:29] » Wallace >> with Wallace [8:33] » the amended. >> Okay. M Miss Johnson. [8:36] » I make a motion to approve um ordinance 2659 [8:41] with his correction. >> Thank you. Miss Houston. [8:46] » Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any [8:48] discussion? [8:51] Please vote. [8:58] » That motion carries. >> Ordinance 26-59 has been approved. [9:05] Ordinance 26-60. An ordinance to provide an official name [9:10] St. John the Baptist Parish or Cury Center for the parish owned building be [9:16] for the parish owned building bearing municipal address 1020 Cambridge Drive [9:21] Llass Louisiana 7068 [9:27] public hearing is now open [9:32] public hearing is now closed administration [9:35] » no it's me uh Mr. Miss Johnson or Mr. Bailey [9:39] » Mr. Bailey, you're first on the queue. Miss Johnson, what's first? [9:44] » I make a motion to approve ordinance 2660. [9:50] » We have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? [9:53] » Second that motion. >> Mr. Bailey has second it. Do we have any [9:57] discussion? >> Yes. [10:02] Please vote. >> Discussion. [10:05] » Oh, Miss Judge, I'm sorry. I I guess you get a discussion and a uh [10:11] word as well because I know with this um ordinance more or less saying that the [10:18] building in Edgard which is the parish county seat and we have one courthouse [10:24] which is located in Edgar and by having the name placed on for the Akiri center [10:31] community center it will be very befitting because that way we will not [10:35] have community members ers, businesses or anyone else officially knowing that [10:40] uh this is not a courthouse. This is a community center and we have as I said [10:45] one courthouse which is in Edgar. Thank you. [10:50] » Thank you Miss Johnson for that explanation. [10:56] Okay. Public hearing. [11:00] » I know we already had the administration motion. Okay. Now we need a motion. She [11:04] may she may >> we got the motion. We got the second. I [11:07] need to scratch all my stuff off here. >> Okay. [11:11] » Parish President. >> Thank you. Uh and just to add um to [11:15] that, Councilwoman Johnson, just for your um all all of the council members [11:20] knowledge um when the uh court order was sent over to my office to have the um [11:29] Accuri Center open for court. It was [clears throat] called [11:36] the um Cambridge courthouse in that court order [snorts] and myself and the [11:42] district attorney um made comments that that wasn't the actual name of the [11:48] building and um thankfully that court order was changed to reflect the proper [11:56] name of the building. So I do appreciate that. But I just wanted to share with [12:00] you all that, you know, through that dialogue, we also confirmed that that [12:03] was the name of the building and requested um to have that court order um [12:09] amended and it it finally was. Not without resistance, but it finally was. [12:13] And so um that has always been the name of the building, the Accuri Center. [12:17] Thank you. >> Thank you, President Hilto. [12:21] Do we have any more discussion on 2660? [12:26] Please vote. [12:39] That motion carries. >> Ordinance 2660 has been approved. New [12:44] business. Resolution R26-110. [12:50] A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the [12:53] parish of St. John the Baptist, state of Louisiana, to authorize the issuance of [12:59] general obligation bonds therein making application to the state bond commission [13:04] and providing for other matters in connection therewith [13:09] administration. [13:16] » I'm sorry, which item is that? And I'll read [13:19] » resolution 2610. >> 26110. Oh, sorry about that. This [13:25] resolution calls for an election to be held in the parish to authorize the [13:29] issuance of general obligation bonds. If approved, the proceeds of the bonds will [13:34] be used to make continued upgrades and improvements to the parish's waterworks [13:39] and wastewater systems and other public improvements in the parish. The [13:43] proposition also states that we anticipate a reduction in the advalorum [13:47] tax currently being levied to pay debt service on the parish's general [13:52] obligation bonds. I believe it's one mil. Jason will be able to explain it. [13:56] That will Oh, he's right. Oh, well, I'm [laughter] [14:00] I'm sorry. Let me let the expert take over. [14:07] » Thank you, Madam President. Council members, Jason Acres of Foley Nudell. [14:10] With me, Dee Rigggins from Government Consultants. Uh, actually, the [14:13] proposition notes that it'll be a reduction of 1.25 mills from 1125 to 10 [14:20] mills even. That's anticipated, of course, we don't know. and that uh won't [14:23] kick in until next year, but there will be a reduction in millillage associated [14:28] with the proposition. [14:33] » Thank you, Mr. Acres. Do we have a motion? [14:37] » I make a motion to Oh, I'm sorry. >> Miss Houston, [14:42] » I make a motion to approve resolution R26-110. [14:46] » We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Wright, Mr. Bailey, I'm I'm sorry. I [14:51] second a motion. Do we have any discussion? [14:58] » Let's vote. >> Miss Houston, I'm sorry. Go ahead, [15:02] » Mr. Acres. Um, this is a millage that is already there, right? Or is it a new [15:08] millage? >> That That's correct. The currently the [15:10] parish is levying 11.25 mills for the payment of debt service on its [15:13] outstanding obligations. Uh, this will take advantage of some debt that's [15:17] rolling off. uh the millillage will stay in place just be reduced to that uh you [15:22] know hopefully 10 mills is what we >> yeah I just wanted that explained maybe [15:26] the public would would have knowledge of the fact that it is a a current one a [15:31] millillage that we have and there will be a reduction with it so [15:35] » absolutely correct this millillage is currently in in place it will stay in [15:39] place just going to go down >> thank you [15:43] » thank you Mr. acres. Do we have any more discussion [15:48] on resolution [15:52] 110? >> Please vote. [16:02] » Resolution 110 has been approved. Thank you, Mr. Akos. [16:09] Resolution R 26111. A resolution authorizing St. John the [16:15] Baptist Parish to award the bid for the community center chiller replacement [16:19] project to Gouty Construction Incorporated. [16:24] Mr. much. [16:29] » This resolution allows the parish to award the bid for the community center [16:33] chiller replacement project to Gouty Construction Incorporated of Meto [16:37] Louisiana who submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid in the [16:43] amount of $674,000. The existing chillers at the St. John [16:48] Community Center are more than 20 years old and have exceeded their useful life. [16:52] services will include the removal and replacement of the existing chillers [16:56] associated parts and components to ensure the continued operation, [17:00] reliability, and proper function of the St. John Community Center. The project [17:04] is funded through the community center budget. Administration recommends [17:08] approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Munch. Do we have a [17:11] motion? Mr. Wright? Motion to approve. [17:16] » Mr. Bailey, >> second a motion. [17:18] » We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [17:22] [clears throat] >> Mr. Torres, [17:26] » this month this runs off of Mona or free on different type [17:31] » uh >> yeah the chiller the chiller system is [17:34] water source >> water source. So they got wells in the [17:38] ground that >> No, no. We uh the it's a closed system [17:41] that contains water and there's also additional tanks that's that will be [17:46] installed to replace the there will be new tanks to uh to replace the existing [17:50] tanks in the building. So we have the chilled water system to operate the the [17:56] system. Right. It's a chilled water system [17:59] » and also updated. >> Everything to be updated. Yes, sir. The [18:03] entire system. Do we have any more discussion? [18:08] » Please vote. [18:14] » That motion carries two. >> Resolution 2611 [18:20] has been approved. Resolution R26-112. [18:25] A resolution authorizing St. John Baptist Parish to award the bid for the [18:29] wastewater collection and treatment maintenance/emergency [18:33] repair project to Ram J construction. Mr. months. [18:42] » This resolution allows the parish to award the bid for the wastewater [18:46] collection and treatment maintenance emergency repair project to RAMJ [18:50] Construction LLC of Kennel Louisiana who submitted the lowest responsive and [18:55] responsible bid in the amount of 4,670,570. [19:03] services will include maintenance and emergency repairs to the parishes [19:06] wastewater collection and treatment system on an on [19:11] needed basis as directed by the utilities department. The project will [19:16] be funded through the wastewater fund. Administration recommends approval. [19:20] » Thank you, Mr. Mutz. We have heard that administration's recommendation. Do we [19:24] have a motion? Mr. Bailey, >> I recommend approval to uh for 26112. [19:32] We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Mr. Ma, [19:37] » I second a motion. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we [19:40] have any discussion? [19:45] » Let's vote. [19:52] » That motion carries. >> Resolution R26112 [19:56] has been approved. Resolution [20:03] R26-113, a resolution authorizing St. John the [20:09] Baptist Parish to award the bid for the Woodland wastewater treatment plant [20:13] demolition project to Jay Calderrera and company. Mr. [snorts] much. [20:21] » This resolution allows the parish to award the bid for the woodland [20:25] wastewater treatment plant demolition project to JC Cal Derrera and Company [20:29] Incorporated of Lelass, Louisiana, who submitted the lowest responsive and [20:34] responsible bid in the amount of 1,587,440. [20:43] Services will include the demolition of the existing woodland wastewater [20:46] treatment facility located at the end of Woodland Drive in Llass. The project [20:51] will be funded through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality [20:55] Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Administration recommends approval. [21:00] » Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard re uh administration's recommendation. Do [21:05] we have a motion? Miss Johnson? >> I make a motion to approve resolution [21:10] R26113. Thank you. Do I have a second, [21:16] » Miss Houston? >> Second. [21:18] » We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [21:25] Please vote. [21:32] » That motion carries with two. >> R26-113 [21:36] has been approved. Resolution R26-114, [21:42] a resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to award the fire [21:46] department's property and casualty insurance to Riverlands Insurance [21:50] Services Incorporated. Mr. Mutz, [21:56] this resolution allows the parish to award the fire department's property and [22:00] casualties insurance to Riverlands Insurance Services Incorporated of [22:03] Llass, Louisiana. The submitter was reviewed and scored by the source [22:08] selection committee. The policy is funded through the office of fire [22:11] services. Administration recommends approval. Thank you, Mr. Munch. We have [22:16] heard administration's recommendation. Do we have a motion? [snorts] [22:23] » Miss Houston. >> I make a motion to approve resolution [22:26] R26-114. >> Thank you, Miss Johnson. I second the [22:31] motion to resolution R26114. >> Thank you, Miss Johnson. We have a [22:37] motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [22:42] » Please vote. [22:49] » That motion carries with two absent. >> Resolution R26-114 [22:54] has been approved. Resolution R26-115. [23:00] A resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish President to execute [23:04] change order number one with ENFRA MMC LLC for the Regala Park Pedestrian Trail [23:12] Lights Project. Mr. much. [23:17] » This resolution for change order number one is a deductive change order in the [23:22] amount of $5,637 [23:26] and an additional 21 days to the original agreement. The decrease [23:31] represents the repair of an unforeseen drainage pipe and six light poles and [23:36] associated bases removed from the scope of work. We were able to utilize [23:41] existing light poles. The project is funded through the park and recreations [23:45] department budget. Administration recommends approval. [23:49] » Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard administration's recommendation. Do I [23:53] have a motion, Miss Houston? >> Yes. I gladly make the motion to approve [23:59] resolution R26-15. It looks really nice. Good job. [24:06] » Thank you, Miss Houston. Do we have a second? Mr. Bailey, [24:09] » second motion. >> Oh, it was okay. That's fine. [24:13] All right, we have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [24:21] » Please vote. [24:27] » The motion carries. [24:33] » Resolution R26-115 has been approved. [24:39] Resolution R26-116, a resolution authorizing St. John the [24:45] Baptist Parish President to execute change order number one with RJ Dagel [24:49] and Sons Contractors Incorporated for the St. John Westbank, Mississippi River [24:54] Trail, phase 2 project LDOT, project number [snorts] H [25:01] 014736. [25:05] Mr. Muntz [25:09] This resolution for change order number one is a closeout change order which [25:13] increases the original agreement in the amount of $118,4183 [25:21] and adds an additional 173 calendar days to the project. The increase reflects [25:26] adjustments of quantities and materials used to complete the project. The [25:30] project is funded through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and [25:33] Development and the Parks and Recreation Budget. Administration recommends [25:38] approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard [25:41] administration's recommendation. Do I have a motion, Miss Johnson? [25:45] » I make a motion to approve resolution R26-116. [25:50] » We have a motion. Mr. Met. >> Seconded motion. Mr. Mday has seconded. [25:55] We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [26:01] Please vote. [26:09] » Motion carries. >> Resolution R26-116 [26:14] has been approved. Resolution R26-117. [26:19] A resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish President to execute the [26:24] certificate of substantial completion with RJ and Sun Contractors [26:28] Incorporated for the St. John Westbank Mississippi River Trail phase 2 project [26:34] L DOT project number H014736 [26:40] Mr. This is the companion item to the [26:44] previous. This resolution allows parish president [26:49] to execute the certificate of substantial completion with RJ Dgo and [26:53] Suns contractors incorporated for the St. John Westbank Mississippi [26:58] River Trail phase 2 project. The project is deemed substantially [27:03] complete with no punch list items remaining. Administration recommends [27:07] approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard the [27:10] administration's recommendation. Do we have a motion, Miss Johnson? [27:15] » I make a motion to approve resolution R2617. [27:20] » We have a motion. Uh, do we have a second, Mr. Madair? [27:23] » Second motion. >> You have a motion and a second. Do we [27:27] have any discussion? [27:31] Please vote. [snorts] [27:38] That motion carries. Resolution R26-117 has been approved. [27:44] Resolution R26-118, a resolution authorizing St. John the [27:49] Baptist Parish President to enter into a professional service agreement with All [27:54] Salt Consulting Engineers LLC for the East 10th Street for Spain replacement [27:59] project. Mr. much. [28:05] » This resolution allows the parish to enter into an agreement with All South [28:10] Consulting Engineers LLC of Meto, Louisiana for the East 10th Street [28:16] Reserve, Louisiana Force Main Replacement Project. The existing 10-in [28:21] sewer force main associated with East 10th Street lift station has exceeded [28:25] its useful life and requires replacement to ensure the continued reliability and [28:31] proper operations of the parish's wastewater collection system. [28:36] This project includes the replacement of approximately 1,720 [28:40] linear feet of existing 10-in sewer force main with a new 12-in sewer force [28:45] main along Jock Street from Central to East 10th Street lift station. The [28:51] project is funded through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality [28:55] Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan. The agreement is sent to [29:00] legal counsel to review and deem legally sufficient. [29:05] Administration recommends approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard [29:09] administration's recommendation. Do I have a motion, Mr. Mair? [29:13] » Yeah, I make a motion approving resolution R26-118. [29:18] » Miss Houston. >> Second. [29:20] » We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? [29:26] If not, please vote. [29:33] The motion carries. >> Resolution R26-118 [29:38] has been approved. [29:42] Resolution R26-119. A resolution authorizing St. John the [29:47] Baptist Parish to amend a professional service agreement with Curtis [29:51] Engineering Services LLC for the sewer first force main extension connection [29:57] from the river road wastewater treatment plant WWTP to reser to reserve [30:02] wastewater treatment pond project Mr. months. [30:09] » This resolution allows the parish to amend the agreement with Curtis [30:14] Engineering Services LLC for the sewer force main extension [30:18] connection from the river road wastewater treatment plant in Llas to [30:23] the reserve wastewater treatment pond. Amendment number two includes the [30:28] redesigning task to separate the original final plans and specifications [30:32] to two separate projects. River Road wastewater treatment plant [30:37] influent pump station rehabilitation project and the sewer force main [30:41] extension project. It also adds additional basic services for the river [30:45] road wastewater treatment plant influent pump station rehabilitation project. [30:52] This design work is funded by the fiscal year 2019 EPA Lake Pona Train Basin [30:57] Restor Restoration Program Grant and the Louisiana Department of Environmental [31:02] Quality Clean Water State Revolving Loan. [31:07] This agre uh amendment was sent to legal counsel to review deemed legally [31:11] sufficient. Administration recommends approval. [31:15] » Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard administration's recommendation. Do I [31:18] have a motion? Mr. Mair. >> Yes. Make a motion approving resolution [31:22] RS26-119. [31:26] » Do I have a second? Miss Houston. >> Second. [31:29] » We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? [31:36] » No discussion. Please vote. [31:43] » That motion carries. >> Resolution R26-119 [31:47] has been approved. Resolution R26-120, [31:53] a resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to settle and pay the [31:58] June 26, 2026 property damage claim to Lewis Bautista of 504 Parlang Loop, [32:05] Lelass, Louisiana 70068. Mr. March. [32:14] » This resolution authorized the settlement of this case in amount of [32:18] $2,10 as recommended by the Louisiana claims administrators and approved by [32:23] legal counsel. The settlement will be funded through the settlement line item [32:28] up to the utilities department budget. Administration recommends approval. [32:33] » Thank you, Mr. Muntz. We have heard re uh administration's recommendation. Do [32:37] we have a motion? Mr. Bailey. [32:41] » Motion to approve. >> Motion from Mr. Bailey. Motion to [32:47] approve >> R 26120. [32:51] » Thank you, Mr. Wright. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we [32:58] have any discussion? [33:03] Please vote. [33:09] That motion carries. >> R26-120 [33:13] has been approved. >> Thank you. [33:18] » Introduction of ordinances. Miss Sane, please introduce the new ordinances. [33:24] » We do not have any ordinances. >> Can I have a motion to adjurnn? [33:28] » Motion to adjurnn. >> Can I have a second? [33:30] » Second. >> You have a motion and a second. Meeting [33:33] adjourned.