[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.

Council Meeting - August 25, 2026

Transcript