East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council Meeting – June 24, 2026

The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council held a regular meeting on June 24, 2026, beginning with a presentation portion featuring recognitions of summer camps, faith leaders, and veterans, followed by the regular agenda including consent items, public hearings, numerous routine approvals, and a detailed presentation on the CPERS pension system by the board and independent actuaries. The meeting concluded with emergency items and a reconsidered administrative matter.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the June 10, 2026 Metropolitan Council meeting and the June 17, 2026 zoning meeting (motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilman Dunn Jr., carried).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tasha Mateira requested an additional extension on her condemnation item 89 due to difficulty obtaining a structural engineer; Councilwoman Coleman advised her to work with her legislative assistant.
• During the CPERS presentation, council members questioned consultants and board members about the pension study, proposed changes, and feasibility of a defined contribution plan. Councilman Hearst expressed concern that reducing benefits (e.g., drop modifications) could make retiring employees poorer. Councilman Dunn Jr. and others questioned the impact of splitting contribution rates between public safety and non-public safety, the unfunded accrued liability (UAL), and the withdrawal liability related to the City of St. George. Councilwoman Rocka asked about national averages for contribution rates (48.8% for public safety is high compared to 20–25% typical for other municipalities, even accounting for Social Security).

Discussion Items

• CPERS Pension Review Presentation (Item 139): Kevin Sullivan (USI actuary) presented an overview of the plan’s funded status (declining from over 70% in 2013 to 60–65% in 2024), increasing employer contribution rates (now over 40%), and sources of losses (investment returns, salary surprises, the DROP program, etc.). He outlined six proposed plan design options for non-public safety and several for public safety, all aimed at reducing risk rather than cutting core benefit multipliers. The board recommended splitting the employee base into public safety and non-public safety, eliminating free military time purchase, eliminating the non-vested death benefit (spousal $600/month for non-service-connected deaths), reducing the DROP from five years to three years with interest starting only at termination, and removing the two-for-one leave trade option. These changes would apply only to future hires. Investment consultant John Breth reported that CPERS’ portfolio is broadly diversified and in line with peer systems, but recent market volatility has contributed to actuarial losses. Shelley Johnson, actuary, explained that splitting the employer rate would reduce non-public safety rate from 38.1% to 34.5% and increase public safety rate to 48.8% (based on 2027 valuation). Board chair Jay Daniels confirmed the board is open to additional council input before its July meeting.
• Administrative Matter (Reconsidered): Authorizing amended subrecipient agreement with East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority for Cyprus at Ardendale Phase 1 affordable housing project using ARPA funds. The amendment clarifies payment flows among layered entities (Partner Southeast, LP) to ensure compliance with a disbursement-based framework. Project is built and occupied; final payments to contractors (e.g., Milton Womack contractors) are pending. CSRS representative confirmed minimal risk with the restated agreement. Motion carried after reconsideration.
• Other Items: Numerous routine items approved: leases, donations (police vests, ShotSpotter contract, Ryan White HIV/AIDS funding), professional services contracts (traffic data collection, EMS blood program with LifeShare Blood Center), change orders, adjudicated properties, and appointments deferred to July meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar & Introductions: Approved as read (motions carried).
• Condemnations: Proceed with most items; 30-day extensions for items 77, 80, 89; 60 days for item 90; 90 days for items 74 and 87; delete item 82. Defer items 111, 125, 128 to July meeting.
• Item 93 (Bayou Found Economic Development District cooperative endeavor): Deferred to August 26, 2026 (motion by Councilwoman Rocka, second by Councilwoman Amorosa, carried).
• Items 94–108: All approved with no opposition (various motions).
• Item 109 (EMS blood products contract): Approved (motion by Councilman Goday, second by Councilwoman Coleman, carried).
• Adjudicated Properties (110–130): Approved with deletions (113, 121) and deferrals (111, 125, 128) (motion by Councilman Dunn Jr., second by Councilman Hearst, carried).
• Appointments (131–135): All deferred to July meeting except item 135 (Housing Authority reappointment of Brandon Kelly) – motion carried to defer as well, but Councilwoman Coleman later moved to reconsider 134 for Beverly Clayburn; deferred to July 22 to confirm residency.
• Change Orders (136–138): Approved (motion carried).
• CPERS Report: Received for information; no formal action taken. Council members requested further analysis of full reform options, including defined contribution plans and voluntary options for current employees. Board will consider input at its July meeting.
• Emergency Items (140–144): All approved: official journal (Advocate), hospital assessment due date extension, workforce contract extension (Eckard Connects through state single-state transition), library janitorial contract renewal, rescheduling July 15 meeting to July 22 at 3:30 p.m. (motions carried).
• Reconsidered Administrative Matter (Cyprus at Ardendale): Motion to waive rules carried with no objection; then item debated and approved (motion by Councilman Hearst, second by Councilman Kenny, carried).