OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Regular Meeting & Budget Hearing – November 3, 2025

Parish Council & Boards — Tuesday, November 4, 2025
BodySt Charles Parish, Louisiana
SessionParish Council & Boards
DateTuesday, November 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:35:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening and welcome to the St.

0:03

Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 6 p.m.

0:07

in the council chambers in the parish courthouse.

0:10

Please silence all electronic devices and remove all hats.

0:13

This meeting is called to an order with the prayer and pledge of allegiance from Pastor Thomas Hines with Hope Church and Destroying.

0:24

Well, good evening.

0:25

Thank you for the opportunity.

0:27

Let's pray.

0:28

Father, we love you.

0:29

We thank you for this day.

0:30

We thank you, Lord, for your blessings and protection.

0:33

Lord, it's been a good year.

0:34

You've helped us.

0:35

You've blessed us.

0:36

You've protected us.

0:37

You've kept us.

0:38

Lord, you provided for us.

0:40

And Lord, I pray that you'd continue, Lord, to help us to grow and to expand and do the work of making our parish better.

0:47

Lord, I pray that you would bless the men and women who have given their time, their effort, and their energy were to make this happen, that you would keep them and uh protect our parish government and all the departments that are working hard to do their jobs and to make this community the best it can be.

1:02

Lord, I pray your blessing on this meeting.

1:04

You know the things that need to happen, Lord, and I ask you, Lord, to lead them with wisdom and give them the guidance that they need, Lord, to continue to do this work.

1:14

We ask you to bless this meeting in Jesus' name.

1:16

We pray.

1:17

Amen.

1:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans.

1:27

One nation under God and divisible with liberty to do justice for all.

1:32

Thank you.

1:35

Thank you, Pastor Hines.

1:36

Approval of the minutes, a motion and a second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of October 20th, 2025.

1:42

We have a motion by Councilman Comradale, second by Councilman Pellier.

1:45

Please cast your votes.

1:56

And that passes unanimously.

1:58

Special business, proclamations, canvas returns, etc.

2:02

Bond number 2025-0333 proclamation, National Adoption Day.

2:07

Councilman Mobley.

2:10

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:13

Proclamation, whereas National Adoption Day was established in 1999 by a coalition of national partners, including Alliance for Children's Rights, the Children's Action Network, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

2:31

And whereas in 2002, the coalition gained the support of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and by 2003, there were already 120 jurisdictions nationwide observing National Adoption Day.

2:50

And whereas there are currently many thousands of children in the adoption system waiting to be adopted from foster care to their forever homes.

3:00

And whereas National Adoption Day is commemorated every year every year in the United States on to Saturday before Thanksgiving.

3:11

This day focuses on children waiting for permanent loving families.

3:16

And whereas during this annual event, courts and organizations in more than 400 communities across the country have opened their doors to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care.

3:29

And whereas since its inception, more than 90,000 children in foster care have been adopted on National Adoption Day.

3:40

And whereas the key goal of National Adoption Day is to raise awareness of foster children in need of new families through adoption.

3:49

Now therefore, be it resolved.

3:56

Do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 as National Adoption Day in St.

4:04

Charles Parish and encourage all citizens to recognize the importance of adoption and share the belief that every child deserves a permanent home and loving family.

4:17

And I believe we have Miss Shaw to accept this proclamation.

5:13

Good evening, everyone.

5:15

My name is Crystal Shard.

5:16

I am the adoption supervisor for Tippado Region.

5:19

I just wanted to inform you all that um last adoption year, which ran through October 1st through September 30th.

5:28

We finalized 78 adoptions across the uh the seven parishes that we um currently have children in foster care.

5:36

So I believe that was a big uh a big accomplishment for our area um due to everything that has happened over the last year or so affecting our different parishes.

5:47

We were still able to get those children adopted and they are now in their forever homes.

5:52

So I want to thank you all for recognizing our area uh for for giving us a proclamation.

5:59

Thank you all.

6:05

Thank you, Ms.

6:05

Short.

6:07

Reports, finance and administrative activities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Energy Regulation█████████████████████21%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Public Safety█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Data Center Regulation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Regular Meeting & Budget Hearing – November 3, 2025

The St. Charles Parish Council met on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Courthouse in Hahnville. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, a proclamation for National Adoption Day, reports from the Wastewater Department and the Louisiana Public Service Commission, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget with amendments, approval of several professional services and construction contracts, and appointments to boards and commissions. All votes were unanimous (9-0) except where noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from the regular meeting of October 20, 2025, approved unanimously.
  • Introduction of ordinances for publication (set for public hearing November 17, 2025):
    • Limited Tax Bond (ARC) up to $4,000,000.
    • Professional Services Agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants Corp. for West Bank B Plant Clarifier Upgrade ($123,256).
    • Change Order No. 1 for Montz Pump Station No. 1 ($111,702.07 increase).
    • Act of Dedication for Ashton Plantation Phase 2-B Addendum No. 1, Luling.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public hearing portions of the budget or any of the ordinances/resolutions.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation – National Adoption Day (2025-0333): Councilmember Mobley read the proclamation declaring Saturday, November 22, 2025, as National Adoption Day. Crystal Shard, Adoption Supervisor for the Tippado Region, accepted and noted that 78 adoptions were finalized in the region in the past year (October 1–September 30).
  • Wastewater Department Report (2025-0335): Director David deGeneres reported on assets (211 miles gravity lines, 3 treatment plants, 208 lift stations, etc.), ongoing projects (Destrehan plant 50% complete, Hahnville plant $14M upgrade design 30% complete), and 2025 accomplishments (in-house pump repairs, lift station upgrades). Councilmembers asked about St. Rose area flow capacity and the Kandler lift station timeline.
  • Public Service Commission Reports (2025-0334): Commissioner Eric Skrmetta spoke first, highlighting the Meta Data Center in Richland Parish ($27B project, 500 direct jobs) and Hyundai Steel’s $5.8B mill in Donaldsonville. He announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate in 2026 and discussed his book and energy policy positions. Commissioner Davante Lewis arrived later and reported on Entergy’s resiliency program (425 poles hardened, 2 projects completed), approval of an energy efficiency program starting January 1, 2026, with 15% for seniors and low-income customers, and the transition of gas distribution to Delta Utilities (no rate adjustment). He answered questions about power outages in District 1, reliability rules, and utility pole coordination issues raised by Councilmembers Wilson, Pilié, and Fisher. Councilmember Fisher noted ongoing communication failures among utilities using the “Engine” system.
  • Parish President Remarks/Report (2025-0337): Not presented.
  • Budget Hearing – FY2026 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget (2025-0161):
    • Amendment No. 10 (cosmetic): Changed Hahnville Treatment Plant Expansion loan from $10M to $14M to include a $4M transfer from General Fund (approved unanimously).
    • Amendment No. 11 (sponsored by Councilwoman O’Daniels): Reduced District 5 General Fund accounts by $31,625 and transferred $10,540 to emergency food assistance and $21,085 to home safety repairs (approved unanimously).
    • Amendment No. 12 (sponsored by Councilwoman Wilson): Reduced District 1 General Fund accounts by $25,360 and transferred $12,680 to rental assistance and $12,680 to emergency food assistance (approved unanimously).
    • Councilwoman O’Daniels gave a statement recommending a long-term plan to increase the minimum general fund balance from $7 million to $10 million, citing Hurricane Ida’s $43.6M in emergency costs and the $20M bond taken. She did not make a motion at this meeting but asked for future consideration. Finance Director Grant Dussom confirmed the current general fund balance is $7,178,252.
  • Ordinances Scheduled for Public Hearing (Introduced Previously):
    • Zoning change (2025-0319): Rezoned Lot 52, Oak Ridge Park from R-1A(M) to R-2; approved unanimously.
    • Professional Services Agreement with Principal Engineering for Fairfield and Oakland Drainage Improvements ($787,285.30) – approved unanimously.
    • Professional Services Agreement with Hartman Engineering for Cousins Pump Station T-Wall ($219,200) – approved unanimously.
    • Environmental services agreements with ELOS Environmental for Turtle Pond ($89,000) and Fairfield/Oakland ($73,999) – approved unanimously.
    • Contract with Pintail Contracting for West Bank D Plant Clarifier Upgrade ($2,782,000) – approved unanimously.
  • Resolutions – Cooperative Endeavor Agreements:
    • $20,000 for Boutte Community Park (basketball court renovation and pavilion) – approved unanimously.
    • $20,000 for Killona Park (basketball court renovation) – approved unanimously.
    • $250,000 for Des Allemands Bulkhead (next phase) – approved unanimously.
  • Appointments:
    • Lindsey Tullier appointed to Library Board of Control as District II Representative (unexpired term ending April 1, 2026) – approved unanimously.
    • Councilmember Pilié nominated Ed Griffin to the Planning & Zoning Commission as District III Representative (term ending May 31, 2029); nominations closed unanimously; vote scheduled for November 17.
    • Vacancies announced for Board of Adjustment (Districts II, IV, V, VI) – appointments to be made November 17.

Key Outcomes

  • All ordinances and resolutions before the council were approved unanimously (9-0).
  • The FY2026 budget was adopted as amended (Enactment No. 25-11-2).
  • Councilwoman O’Daniels signaled a future ordinance to raise the minimum general fund balance to $10 million via annual $500,000 transfers.
  • Commission Lewis committed to follow up on power outages in District 1 and to expedite a penalty rule for utility pole coordination.
  • The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the St. Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers in the parish courthouse. Please silence all electronic devices and remove all hats. This meeting is called to an order with the prayer and pledge of allegiance from Pastor Thomas Hines with Hope Church and Destroying. Well, good evening. Thank you for the opportunity. Let's pray. Father, we love you. We thank you for this day. We thank you, Lord, for your blessings and protection. Lord, it's been a good year. You've helped us. You've blessed us. You've protected us. You've kept us. Lord, you provided for us. And Lord, I pray that you'd continue, Lord, to help us to grow and to expand and do the work of making our parish better. Lord, I pray that you would bless the men and women who have given their time, their effort, and their energy were to make this happen, that you would keep them and uh protect our parish government and all the departments that are working hard to do their jobs and to make this community the best it can be. Lord, I pray your blessing on this meeting. You know the things that need to happen, Lord, and I ask you, Lord, to lead them with wisdom and give them the guidance that they need, Lord, to continue to do this work. We ask you to bless this meeting in Jesus' name. We pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans. One nation under God and divisible with liberty to do justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Hines. Approval of the minutes, a motion and a second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of October 20th, 2025. We have a motion by Councilman Comradale, second by Councilman Pellier. Please cast your votes. And that passes unanimously. Special business, proclamations, canvas returns, etc. Bond number 2025-0333 proclamation, National Adoption Day. Councilman Mobley. Thank you, Madam Chair. Proclamation, whereas National Adoption Day was established in 1999 by a coalition of national partners, including Alliance for Children's Rights, the Children's Action Network, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. And whereas in 2002, the coalition gained the support of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and by 2003, there were already 120 jurisdictions nationwide observing National Adoption Day. And whereas there are currently many thousands of children in the adoption system waiting to be adopted from foster care to their forever homes. And whereas National Adoption Day is commemorated every year every year in the United States on to Saturday before Thanksgiving. This day focuses on children waiting for permanent loving families. And whereas during this annual event, courts and organizations in more than 400 communities across the country have opened their doors to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care. And whereas since its inception, more than 90,000 children in foster care have been adopted on National Adoption Day. And whereas the key goal of National Adoption Day is to raise awareness of foster children in need of new families through adoption. Now therefore, be it resolved. Do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 as National Adoption Day in St. Charles Parish and encourage all citizens to recognize the importance of adoption and share the belief that every child deserves a permanent home and loving family. And I believe we have Miss Shaw to accept this proclamation. Good evening, everyone. My name is Crystal Shard.

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