St. Charles Parish Council Meeting – November 17, 2025

The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, reports, public hearings on ordinances, a redistricting resolution, appointments, and nominations for 2026 leadership. All votes on items requiring a vote were 8-0 in favor, with Councilwoman La Sandra D. Wilson absent.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the budget hearing of October 28, 2025, the budget hearing of October 30, 2025, and the regular meeting and budget hearing of November 3, 2025, were approved unanimously (8-0).

Special Business (Proclamations & Recognitions)

• Frances “Annie” F. Harmon was recognized for service on the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control (District 2 representative, April 5, 2021 – September 30, 2025).
• Webb Jay was recognized for service on the Planning & Zoning Commission (District 3 representative, December 16, 2024 – October 1, 2025).
• Malachi Duc Zeringue was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout (earned August 11, 2025; ceremony October 19, 2025; 31 merit badges; service project at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter).
• Proclamation: Norco Christmas Parade Day – December 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM (theme: “Norco Noel, Santa celebrates Norco’s 100 years”).
• Proclamation: Christmas Celebration – December 10, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center, Luling.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the public hearings for ordinances 2025-0338, 2025-0339, and 2025-0340.
• During the public comment period for Resolution 2025-0357 (redistricting), Josh Manning of the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) stated that the Commission was approached by the Registrar of Voters to explore a minor adjustment to the redistricting plan and is willing to work on it if the council desires.

Reports (Finance and Administrative Activities)

• Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Report – Director Tommy Scott presented the annual report. Highlights: the program is a tri-parish consortium; local unemployment rates (August 2025): St. Charles 3.7%, St. John 5.1%, St. James 5.0% (state average 4.3%); the program met or exceeded all performance measures. Discussion included rapid response coordination for layoffs (e.g., Southern Glazer’s relocation and PauseGen layoff) and services for all ages. Council questions addressed the Wagner-Peyser staff and team composition.
• Contract Monitor Report – Justin Tassin reported on solid waste (approx. 37,000 carts/week, <1% complaint ratio, $10,000+ saved annually through auditing), streetlights (over 500 repaired in 2025, new tracking system saving $1,000/month), litter cleanup (Trash Bash: 782 volunteers, 450+ bags, 215 miles), household hazardous waste (340 vehicles, 56,000 lbs collected, 56.9% recycled, 18 sponsors), mosquito control (nearly 10,000 miles, 380,000 acres sprayed, 157 service calls, 22,000 acres aerial sprayed), and emergency debris preparedness (five certified debris sites; attended training in Tangipahoa Parish). Council members praised responsiveness and the new tracking systems.
• Parish President Remarks/Report – President Matthew Jewell provided updates: BNSF railroad crossing on Barton Avenue will be closed on November 18, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM for panel replacement; canal cleaning in St. Rose using a marsh buggy; waterworks billing office field trip to understand operations; outdoor classroom in the Spillway (donation of $162,000 from Dow) expected to be complete in a few months; levee bench project complete (15 concrete benches installed; 9 on east bank, 6 on west bank); senior Christmas luncheon on December 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM (registration opens November 26, 2025); announcement that the Winn-Dixie in Destrehan will convert to a Rouses, opening January 12, 2026.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2025-0336 (Limited Tax Bond, ARC, up to $4,000,000) – Postponed indefinitely per administration request; motion carried 8-0.
• Ordinance 2025-0338 (Professional Services Agreement for West Bank B Plant Clarifier Upgrade, $123,256) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Waterworks Director Gregory Gorden described the design of a new clarifier with stainless steel parts. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-8.
• Ordinance 2025-0339 (Change Order No. 1 for Montz Pump Station No. 1, increase of $111,702.07) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Senior Projects Manager Sam Scholle explained four items: increased concrete piles, lengthened batter pile for test pile, breaker frame sizing coordination with generator (normal due to public bid law), and capping an abandoned natural gas line. Council members noted due diligence and normal project contingencies. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-9.
• Ordinance 2025-0340 (Act of Dedication for Ashton Plantation Phase 2-B Addendum No. 1, Luling) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Planning & Zoning Director Michael Albert confirmed all fees paid and approvals received. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-10.
• Resolution 2025-0357 (Redistricting request to SCPDC) – An amendment was introduced to correct street names: replace “Boutte Project Road” with “Boutte Estates Drive, south of Tinney Street” in the summary, second whereas, and now therefore paragraphs. The amendment carried unanimously. As amended, the resolution requests SCPDC to explore and, if feasible, prepare a redistricting ordinance to align Pit Road, Alexander Street, and Boutte Estates Drive (all south of Tinney Street) within a single council district. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 6874.
• Ordinances Introduced for Public Hearing (December 1, 2025): 2025-0341 (Water Main Replacement change order), 2025-0342 (Road and Bridges Capital Program Budget FY 2026-2028), 2025-0351 (All-Way Stop sign on Pitre Street), and 2025-0358 (Zoning change on Almedia Road) were scheduled for public hearing on December 1, 2025.
• Tabled Ordinance: File 2025-0305 (Fees for copies of documents) was postponed indefinitely per Council Rule 8 (appeared on two subsequent agendas).

Appointments

• Planning & Zoning Commission, District III – Mr. Ed Griffin was appointed unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 6875.
• Board of Adjustment, District II – Deferred to the December 1, 2025 meeting.
• Board of Adjustment, District IV – Nomination accepted: Mr. Clyde H. Maddox (nominated by Councilman Comardelle). Nominations closed; no final vote taken.
• Board of Adjustment, District V – Nomination accepted: Mr. John Lambert (nominated by Councilwoman O’Daniels). Nominations closed; no final vote taken.
• Board of Adjustment, District VI – Nomination accepted: Mr. David P. Bleakley (nominated by Councilman Fisher). Nominations closed; no final vote taken.
• Housing Authority Council Ex-Officio – Vacancy announced; nominations to be accepted December 1, 2025 (term January 9, 2026 – January 9, 2027).

Special Matters – 2026 Leadership Nominations

• Chairman – Councilman Walter Pilié was nominated (by Councilwoman O’Daniels). Nominations closed; confirmation set for December 1, 2025.
• Vice-Chairman – Councilwoman Michele deBruler was nominated (by Councilman Comardelle). Nominations closed; confirmation set for December 1, 2025.
• The 2026 Council meeting schedule was reviewed; adoption scheduled for December 1, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• All 12 votes on motions and enactments were 8-0 (with Councilwoman Wilson absent).
• Minutes approved.
• Five proclamations/recognitions read.
• WIOA and Contract Monitor reports accepted.
• Three ordinances enacted (2025-0338, 0339, 0340).
• One bond ordinance postponed indefinitely.
• One tabled ordinance postponed indefinitely.
• Redistricting resolution amended and adopted.
• One appointment confirmed (Ed Griffin to Planning & Zoning).
• Board of Adjustment nominations accepted for Districts IV, V, and VI; appointments pending final vote.
• Nominations for 2026 Chairman and Vice-Chairman accepted; confirmation set for December 1, 2025.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:13 PM.