OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

Parish Council & Boards — Monday, December 1, 2025
BodySt Charles Parish, Louisiana
SessionParish Council & Boards
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening and welcome to the St.

0:04

Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, December 1st, 2025 at 6 p.m.

0:08

in the council chambers in the parish courthouse.

0:10

Please silence all electronic devices and remove all hats.

0:14

This meeting is called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance from Pastor John Ponder with Life Assembly Church of God and Bootsy.

0:30

Amen.

0:32

Let's recite the pledge together.

0:36

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic.

0:43

And one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:50

Let's pray.

0:52

Lord, I thank you today for this group of men and women that are gathered here today.

1:00

Lord, I thank you for the wisdom that fills this room, Lord.

1:03

I thank you for the life that you have breathed into us, God.

1:08

Lord, your word says in James chapter one that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask of God who gives generously to all people without finding fault, Lord.

1:20

And I pray that today upon everyone that is in this room, Lord, that you would pour out your wisdom, godly wisdom, Lord, and make godly decisions.

1:30

Lord, I pray that during this season, Lord, that you would continue to bless the families, Lord, the men, the women, the husband, the wife, the children that are represented here today, God.

1:44

Thank you for planning us in this nation, Lord, where we Lord, we we get to make laws, Lord, and we get to live under God freedom.

1:55

And Lord Jesus today, as we stand here as we breathe here today, Lord, let your wisdom flow with freedom in this room, be a blessing to every family.

2:09

Oh God, to every person, we pray in Jesus' name.

2:14

Amen.

2:15

Amen.

2:18

Thank you, Pastor Ponder.

2:20

Approval of the minutes, a motion and second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of November 17th, 2025.

2:27

We have a motion by Councilman Carmadell, second by Councilwoman de Rouye.

2:31

Please cast your votes.

2:39

And that passes unanimously.

2:41

Councilwoman Skiba and Councilman Fisher will not be in attendance tonight.

2:47

Special business, proclamations, canvas returns, etc.

2:51

File number 2025-0361.

2:54

Proclamation, toy and gift fund, Parish President Jewel.

2:57

Thank you, Chairwoman.

2:58

Proclamation.

2:59

Whereas many individuals in the community would like to share their material and monetary blessings with other individuals.

3:05

And whereas through the years, many individuals, organizations, and agencies have assisted families in St.

3:11

Charles Parish by means of a toy and gift fund.

3:14

And whereas the St.

3:15

Charles Parish Council and the Parish President recognize this fund as a very worthwhile community service.

3:20

Now therefore be it resolved that we, the members of the St.

3:23

Charles Parish Council, and the Parish President to hereby proclaim December 13th, 2025 as Toy and Gift Fund Day in St.

3:31

Charles Parish and here to access except as Miss Jeannie Araby.

4:21

And we would love to see all yellow.

4:22

They are on the 13th.

4:25

Starts at nine.

4:27

Thank you.

4:29

Thank you, Miss Araby.

4:35

Reports, finance and administrative activities.

4:38

File number 2025-0364, River Parish Transit Authority.

4:43

We have received a request from the River Parish Transit Authority to defer their 2025 report to Monday, January 12th, 2026.

4:52

That council meeting.

5:00

And we have Mr.

5:01

Patrick Beard here to report.

5:12

Alright.

5:13

So I appreciate y'all having me here.

5:15

Appreciate a continued support of the collective goal to strengthen St.

5:19

Charles Parish's business climate.

5:22

Y'all know I'm only a few months in, but in the last four months since I've started, really taken uh you know quick uh quick learning of who the key industries are, the key businesses are, and uh start to work towards uh past developing those relationships and into kind of the next step, right?

5:44

And so we'll start with the departmental overview, uh, go into St.

5:47

Charles Parish economy and then what's ahead in 2026.

5:50

What changes do we see now that I've got my feet firmly on the ground here?

5:55

And so we'll start with the current department chart, which is probably the leanest, I would assume.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural███████████████15%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Religious Affairs███3%
Workforce Development███3%
Floodplain Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Parish Courthouse in Hahnville. Seven council members were present (Mobley, Fonseca, Wilson, Pilié, Comardelle, O'Daniels, deBruler); Councilmembers Skiba and Fisher were absent. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, a proclamation, several reports, introduction of new ordinances, public hearings on previously introduced items, appointments to boards, and adoption of the 2026 meeting schedule and leadership.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the regular meeting of November 17, 2025, were approved unanimously (7-0, with two absent).

Reports

  • River Parishes Transit Authority: Chairman Fonseca announced that a request had been received to defer the 2025 report to the Monday, January 12, 2026 parish council meeting. The deferral was granted.
  • Department of Economic Development & Tourism: Director Patrick Beard presented a detailed report. He highlighted that St. Charles Parish has the eighth-largest economy in Louisiana by GDP while being the 21st-largest by population, producing approximately $210,000 in GDP per resident. The parish's unemployment rate is 3.7%, well below the state average of 4.2%. Approximately $15 billion in announced capital projects are underway, representing over 500 jobs. Beard outlined plans to hire a business engagement specialist (a “concierge”) to provide a one-stop shop for business support, and announced a business meet-and-greet on December 9, 2025 at River Parishes Community College. Council members discussed the need for proactive support for small businesses and the role of the new position in tracking permits and building relationships.
  • Parish President Remarks/Report: President Matthew Jewell reported on several initiatives: the Ormond Jack and Bore drainage improvement groundbreaking scheduled for December 2, 2025 at 9 AM; clearing and widening of the CC Road Canal, which has improved drainage; progress on the Montz 1 and Montz 2 pump stations, including reopening CC Road to traffic; and the successful biannual emergency drill for Waterford 3 nuclear plant. He also noted that approximately $60 million in capital improvements (drainage, roads, pump stations, recreation) are either completed, under construction, or out for bid. The Toy and Gift Fund Day event is set for December 13, 2025 at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center.

Ordinances Introduced for Publication / Public Hearing (Scheduled for December 15, 2025)

The following ordinances were introduced without opposition and scheduled for public hearing on December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM:

  • Change Order No. 1 for Edward A. Dufresne Community Center Chiller Replacement (decrease of $30,990.93)
  • Two ordinances for Limited Tax Bonds (ARC) in the amount of $3,735,000 (File 2025-0362 was postponed indefinitely from introduction; a substantially identical ordinance, 2025-0367, was introduced)
  • Budget amendment for 2025 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget
  • Change Order No. 1 for East Bank Bridge Park Improvements (time extension of 161 days)
  • Polling Place Lease Agreements with five volunteer fire departments and United Steel Workers Local 750
  • Ordinance to amend fees for copies of documents
  • Ordinance to amend the 2026 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget

Planning & Zoning Petition (Public Hearing & Vote)

  • File 2025-0358 – Rezoning from R-1A(M) to M-1 at 180 Almedia Road, St. Rose: The applicant, Karen Abate, requested a zoning change from single-family residential with manufactured homes to light manufacturing. The Planning & Zoning Department and the Planning Commission both recommended denial, finding the proposal met none of the three criteria. Councilwoman O'Daniels, in whose district the property lies, spoke against the rezoning, stating it would eliminate a buffer between existing M-1 and residential areas. The public hearing was held with no speakers. The council voted unanimously (7-0) to deny the ordinance.

Ordinances Scheduled for Public Hearing (Introduced at Previous Meeting) – Votes

Three public hearings were held; no members of the public spoke on any item. Each ordinance passed unanimously (7-0):

  • File 2025-0341 – Change Order No. 1 (Final) for Phase 3 Water Main Replacement in Bonnet Carre Spillway: Decreased the contract amount by $35,294. (Enactment No. 25-12-1)
  • File 2025-0342 – Road and Bridges Capital Program Budget for FY 2026-2028: Required by the Parish Transportation Act for $500,000 annual grant; totals $1.5 million for 2026 and $500,000 for each of 2027 and 2028. (Enactment No. 25-12-2)
  • File 2025-0351 – Installation of an All-Way Stop sign at Pitre Street, Fairfield Oaks Plantation Subdivision, St. Rose: Sponsored by Councilwoman O'Daniels to address safety concerns at a sharp curve. (Enactment No. 25-12-3)

Appointments

  • Board of Adjustment – District II: Deferred to the December 15, 2025 council meeting.
  • Board of Adjustment – District IV: Mr. Clyde H. Maddox was confirmed for a four-year term (2025-2029). (Resolution No. 6876)
  • Board of Adjustment – District V: Mr. John T. Lambert was confirmed for a four-year term. (Resolution No. 6877)
  • Board of Adjustment – District VI: Mr. David P. Bleakley was confirmed for a four-year term. (Resolution No. 6878)
  • Housing Authority – Council Ex-Officio: Nominations were accepted; Councilwoman Michele deBruler was nominated by Councilman Comardelle. No other nominations were made, and the nomination was closed. The appointment will be formally confirmed at a subsequent meeting.
  • South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority Board: The vacancy was announced; nominations will be accepted on December 15, 2025.

Special Matters

  • 2026 Parish Council Meeting Schedule (File 2025-0353): The council adopted the 2026 meeting schedule as amended (moved the July 6 meeting to July 13). The amendment and adoption both passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Presiding Officer for 2026 – Chairman: Councilman Walter Pilié was confirmed as Chairman for 2026 (unanimous).
  • Presiding Officer for 2026 – Vice-Chairman: Councilwoman Michele deBruler was confirmed as Vice-Chairman for 2026 (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

  • All three ordinances on the public hearing agenda were enacted unanimously.
  • The rezoning petition was denied unanimously.
  • Four Board of Adjustment appointments were confirmed (one deferred).
  • The 2026 meeting schedule was adopted with an amendment.
  • Council leadership for 2026 was confirmed: Chairman Pilié, Vice-Chairman deBruler.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the St. Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, December 1st, 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 order with the Pledge of Allegiance with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance from Pastor John Ponder with Life Assembly Church of God and Bootsy. Amen. Let's recite the pledge together. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic. And one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Let's pray. Lord, I thank you today for this group of men and women that are gathered here today. Lord, I thank you for the wisdom that fills this room, Lord. I thank you for the life that you have breathed into us, God. Lord, your word says in James chapter one that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask of God who gives generously to all people without finding fault, Lord. And I pray that today upon everyone that is in this room, Lord, that you would pour out your wisdom, godly wisdom, Lord, and make godly decisions. Lord, I pray that during this season, Lord, that you would continue to bless the families, Lord, the men, the women, the husband, the wife, the children that are represented here today, God. Thank you for planning us in this nation, Lord, where we Lord, we we get to make laws, Lord, and we get to live under God freedom. And Lord Jesus today, as we stand here as we breathe here today, Lord, let your wisdom flow with freedom in this room, be a blessing to every family. Oh God, to every person, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Ponder. Approval of the minutes, a motion and second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of November 17th, 2025. We have a motion by Councilman Carmadell, second by Councilwoman de Rouye. Please cast your votes. And that passes unanimously. Councilwoman Skiba and Councilman Fisher will not be in attendance tonight. Special business, proclamations, canvas returns, etc. File number 2025-0361. Proclamation, toy and gift fund, Parish President Jewel. Thank you, Chairwoman. Proclamation. Whereas many individuals in the community would like to share their material and monetary blessings with other individuals. And whereas through the years, many individuals, organizations, and agencies have assisted families in St. Charles Parish by means of a toy and gift fund. And whereas the St. Charles Parish Council and the Parish President recognize this fund as a very worthwhile community service. Now therefore be it resolved that we, the members of the St. Charles Parish Council, and the Parish President to hereby proclaim December 13th, 2025 as Toy and Gift Fund Day in St. Charles Parish and here to access except as Miss Jeannie Araby. And we would love to see all yellow. They are on the 13th. Starts at nine. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Araby. Reports, finance and administrative activities. File number 2025-0364, River Parish Transit Authority. We have received a request from the River Parish Transit Authority to defer their 2025 report to Monday, January 12th, 2026. That council meeting. And we have Mr.

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