OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - December 15, 2025

Parish Council & Boards — Monday, December 15, 2025
BodySt Charles Parish, Louisiana
SessionParish Council & Boards
DateMonday, December 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:34:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Good evening and welcome to the St.

0:06

Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, December 15th, 2025, at 6 PM in the Council Chambers in the parish courthouse.

0:13

Please silence all devices and remove all hats.

0:16

This meeting is called to order with a prayer and a pledge of allegiance from Pastor Alice Bouti with New Life Community Church in Luling.

0:27

Thank you for letting me come here and pray for all of you and for this meeting.

0:31

Let us pray.

0:33

God, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer, as your anointed leaders and called prophets of old, this council is the ones today.

0:44

Here to guide as true representatives and authentic leaders.

0:49

Men and women who love your people and can walk with them, who feel their pain and share their joys, who dream their dreams, and strive to accompany them to their common goal.

1:03

In your fire with your spirit, feel their hearts and minds with your will and purposes for our world.

1:10

Embolden and commission them to transform the structures and the systems to serve your people.

1:18

May the business conducted tonight bring real glory to your name through Jesus Christ our Lord and all of God's children say Amen.

1:30

Now please join us in pledge.

1:41

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

1:47

Thank you.

1:49

Thank you, Pastor Bouti.

1:51

Approval of the minutes, a motion and the second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of December first, 2025.

1:57

I have a motion by Councilman Skiba, second by Councilwoman O'Daniels, please cast your votes.

2:08

And that passes unanimously.

3:00

And whereas Terry Othamaugh graduated from River Oaks Academy and received electrician and instrumentation training in Baton Rouge and Laplace.

3:08

He retired from Monsanto Chemical at 33 years of service.

3:12

He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman.

3:19

And whereas Terry Other had an extensive record as an elected official representing St.

3:24

Charles Parish, he was first elected to the parish council in 1995 as the District 4 Councilman and was re-elected for a second term in 1999.

3:34

In 2007, he was elected as Councilman at Large, Division B.

3:40

He served as Council Vice Chairman in 2008 and Council Chairman in 2009.

3:45

And whereas Terry Otham loved meeting people and had an engaging spirit, was constantly thinking of others before himself.

3:58

And whereas on behalf of all citizens of St.

4:01

Charles Parish, the parish council, and the parish president, we proudly posthumously honor Terry Paul Otham for his exceptional service to our parish and his legacy as a devoted and loving family man.

4:16

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

4:19

Charles Parish Council and the Parish President, duly assembled on this fifteenth day of December, 2025, do hereby express our sincere sympathy to the family of Terry Paul Othermaw, June 10th, 1952 to October 13, 2025.

4:38

Be it further resolved that a page in the official minute book of the St.

4:41

Charles Parish Council be set aside to record this memorium, and when this meeting is adjourned, it shall be done in memory of Terry Paul Otherwal.

4:50

May he rest in peace.

4:51

And we have his daughter, Miss As Ashley Joyce and family here to accept.

6:09

My dad loved this parish.

6:11

He loved the people.

6:25

But I didn't in the last election because it gave us a lot of time with him that we wouldn't have had.

6:30

And I really appreciate that.

6:33

Um my dad taught me a lot about integrity, about doing what was right, not worrying about who liked you and who didn't.

6:42

But being able to lay your head at night on the pillow.

6:46

We all make mistakes, but life is short.

6:50

If you have a right, a wrong to make right, do it.

6:53

If you want to tell somebody you love them, don't wait, do it.

6:57

Um my dad told me a few nights before he passed, he said, I hope you have good memories of me.

7:05

I said, Dad, that's all I'm gonna have is good memories.

7:09

And he gave us a lot, but I want to thank everybody, the community.

7:13

He really loved this parish and the people.

7:16

And thank y'all so much for doing this.

7:18

I really appreciate it.

7:21

Thank y'all.

7:41

In recognition, Carly Estee Boudreaux, Festival of Charities, Miss Queen Six.

7:47

Councilman Comerdale.

7:49

Thank you, Madam Chair.

7:50

Whereas Carly S.

7:51

A.

7:51

Boudreau is a resident of La Hoosh Parish, residing in Lockport, Louisiana, she is the wife of Tyler Boudreau.

7:57

And whereas on December 8th, 2024, Carly was crowned the sixth festival of charities, Miss Queen at the annual festival of charities pageant held in Destrahan.

8:06

And whereas Carly will represent the Festival of Charities at the Down Sandra Association Greater New Orleans Buddy Walk and several fairs and festivals throughout Louisiana.

8:15

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

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████16%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Public Health██████6%
Public Records Access██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - December 15, 2025

This regular St. Charles Parish Council meeting, convened on December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers, Hahnville, featured unanimous approvals of a $3.735 million bond for the ARC, a resolution to call a hospital tax renewal election, and an ordinance updating public records copy fees. The council also recognized Festival of Charities queens, proclaimed National Blood Donor Month, and heard annual reports from the Council on Aging and the parish's external auditor. All votes were 9-0.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes – Minutes of the December 1, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
  • Proclamations and Recognitions (all read and accepted):
    • In Memoriam: Terry Paul Authement (former councilman)
    • In Recognition: Karly Estay Boudreaux (Festival of Charities Ms Queen VI)
    • In Recognition: Zoe Jolie’ Labit (Miss Queen XVII)
    • In Recognition: Mayah La’Shae August (Teen Queen XVII)
    • In Recognition: Alysia “Lecy” Marie Cazalot (Butterfly Queen)
    • In Recognition: Alexis Marie O’Connor (Ambassador Queen)
    • Proclamation: “National Blood Donor Month” (January 2026)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Joseph Coco (Destrehan) urged rejection of the proposed public records copy fee ordinance. He argued that charging 25 cents per page for digital records violates the Louisiana Constitution and the Attorney General’s opinion (15-0056), and cited an Ascension Parish court case that reversed a $10,000 fee. He stated the ordinance creates a “chilling effect” and does not align with the constitutional right to examine public documents.

Discussion Items

  • Limited Tax Bond (ARC) – $3,735,000 – Bond counsel Jason Akers explained the 10-year fixed-rate loan (3.99%) from Capital One Public Funding LLC will fund the ARC, paid solely from a voter-approved tax. Councilman Fisher commended the finance team for due diligence.
  • Hospital Service District No. 1 Tax Renewal Election – Resolution 2025-0387 authorizes a May 16, 2026 election for renewal of a special ad valorem tax at a reduced rate of 2.13 mills. CEO Keith Dacus noted the rate reduction and emphasized the tax is vital for facilities and ambulance services.
  • Council on Aging Annual Report – Executive Director April Keller reported serving over 11,000 meals, providing 9,000 hours of housekeeping, 2,000 hours of respite care, 6,000 hours of personal care, and 16,000 rides across seven parishes. The COA received $4.6 million in funding and invested $2.7 million in services.
  • Finance Department Audit – CPA Amy Verberne (Carr, Riggs & Ingram) presented a clean (unmodified) opinion for fiscal year 2024. Two minor compliance findings were noted: budget variances exceeded 5% in several special revenue funds. Net position increased due to capital projects (hurricane recovery, roads, drainage). Sales tax collections are tracking 6.65% higher year-to-date.
  • Parish President’s Report – Matthew Jewell highlighted: groundbreaking for the $10+ million Ormond Jack and Bore drainage project; Norco Christmas parade; Destrehand wastewater plant upgrade (replacing rotating bridges); Highway 18 closures for Cornerstone Energy Park construction; Christmas tree fire safety; 2025 Toy and Gift event serving nearly 1,300 children; and October sales tax anomalies that have been corrected.
  • Public Records Copy Fee Ordinance – Ordinance 2025-0359 amends Code Section 2-2 to set copy fees at 25 cents per page for digital documents, with exemptions. Councilwoman O’Daniels and Councilman Pilié sponsored it. After public comment and discussion, council approved.
  • Opt-Out of State Solar Farm Regulation – Resolution 2025-0390 opts out of Act 279 (2025) to retain local control over solar siting. Councilman Pilié presented a detailed comparison of state, parish, and Tangipahoa regulations, suggesting future legislative review. Councilwoman O’Daniels noted the need to preserve stricter decommissioning requirements. Unanimously approved.
  • Other Resolutions / Ordinances (all passed unanimously):
    • LA 52 Phase 2 Entity/State Agreement (DOTD funding)
    • Subdivision lot width waiver for John Winters
    • Change orders for Dufresne Community Center chiller (decrease $30,990.93) and East Bank Bridge Park lighting (time extension only)
    • Final 2025 budget amendment
    • Six polling place lease agreements (Ama/Luling, Bayou Gauche, Killona, Luling Central, Norco, and United Steel Workers)

Key Outcomes

  • All items (bond, resolutions, ordinances, appointments) passed unanimously, 9-0.
  • Amendment: Ordinance 2025-0371 was amended to correct the lessor from Ama Volunteer Fire Department to Luling Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Deferred: Appointment to the Board of Adjustment (District II) was deferred to the January 12, 2026 meeting at the request of Councilwoman Skiba.
  • Appointments: Councilwoman Michele deBruler was confirmed ex-officio to the Housing Authority (term Jan 2026–Jan 2027). Barbara Fuselier was reappointed to the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority Board (term through Jan 2029).
  • Next Meeting: The next regular council meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Parish holidays: Dec 24–25 and Dec 31–Jan 1.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the St. Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, December 15th, 2025, at 6 PM in the Council Chambers in the parish courthouse. Please silence all devices and remove all hats. This meeting is called to order with a prayer and a pledge of allegiance from Pastor Alice Bouti with New Life Community Church in Luling. Thank you for letting me come here and pray for all of you and for this meeting. Let us pray. God, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer, as your anointed leaders and called prophets of old, this council is the ones today. Here to guide as true representatives and authentic leaders. Men and women who love your people and can walk with them, who feel their pain and share their joys, who dream their dreams, and strive to accompany them to their common goal. In your fire with your spirit, feel their hearts and minds with your will and purposes for our world. Embolden and commission them to transform the structures and the systems to serve your people. May the business conducted tonight bring real glory to your name through Jesus Christ our Lord and all of God's children say Amen. Now please join us in pledge. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Bouti. Approval of the minutes, a motion and the second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of December first, 2025. I have a motion by Councilman Skiba, second by Councilwoman O'Daniels, please cast your votes. And that passes unanimously. And whereas Terry Othamaugh graduated from River Oaks Academy and received electrician and instrumentation training in Baton Rouge and Laplace. He retired from Monsanto Chemical at 33 years of service. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. And whereas Terry Other had an extensive record as an elected official representing St. Charles Parish, he was first elected to the parish council in 1995 as the District 4 Councilman and was re-elected for a second term in 1999. In 2007, he was elected as Councilman at Large, Division B. He served as Council Vice Chairman in 2008 and Council Chairman in 2009. And whereas Terry Otham loved meeting people and had an engaging spirit, was constantly thinking of others before himself. And whereas on behalf of all citizens of St. Charles Parish, the parish council, and the parish president, we proudly posthumously honor Terry Paul Otham for his exceptional service to our parish and his legacy as a devoted and loving family man. Now therefore be it resolved, we the members of the St. Charles Parish Council and the Parish President, duly assembled on this fifteenth day of December, 2025, do hereby express our sincere sympathy to the family of Terry Paul Othermaw, June 10th, 1952 to October 13, 2025. Be it further resolved that a page in the official minute book of the St. Charles Parish Council be set aside to record this memorium, and when this meeting is adjourned, it shall be done in memory of Terry Paul Otherwal. May he rest in peace. And we have his daughter, Miss As Ashley Joyce and family here to accept. My dad loved this parish. He loved the people. But I didn't in the last election because it gave us a lot of time with him that we wouldn't have had. And I really appreciate that. Um my dad taught me a lot about integrity, about doing what was right, not worrying about who liked you and who didn't. But being able to lay your head at night on the pillow. We all make mistakes, but life is short. If you have a right, a wrong to make right, do it. If you want to tell somebody you love them, don't wait, do it. Um my dad told me a few nights before he passed, he said, I hope you have good memories of me. I said, Dad, that's all I'm gonna have is good memories. And he gave us a lot, but I want to thank everybody, the community. He really loved this parish and the people. And thank y'all so much for doing this. I really appreciate it.

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