St. Charles Parish Council Meeting – January 12, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council met on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Hahnville. The meeting included proclamations recognizing outgoing leadership, a report on the River Parishes Transit Authority, an update from the GIS department, the Parish President's remarks, and the unanimous approval of multiple ordinances and appointments. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:36 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fenwick Swann, District Public Defender (St. Charles Parish Public Defenders Office, Luling): Spoke during the public hearing on File 2025-0391, a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to fund a Drug Court attorney using $80,000 per year from opioid settlement funds. He stated that the program has served approximately 498 people over 23 years, currently has 15–20 participants, and all participants are nonviolent offenders and St. Charles Parish residents. He requested the council's support.

Discussion Items

• River Parishes Transit Authority (RPTA) Report: Presented by General Manager Stacy Van Sickle. Total ridership in 2025 was 19,157 trips, slightly down from 19,240 in 2024, attributed to a reduction in service hours (one hour per day cut on September 1, 2025). Of all trips, 26% originated in St. Charles Parish. The fare is $2 per one-way trip. Service hours are Monday–Friday 5:00 AM–6:30 PM (previously 7:30 PM) and Saturday 5:30 AM–6:30 PM. The Cityways online booking system accounts for about 80% of reservations and maintains a 4.9-star rating. Funding sources include federal grants, fare box revenue ($38,592 in 2025), and a local match of approximately $475,000 annually from the state and parishes. CARES Act/ARPA funds are expected to be depleted in 2026. Councilwoman deBruler asked about repeat ridership data; Councilwoman Wilson asked about same-day booking (not available, 24-hour advance required).
• GIS Department Report: Presented by GIS Specialist Luis Martinez. Accomplishments in 2025 included designing and implementing a new GIS system in the data center with separate virtual machines (image server, web server, database server), a new GIS monitor tool for pinpointing system issues, and the launch of a GIS Hub providing one-page access to public and interdepartmental maps with password-protected sensitive data. Plans for 2026 include preparing for new LIDAR data acquisition (20 calibration sites), new drainage GPS acquisition starting in NORCO, Luling, and Mimosa, and a flood risk information system (beta) that will store elevation certificates in the cloud and allow residents to access them online while generating automated reports for FEMA. The transition to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) may cause up to a four-foot difference from NAVD 88 elevations. Councilman Pilié asked about the transition; Councilwoman Fonseca thanked Martinez for the work.
• Parish President’s Remarks (Matthew Jewell): Reported on the groundbreaking of the Des Allemands boat launch, located off WPA Road on land donated by Chevron in 2021, with construction expected to take one year. Provided updates on Montz Pump Station No. 1 (sump being dug out) and No. 2 (access road cleared, piping discharge work beginning). The Deputy Jeff G. Watson Boulevard extension (1,270 feet) is now open, connecting Dufren Parkway to Ashton Plantation Boulevard, and is designated a no-truck route. Announced toy donations at St. Rose Community Center, spring sports registration open until January 25, Primetime Seniors Chair Yoga now held twice a week with over 40% participation per class, Christmas tree recycling through drop-off sites for coastal erosion control at Cuba Island, and reminders about cold weather safety (four Ps) and SCP Alerts. November sales tax collections were up 19.47% compared to the prior year, and year-to-date sales tax is 7.74% higher (approximately $3.3 million more), including some audit funds.
• Ordinances Introduced for Publication (Public Hearing January 26, 2026): Three ordinances were introduced: 2025-0401 (Primrose Canal Cleaning and Improvements Phase 1B contract with Curranco, LLC, $1,507,765.04), 2026-0018 (amending Section 15-5 to install “NO OVERNIGHT PARKING” signs on Weinnig Drive in Luling), and 2026-0022 (granting a temporary and permanent right-of-way to International-Matex Tank Terminals, LLC, adjacent to Abadie Lane in St. Rose).
• Ordinances for Final Passage: All items were approved unanimously (9-0) unless noted.
  • 2025-0377: Change Order No. 1 for Deputy Jeff G. Watson Drive Roadway Extension – decreased contract amount by $18,262.50. Public Works Director Miles Bingham explained the road is open and final change order reflects a decrease; additional striping ($10,380) was done outside the contract.
  • 2025-0391: Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with St. Charles Public Defenders Office for $80,000/year from opioid settlement funds for a Drug Court attorney. Legal Services Director Corey Oubre and Parish President Jewell explained the funding is restricted to opioid-related uses. Jewell noted he had previously opposed giving tax dollars to the public defender’s office but supports this use of opioid settlement funds. Council members Fonseca and O’Daniels expressed support, with Fonseca clarifying this is federal funding, not parish general funds.
  • 2025-0392: Contract with Cycle Construction Company, LLC, for Ormond Center Drainage Improvements ($3,097,730). Bingham explained the project was rebid after previous bids were too high. Councilman Fisher supported the project, noting its importance to the Ormond watershed. Pilié asked about cleaning the inlet under the railroad tracks; Bingham said that would be done with parish forces.
  • 2025-0393: Professional Services Agreement with Barowka and Bonura Engineers & Consultants (BBEC) for Ormond CN Railway Culverts engineering (not to exceed $1,097,231). Bingham detailed the complexity due to railroad requirements and underestimated initial scope. Councilwoman Fonseca expressed concern about bringing the change order after bids, but supported the project. Pilié and Jewell defended the increase, with Jewell noting the engineer worked on permits despite the contract not yet being amended. Passed 9-0.
  • 2025-0394: Change Order No. 1 (Final) for East Bank Bridge Park Improvements – increased contract amount by $63,294.80 and contract time by 134 days. Parks and Recreation Director Duane Foret explained the change order included ornamental fencing, asphalt demo, catch basin, and deductions for landscape and liquidated damages (24 days charged to contractor).
  • 2025-0395: Contract with Hard Rock Construction, LLC, for Kinler Lift Station Replacement ($624,712.60). Wastewater Director David deGeneres said the station will be relocated across the street and converted to a submersible station. Councilwoman Wilson asked about coordination with drainage work; deGeneres said he would work with Public Works.
  • 2025-0396: Professional Services Agreement with C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates for Primrose Canal Cleaning Phase 1B engineering ($56,926.83). Bingham noted the prior contract had expired and this is a new contract for construction of that project. Councilman Fisher was absent during the vote; the vote was 8-0-1.
  • 2025-0398: Amendment No. 1 to Alpha Testing and Inspection contract – increasing overall contract value from $250,000 to $500,000 for capital project testing and inspection. Bingham explained the contract is used for testing services (soils, vibration monitoring) and can be used by other departments. Pilié asked about specific projects (Ashton Patio Homes, Business Campus Phase 3) and Bingham clarified they were new subdivision and roadway developments.
  • 2025-0399: Consulting Agreement with Adams and Reese, LLP, for federal governmental affairs representation. Jewell explained the contract separates previously combined state and federal lobbying to better focus on major projects (e.g., $50 million West Bank water plant, coastal projects, drainage, wastewater, multimodal transportation). The current combined contract expires March 2026. Councilwoman O’Daniels requested that future budgets separate lobbying costs for clarity. Councilman Pilié noted the combined cost of the two lobbying contracts is $300,000 and hoped for increased grant returns. Passed 9-0.
  • 2025-0400: Consulting Agreement with Connick and Associates, LLC, for state governmental affairs representation. Jewell gave an example of the firm securing $5 million in cash from the legislature for the West Bank water plant design, representing 27 years of the firm’s annual fee. Councilwoman O’Daniels reiterated the need for clear budget line items. Passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Minutes of the December 15, 2025, regular meeting were approved unanimously (9-0).
• Proclamations Read: Recognitions for Councilwoman Holly Fonseca (2025 Council Chairman), Councilman Walter Pilié (2025 Council Vice-Chairman), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19, 2026), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Founders Day (January 2026).
• Appointments and Confirmations:
  • Board of Adjustment (District II): Victor Buccola was nominated by Councilwoman Skiba and confirmed (9-0).
  • South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority Board: Barbara Fuselier was reappointed (9-0).
  • Library Board of Control Ex-Officio: Chairman Pilié appointed Councilwoman Holly Fonseca.
  • River Parishes Transit Authority: Resignation of Emile Broussard III was accepted (9-0). Vacancy announced; nominations will be accepted at the January 26, 2026 meeting.
• Committee Chair Appointments: Chairman Pilié appointed:
  • Operations, Maintenance, and Construction Management Committee: Walter Pilié (Chairman)
  • Legislative Committee: Bob Fisher (Chairman)
  • Contract/Finance and Administrative Committee: Michelle O’Daniels (Chairman)
  • Special Projects/Public Safety, Health, and Environmental Committee: Willie Comardelle (Chairman)
  • Hurricane Protection Projects Committee: Holly Fonseca (Chairman)
• All Ordinances for Final Passage Approved Unanimously (9-0, except 2025-0396 which passed 8-0-1 with Fisher absent).
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion by Councilwoman O’Daniels, seconded by Councilman Fisher, carried 9-0 at 7:36 PM.