St. Charles Parish Council Meeting – March 2, 2026
St. Charles Parish Council Meeting – March 2, 2026
The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting opened with a prayer and pledge, followed by approval of the February 9, 2026 minutes. The council adopted eight proclamations, received departmental reports, passed five ordinances and three resolutions, made several appointments, and unanimously rejected a special use permit waiver after public opposition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Six residents of the Almedia Plantation subdivision opposed a proposed fleet services waiver (Item 2026-0081) for GM Elite Co. They cited narrow, substandard roads (approximately 20 feet wide), one-way-in/one-way-out access, flooding of the subdivision, existing traffic hazards (including a recent dump truck that took down nine electrical poles), and concerns that heavy truck traffic would worsen safety and drainage problems. Speakers included Tammy Dennis, Joseph Prescott, Carrie Cook, Debra Pfister, Tina Monica, and Betty Swess.
Discussion Items
- Parks & Recreation Report (2026-0069): Director Duane Foret highlighted 2025 projects (Bethune Park inclusive playground, East Bank Bridge Park renovations, Keller Street playground, levee bike path benches, Monsanto tennis resurfacing, Munch drainage, etc.), new Little League baseball/softball charter, reduced registration fees through partnerships (saving participants ~$38,000), Prime Time Seniors expansion with 200 new faces, and 65,000 annual visitors. Upcoming 2026 capital projects include boat launch, dog park, IMTT Park playground, and sand volleyball courts.
- Parish President Remarks (2026-0070): Matthew Jewell reported on the CPRA annual plan containing $137 million in projects for St. Charles Parish (including Des Allemands boat launch, Cousins Pump Station, Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection, Buy Design Floodgate, etc.), new regional cooperation with New Orleans Mayor, Mardi Gras cleanup, progress on pump stations, and a record 14.5% sales tax increase in January 2026 ($578,552).
- Ordinances Scheduled for Public Hearing: Five items were heard and passed unanimously:
- 2026-0043: Change order No. 1 for Raw Water Intake Structure Bridge Pile Replacement – decrease contract by $2,370.
- 2026-0059: Polling Place Lease Agreement with The Bible Center Church for Precinct 2-3 ($150 per election).
- 2026-0060: Professional Services Agreement with Principal Engineering for West Bank Water Treatment Plant E construction – not to exceed $4,814,099 (estimated total project ~$50 million).
- 2026-0062: Permanent polling place change for Precinct 2-3.
- 2026-0066: Contract with Centric Gulf Coast Inc. for EADCC Sand Volleyball Courts – $660,000.
- Resolutions Adopted:
- 2026-0067: Adopted the St. Charles Parish SHIELD Plan (Stabilizing Habitats through Infrastructure, Ecology, and Land Defense) to prioritize coastal restoration projects.
- 2026-0068: Recognized the Floodplain Management Plan to improve FEMA CRS rating (currently Class 7; each grade gives residents 5% flood insurance discount).
- 2026-0080: Endorsed a lot line width waiver for ICG Investing/Blake Lorio to correct a setback issue.
- Resolution Rejected (2026-0081): After extensive debate, the council unanimously voted down a waiver for GM Elite Co.’s automobile fleet services in a C-3 district on Almedia Plantation Road. Council members expressed concerns about substandard roads, flooding, safety, and that the use was incompatible with the residential neighborhood.
- Appointments:
- 2026-0016: Appointed Nick Nassar (nominee of River Region Chamber of Commerce) to the River Parishes Transit Authority, term expiring January 9, 2028.
- 2026-0045: Appointed Steven Dorand to the Planning & Zoning Commission as District III Representative, term expiring May 31, 2029.
- Accepted resignations of Ed Griffin (P&Z Commission) and Huey Marcel (Communications District, EMS rep).
- Vacancy announced for the Communications District EMS representative; nominations to be accepted at the March 16 meeting.
Key Outcomes
- All five ordinances passed unanimously (9-0).
- Three resolutions adopted unanimously (9-0): SHIELD Plan, Floodplain Management Plan, lot line width waiver.
- One resolution failed unanimously (0-9): Special use permit waiver for GM Elite Co. fleet services.
- Nick Nassar appointed to the River Parishes Transit Authority.
- Steven Dorand appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- Resignations of Ed Griffin and Huey Marcel accepted.
- Next regular meeting: Monday, March 16, 2026, 6:00 PM, Council Chambers.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the St. Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, March the 2nd, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers in the parish courthouse. Please silence all electronic devices and remove all apps. This meeting is called to order with a prayer and a pledge of allegiance from Reverend Carvin Smith with Philadelphia Baptist Church in Hondville. Let us pray. Our Father and our God. That you will continue to lead them and guide them, dear God. That you would allow this parish, dear God to go to greater heights and deeper deaths. Father, we ask now these and all blessings in the name of your darling son Jesus, and every believer would say amen. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for our thank you, Reverend Smith. Approval of the minutes, regular meeting, February 9th, 2026. A motion and a second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of February 9th, 2026. Please cast your votes. And to present that, Mr. Willie Commodore. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whereas St. Charles Parish, Louisiana recognizes that the French language is vitally important to the identity and the culture of the people who settled this area of South Louisiana in the 17 and 1800s. Whereas we encourage all of our citizens to teach with great pride to our children all that they can about the French language, culture, and history that has made this area so uniquely different than other other areas of the United States. And whereas we encourage our citizens to promote and speak French in public venues and family gatherings, and whereas we encourage our local business to do business in French or in bilingual French and English. And whereas we recognize that the French language has always been a vital part of the culture and economy of St. Charles Parish and is a multi-billion dollar industry for the state of Louisiana. And whereas the Cajun Dancers of Alamans Elementary School began in the mid-1980s, and Alamans Elementary Educator keeps the tradition alive by continuing to preserve the Cajun Dancers Program. Now therefore, be it resolved with the members of St. Charles Parish Council and the Parish President hereby proclaim March 20, 2026 as French Language and Heritage Day. And we have the Designman Cajun Dancers, Miss Tanya Taste, Wendy Solomon, and Lisa Perrin here to accept the money. I would just like to thank you all very much for having us come and accept the proclamation. We strive hard to keep on the Cajun and French culture here in the in our parish. So thank you for having us. Some cute. Miss Perrin asked me to announce that they do also have an additional sponsor of this year, Mr. Donald Morgan. Oh, yeah. There's a bunch of folks here. That's good that you wonder how many of these children are being taught to speak French. You think so? At that particular school. No kids. That's fantastic. Right. Yeah. I thought they did specifically teach French. I think they do. My son learns Spanish. Okay. Yes, it's just a chance. Well that was refreshing.
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