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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - May 19, 2026

Parish Council & Boards — Tuesday, May 19, 2026

BodySt Charles Parish, Louisiana

SessionParish Council & Boards

DateTuesday, May 19, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:02:33

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

Good evening and welcome to the St.

0:06

Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 6 p.m.

0:11

in the council chambers in the parish courthouse.

0:14

Please silence all electronic devices and remove all hats.

0:18

This meeting is called to order with a prayer and pledge of allegiance from Reverend Reverend Marilyn Diggs with Mount Zion Community Church in Boutique.

0:30

Father, we come in Jesus' name.

0:32

Just granting you thanks that you've allowed us to move to live and to have our beings.

0:48

All that makes sound decisions, oh God, that they serve their community.

0:54

We pray, oh God, that you would bless them, bless their families, oh God.

0:58

We pray that you would keep them in good health with a sound mind, oh God.

1:04

We pray, oh God, for their homes.

1:06

We pray for the community, God, that you would let us be unified.

1:11

Lord, in fairness, in truth and facts.

1:14

We ask you, oh God, that you would just bless us throughout this meeting, oh God, that all things would be done in Jesus' name.

1:22

We pray.

1:23

Amen.

1:24

I'm glad you leads us to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it says one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

1:39

Thank you, Reverend Diggs.

1:42

Before we begin this meeting, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the passing of Mr.

1:47

Leon Sonny Vial III, former Legal Services Director for St.

1:52

Charles Parish.

1:53

Mr.

1:54

Vall dedicated many years of service to the parish, providing legal advice dating back to 1975, along with guidance, professionalism, and steady leadership throughout his tenure.

2:06

His contributions and commitment have left a lasting impact on our community and on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

2:14

On behalf of the parish council, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.

2:25

Approval of the minutes.

2:26

A motion and a second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of May 4th, 2026.

2:33

There's a motion by Ms.

2:34

Skeba, and it's backed up.

2:35

The second by Mr.

2:37

Carmardale.

2:38

Please cast your votes.

2:45

And that passes unanimously.

2:55

2026-0164 in recognition.

2:59

Huey Marcel, St.

3:01

Charles Parish Communications District.

3:03

Miss Fonseca.

3:05

Thank you, Mr.

3:06

Chair.

3:06

The Parish of St.

3:07

Charles, May 18th, 2026.

3:10

The St.

3:11

Charles Parish Council and the Parish President deeply appreciate your time of service on the St.

3:16

Charles Parish Communications District.

3:18

Huey Marcel, Emergency Medical Services Representative from August 19, 2022 through March 9th, 2026.

3:27

And Mr.

3:27

Marcel is not here this evening, but we'll get this uh to him.

3:31

Thank you.

3:32

Thank you, Mr.

3:33

Sponsica.

3:36

Excuse me.

3:37

2026-0165, a proclamation, Ronald Diggs Memorial Musical.

3:43

Mr.

3:44

Carmadale.

3:45

Thank you, Mr.

3:46

Chair.

3:47

Whereas Mount Zion Community Church in Boutique is holding their first annual Ronald Diggs Memorial Musical, formerly known as the Gospel Musical Festival on Sunday, May 24th, 2026.

3:57

And whereas Mount Zion Community Church, headed by Pastor Charles Johnson Sr.

4:02

invites everyone to come and enjoy a day of delicious food and be entertained by a host of gospel music and entertainment from visiting choirs.

4:09

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

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Animal Welfare██████████████████████████████30%

Procedural█████████████13%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%

Transportation Safety███████████11%

Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%

Active Transportation█████████9%

Public Engagement██████6%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Zoning And Land Use███3%

Summary of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - May 19, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council met on May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Hahnville. Chairman Walter Pilié presided with all nine council members present. The meeting opened with a prayer and pledge led by Reverend Marilyn Diggs, and included a moment of remembrance for former Legal Services Director Leon "Sunny" Vial III. All votes were unanimous (9-0) throughout the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Kent Chambliss (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) presented the annual assessment of Waterford 3 nuclear power plant for 2025. He stated that the plant operated with an optimal margin of safety throughout the year, with all non-compliances having very low safety significance except one low-significance item that required a supplemental inspection. The NRC confirmed that Entergy operated the plant safely and will continue with baseline inspection in 2026 without increased oversight.

Discussion Items

Animal Control Report – Director Jena Troxler detailed operations: 489 dogs and over 1,000 cats taken in during 2025, with the majority being stray. Reclaim rates: 92 dogs and 15 cats. Local adoptions: 70% of cats via Petco partnerships, 70% of dogs locally and 65% nationally. Average length of stay: 13 days for dogs, 10 days for cats. The shelter received over 4,000 calls for service, with 525 investigations. There were 34 animal-to-human bites (top breeds: bully mixes, cats). Declared dangerous dogs: 50 in 2025 (24 potentially dangerous, 24 dangerous, 2 vicious). Total since ordinance: 116 potentially dangerous, 24 dangerous. Only 39 dogs re-offended from 28 households. Spay/neuter surgeries: 824 in-house. The shelter invests about $420 per stray animal. Adoption fees brought in $21,000; redemption fees $18,000. Budget for medical care is $40,000 and always under.
Parish President’s Report – Matthew Jewell announced a perfect 100/100 score on the 2025 LDH water system inspection. Updates on pump stations (Months #1 expected operational November 2026, #2 in February 2027); Des Allemands Boat Launch progressing; Fishnat Rodeo rescheduled to May 30; Animal Shelter milestone of no adoptable pets on May 8; Hurricane preparedness with mascot Charlie; Summer feeding program served over 5,000 meals last year; America 250 golf cart parade on June 28; sales tax up 2% in March (~$100,000) and 7.76% year-to-date.
Barton Avenue Corridor Study – Gary McClure (Shred-Kuyrkendall & Associates) presented a Stage Zero feasibility study for bicycle and pedestrian accessibility on Barton Avenue from US 90 to River Road. The study builds on the 2019 Pedestrian/Bicycle Master Plan and is a high-priority corridor aiming to connect to the Mississippi River Trail. Traffic counts are complete; public meetings will be held. Councilmember Fonseca expressed support, noting the long history of trail planning. Jewell connected the project to the Pal Mallard Road Revitalization, with an 80-20 federal match through the Regional Planning Commission.
Ordinances Introduced for Public Hearing (June 1, 2026) – Five ordinances were introduced: sale of Eastern Greenbelt Park properties (2026-0162 & 0163), definition and permitted uses for data centers in M-1/M-2 zones (2026-0170), creation of a Department of Engineering (2026-0171), and a Professional Services Agreement for Milling Drainage Improvements ($85,575) (2026-0172). Chairman Pilié noted the property sale ordinances will be heard next week.
Ordinance 2026-0159 – Public hearing held (no speakers) for a $124,486 professional services agreement with Murray Architects for design of a Public Works Drainage Maintenance Facility. The building will house telemetry and pump maintenance groups. Council discussion included repurposing vacated space for MS4 group and future plans for converting the Family Dollar building for administrative offices. Approved unanimously.
Ordinance 2026-0160 – Public hearing (no speakers) for Change Order No. 1 for Des Allemands Boat Launch, increasing the contract by $149,223.04 and extending time by 30 days due to additional sand needed for grading and other adjustments. Approved unanimously.
Ordinance 2026-0161 – Public hearing (no speakers) to install all-way stop signs at the intersection of Monsanto Avenue and Monsanto Avenue (Kellogg Addition II Subdivision). Requested by Councilmember Fonseca after Public Works review determined it appropriate. Approved unanimously.
Appointments – Three appointments confirmed unanimously: Marilyn K. Ross (District I) and Richard J. Folse Jr. (District VII) to Planning & Zoning Commission (terms through 2030); Lt. Devin Lavergne to the Communications District representing the Sheriff’s Office (term expiring August 2027).
Official Journal Appointment – Authorized advertisement for acceptance of proposals for the Official Journal. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

All three ordinances (2026-0159, 0160, 0161) passed unanimously (9-0).
All three appointments (2026-0133, 0134, 0156) confirmed unanimously.
Authorization for Official Journal proposal advertisement passed unanimously.
The NRC assessment of Waterford 3 concluded safe operation with no increased regulatory oversight planned for 2026.
The Barton Avenue Corridor Stage Zero study will proceed with public meetings and a final draft expected by end of 2026.

Note: The provided source material (agenda, minutes, transcript) indicates the meeting date as Monday, May 18, 2026, but the instruction specified using 2026-05-19. This summary uses the date provided in the instruction.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the St. Charles Parish Council meeting on Monday, May 18th, 2026 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 a prayer and pledge of allegiance from Reverend Reverend Marilyn Diggs with Mount Zion Community Church in Boutique. Father, we come in Jesus' name. Just granting you thanks that you've allowed us to move to live and to have our beings. All that makes sound decisions, oh God, that they serve their community. We pray, oh God, that you would bless them, bless their families, oh God. We pray that you would keep them in good health with a sound mind, oh God. We pray, oh God, for their homes. We pray for the community, God, that you would let us be unified. Lord, in fairness, in truth and facts. We ask you, oh God, that you would just bless us throughout this meeting, oh God, that all things would be done in Jesus' name. We pray. Amen. I'm glad you leads us to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it says one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Reverend Diggs. Before we begin this meeting, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the passing of Mr. Leon Sonny Vial III, former Legal Services Director for St. Charles Parish. Mr. Vall dedicated many years of service to the parish, providing legal advice dating back to 1975, along with guidance, professionalism, and steady leadership throughout his tenure. His contributions and commitment have left a lasting impact on our community and on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. On behalf of the parish council, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Approval of the minutes. A motion and a second are needed to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of May 4th, 2026. There's a motion by Ms. Skeba, and it's backed up. The second by Mr. Carmardale. Please cast your votes. And that passes unanimously. 2026-0164 in recognition. Huey Marcel, St. Charles Parish Communications District. Miss Fonseca. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Parish of St. Charles, May 18th, 2026. The St. Charles Parish Council and the Parish President deeply appreciate your time of service on the St. Charles Parish Communications District. Huey Marcel, Emergency Medical Services Representative from August 19, 2022 through March 9th, 2026. And Mr. Marcel is not here this evening, but we'll get this uh to him. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Sponsica.

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