St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - 2026-06-16

The St. Charles Parish Council met in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Hahnville. Six members were present: Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, Chairman Walter Pilié, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, and Michele deBruler. Absent: La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, and Willie Comardelle. The minutes and transcript identify the meeting date as Monday, June 15, 2026, but this summary uses the supplied date of June 16, 2026 (2026-06-16). The Council approved the prior minutes, received reports, held public hearings on two engineering professional services agreements, accepted an Arc of St. Charles board nomination, and scheduled three ordinances for public hearing on July 13, 2026. All votes were 6-0.

Approval of Minutes

• Councilmember Fisher moved, Councilmember Fonseca seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 1, 2026. The motion carried 6-0.

Proclamations and Special Business

• Recognition was read for Mikel Melton of the St. Charles Parish Communications District, Sheriff's Office representative from May 20, 2024 through June 1, 2026.
• Parish President Jewell presented a proclamation declaring July 4, 2026 as the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and inviting residents to the 36th annual celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. at West Bank Bridge Park in Luling, with fireworks at dark. Public Relations Assistant Director Grayson Touchard said the event would be larger than ever, with 14 vendors, live music, photo booths, light-ups, and face painters, and gates opening at 4:30 p.m.

Reports

• Communications District (911): Retired Major Sam Zinna, board president, reported on center operations, staff, equipment, technology, and training. Staffing was approved to increase from five to six operators per shift. Emergency calls received were nearly 48,000 in 2025. Text-to-911 through RapidSOS is in the testing phase after an initial test failed. The 700 MHz redundancy system and radio console upgrades are complete. Zinna recognized Commander Riven L. Mixon as APCO/NENA 2025 Director of the Year, noted four personnel received APCO/NENA scholarships, and recognized dispatcher Raylan DeSoto and Deputy Victor Camazuno for a life-saving cardiac arrest response. Councilwoman Fonseca thanked Zinna and staff.
• General Government Buildings: Facilities Manager Bob Messerly reported his staff of 10 maintains approximately 36 acres of grounds and 32 buildings and completed more than 1,200 work orders last year. Completed work includes an ADA ramp and greeting counter at the Otterbury building, new chillers at the Edward Dufresne building, upgraded finance office cubicles, restroom upgrades, and rubber stair treads. Upcoming projects include a courthouse electrical panel upgrade, an equipment cover, upgraded HVAC controls, and future EOC chiller replacements.
• Parish President Remarks/Report: Matthew Jewell reported on Montz Pump Station No. 1 (on track for completion November 2026, discharge piping about 50% complete), Montz Pump Station No. 2 (estimated completion January 2027), the CN Railroad jack and bore project water line tie-in, the Des Allemands boat launch, Primrose Canal Phase 1B, and the Kinler lift station replacement in Luling. He announced fall recreation sign-ups are open through Friday, June 19, 2026; the fish rodeo drew over 250 participants, a record, up from 37 participants six years ago; and listed upcoming events including the America 250 Golf Car Parade on June 28. He also summarized post-legislative capital outlay funding, including $750,000 and an additional $500,000 for Dufrene Parkway intersection improvements, $200,000 for Highway 61 roadway lighting, $200,000 for Des Allemands drainage improvements, $3.25 million in P5 for Primrose Drive drainage, $4 million in P5 plus $950,000 in local match for Fifth Street drainage and canal stabilization, $33 million in P5 for water treatment plant improvements, and other amounts, thanking the legislative delegation.

Ordinances Introduced and Scheduled for Public Hearing

• 2026-0195: Amendment No. 1 to the DRC Emergency Services, LLC contract for Storm Debris Removal and Recovery to add Waterway Debris Removal and Recovery.
• 2026-0197: Contract with TEH Enterprise, LLC for construction of the Dog Park (Project No. RECBP219) in the amount of $1,430,000.
• 2026-0196: Contract with Kass Bros, Inc. for Kinler and Paul Fredrick Roadway and Drainage Improvements Phase I (Project No. P210704) in the amount of $728,906.
• These were authorized for publication and scheduled for public hearing on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Milton Allemand, Hahnville, raised concerns on both contract ordinances. On 2026-0174, he questioned the parish's use of professional services agreements and why a request for qualifications is not done, stated he did not know GIS Engineering, and said he wanted assurance that the most qualified firm is selected. On 2026-0184, he argued the SHIELD report already states what should be done, noted prior work in the same area allegedly ran out of funding, questioned spending on re-engineering rather than construction, and said residents are more worried about today's rain and floods than about 50-year coastal changes. He also referenced the canceled Mid-Barataria sediment diversion as a warning.

Council Discussion

• 2026-0174 Turtle Pond Pump Station: Engineering Director Miles Bingham explained the additional funding is to complete design after deciding to relocate the pump station to a better location agreed with the state. Councilwoman O'Daniels said the master drainage plan identified Turtle Pond as a priority and that the relocation reflects collaboration between local and state officials; she voiced 100 percent support. Councilman Fisher described GIS Engineering as a wonderful company and said the project is on the right path. President Jewell defended the selection process, noted the company carries the design work with staff input, stated about $9 million in grant funding is attached to the project, and clarified that although the parish generally uses a broad RFQ process, this specific LWI-funded project did have a project-specific RFQ. Chairman Pilié said the design team is among the best the parish has used and supported the ordinance.
• 2026-0184 Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection: President Jewell said parish engineers and CPRA reviewed the contract, Royal Engineers specializes in coastal work and holds a $1 billion land bridge project with CPRA, and the firm was selected through CPRA RFQ processes. He said engineering standards have changed, citing the shift from shell material to limestone and geotextile fabrics, and argued coastal erosion is an urgent present-day problem, not a 50-year issue. Chairman Pilié said although it is quite a bit of money, the CPRA funding and qualifications support approval; he supported the ordinance.

Appointment

• 2026-0181: Chairman Pilié announced the Arc of St. Charles nominated Dr. Jeffrey S. Kuo, M.D., as an ad hoc member with a health professional background. He noted Dr. Kuo had served two consecutive terms and could not normally be reappointed, but the Arc board approved extending eligible members for one additional term. Councilmember Fonseca moved and Councilmember Fisher seconded to close nominations; the motion carried 6-0. The nomination was accepted.

Announcements

• Early voting for the June 27, 2026 election runs June 15 to June 18, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the West Bank Courthouse and the East Bank Arterbury Building, with locations closed June 19 for Juneteenth. June 23 is the last day to request absentee-by-mail ballots; June 26 is the last day for the registrar to receive voted absentee ballots. The polling location for Precinct 2-3 changed from Mimosa Park Elementary School to Bible Center Church in Luling.
• Parish holidays include Friday, June 19, 2026 for Juneteenth and Friday, July 3, 2026 for Independence Day.
• The next regular Council meeting is Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of June 1, 2026 were approved 6-0.
• Ordinance 2026-0174 was approved 6-0, enacted as No. 26-6-6.
• Ordinance 2026-0184 was approved 6-0, enacted as No. 26-6-7.
• Dr. Jeffrey S. Kuo, M.D., was accepted as the ad hoc Arc of St. Charles board member nomination, and nominations were closed.
• Three ordinances were introduced and scheduled for public hearing on July 13, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:05 p.m.