St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - August 24, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council met on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting opened with a prayer by Father Paul Clark, approval of the August 10, 2026 minutes, and several proclamations and recognitions. The council heard reports from The Arc of St. Charles, the Department of Waterworks, and the Parish President. Multiple ordinances were introduced for public hearings on September 14, 2026. During the public hearing portion, the council approved several ordinances and resolutions, postponed one ordinance indefinitely, and tabled one resolution. Two board appointments were made, and one was deferred.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of regular meeting August 10, 2026 (unanimous).
• Proclamations: Recognized 7U All-Star Baseball team as state champions, honored Raymond Hicks in memoriam, recognized Luling Volunteer Fire Department for 60 years of service, proclaimed September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day, proclaimed September 2026 as Love Our Waterways Month.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Milton Allemand (Hahnville) spoke on several items: questioned engineering phase completeness for Kinler and Paul Fredrick project; criticized the practice of incrementally increasing contract amounts for professional services (referencing Alpha Testing amendment); supported removing fees for electronic records (Ordinance 2026-0263); raised concerns about funding source for Engineers Canal Pump Station project (whether it should come from the dedicated levy fund); questioned efficacy of continued property liens for weed removal; asked about sunset provision for emergency housing waiver.
• Bobby Donaldson (Norco) spoke in strong support of the Engineers Canal Pump Station improvements, representing the Norco Civic Association.
• L. J. Frickey (Bayou Gauche) supported the Sunset Drainage District flood elevation ordinance, noting it would save residents time and money by eliminating the need for variances.
• Triniece Davis Boyd addressed the council regarding property at 920 Kinler Street in connection with the Kinler and Paul Fredrick drainage project, proposing the parish purchase her property and allow her to buy another property to resolve a design conflict.

Discussion Items

• Arc of St. Charles Report: Executive Director Victoria Bryant and staff described programs including day hab, vocational services, college attendance, and community employment. They reported serving over 100 individuals and noted upcoming construction at their facility funded by a millage.
• Waterworks Report: Director Gregory Gorden presented on hydraulic modeling progress, call center metrics (27,143 calls answered at 99.4% rate, average 105 calls/day, 16-second answer time), filter media replacement video, West Bank D plant clarifier upgrade ($2.7 million), West Bank E plant design ($4 million, with $3 million capital outlay), and billing process improvements.
• Parish President Remarks: Matthew Jewell reported on social media workshop, Check the Chip day (40 pets microchipped), new vacuum culvert truck, emergency electrical safety training, West Bank treatment pond improvements (reduced from 60 to 7 acres, deepened to 7 feet), King Cat fishing tournament (Sept 18-19), and fall basketball registration.
• Ordinance 2026-0263 (Document Fees): Councilmember O’Daniels explained the amendment would revert to no charge for electronic records pending state legislature clarity, after a previous fee schedule had been criticized. Public comment supported the change.
• Ordinance 2026-0271 (Sunset Drainage District Flood Elevation): Planning Director Albert explained re-establishing 1992 FEMA maps for sunset drainage district, adding minimum zero feet NAVD88 elevation. Parish President Jewell emphasized no building below sea level. Council discussion noted this eliminates need for variances and reduces burden on residents.
• Ordinance 2026-0272 (Cooperative Endeavor with School Board): CAO Palamone detailed an easement agreement for parking area near Norco Elementary, transferring maintenance to the school system.
• Resolution 2026-0264 (Cousins Pump Station T-Wall): Grants officer Chiasson presented $16.7 million CPRA award. President Jewell highlighted sump expansion that will reduce street flooding. Unanimous approval.
• Resolution 2026-0285 (Emergency Housing Waiver): HSEP Director Tastet explained annual waiver for temporary housing post-disaster. Public comment asked about expiration. Unanimous approval.
• Resolution 2026-0286 (Subdivision Waiver): For property at former St. Gertrude Church, allowing access via private road. Councilmember Comardelle noted it prevents landlocking a house. Unanimous approval.
• Resolution 2026-0288 (Automobile Fleet Services): Tabled unanimously because contingent rezoning ordinance was not yet scheduled for public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (9-0) of all voted items except those postponed/tabled.
• Postponed indefinitely: Ordinance 2026-0269 (delinquent weed removal assessment) because an updated version (2026-0278) was introduced for future hearing.
• Tabled: Resolution 2026-0288 (waivers for auto fleet services) pending alignment with rezoning ordinance.
• Appointments:
  • Library Board District VI: Erica Spengler nominated by Councilman Fisher, appointed unanimously (unexpired term to April 1, 2027).
  • Communication District (Firemen’s Association): Deferred to September 14 meeting pending nomination.
  • Library Board District II: Lindsey Tullier renominated by Councilwoman Skiba, reappointed unanimously (term to August 1, 2031).
• Next meeting: September 14, 2026, 6:00 PM. Parish Council will sit as Board of Review September 16-30. Public hearings on capital and operating budgets scheduled for October 20, 22, and 26.