St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - October 12, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council met on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Hahnville, Louisiana. Eight councilmembers were present and Councilmember Willie Comardelle (Dist. 4) was absent. The council approved the prior meeting minutes, read five proclamations, received reports from the River Parishes Tourist Commission, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Parish President, heard a drone-delivery presentation from Wing/Walmart, introduced the FY2027 budget and two additional ordinances for public hearing, and voted on a zoning petition, five public-hearing ordinances, one resolution and one appointment.

Approval of Minutes

• The council approved the September 28, 2026 regular meeting minutes by an 8-0 vote (motion by Councilmember Wilson, second by Councilmember deBruler).

Proclamations and Recognitions

• In Memoriam: Richard 'Dickie' Duhe (File 2026-0326), honoring the former constable, councilman and volunteer firefighter; his son Michael Duhe accepted and spoke.
• Recognition: Gilliam 'Gil' Pierre III (2026-0320), musician, organist and founder of the St. Charles Community Choir; Mr. Pierre accepted and spoke.
• Recognition: Frozine Ross Francis (2026-0322), longtime music educator and founder of the Francis School of Music; Mrs. Francis and Councilwoman Wilson spoke.
• Proclamation: Arc Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat (2026-0334), proclaimed for Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Edward A. Dufren Community Center in Luling; Victoria Bryant and Dwayne Farlough accepted.
• Proclamation: National First Responders Day (2026-0327), proclaimed for October 28, 2026; Dr. Benny Jones accepted.

Reports and Presentations

• River Parishes Tourist Commission Executive Director Craig Howat reported on his first six weeks in the role, including priorities to promote river parish tourism and rebuild the commission staff. He cited 2025 Louisiana River Parishes visitor spending of $290 million, supporting about 1,200 jobs, $44.5 million in employment earnings, and $32.3 million in state and local tax revenues. He also highlighted the King Cat Fishing Tournament with 114 anglers, the Alligator Festival with about 22,000 visitors, the Battle for the Paddle with 290 teams, and a cleanup that removed about 1,000 pounds of trash from 6.5 miles of shoreline. Chairman Pilié praised the cleanup and the Turtle Cove tour.
• Economic Development and Tourism Director Patrick Beard reported on the parish economy. He said the parish has the largest GDP per capita in the state at about $200,000, ranks 8th in GDP despite being 21st in population, and has a labor force about 15% smaller than parish employment, meaning the parish imports workers. He noted over $16 billion in announced projects, roughly half from St. Charles Clean Fuels, and a $3.75 billion Waterford 5 and 6 project. He also reported on new small-business engagement efforts, over 40 participants in recent workshops, and a $10 million Louisiana Fast Sites award for the Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway road extension, the largest single award in the program.
• Parish President Matthew Jewell gave an infrastructure and community report. Highlights included: the Des Allemands boat launch project, a nearly $5 million investment now about 60% complete and expected to finish in early 2027; a $728,000 Paul Frederick/Kindler drainage improvement project; a $590,000 Kinler Street lift station upgrade; a more than $9 million Hahnville Library branch groundbreaking; the parish's improved FEMA Community Rating System classification from Class 7 to Class 6; and August 2026 sales tax revenues up 3.6%, just under $150,000, with year-to-date collections about 5% higher than last year at roughly $1.5 million.
• President Jewell also invited Catherine Lovett of Wing to present a proposed Walmart drone delivery program at the Boutte Walmart. Lovett said drones would carry packages up to 2.75 pounds within six miles of the store, fly at 150-200 feet, operate with no live camera feed or audio, and would not deliver prescriptions, tobacco, alcohol or flammable items. Councilwoman O'Daniels asked about range and airport restrictions; Chairman Pilié asked about costs and weather exposure. No council action was taken on the presentation.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Milton Allemand of Hahnville spoke during public hearings on multiple items. He questioned spending on studies without attached implementation funds and called for better road striping and traffic planning (2026-0268); asked about the federal levee footprint on the Rathborne property (2026-0317); raised concerns about private street access, existing structures, environmental liability and the scope of the American Bank Lane purchase (2026-0323); criticized repeated change orders on the Ormond Center and Willowdale projects as 'frog in the boiling water' situations (2026-0325, 2026-0328); and voiced support for the Knights of Columbus solicitation (2026-0332). He said he was using his right as a taxpayer to question how parish money is spent.

Ordinances Introduced for Public Hearing

• 2026-0173: FY2027 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget ordinance introduced; public hearings scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM, Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM, and Monday, October 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Enactment No. 26-10-7.
• 2026-0318: Change Order No. 1 (Final) for the Kinler Lift Station Replacement, decreasing the contract amount by $34,677.75 and contract time by 141 calendar days, introduced for the October 26 public hearing. This item was not listed on the printed agenda but was introduced during the meeting. Enactment No. 26-10-8.
• 2026-0340: Zoning change from C-3 to M-1 and M-2 for Lots 12, 6007, 6011, and 6022, Esperanza Plantation, introduced for the October 26 public hearing. This item was not listed on the printed agenda but was introduced during the meeting.

Planning and Zoning Petition

• 2026-0307: Ordinance to rezone Lot 5A of the St. Gertrude Catholic Church Campus, LA 631, Des Allemands, from R-3 to R-1A(M), requested by Paul Hogan for PDJ Enterprises, LLC. Planning and Zoning Director Michael Albert said the change would make the lot similar to the surrounding block. The Planning Commission and staff recommended approval. No public comments were offered. The ordinance passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-1).

Ordinances Scheduled for Public Hearing - Approved

• 2026-0268: Professional Services Agreement with Gresham Smith for Safe Streets for All (Project No. P260701), not to exceed $249,277.59. Engineering Director Miles Bingham said the project is supported by a $200,000 FHWA grant and a $5,000 parish contribution and will identify safety improvements for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. Passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-2).
• 2026-0317: Act of Mutual Dissolution and Revocation of Donation to Rathborne Land Company for property adjacent to Rathborne Park at 702 Lakewood Drive, Luling. Legal staff said the donated park property lies within the federal levee system footprint and cannot be used for the intended purpose. Parish President Jewell explained the levee alignment and CPRA restrictions. Passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-3).
• 2026-0323: Purchase of property at 151 American Bank Lane No. 153, Lot 3-PM, Hahnville, for $243,750, with an appraised value of $244,000. Legal Services Director Corey Oubre said the property is across from the courthouse; President Jewell said it is the last strip dissecting parish-owned property. Oubre said no Phase I environmental assessment was conducted because the title review found no commercial use. Passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-4).
• 2026-0325: Change Order No. 2 for the Ormond Center Drainage Improvements (Project No. P190505), increasing the contract amount by $282,632.83 and contract time by 14 calendar days. Bingham said the change was needed to bury bypass pumping lines for access, and that unused delay-contingency funds would be returned. President Jewell cited an unlocated AT&T line; council members noted the drainage project's importance and that the change order remained within budget. Passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-5).
• 2026-0328: Amendment No. 2 with All South Consulting Engineers for Willowdale Pump Station Sump Improvements (Project No. P241102), not to exceed $315,610, increasing the total contract value to $351,560. Bingham said the redesign fits within an existing parish drainage servitude and avoids the golf course. President Jewell clarified this was a design progression, not a change order. Passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 26-10-6).

Resolutions

• 2026-0332: Resolution granting Knights of Columbus, Red Church Council No. 3634 permission to solicit contributions at specified intersections on October 9-11 or October 23-25, 2026, between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The council first amended the resolution to replace 'Winn-Dixie' with 'Rouses' throughout (motion by Councilmember Fisher, second by Councilmember Fonseca; 8-0, Enactment No. 6932). After public comment, the amended resolution passed 8-0 (Enactment No. 6932). Councilman Fisher said the fundraiser supports mentally impaired children, the ARC, Special Olympics and St. Basil School.

Appointments

• 2026-0314: River Parishes Tourist Commission. Councilwoman deBruler nominated Noble J. Benoit to fill the vacancy for a four-year term beginning October 31, 2026 and expiring October 31, 2031. Nominations were closed 8-0, and the appointment was adopted (Enactment No. 6936), subject to Senate confirmation.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 8-0; Councilmember Comardelle was absent.
• Approved the September 28, 2026 minutes and read five proclamations.
• Introduced the FY2027 budget ordinance and scheduled three public hearings; also introduced ordinances 2026-0318 and 2026-0340 for the October 26 hearing.
• Approved the St. Gertrude rezone (2026-0307, Enactment 26-10-1).
• Approved ordinances 2026-0268, 2026-0317, 2026-0323, 2026-0325, and 2026-0328 (Enactments 26-10-2 through 26-10-6).
• Amended and approved the Knights of Columbus resolution (2026-0332, Enactment 6932).
• Reappointed Noble J. Benoit to the River Parishes Tourist Commission (2026-0314, Enactment 6936).
• Adjourned at approximately 8:12 PM.