Public Meetings - St Charles Parish, Louisiana

The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, reports, public hearings on ordinances, a redistricting resolution, appointments, and nominations for 2026 leadership. All votes on items requiring a vote were 8-0 in favor, with Councilwoman La Sandra D. Wilson absent. Approval of Minutes - The minutes from the budget hearing of October 28, 2025, the budget hearing of October 30, 2025, and the regular meeting and budget hearing of November 3, 2025, were approved unanimously (8-0). Special Business (Proclamations & Recognitions) - Frances “Annie” F. Harmon was recognized for service on the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control (District 2 representative, April 5, 2021 – September 30, 2025). - Webb Jay was recognized for service on the Planning & Zoning Commission (District 3 representative, December 16, 2024 – October 1, 2025). - Malachi Duc Zeringue was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout (earned August 11, 2025; ceremony October 19, 2025; 31 merit badges; service project at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter). - Proclamation: Norco Christmas Parade Day – December 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM (theme: “Norco Noel, Santa celebrates Norco’s 100 years”). - Proclamation: Christmas Celebration – December 10, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center, Luling. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the public hearings for ordinances 2025-0338, 2025-0339, and 2025-0340. - During the public comment period for Resolution 2025-0357 (redistricting), Josh Manning of the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) stated that the Commission was approached by the Registrar of Voters to explore a minor adjustment to the redistricting plan and is willing to work on it if the council desires. Reports (Finance and Administrative Activities) - Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Report – Director Tommy Scott presented the annual report. Highlights: the program is a tri-parish consortium; local unemployment rates (August 2025): St. Charles 3.7%, St. John 5.1%, St. James 5.0% (state average 4.3%); the program met or exceeded all performance measures. Discussion included rapid response coordination for layoffs (e.g., Southern Glazer’s relocation and PauseGen layoff) and services for all ages. Council questions addressed the Wagner-Peyser staff and team composition. - Contract Monitor Report – Justin Tassin reported on solid waste (approx. 37,000 carts/week, <1% complaint ratio, $10,000+ saved annually through auditing), streetlights (over 500 repaired in 2025, new tracking system saving $1,000/month), litter cleanup (Trash Bash: 782 volunteers, 450+ bags, 215 miles), household hazardous waste (340 vehicles, 56,000 lbs collected, 56.9% recycled, 18 sponsors), mosquito control (nearly 10,000 miles, 380,000 acres sprayed, 157 service calls, 22,000 acres aerial sprayed), and emergency debris preparedness (five certified debris sites; attended training in Tangipahoa Parish). Council members praised responsiveness and the new tracking systems. - Parish President Remarks/Report – President Matthew Jewell provided updates: BNSF railroad crossing on Barton Avenue will be closed on November 18, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM for panel replacement; canal cleaning in St. Rose using a marsh buggy; waterworks billing office field trip to understand operations; outdoor classroom in the Spillway (donation of $162,000 from Dow) expected to be complete in a few months; levee bench project complete (15 concrete benches installed; 9 on east bank, 6 on west bank); senior Christmas luncheon on December 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM (registration opens November 26, 2025); announcement that the Winn-Dixie in Destrehan will convert to a Rouses, opening January 12, 2026. Discussion Items - Ordinance 2025-0336 (Limited Tax Bond, ARC, up to $4,000,000) – Postponed indefinitely per administration request; motion carried 8-0. - Ordinance 2025-0338 (Professional Services Agreement for West Bank B Plant Clarifier Upgrade, $123,256) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Waterworks Director Gregory Gorden described the design of a new clarifier with stainless steel parts. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-8. - Ordinance 2025-0339 (Change Order No. 1 for Montz Pump Station No. 1, increase of $111,702.07) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Senior Projects Manager Sam Scholle explained four items: increased concrete piles, lengthened batter pile for test pile, breaker frame sizing coordination with generator (normal due to public bid law), and capping an abandoned natural gas line. Council members noted due diligence and normal project contingencies. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-9. - Ordinance 2025-0340 (Act of Dedication for Ashton Plantation Phase 2-B Addendum No. 1, Luling) – Public hearing held; no public comment. Planning & Zoning Director Michael Albert confirmed all fees paid and approvals received. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 25-11-10. - Resolution 2025-0357 (Redistricting request to SCPDC) – An amendment was introduced to correct street names: replace “Boutte Project Road” with “Boutte Estates Drive, south of Tinney Street” in the summary, second whereas, and now therefore paragraphs. The amendment carried unanimously. As amended, the resolution requests SCPDC to explore and, if feasible, prepare a redistricting ordinance to align Pit Road, Alexander Street, and Boutte Estates Drive (all south of Tinney Street) within a single council district. Approved unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 6874. - Ordinances Introduced for Public Hearing (December 1, 2025): 2025-0341 (Water Main Replacement change order), 2025-0342 (Road and Bridges Capital Program Budget FY 2026-2028), 2025-0351 (All-Way Stop sign on Pitre Street), and 2025-0358 (Zoning change on Almedia Road) were scheduled for public hearing on December 1, 2025. - Tabled Ordinance: File 2025-0305 (Fees for copies of documents) was postponed indefinitely per Council Rule 8 (appeared on two subsequent agendas). Appointments - Planning & Zoning Commission, District III – Mr. Ed Griffin was appointed unanimously (8-0). Enactment No. 6875. - Board of Adjustment, District II – Deferred to the December 1, 2025 meeting. - Board of Adjustment, District IV – Nomination accepted: Mr. Clyde H. Maddox (nominated by Councilman Comardelle). Nominations closed; no final vote taken. - Board of Adjustment, District V – Nomination accepted: Mr. John Lambert (nominated by Councilwoman O’Daniels). Nominations closed; no final vote taken. - Board of Adjustment, District VI – Nomination accepted: Mr. David P. Bleakley (nominated by Councilman Fisher). Nominations closed; no final vote taken. - Housing Authority Council Ex-Officio – Vacancy announced; nominations to be accepted December 1, 2025 (term January 9, 2026 – January 9, 2027). Special Matters – 2026 Leadership Nominations - Chairman – Councilman Walter Pilié was nominated (by Councilwoman O’Daniels). Nominations closed; confirmation set for December 1, 2025. - Vice-Chairman – Councilwoman Michele deBruler was nominated (by Councilman Comardelle). Nominations closed; confirmation set for December 1, 2025. - The 2026 Council meeting schedule was reviewed; adoption scheduled for December 1, 2025. Key Outcomes - All 12 votes on motions and enactments were 8-0 (with Councilwoman Wilson absent). - Minutes approved. - Five proclamations/recognitions read. - WIOA and Contract Monitor reports accepted. - Three ordinances enacted (2025-0338, 0339, 0340). - One bond ordinance postponed indefinitely. - One tabled ordinance postponed indefinitely. - Redistricting resolution amended and adopted. - One appointment confirmed (Ed Griffin to Planning & Zoning). - Board of Adjustment nominations accepted for Districts IV, V, and VI; appointments pending final vote. - Nominations for 2026 Chairman and Vice-Chairman accepted; confirmation set for December 1, 2025. - Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:13 PM.

The Legislative Committee of the St. Charles Parish Council met on November 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers to discuss a single agenda item: a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Section 2-2 of the Parish Code regarding fees for copies of public documents. The meeting included detailed deliberation among committee members, the Parish President, and staff. No public comments were received. The committee did not vote on the ordinance but directed the administration to refine the proposal and bring it back for a future meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Discussion Items - Councilwoman Michelle O'Daniels presented an overview of the proposed ordinance, noting that the existing fee schedule had not been updated in years. She explained that the Louisiana Constitution provides free access to view public records, but charges for reproduction are allowed. Her research of other parishes led to a proposal: 50 cents per page for paper copies, 25 cents per page for electronic copies of emails (a 50% reduction from the administration's initial proposal), and free first 10 pages for electronic documents. She also suggested that the fee schedule be reviewed within 9–10 months. - Parish President Matthew Jewell expressed support for moving forward but argued for a simpler, uniform fee of 50 cents per page for all electronic documents (including emails) and no free pages. He proposed a $5 per 100 pages rate for electronic documents, with a $5,000 cap. He noted that the council secretary can waive fees for readily available documents and that most public records requests come from businesses or lawyers, not ordinary residents. - Councilman Walter Pilié commended the work done and emphasized the importance of public access. He noted that many bid-related documents are not easily accessible online after a bid is awarded, and he encouraged the administration to make more documents available on the parish website to reduce the need for public records requests. He supported the proposed fee structure as a step in the right direction. - Councilman Willie Comardelle pointed out that online bidding platforms like Central Bidding charge subscription fees to users, so the parish should not assume all documents are free to access. He supported a reasonable fee for reproduction. - Parish President Jewell responded that the administration is willing to improve website transparency but cautioned against overwhelming the site with every internal document, as most users visit for basic services (e.g., paying water bills). He reiterated that the parish complies with public records requests and that fees are meant to cover costs, not to profit. - Councilwoman O'Daniels also noted that the ordinance language needs minor updates (e.g.,

The St. Charles Parish Planning & Zoning Commission met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse in Hahnville, Louisiana. The meeting covered a contested rezoning request on Almedia Road in St. Rose and a staff-led review of proposed changes to the C-2 and C-3 commercial zoning districts. Public Comments & Testimony - Applicant Karen Abate, 1078 River Road, St. Rose, spoke in support of her rezoning request for 180 Almedia Road. She questioned the denial recommendation, noting an auto repair shop and substantial commercial activity nearby, and said she found it hard to understand why the property could not be used commercially. She stated that the property already has approval for a mobile home under its current R-1A(M) zoning. - Staff and commissioners advised Ms. Abate to contact her Parish Council representative, noting the commission's vote is only a recommendation and the council makes the final decision. - No members of the public spoke at the public hearing for or against the rezoning, and no letters from neighbors were received. Discussion Items - Rezoning Application 2025-12-R – Karen Abate (agenda identifies the property as Lot G, Block 11, Almedia Plantation, 180 Almedia Road, St. Rose; the transcript says Lot G, Block 8): Department staff presented an analysis against the rezoning guidelines and recommended denial. Staff said the application must meet at least two of the three rezoning guidelines, but it found none were met. The property's future land use designation is low-to-moderate residential, which supports R-1A, R-1B, and R-1A(M), not M-1. Although adjacent M-1 zoning exists, the change would extend industrial zoning further into a residential area without comprehensive plan support. Staff also said R-1A(M) remains a reasonable use, with manufactured homes and single-family dwellings on adjacent lots, and prior M-1 rezonings along Almedia Road occurred only across from already M-1 areas with no residential development. Staff further stated the site sits at a transition from residential and neighborhood commercial uses toward an industrial corridor, with residential or neighborhood commercial uses on three sides, and the future land use map establishes a clear line for industrial development. One commissioner asked whether a C-1 or C-2 request would fare better; staff answered that it would still conflict with the future land use map, but a less intense zoning category might allow more consideration. - C District Review: Staff presented a draft concept for updating the commercial zoning districts, particularly C-2 and C-3. The proposal would consolidate specific uses such as heating and air conditioning service, plumbing shops, and glass installation into broader categories; allow some C-3-type uses as special permits in C-2; and add criteria related to minimum lot size, highway access, loading docks, and building size. Staff cited their own "light manufacturing" definition as a possible model but said they would avoid the term because a light manufacturing district already exists. Staff said the next step is a draft ordinance, followed by legislative committee and council review, then a formal commission vote. The goal is to reduce rezoning and special permit requests, make the code easier to navigate, and avoid creating new non-conforming uses. - Commissioner comments and concerns included: focusing on the scale and infrastructure impact of a business rather than a long list of specific uses; concern that a proposed 10,000-square-foot minimum lot size could prevent small businesses such as lawn care services, laboratories, and dog daycares from locating in C-3; and a warning that special permit delays of about 60 days can hurt business owners. One commissioner also noted that metal prices had risen 20% in the previous 60 days as an example of the cost of delay. Staff responded that special permits are faster than rezoning and can be conditioned, and that the minimum lot size is intended to keep small C-2 lots from being rezoned to C-3 unless they have appropriate highway access. - One commissioner said businesses he talks to describe St. Charles Parish as bureaucratic, saying some are choosing Jefferson Parish because it is "easier, cheaper and faster"; staff encouraged those businesses to provide examples. Discussion also covered direct-to-consumer/home-based sales, which are generally not permitted if customers come to the home, and past applications for residential care facilities, which staff said can fit in limited zoning categories such as R-3. Key Outcomes - A motion made by Mr. Ross and seconded on rezoning application 2025-12-R failed unanimously. Because the commission's action is a recommendation, the application and denial recommendation will go to the St. Charles Parish Council for final decision. - The commission gave tacit approval for staff to proceed with drafting a C District ordinance based on the discussion and feedback. Staff asked for additional commissioner comments by email within one to two weeks. - At the close of the meeting, the agenda called for approval of the October 9, 2025 minutes; the transcript records a unanimous vote ("That passes unanimously") without explicitly naming that motion.