[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537211,"mediaKeyId","3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7","parentId",3633373,"title","St. Charles Communications District reports near-full staffing, text-to-911 progress and 700 MHz radio upgrades","audioSeconds",236,"startMs",1145000,"endMs",1381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7&start=1145&end=1381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7/thumbnail_1145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537211/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/St-Charles-Communications-District-reports-near-full-staffing-text-to-911-progress-and-700-MHz-radio-upgrades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537211-41c186d04fc3b78ac1a1a951cad9b740/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140088&Signature=ZP5hdd9YT1Gme5fHTeXU9mNTKziSp6rWafAN7~ch3wLBukg8f1CSOXbeoEix9AQby2MRcPSUtkakh-8idc9-OH-aW-4R3QIAU84IJ7ylLS-vf7liLn27SP2jwE60SaBHHV227lG~1N9c-7cQ8cQ9t18cKaVPxoG647caEXuhazZMz5N4XNlJfxAryaZbSwRp9f30t5z4mcbsnKNhoEcN87ZHB1gRA5E7dB-jo63cvfPuyTvH~dA~mPYQXrDdhf0lPtLUjxO8~Cz9l5N-GMh8~lhR82duBBds5lh0h~bbGBy~keveHskhsibWmvN9aoDlIruuVOqZ3nFd3hPleZQTYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Charles Parish","date","2025-06-03T01:03:54.38Z","article","The St. Charles Parish Communications District reported to the council on June 2 that the 9-1-1 call center is nearly fully staffed and is progressing on several communications upgrades, including text-to-911 capability and a redundant 700 MHz radio system.

During the annual report, the Communications District presenter said staff levels have improved and the chief deputy is considering adding one more operator on C shift. Call volume figures were reviewed: approximately 5,600 EMS calls in 2024, roughly 3,500 sheriff's office calls, nearly 2,800 fire service calls in 2024, and around 54,000 total phone calls received by the center.

The presenter said the parish is implementing text-to-911 via RapidSOS; earlier phone and CAD purchases had the capability but wireless providers had not enabled it. The state legislature recently passed a law to prompt carrier support, and the parish is moving forward with implementation. The communications upgrades also include installation of a redundant 700 MHz radio system and upgrades to 700 MHz radio consoles; the presenter said cutover is planned around July and that major work remains at the Bayou Guys Tower.

Training and operator onboarding remain priorities; the presenter noted the communications center requires significant training for new hires and continuing training for experienced staff. The district said it will continue hiring and interviewing to fill positions and will update the council as projects advance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Charles Parish Council Meeting for June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The parish Communications District reported it is nearly fully staffed, implementing text-to-911 capability via RapidSOS following state action, and expects a July cutover for a 700 MHz redundant radio system and radio console upgrades.","taxTitle","St. Charles Parish, Louisiana","taxId",62169,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537216,"Council approves $1.55M CMAR preconstruction contract for Hornville Branch Library after debate over procurement method",986,2722000,3708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7&start=2722&end=3708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7/thumbnail_2722000.jpg","/articles/6537216/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/Council-approves-155M-CMAR-preconstruction-contract-for-Hornville-Branch-Library-after-debate-over-procurement-method","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537216-58fe496fb078a929cac13cce983eb380/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140088&Signature=hRPGrUQ4wZX-MFCu3sKBvepVJBmwvAXsIRl4-FgClScEpH8zGNS4uo-jWK3sJF4txcT0YSeG55r14x8xPrFB4EzZwLyLYqRJ32tK8JDbUEbvqMw1UX~LX1buvEEhTByMOFDrBIJ3v8HInl7S55VWN50k0Q4eNd6PWd5GDzXQMRycENFAfYuP3EVwZmrlBnIP~LtzLrXEEDdBe7ec7nQLTXrXLuH0VG7q-0JfgQxLJPrbr-v-MAgTxUrUae0fg0zE1hwXNDISNBhp3~vdUvKtwsdotxeMz65eqnssv1ZpilAjPHXOdH7kwvWG1mKWGH4J2qBCDpLrlTTI214HtQll5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Charles Parish Council voted to authorize a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) preconstruction services agreement with Woodward Design and Build LLC for the Hornville Branch Library on June 2. The contract amount for preconstruction services and early work is $1,550,000; the motion passed with one dissenting vote.

Mister Palamon, presenting the project, said the parish selected an architect last year and is at roughly 30% design, the threshold the parish uses to move to the CMAR process. He said the $1,550,000 figure includes a $50,000 basic CMAR fee and funds for preconstruction activities such as site surcharging and early material orders. He also said the library system pays the fees and that parish engineering will oversee the design.

Councilman Pillier raised objections to using CMAR for what he described as a building project rather than a complex infrastructure project, and questioned whether parish engineering resources should be allocated to a library while other critical infrastructure projects are underway. He said he viewed the Hornville library as less complex than projects that previously used CMAR, such as pump stations, and expressed concern about diverting staff capacity.

Parish President Jewell and other supporters said libraries have specific design complexities and that many jurisdictions use CMAR for building projects where schedule and specialized design coordination are important. Palamon and other staff noted that using CMAR gives the parish an option to secure a guaranteed maximum price; if the parties cannot agree on price the project could revert to a traditional bid-build approach.

The council voted on File 2025-0149 following public hearing and discussion; the record shows the measure passed with Councilman Pilier voting no. Council members asked staff to continue oversight during design and to report on cost comparisons at appropriate milestones.

","The council approved a construction-manager-at-risk preconstruction agreement for the Hornville Branch Library, $1,550,000, with one recorded no vote. Council discussion focused on whether CMAR is appropriate for a library building and potential impacts on parish staff resources.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537221,"St. Charles Parish details upgrades and funding for Cross Bayou Pump Station after acquisition from Pontchartrain Levee District",258,2189000,2447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7&start=2189&end=2447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7/thumbnail_2189000.jpg","/articles/6537221/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/St-Charles-Parish-details-upgrades-and-funding-for-Cross-Bayou-Pump-Station-after-acquisition-from-Pontchartrain-Levee-District","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537221-1a17fa02ec8015800358d3d2fc7fc3de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140088&Signature=OhHMkl5cdimHIlSszTLCwfSoY3wC~5w4Ai-jfi7tAWfr~vh9cN8y8bqzgkgIYvD~qNSz4uYx4yt8CtYYNicM3oyrq4mG~vSGlhSsqiVoMa30L6w73cgSg7nvIg8CAKj7-e5oX3hm0FIM~bsR7dx2A~i9xL-v5UVOZFLs3XtOUx4MZxxj~e32LHbGoqDxuYXwshLvuUFLbST922ip9Q3GGb5k0ztWGPCunIsHfhXwYrPuTYhn4NniINnWQUFGpC0PldfuVYRiCAhKbEFinCLyAnRp9sfLyKAo7xxlbpFbJkISt39nJuQmrc0aTQW8BtiDFgNzQD2kyH~UuhbaK57ZOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Charles Parish officials told the council on June 2 that the parish has taken operational control of the Cross Bayou Pump Station, acquired from the Pontchartrain Levee District, and has begun upgrades intended to improve reliability and remote monitoring.

Parish President Jewell said the parish installed new fuel tanks and added telemetry to allow remote monitoring of fuel levels at the station. The parish will prioritize projects at the facility to bring it to parish standards, which officials described as integrating more technology than the original Corps of Engineers construction.

During the meeting officials clarified the financial terms conveyed in the acquisition agreement. The parish will receive a total of $7,500,000 as part of the agreement, $3,500,000 of which has been received up front; the parish will receive $1,000,000 per year thereafter until the $7.5 million total is reached. Parish staff said the dollar figure was set after internal and third-party evaluations of the station and that they have prioritized projects for the funds already received.

Parish President Jewell and staff described the telemetry and new tanks as measures to reduce the need to man every pump station and to allow more efficient operations and preventive maintenance. No formal action was required at the June 2 meeting to accept the station; budget bookkeeping for the acquired funds was addressed as part of the consolidated budget amendment (File 2025-0153), which created a Cross Bayou pump station account to capture the initial $3.5 million and future payments.

Officials said additional capital work at the station will be scheduled and funded from the agreement proceeds and that projects will be prioritized based on the evaluations that were performed before the transfer.

","Parish officials said they received $3.5 million upfront and will receive $1 million annually until $7.5 million total to fund improvements at Cross Bayou Pump Station; telemetry and new fuel tanks were installed and projects will be prioritized.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":79,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":82,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537226,"St. Charles Parish Council approves budget rollover, contracts and zoning changes; library CMAR draws lone no vote",1798,4520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633373-665e20a6da6f4b1fc856dc9f8cfeeac7&start=2722&end=4520","/articles/6537226/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/St-Charles-Parish-Council-approves-budget-rollover-contracts-and-zoning-changes-library-CMAR-draws-lone-no-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537226-bc504c9ac430d60b92f2d26f65980d49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140088&Signature=h1uyP~LBfENDn8I~K~TQ1B5fPZl21KzgaeswXcjJcvcZh-v9lsVG3yTRjfXpXom-F7vSv-D~HZUmWL0qaaTcANnsOzeH3PII8CgXT655H6uGXF4ZnpE-UXyep-y30GnBF8dh14diw~bib-wdXtcLy4nGQADbyR-womc-T3URCN0E1V3-V5VMLmqsWrcyE4XmzAubi7yxvYYNwxUMwUYi9RzfU-ArSWuFlg2Uv-3koD92mrgrtVVai4U79YDQnxcMovFoAWUceOe3jSsRRFl8EeMI1OR-FyyO96~j0VNVpKYFOR6w3q~egR4T0Kk~VJwd49KTP3mDK-du75JuEWPgCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Charles Parish Council on June 2 approved a consolidated budget rollover and a series of contracts, zoning ordinance changes and project authorizations, while narrowly approving a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) preconstruction agreement for the Hornville Branch Library after one council member voted no.

The council adopted Ordinance/File 2025-0153, an amendment to the 2025 consolidated operating and capital budget to reapply unspent 2024 project funds and adjust beginning fund balances. The amendment added revenues and transfers totaling $33,691,489, an addition of accumulated fund balance of $16,475,210 and expenditures, including transfers, totaling $45,075,920 for all governmental funds.

Council members also approved zoning amendments and multiple construction and drainage contracts that the parish said will fund street resurfacing, drainage improvements and transportation connections:
- Ordinance/File 2025-0147: amended the parish flood damage prevention provisions to allow wet floodproofing for residential accessory buildings up to 600 square feet (passed unanimously).
- Ordinance/File 2025-0148: established spatial requirements for the wetlands district (LW-1), including a 10-acre minimum parcel size and 5% maximum lot coverage (passed unanimously).
- Ordinance/File 2025-0149: authorized a CMAR preconstruction services agreement with Woodward Design and Build LLC for the Hornville Branch Library in the amount of $1,550,000 (approved; Councilman Pilier voted no).
- Ordinance/File 2025-0151: awarded a contract to Byron E. Talbot Contractor Inc. for the Deputy Jeff G. Watson Drive roadway extension, Project P190102, in the amount of $1,438,242.25 (passed unanimously).
- Ordinance/File 2025-0152: awarded a contract to Varia Construction Company LLC for the Murray Hill Industrial Hand Drive drainage improvements, Project P201001, in the amount of $2,112,258 (passed unanimously).
- Ordinance/File 2025-0154: approved Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement with Evans Graves Engineers Inc. for LA 52 Phase 2 (Blueberry Hill to U.S. 90), adding $343,663 for a total contract price of $589,233 (passed unanimously).

The council confirmed an appointment to the St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission (File 2025-0120) and named the St. Charles Herald Guide as the parish's official journal for July 2025'June 2026. The council also set the 2026 budget calendar and approved the dates for public hearings.

On the Hornville Branch Library CMAR item, proponents said the CMAR approach will help manage complex library-specific design needs and provide an early guaranteed maximum price option; opponents questioned whether CMAR was appropriate for a building project and whether parish engineering resources were best applied to other critical infrastructure. The motion to enter the CMAR preconstruction agreement passed with one no vote.

Votes at a glance: all listed ordinances and contracts above were approved as noted; public hearings for several items were opened and closed during the meeting before the council voted.

Meeting materials and the official agenda refer to Louisiana Revised Statute 38 (as cited during discussion) in relation to CMAR procurement rules and to FEMA guidance regarding floodproofing standards.

The council meeting closed after routine reports and announcements. The next regular council meeting was scheduled for June 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

","At its June 2 meeting the St. Charles Parish Council adopted a consolidated budget rollover and approved multiple contracts and zoning ordinance changes. A construction-manager-at-risk preconstruction contract for the Hornville Branch Library passed with one dissenting vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Charles Communications District reports near-full staffing, text-to-911 progress and 700 MHz radio upgrades

Council approves $1.55M CMAR preconstruction contract for Hornville Branch Library after debate over procurement method

St. Charles Parish details upgrades and funding for Cross Bayou Pump Station after acquisition from Pontchartrain Levee District

St. Charles Parish Council approves budget rollover, contracts and zoning changes; library CMAR draws lone no vote