Board authorizes chair and executive director to sign change order, negotiate permits and trustee agreements

The board voted unanimously in public session to authorize Chairman Gordon Dove and Executive Director Jared Clay Parker to execute a change order, negotiate permit status with federal and state agencies and negotiate agreements with trustee organizations related to the project, all subject to review and approval by legal counsel.

The action came immediately after an executive session held pursuant to the Louisiana Revised Statutes cited during the meeting for attorney‑client privilege. Jennifer Singer, the board secretary, asked the body for authority, saying, "We're looking for authority to, the board to provide authority to Chairman Dove to execute the change order in essentially the same form and substance as presented to the board during the executive session."

The board first approved a motion authorizing Chairman Gordon Dove to execute the change order "in essentially the same form and substance" as presented in executive session. The motion was moved by Tony Alford and seconded by Mister Bourgeois. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from the voting members present; Representative Zareng was identified on the record as an ex‑officio member who could not vote.

Separately, the board authorized Chairman Dove and/or Executive Director Jared Clay Parker to "negotiate permit status with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources," and to take and document actions they deem appropriate regarding permits that might be suspended, terminated or modified, "as approved by legal." That motion was moved by Mister Bourgeois and seconded by Mister Dalgo and approved by roll call.

A third motion granted Dove and/or Parker authority to negotiate with the Louisiana Trust Implementation Group and the National Fish and Wildlife Federation "pertaining to any agreements, resolutions, settlements, and as regards to, the termination and or, or handling of the project" and to discuss alternative projects, again "as approved by legal." That motion was moved by Mister Bourgeois and seconded by Mister Hidalgo and carried by roll call.

Each authorization was recorded after the board returned to public session; meeting attendees completed roll calls for each motion. The record shows no recorded opposing votes on the three motions. The transcript notes that legal approval is a condition on signing or finalizing any documents or agreements.

After the votes, the board opened the floor for public comment and later approved a motion to adjourn.