Tangipahoa Parish Council approves demolitions, permits and contracts; 30-day compliance ordered for two Hammond properties

The Tangipahoa Parish Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to order demolition or remediation and give owners 30 days to comply for two blighted properties in Hammond, approved two auto-body ‘‘dismantle-only’’ permits after a public hearing, and approved several contracts and change orders related to the parish jail and road maintenance.

The most immediate actions were the condemnations of 11540 Wendell Lane (assessment number 4203100) and 43158 Tillman Drive (assessment number 1967207), both in District 6. Parish staff reported that certified notices and a title search had been completed and that the building official had reviewed both structures. "It is a structure that is a danger to the community in its current condition," a parish staff member (identified in the record as Jeffrey) said of the Wendell Lane property. Councilman Mayhew moved to give the owners 30 days to comply; the motion passed 10–0.

The council also completed a public hearing and passed two resolutions to allow permitting for auto-body dismantle-only licenses. Resolution R25-07 authorized Cooper Salvage Yard at 24333 Highway 22 in Ponchatoula (District 9) to proceed with permitting for an auto-body dismantle-only license. A second resolution authorized permitting for S & J Auto Body and Mechanics at 18226 Woodscale Road in Hammond (District 8). Council members and staff explained that a "dismantle-only" license permits removal of vehicle body parts only and prohibits dismantling engine components or other parts involving fluids, oils or gas. Danny Long, who spoke during the public hearing, said the operators had moved away from engine work years ago. Both resolutions passed 10–0.

On capital projects and procurement, the council approved two change orders for the Tangipahoa Parish jail roof replacement: Change Order No. 1 adds $4,870.04 to replace razor‑wire support brackets, bringing the project total to $2,491,107; Change Order No. 2 adds $29,373 to install wood blocking under the existing coping cap, bringing the total to $2,520,480. Parish staff said both adjustments remain within the project's contingency; the council approved both by roll call (each vote recorded 10–0).

The council accepted the low bid for the parish maintenance overlay program (TPG 2025001). Barrie A Construction was the low bidder at $6,855,380.01; staff said there were four bids and the amounts were close to one another. A separate equipment purchase at the landfill awarded the low bid to Vermeer Mid South for a specified model (three bids were received); the council approved that purchase 10–0.

The council also approved two actions to hire outside contractors to cut grass and abate blighted properties where property owners had not complied. The lots were listed as Lot 5 East Coleman Park (assessment number 320048) and Lot 6 East Colvin Park (assessment number 1943006) in District 7; the cost of the contracts plus administrative fees will be liened against the properties. Council members said multiple notices and follow-ups had been made before seeking contractors. Both motions passed 10–0.

Other routine business approved during the meeting included adoption of an amended parish fee schedule discussed at the finance committee, two reappointments to the Tangipahoa Water District (Tommy Levitino and Charlie Harrison), and a new appointment to the Tangipahoa Council on Aging (Kevin Spancel). The meeting record shows unanimous approval (10–0) for these items.

Votes at a glance - Condemnation (11540 Wendell Lane, Hammond; assessment 4203100): 30-day compliance ordered; outcome: approved 10–0; mover: Councilman Mayhew; second: not specified. - Condemnation (43158 Tillman Drive, Hammond; assessment 1967207): 30-day compliance ordered; outcome: approved 10–0; mover: Councilman Mayhew; second: not specified. - Resolution R25-07 (Cooper Salvage Yard, 24333 Highway 22, Ponchatoula; auto-body dismantle-only permit): approved 10–0; mover: Councilwoman Hyde; second: Councilman Mayhew. - Resolution (S & J Auto Body and Mechanics, 18226 Woodscale Road, Hammond; auto-body dismantle-only permit): approved 10–0; mover: not specified; second: not specified. - Change Order No. 1 (Parish jail roof): +$4,870.04, new total $2,491,107; approved 10–0. - Change Order No. 2 (Parish jail roof): +$29,373, new total $2,520,480; approved 10–0. - Contract award (TPG 2025001 maintenance overlay): Barrie A Construction low bid $6,855,380.01; approved 10–0. - Equipment purchase (landfill; Vermeer or equivalent): low bidder Vermeer Mid South; approved 10–0. - Lot abatements (Lot 5 East Coleman Park assessment 320048; Lot 6 East Colvin Park assessment 1943006): hire contractors and lien properties for costs; approved 10–0. - Ordinance to amend parish fee schedule: adopted 10–0. - Board appointments (Tangipahoa Water District: Tommy Levitino and Charlie Harrison; Tangipahoa Council on Aging: Kevin Spancel): approved 10–0.

Why it matters: The condemnations address structures the parish says pose safety risks to Hammond neighborhoods; the jail roof change orders and overlay contract affect ongoing capital spending and local road maintenance; the auto-body permit decisions set conditions (dismantle-only) intended to limit environmental and public‑health risks from fluid-bearing vehicle work. The grass-cutting abatements reflect recurring enforcement and budgetary costs: staff noted the parish spends roughly $2.5 million annually on grass cutting, blighted property work, animal control and litter abatement.

Meeting context and next steps: Staff said certified notices and a title abstract had been completed in the condemned properties' cases; owners have 30 days to bring properties into compliance before the parish may proceed with demolition. Permits approved for dismantle-only auto-body operations will proceed to the permitting stage under the conditions described. Several items referenced in the meeting (detailed bid documents, fee schedule package) are included in the council's packet.

Ending: The council concluded the regular meeting after a series of unanimous votes and a brief period of council privileges and announcements; no items were tabled or postponed.