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Votes at a glance: St. Charles Parish Council approves contracts, zoning and code amendments
Summary
The council voted on a series of ordinances and resolutions, including approval of contracts for flood and utility projects, a zoning amendment to transfer coastal zone duties temporarily, and a change to the derelict‑vehicle test; all items passed or were otherwise acted on as noted.
At the meeting the St. Charles Parish Council considered and voted on multiple ordinances, resolutions and appointments. Below is a concise summary of each formal action read into the record and the outcome announced by the chair.
- File 2025‑0094: Cooperative endeavor with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to provide office space in the parish courthouse. Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0095 (amended): Ordinance temporarily transferring functions of the Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee to the Planning Commission on an interim basis. Councilwoman O'Daniels moved to amend the sunset period from 18 months to six months; the amendment and the ordinance as amended passed unanimously. Council directed staff to support training for the interim panel.
- File 2025‑0096: Technical amendment adding the definition of base flood elevation to the parish flood damage prevention code (NFIP compliance). Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0097: Technical amendment adding language that water supply systems be designed to minimize infiltration of floodwaters. Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0100: Act of sale to acquire Lot 1A (1.06 acres) for project access in the Hahn/King Street drainage project for $115,525. Outcome: passed unanimously; staff estimated roughly $1.6 million in construction savings on the broader project by acquiring the parcel.
- File 2025‑0101: Contract with ARC Mechanical Contractors Inc. for chiller replacement at the Edward A. Dufrin Community Center, $1,007,800. Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0102: Agreement between the Department of Community Services and the Saint Charles Parish School Board for the summer food service program (May 30–July 10, 2025). Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0104: Change Order No. 3 with Casperos Inc. for Concrete Maintenance 2023 (increase of $288,798.91 and 24 days). Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0105: Contract with RLJ Construction LLC for River Oaks lift station replacement ($421,091.99). Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0106 (amended): Code amendment clarifying definition of derelict/abandoned vehicles by changing the test from a three‑part “and” to a two‑part “or/and” formulation and a minor grammatical correction. The council discussed enforcement timelines and due‑process steps; the amendment passed unanimously and the ordinance as amended then passed unanimously. Staff described a multi‑step enforcement process involving planning and zoning notices, legal filings and judicial review that can take many months before removal occurs.
- File 2025‑0107: Contract with Sea Level Construction Inc. for Vernon's pump station No. 1 (East Bank‑West Shore) in the amount of $14,434,000. Outcome: passed unanimously.
- File 2025‑0108: Services agreement for wastewater generator preventative maintenance (not to exceed $105,280). The administration requested indefinite postponement; the council postponed the item indefinitely by unanimous vote.
- File 2025‑0109: Amendment No. 1 to professional services agreement with GEC Inc. for Hornville wastewater treatment plant capacity upgrades (design amendment not to exceed $908,457). Outcome: passed unanimously. Staff said the project will convert to membrane bioreactor technology to increase capacity at lower footprint and cost than a proposed wetland assimilation pond.
- File 2025‑0009: Franchise agreement with Entergy Louisiana LLC (term language and Public Service Commission compliance language updated). Outcome: passed unanimously.
- Resolutions and appointments: the council approved an accessory dwelling unit special permit (file 2025‑0121) and announced upcoming appointments and public meeting dates; the items requiring nominations were set for future meetings.
Several of the ordinances described technical corrections required by FEMA/NFIP reviews, routine capital contracts for community facilities and public works, and personnel/appointment items scheduled for future hearings. In all cases where votes were recorded during the meeting, the chair reported unanimous passage or the action requested in the agenda.
