Saint Charles Parish Council approves zoning, contract adjustments and public-safety purchases
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Summary
On Feb. 9 the council unanimously approved several ordinances and contract changes, including a rezoning on Highway 90, a reduction to a water-main replacement contract, a change order for a drainage/pump-station project and a cooperative endeavor agreement using opioid-settlement funds to buy AEDs and compression devices for volunteer fire departments.
Saint Charles Parish Council adopted a series of ordinances and contract changes at its Feb. 9 meeting, approving zoning adjustments, contract change orders and a cooperative endeavor agreement to equip volunteer fire departments with life‑saving devices.
The council approved File 2026‑0028, a rezoning request to change a parcel on Highway 90 from residential (R‑3) back to highway commercial (C‑3). Planning director Michael Albert told the council the request "brings it back to its previous zoning," and staff and the planning commission recommended approval. The chair called the vote and the measure passed unanimously.
Council also approved File 2026‑0023, final change order number 1 for the LA‑18 cast‑iron water‑main replacement (a net decrease of $85,019.76). Greg Gordon of Varminta Waterworks described the project as successful and attributed the cost change to revised quantity estimates: "The project went well," he said.
The council amended and approved File 2026‑0038, a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Saint Charles Firemen’s Association using up to $200,000 from the Louisiana state local government opioid‑litigation settlement to purchase nine Lifeline ARM chest‑compression systems and Lifepak 1000 AEDs for volunteer departments. Councilman Ewell explained the funding’s connection to opioid‑epidemic settlement guidelines and said the parish will procure the equipment and donate it to the association.
Separately, the council approved File 2026‑0039, a professional‑services agreement with Hughesman & Associates for engineering work to replace aging courthouse electrical panels (not to exceed $79,855), and File 2026‑0041, a final change order for the Sunset bar‑screen/cleaner project that reduces the contract by $192,662.65 and shortens contract time; presenters said the work included canal widening (about 70,000 cubic yards removed) and telemetry improvements to the pump station.
Most measures passed by unanimous voice vote during the meeting; the minutes from the Jan. 26 meeting were approved on a motion by Lasandra Wilson and seconded by Michelle O’Daniels and the chair noted the minutes passed unanimously with council members Pia May, Fonseca and Fisher absent.
The council did not record roll‑call tallies for all items in the public transcript; outcomes reported in the meeting were the formal approvals announced by the chair.
