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Votes at a glance: Plaquemines Port approves STB petition filing, DOTD agreements and personnel actions
Summary
The council approved a series of resolutions and ordinances including authorization to file a petition with the Surface Transportation Board, DOTD replacement-agreement funding, capital-improvement amendments, salary and manpower changes, bank-signatory updates and retention of an executive-search firm. Several votes were unanimous; one ordinance passed 6–1.
At its meeting the Plaquemines Parish Council acting as the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District approved multiple formal actions. Key votes and outcomes:
- STB petition resolution (authorization to file a petition for exemption before the Surface Transportation Board): approved (vote recorded as passing with 7 ayes; one commissioner absent). The resolution was amended to remove specific references to the executive director and to substitute LPG rail language; port staff said the Venable law firm will handle the filing and staff estimated the filing-fee exemption sought at about $112,000.
- Resolution to enter a replacement agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development under the Louisiana Port Construction and Development priority program: approved 7–0. Staff said this is the state-level component of port-priority grant acceptance to support a port improvement project.
- Ordinance amending the five-year capital improvement plan for the Pointe Le Hesse (Pointe Lehash) ferry ramp replacement project: approved 7–0; engineering and initial budget actions were authorized.
- Ordinance amending the 2026 manpower structure and operating budget for salary increases: an amendment adding a 1% cost-of-living increase for classified employees was adopted; the ordinance as amended passed 7–0.
- Resolutions authorizing signatories on port bank accounts (Hancock Whitney and Regions Bank): both approved 7–0; the port confirmed two wet signatures are required for checks.
- Resolution authorizing the port chairman to retain an employment search firm (fill-in named during the motion): approved 7–0; commissioners said the firm was recommended by other ports and would conduct a global search for a new executive port director.
- Ordinance to amend appointing authority for port employees (to provide legal authority for hiring/firing/discipline during the executive director vacancy): debated and approved 6–1.
What it means: Several items accept and move forward state and federal grant-related work and adjust internal staffing and financial-authority procedures. Commissioners asked staff to provide follow-up timelines and to report back as steps are completed.
Vote details and formal actions (as recorded in the transcript):
- Executive session motion: entered under RS 42:17(A)(2) and (11); vote 8–0 (one absent). (SEG 015–032)
- STB petition resolution: passed (machine reported ‘‘7 ayes to absent’’ after vote). (SEG 1181–1291)
- DOTD replacement-agreement resolution: passed 7–0. (SEG 1293–1359)
- Pointe Le Hesse CIP amendment (ordinance): passed 7–0. (SEG 1360–1379)
- Manpower/salary ordinance as amended: passed 7–0. (SEG 1381–1445)
- Bank signatories (Hancock Whitney and Regions): each passed 7–0. (SEG 1447–1501)
- Retain executive-search firm: passed 7–0. (SEG 1521–1555)
- Appointing-authority ordinance: passed 6–1. (SEG 1556–1659)
The meeting adjourned after approving prior minutes; commissioners requested staff return with more detailed technical timelines and confirmed figures for several projects.
