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Plaquemines Parish Council approves staff reclassification, updates bank signatories; rule-suspension to consider termination fails
Summary
The council adopted a resolution reclassifying two diesel mechanics to a 2184-hour Civil Service classification and approved updated authorized signatories on Port bank accounts at Hancock-Whitney and Regions; a motion to suspend rules to consider terminating the chief legal officer failed.
At its May 28 meeting in Pointe-a-la-Hache, the Plaquemines Parish Council approved several administrative resolutions including a reclassification of two Diesel Mechanics to a 2184-hour Civil Service classification, and updates to authorized signatories on Port bank accounts at Hancock-Whitney Bank and Regions Bank. A motion to suspend rules to consider termination of the Port’s chief legal officer failed.
On Resolution No. 26-190, Commissioner Ronnie Newsom moved and Commissioner Patricia McCarty seconded a resolution to reclassify two Diesel Mechanics from a 2080-hour Civil Service classification to a 2184-hour classification to ensure continual coverage. The resolution specifies a rotating 7-on/7-off schedule on 12-hour shifts; affected employees will transition from a 40-hour to an 84-hour pay period. The resolution says the reclassification will result in a lower hourly pay rate but the same annual salary, grade and benefits, and that the employees affected have agreed to the change. The council adopted the resolution on a roll-call vote in which all members present voted YES; Commissioner Stuart J. Guey was absent.
The council also approved two bank-signatory resolutions. Resolution No. 26-191 updates signatories at Hancock-Whitney Bank to authorize Patrice A. Bell (Chief Administrative Officer), Chambrel M. Riley (Chief Financial Officer), Jacob K. Lee (Chief Legal Officer) and Harrolynn I. Sherman (Human Resources Manager) as signatories; the resolution directs Hancock-Whitney to remove prior signatories. The motion to adopt R26-191 was moved by Commissioner Newsom and seconded by Commissioner Tyronne Edwards; the roll call recorded at least one dissent (Commissioner Tyronne Edwards voted NO) and Commissioner Stuart J. Guey was absent.
Resolution No. 26-192 makes the same set of updates for Regions Bank accounts. On that roll call, Commissioners Tyronne Edwards and Mitch Jurisich voted NO; Commissioner Guey was absent and the resolution was adopted.
Earlier in the meeting, a motion to suspend the rules so the council could vote on a resolution terminating Jacob Lee, Chief Legal Officer, failed on roll call. The motion was offered by Commissioner Tyronne Edwards and seconded by Commissioner Mitch Jurisich; Commissioners Brian Champagne, Carlton M. LaFrance, Sr. and Mark Cognevich recorded NO votes and Commissioner Guey was absent. Later, Commissioner Edwards placed a termination resolution on the introductions list (Agenda Item 5, introduction only).
The council also adopted Resolution No. 26-194 to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2026 regular meeting (Commissioner Chris Schulz recorded a NO vote; Commissioner Guey was absent).
The administrative actions change internal personnel scheduling and the roster of authorized financial signatories; the council directed the secretary to certify and release the adopted resolutions as provided in the motions.
