Plaquemines Parish council holds executive session on Port CEO candidates; no final action taken

The Plaquemines Parish Council, acting as the sole governing authority for the Plaquemines Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District, recessed into executive session June 3 to discuss the character and professional competence of applicants for the district’s chief executive officer position.

At a special meeting held at the Belle Chasse Council Chambers, Commissioner Ronnie Newsom moved to place Agenda Item 2 into executive session pursuant to LA R.S. 42:16(A)(1); Commissioner Mitch Jurisich seconded the motion. The council adopted Resolution No. 26-195 to resolve into executive session at 11:06 a.m., with roll call recorded as all members present voting “Yes” and Commissioners Carlton M. LaFrance, Sr. and Mark Cognevich recorded as absent for that roll call. Commissioner LaFrance is noted as arriving later at 11:15 a.m.

The minutes record that the council reconvened and came out of executive session at 4:01 p.m. “with no final or binding action taken.” There are no votes or personnel appointments recorded in the public minutes as outcomes of the closed session.

Kim M. Toups is listed in the minutes as Secretary and Crystal Flood as Assistant Secretary for the meeting record. The meeting was called at 11:03 a.m. and adjourned at 4:01 p.m.

The executive session was taken under the authority of LA R.S. 42:16(A)(1), the Louisiana statute permitting closed discussion of the character and professional competence of candidates for public office. No further actions or directives are recorded in the public minutes; the council’s minutes do not specify any next steps or a timeline for any subsequent public meeting or hiring decision.