Council approves code changes to recreation‑district complaint process after debate over council authority

The Terrebonne Parish Council approved proposed amendments on June 8 that revise how complaints against recreation-district board members are investigated and clarify the composition and officer selection for the Recreation Advisory Board.

The ordinance text, developed with recreation advisory committee input, formalizes a process in which complaints are routed to the parish legal department and risk management for investigation. Legal staff will compile findings and provide a report and recommendation to the council; the council retains the authority to initiate proceedings and take final action. Proponents said the change aligns the written code with established practice and leverages legal staff’s investigative expertise.

Several council members objected to provisions they said could be interpreted as reducing the council’s direct role. Councilman Mr. Pleasure and Mr. Trosclair said the council appoints advisory-board members and should not cede substantive removal power; Mr. Harding asked that the code continue to permit removal for clear causes (for example, three consecutive missed meetings, felony conviction or other enumerated grounds). Supporters of the revision said the change merely formalizes the investigative role of the parish attorney and risk-management staff and that the council would still receive findings and could convene committees or executive sessions to take action.

After debate, the ordinance moved forward. The recorded vote in the excerpt was 6 yays and 3 nays. The council clerk will schedule the public hearing as the next procedural step and staff said they will circulate the updated code language to members for final review prior to adoption.