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Plaquemine selectmen approve festival alcohol permits, adopt wastewater facility MWPP resolutions
Summary
At the March 10 meeting, Plaquemine’s Mayor and Board of Selectmen approved two 2026 Class T alcohol permits for community events, adopted 2025 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) resolutions for two wastewater facilities, tabled an infrastructure grant services resolution, and acknowledged reports and invoices.
The Mayor and Board of Selectmen of the City of Plaquemine met March 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the second-floor courtroom of Plaquemine City Hall. Mayor John “JB” Barker and five board members were present; Selectman Shannon P. Courtade was absent. The meeting opened with recognition of Gas and Water Supervisor Lawrence Pierce III and City Clerk/Tax Collector Roxane M. Richard for 36 years of service.
The board approved two 2026 Class T alcohol beverage permits for events organized by We Are The Difference. Selectman Brent Barbier moved to approve a permit for the Persimmon Festival at the Mark A. “Tony” Gulotta Waterfront Park on March 14, 2026; Selectman Thomas D. LeBlanc seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board also approved a permit for Echoes of the ’80s at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center on June 6, 2026; Selectman Barbier moved and Selectman Michael K. Carlin, Sr. seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Both permits list Rhonda Harrell as the requester.
The board considered a resolution to accept proposals and contracts for professional services and to authorize submission of an application for infrastructure financial assistance through the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Selectwoman Natasha S. Johnson moved, with Selectwoman Wanda B. Jones seconding, to table the item until a committee meeting; the motion carried.
The board adopted two Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) resolutions required for reporting to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Selectman Brent Barbier moved, seconded by Selectman Michael K. Carlin, Sr., to adopt the 2025 MWPP resolution for the City of Plaquemine Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (LPDES permit LA0020648). The board recorded the plant’s 2025 assessment score as 67.5 out of 560 (the MWPP documentation notes a lower score indicates better plant operation) and adopted the resolution unanimously. The board then adopted the 2025 MWPP resolution for the North Wastewater Treatment Facility (LPDES permit LA0020656); that facility’s assessment score was recorded as 85 out of 560, and the resolution was adopted unanimously.
During committee reports, Tony Arikol of PEC and several department heads gave updates. Utility Director Paul Seawell, Jr., Fire Chief Darren Ramirez, Police Chief Stephen Engolio, Customer Service Director Mary Walls and Finance Director Lauren Berthelot briefed the board on ongoing projects and operations. The board acknowledged monthly payments and approved an invoice to Epic Paving, LLC for curb repair totaling $38,630.00.
The board acknowledged the police and fire reports for February 2026 and payroll vouchers for February 2026, waived the reading of and approved the minutes of the Feb. 10, 2026 regular meeting and the Feb. 24, 2026 committee meeting, and adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Presentations and appearances during the meeting included candidates Lori White and Victor Woods (each addressing the board as a candidate for District Judge, 18th Judicial District Court, Division C), author L. Phillip Canova Jr., Cliff Palmer of LaMats and Dr. John Suthurlin on Brownfields-eligible properties, and Terri Witt of We Are The Difference with a Merry Way update. Administrative Assistant Jacqueline Salvato was asked to research online application options for occupational licenses following public inquiries reported by Selectman Thomas D. LeBlanc.
No public comments were registered during the public-comment period.
