Ashley Barnes

The meeting covered several administrative items, including the acceptance of the March 3, 2022 minutes. Discussions included the status of delivering trash bags and bins to various locations such as Lemonville and Modis, with follow-up required on specific placement issues. A motion was proposed to discuss the drainage ditch on Cotton Drive (35167 Cotton Drive), which is pending legal paperwork, including a right of servitude and hold harmless agreement. Updates were provided on equipment status, noting two tractors and one machine are down awaiting parts, though operations continue with loaned equipment. The status of the tire collection program was addressed, confirming pickup continues, but the site is not yet fully set up for public drop-off. Hot spot trash collection areas were reviewed. A significant portion of the meeting involved an update on the Napoleon/LaFourche Basin dredging project, which is nearly complete (6.7 miles total, 6 miles finished). Delays were attributed to the pandemic and weather dependence. Discussions also touched upon securing grant money to extend the dredging further to the south of Highway 70, which requires obtaining an emergency declaration similar to one used in St. James Parish due to jurisdictional overlap into Assumption Parish.

The Finance Committee meeting included the discussion and amendment of several change orders. Key financial actions involved approving change orders for the Animal Shelter Renovations (due to unforeseen sewer line and concrete removal/replacement issues), extending the timeline for the Ascension Filter Plant Electrical System Upgrade (due to permit delays), approving renovations for the Governmental Complex Administration and Council Secretary Office (for a new door lock/reader), and processing a contract decrease for the Animal Substation Number 61 due to material substitutions, which also required adding 156 delay days due to equipment delivery issues. Additionally, the committee reviewed the July 2021 contract report and the Revenue and Expenditure report, noting that financial tracking via Open Finance is ongoing and sales tax revenue is currently on track. The committee also awarded the bid for hot application asphalt mixture to both vendors who bid the same price, and approved mosquito control chemical bids individually as required.

The meeting covered the acceptance of minutes and written decisions from the December 22, 2020, meeting. A significant portion of the agenda involved the nomination and election of 2021 officers, resulting in the selection of Mr. Steve Jeffrey Allen as Chairman and Ms. Darla Harris as Vice Chair. The board also held public hearings and reviewed variances. Key variance discussions concerned PZ-2519.21 regarding the construction of a storage shed that encroached on a 20-foot build line, with discussion on minimizing property disturbance and ensuring base flood elevation compliance. Another variance case, PZ-2521.21, involved an applicant seeking permission to place an additional two-bedroom trailer on a lot smaller than three-quarters of an acre for a family member, prompting concerns from adjacent neighbors regarding access, sewage, and water, and the potential future use of the property as a rental. The board discussed establishing conditions, such as an informal motion, regarding the trailer's long-term status.

The meeting included an invocation and pledge, followed by discussions regarding agenda items. A significant portion of the meeting centered on adding an item concerning the Capital Region Capacity Building Grant Program for the Watershed Initiative, which required an application submission by October 1st regarding watershed district management. Members debated the structure of the 17-member commission, including representation from Ascension Parish versus other parishes, and the implications for funding distribution, particularly concerning the allocation to the most impacted parishes from the 2016 flood events. A brief report was given on the successful Amite River cleanup, thanking volunteers and industrial partners. The body ultimately decided to move the resolution regarding the agreement with the Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) for financial administration of the watershed group to the full council for a vote, acknowledging that this action was necessary to remain eligible for funding.

The Transportation Committee meeting on March 8, 2022, could not convene due to a lack of quorum. However, the agenda item concerning the renaming of Lawrence Bruley Road back to Rodrigue Road was addressed. A presentation was made regarding the historical context of the 2011 decision, which involved research into why the road name was changed and the petition used to support the change. Testimony was provided by descendants of the Rodrigue family expressing concerns that the original 2011 name change process was potentially invalid because it allegedly lacked the required number of signatures (fewer than 10 were presented) and that affected property owners, including Rodrigue family members, were not properly notified. The Committee agreed to consult with legal counsel regarding the validity of the 2011 action and potentially place the matter on the full council agenda for further discussion.