Daron Cooper

The Zoning Board of Adjustments meeting included a roll call where one member was absent, a moment of silence, the pledge, and a public comment period. The new business focused on two variance requests. The first request, ZBA-1530, sought to reduce the side yard setback to 3 feet (from the required 5 feet) for a property located at 8 St. Loupe Drive; this was unanimously approved. The second request, ZBA-1531, sought a variance to reduce the rear yard setback to 0 feet (from the required 25 feet) for a property at 317 West 5th; this was also unanimously approved. The agenda concluded with committee reports/updates and adjournment.

The meeting involved several new business items related to mobile home placements within St. John the Baptist Parish. Requests included the replacement of a mobile home at 193 East 4th Street, Edgard, which was unanimously approved. Two requests for the new placement of mobile homes, one at 211 East 28th Street, Reserve, and another at 157 Beech Grove Drive, Reserve, were approved with a vote of 6 For / 3 Against. A third request for a new mobile home placement at 158 Little Hope Street, Garyville, was removed from the agenda.

The meeting addressed several agenda items, including tabling a presentation recognizing over 25 years of volunteer service to the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Council removed Ordinance 26-09, which concerned declaring immovable property as surplus, due to legal requirements not being met. Unfinished business included the approval of Resolution R26-14, authorizing a permit for a dirt pit operation by Ten G Inc., LLC. Public hearings were held and subsequent approvals granted for Ordinance 26-07 concerning fiber optic installation excavation along Main Street, and Ordinance 26-08 covering multiple fiber optic installation excavations along Airline Hwy, Lee Drive, Moss Drive, Carmel Valley Drive, Pennbrooke Drive, and English Colony Drive. New business involved approving resolutions to advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Parish's Property and Casualty Insurance (R26-16), to advertise and auction Parish Surplus items (R26-17), to award the bid for the Lyons Water (North) and Reserve Water Storage Tank Rehabilitation to Southern Coatings, LLC (R26-18), and to authorize a Change Order with Command Construction, LLC for lift station rehabilitation projects (R26-19). The Council announced a future public meeting regarding general obligation bonds and tax levies.

The meeting commenced with the call to order and roll call, followed by prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussion items included public comment regarding a parade permit application for the Agape Carnival Parade, specifically concerning the proposed route, which was a point of contention between parade organizers and the Sheriff's office due to safety concerns. Following procedural discussions, Item E regarding the permit approval was removed from the consent agenda. The council then addressed proclamations, including one supporting the historic Blessing of the River Eucharistic Boat Procession scheduled for August 14th-15th, 2024, detailing the route and events. Another proclamation declared August 14th, 2024, as Volunteer Day in recognition of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and its contribution of over 38,000 hours of service from 263 volunteers in the previous year.

The meeting included public comment segments which were opened and closed. Key discussions involved the removal of an item concerning Bobby Davis Jr.'s service recognition from the agenda. The council approved several ordinances and resolutions, including the authorization to acquire property rights-of-way for a wastewater treatment pond and access road (Ordinance 2610). They also authorized the execution of a quick claim deed to return property to Delta Land Services LLC (Ordinance 2611). New business covered resolutions for soliciting engineering services for critical facilities generators (R26-20), extending a professional services agreement for the River Forest Lift Station number one rehab (R26-21), amending that agreement for additional phases (R26-22), approving a change order for the Cambridge/Ned Dway lift station rehabilitation (R26-23), executing a certificate of substantial completion for the utilities generator replacement project (R26-24), and submitting grant applications for the Vignia Canal pump station (R26-25). Finally, the council addressed awarding the group health insurance contract for the Office of Fire Services to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.