Heath Barcia

The agenda for the meeting included roll call, reminders regarding council chamber rules and cell phone ordinances, invocation, and pledge of allegiance. Key actions included the introduction of four new ordinances: one to amend the personnel pay scale, one to declare certain properties as surplus and authorize their transfer, one to approve a conditional use for excavation pits (Docket Z-2026-001), one authorizing the sale and public auction of surplus equipment, and one to amend the code of ordinances regarding noxious odors. Resolutions were proposed to support Senator John Kennedy regarding waterfowl management and to authorize a grant application to the State of Louisiana for new Department of Public Works equipment. The agenda also included a motion to accept the Monthly Financial Summary for December 2025, discussion on input from the Coastal Zone Advisory Committee, and a motion to enter Executive Session regarding litigation updates for St. Bernard Parish Govt. v. Port NOLA.

Key discussions during the meeting involved recognizing an individual from The Gathering organization to discuss "For His Glory," as well as recognizing a representative from the St. Bernard Parish Home Mortgage Authority. The Council addressed two zoning matters via public hearing: the approval of Docket Z-2025-015 concerning a zoning change for a storage facility, which was adopted, and the denial of Docket Z-2025-016 for a conditional use to allow a car wash. Furthermore, the Council introduced an ordinance to amend the Parish Government Personnel Pay Scale and accepted the Monthly Financial Summary Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for November 2025. The session included entering and returning from an Executive Session to provide an update on a specific legal matter (St. Bernard Parish Govt. v. Port NOLA). Finally, a resolution was adopted to change the date of the February 19, 2026, Council Meeting to February 23, 2026.

The meeting included recognition of Karen Parsons for outstanding service to the Parish and recognition of Executive Director Brad Hassert with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. The Council received an update from the Capital Projects Department. Discussions and actions were taken regarding an ordinance to amend the Parish Government Personnel Pay Scale (Summary No. 4330), which involved a proposed amendment that was ultimately withdrawn before the final adoption of the ordinance. A resolution was adopted to reappoint Rebecca Livaudais to the St. Bernard Parish Library Board. Furthermore, a resolution was adopted authorizing the Parish President to submit grant application documents for the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) to finance the rehabilitation of the interior of the Violet Water Tower Tank. An ordinance (Summary No. 4331) regarding amendments to the Zoning Code, specifically definitions and permitted uses in commercial and industrial districts, was introduced, with a public hearing scheduled for March 3, 2026. Finally, the Council entered Executive Session to receive updates regarding litigation involving St. Bernard Parish Government v. The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.

The agenda for the St. Bernard Parish Council meeting included several key items. Discussions involved a public hearing and subsequent adoption of an ordinance to amend the Parish Government Personnel Pay Scale. Resolutions were proposed to reappoint a member to the St. Bernard Parish Library Board and to authorize the Parish President to submit a $156,000.00 grant application for the rehabilitation of the Violet Water Tower Tank. An ordinance was introduced to amend Chapter 22 of the Zoning Code regarding permitted uses in Business and Industrial Districts. The Council also planned to enter into Executive Sessions to receive updates concerning litigation involving the Parish Government and the Port of New Orleans.

The key discussion topics for this regular meeting included the motion to adopt the agenda, the creation of new personnel positions for Water Treatment Plant Operators (ranging from Operator-in-Training to Chief Plant Operator) with specified paygrades, the creation of new personnel positions for Wastewater Plant Operators (ranging from Operator-in-Training to Chief Plant Operator) with specified paygrades, and a motion to increase the paygrade for the Plant Manager, Water & Sewer. The agenda also called for a review and discussion of edits and initializations from Administration.