Kressy Krennerich

The Parish President provided updates on community events including a trash collection initiative, a successful hazardous materials collection event, and the ground-breaking of a new Council on Aging facility in Prairieville. The Council discussed and approved several items, including the installation of no-truck signs on various streets, vertical deflection traffic calming measures, and multiple personnel appointments to the Tourism Commission, Fire Protection District 2, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Additionally, the Council introduced several ordinances related to zoning map amendments and modifications to the Unified Land Development Code, including discussion regarding billboards and land use planning.

The meeting included an announcement acknowledging parish employee relatives who graduated. Board members praised crews for their work during recent storms clearing and replacing culverts to mitigate flooding. The primary agenda item involved a discussion on a change order for the New River dredging project, which was rescheduled to allow for input from the project engineer. A presentation was provided on the Henderson Bayou floodgate and pump station, highlighting the need for increased pumping capacity to prevent flash flooding and proposing the addition of temporary satellite pumps as a cost-effective solution compared to full station construction. Board members discussed drainage challenges in the Henderson Basin and supported the administration's plan to explore design and funding for these improvements.

The committee meeting addressed several infrastructure business items, including the approval of no truck signs on multiple streets and Babin Road, and the consideration of traffic calming measures on Latino Drive. An ordinance was introduced to update transportation impact fees with a projected reduction, and several roads were accepted into the parish maintenance system. The Transportation Department report provided comprehensive updates on ongoing DOTD projects, including roundabout construction, road widening, bridge repairs, and improvements to sidewalk accessibility. Additionally, the committee discussed local parish road paving efforts, drainage issues, and the timeline for future road connector projects and intersection improvements.

The council meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of a property condemnation at 154 Highway 308 South and the adoption of the updated Capital Region Area Flood Plain Task Force Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information. Significant focus was placed on various sewer collection and treatment facility projects through joint undertakings between the Parish and the East Ascension Consolidated Gravity Drainage District Number One. Additionally, the council introduced several ordinances concerning property acquisitions for the Move Ascension Program, zoning map amendments, and revisions to the Code of Ordinances regarding drainage district governance and stormwater management accounts.

The Finance Committee meeting covered multiple business items, including the approval of a contract with Louisiana Claims Administrators for claims management, the renewal of a cooperative endeavor agreement with Nicholls State University for the West Ascension Early Learning Center, and an amendment for autopsy transport services. The committee also authorized the Parish President to execute documents for the Community Development Block Grant Program, approved an agreement for GPS mobile monitoring with Acadian Total Security, and a sponsorship agreement between Trash Rangers of Louisiana LLC and the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. Furthermore, the committee selected Alura Solutions LLC for the ADA Transition Plan Project and Mujo Architect LLC for the National Guard Armory renovation, while reviewing several change orders for park and roadway projects. Additional actions included authorizing a legal services contract, approving a budget amendment for radio purchases, and receiving updates on position classifications.