St. John the Baptist Parish

Key discussions during this session included removing a presentation item from the table and subsequently from the agenda. The Council approved consent agenda items, which involved approving the minutes from the February 10th, 2026 meeting, an appointment to the Library Board of Control, and a permit for the St. Joan of Arc Stations of the Cross Procession scheduled for April 3rd, 2026. Public hearings were held and ordinances were approved regarding the purchase/expropriation of servitude for the Etienne Victor Cazenave, Sr. Tract (Ordinance 26-10) and authorizing a Quitclaim Deed to Delta Land Services, LLC (Ordinance 26-11). New business involved the approval of several resolutions: authorizing an RFQ for Critical Facilities Generators Engineering Services (R26-20); extending a Professional Services Agreement with Infinity Engineering Consultants, LLC for the River Forest Lift Station #1 Rehabilitation Project (R26-21); amending the same agreement for additional services (R26-22); authorizing Change Order No. 2 with Command Construction, LLC for lift station rehabilitation projects (R26-23); executing the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Utilities Generators Replacement Project (R26-24); authorizing grant application documents for the Vicknair Canal Pump Station (R26-25); awarding Group Health Insurance for the Office of Fire Services to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (R26-26); and awarding Group Dental Insurance for the Office of Fire Services to Companion Life (R26-27). An ordinance was introduced concerning the issuance of Taxable Utilities Revenue Bonds not to exceed $10,000,000.

The council meeting featured several proclamations, including one designating March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and another recognizing March as National Kidney Month, with an emphasis on early detection and living organ donation. Key business involved the approval of Ordinance 26-12, authorizing the issuance of taxable utilities revenue bonds up to $10 million for utility projects, noted as aligning with Department of Environmental Quality goals, and included a fixed low interest rate with a forgiveness portion. The council also authorized soliciting bids for water distribution and treatment maintenance/emergency repairs and amended a professional services agreement with Baroa and Bonura Engineers Consultants LLC for grants administration related to hazard mitigation projects. Reports highlighted Women's History Month and Procurement Month, upcoming community events like a cleanup day, and acknowledged local business ribbon cuttings and parish administration participation in Read Across America.

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.