AGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 21st
, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029). - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029) - Authorize Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
between Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government. - Vote to appoint one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a
four- year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027) Applicants are William J. Fontenot and
Linda C. Babineaux. - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice News
or the Daily World.
IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-018
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Chris Road, Clarence Cormier Road, and Domengeaux Road in
Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish that are designated
as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-019
An Ordinance to Amend the Procedures for Collection of Charges for St. Landry Parish
Government’s Abatement of Nuisance Violations, by Mandating the Charges 1) be Added to Annual
Ad Valorem Tax Bills by the Tax Assessor or Tax Collector, and 2) be Collected by the Tax
Collector.
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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON GARRETT LANE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon Garrett Lane in St. Landry
Parish because Garrett Lane is no longer needed for public purposes, as per Louisiana Revised
Statute 48:701.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Garrett Lane in St. Landry Parish is hereby abandoned.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-015
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44, SECTION
44-14 so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish
that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14 lists the roads in St. Landry
Parish that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14
so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads that are designated as
“No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Chapter 44, Section 44-14 is hereby amended as follows:
The following roads are hereby restricted and designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler
Thru Traffic” routes:
Alvin Street (1)
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); (2)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); (3)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); (4)
Begnaud Road (5)
Belmont Drive; (6)
Comfort Lane; (7)
Country Ridge; (8)
Darjean Road; (9)
Dresser Loop; (10)
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); (11)
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); (12)
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); (13)
Frank Road (14)
Frilot Cove Road; (15)
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); (16)
Government Road (Council District No. 3); (17)
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Greg Drive; (18)
Harmon Lane in Opelousas (19)
Henderson Drive (20)
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); (21)
Highway 1244; (22)
Iseringhausen Road (23)
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); (24)
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); (25)
Judson Walsh; (26)
Lawyer Road; (27)
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); (28)
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35); (29)
National Road (Council District No. 3); (30)
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; (31)
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); (32)
Plantation Road; (33)
Rainbow Drive; (34)
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); (35)
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; (36)
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); (37)
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); (38)
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; (39)
Tecumseh Loop (40)
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); (41)
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection. (42)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016
(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE TWO STOP SIGNS ON RIVERBIRCH ROAD AT THE
LOCATION WHERE EAGLIN ROAD INTERSECTS OR MEETS RIVERBIRCH ROAD
IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, there is a curve on Riverbirch Road near Eaglin Road in St. Landry Parish
and the dangerous nature of the curve must be mitigated and reduced by placing two stop signs
near the curve.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall be placed on Riverbirch Road at the location where
Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be after traffic has travelled
through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving Eaglin Road to go onto
Riverbirch Road the right of way, and there shall be signage informing traffic about to enter
the curve that a stop sign is placed after the curve.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall also be placed on Riverbirch Road across the road
from the location where Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be
prior to traffic travelling through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving
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Eaglin Road to go onto Riverbirch Road the right of way.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No.
3-22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 014-2025
CERTIFICATE OF St. Landry Parish
EVIDENCING PUBLIC APPROVAL OF BONDS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(f) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Finance Authority (the “Authority”), a public trust created
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2-A of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as
amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the “Act”) has, by resolution dated April 16, 2025, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana State
Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of not exceeding
$100,000,000 of Capital Area Finance Authority Revenue Bonds in one or more series (the
“Bonds”) to finance loans to first-time homebuyers within the jurisdictional parishes of the
Authority and such other governmental units (the “Participating Jurisdictions”) whose
governing authority authorized and directed the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (a
“CEA”) with the Authority under the provisions of the Act and other applicable constitutional and
statutory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, on May 15, 2025, duly authorized the issuance and sale of the
Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Bonds are classified as exempt facility bonds under the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the provisions of Section 147(f)(2)(A), (B)
and (E) of the Code require that issuance of Bonds be approved by the “applicable elected
representative” of the governmental unit which issues such bonds or on whose behalf such bonds
are issued and by the “applicable elected representative” of such other Participating Jurisdictions
that have executed a CEA with the Authority under the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS St. Landry Parish (the “Governmental Unit”) has executed a CEA with the
Authority to permit the financing of loans to first-time homebuyers within geographic area of the
Governmental Unit; and
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WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”) of the
Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is the Jesse Ballard and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, Notice of Public Hearing (attached
as Exhibit “A” hereto), was published in (i) The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23,
2025, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iii) the Houma Courier,
Houma, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iv) the Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vi) the
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vii) The Times, Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 2025,
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with respect to
the issuance of said Bonds was held on May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Louisiana Time, at 601 St.
Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and simultaneously held by teleconference using the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9940303250?omn=88470185621 or by dialing US toll-free: (833) 928-
4610; meeting ID: 994 030 3250 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2022-20 after due notice thereof
was published in the official journal of the Authority and in the aforementioned publications
sufficient to inform the public within the geographic area of the Participating Jurisdictions of the
subject, date and place of said public hearing; and
WHEREAS, no objections were raised by any person present at the said hearing or by any person
participating by teleconference relative to the issuance of the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned, Approving Representative of the Participating Jurisdiction, desires
to approve the issuance of the Bonds for the purposes of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby certify that the chief elected executive
officer/governing authority of the Participating Jurisdiction, hereby approves and confirms the
issuance of the Bonds. The Authority, and its officers, are authorized to cause this certificate to be
filed of record in the transcript of proceedings for the Bonds and to file a copy thereof with any
State or Federal agency, board or commission as may be required by any applicable State or
Federal laws, rules or regulations.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Jimmie Edwards).
- Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier,
Wayne Ardoin and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, If I am in order I would ask that the agenda be
amended for two items and I will read them out one at a time.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Alvin Stelly to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one
appointment to Public Works District Six for a 4- year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029).
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two
appointments to Public Works Commission District Five for a 4- year term.
(07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Person to address the Committee:
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye with Capital Area Finance Authority addressed the council.
She stated, “I live at 601 St. Ferdinand Baton Rouge, La. Thank you for letting me come
back here and talk about our programs that we have, I think I was here last month. We are
offering a first time homebuyers and veterans down payment assistance program. It is 5%
assistance in the amount or final loan amount. This is for first time homebuyers and
veterans to help them with their down payment and closing cost or anything that they
need help with inspections appraisals, prepaid items or obstacles that these first time
homebuyers have to purchase for their first home. We were working under a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the parish and offering our down payment assistance programs
that were grants and soft seconds but because this is a tax-exempt bond from volume cap
from the state, we have to get this resolution/certification adopted allowing us to come in.
We did this in 2013, we had 40 million dollars from the volume cap of the state to offer
and ran out in early May so we went back May 15th to the bond commission and
received another allotment and will be rolling it out. We are asking permission to extend
the program we already doing here in the parish. If there are any questions I would love
to answer them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The question that came up at the last meeting
was we usually sign an agreement, but you are asking for a resolution and that will be for
internal revenue code 1986 as amended. So do you have to do the amended part because
of the tax-exempt status of the bonds?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes it is because of the bonds and in that resolution
we have 100 million dollars and we will keep going to the bond commission as long as
these rates are really high mortgage rates and making it hard for our other programs to
perform we will continue going to the bond commission and asking for more volume cap.
We received the 25 million May 15th, 2025. The programs are doing so well that we
probably be going back asking for more in August or September.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is coverage for one year according to the
agreement right?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “The Cooperate Endeavor Agreement there is no
expiration date. If we wanted to get out the parish, we will let you know. The reason we
do not have an expiration date is because we give 30 days. If you decide, you do not want
us working in the parish any more than you give us 30 days. That allows us to do just
those down payment programs. We cannot do any pilot programs. We cannot do no other
economic things without coming in front of the board to ask permission.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now you all are able to do the pilot program if
we make that request.”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Resolution
014-2025 The Certificate of St. Landry Parish Evidencing Public Approval of Bonds
Pursuant to Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as Amended.
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to authorize
Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between
Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Chairwoman of Public Works Nancy Carriere stated, “We have Mr. Ken Boagni to
speak about the Drainage Impact Analysis is he here?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I advised Mr. Boagni not to come to this
meeting we are working on a plan to put together and bring to full council on the third
Wednesday of this month.”
- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boomed Axed 4 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 8 Roads
Debris Removal 63 Roads
Ditching 12 Roads
Grading 33 Roads
Material Spreading 2 Roads
Pot Hole Patching 32 Roads
Shredded 24 Roads
Sign Installation 7 Roads
Tree Removal 9 Roads
Washout 8 Roads
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Discuss heavy traffic on Chris Road, Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and
Clarence Cormier Road. (Councilwoman Vivian Olivier).
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “We are asking for signs to keep heavy traffic off
of those roads.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We do not just put signs up without the
Ordinance so it is up to you to add it to the Ordinance.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They have some concrete trucks and 18-wheelers
breaking up the road we just finish black topping.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Vivian Olivier, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to
create an Ordinance for No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic on Chris Road,
Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and Clarence Cormier Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
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- Forward all applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No.
1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the
remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard and Mr. Barry, I have an ongoing
situation with a drainage situation on Charles Fisher Road. It is located at 1397 Charles
Fisher Road Mr. Olan Quebeadeaux. I supplied everyone with two pictures, the first
picture we had those tin kar pipes for the bridge and what it is doing the north pipe is set
a little too low because when the water run it runs through the north pipe only. It really
does not run thru the other two pipes and it is eroding his property on the north side. Also
on the second picture on the east side of the road we have an erosion issue also and his
concern is if someone goes over we do not have any type of markers to show there is a
bridge right there. He is trying to preserve his property. His property faces east and the
ditch in front of his house is eroding towards the road.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To answer your question about these markers,
not just right there but all over the parish we put up these markers and farmers pass and
they take them down so they can pass with their tractors or whatever heavy equipment.
That is the issue we do put up the markers, we do not go check them all the time because
once we put them up we expect them to stay up. The other part of the erosion issue on his
side I can go look at it again. If the land is eroding on his side then it is not us.” - Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
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ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: Ken Marks. - Person to address the Committee.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr.
Chairman. I am Harlan Kirgan with the Eunice News. I am here to address the issue of the
Legal Journal tonight. We have been the record for the parish government for the last past year
and we appreciate your trust in giving that authority to us and we have been happy to be of
service to you all and we would like to continue that service. I noticed two weeks ago we
informed the St. Landry Parish School Board about the Daily World and we are bringing that
issue up tonight because we don’t think that they are qualified to be a Legal Journal in this Parish
anymore. They don’t meet the requirements under the state law to be a legal journal and they
don’t have an office here, no physical presence in this parish or Opelousas and as far as I know
anywhere else. We all put out a postal statement every October and we have addresses there and
when I went to their address it was in front of the old Toby’s Lodge and the old TV Station and it
was vacant. There was nobody there except bird nests and mailbox, they are not a presence here.
You all probably have never seen a reporter here in the last few years. They are pretty much a
zombie new paper. I was noticing on their bid there is no address on this bid notice where they
solicited for your legal journal. They have a web address but there is no physical address stated
on this bid. That kind of reinforce that point that they are not a presence here. Do you all have
any questions on that?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Harlan, I see you all have a rate in
here but I don’t see it for the Daily World.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “It is down at the bottom of their page, the very
bottom. Then it turns to the second page.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So it is apples and oranges and not
apples.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Probably not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So why don’t you explain to us the
line and $3.36 per column inch verses what you have.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I am not an expert on this. I remember the
guy coming here years ago and we had an interesting conversation about inches and all of that.
Our bid is based upon 6 columns but I don’t prepare the bids Mr. Taylor. Theirs is based upon
what I think is a 10 column, a nine or ten column. So an inch over 10 columns or an inch of 6
columns is a dollar per inch so you will pay quite a bit more for 10 columns than 6 columns.
That is my explanation for that. I am no expert on it but that is where I come from.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Are there any other questions?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Can you tell me if the rates have changed from the
last time?”
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Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I don’t know, I am sorry.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “You said that Daily World does not comply with the
state laws, could you explain more about that?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Let me find this where we presented it to the
School Board. They fall down on their physical presence in this parish and that is a requirement
under state law. They have to have an office here in this parish and they don’t. I have called
Gannett on their website and that was earlier this year or late last year. I told them that I wanted
to drop something off to the Daily World and it eventually came up that they don’t have an office
here so on the phone they are not here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, do you know anything or could you
look this up for us?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Statutorily there are four different requirements for a
newspaper to be a newspaper in regards to an Official Journal. One is that they have to have an
office inside of the parish. Another requirement is that they have to have a registered Post Office
Box inside of the Parish, another requirement is that they have to have a circulation inside of the
parish for the last five years and then there is a fourth requirement that they have so there are
four different requirements in the statue for them to be a newspaper in regards to being an
Official Journal. They do have to have an office, they have to have a circulation for 5 years in
the parish and they have to be registered with a post office box.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “What did you say the fourth requirement is?
Office in the parish, Post Office Box, circulation for 5 years and what is the last requirement?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “There is another requirement but it does not come to
my mind now do you have the statue?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I have them right here. I think you said them.
There are 4 and we produced 4 requirement here. I think the key requirement is their physical
presence. It has to be over 2 years.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Do they meet any of these requirement at all?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I would say they have had three consecutive
issues.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Oh that is the other requirement. They would have
never had missed three consecutive publishing unless of a natural disaster.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “They shall maintain a general paid circulation
for two consecutive years prior to the selection entered into the post office but where they fail is
not having their office here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “What I would like to do is forward both journals to the full
council. If one does not meet the necessary requirements then we would just delete them at the
full council because they would be non-qualified. Mr. Duplechain do you need to look up more
on this?”
Legal Counsel Garrett Duplechain stated, “That is what the statue says. Whoever investigates
and find out if they meet the criteria or not that is what the parish would look into whether or not
they have a physical office. I don’t know, I know they had a physical office but I don’t know if
they have a physical office now. If looking into this is done we can figure out if they meet all
four requirement or they don’t. If Mr. Kirgan says they don’t then I guess we can look into that.
Every June, the first meeting in June the City and the Parish have to appoint an official Journal.
We are in June and we are in the right month and by the time that we get to the full council we
should have our official journal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So two weeks before our next full council meeting will give
us enough time to investigate.”
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Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “To find out if they relocated to another office or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So Mr. Brown do we need to
authorize someone to make that official decision whether they are there legally or not? Would
you like to have Mr. Duplechain do that and report to us at our next full council meeting?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You will be the bible on this. Is that
fair?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to authorize Legal Counsel
Garett Duplechain to investigate if the Daily World Advertisement have any offices located in
St. Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Can I add one thing Mr. Taylor? I
have said this before to the council to remind you all that the Eunice News does have a
physical presence with a Printing Plant in Eunice and we employee 17 full time people
and we print more than 20 titles at the Eunice News. We are present in this parish and we
pay our property taxes, utility bills and everything that a business in this parish does. As
a locally state own corporation we incorporate here. Thank you for your time.”
- Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on the Parish President’s Report I have Resolution
No. 006-2025. Resolution No. 013-2025. It is a Resolution to Sign an Agreement with DOTD
to get payment on the Airport Plan that we put in place. It is not a lot but it is something that we
have to do to get the money back.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have that Resolution
before us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. You all should have a copy.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to
forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to approve Resolution No.
013-2025.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry
Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
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WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No. 3-
22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “On the Finance Report
Mr. Bellard do you want to expound on the latest news about the cuts and so forth?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not at this time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry, what was that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Well it is pretty much all over
the news now. Don’t you think we need to know a little bit about what the problem is?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Exactly, it is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Pardon?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Sometimes they don’t report it
accurately. I just wanted to get your take on this. You are the President and I just want to get your
take on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes and I will let the council know whenever we
have a meeting to discuss it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Will you give it to us at our regular meeting? Is
that is what you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Probably not but we will have a meeting to discuss the issues.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are there any other questions?
Do we have a motion to accept the Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Faltery Jolivette to
accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, Item No. 5, I want to pull it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are you the one that put
it on the agenda?”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I want to pull it yes, I want to pull that item and we
will be looking at it a little closer. We will be getting with the Engineers on this location to do
a study on it.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay we are moving on to
item No. 6.”
- Preliminary approval for a Residential Subdivision “JJED TITHES, LLC” being
tract B & tract D of the Stuart Meche Partition Showing a 16,000-Acre Tract of
Land Partitioned as lots 1-32; located on “Proposed Street” off of Miller and
Montgomery Road, Opelousas, LA.
Item NO. 5 pulled from the agenda by the Parish President Jessie Bellard. - Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry
Parish Government: the Eunice News or the Daily Words.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “We have already taken care
of Item. No. 6 earlier in the meeting so we will move on to item No. 7 on the agenda.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Stand by, stand by everyone. Did you have something
you wanted to say?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Mr. Chairman, we need to vote on Item No. 6.
We never voted.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “On the Official Journal we
already took that up. Did we not?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, do we have a motion
and a second to send it to Full Council?”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Are we voting for the appointment or we
voting to table it until the next meeting?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “We are forwarding it to full council. We voted
per Mr. Brown to find out the address, that is what we voted for. Now we are voting to
forward it to full council.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Basically it was to see if everything was legal.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Correct.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2025 to vote to
appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry Parish Government.
The Eunice News or the Daily Words. Note: Both have submitted their rates.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard it came to my attention that we
have no funds in our Financial Travel. It was told to me that part of that money was
funded for Ms. Sherell’s raise. I was not aware of that. I know that we had voted for Ms.
Karen, because I read the minutes. Her raise was approved the month before. It was
never mentioned and it was never approved that the funds be taken from the financial
travel expenses. I just wanted to know when did all of this occur and did everyone know
about this because I was not made aware of this.”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So in the Charter it allows the Parish President
to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Even after she got the raise and it was not
approved by us. We don’t have a say in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Once the budget is approved I can move it
anywhere in the budget where I want to put it. So to keep the budget in line on you all
side the travel money was moved to salaries.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But she was granted a raise before this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I understand. You all ask me if there was
money in the budget to do it and I said yes. You all did not ask me where I was going to
take it from.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Nobody ask that question? I know I did not. I
am just asking. Was everybody familiar with where the money was going and where it as
coming from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “A suggestion was made at the Committee
Meeting by Mr. Taylor to take it from travel and I thought that was a good idea. So I did
that. I did not need the council’s approval to do that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But that was for Ms. Karen’s raise. Mr. Taylor
am I correct? When you made that suggestion was it for both raises or was it just for
Ms. Karen’s raise?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You are asking me?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well he said that you had made the motion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, he did not make a motion. He made a
suggestion in a Committee Meeting that we take the money from travel. I thought it was
a good idea. I have the ability to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Actually I believe my motion
was that Mr. Ardoin and I would give up our travel money to cover Ms. Karen’s raise. It
was like $2,500.00 a year. We travel on our own dime. We don’t use the Governments
money to travel. We each get $1,400.00 so you will have $300.00 extra to put in the
kitty. That was my suggestion. It is done and it is over and we are moving on.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and Ernest
Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK
XIII. ADJOURNAGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 21st
, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029). - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029) - Authorize Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
between Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government. - Vote to appoint one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a
four- year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027) Applicants are William J. Fontenot and
Linda C. Babineaux. - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice News
or the Daily World.
IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-018
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Chris Road, Clarence Cormier Road, and Domengeaux Road in
Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish that are designated
as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-019
An Ordinance to Amend the Procedures for Collection of Charges for St. Landry Parish
Government’s Abatement of Nuisance Violations, by Mandating the Charges 1) be Added to Annual
Ad Valorem Tax Bills by the Tax Assessor or Tax Collector, and 2) be Collected by the Tax
Collector.
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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON GARRETT LANE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon Garrett Lane in St. Landry
Parish because Garrett Lane is no longer needed for public purposes, as per Louisiana Revised
Statute 48:701.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Garrett Lane in St. Landry Parish is hereby abandoned.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-015
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44, SECTION
44-14 so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish
that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14 lists the roads in St. Landry
Parish that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14
so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads that are designated as
“No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Chapter 44, Section 44-14 is hereby amended as follows:
The following roads are hereby restricted and designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler
Thru Traffic” routes:
Alvin Street (1)
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); (2)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); (3)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); (4)
Begnaud Road (5)
Belmont Drive; (6)
Comfort Lane; (7)
Country Ridge; (8)
Darjean Road; (9)
Dresser Loop; (10)
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); (11)
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); (12)
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); (13)
Frank Road (14)
Frilot Cove Road; (15)
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); (16)
Government Road (Council District No. 3); (17)
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Greg Drive; (18)
Harmon Lane in Opelousas (19)
Henderson Drive (20)
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); (21)
Highway 1244; (22)
Iseringhausen Road (23)
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); (24)
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); (25)
Judson Walsh; (26)
Lawyer Road; (27)
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); (28)
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35); (29)
National Road (Council District No. 3); (30)
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; (31)
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); (32)
Plantation Road; (33)
Rainbow Drive; (34)
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); (35)
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; (36)
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); (37)
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); (38)
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; (39)
Tecumseh Loop (40)
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); (41)
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection. (42)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016
(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE TWO STOP SIGNS ON RIVERBIRCH ROAD AT THE
LOCATION WHERE EAGLIN ROAD INTERSECTS OR MEETS RIVERBIRCH ROAD
IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, there is a curve on Riverbirch Road near Eaglin Road in St. Landry Parish
and the dangerous nature of the curve must be mitigated and reduced by placing two stop signs
near the curve.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall be placed on Riverbirch Road at the location where
Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be after traffic has travelled
through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving Eaglin Road to go onto
Riverbirch Road the right of way, and there shall be signage informing traffic about to enter
the curve that a stop sign is placed after the curve.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall also be placed on Riverbirch Road across the road
from the location where Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be
prior to traffic travelling through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving
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Eaglin Road to go onto Riverbirch Road the right of way.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No.
3-22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 014-2025
CERTIFICATE OF St. Landry Parish
EVIDENCING PUBLIC APPROVAL OF BONDS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(f) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Finance Authority (the “Authority”), a public trust created
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2-A of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as
amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the “Act”) has, by resolution dated April 16, 2025, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana State
Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of not exceeding
$100,000,000 of Capital Area Finance Authority Revenue Bonds in one or more series (the
“Bonds”) to finance loans to first-time homebuyers within the jurisdictional parishes of the
Authority and such other governmental units (the “Participating Jurisdictions”) whose
governing authority authorized and directed the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (a
“CEA”) with the Authority under the provisions of the Act and other applicable constitutional and
statutory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, on May 15, 2025, duly authorized the issuance and sale of the
Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Bonds are classified as exempt facility bonds under the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the provisions of Section 147(f)(2)(A), (B)
and (E) of the Code require that issuance of Bonds be approved by the “applicable elected
representative” of the governmental unit which issues such bonds or on whose behalf such bonds
are issued and by the “applicable elected representative” of such other Participating Jurisdictions
that have executed a CEA with the Authority under the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS St. Landry Parish (the “Governmental Unit”) has executed a CEA with the
Authority to permit the financing of loans to first-time homebuyers within geographic area of the
Governmental Unit; and
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WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”) of the
Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is the Jesse Ballard and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, Notice of Public Hearing (attached
as Exhibit “A” hereto), was published in (i) The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23,
2025, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iii) the Houma Courier,
Houma, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iv) the Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vi) the
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vii) The Times, Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 2025,
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with respect to
the issuance of said Bonds was held on May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Louisiana Time, at 601 St.
Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and simultaneously held by teleconference using the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9940303250?omn=88470185621 or by dialing US toll-free: (833) 928-
4610; meeting ID: 994 030 3250 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2022-20 after due notice thereof
was published in the official journal of the Authority and in the aforementioned publications
sufficient to inform the public within the geographic area of the Participating Jurisdictions of the
subject, date and place of said public hearing; and
WHEREAS, no objections were raised by any person present at the said hearing or by any person
participating by teleconference relative to the issuance of the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned, Approving Representative of the Participating Jurisdiction, desires
to approve the issuance of the Bonds for the purposes of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby certify that the chief elected executive
officer/governing authority of the Participating Jurisdiction, hereby approves and confirms the
issuance of the Bonds. The Authority, and its officers, are authorized to cause this certificate to be
filed of record in the transcript of proceedings for the Bonds and to file a copy thereof with any
State or Federal agency, board or commission as may be required by any applicable State or
Federal laws, rules or regulations.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Jimmie Edwards).
- Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier,
Wayne Ardoin and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, If I am in order I would ask that the agenda be
amended for two items and I will read them out one at a time.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Alvin Stelly to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one
appointment to Public Works District Six for a 4- year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029).
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two
appointments to Public Works Commission District Five for a 4- year term.
(07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Person to address the Committee:
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye with Capital Area Finance Authority addressed the council.
She stated, “I live at 601 St. Ferdinand Baton Rouge, La. Thank you for letting me come
back here and talk about our programs that we have, I think I was here last month. We are
offering a first time homebuyers and veterans down payment assistance program. It is 5%
assistance in the amount or final loan amount. This is for first time homebuyers and
veterans to help them with their down payment and closing cost or anything that they
need help with inspections appraisals, prepaid items or obstacles that these first time
homebuyers have to purchase for their first home. We were working under a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the parish and offering our down payment assistance programs
that were grants and soft seconds but because this is a tax-exempt bond from volume cap
from the state, we have to get this resolution/certification adopted allowing us to come in.
We did this in 2013, we had 40 million dollars from the volume cap of the state to offer
and ran out in early May so we went back May 15th to the bond commission and
received another allotment and will be rolling it out. We are asking permission to extend
the program we already doing here in the parish. If there are any questions I would love
to answer them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The question that came up at the last meeting
was we usually sign an agreement, but you are asking for a resolution and that will be for
internal revenue code 1986 as amended. So do you have to do the amended part because
of the tax-exempt status of the bonds?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes it is because of the bonds and in that resolution
we have 100 million dollars and we will keep going to the bond commission as long as
these rates are really high mortgage rates and making it hard for our other programs to
perform we will continue going to the bond commission and asking for more volume cap.
We received the 25 million May 15th, 2025. The programs are doing so well that we
probably be going back asking for more in August or September.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is coverage for one year according to the
agreement right?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “The Cooperate Endeavor Agreement there is no
expiration date. If we wanted to get out the parish, we will let you know. The reason we
do not have an expiration date is because we give 30 days. If you decide, you do not want
us working in the parish any more than you give us 30 days. That allows us to do just
those down payment programs. We cannot do any pilot programs. We cannot do no other
economic things without coming in front of the board to ask permission.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now you all are able to do the pilot program if
we make that request.”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Resolution
014-2025 The Certificate of St. Landry Parish Evidencing Public Approval of Bonds
Pursuant to Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as Amended.
7
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to authorize
Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between
Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Chairwoman of Public Works Nancy Carriere stated, “We have Mr. Ken Boagni to
speak about the Drainage Impact Analysis is he here?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I advised Mr. Boagni not to come to this
meeting we are working on a plan to put together and bring to full council on the third
Wednesday of this month.”
- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boomed Axed 4 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 8 Roads
Debris Removal 63 Roads
Ditching 12 Roads
Grading 33 Roads
Material Spreading 2 Roads
Pot Hole Patching 32 Roads
Shredded 24 Roads
Sign Installation 7 Roads
Tree Removal 9 Roads
Washout 8 Roads
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Discuss heavy traffic on Chris Road, Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and
Clarence Cormier Road. (Councilwoman Vivian Olivier).
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “We are asking for signs to keep heavy traffic off
of those roads.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We do not just put signs up without the
Ordinance so it is up to you to add it to the Ordinance.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They have some concrete trucks and 18-wheelers
breaking up the road we just finish black topping.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Vivian Olivier, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to
create an Ordinance for No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic on Chris Road,
Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and Clarence Cormier Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
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- Forward all applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No.
1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the
remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard and Mr. Barry, I have an ongoing
situation with a drainage situation on Charles Fisher Road. It is located at 1397 Charles
Fisher Road Mr. Olan Quebeadeaux. I supplied everyone with two pictures, the first
picture we had those tin kar pipes for the bridge and what it is doing the north pipe is set
a little too low because when the water run it runs through the north pipe only. It really
does not run thru the other two pipes and it is eroding his property on the north side. Also
on the second picture on the east side of the road we have an erosion issue also and his
concern is if someone goes over we do not have any type of markers to show there is a
bridge right there. He is trying to preserve his property. His property faces east and the
ditch in front of his house is eroding towards the road.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To answer your question about these markers,
not just right there but all over the parish we put up these markers and farmers pass and
they take them down so they can pass with their tractors or whatever heavy equipment.
That is the issue we do put up the markers, we do not go check them all the time because
once we put them up we expect them to stay up. The other part of the erosion issue on his
side I can go look at it again. If the land is eroding on his side then it is not us.” - Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
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ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: Ken Marks. - Person to address the Committee.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr.
Chairman. I am Harlan Kirgan with the Eunice News. I am here to address the issue of the
Legal Journal tonight. We have been the record for the parish government for the last past year
and we appreciate your trust in giving that authority to us and we have been happy to be of
service to you all and we would like to continue that service. I noticed two weeks ago we
informed the St. Landry Parish School Board about the Daily World and we are bringing that
issue up tonight because we don’t think that they are qualified to be a Legal Journal in this Parish
anymore. They don’t meet the requirements under the state law to be a legal journal and they
don’t have an office here, no physical presence in this parish or Opelousas and as far as I know
anywhere else. We all put out a postal statement every October and we have addresses there and
when I went to their address it was in front of the old Toby’s Lodge and the old TV Station and it
was vacant. There was nobody there except bird nests and mailbox, they are not a presence here.
You all probably have never seen a reporter here in the last few years. They are pretty much a
zombie new paper. I was noticing on their bid there is no address on this bid notice where they
solicited for your legal journal. They have a web address but there is no physical address stated
on this bid. That kind of reinforce that point that they are not a presence here. Do you all have
any questions on that?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Harlan, I see you all have a rate in
here but I don’t see it for the Daily World.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “It is down at the bottom of their page, the very
bottom. Then it turns to the second page.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So it is apples and oranges and not
apples.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Probably not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So why don’t you explain to us the
line and $3.36 per column inch verses what you have.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I am not an expert on this. I remember the
guy coming here years ago and we had an interesting conversation about inches and all of that.
Our bid is based upon 6 columns but I don’t prepare the bids Mr. Taylor. Theirs is based upon
what I think is a 10 column, a nine or ten column. So an inch over 10 columns or an inch of 6
columns is a dollar per inch so you will pay quite a bit more for 10 columns than 6 columns.
That is my explanation for that. I am no expert on it but that is where I come from.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Are there any other questions?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Can you tell me if the rates have changed from the
last time?”
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Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I don’t know, I am sorry.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “You said that Daily World does not comply with the
state laws, could you explain more about that?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Let me find this where we presented it to the
School Board. They fall down on their physical presence in this parish and that is a requirement
under state law. They have to have an office here in this parish and they don’t. I have called
Gannett on their website and that was earlier this year or late last year. I told them that I wanted
to drop something off to the Daily World and it eventually came up that they don’t have an office
here so on the phone they are not here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, do you know anything or could you
look this up for us?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Statutorily there are four different requirements for a
newspaper to be a newspaper in regards to an Official Journal. One is that they have to have an
office inside of the parish. Another requirement is that they have to have a registered Post Office
Box inside of the Parish, another requirement is that they have to have a circulation inside of the
parish for the last five years and then there is a fourth requirement that they have so there are
four different requirements in the statue for them to be a newspaper in regards to being an
Official Journal. They do have to have an office, they have to have a circulation for 5 years in
the parish and they have to be registered with a post office box.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “What did you say the fourth requirement is?
Office in the parish, Post Office Box, circulation for 5 years and what is the last requirement?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “There is another requirement but it does not come to
my mind now do you have the statue?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I have them right here. I think you said them.
There are 4 and we produced 4 requirement here. I think the key requirement is their physical
presence. It has to be over 2 years.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Do they meet any of these requirement at all?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I would say they have had three consecutive
issues.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Oh that is the other requirement. They would have
never had missed three consecutive publishing unless of a natural disaster.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “They shall maintain a general paid circulation
for two consecutive years prior to the selection entered into the post office but where they fail is
not having their office here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “What I would like to do is forward both journals to the full
council. If one does not meet the necessary requirements then we would just delete them at the
full council because they would be non-qualified. Mr. Duplechain do you need to look up more
on this?”
Legal Counsel Garrett Duplechain stated, “That is what the statue says. Whoever investigates
and find out if they meet the criteria or not that is what the parish would look into whether or not
they have a physical office. I don’t know, I know they had a physical office but I don’t know if
they have a physical office now. If looking into this is done we can figure out if they meet all
four requirement or they don’t. If Mr. Kirgan says they don’t then I guess we can look into that.
Every June, the first meeting in June the City and the Parish have to appoint an official Journal.
We are in June and we are in the right month and by the time that we get to the full council we
should have our official journal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So two weeks before our next full council meeting will give
us enough time to investigate.”
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Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “To find out if they relocated to another office or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So Mr. Brown do we need to
authorize someone to make that official decision whether they are there legally or not? Would
you like to have Mr. Duplechain do that and report to us at our next full council meeting?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You will be the bible on this. Is that
fair?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to authorize Legal Counsel
Garett Duplechain to investigate if the Daily World Advertisement have any offices located in
St. Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Can I add one thing Mr. Taylor? I
have said this before to the council to remind you all that the Eunice News does have a
physical presence with a Printing Plant in Eunice and we employee 17 full time people
and we print more than 20 titles at the Eunice News. We are present in this parish and we
pay our property taxes, utility bills and everything that a business in this parish does. As
a locally state own corporation we incorporate here. Thank you for your time.”
- Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on the Parish President’s Report I have Resolution
No. 006-2025. Resolution No. 013-2025. It is a Resolution to Sign an Agreement with DOTD
to get payment on the Airport Plan that we put in place. It is not a lot but it is something that we
have to do to get the money back.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have that Resolution
before us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. You all should have a copy.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to
forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to approve Resolution No.
013-2025.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry
Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
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WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No. 3-
22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “On the Finance Report
Mr. Bellard do you want to expound on the latest news about the cuts and so forth?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not at this time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry, what was that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Well it is pretty much all over
the news now. Don’t you think we need to know a little bit about what the problem is?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Exactly, it is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Pardon?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Sometimes they don’t report it
accurately. I just wanted to get your take on this. You are the President and I just want to get your
take on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes and I will let the council know whenever we
have a meeting to discuss it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Will you give it to us at our regular meeting? Is
that is what you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Probably not but we will have a meeting to discuss the issues.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are there any other questions?
Do we have a motion to accept the Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Faltery Jolivette to
accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, Item No. 5, I want to pull it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are you the one that put
it on the agenda?”
13
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I want to pull it yes, I want to pull that item and we
will be looking at it a little closer. We will be getting with the Engineers on this location to do
a study on it.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay we are moving on to
item No. 6.”
- Preliminary approval for a Residential Subdivision “JJED TITHES, LLC” being
tract B & tract D of the Stuart Meche Partition Showing a 16,000-Acre Tract of
Land Partitioned as lots 1-32; located on “Proposed Street” off of Miller and
Montgomery Road, Opelousas, LA.
Item NO. 5 pulled from the agenda by the Parish President Jessie Bellard. - Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry
Parish Government: the Eunice News or the Daily Words.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “We have already taken care
of Item. No. 6 earlier in the meeting so we will move on to item No. 7 on the agenda.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Stand by, stand by everyone. Did you have something
you wanted to say?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Mr. Chairman, we need to vote on Item No. 6.
We never voted.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “On the Official Journal we
already took that up. Did we not?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, do we have a motion
and a second to send it to Full Council?”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Are we voting for the appointment or we
voting to table it until the next meeting?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “We are forwarding it to full council. We voted
per Mr. Brown to find out the address, that is what we voted for. Now we are voting to
forward it to full council.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Basically it was to see if everything was legal.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Correct.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2025 to vote to
appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry Parish Government.
The Eunice News or the Daily Words. Note: Both have submitted their rates.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard it came to my attention that we
have no funds in our Financial Travel. It was told to me that part of that money was
funded for Ms. Sherell’s raise. I was not aware of that. I know that we had voted for Ms.
Karen, because I read the minutes. Her raise was approved the month before. It was
never mentioned and it was never approved that the funds be taken from the financial
travel expenses. I just wanted to know when did all of this occur and did everyone know
about this because I was not made aware of this.”
14
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So in the Charter it allows the Parish President
to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Even after she got the raise and it was not
approved by us. We don’t have a say in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Once the budget is approved I can move it
anywhere in the budget where I want to put it. So to keep the budget in line on you all
side the travel money was moved to salaries.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But she was granted a raise before this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I understand. You all ask me if there was
money in the budget to do it and I said yes. You all did not ask me where I was going to
take it from.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Nobody ask that question? I know I did not. I
am just asking. Was everybody familiar with where the money was going and where it as
coming from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “A suggestion was made at the Committee
Meeting by Mr. Taylor to take it from travel and I thought that was a good idea. So I did
that. I did not need the council’s approval to do that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But that was for Ms. Karen’s raise. Mr. Taylor
am I correct? When you made that suggestion was it for both raises or was it just for
Ms. Karen’s raise?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You are asking me?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well he said that you had made the motion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, he did not make a motion. He made a
suggestion in a Committee Meeting that we take the money from travel. I thought it was
a good idea. I have the ability to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Actually I believe my motion
was that Mr. Ardoin and I would give up our travel money to cover Ms. Karen’s raise. It
was like $2,500.00 a year. We travel on our own dime. We don’t use the Governments
money to travel. We each get $1,400.00 so you will have $300.00 extra to put in the
kitty. That was my suggestion. It is done and it is over and we are moving on.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and Ernest
Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK
XIII. ADJOURNAGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 21st
, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029). - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029) - Authorize Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
between Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government. - Vote to appoint one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a
four- year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027) Applicants are William J. Fontenot and
Linda C. Babineaux. - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice News
or the Daily World.
IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-018
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Chris Road, Clarence Cormier Road, and Domengeaux Road in
Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish that are designated
as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-019
An Ordinance to Amend the Procedures for Collection of Charges for St. Landry Parish
Government’s Abatement of Nuisance Violations, by Mandating the Charges 1) be Added to Annual
Ad Valorem Tax Bills by the Tax Assessor or Tax Collector, and 2) be Collected by the Tax
Collector.
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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON GARRETT LANE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon Garrett Lane in St. Landry
Parish because Garrett Lane is no longer needed for public purposes, as per Louisiana Revised
Statute 48:701.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Garrett Lane in St. Landry Parish is hereby abandoned.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-015
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44, SECTION
44-14 so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish
that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14 lists the roads in St. Landry
Parish that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14
so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads that are designated as
“No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Chapter 44, Section 44-14 is hereby amended as follows:
The following roads are hereby restricted and designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler
Thru Traffic” routes:
Alvin Street (1)
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); (2)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); (3)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); (4)
Begnaud Road (5)
Belmont Drive; (6)
Comfort Lane; (7)
Country Ridge; (8)
Darjean Road; (9)
Dresser Loop; (10)
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); (11)
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); (12)
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); (13)
Frank Road (14)
Frilot Cove Road; (15)
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); (16)
Government Road (Council District No. 3); (17)
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Greg Drive; (18)
Harmon Lane in Opelousas (19)
Henderson Drive (20)
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); (21)
Highway 1244; (22)
Iseringhausen Road (23)
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); (24)
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); (25)
Judson Walsh; (26)
Lawyer Road; (27)
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); (28)
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35); (29)
National Road (Council District No. 3); (30)
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; (31)
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); (32)
Plantation Road; (33)
Rainbow Drive; (34)
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); (35)
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; (36)
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); (37)
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); (38)
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; (39)
Tecumseh Loop (40)
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); (41)
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection. (42)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016
(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE TWO STOP SIGNS ON RIVERBIRCH ROAD AT THE
LOCATION WHERE EAGLIN ROAD INTERSECTS OR MEETS RIVERBIRCH ROAD
IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, there is a curve on Riverbirch Road near Eaglin Road in St. Landry Parish
and the dangerous nature of the curve must be mitigated and reduced by placing two stop signs
near the curve.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall be placed on Riverbirch Road at the location where
Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be after traffic has travelled
through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving Eaglin Road to go onto
Riverbirch Road the right of way, and there shall be signage informing traffic about to enter
the curve that a stop sign is placed after the curve.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall also be placed on Riverbirch Road across the road
from the location where Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be
prior to traffic travelling through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving
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Eaglin Road to go onto Riverbirch Road the right of way.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No.
3-22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 014-2025
CERTIFICATE OF St. Landry Parish
EVIDENCING PUBLIC APPROVAL OF BONDS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(f) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Finance Authority (the “Authority”), a public trust created
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2-A of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as
amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the “Act”) has, by resolution dated April 16, 2025, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana State
Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of not exceeding
$100,000,000 of Capital Area Finance Authority Revenue Bonds in one or more series (the
“Bonds”) to finance loans to first-time homebuyers within the jurisdictional parishes of the
Authority and such other governmental units (the “Participating Jurisdictions”) whose
governing authority authorized and directed the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (a
“CEA”) with the Authority under the provisions of the Act and other applicable constitutional and
statutory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, on May 15, 2025, duly authorized the issuance and sale of the
Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Bonds are classified as exempt facility bonds under the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the provisions of Section 147(f)(2)(A), (B)
and (E) of the Code require that issuance of Bonds be approved by the “applicable elected
representative” of the governmental unit which issues such bonds or on whose behalf such bonds
are issued and by the “applicable elected representative” of such other Participating Jurisdictions
that have executed a CEA with the Authority under the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS St. Landry Parish (the “Governmental Unit”) has executed a CEA with the
Authority to permit the financing of loans to first-time homebuyers within geographic area of the
Governmental Unit; and
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WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”) of the
Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is the Jesse Ballard and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, Notice of Public Hearing (attached
as Exhibit “A” hereto), was published in (i) The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23,
2025, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iii) the Houma Courier,
Houma, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iv) the Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vi) the
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vii) The Times, Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 2025,
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with respect to
the issuance of said Bonds was held on May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Louisiana Time, at 601 St.
Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and simultaneously held by teleconference using the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9940303250?omn=88470185621 or by dialing US toll-free: (833) 928-
4610; meeting ID: 994 030 3250 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2022-20 after due notice thereof
was published in the official journal of the Authority and in the aforementioned publications
sufficient to inform the public within the geographic area of the Participating Jurisdictions of the
subject, date and place of said public hearing; and
WHEREAS, no objections were raised by any person present at the said hearing or by any person
participating by teleconference relative to the issuance of the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned, Approving Representative of the Participating Jurisdiction, desires
to approve the issuance of the Bonds for the purposes of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby certify that the chief elected executive
officer/governing authority of the Participating Jurisdiction, hereby approves and confirms the
issuance of the Bonds. The Authority, and its officers, are authorized to cause this certificate to be
filed of record in the transcript of proceedings for the Bonds and to file a copy thereof with any
State or Federal agency, board or commission as may be required by any applicable State or
Federal laws, rules or regulations.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Jimmie Edwards).
- Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier,
Wayne Ardoin and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, If I am in order I would ask that the agenda be
amended for two items and I will read them out one at a time.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Alvin Stelly to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one
appointment to Public Works District Six for a 4- year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029).
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two
appointments to Public Works Commission District Five for a 4- year term.
(07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Person to address the Committee:
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye with Capital Area Finance Authority addressed the council.
She stated, “I live at 601 St. Ferdinand Baton Rouge, La. Thank you for letting me come
back here and talk about our programs that we have, I think I was here last month. We are
offering a first time homebuyers and veterans down payment assistance program. It is 5%
assistance in the amount or final loan amount. This is for first time homebuyers and
veterans to help them with their down payment and closing cost or anything that they
need help with inspections appraisals, prepaid items or obstacles that these first time
homebuyers have to purchase for their first home. We were working under a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the parish and offering our down payment assistance programs
that were grants and soft seconds but because this is a tax-exempt bond from volume cap
from the state, we have to get this resolution/certification adopted allowing us to come in.
We did this in 2013, we had 40 million dollars from the volume cap of the state to offer
and ran out in early May so we went back May 15th to the bond commission and
received another allotment and will be rolling it out. We are asking permission to extend
the program we already doing here in the parish. If there are any questions I would love
to answer them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The question that came up at the last meeting
was we usually sign an agreement, but you are asking for a resolution and that will be for
internal revenue code 1986 as amended. So do you have to do the amended part because
of the tax-exempt status of the bonds?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes it is because of the bonds and in that resolution
we have 100 million dollars and we will keep going to the bond commission as long as
these rates are really high mortgage rates and making it hard for our other programs to
perform we will continue going to the bond commission and asking for more volume cap.
We received the 25 million May 15th, 2025. The programs are doing so well that we
probably be going back asking for more in August or September.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is coverage for one year according to the
agreement right?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “The Cooperate Endeavor Agreement there is no
expiration date. If we wanted to get out the parish, we will let you know. The reason we
do not have an expiration date is because we give 30 days. If you decide, you do not want
us working in the parish any more than you give us 30 days. That allows us to do just
those down payment programs. We cannot do any pilot programs. We cannot do no other
economic things without coming in front of the board to ask permission.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now you all are able to do the pilot program if
we make that request.”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Resolution
014-2025 The Certificate of St. Landry Parish Evidencing Public Approval of Bonds
Pursuant to Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as Amended.
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to authorize
Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between
Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Chairwoman of Public Works Nancy Carriere stated, “We have Mr. Ken Boagni to
speak about the Drainage Impact Analysis is he here?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I advised Mr. Boagni not to come to this
meeting we are working on a plan to put together and bring to full council on the third
Wednesday of this month.”
- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boomed Axed 4 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 8 Roads
Debris Removal 63 Roads
Ditching 12 Roads
Grading 33 Roads
Material Spreading 2 Roads
Pot Hole Patching 32 Roads
Shredded 24 Roads
Sign Installation 7 Roads
Tree Removal 9 Roads
Washout 8 Roads
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Discuss heavy traffic on Chris Road, Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and
Clarence Cormier Road. (Councilwoman Vivian Olivier).
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “We are asking for signs to keep heavy traffic off
of those roads.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We do not just put signs up without the
Ordinance so it is up to you to add it to the Ordinance.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They have some concrete trucks and 18-wheelers
breaking up the road we just finish black topping.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Vivian Olivier, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to
create an Ordinance for No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic on Chris Road,
Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and Clarence Cormier Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
8
- Forward all applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No.
1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the
remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard and Mr. Barry, I have an ongoing
situation with a drainage situation on Charles Fisher Road. It is located at 1397 Charles
Fisher Road Mr. Olan Quebeadeaux. I supplied everyone with two pictures, the first
picture we had those tin kar pipes for the bridge and what it is doing the north pipe is set
a little too low because when the water run it runs through the north pipe only. It really
does not run thru the other two pipes and it is eroding his property on the north side. Also
on the second picture on the east side of the road we have an erosion issue also and his
concern is if someone goes over we do not have any type of markers to show there is a
bridge right there. He is trying to preserve his property. His property faces east and the
ditch in front of his house is eroding towards the road.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To answer your question about these markers,
not just right there but all over the parish we put up these markers and farmers pass and
they take them down so they can pass with their tractors or whatever heavy equipment.
That is the issue we do put up the markers, we do not go check them all the time because
once we put them up we expect them to stay up. The other part of the erosion issue on his
side I can go look at it again. If the land is eroding on his side then it is not us.” - Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
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ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: Ken Marks. - Person to address the Committee.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr.
Chairman. I am Harlan Kirgan with the Eunice News. I am here to address the issue of the
Legal Journal tonight. We have been the record for the parish government for the last past year
and we appreciate your trust in giving that authority to us and we have been happy to be of
service to you all and we would like to continue that service. I noticed two weeks ago we
informed the St. Landry Parish School Board about the Daily World and we are bringing that
issue up tonight because we don’t think that they are qualified to be a Legal Journal in this Parish
anymore. They don’t meet the requirements under the state law to be a legal journal and they
don’t have an office here, no physical presence in this parish or Opelousas and as far as I know
anywhere else. We all put out a postal statement every October and we have addresses there and
when I went to their address it was in front of the old Toby’s Lodge and the old TV Station and it
was vacant. There was nobody there except bird nests and mailbox, they are not a presence here.
You all probably have never seen a reporter here in the last few years. They are pretty much a
zombie new paper. I was noticing on their bid there is no address on this bid notice where they
solicited for your legal journal. They have a web address but there is no physical address stated
on this bid. That kind of reinforce that point that they are not a presence here. Do you all have
any questions on that?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Harlan, I see you all have a rate in
here but I don’t see it for the Daily World.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “It is down at the bottom of their page, the very
bottom. Then it turns to the second page.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So it is apples and oranges and not
apples.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Probably not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So why don’t you explain to us the
line and $3.36 per column inch verses what you have.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I am not an expert on this. I remember the
guy coming here years ago and we had an interesting conversation about inches and all of that.
Our bid is based upon 6 columns but I don’t prepare the bids Mr. Taylor. Theirs is based upon
what I think is a 10 column, a nine or ten column. So an inch over 10 columns or an inch of 6
columns is a dollar per inch so you will pay quite a bit more for 10 columns than 6 columns.
That is my explanation for that. I am no expert on it but that is where I come from.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Are there any other questions?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Can you tell me if the rates have changed from the
last time?”
10
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I don’t know, I am sorry.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “You said that Daily World does not comply with the
state laws, could you explain more about that?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Let me find this where we presented it to the
School Board. They fall down on their physical presence in this parish and that is a requirement
under state law. They have to have an office here in this parish and they don’t. I have called
Gannett on their website and that was earlier this year or late last year. I told them that I wanted
to drop something off to the Daily World and it eventually came up that they don’t have an office
here so on the phone they are not here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, do you know anything or could you
look this up for us?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Statutorily there are four different requirements for a
newspaper to be a newspaper in regards to an Official Journal. One is that they have to have an
office inside of the parish. Another requirement is that they have to have a registered Post Office
Box inside of the Parish, another requirement is that they have to have a circulation inside of the
parish for the last five years and then there is a fourth requirement that they have so there are
four different requirements in the statue for them to be a newspaper in regards to being an
Official Journal. They do have to have an office, they have to have a circulation for 5 years in
the parish and they have to be registered with a post office box.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “What did you say the fourth requirement is?
Office in the parish, Post Office Box, circulation for 5 years and what is the last requirement?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “There is another requirement but it does not come to
my mind now do you have the statue?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I have them right here. I think you said them.
There are 4 and we produced 4 requirement here. I think the key requirement is their physical
presence. It has to be over 2 years.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Do they meet any of these requirement at all?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I would say they have had three consecutive
issues.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Oh that is the other requirement. They would have
never had missed three consecutive publishing unless of a natural disaster.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “They shall maintain a general paid circulation
for two consecutive years prior to the selection entered into the post office but where they fail is
not having their office here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “What I would like to do is forward both journals to the full
council. If one does not meet the necessary requirements then we would just delete them at the
full council because they would be non-qualified. Mr. Duplechain do you need to look up more
on this?”
Legal Counsel Garrett Duplechain stated, “That is what the statue says. Whoever investigates
and find out if they meet the criteria or not that is what the parish would look into whether or not
they have a physical office. I don’t know, I know they had a physical office but I don’t know if
they have a physical office now. If looking into this is done we can figure out if they meet all
four requirement or they don’t. If Mr. Kirgan says they don’t then I guess we can look into that.
Every June, the first meeting in June the City and the Parish have to appoint an official Journal.
We are in June and we are in the right month and by the time that we get to the full council we
should have our official journal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So two weeks before our next full council meeting will give
us enough time to investigate.”
11
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “To find out if they relocated to another office or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So Mr. Brown do we need to
authorize someone to make that official decision whether they are there legally or not? Would
you like to have Mr. Duplechain do that and report to us at our next full council meeting?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You will be the bible on this. Is that
fair?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to authorize Legal Counsel
Garett Duplechain to investigate if the Daily World Advertisement have any offices located in
St. Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Can I add one thing Mr. Taylor? I
have said this before to the council to remind you all that the Eunice News does have a
physical presence with a Printing Plant in Eunice and we employee 17 full time people
and we print more than 20 titles at the Eunice News. We are present in this parish and we
pay our property taxes, utility bills and everything that a business in this parish does. As
a locally state own corporation we incorporate here. Thank you for your time.”
- Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on the Parish President’s Report I have Resolution
No. 006-2025. Resolution No. 013-2025. It is a Resolution to Sign an Agreement with DOTD
to get payment on the Airport Plan that we put in place. It is not a lot but it is something that we
have to do to get the money back.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have that Resolution
before us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. You all should have a copy.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to
forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to approve Resolution No.
013-2025.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry
Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
12
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No. 3-
22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “On the Finance Report
Mr. Bellard do you want to expound on the latest news about the cuts and so forth?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not at this time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry, what was that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Well it is pretty much all over
the news now. Don’t you think we need to know a little bit about what the problem is?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Exactly, it is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Pardon?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Sometimes they don’t report it
accurately. I just wanted to get your take on this. You are the President and I just want to get your
take on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes and I will let the council know whenever we
have a meeting to discuss it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Will you give it to us at our regular meeting? Is
that is what you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Probably not but we will have a meeting to discuss the issues.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are there any other questions?
Do we have a motion to accept the Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Faltery Jolivette to
accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, Item No. 5, I want to pull it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are you the one that put
it on the agenda?”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I want to pull it yes, I want to pull that item and we
will be looking at it a little closer. We will be getting with the Engineers on this location to do
a study on it.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay we are moving on to
item No. 6.”
- Preliminary approval for a Residential Subdivision “JJED TITHES, LLC” being
tract B & tract D of the Stuart Meche Partition Showing a 16,000-Acre Tract of
Land Partitioned as lots 1-32; located on “Proposed Street” off of Miller and
Montgomery Road, Opelousas, LA.
Item NO. 5 pulled from the agenda by the Parish President Jessie Bellard. - Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry
Parish Government: the Eunice News or the Daily Words.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “We have already taken care
of Item. No. 6 earlier in the meeting so we will move on to item No. 7 on the agenda.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Stand by, stand by everyone. Did you have something
you wanted to say?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Mr. Chairman, we need to vote on Item No. 6.
We never voted.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “On the Official Journal we
already took that up. Did we not?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, do we have a motion
and a second to send it to Full Council?”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Are we voting for the appointment or we
voting to table it until the next meeting?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “We are forwarding it to full council. We voted
per Mr. Brown to find out the address, that is what we voted for. Now we are voting to
forward it to full council.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Basically it was to see if everything was legal.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Correct.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2025 to vote to
appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry Parish Government.
The Eunice News or the Daily Words. Note: Both have submitted their rates.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard it came to my attention that we
have no funds in our Financial Travel. It was told to me that part of that money was
funded for Ms. Sherell’s raise. I was not aware of that. I know that we had voted for Ms.
Karen, because I read the minutes. Her raise was approved the month before. It was
never mentioned and it was never approved that the funds be taken from the financial
travel expenses. I just wanted to know when did all of this occur and did everyone know
about this because I was not made aware of this.”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So in the Charter it allows the Parish President
to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Even after she got the raise and it was not
approved by us. We don’t have a say in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Once the budget is approved I can move it
anywhere in the budget where I want to put it. So to keep the budget in line on you all
side the travel money was moved to salaries.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But she was granted a raise before this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I understand. You all ask me if there was
money in the budget to do it and I said yes. You all did not ask me where I was going to
take it from.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Nobody ask that question? I know I did not. I
am just asking. Was everybody familiar with where the money was going and where it as
coming from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “A suggestion was made at the Committee
Meeting by Mr. Taylor to take it from travel and I thought that was a good idea. So I did
that. I did not need the council’s approval to do that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But that was for Ms. Karen’s raise. Mr. Taylor
am I correct? When you made that suggestion was it for both raises or was it just for
Ms. Karen’s raise?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You are asking me?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well he said that you had made the motion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, he did not make a motion. He made a
suggestion in a Committee Meeting that we take the money from travel. I thought it was
a good idea. I have the ability to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Actually I believe my motion
was that Mr. Ardoin and I would give up our travel money to cover Ms. Karen’s raise. It
was like $2,500.00 a year. We travel on our own dime. We don’t use the Governments
money to travel. We each get $1,400.00 so you will have $300.00 extra to put in the
kitty. That was my suggestion. It is done and it is over and we are moving on.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and Ernest
Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK
XIII. ADJOURNAGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 21st
, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029). - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029) - Authorize Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
between Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government. - Vote to appoint one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a
four- year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027) Applicants are William J. Fontenot and
Linda C. Babineaux. - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice News
or the Daily World.
IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-018
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Chris Road, Clarence Cormier Road, and Domengeaux Road in
Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish that are designated
as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-019
An Ordinance to Amend the Procedures for Collection of Charges for St. Landry Parish
Government’s Abatement of Nuisance Violations, by Mandating the Charges 1) be Added to Annual
Ad Valorem Tax Bills by the Tax Assessor or Tax Collector, and 2) be Collected by the Tax
Collector.
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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON GARRETT LANE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon Garrett Lane in St. Landry
Parish because Garrett Lane is no longer needed for public purposes, as per Louisiana Revised
Statute 48:701.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Garrett Lane in St. Landry Parish is hereby abandoned.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-015
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44, SECTION
44-14 so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish
that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14 lists the roads in St. Landry
Parish that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14
so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads that are designated as
“No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Chapter 44, Section 44-14 is hereby amended as follows:
The following roads are hereby restricted and designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler
Thru Traffic” routes:
Alvin Street (1)
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); (2)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); (3)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); (4)
Begnaud Road (5)
Belmont Drive; (6)
Comfort Lane; (7)
Country Ridge; (8)
Darjean Road; (9)
Dresser Loop; (10)
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); (11)
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); (12)
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); (13)
Frank Road (14)
Frilot Cove Road; (15)
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); (16)
Government Road (Council District No. 3); (17)
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Greg Drive; (18)
Harmon Lane in Opelousas (19)
Henderson Drive (20)
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); (21)
Highway 1244; (22)
Iseringhausen Road (23)
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); (24)
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); (25)
Judson Walsh; (26)
Lawyer Road; (27)
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); (28)
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35); (29)
National Road (Council District No. 3); (30)
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; (31)
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); (32)
Plantation Road; (33)
Rainbow Drive; (34)
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); (35)
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; (36)
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); (37)
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); (38)
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; (39)
Tecumseh Loop (40)
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); (41)
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection. (42)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016
(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE TWO STOP SIGNS ON RIVERBIRCH ROAD AT THE
LOCATION WHERE EAGLIN ROAD INTERSECTS OR MEETS RIVERBIRCH ROAD
IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, there is a curve on Riverbirch Road near Eaglin Road in St. Landry Parish
and the dangerous nature of the curve must be mitigated and reduced by placing two stop signs
near the curve.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall be placed on Riverbirch Road at the location where
Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be after traffic has travelled
through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving Eaglin Road to go onto
Riverbirch Road the right of way, and there shall be signage informing traffic about to enter
the curve that a stop sign is placed after the curve.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall also be placed on Riverbirch Road across the road
from the location where Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be
prior to traffic travelling through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving
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Eaglin Road to go onto Riverbirch Road the right of way.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No.
3-22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 014-2025
CERTIFICATE OF St. Landry Parish
EVIDENCING PUBLIC APPROVAL OF BONDS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(f) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Finance Authority (the “Authority”), a public trust created
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2-A of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as
amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the “Act”) has, by resolution dated April 16, 2025, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana State
Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of not exceeding
$100,000,000 of Capital Area Finance Authority Revenue Bonds in one or more series (the
“Bonds”) to finance loans to first-time homebuyers within the jurisdictional parishes of the
Authority and such other governmental units (the “Participating Jurisdictions”) whose
governing authority authorized and directed the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (a
“CEA”) with the Authority under the provisions of the Act and other applicable constitutional and
statutory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, on May 15, 2025, duly authorized the issuance and sale of the
Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Bonds are classified as exempt facility bonds under the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the provisions of Section 147(f)(2)(A), (B)
and (E) of the Code require that issuance of Bonds be approved by the “applicable elected
representative” of the governmental unit which issues such bonds or on whose behalf such bonds
are issued and by the “applicable elected representative” of such other Participating Jurisdictions
that have executed a CEA with the Authority under the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS St. Landry Parish (the “Governmental Unit”) has executed a CEA with the
Authority to permit the financing of loans to first-time homebuyers within geographic area of the
Governmental Unit; and
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WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”) of the
Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is the Jesse Ballard and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, Notice of Public Hearing (attached
as Exhibit “A” hereto), was published in (i) The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23,
2025, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iii) the Houma Courier,
Houma, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iv) the Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vi) the
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vii) The Times, Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 2025,
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with respect to
the issuance of said Bonds was held on May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Louisiana Time, at 601 St.
Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and simultaneously held by teleconference using the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9940303250?omn=88470185621 or by dialing US toll-free: (833) 928-
4610; meeting ID: 994 030 3250 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2022-20 after due notice thereof
was published in the official journal of the Authority and in the aforementioned publications
sufficient to inform the public within the geographic area of the Participating Jurisdictions of the
subject, date and place of said public hearing; and
WHEREAS, no objections were raised by any person present at the said hearing or by any person
participating by teleconference relative to the issuance of the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned, Approving Representative of the Participating Jurisdiction, desires
to approve the issuance of the Bonds for the purposes of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby certify that the chief elected executive
officer/governing authority of the Participating Jurisdiction, hereby approves and confirms the
issuance of the Bonds. The Authority, and its officers, are authorized to cause this certificate to be
filed of record in the transcript of proceedings for the Bonds and to file a copy thereof with any
State or Federal agency, board or commission as may be required by any applicable State or
Federal laws, rules or regulations.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Jimmie Edwards).
- Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier,
Wayne Ardoin and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, If I am in order I would ask that the agenda be
amended for two items and I will read them out one at a time.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Alvin Stelly to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one
appointment to Public Works District Six for a 4- year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029).
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two
appointments to Public Works Commission District Five for a 4- year term.
(07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Person to address the Committee:
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye with Capital Area Finance Authority addressed the council.
She stated, “I live at 601 St. Ferdinand Baton Rouge, La. Thank you for letting me come
back here and talk about our programs that we have, I think I was here last month. We are
offering a first time homebuyers and veterans down payment assistance program. It is 5%
assistance in the amount or final loan amount. This is for first time homebuyers and
veterans to help them with their down payment and closing cost or anything that they
need help with inspections appraisals, prepaid items or obstacles that these first time
homebuyers have to purchase for their first home. We were working under a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the parish and offering our down payment assistance programs
that were grants and soft seconds but because this is a tax-exempt bond from volume cap
from the state, we have to get this resolution/certification adopted allowing us to come in.
We did this in 2013, we had 40 million dollars from the volume cap of the state to offer
and ran out in early May so we went back May 15th to the bond commission and
received another allotment and will be rolling it out. We are asking permission to extend
the program we already doing here in the parish. If there are any questions I would love
to answer them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The question that came up at the last meeting
was we usually sign an agreement, but you are asking for a resolution and that will be for
internal revenue code 1986 as amended. So do you have to do the amended part because
of the tax-exempt status of the bonds?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes it is because of the bonds and in that resolution
we have 100 million dollars and we will keep going to the bond commission as long as
these rates are really high mortgage rates and making it hard for our other programs to
perform we will continue going to the bond commission and asking for more volume cap.
We received the 25 million May 15th, 2025. The programs are doing so well that we
probably be going back asking for more in August or September.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is coverage for one year according to the
agreement right?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “The Cooperate Endeavor Agreement there is no
expiration date. If we wanted to get out the parish, we will let you know. The reason we
do not have an expiration date is because we give 30 days. If you decide, you do not want
us working in the parish any more than you give us 30 days. That allows us to do just
those down payment programs. We cannot do any pilot programs. We cannot do no other
economic things without coming in front of the board to ask permission.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now you all are able to do the pilot program if
we make that request.”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Resolution
014-2025 The Certificate of St. Landry Parish Evidencing Public Approval of Bonds
Pursuant to Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as Amended.
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to authorize
Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between
Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Chairwoman of Public Works Nancy Carriere stated, “We have Mr. Ken Boagni to
speak about the Drainage Impact Analysis is he here?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I advised Mr. Boagni not to come to this
meeting we are working on a plan to put together and bring to full council on the third
Wednesday of this month.”
- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boomed Axed 4 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 8 Roads
Debris Removal 63 Roads
Ditching 12 Roads
Grading 33 Roads
Material Spreading 2 Roads
Pot Hole Patching 32 Roads
Shredded 24 Roads
Sign Installation 7 Roads
Tree Removal 9 Roads
Washout 8 Roads
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Discuss heavy traffic on Chris Road, Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and
Clarence Cormier Road. (Councilwoman Vivian Olivier).
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “We are asking for signs to keep heavy traffic off
of those roads.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We do not just put signs up without the
Ordinance so it is up to you to add it to the Ordinance.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They have some concrete trucks and 18-wheelers
breaking up the road we just finish black topping.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Vivian Olivier, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to
create an Ordinance for No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic on Chris Road,
Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and Clarence Cormier Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
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- Forward all applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No.
1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the
remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard and Mr. Barry, I have an ongoing
situation with a drainage situation on Charles Fisher Road. It is located at 1397 Charles
Fisher Road Mr. Olan Quebeadeaux. I supplied everyone with two pictures, the first
picture we had those tin kar pipes for the bridge and what it is doing the north pipe is set
a little too low because when the water run it runs through the north pipe only. It really
does not run thru the other two pipes and it is eroding his property on the north side. Also
on the second picture on the east side of the road we have an erosion issue also and his
concern is if someone goes over we do not have any type of markers to show there is a
bridge right there. He is trying to preserve his property. His property faces east and the
ditch in front of his house is eroding towards the road.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To answer your question about these markers,
not just right there but all over the parish we put up these markers and farmers pass and
they take them down so they can pass with their tractors or whatever heavy equipment.
That is the issue we do put up the markers, we do not go check them all the time because
once we put them up we expect them to stay up. The other part of the erosion issue on his
side I can go look at it again. If the land is eroding on his side then it is not us.” - Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
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ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: Ken Marks. - Person to address the Committee.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr.
Chairman. I am Harlan Kirgan with the Eunice News. I am here to address the issue of the
Legal Journal tonight. We have been the record for the parish government for the last past year
and we appreciate your trust in giving that authority to us and we have been happy to be of
service to you all and we would like to continue that service. I noticed two weeks ago we
informed the St. Landry Parish School Board about the Daily World and we are bringing that
issue up tonight because we don’t think that they are qualified to be a Legal Journal in this Parish
anymore. They don’t meet the requirements under the state law to be a legal journal and they
don’t have an office here, no physical presence in this parish or Opelousas and as far as I know
anywhere else. We all put out a postal statement every October and we have addresses there and
when I went to their address it was in front of the old Toby’s Lodge and the old TV Station and it
was vacant. There was nobody there except bird nests and mailbox, they are not a presence here.
You all probably have never seen a reporter here in the last few years. They are pretty much a
zombie new paper. I was noticing on their bid there is no address on this bid notice where they
solicited for your legal journal. They have a web address but there is no physical address stated
on this bid. That kind of reinforce that point that they are not a presence here. Do you all have
any questions on that?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Harlan, I see you all have a rate in
here but I don’t see it for the Daily World.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “It is down at the bottom of their page, the very
bottom. Then it turns to the second page.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So it is apples and oranges and not
apples.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Probably not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So why don’t you explain to us the
line and $3.36 per column inch verses what you have.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I am not an expert on this. I remember the
guy coming here years ago and we had an interesting conversation about inches and all of that.
Our bid is based upon 6 columns but I don’t prepare the bids Mr. Taylor. Theirs is based upon
what I think is a 10 column, a nine or ten column. So an inch over 10 columns or an inch of 6
columns is a dollar per inch so you will pay quite a bit more for 10 columns than 6 columns.
That is my explanation for that. I am no expert on it but that is where I come from.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Are there any other questions?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Can you tell me if the rates have changed from the
last time?”
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Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I don’t know, I am sorry.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “You said that Daily World does not comply with the
state laws, could you explain more about that?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Let me find this where we presented it to the
School Board. They fall down on their physical presence in this parish and that is a requirement
under state law. They have to have an office here in this parish and they don’t. I have called
Gannett on their website and that was earlier this year or late last year. I told them that I wanted
to drop something off to the Daily World and it eventually came up that they don’t have an office
here so on the phone they are not here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, do you know anything or could you
look this up for us?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Statutorily there are four different requirements for a
newspaper to be a newspaper in regards to an Official Journal. One is that they have to have an
office inside of the parish. Another requirement is that they have to have a registered Post Office
Box inside of the Parish, another requirement is that they have to have a circulation inside of the
parish for the last five years and then there is a fourth requirement that they have so there are
four different requirements in the statue for them to be a newspaper in regards to being an
Official Journal. They do have to have an office, they have to have a circulation for 5 years in
the parish and they have to be registered with a post office box.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “What did you say the fourth requirement is?
Office in the parish, Post Office Box, circulation for 5 years and what is the last requirement?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “There is another requirement but it does not come to
my mind now do you have the statue?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I have them right here. I think you said them.
There are 4 and we produced 4 requirement here. I think the key requirement is their physical
presence. It has to be over 2 years.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Do they meet any of these requirement at all?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I would say they have had three consecutive
issues.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Oh that is the other requirement. They would have
never had missed three consecutive publishing unless of a natural disaster.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “They shall maintain a general paid circulation
for two consecutive years prior to the selection entered into the post office but where they fail is
not having their office here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “What I would like to do is forward both journals to the full
council. If one does not meet the necessary requirements then we would just delete them at the
full council because they would be non-qualified. Mr. Duplechain do you need to look up more
on this?”
Legal Counsel Garrett Duplechain stated, “That is what the statue says. Whoever investigates
and find out if they meet the criteria or not that is what the parish would look into whether or not
they have a physical office. I don’t know, I know they had a physical office but I don’t know if
they have a physical office now. If looking into this is done we can figure out if they meet all
four requirement or they don’t. If Mr. Kirgan says they don’t then I guess we can look into that.
Every June, the first meeting in June the City and the Parish have to appoint an official Journal.
We are in June and we are in the right month and by the time that we get to the full council we
should have our official journal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So two weeks before our next full council meeting will give
us enough time to investigate.”
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Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “To find out if they relocated to another office or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So Mr. Brown do we need to
authorize someone to make that official decision whether they are there legally or not? Would
you like to have Mr. Duplechain do that and report to us at our next full council meeting?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You will be the bible on this. Is that
fair?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to authorize Legal Counsel
Garett Duplechain to investigate if the Daily World Advertisement have any offices located in
St. Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Can I add one thing Mr. Taylor? I
have said this before to the council to remind you all that the Eunice News does have a
physical presence with a Printing Plant in Eunice and we employee 17 full time people
and we print more than 20 titles at the Eunice News. We are present in this parish and we
pay our property taxes, utility bills and everything that a business in this parish does. As
a locally state own corporation we incorporate here. Thank you for your time.”
- Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on the Parish President’s Report I have Resolution
No. 006-2025. Resolution No. 013-2025. It is a Resolution to Sign an Agreement with DOTD
to get payment on the Airport Plan that we put in place. It is not a lot but it is something that we
have to do to get the money back.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have that Resolution
before us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. You all should have a copy.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to
forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to approve Resolution No.
013-2025.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry
Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
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WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No. 3-
22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “On the Finance Report
Mr. Bellard do you want to expound on the latest news about the cuts and so forth?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not at this time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry, what was that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Well it is pretty much all over
the news now. Don’t you think we need to know a little bit about what the problem is?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Exactly, it is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Pardon?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Sometimes they don’t report it
accurately. I just wanted to get your take on this. You are the President and I just want to get your
take on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes and I will let the council know whenever we
have a meeting to discuss it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Will you give it to us at our regular meeting? Is
that is what you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Probably not but we will have a meeting to discuss the issues.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are there any other questions?
Do we have a motion to accept the Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Faltery Jolivette to
accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, Item No. 5, I want to pull it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are you the one that put
it on the agenda?”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I want to pull it yes, I want to pull that item and we
will be looking at it a little closer. We will be getting with the Engineers on this location to do
a study on it.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay we are moving on to
item No. 6.”
- Preliminary approval for a Residential Subdivision “JJED TITHES, LLC” being
tract B & tract D of the Stuart Meche Partition Showing a 16,000-Acre Tract of
Land Partitioned as lots 1-32; located on “Proposed Street” off of Miller and
Montgomery Road, Opelousas, LA.
Item NO. 5 pulled from the agenda by the Parish President Jessie Bellard. - Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry
Parish Government: the Eunice News or the Daily Words.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “We have already taken care
of Item. No. 6 earlier in the meeting so we will move on to item No. 7 on the agenda.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Stand by, stand by everyone. Did you have something
you wanted to say?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Mr. Chairman, we need to vote on Item No. 6.
We never voted.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “On the Official Journal we
already took that up. Did we not?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, do we have a motion
and a second to send it to Full Council?”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Are we voting for the appointment or we
voting to table it until the next meeting?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “We are forwarding it to full council. We voted
per Mr. Brown to find out the address, that is what we voted for. Now we are voting to
forward it to full council.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Basically it was to see if everything was legal.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Correct.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2025 to vote to
appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry Parish Government.
The Eunice News or the Daily Words. Note: Both have submitted their rates.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard it came to my attention that we
have no funds in our Financial Travel. It was told to me that part of that money was
funded for Ms. Sherell’s raise. I was not aware of that. I know that we had voted for Ms.
Karen, because I read the minutes. Her raise was approved the month before. It was
never mentioned and it was never approved that the funds be taken from the financial
travel expenses. I just wanted to know when did all of this occur and did everyone know
about this because I was not made aware of this.”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So in the Charter it allows the Parish President
to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Even after she got the raise and it was not
approved by us. We don’t have a say in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Once the budget is approved I can move it
anywhere in the budget where I want to put it. So to keep the budget in line on you all
side the travel money was moved to salaries.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But she was granted a raise before this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I understand. You all ask me if there was
money in the budget to do it and I said yes. You all did not ask me where I was going to
take it from.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Nobody ask that question? I know I did not. I
am just asking. Was everybody familiar with where the money was going and where it as
coming from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “A suggestion was made at the Committee
Meeting by Mr. Taylor to take it from travel and I thought that was a good idea. So I did
that. I did not need the council’s approval to do that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But that was for Ms. Karen’s raise. Mr. Taylor
am I correct? When you made that suggestion was it for both raises or was it just for
Ms. Karen’s raise?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You are asking me?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well he said that you had made the motion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, he did not make a motion. He made a
suggestion in a Committee Meeting that we take the money from travel. I thought it was
a good idea. I have the ability to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Actually I believe my motion
was that Mr. Ardoin and I would give up our travel money to cover Ms. Karen’s raise. It
was like $2,500.00 a year. We travel on our own dime. We don’t use the Governments
money to travel. We each get $1,400.00 so you will have $300.00 extra to put in the
kitty. That was my suggestion. It is done and it is over and we are moving on.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and Ernest
Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK
XIII. ADJOURNAGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 21st
, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029). - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029) - Authorize Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
between Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government. - Vote to appoint one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a
four- year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027) Applicants are William J. Fontenot and
Linda C. Babineaux. - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice News
or the Daily World.
IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-018
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Chris Road, Clarence Cormier Road, and Domengeaux Road in
Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish that are designated
as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-019
An Ordinance to Amend the Procedures for Collection of Charges for St. Landry Parish
Government’s Abatement of Nuisance Violations, by Mandating the Charges 1) be Added to Annual
Ad Valorem Tax Bills by the Tax Assessor or Tax Collector, and 2) be Collected by the Tax
Collector.
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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON GARRETT LANE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon Garrett Lane in St. Landry
Parish because Garrett Lane is no longer needed for public purposes, as per Louisiana Revised
Statute 48:701.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Garrett Lane in St. Landry Parish is hereby abandoned.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-015
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44, SECTION
44-14 so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads in St. Landry Parish
that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic” routes.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14 lists the roads in St. Landry
Parish that are designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends St. Landry Parish Ordinance Chapter 44, Section 44-14
so that Alvin Street in Opelousas, LA can be included on the list of roads that are designated as
“No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic“ routes.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that
Chapter 44, Section 44-14 is hereby amended as follows:
The following roads are hereby restricted and designated as “No Truck or 18-Wheeler
Thru Traffic” routes:
Alvin Street (1)
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); (2)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); (3)
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); (4)
Begnaud Road (5)
Belmont Drive; (6)
Comfort Lane; (7)
Country Ridge; (8)
Darjean Road; (9)
Dresser Loop; (10)
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); (11)
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); (12)
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); (13)
Frank Road (14)
Frilot Cove Road; (15)
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); (16)
Government Road (Council District No. 3); (17)
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Greg Drive; (18)
Harmon Lane in Opelousas (19)
Henderson Drive (20)
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); (21)
Highway 1244; (22)
Iseringhausen Road (23)
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); (24)
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); (25)
Judson Walsh; (26)
Lawyer Road; (27)
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); (28)
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35); (29)
National Road (Council District No. 3); (30)
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; (31)
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); (32)
Plantation Road; (33)
Rainbow Drive; (34)
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); (35)
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; (36)
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); (37)
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); (38)
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; (39)
Tecumseh Loop (40)
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); (41)
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection. (42)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016
(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE TWO STOP SIGNS ON RIVERBIRCH ROAD AT THE
LOCATION WHERE EAGLIN ROAD INTERSECTS OR MEETS RIVERBIRCH ROAD
IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, there is a curve on Riverbirch Road near Eaglin Road in St. Landry Parish
and the dangerous nature of the curve must be mitigated and reduced by placing two stop signs
near the curve.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall be placed on Riverbirch Road at the location where
Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be after traffic has travelled
through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving Eaglin Road to go onto
Riverbirch Road the right of way, and there shall be signage informing traffic about to enter
the curve that a stop sign is placed after the curve.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that a stop sign shall also be placed on Riverbirch Road across the road
from the location where Eaglin Road intersects or meets Riverbirch Road, which shall be
prior to traffic travelling through the curve, and said stop sign shall give drivers leaving
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Eaglin Road to go onto Riverbirch Road the right of way.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No.
3-22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 014-2025
CERTIFICATE OF St. Landry Parish
EVIDENCING PUBLIC APPROVAL OF BONDS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(f) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Finance Authority (the “Authority”), a public trust created
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2-A of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as
amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the “Act”) has, by resolution dated April 16, 2025, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana State
Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of not exceeding
$100,000,000 of Capital Area Finance Authority Revenue Bonds in one or more series (the
“Bonds”) to finance loans to first-time homebuyers within the jurisdictional parishes of the
Authority and such other governmental units (the “Participating Jurisdictions”) whose
governing authority authorized and directed the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (a
“CEA”) with the Authority under the provisions of the Act and other applicable constitutional and
statutory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, on May 15, 2025, duly authorized the issuance and sale of the
Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Bonds are classified as exempt facility bonds under the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the provisions of Section 147(f)(2)(A), (B)
and (E) of the Code require that issuance of Bonds be approved by the “applicable elected
representative” of the governmental unit which issues such bonds or on whose behalf such bonds
are issued and by the “applicable elected representative” of such other Participating Jurisdictions
that have executed a CEA with the Authority under the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS St. Landry Parish (the “Governmental Unit”) has executed a CEA with the
Authority to permit the financing of loans to first-time homebuyers within geographic area of the
Governmental Unit; and
5
WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”) of the
Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is the Jesse Ballard and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, Notice of Public Hearing (attached
as Exhibit “A” hereto), was published in (i) The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23,
2025, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iii) the Houma Courier,
Houma, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (iv) the Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vi) the
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2025, (vii) The Times, Shreveport,
Louisiana on April 23, 2025, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 2025,
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with respect to
the issuance of said Bonds was held on May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Louisiana Time, at 601 St.
Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and simultaneously held by teleconference using the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9940303250?omn=88470185621 or by dialing US toll-free: (833) 928-
4610; meeting ID: 994 030 3250 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2022-20 after due notice thereof
was published in the official journal of the Authority and in the aforementioned publications
sufficient to inform the public within the geographic area of the Participating Jurisdictions of the
subject, date and place of said public hearing; and
WHEREAS, no objections were raised by any person present at the said hearing or by any person
participating by teleconference relative to the issuance of the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned, Approving Representative of the Participating Jurisdiction, desires
to approve the issuance of the Bonds for the purposes of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby certify that the chief elected executive
officer/governing authority of the Participating Jurisdiction, hereby approves and confirms the
issuance of the Bonds. The Authority, and its officers, are authorized to cause this certificate to be
filed of record in the transcript of proceedings for the Bonds and to file a copy thereof with any
State or Federal agency, board or commission as may be required by any applicable State or
Federal laws, rules or regulations.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Jimmie Edwards).
- Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier,
Wayne Ardoin and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, If I am in order I would ask that the agenda be
amended for two items and I will read them out one at a time.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Alvin Stelly to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one
appointment to Public Works District Six for a 4- year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029).
6
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to amend the agenda to Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two
appointments to Public Works Commission District Five for a 4- year term.
(07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Person to address the Committee:
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye with Capital Area Finance Authority addressed the council.
She stated, “I live at 601 St. Ferdinand Baton Rouge, La. Thank you for letting me come
back here and talk about our programs that we have, I think I was here last month. We are
offering a first time homebuyers and veterans down payment assistance program. It is 5%
assistance in the amount or final loan amount. This is for first time homebuyers and
veterans to help them with their down payment and closing cost or anything that they
need help with inspections appraisals, prepaid items or obstacles that these first time
homebuyers have to purchase for their first home. We were working under a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the parish and offering our down payment assistance programs
that were grants and soft seconds but because this is a tax-exempt bond from volume cap
from the state, we have to get this resolution/certification adopted allowing us to come in.
We did this in 2013, we had 40 million dollars from the volume cap of the state to offer
and ran out in early May so we went back May 15th to the bond commission and
received another allotment and will be rolling it out. We are asking permission to extend
the program we already doing here in the parish. If there are any questions I would love
to answer them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The question that came up at the last meeting
was we usually sign an agreement, but you are asking for a resolution and that will be for
internal revenue code 1986 as amended. So do you have to do the amended part because
of the tax-exempt status of the bonds?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes it is because of the bonds and in that resolution
we have 100 million dollars and we will keep going to the bond commission as long as
these rates are really high mortgage rates and making it hard for our other programs to
perform we will continue going to the bond commission and asking for more volume cap.
We received the 25 million May 15th, 2025. The programs are doing so well that we
probably be going back asking for more in August or September.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is coverage for one year according to the
agreement right?”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “The Cooperate Endeavor Agreement there is no
expiration date. If we wanted to get out the parish, we will let you know. The reason we
do not have an expiration date is because we give 30 days. If you decide, you do not want
us working in the parish any more than you give us 30 days. That allows us to do just
those down payment programs. We cannot do any pilot programs. We cannot do no other
economic things without coming in front of the board to ask permission.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now you all are able to do the pilot program if
we make that request.”
Ms. Kristin Delahoussaye stated, “Yes.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Resolution
014-2025 The Certificate of St. Landry Parish Evidencing Public Approval of Bonds
Pursuant to Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as Amended.
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On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to authorize
Parish President Jessie Bellard to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between
Capital Area Finance Authority and St. Landry Parish Government.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Chairwoman of Public Works Nancy Carriere stated, “We have Mr. Ken Boagni to
speak about the Drainage Impact Analysis is he here?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I advised Mr. Boagni not to come to this
meeting we are working on a plan to put together and bring to full council on the third
Wednesday of this month.”
- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boomed Axed 4 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 8 Roads
Debris Removal 63 Roads
Ditching 12 Roads
Grading 33 Roads
Material Spreading 2 Roads
Pot Hole Patching 32 Roads
Shredded 24 Roads
Sign Installation 7 Roads
Tree Removal 9 Roads
Washout 8 Roads
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Discuss heavy traffic on Chris Road, Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and
Clarence Cormier Road. (Councilwoman Vivian Olivier).
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “We are asking for signs to keep heavy traffic off
of those roads.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We do not just put signs up without the
Ordinance so it is up to you to add it to the Ordinance.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They have some concrete trucks and 18-wheelers
breaking up the road we just finish black topping.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Vivian Olivier, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to
create an Ordinance for No Truck or 18-Wheeler Thru Traffic on Chris Road,
Domengeaux Road, Begneaud Road and Clarence Cormier Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
8
- Forward all applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No.
1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Lawtell Water District No. 1 for the
remainder of a four-year term. (08-12-2023 – 08-12-2027).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Public Works
Commission District Six for a 4-year term. (05-17-2025 – 05-17-2029)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Public Works
Commission District Five for a 4- year term. (07-22-2025 – 07-22-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard and Mr. Barry, I have an ongoing
situation with a drainage situation on Charles Fisher Road. It is located at 1397 Charles
Fisher Road Mr. Olan Quebeadeaux. I supplied everyone with two pictures, the first
picture we had those tin kar pipes for the bridge and what it is doing the north pipe is set
a little too low because when the water run it runs through the north pipe only. It really
does not run thru the other two pipes and it is eroding his property on the north side. Also
on the second picture on the east side of the road we have an erosion issue also and his
concern is if someone goes over we do not have any type of markers to show there is a
bridge right there. He is trying to preserve his property. His property faces east and the
ditch in front of his house is eroding towards the road.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To answer your question about these markers,
not just right there but all over the parish we put up these markers and farmers pass and
they take them down so they can pass with their tractors or whatever heavy equipment.
That is the issue we do put up the markers, we do not go check them all the time because
once we put them up we expect them to stay up. The other part of the erosion issue on his
side I can go look at it again. If the land is eroding on his side then it is not us.” - Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
9
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: Ken Marks. - Person to address the Committee.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr.
Chairman. I am Harlan Kirgan with the Eunice News. I am here to address the issue of the
Legal Journal tonight. We have been the record for the parish government for the last past year
and we appreciate your trust in giving that authority to us and we have been happy to be of
service to you all and we would like to continue that service. I noticed two weeks ago we
informed the St. Landry Parish School Board about the Daily World and we are bringing that
issue up tonight because we don’t think that they are qualified to be a Legal Journal in this Parish
anymore. They don’t meet the requirements under the state law to be a legal journal and they
don’t have an office here, no physical presence in this parish or Opelousas and as far as I know
anywhere else. We all put out a postal statement every October and we have addresses there and
when I went to their address it was in front of the old Toby’s Lodge and the old TV Station and it
was vacant. There was nobody there except bird nests and mailbox, they are not a presence here.
You all probably have never seen a reporter here in the last few years. They are pretty much a
zombie new paper. I was noticing on their bid there is no address on this bid notice where they
solicited for your legal journal. They have a web address but there is no physical address stated
on this bid. That kind of reinforce that point that they are not a presence here. Do you all have
any questions on that?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Harlan, I see you all have a rate in
here but I don’t see it for the Daily World.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “It is down at the bottom of their page, the very
bottom. Then it turns to the second page.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So it is apples and oranges and not
apples.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Probably not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So why don’t you explain to us the
line and $3.36 per column inch verses what you have.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I am not an expert on this. I remember the
guy coming here years ago and we had an interesting conversation about inches and all of that.
Our bid is based upon 6 columns but I don’t prepare the bids Mr. Taylor. Theirs is based upon
what I think is a 10 column, a nine or ten column. So an inch over 10 columns or an inch of 6
columns is a dollar per inch so you will pay quite a bit more for 10 columns than 6 columns.
That is my explanation for that. I am no expert on it but that is where I come from.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Are there any other questions?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Can you tell me if the rates have changed from the
last time?”
10
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I don’t know, I am sorry.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “You said that Daily World does not comply with the
state laws, could you explain more about that?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Let me find this where we presented it to the
School Board. They fall down on their physical presence in this parish and that is a requirement
under state law. They have to have an office here in this parish and they don’t. I have called
Gannett on their website and that was earlier this year or late last year. I told them that I wanted
to drop something off to the Daily World and it eventually came up that they don’t have an office
here so on the phone they are not here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, do you know anything or could you
look this up for us?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Statutorily there are four different requirements for a
newspaper to be a newspaper in regards to an Official Journal. One is that they have to have an
office inside of the parish. Another requirement is that they have to have a registered Post Office
Box inside of the Parish, another requirement is that they have to have a circulation inside of the
parish for the last five years and then there is a fourth requirement that they have so there are
four different requirements in the statue for them to be a newspaper in regards to being an
Official Journal. They do have to have an office, they have to have a circulation for 5 years in
the parish and they have to be registered with a post office box.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “What did you say the fourth requirement is?
Office in the parish, Post Office Box, circulation for 5 years and what is the last requirement?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “There is another requirement but it does not come to
my mind now do you have the statue?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I have them right here. I think you said them.
There are 4 and we produced 4 requirement here. I think the key requirement is their physical
presence. It has to be over 2 years.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Do they meet any of these requirement at all?”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “I would say they have had three consecutive
issues.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Oh that is the other requirement. They would have
never had missed three consecutive publishing unless of a natural disaster.”
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “They shall maintain a general paid circulation
for two consecutive years prior to the selection entered into the post office but where they fail is
not having their office here.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “What I would like to do is forward both journals to the full
council. If one does not meet the necessary requirements then we would just delete them at the
full council because they would be non-qualified. Mr. Duplechain do you need to look up more
on this?”
Legal Counsel Garrett Duplechain stated, “That is what the statue says. Whoever investigates
and find out if they meet the criteria or not that is what the parish would look into whether or not
they have a physical office. I don’t know, I know they had a physical office but I don’t know if
they have a physical office now. If looking into this is done we can figure out if they meet all
four requirement or they don’t. If Mr. Kirgan says they don’t then I guess we can look into that.
Every June, the first meeting in June the City and the Parish have to appoint an official Journal.
We are in June and we are in the right month and by the time that we get to the full council we
should have our official journal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So two weeks before our next full council meeting will give
us enough time to investigate.”
11
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “To find out if they relocated to another office or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “So Mr. Brown do we need to
authorize someone to make that official decision whether they are there legally or not? Would
you like to have Mr. Duplechain do that and report to us at our next full council meeting?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You will be the bible on this. Is that
fair?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to authorize Legal Counsel
Garett Duplechain to investigate if the Daily World Advertisement have any offices located in
St. Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Mr. Harlan Kirgan, Editor Eunice News stated, “Can I add one thing Mr. Taylor? I
have said this before to the council to remind you all that the Eunice News does have a
physical presence with a Printing Plant in Eunice and we employee 17 full time people
and we print more than 20 titles at the Eunice News. We are present in this parish and we
pay our property taxes, utility bills and everything that a business in this parish does. As
a locally state own corporation we incorporate here. Thank you for your time.”
- Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on the Parish President’s Report I have Resolution
No. 006-2025. Resolution No. 013-2025. It is a Resolution to Sign an Agreement with DOTD
to get payment on the Airport Plan that we put in place. It is not a lot but it is something that we
have to do to get the money back.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have that Resolution
before us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. You all should have a copy.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to
forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 to approve Resolution No.
013-2025.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
RESOLUTION NO. 013-2025
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry
Parish Airport.
WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the
financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA
DOTD to rehabilitate the Fuel Apron; and
12
WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA
DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the
St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the Fuel
Apron and reimburse the sponsor up to $1,801.00 of the project cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does
hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as AIP No. 3-
22-0043-019-2023 and SPN H.016152, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto,
and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to
said agreement.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “On the Finance Report
Mr. Bellard do you want to expound on the latest news about the cuts and so forth?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not at this time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry, what was that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Well it is pretty much all over
the news now. Don’t you think we need to know a little bit about what the problem is?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Exactly, it is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Pardon?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is all over the news.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Sometimes they don’t report it
accurately. I just wanted to get your take on this. You are the President and I just want to get your
take on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes and I will let the council know whenever we
have a meeting to discuss it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Will you give it to us at our regular meeting? Is
that is what you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Probably not but we will have a meeting to discuss the issues.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are there any other questions?
Do we have a motion to accept the Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Faltery Jolivette to
accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, Item No. 5, I want to pull it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, are you the one that put
it on the agenda?”
13
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I want to pull it yes, I want to pull that item and we
will be looking at it a little closer. We will be getting with the Engineers on this location to do
a study on it.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay we are moving on to
item No. 6.”
- Preliminary approval for a Residential Subdivision “JJED TITHES, LLC” being
tract B & tract D of the Stuart Meche Partition Showing a 16,000-Acre Tract of
Land Partitioned as lots 1-32; located on “Proposed Street” off of Miller and
Montgomery Road, Opelousas, LA.
Item NO. 5 pulled from the agenda by the Parish President Jessie Bellard. - Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry
Parish Government: the Eunice News or the Daily Words.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “We have already taken care
of Item. No. 6 earlier in the meeting so we will move on to item No. 7 on the agenda.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Stand by, stand by everyone. Did you have something
you wanted to say?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Mr. Chairman, we need to vote on Item No. 6.
We never voted.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “On the Official Journal we
already took that up. Did we not?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, do we have a motion
and a second to send it to Full Council?”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Are we voting for the appointment or we
voting to table it until the next meeting?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “We are forwarding it to full council. We voted
per Mr. Brown to find out the address, that is what we voted for. Now we are voting to
forward it to full council.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Basically it was to see if everything was legal.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Correct.”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2025 to vote to
appoint an Official Journal for the St. Landry Parish Government.
The Eunice News or the Daily Words. Note: Both have submitted their rates.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard it came to my attention that we
have no funds in our Financial Travel. It was told to me that part of that money was
funded for Ms. Sherell’s raise. I was not aware of that. I know that we had voted for Ms.
Karen, because I read the minutes. Her raise was approved the month before. It was
never mentioned and it was never approved that the funds be taken from the financial
travel expenses. I just wanted to know when did all of this occur and did everyone know
about this because I was not made aware of this.”
14
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So in the Charter it allows the Parish President
to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Even after she got the raise and it was not
approved by us. We don’t have a say in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Once the budget is approved I can move it
anywhere in the budget where I want to put it. So to keep the budget in line on you all
side the travel money was moved to salaries.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But she was granted a raise before this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I understand. You all ask me if there was
money in the budget to do it and I said yes. You all did not ask me where I was going to
take it from.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Nobody ask that question? I know I did not. I
am just asking. Was everybody familiar with where the money was going and where it as
coming from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “A suggestion was made at the Committee
Meeting by Mr. Taylor to take it from travel and I thought that was a good idea. So I did
that. I did not need the council’s approval to do that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But that was for Ms. Karen’s raise. Mr. Taylor
am I correct? When you made that suggestion was it for both raises or was it just for
Ms. Karen’s raise?”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “You are asking me?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well he said that you had made the motion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, he did not make a motion. He made a
suggestion in a Committee Meeting that we take the money from travel. I thought it was
a good idea. I have the ability to move money between line items and that is what I did.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Actually I believe my motion
was that Mr. Ardoin and I would give up our travel money to cover Ms. Karen’s raise. It
was like $2,500.00 a year. We travel on our own dime. We don’t use the Governments
money to travel. We each get $1,400.00 so you will have $300.00 extra to put in the
kitty. That was my suggestion. It is done and it is over and we are moving on.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune and Ernest
Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Ken Marks. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK
XIII. ADJOURN
