AGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Ken Marks)
III. ROLL CALL:
IV. CONDOLENCES:
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL:
CHAD JAMES MILBY, 205 Edwin Street Sunset, La 70584 Parcel #0201480925
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting: May 20th
, 2026
Special Meeting: May 28th, 2026
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.
- The Council to vote on whether or not to go forward on work on blighted property
located at 205 Edwin Street Sunset, La 70584 owned by: CHAD JAMES MILBY,
Parcel #0201480925 - Authorize the Council Clerk to re-advertise for one appointment to St. Landry Parish
Waterworks District #5 for the remainder of a three-year term.
(4-21-2025 to 4-21-2028) - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Lawtell Water District
No. 1 for the remainder of a four-year term ending 08-12-2027. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for three appointments to East St. Landry
Consolidated Gravity Drainage No. 1 for a four-year term. (09-04-2026 to 09-04-2030) - Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Lewis advising to come
and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the structures
located at 148 Park Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel #0105453500. - Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Wendell Davis advising to
come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the structures
located at 728 McNeese Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel #0105008100. - Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Veronica Williams advising to
come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the
structures located at 800 Vivian Street Eunice, La 70535. Parcel #0602802500 - Vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: the Eunice
News or the Daily World. - Authorize to start the process of changing the name from Halfway House Road to
Coteau Ridge Road.
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IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-023
AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE NO. 2025-030, WHICH IS AN
ORDINANCE TO SELL ADJUDICATED PROPERTY TO AN ADJOINING
LANDOWNER OF THE ADJUDICATED PROPERTY, DUE TO THE FACT THAT
THE ADJOINING LANDOWNER WITHDREW HIS REQUEST TO BUY THE
ADJUDICATED PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE CONVEYANCE BEING EXECUTED
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-024
AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT THE DONATION AND CONVEYANCE OF IMMOVABLE
PROPERTY BY FAKOURI ENTERPRISES, INC. TO ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE
X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-019
(Sponsored By: Councilman Ernest Blanchard)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 40-378 – DATE OF MANUFACTURE, WHICH IS IN
ARTICLE XV. – PARK PLANNING REQUIREMENTS, IN CHAPTER 40 – SUBDIVISIONS, IN
THE ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, TO REQUIRE THAT EACH AND EVERY
MANUFACTURED HOME AND MOBILE HOME LOCATED WITHIN ST. LANDRY PARISH
MUST HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHIN 25 YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH AN
APPLICATION IS SOUGHT FROM ST. LANDRY PARISH FOR THE LOCATION OF SUCH
MANUFACTURED HOME OR MOBILE HOME WITHIN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter Sections 1-06 establishes that the
Parish Government has the special power to pass all ordinances necessary to promote,
protect, and preserve the general welfare, safety, health, peace, and orderly conduct of the
Parish.
Sec. 40-378. – Date of manufacture.
Each and every manufactured home and mobile home located within St. Landry Parish must
meet the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety standards and must display a
seal certifying that it was built in accordance with these standards within 25 years prior to the
date on which an application is sought From St. Landry Parish for the location of such
manufactured home or mobile home within St. Landry Parish and outside of the incorporated
municipalities in St. Landry Parish, notwithstanding the type of use for which said
manufactured home or mobile home is intended or to which it is ultimately put.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-020
(Sponsored By: Councilman Jimmie Edwards)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 40-133, IN CHAPTER 40, ARTICLE VI, DEFINITIONS,
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST ONE LOT, PLOT, SITE, OR OTHER
DIVISION OF LAND IN A SUBDIVISION MUST BE LESS THAN THREE ACRES IN AREA FOR
IT TO BE DEFINED AS A SUBDIVISION
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter Sections 1-06 establishes that the
Parish Government has the special power to pass all ordinances necessary to promote,
protect, and preserve the general welfare, safety, health, peace, and orderly conduct of the
Parish.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT THAT
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Section 40–133 in the St. Landry Parish Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and shall
now read as follows:
Sec. 40-133. – Other words defined.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Subdivision means the division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, plots, sites, or
other divisions of land, for the purpose of sale or building development whether immediate or future
for purposes other than agricultural. It includes re-subdivision and, when appropriate to the context,
relates to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT this Ordinance shall become effective on the date that it is enacted.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-021
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 44-3
TO DESIGNATE A SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH FOR DUFILHO ROAD
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT THAT
St. Landry Parish Code of Ordinances Section 44-3 will be amended to designate a speed
limit of 35 mph for Dufilho Road;
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT all other provisions of St. Landry Parish Code of Ordinances Section
44-3 shall remain unchanged and have the full effect of law;
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-022
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
AN ORDINANCE TO ABANDON 100 FEET OF HIGHLAND ROAD IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government has decided to abandon 100 feet of Highland
Road in St. Landry Parish because 100 feet of Highland Road 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
Highland Road ends in a dead end at one end of the road, and starting at the end of
Highland Road that ends in a dead end and running back 100 feet from the dead end is
hereby abandoned.
XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 009-2026
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 May
21, 2026, in accordance with the requirements of the Act, and the Rules and Regulations of
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the Louisiana State Bond Commission (the “Commission”), duly authorized the issuance of
not exceeding $200,000,000 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 June 18, 2026, duly authorized the issuance and sale
of the Bonds in accordance with law and the Commission 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 (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
WHEREAS, the applicable elected representative (the “Approving Representative”)
of the Governmental Unit for purposes of approving the Bonds is Jessie Bellard 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 June 5, 2026, (ii) The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana on June 5, 2026,
(iii) the Houma Courier, Houma, Louisiana on June 5, 2026, (iv) the Lake Charles American
Press, Lake Charles, Louisiana on June 5, 2026, (v) The News Star, Monroe, Louisiana on
June 5, 2026, (vi) the Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana on June 5, 2026, (vii) The
Times, Shreveport, Louisiana on June 5, 2026, and (viii) The Town Talk, Alexandria,
Louisiana on June 5, 2026, and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the requirements of the Code, the public hearing with
respect to the issuance of said Bonds was held on June 25, 2026, 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=81003639543 or dial US toll-free: (646) 876-
9923, 9940303250# 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.
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XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY MAY 28th, 2026 @ 5:30 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W BELLEVUE ST
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
MINUTES
I. This meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Dexter Brown.
II. The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation was said by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry.
III. Roll Call: PRESENT: Jody White, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard.
Ex Officio: Dexter Brown. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, and
Wayne Ardoin.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT:
No one was present for public comment.
V. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
- Council to go into executive session to discuss Lawsuit regarding Buller
Subdivision.
Chairman Dexter Brown stated, “Do I have a motion to go into Executive Session?”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to authorize the clerk to pause the recording and allow the public to exit
the chambers so the council may enter into Executive Session to discuss Litigation
Regarding the Buller Subdivision.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard.
NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, and Wayne Ardoin.
ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 28th, day of May, 2026.
Chairman Dexter Brown stated, “Do I have a motion to enter back into Regular
Session?”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to return back into Regular Session, turn the recording on and invite the public
back into the chambers.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard.
NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, and Wayne Ardoin.
ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 28th, day of May, 2026. - Council to vote on appeal of the Lawsuit regarding Buller Subdivision.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to appeal the Lawsuit regarding Buller Subdivision.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard.
NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, and Wayne Ardoin.
ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 28th, day of May, 2026.
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VI. ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Councilman Faltery Jolivette, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to adjourn the Special Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard.
NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, and Wayne Ardoin.
ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 28th, day of May, 2026.
.
(FIRST MEETING)
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3rd, 2026
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. - Councilman Ken Marks said the Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation.
- Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown and
Timmy Lejeune. Ex-Officio: Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere. - Person to address the Committee.
None. - Parish President & Finance Report:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I really don’t have anything to report tonight
on the Parish President’s Report. You all have the finance report in front of you.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Mr. Bellard are you going to see about the
balances in Fund 42?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “The last time I looked they had $778,000.00. Is it
possible to look at getting some pricing on some roads?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “They can’t hear you.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Can you possibly look at that situation?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes we are. We will try and do something. I
am not sure when it is going to be but we will try to do something.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Thank you Sir.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I have a question. Mr.
Bellard on the second page we have Miscellaneous Revenue anticipated to $59,000.00.
So far you have received $375,145.83. Can you tell us where all of that came from
and where is it going?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I can’t tell you that now. I will look it up
tomorrow morning and I can give you a call.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Thank you.”
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A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown and
Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
- Forward to Regular Meeting a vote to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry
Parish Government: The Eunice News or The Daily World.
Note: Both have submitted their rates.
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Excuse me Mr. Chairman. I did speak to
someone with the Daily World. They do not have a paper that is in St. Landry Parish.
They are on the internet, they are totally on the internet.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “I am sorry. I did not
understand.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “They are totally on the internet.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Counselor what are your
thoughts on that? Is that legal?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “It has to be an actual newspaper for now.
We are going to change that in a couple of years. They have to have an office inside
of the parish. For the last two years when they print the newspaper it appears from
what they told our Council Clerk they do not have an office here. That would make
them not eligible. But only the council can make that decision in which two of the two
applicants to choose.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “And your suggestion as to
what we should do in the committee.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “I suggest that this be forwarded to the full
council meeting. When it gets to the full council meeting at that point when it is
determined or confirmed that one of the two applicants are not eligible that would
leave one applicant and that would be the one that can be legitimately awarded The
Official Journal.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Faltery
Jolivette to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to vote
to appoint an Official Journal for St. Landry Parish Government: The Eunice News or
The Daily World.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, and
Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Discuss Ordinance for Private Roads and Approval of Additional Roads.
(Councilman Ken Marks).
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Thank you Mr. Chairman. I put this on the agenda
because we pulled it back in the first part of the year around January I recall. I talked to
Garett about the Attorney General’s Opinion that was submitted I think in March is
what he indicated. We have not heard back from them on that yet. I don’t really
foresee any problems with what we are wanting to propose but we still have to wait on
that final aspect.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That was what was recommended by our
District Attorney that we get an Opinion from the Attorney General just to cover us but
we think that we are in good standards but he wants to make sure.”
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Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Sure I totally agree with that but timing wise I am
sure that they are overloaded with a lot of stuff so I don’t know. Did you reach back
out to them?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “I spoke with the District Attorney day
before yesterday and last week about it. The request was sent in and they are going to
get the Attorney General’s Opinion in. We are sure it is going to confirm that under
certain circumstances and conditions private roads can be taken in as no public roads.
The further details of the issue would be our Attorney General’s Opinion.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay. With that being said we have some additional
resources that we are going to be looking at, we meaning Harold and myself. We
worked on this about 5 or 6 years ago. Some of the verbiage if and when we get the
opinion we will be able to incorporate it into the new ordinance or the amended
ordinance and propose it to the council for approval.”
- Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Bellard, on last month’s full council meeting
item number 5 on the agenda was to authorize a variance to be granted to Ms. Tricha
Andrus for 180 feet of road frontage at 136 Unity Drive. We had basically had tabled it
until this meeting right here. I know that we are going through a process of tweaking
our ordinance. I don’t know where you are on that item. It is a situation whereas she
has two trailers on that same lot and it is basically just her and her sons. I know that
she had made a comment at last month’s Committee Meeting that she wanted to rent it
but when I spoke with her and she said that she was renting it to her son’s to teach them
responsibility, she is not renting it to the public. She still owns it and I don’t know
where you are with it at this time regarding the variance on that property.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So that property, the frontage is 93 feet. That
is all of the frontage that she has on that property. We have pictures where she has two
houses on it already. She is wanting to move a third house on it?”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “No, no that trailer that they have in the back.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Okay, as it sits now we can’t do it with the
ordinance that is in place. 93 feet of frontage can only place one house. I don’t know,
that will be up to the council to grant a variance or not. I am going to say that I
recommend that we don’t do the variance and I think that we need to start that process
as soon as possible or we will have to table everything until after the court case is
finished with the Appellate Court. The ordinance says what it says and it is up to the
council to do the variances but if you have one house and you have 90 feet of frontage
then you are okay but if you have two it is going totally against what the ordinance
calls for. I think that it is going to be tuff. If we do it for one then we just should not
have an ordinance in place.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “I just wanted to check with you because I am
going to get back with her on tomorrow. I know she is listening on Facebook live. I
just want to see basically where we were on that item.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I looked it up and I have it in front of me right
here. There is nothing in the ordinance that even would allow us to grant a variance.
Mr. Duplechain would have to tell us more about it if there is anything in there that we
are not seeing but as it sits right now I will recommend that we don’t do the variance
because it does not meet anything in our ordinance, it just doesn’t. I don’t mind
helping people but this is a lot. 90 feet and this is not even 120 feet to even have two
houses.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So you are suggesting that we just stay put for
right now until their court case is settled?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I would not touch anything right now.”
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Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir thank you I just wanted to bring that up.
Thank you.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Mr. President we have a way of understanding
the definition of variances in this particular case, what constitutes it, what allows it or
does not allow it besides what we were talking about the law part what it is reading but
can you help explain that to us a little bit?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So to my knowledge it has to be a Hardship.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Meaning.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We granted one last month.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Definition of Hardship, meaning?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “In that particular case the lady bought a
$110,000.00 home, put it on the property and she has no road frontage but she has a
right of way to get to the road. The house is there and it is ready to go. That would be
considered a Hardship as far as I would think until she could actually figure out a way
to get some road frontage. The land was given to her, it is like 10 acres of land. It is
off of Wisdom Road and it is not far off of the road but she does not have road
frontage.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I think like you we don’t want to have a whole bunch
of people wanting variances if we go that route. That is why I am asking what I am
asking for this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Duplechain maybe can further explain.
From what I understand Hardship is the key word.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “If the landowner has undue Hardship by
appealing to the ordinance then the council can grant the variance in regards to the
ordinance. The ways you define Hardship gives the council a lot of discretion as to
what they would define as a Hardship or not. The ordinance looks like it was designed
that way however the council takes into consideration that every factor, every fact,
every possibility before they decide whether or not to give a variance if they decide to
give a variance or if they decide not to give a variance so there is a lot of discretion for
the council and there are different ways to define Hardship so basically the council
could put a lot of thought in to it and then come up with whether or not they are going
to grant a variance or not. As it is worded now the council has a lot of discretion in this
area.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Counselor, so is the
variances that you speak of is within our code of ordinances now or is it State Law that
you are quoting?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “It is in St. Landry Parish Code of
Ordinances. A variance can be granted on two conditions. No. 1: If adherence to the
ordinance would cause an undue hardship to the landowner. No. 2: If that is some
topographical feature to the landscape which really strongly demands a variance from
the ordinance. So they are the two conditions and you can have one or the other. You
can have an Undue Hardship or some kind of strange topographical feature to the
landscape which would need an ordinance. Hardship, there are a lot of ways to define
that so that really gives the council a lot of discretion but as I said the council can vote
to give an ordinance or not to give an ordinance and just put a lot of analysis in it to see
if they need one or not.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Thank you. Does anyone
else have anything to bring up? If not we will entertain the motion to adjourn.”
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- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Faltery
Jolivette to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, and
Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Nancy Carriere. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
(SECOND MEETING)
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3rd, 2026
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
- Public Works Chairman Jimmie Edwards called this meeting of the Public Works
Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order. - Roll Call: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Jimmie
Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio: Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: None. - Person to address the Committee:
► Ms. Beverly Benoit addressed the council. She stated, “Good evening. My name is
Beverly Benoit. I live at 2520 Ambassador Caffery, Lafayette, LA. Please bear with
me I have never spoke in front of a lot of people like this before. I am actually asking
for special consideration to allow me to move my 1997 Modular Home into the St.
Landry Parish area. I have been looking for quite some time in the rural area away
from any cities closer to the Sunset area and I found quite a few different pieces that I
really like and enjoy a lot. A couple of weeks ago I called and I spoke with Ms.
Sherell and I was trying to see about getting a permit and everything that I needed to
be able to get my home moved in this area. Ms. Sherell let me know at that time you
all had just voted on nothing older than 25 years. It is exceptionally in very good
conditions, I have had it for over 25 years. I had roof damage roughly in 2014 and I
had a couple of roof joist and sheet rocking and all of that needed to be changed out
and I attended to it from day one.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, Ms. Benoit, I am here, the Parish President
right here. If it is a Modular Home you don’t have nothing to worry about.”
Ms. Beverly Benoit stated, “Are you serious?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes a Modular Home does not fit in our
definition. It is either going to be a trailer home or a manufactured home that needs to
get the variance. If it is a Modular Home you don’t need it. All you have to do is go
to the Permit Office.”
Ms. Beverly Benoit stated, “Can I show you this and you can tell me for sure. I was
told it was a Modular Home.”
Councilman Alvin Stelly questioned, “How wide is the home?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is 26 x 55. It is a Modular Home. You
don’t have to go through that process. You just have to come to the Permit Office in
the Courthouse in the Basement. Come back to me later and we will give you all of
the information that you will need. It is a Modular Home so it does not fit our
definition.”
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Ms. Beverly Benoit stated, “I am sorry guys. I had pictures to show you all. I was
going to show off my house. Thank you all very much.”
► Mr. Eli Landry addressed the council. He stated, “Eli Landry, 309 Water Tower
Road, Washington, LA. 70589. I want to confirm something. This is an open
meeting right? So everything that is presented up here to you all the people in the
audience suppose to have a copy. Let’s say Jessie present you all something we
suppose to have a copy, we are suppose to read it also.”
Public Works Chairman Jimmie Edwards stated, “They have copies on that back
table. That is where they usually be at.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “You all discuss some other things and we don’t know what is
going on.”
Public Works Chairman Jimmie Edwards stated, “The only way you won’t know if
we go into Executive Session.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Okay, let’s go back. Jessie said that it is in your packet that I
gave you all. We don’t have the package. In the open law we suppose to have a copy
to. I don’t want to argue but I know that it is not right. There are too many lawyers in
our organization that will call you down if you don’t do it right.”
Public Works Chairman Jimmie Edward stated, “Garett, do you want to answer
that?”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “I am sorry, what is your name sir?”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Eli Landry Jr.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Mr. Landry a large function of our Official
Journal, the Eunice News is to get everything published in there before the meeting.
That combines with Facebook live to give us much transparency as we can. So you
will see the agenda and you can look at the resolution and the ordinances in the Eunice
News. The agenda is published and everything is published that can be published.
There are a lot of requirements for transparency as far as a lot of stuff that needs to be
done before we have a meeting. Those things are done by the Council Clerk who does
a very good job of it and getting it to the Eunice News on time so we can get as much
information to the public as we can and we do according to law. We go into Executive
Session so we won’t get compromised legally in a lawsuit to discuss the qualifications
of an employee. Those are the only few times that we have to go to Executive Session
but the rest of it is in the News Paper and it is on Facebook as transparent as we can
be. There is a lot of preparation that goes down the pipe before we get to a meeting to
let the public know what is happening before it happens.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “The people that are sitting right here don’t have a copy.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Can you speak into your microphone if you don’t
mind, please.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Mr. Landry, Can you tell the council what
you don’t have a copy of exactly, specifically. We can get you a copy if it was
something that was not already disclosed to the public prior to the meeting.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “I also read the laws from Baton Rouge. I know what it says,
what the public cannot have and what they suppose to have. I just wanted to find out
so I can go further up than that. I want to know why the parish financed the festivals.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “What?”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Why do the parish finance festivals?”
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Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Meaning?”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “The festival. $60,000.00 for the band and whatever went on.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “I guess he is talking about the BBQ Festival that
happened last year.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The BBQ Festival.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “That was last year but it was still done.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Okay, what about it?”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Why did you finance that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Because that is what I wanted to do.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “With our money. It is not your bank roll.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is not your money.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “No, it is all of our money.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Do you know where the money comes from?
No you do not. There is a reason why my phone has do not answer from your phone
calls because of those questions.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “We ran 20 years of festivals. We went to the bank and we
borrowed $60,000.00 to start off with. We give money to the fire departments and the
hospitals and everybody around and people that needed it, the Veterans, especially.
We did not have this hou-rah that you have going on in the parish.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is up to you Mr. Eli. Let me tell you
like this, if you think that you can do a better job than me the election is next year,
how about that?”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “What?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The election is next year.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Oh boy. I hope somebody runs.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I invite you to run.”
Public Works Chairman Jimmie Edwards stated, “Mr. Bellard are you finish with
him?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I been finished.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Eli, we have different associations that
donated to that festival to put it on. We have different entities to donate monies and
different things to allow the festival to go on.”
Mr. Eli Landry stated, “Okay but it was not put out that way. Okay I just hope next
year comes around. That Carbon Capture that is the most dangerous thing that they
got. I don’t know if anybody knows about it but it is corrosive and it is going to come
through the formation. It eats the pipes up and it is getting in our drinking water and
we won’t have any more drinking water. Our aqua runs into Texas and it goes into
Mississippi, it comes down an angle. Anywhere alone there it gets into our drinking
water, we have none, it is very corrosive and it eats up our pipes and I have seen to
many wells offshore blow out and they did not have that carbon capture in it yet. I
worked in parts of gas and I know how it is, thank you.”
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- Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of May we:
Boom Axed 6 Roads
Culvert Cleaning 18 Roads
Debris Removal 24 Roads
Ditching 8 Roads
Driveway Covering Insulation 7 Roads
Grading 56 Roads
Patching 12 Road
Material Spreading 29 Roads
Sign Installation 10 Roads
Tree Removal 11 Roads
Washout 4 Roads
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jody White to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Mr. Chairman, may I make a comment? Mr.
Barry I would like to thank you and your crew for doing an awesome job taking care
of our parish. Thank you Sir.”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “Thank you Sir. I appreciate it.”
- Authorize the Council Clerk to re-advertise for one appointment to the St.
Landry Parish Waterworks District #5 for the remainder of a three-year term.
(4-21-2025 to 4-21-2028)
A motion was made by Councilman Alvin Stelly, seconded by Councilman Jody
White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to
authorize the Council Clerk to re-advertise for one appointment to the St. Landry
Parish Waterworks District #5 for the remainder of a three-year term. (4-21-2025 to 4-
21-2028)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to the Lawtell
Water District No. 1 for the remainder of a four-year term ending 08-12-2027.
A motion was made by Councilman Jody White, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to authorize
the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to the Lawtell Water District No. 1
for the remainder of a four-year term ending 08-12-2027.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for three appointments to the East St.
Landry Consolidated Gravity Drainage No. 1 for a four-year term. (09-04-2026 to
09-04-2030)
A motion was made by Councilman Alvin Stelly, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for three appointments to the East St. Landry
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Consolidated Gravity Drainage No. 1 for a four-year term. (09-04-2026 to 09-04-
2030)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Lewis advising to
come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the
structures located at 148 Park Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel #0105453500
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jody White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to
authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Lewis advising to come
and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the structures
located at 148 Park Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel #0105453500
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded. - Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Wendell Davis advising
to come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the
structures located at 728 McNeese Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel
0105008100.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jody White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to
authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Wendell Davis advising to
come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the
structures located at 728 McNeese Street Opelousas, La 70570. Parcel #0105008100.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
- Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Veronica Williams
advising to come and address the council regarding demolition and debris
removal of the structures located at 800 Vivian Street Eunice, La 70535. Parcel
0602802500.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jody White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to
authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Veronica Williams advising to
come and address the council regarding demolition and debris removal of the
structures located at 800 Vivian Street Eunice, La 70535. Parcel #0602802500.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
- Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Alvin Stelly stated, “Before we dismiss I am applying to change a road
name. Halfway House Road to Coteau Ridge Road. I would like to put that on the
agenda for our next meeting.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan questioned, “What roads Mr. Alvin?”
Councilman Alvin Stelly stated, “It is Halfway House Road right now and we are
applying to make it Coteau Ridge Road. I would like to put that in front of the council
to vote at our next meeting.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “The council needs to vote to forward this
to the Full Council Meeting in two weeks from now. At that meeting the council will
vote to go forward regarding the road change. All of the documents confirmed for the
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road change is with our council clerk. She will fill it out and have it signed and have it
processed and send it to the 911 Commission. If they approve it then they will send a
letter approving it and at that point if the council wishes to they can vote to change the
name of the road. They will need a vote to forward this matter for Mr. Alvin to the
full council meeting two weeks from now.”
A motion was made by Councilman Jody White, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 to process
the proper paperwork to change the name of Halfway House Road to Coteau Ridge
Road.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Ms. Cynthia, can you look at 942 Wisdom Road
in Opelousas. It is a house that they are renting but the water was turned off due to
they did not fix a water leak. The grass is tall and they left a lot of junk in the yard. It
is an eye soar. Can you please look into that for me? Thank you. I appreciate you.”
Ms. Cynthia Fontenot, Code Enforcement stated, “Yes sir.”
- Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 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
