SLP Council Regular Meeting

AGENDA

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Alvin Stelly)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
 Regular Meeting: June 18
th, 2024
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 Affidavit of Adjoining Landowner Parcel # 8602320500
 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
 Report of Adjudicated Property Sale

VIII. NEW BUSINESS:

*Items passed through committee.

Vote to appoint Dane Mathew Marcantel to Bayou Plaquemine Gravity Drainage District
No. 12 for the remainder of a four-year term. (07-15-2023 -07-15-2027).
Vote to appoint two applicants to the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Disposal District.
Applicants are: Kathy Moreau, Jodie Castille Powell and James D. Fontenot Jr.
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Fire District No. 7
for a one and two-year term. (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2025) & (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2026).
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Ward Two Gravity
Drainage No. 1 for a four-year term. (09-21-2024 – 09-21-2028).
Authorize the Council Clerk to black out the Social Security Number on all Board
Appointment Back Ground Check information before it is presented to the council.

IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-029

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES
SECTION 44-3 TO HAVE A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MPH FOR OAK ROAD

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-030

AN ORDINANCE TO SELL PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED TO
ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:2201, 47:2202, 47:2203 and 47:2204
provide that a political subdivision may provide by ordinance for the sale of adjudicated
property at a public sale.

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X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:

ORDINANCE NO.2024-022

(Sponsored By: Councilman Harold Taylor)

AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR A MEETING BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
FIRM AND THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL BEFORE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
IS SUBMITTED TO THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL AT A ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter Section 2-08 states that the St. Landry
Parish Council shall provide for an annual independent audit of the accounts and financial
transactions of the St. Landry Parish Government, and its’ departments, offices, or agencies.
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter Section 2-08 states that the independent
audit report shall be submitted to the St. Landry Parish Council at a regularly scheduled meeting
and shall become a public record.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT THAT
the independent auditor firm that conducts the independent audit mandated in Section 2-
08 of the St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter shall have three pre-audit meetings, with no
more than five members of the St. Landry Parish Council attending each meeting, to discuss
details of the audit prior to the independent audit report being submitted to the St. Landry
Parish Council at a regularly scheduled St. Landry Parish Council meeting.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT this Ordinance shall become effective in the year 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-023
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)
AN ORDINANCE FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FOR ONE HOUR OF
ANNUAL IN PERSON TRAINING ON THE CODE OF GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS, ONE HOUR OF
ANNUAL IN PERSON TRAINING ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION, AND ONE HOUR
OF ANNUAL IN PERSON TRAINING ON CYBERSECURITY
WHEREAS, LA R.S. 42:1170 states that all elected officials and public servants shall
receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Code of Governmental Ethics each
year during their term of office or employment.
WHEREAS, LA R.S. 42:343 states that each public servant shall receive a minimum
of one hour of education and training on sexual harassment prevention each year during their term
in office or employment.
WHEREAS, LA R.S. 42:1267 provides for education and training for public servants on
cybersecurity to keep government entities safe from cyberattack.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT THAT
once a year, for two days, in person training for one hour of education and training on the
Code of Governmental Ethics, one hour of education and training on sexual harassment
prevention, and one hour of education on training on cybersecurity, shall be provided by
St. Landry Parish Government, for any elected official, government employee, board or
commission member, or other public servant who wishes to attend in order to comply with
the mandatory annual training provided in LA R.S. 42:1170, LA R.S. 42:343, and LA R.S.
42:1267. St. Landry Parish Government shall schedule the dates that the ethics, sexual
harassment prevention, and cyber security education and training shall be offered.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT the funding for the cost of the training mandated in this section shall
be appropriated by the St. Landry Parish Council each year in the annual budget.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT this ordinance shall become effective for the year 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-024

(Sponsored By: Councilman Faltery Jolivette)

AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE ALL APPLICANTS WHO ARE APPLYING TO BE APPOINTED TO
A BOARD OR COMMISSION TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL AT
A ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING PRIOR TO THE PARISH COUNCIL MAKING THE
APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OR COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Council appoints individuals to Boards and Commissions
in St. Landry Parish.
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Council must determine the qualifications and ability of
the applicants to fulfill the requirements, responsibilities, and duties of the position on the Board
or Commission that they are applying for.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that an
applicant for an appointment to a Board or Commission in St. Landry Parish must go before
the St. Landry Parish Council for an interview at a St. Landry Parish Council full council
meeting in order to be eligible for the appointment to the Board or Commission that they
are applying for.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-025

(Sponsored By: Councilman Jimmie Edwards)

AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT THE ADJUSTED MILLAGES FOR THE 2024 TAX
ROLLS ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT the following adjusted millages are hereby accepted for the 2024
tax rolls on all property subject to taxation:

2024 ADJUSTED MILLAGES
General Alimony 3.67 mills
Exempted Municipalities 1.83 mills
Jail Parish Wide 0.970 mills
Road District No 11A Sub 1 9.260 mills
Road District No 1 Ward 3 9.990 mills
Road District No 12 Ward 2 4.650 mills

This Ordinance having been introduced on the 18th day of June, 2024, notice of the
Ordinance and public hearing having been published, and the public hearing was held on the 17th
day of July, 2024. This Ordinance was presented for adoption and was adopted on the 17th day of
July, 2024, after a record vote was taken and the following results were had:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-026
(Sponsored By: Councilman Ken Marks)
AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY THE ROLL FORWARD MILLAGES FOR THE
2024 TAX ROLLS ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT the following roll forward millages are hereby levied on the 2024
tax rolls on all property subject to taxation:

2024 ADJUSTED MILLAGES 2024 LEVY
General Alimony 3.67 mills 3.780 mills
Exempted Municipalities 1.83 mills 1.890 mills
Health Units 2.170 mills
Jail Parish Wide 0.970 mills 1.000 mills
Road District No 11A Sub 1 9.260 mills 9.560 mills
Road District No 1 Ward 3 9.990 mills 10.260 mills
Road District No 12 Ward 2 4.650 mills 4.800 mills
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. Landry, State of
Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as
hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment rolls of said Parish for the year 2024, and to make the
collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and
that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to
taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by
law.
This Ordinance having been introduced on the 18th day of June, 2024, notice of the
Ordinance and public hearing having been published, and the public hearing was held on the 17th
day of July, 2024. This Ordinance was presented for adoption and was adopted on the 17th day of
July, 2024, after a record vote was taken and the following results were had:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-027
(Sponsored By: Councilman Dexter Brown)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION
44-3 TO HAVE A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MPH FOR CHARLES FISHER ROAD AND POINTE
VERTE ROAD
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT Section 44-3 of the St. Landry Parish Code of Ordinances shall be amended so that the
speed limits for Charles Fisher Road and Pointe Verte Road shall be 30 mph;
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT THAT all other provisions of, and amendments to, St. Landry Parish Code of
Ordinances 44-3 shall remain unchanged and have the full effect of law.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-028

(Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH ORDINANCE CHAPTER 44,
SECTION 44-14 so that Riverbirch, Nap Lane, and Nezat 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.

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 Riverbirch, Nap Lane, and Nezat Road 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:
Andrepont Road (Parish Road 6-10); 1
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340); 2
Beck Miller Road (Parish Road 6-340-1); 3
Begnaud Road 4
Belmont Drive; 5
Comfort Lane 6
Country Ridge; 7
Darjean Road; 8
Dresser Loop; 9
Federal Road (Council District No. 1); 10
Fisher Road (Parish Road 4-110); 11
Fort Hamilton Drive (Parish Road 1-319); 12
Frank Road 13
Frilot Cove Road; 14
Gordon Street (Parish Road 6-45); 15
Government Road (Council District No. 3); 16
Greg Drive; 17
Harmon Lane in Opelousas 18
Henderson Drive 19
Hidalgo Road (Council District No. 3); 20
Highway 1244; 21
Iseringhausen Road 22
Jacob Road (Parish Road 6-345); 23
Jeff Thibodeaux (Parish Road 6-345); 24
Judson Walsh 25

Lawyer Road; 26
Littell Street (Parish Road 6-40); 27
McClelland Road (Parish Road 6-35) 28
Nap Lane; 29
National Road (Council District No. 3); 30
Nezat Road 31
North 6th Street between Hwy. 190 and Hwy. 104; 32
Perry Drive (Parish Road 6-40-1); 33
Plantation Road 34
Rainbow Drive; 35
Riverbirch; 36
Rolling Oaks Drive (Parish Road 1-397); 37
Sir Thomas Henry Drive; 38
Smith Lane (Parish Road 5-30); 39
Soileau Road (Parish Road 6-275); 40
Soileau Road from Hwy. 13 to Hwy. 757; 41
Tecumseh Loop 42
Thibodeaux Street (Parish Road 6-35-2); 43
West Loop and Hwy. 190 West intersection 44

XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:

RESOLUTION NO. 011-2024

WHEREAS, there is evidence of an obstruction preventing travel on Little Darbonne Bayou

which is obstructing drainage in that area;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that a
lawsuit is hereby by approved on behalf of St. Landry Parish Government as the Plaintiff
against the landowner obstructing travel on Little Darbonne Bayou by running a cables
across Little Darbonne Bayou, should such a lawsuit be necessary.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that the St.
Landry Parish District Attorney’s office is hereby authorized to file said lawsuit if said
lawsuit is necessary.

RESOLUTION NO. 012-2024

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the St. Landry Parish Council that a study and
report produced by the Parish Engineer for St. Landry Parish has identified a number of trees
near the St. Landry Parish Airport that are obstructing the take-off and landing of airplanes at the
airport, which is in violation of FAA regulations;
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the St. Landry Parish Council that the owner
of one of the trees that is obstructing the take-off and landing of airplanes at the St. Landry
Parish Airport has refused to allow the St. Landry Parish Government to remove said tree, and,
therefore, a lawsuit may be required to remove said tree;
WHEREAS, said tree is located at 365 Veterans Drive, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that a
lawsuit is hereby by approved on behalf of St. Landry Parish Government as the Plaintiff against
the landowner who owns the property located at 365 Veterans Drive, Opelousas, Louisiana
70570, to have the tree which is obstructing the take-off and landing of airplanes at the St.
Landry Parish Airport removed, should such a lawsuit be necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that the St. Landry
Parish District Attorney’s office is hereby authorized to file said lawsuit if said lawsuit is
necessary.
XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.

OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Public Works Chairwoman Vivian Olivier called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order.
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation. (Councilman Ken Marks)
Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks, Vivian Olivier and Jimmie
Edwards. Ex-Officio Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy
Lejeune.
**Councilwoman Nancy Carriere and Councilman Ken Marks sat on the Public Works
Committee to make a quorum.
Person to address the Committee:
Mr. Jacob Jarrell addressed the council to discuss zoning. He stated, “Good evening. I
was asked to come here today. I guess there were some questions about zoning in the
parish.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Mr. Jarrell, I wanted to ask you a couple of
questions.
I have been getting a lot of concerns from different people about zoning. They wanted to
know the process and how difficult is it in certain areas or subdivisions. Maybe you can
elaborate on what is exactly involved in zoning in the parish.”

Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “As far as zoning I would recommend not too. Our parish is
mostly rural and I would recommend not to zone our parish. I don’t think there is any
parish that really have zoning within the parish at least not anywhere that touches us.
That is a big reach in my opinion for government to do now. If it is concerning
subdivisions then that would go more along with our subdivision ordinance that you all
have in place if you all would want to modify that but as far as zoning in which you can
tell people what they can and cannot do, I would not.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I just wanted to know more about it. I have a lot
of people that asked me about it and I don’t have the answers. I needed to ask someone
and you are the one. Also, I know that we had an issue when the Solar System was
coming in. I remember Mr. Bellard stated that we don’t have zoning so that is why I
wanted to know what was entailed?”
Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “It is not really much to say. We are not the only parish that
struggles with that but I know I have seen a bigger fight when it is there. The city have
zoning but that is different it is more urban. Within city limits they have it but in
Lafayette Parish they don’t have it or anything like that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So the main reason you would not recommend it
is because of the task it would take?”
Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “The task, I don’t how you would really zone our parish. When
you get outside city limits it is mostly rural, agriculture. Zoning is not really my area, it
is mostly a planning thing. There are some things that you would not want to see maybe
that would be something that you would want to bring to a Planning Commission. The
Acadiana Planning Commission does the whole area, they looked into that. When I was
helping Sunset with their Planning Commission they had Acadiana Planning Commission
come in and help them within their city limits. I know they had a good idea about all of
that.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Okay, I will pass it on. I just needed to know
what was entailed and more about zoning.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “The zoning for businesses for Economic Development
issues along I-49 and things of that nature and future growth do those fit the criteria of
the municipalities that are different from the parish?”
Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “No, from what I understand is that they take the stance along
the I-49 Corridor, they want that to be commercial. It is not designated as such.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “It is not designated as such. Maybe it fall under the
jurisdiction of the governing body or the taxing district, I don’t know because I have not
read it. “
Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “I don’t know what CSLED has there or any of those other
ones. I know when I read the thing Acadian wanted that whole I-49 to be commercial.
They have people there that have been there a long time.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “The reason they have issues is just what we just said the
commercial verses the residential. You don’t want them side by side.”
Mr. Jacob Jarrell stated, “Right, I understand that. When people come in for businesses
they are going to look where it is convenient for people to get to, right.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Right.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Madam Chair, I have an answer for Mr. Marks.
We are in the process and we spoke about that the other day in reference to that.
Remember when I told you all what the plan was: CSLED or SLED had did this study
and had this group and submitted it to me and it was so far out of whack that we were not
even going to look at it so I gave it right back. They did submit another plan that we are

reviewing now that fits and I will be bringing it to the council in the near future. That is
for I-49 up to LeBeau.”
Mr. James D. Fontenot addressed the council. He stated, “Good evening Council. I am
James D. Fontenot. I live at 421 S. Fifth Street. I put myself before the council and I
have asked to be considered for the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission
appointment that you have coming up. I am interested and trying to find a way to serve
and trying to find a way to help. I have done everything from council, city council,
council on aging and I will keep knocking on doors until God opens that door for me but
this is the one that is before me now. If you have any questions for me I would be more
than happy to answer anything. I am a Retired Navy Veteran, I work with the Veterans
of Foreign wars, American Aging in Eunice. I just got back from the convention with all
state and all American and we are doing all of the right things and following the
paperwork and staying within the boundaries and trying to help. That is what things are
all about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do even when nobody is
looking, that is how you stay out of trouble. I want to see what I can do to help. You all
have a system in place that works and I would be more than happy to be a team player.”
Ms. Sharon Everett addressed the council. She stated, “My name is Sharon Everett.

My address is 261 Britten Street, Opelousas, LA. I am here because I was here for re-
appointment for the board for St. Landry Parish Housing Authority, Washington, LA.

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Madam Chair, in reference to that I think the
attorney gave you all the letter and that appointment will be done by the Parish
President’s Office. We will be in contact with you. Thank you.”

Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month of June we Boom-Ax 17 roads, Culvert Cleaned 20 Roads, Culvert Insulation on
11 driveways, Debris Removal on 56 roads, Ditching of 6 roads, Grading of 116 roads,
Material Spread on 4 roads, Passing on 27 roads, Shredding of 12 roads, Signs on 18
roads and 4 Roads of Washouts.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Those roads that you are mentioning are they
given a district or an area of where they are located?”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “No.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “They are just Blanket.”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “Right.”
Councilman Ken marks stated, “I am just wondering where are the monies being
allocated and in which area.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is a simple fix. The ones who calls in the
complaint that is how the work gets done. It is all prioritized based off the work that
needs to be done. It is not done by a district, we look at this a one parish like it is
supposed to be done and we don’t do districts.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Excuse my ignorance I basically am not aware of it
because we have our own road districts and things work out well for us.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “District 5 and District 6 is their own district and
they work with us and we work with them but we don’t separate by districts.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay.”
Chairwoman Vivian Olivier questioned, “Is there anyone else that would like to address
the council?”

A motion was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Jimmie
Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy Lejeune.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

Forward all applications received for one appointment to Bayou Plaquemine
Gravity Drainage District No. 12 for the remaining of four-year term. (07-15-2023 –
07-15-2027).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 all
applications received for one appointment to Bayou Plaquemine Gravity Drainage
District No. 12 for the remaining of four-year term. (07-15-2023 – 07-15-2027)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Jimmie
Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy Lejeune.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward all applications received for two appointment to St. Landry Parish Solid
Waste Disposal District for a four-year term. (08-31-2024 – 08-31-2028).
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 all
applications received for two appointment to St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Disposal
District for a four-year term. (08-31-2024 – 08-31-2028)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Jimmie
Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy Lejeune.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward all applications received for one appointment to St. Landry Parish
Housing Authority for a five-year term. (08-04-2024 – 08-04-2029).
No action taken.
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Madam Chair, Mr. Bellard made it clear that we don’t
appoint those people.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That was the state law that we just found out
about on Monday.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “You just found out about it on Monday?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, it was brought to my attention so I talked
to Mr. Duplechain and he did the research and came up with the same conclusion.”
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Fire District No. 7 for a
one and two-year term. (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2025) & (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2026).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 to
authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Fire District No. 7 for a
one and two-year term. (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2025) & (09-19-2024 – 09-19-2026).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Jimmie
Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy Lejeune.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Ward Two Gravity
Drainage No. 1 for a four-year term. (09-21-2024 – 09-21-2028).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 to authorize
the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to Ward Two Gravity Drainage No. 1
for a four-year term. (09-21-2024 – 09-21-2028).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Jimmie
Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: Jody White, Alvin Stelly and Timmy Lejeune.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Discuss what’s being done to address drainage issues throughout the parish?
(Councilwoman Mildred Thierry).
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Mr. Bellard, if you don’t mind would you take
this. We as councilmembers may know what is being done but I would like for the public
to have the opportunity. Those who don’t know need to know what is being done.
Although there are some issues that have not been solved the will know that it is being
addressed.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Every day we are digging ditches somewhere in
the parish. Again it is not so much as a per district type of deal as it comes in as a
priority and one of the things is that we have crews that are digging every single day
somewhere in the parish that complaints have come in on. Again culverts that need to be
changed out we are doing that on a regular basis and cleaning out the culverts that is
another big thing for us that is being done. The canals when funds are available we do
canals. We have knocked out two of them and two of our issues on here right now for the
next one. Bayou Carron and Bayou Mallet, the core have told us that next week we
should have their permit to start doing that work on those two bayous. It has been
probably one and one/half years and we are waiting on that. The funding came in two
years ago but the core is taking a long time so once those bayous are done then that is
definitely going to help those areas. We also have another plan that is coming into play
and that will be in District 9, hopefully next year or sometime where $5,500,000.00 is
going to be put into that district. The reason for it and before anybody ask any questions
is that is where it fits. The Federal Government gives us the criteria to follow and we
have to follow what they tell us and that is a plan that could be in place as early as next
year and hopefully that is going to alleviate a lot of flooding problems in that area as
well, we don’t have a definite answer on that one. The Bayou Darbonne issue I believe
will be heading to court pretty soon and that is another drainage issue that have been
there for a while. I think legal action is going to be taken on that to allow us to do what
we do once and for all and be finished with it and let the water drain like it needs to drain.
It is working out pretty good right now as far as drainage is concerned. It does not seem
like it but if people look back four years ago compared to now they will see a difference.
If they have videos or anything they will see a big difference in the drainage.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Mr. Bellard, are you talking about District 9 are
you going to involve the Drainage District with all of their funds?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are not using their funds.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Okay.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The Drainage Board will be contacted whenever
the time is ready for that to take place.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “What project are you talking about?”

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I will do the explaining to you once we get the
approval.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Okay, thank you.”

Update on the status of cleaning Bayou Carron and Bayou Mallet.
(Councilwoman Mildred Thierry).
Parish President Jessie Bellard gave a response to that question earlier in the
meeting.”
Update on Broadband. (Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So Broadband is actually happening all over.
Right now LUS is in the Eunice Area traveling to Evangeline Parish. All of the different
Cable providers are installing fiber wherever they can. You will see them all over the
sides of the road even if they are not on the program to get some of this NTIA Money or
GUMBO they are doing it on their own to get business. The purpose of the Broadband
incentive is to make sure that everybody had an opportunity to have fast reliable internet
service. This have brought out some of these companies to invest their own money. We
have seen it and if you all have some issues in your district that is not getting the service
that is needed we need to know about it so we can bring it up and let them know. For the
most part everybody should be getting covered soon.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “I have some little side roads off of some of the
major roads out in the rural area where they spoke with the guys out there doing the work
and they were told they would not be getting it because of where they were located and
the number of housing on that particular road. I thought that was so unfair because when
they first came they said that every home would be receiving it and now with technology
in the schools it is a necessity that every home have reliable service. I was just
wondering if there is something that we can do to try to help them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The company that is telling them that is
probable not the company that was awarded the contract. I will give you a provider, any
one of the providers could be doing it on its own, on its own money. They are not going
to go down that road because it is not beneficial to them to get down that road but the
reason for that program is to give the incentive to these companies that were awarded.
Just because that one is not going to do it does not mean that the next one coming behind
him which will be the one on the program that is going to go down. They have to go to
those houses, it is part of the program, everybody will have the opportunity to get fast
reliable and affordable internet. If the residents are being told that that company is not
going to do it but that company probable did not get the award. If they did get the award
they would need to know what company it is and we can make that happen.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Thank you.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Mr. Bellard, the GUMBO, 1.0 I guess, the first one is
the one you are referencing, did Congress approve 2.0 version for additional funding, is
that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “From my understanding, everything has been
approved and sent to the state.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “We have not received any word yet?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not yet but the state is implementing their plan.
In our parish we were fortunate because the first grant that came through was the NTIA
Grant that we got about 2.5 years ago. That is a different grant then we got the GUMBO,
one and two so the purpose of that was to make sure that everybody had the opportunity.
In the Rural areas it might not be fiber to the home but you are going to have the ability
to get fast reliable internet. It has to meet a certain speed and the speed actually was

increased no to the bear minimum. Once it is all put into place people should have a real
good internet at their home and hopefully it works as it should.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I would hope, I have ATT and I don’t know how many
you guys have. I am at 9.0 at best Mega Bits and that is right there where it buffers the
lot. I am hoping that will be improved.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Competition is a great thing when it comes to
that.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Thank you.”
Chairwoman Vivian Olivier questioned, “Does Chris Road have Internet Service? Chris
Road off of HWY 93.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is Allen Cable.”
Chairwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “I got a call from a man and he said that they don’t
have it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “They were awarded the NTIA Grant and I thinks
some of the GUMBO Funds for that area. Whatever is not in one can be in the other but
we will contact them.”
Chairwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “Okay.”

Discuss after school tutoring for grades 1-4 that Community Action used to provide.
(Councilwoman Mildred Thierry).
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Mr. Bellard can you elaborate on this a little. I
have gotten a few calls in regards to this and they are asking me if I thought it would ever
be possible that this service would be provided again. I told them I was not able to
answer that. I was just thinking in mind that if it isn’t available anymore maybe you
could sponsor one or two tutors with the tutors that the School Board is providing
because they have a limited number of students that they can take, sometimes that in
between child. I think that foundation seems to focus on upward but that foundation
needs to be strong. If that foundation is strong they are not going to struggle as much as
if they did not have a strong foundation. That is why I told them I would bring it up
because I was not sure.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard started, “Yes, I will get with Cherise in the morning.
We talked about that before and I forgot what she told me. I know she was going to look
into it and I did not hear back from her. We use to help them with that program years
ago. There was a little grant that came through where a lottery would take place but it is
not here anymore but I am not saying that we can’t go back and get it.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “I think after that what they did they started
giving those funds to the Trade Schools and helping those kids with computers and things
instead of continuing the tutoring program which is where that lower level is where you
need to try and reach them.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I will double check with her in the morning.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Alright, thank you.”
Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “I would like to go back to item No. 7.
Applications for St. Landry Parish Solid Waste. We have an application for Ms. Jody
Powell that have been on the board for quite a few years. She is using an address in
Eunice at 1321 Oak Street. She does not live there. She lives in Lafayette. That is her

previous husband that lives there and he pays the taxes and everything, I got a copyright
here. Unless she lives in St. Landry Parish she should not be serving on the board.”
Mr. Richard LeBouef, Director Solid Waste stated, “I would like to inform the council,
both committees. Ms. Powell could not be here this evening because she had open-heart
surgery, she had a quadruple bypass. She will be available for comment as soon as we
get the next one. I have spoken to a couple of attorneys and heard about Mr. Blanchard’s
comment and that is why I am here this evening. She served quite some time and she
will be here for the next meeting hopefully to answer any questions that are put before
her. Again she had an emergency quadruple bypass and cannot be here this evening.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “When we asked for applications we ask for the
Assessor to give us an address with the Tax Homestead Exemption. Are you familiar
with that?”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “Yes sir.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “And you have the Homestead Exemption?”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “I have the Homestead Exemption right here from
her Ex-husband that lives and own the property at 1321 West Oak.”
Mr. Richard LeBouef, Director Solid Waste stated, “They are not divorced.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “They are not divorced.”
Mr. Richard LeBouef, Director Solid Waste stated, “No Sir.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “According to him they are.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “We are not voting on this tonight. I suggest
letting Ms. Powell come address the council when she is able to come and approach the
council.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “On the application with the physical address that is
submitted is that automatically accepted as their domicile?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Her physical address matched the address on her
license. It is all the same on her license. That is where she is registered to vote.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “So she would qualify with what you are saying.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Where she is registered to vote at. She never
changed it. That is all that we require.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Can they do a search to see if she owns any other
property in St. Landry Parish except for 1321 Oak Street in Eunice? We have some other
people that are serving on some boards in St. Landry Parish that do not live in St. Landry
Parish but they own properties in St. Landry Parish.
Mr. Richard LeBouef, Director Solid Waste stated, “Multiple pieces of property Mr.
Ardoin, multiple pieces.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “That is why I am asking out of all fairness to these
allegations. It was brought four years ago, the same thing, Jerry Red was the Chairman
of the Parish Council at that time and that question was asked.”

Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilwoman
Nancy Carriere to adjourn the Public Works Committee.

On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024
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: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Ken Marks,
and Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: Dexter Brown.
Person to address the Committee.
None.
Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “You all should have a copy in your folder.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “I was browsing through it and I
have a couple of questions. On the second page 6, the Prisoner Supplies, we budgeted
$7,500.00 and we spent $37,327.10, we kind of over budgeted 498%. Do we need to
amend the budget to cover that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “We don’t.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, No Sir.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “That is more than 5%.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We don’t do by line item we do by total budget.
It is not by line item.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “It is not by line item.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Okay, we have a couple of other
questions. We do total budget, I thought when we were 5% over.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Over total budget.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Okay. I have a question on page 2.
It says Transfer-In Fund 52, $103,390.00 and we budgeted $30,000.00 can you tell us
what all of that is about?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I would have to pull the records to see. I don’t
have them in front of me but I can pull the records in the morning.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Alright. On page 3, Building &
Grounds, we budgeted $79,170.00 and we spent $170,457.56. Do you want to give us
some clarity on that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are doing work in the Courthouse. We have
a lot of work going on in the Courthouse with the renovations. So that is where it is
coming from.”

Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “But it is not in the budget, that
amount? We budgeted $70,170.00 and we spent $170,457.56, right?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Again it is the total budget.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Okay, sliding on down to Lease
Equipment. We budgeted $1,500.00 and we spent $9,100.00, is that the same answer?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, it is very simple. As long as it is at the end
of the year and my budget comes in within 5% I am good.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Okay, thank you. Is there anyone
else? Do we have a motion to accept the Parish President’s Report?”
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to accept the Parish President & Finance Report
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

Discuss the sale of Bonds for Road 1 of 11A – Fund 42. (Chairman Wayne Ardoin)
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Bellard, when can we start the process on selling
those Bonds being the taxes were renewed? Can we get with Mr. LeFleur?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I can call him and see. I can call him tomorrow
to see when is his earliest? It is anticipated for this year for collection. I think we can do it
now.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I would like to get started. We still have some
complaints on Flagstation Road and Suzanne Dejean Dr. They need some repairs.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I see where I have $298,000.00 in the fund but that is
still not enough to be able to do a project if you are going to do it half way.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Oh I agree. Even bonding out the money is not
going to be a lot of money.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “But still I would like to see one of them of both of them
done.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I have to look at the bigger picture. I have to
look at maintenance and stuff.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I understand, I totally understand but I would like for it
to be on record that we tried to move this thing forward.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is fine.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “My question was answered Mr. Taylor you can move
on.”
Discuss the Background Check Information on all Board Appointments.
(Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “What I am asking is, especially being the new kid
on the block, is that people that we are appointing to these boards we don’t know what
their qualifications are and what their experiences are and as I said last time I am kind of
old school and I kind of want to look at their faces and we want to ask if there are any

questions for us to ask them we can ask them. This is not an interview, just a fact to face
that they present themselves as Mr. Fontenot did tonight which was impressive. That is
my point to have our perspective appointees to present themselves.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “On the background check of these applications do we
accept or do we have the option for them to do it electronically for submitting an
application or is it all by mail?”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “No, they can’t do it electronically. They have to go
in person.
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “In person meaning hand deliver it to you.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “They can e-mail it to me but they have to do their
back ground check at the jail.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I am not talking about background. I am talking about
the general application.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Yes, I can e-mail them an application and they can
e-mail it back to me.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay, thank you. I was not aware of that.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “I fail to mention that I spoke to the Council Clerk
Ms. Jordan about the applications that we get on the request for criminal history. The
Social Security Number do not be or scratched out when it is presented to us. That is
pretty potent information that we don’t need. I was going to ask the council to see fit that
we would omit that, they need that information but we don’t need it so we could omit that
information to the council. I would like to make a motion that those two items be
considered to we vote on it.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “I can blacken it out with a marker.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “Just so we don’t get that information, I would not
want my personal information before the board.”
A motion was made by Councilman Faltery Jolivette, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 to authorize the
Council Clerk to blank out the Social Security Number on all Board Appointment’s Back
Ground Check information before it is presented to the council.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Discuss the Litigation with Clerk of Court regarding Parish Government Paying
Mandated Expenses at the Clerk of Court facilities.
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “I did ask at the last meeting Mr. President what
were we responsible for to the Clerk’s Office. You said that you would look further into
that. Did you find anything Sir?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The only thing that we have is what the statue
calls far and honestly that is it. There is no statue that mandates us to provide Operating
Expenses to the Clerk of Court. It is pretty detail and there is the Attorney General’s
Opinion and case law that states the furnishing and stuff like that that we can pay for upon
request and it has to be reasonable. Nothing in there about us paying for a building or
adding on to another building, none of that stuff. So my suggestion to the council was to
not authorize anything. First of all we don’t have the money to give them and we are not
required to. I expressed my opinion yesterday to the Chief Deputy and I instructed them
to provide documentation of what their request is. They submitted me a letter for
$50,000.00 and said they want their money. Now that this have come to light I am asking

for them to put a detailed report and let us know what they want the money for and for
what reason. From there we can decide.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Mr. Bellard, this is the Attorney General
Opinion?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I think Mr. Duplechain gave you all a copy of
research that he had put together.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So this is not the Attorney General’s Opinion?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No he had a couple of court cases that he
references in here for the Police Jury. One of them being with St. Landry Parish.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Garett gave you something.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard started, “No so much as it fits just for the Clerk of Court
but just in mandated Expenses in general.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I know you had said that you were getting an
opinion.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not on the Clerk of Court stuff.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Okay, I thought that is what you were waiting
on.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Mr. Bellard, are we still going to move that
building for the Clerk of Court that you had that special meeting about?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, I am not sure if Barry talked to them lately
but Barry has more information.”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “We are going to tear it down as soon
as we possibly can.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “We will have some money involved in that right?”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “Yes.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Do you have an estimate?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We will do it ourselves.”
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director stated, “We will do it ourselves.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Okay, thank you.”
Chairman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Would you suggest that we wait on this
opinion?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “As of right now that is no litigation. There is
nothing.”
Chairman Faltery Jolivette stated, “So it is pretty etched about the responsibility.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “There is nobody that filed any litigation and there
is no reason for us to file because we are not making no request. I just don’t feel that we
are obligated to pay for half of that remodeling project over there. We are and we did
submit to the Federal Government asking for a grant to pay for the whole thing for them
and that is what we had agreed upon back in February when we sat down with them. I
would not mind doing what I can to help them to get money from the Federal Government

through a Grant Process and that is what we did. It takes a little while for that to take
place but us paying for it, we never agreed to that.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “So Mr. Bellard you are saying you
got a grant to buy the building or refurbish it?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Actually we applied for a grant to do it through
the archives.
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “How much was the grant?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are asking for the whole $1,200,000.00.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “It is in the process.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes sir, we are asking for it. That is what we
agreed upon in our February meeting. I did not offer anything from Parish Government
but I did offer that we help get a grant to help them pay for the whole thing and that is
what we did, we applied for it and they know that it takes a little while for them to give us
their approval or disapproval on the Federal side.
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “It would seem that if we applied for
it we would own the building.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No sir, we are just helping him. We are helping
him with his expenses because we have Grant Writers.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “So it goes back to the scenario with
the sewer treatment plant. We got a Capital Outlay Grant for $1,500,000.00 for this
project and CSLED put up $2,500.000.00 and we decided that we are going to keep it. It
seems like we are trailing on the same trail here.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I decided that we are going to keep it because it
was not done properly to start off with which is what the law calls far.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “You decided that, alright.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “And evidently everybody agrees.”
Administrative/Finance Chairman Harold Taylor, “Thank you so much.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I know you said there is no litigation have you all
had any kind of communications since? I know if we say that we are not going to pay
anything then he might come back and say something else because his attorney did come
here. I am just trying to figure out what is going to happen. He is probably not going to
settle for what we are talking about. I am just wondering what our next step is. What is it
that we are going to be doing?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “There is no step for us. If he is not comfortable
and not happy with the decision then he can file a lawsuit and bring it back. Number 1:
We don’t have the money to give him for that and Number 2: We don’t have too. So I am
not saying anything because I don’t have nothing to say. I am not doing it.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I was just wondering. If he does file a lawsuit
then we will be back into that.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We get sued every week. There is one thing
about Government people think Government have a lot of money and every time
somebody twist their ankle they want to sue us. So all I do is get the lawsuit and bring it
to Garett and from there it takes its course. That is Government.”

Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Do we have any idea what amount of records that the
Clerk of Court needs to have stored and if we don’t could we find out and could we find
out what is the necessary square footage for that or requirements for that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I will be honest with you.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “It’s irrelevant.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is not irrelevant to me if I go and spend the
money.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Let me just say this. It was mentioned that the third
floor was allocated to storage of some records is that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. All of the west side of the third floor.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “That is a lot of square footage is it not.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I know that it is not climate control is that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not all of it, yes Sir.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay, it seems that it would behoove use and them to
take a look at what it would cost to get that area allocated with some type of climate
control and something to preserve and protect these records at a way less cost than
$1,200,000.00.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I don’t think that $1,200,000.00 is for the actual
storage. It is for the second floor to rent out to generate revenue. If it was not for that
second floor then it would be no reason to renovate or spend that kind of money.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “That is correct, okay, thank you.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I am glad Mr. Marks brought that up. I know
that we have talked about that. It is kind of ridiculous. My question is this: What if we
just hold on to the responsibilities that we do have in the mandated part, why can’t we just
put all of those records and that way we won’t be dealing with all that other stuff that he
might be charging us far?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So keep in mind that we have records on the third
floor. All of the west side of the courthouse from one end to the north and south is Clerk
of Court files. Down stairs in the basement there are some more Clerk of Court files.
What is over there to my understanding is archives which is the purpose of having that
building, if you look at it is archives. They need to be there regardless because there is
where he wants people to go to research their families and everything else. What is there
from what I understand needs to be there for what his purpose of having the archives
section. We have our files upstairs, we have plenty room and we cleaned it out maybe two
months ago. We had Trustees to go up there and help the Clerk of Court and their staff
clean out what is not needed and made shelving available and whatever was needed to
make it fit. We added another safe up there for some goods.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So none of his files are going to be stored on the
third floor anymore?
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “There is room on the third floor for some of his
files or whatever he wants to put or what they want to put, yes ma’am. They still have
room on the third floor. What I am say is what is over there to my knowledge is suppose
to be archives which is what the whole purpose of it.”

Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Bellard, how much room do you think they have
up there?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am going to say probably at least 50 feet of
storage from the south end of the Courthouse up and them some more from the door going
out, probably about 70 feet of storage area with the shelving that they could put stuff on.
We took stuff out of there from the Assessor’s Office and moved it on the third floor on
the other end where Sherry is at. She needs to have it close to here so we made room
there. We just made extra room and threw out what is not needed.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “So what else is upstairs besides Public Records?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “There is the Clerk of Court’s Records and Judge
Cravins Office.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “His office which was Judge LaHay’s old office.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir that is that new office, that new
courtroom on that northeast corner of the courthouse.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Thank you.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “Mr. Bellard so we have meet our responsibility for
the Clerk’s Office as far as what we suppose to give him is that right?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am going to take this position that we are doing
everything that we can and we have always done everything that we can with the space
that we have available to us. I think at this point I think we have meet that obligation as
far as storage of records.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “If that grant is awarded to you I understand, I don’t
know if Mr. Taylor was quite clear and we all understood you were just assisting in giving
these funds it was not for us it was just our writers were helping him.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Helping him get the grant for the archives
section.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “So when he gets the money it is his money to do
what he needs to be done.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It will be done through his office that is correct.
It has nothing to do with Parish Government because we get to that same problem that we
have had in the past.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Basically archives was mentioned does that qualify for
protection via the historical society for records? If it does isn’t there state funding to assist
with that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The archive section is the reason why we are
pushing on the Federal Level for the grants for that same reason you are saying.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Thank you.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Bellard, Mr. Jagneaux stated the other night that he
got $100,000.00 from us this past year.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “In 2023, yes Sir.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “So now he is asking for another $50,000.00. He
mentioned $50,000.00 just now.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “He is asking for $150,000.00, yes sir.”

Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Now the years before that he mentioned that he was not
getting any money from us at all. He have not come to us requesting any money.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct, there are a lot of years where
there was no money requested at all.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Can you give us that amount of the last time that he
received some money and bring us up to date on it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I can give you all a breakdown of whatever times
that we had, yes that is fine.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “If you remember they would always do a request, the
Judicial System, him and the rest of them that were getting monies from us.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Last year it was $100,000.00 and this year he is
asking for $100,000.00 and the other night he asked for an extra $50,000.00. The question
that came up was: Why all of a sudden we changed? Whenever somebody makes a
request to pay half of something we will do our own research and find out what we are
obligated to pay. In doing the research we are finding out that we are obligated to pay
certain things upon request and it has to be reasonable. If you don’t know it you just do
what you have to do but once you know it you have to follow the law and that is what we
are doing.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Ms. Nancy had a perfect example the other night. If
she adopted a child and find out that some things are needed to be done at her house it is a
little late in the game. Thank you.”

Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard, when are we going to get the
report on salaries? We have not received them yet. We requested that a couple of month
back about the salaries.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I thought that was already done but I will check
in the morning.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Okay, thank you.”
Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE

SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT COUNCIL CLERK