SLP Government Ordinances

AGENDA

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
 Regular Meeting: August 21st
, 2024
 Special Meeting: September 4th
, 2024
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
 Update on Bayou Mallet

VIII. NEW BUSINESS:

*Items passed through committee.

Further discus re-appointing Mr. Willie Hayes III back to the St. Landry Parish Housing
Authority Board.
St. Landry Parish Council to serve as the Board of Review for anyone present + wishing
to file a protest in reference to his or her property values.
Authorize Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain to review the changes to Ward One South
Gravity Drainage District No. 1 Map and file an updated copy with Clerk of Court.
Further Discuss Retention-Detention Parish Wide and prepare an Ordinance for adoption
for the October 2024 meeting.
Vote to re-appoint Dale Polozola for one appointment to Public Works Commission
District Six for a four-year term. (10-20-2024 – 10-20-2028)
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to St. Landry Parish
Waterworks District No. 3. (No Term Set)
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for five appointments to Fire District No. 7 for a
one and two year terms. (11-18-2024- 11-18-2025) and (11-18-2024 – 11-18-2026)
Present the Council with a copy of the Minutes from the new trash pickup company that
was introduced by Solid Waste Executive Director Mr. Richard Lebouef.

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IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-037

AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE A DRAINAGE IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR NEW
REISDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. LANDRY PARISH
BEFORE THE NEW RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE
APPROVED BY ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT, AND THIS ORDINANCE
SHALL BE LOCATED IN CHAPTER 36 OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF
ORDINANCES

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-038

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2014-004, WHICH IS IN ARTICLE
IV, DRAINAGE DISTRICTS, IN CHAPTER 36, IN THE ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE
OF ORDINANCES, IN ORDER TO ADOPT A REVISED OFFICIAL DRAINAGE MAP
OF THE WARD ONE SOUTH GRAVITY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1, ST. LANDRY
PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND DECLARING WARD ONE SOUTH GRAVITY
DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1 DRAINAGE PROJECT A PUBLIC NECESSITY
THEREBY AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
IMMOVABLE PROPERTY RIGHTS, INCLUDING SERVITUDES, EASEMENTS,
RIGHTS-OF-WAY, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS REQUISITE
TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SAID DRAINAGE
PROJECT EITHER ON AN AMICABLE BASIS OR THROUGH THE USE OF THE
EXPROPRIATION PROCESS, IF NECESSARY

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-039

AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSORY
STRUCTIONS FOR FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION

X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-032
(Sponsored By: Councilwoman Nancy Carriere)

AN ORDINANCE TO DONATE IMMOVABLE PROPERTY LOCATED ON BERNICE
STREET, OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA, TO THE CITY OF OPELOUSAS FOR A
SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION WHICH IS FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE
WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government owns a parcel of land on Bernice Street in the
City of Opelousas.
WHEREAS, the City of Opelousas needs to construct and operate a sewage treatment
station on said parcel of land on Bernice Street in the City of Opelousas.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Louisiana Article VII, section 14, prohibits the
donation of a political subdivision’s funds, property, or things of value to a private or public person
or entity unless the donation meets the requirements of the Louisiana Supreme Court in the
“Cabela” case, Board of Directors V. All Taxpayers, et al, 938 So. 2d 11 (La. 2006). Said
requirements in that case are that the transfer of property from the political subdivision to a
person or entity must be for a public purpose that comports with the governmental purpose which
the entity has legal authority to pursue, the expenditure or transfer of public funds or property,
taken as a whole, does not appear to be gratuitous, and evidence must demonstrate that the public
entity has a demonstrable, objective, and reasonable expectation of receiving a benefit or value at
least equivalent to the amount expended or transferred.

WHEREAS, the transfer of the parcel of land to the City of Opelousas for the City to
construct and operate a sewage treatment station serves a public purpose, and is not gratuitous,
because it will be cost effective, efficient, and facilitate increased responsiveness to the needs of
the citizens of Opelousas for the sewage treatment station servicing their sewage to be owned by
the City of Opelousas. St. Landry Parish Government and the City of Opelousas have a
demonstrable, objective, and reasonable expectation of receiving a benefit or value equivalent to
the property being conveyed.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT that the
following property shall be conveyed by an Act of Donation to the City of Opelousas, and
said property is described as follows:
A certain tract or parcel of ground, situated in the Bernice Lastrapes Subdivision in
Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, described as starting at a point (which is the
Northeast corner of the tract now described) on the South line of Bernice Street which
is 100 feet Westerly on said street from the Northwest corner of lot transferred on
February 19, 1971, under Original Act No. 553635 in Conveyance Book B-17, page 20 and
from said starting point proceed a distance of 100 feet in a Southerly direction parallel
to the West line of said lot sold on February 19, 1971, to the Southeast Corner of the
property now being described, thence proceed in a Westerly direction and parallel to the
South line of Bernice Street a distance of 43 feet to the Southwest corner of the property
now being described, thence proceed in a Northerly direction a distance of 90 feet to the
Northeast corner of a tract of land sold under Act No. 517889 in Conveyance Book D-15,
page 601, to the Northwest corner of the property now being described, thence proceed
Easterly along the South boundary line of Bernice Street a distance of 62 feet to the point
of beginning.
This property bears Parcel Number 0103477000.
All machinery, equipment, and other movables, that are necessary and/or being used
in the processing and treatment of sewage in and around the sewage treatment plant
on the above described parcel of land are hereby conveyed and transferred to the
City of Opelousas, and shall be conveyed in the Act of Donation.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH
GOVERNMENT that St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard is hereby authorized to sign
any and all documents and conveyances that are necessary to transfer the above described
parcel of land, and the machinery, equipment, and other movables, that are necessary
and/or being used in the processing and treatment of sewage in and around the sewage
treatment plant on the above described parcel of land to the City of Opelousas.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-033
(Sponsored By: Councilman Alvin Stelly)

AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE ROAD DISTRICTS SUB-1 ROAD DISTRICT 11-A,
ROAD DISTRICT 12 OF WARD 2, AND ROAD DISTRICT 1 OF WARD 3, TO SUBMIT
TO THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL ALL INVOICES AND RECEIPTS FOR
PAYMENT FOR WORK PERFORMED ON THE ROADS IN THOSE ROAD
DISTRICTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PAYMENTS ARE MADE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT ROAD DISTRICTS SUB-1 ROAD DISTRICT 11-A, ROAD DISTRICT 12 OF
WARD 2, AND ROAD DISTRICT 1 OF WARD 3, SHALL SUBMIT TO THE ST. LANDRY
PARISH COUNCIL ALL INVOICES AND RECEIPTS FOR PAYMENT FOR WORK
PERFORMED ON THE ROADS IN THOSE ROAD DISTRICTS IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE PAYMENTS ARE MADE.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-034 (Sponsored By: Councilman Harold Taylor)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 18-85 OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE ST.
LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CHANGE THE WORDING IN
SECTION 18-85 (c) TO READ “50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is lesser….”
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 1-06 of the St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter states that the
parish government shall have the power to pass all ordinances necessary to promote, protect, and
preserve the general welfare, safety, health, peace, and orderly conduct of the parish, and this
includes the power to pass ordinances on all subject matters not inconsistent with the constitution
or denied by state law;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT SECTION 18-85 (c) OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF
ORDINANCES SHALL BE AMENDED AND NOW READ AS FOLLOWS:
Sec. 18-85. – Standards for subdivision proposals.
(a) All subdivision proposals, including the placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions, shall be consistent with this article and sections 18-2, 18-3, and 18-4.
(b) All proposals for the development of subdivisions, including the placement of
manufactured home parks and subdivisions, shall meet floodplain development permit
requirements of sections 18-31 and 18-61; and the provisions of this article.
(c) Base flood elevation data shall be generated for subdivision proposals and other proposed
development including the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions which is
greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is lesser, if not otherwise provided pursuant to section
18-30 or 18-60(a)(8).
(d) All subdivision proposals, including the placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions, shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(e) All subdivision proposals, including the placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions, shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water
systems located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-035
(Sponsored By: Councilman Ken Marks)

An Ordinance to Establish Rules and Controls to Ensure the Accountability and
Transparency of St. Landry Parish’s Local Governmental Entities.
● WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter Section 8-07(A) provides,
“The parish council shall have general power over any special district or local
agency previously created by the governing authority of St. Landry Parish or
hereafter created by the council, including, without limitation, the power to abolish
the agency and require prior approval of any charge, tax levy, or bond issue by the
agency;”
● WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana
provides, “The governing authority of a local governmental subdivision shall have
general power over any agency heretofore or hereafter created by it, including,
without limitation, the power to abolish the agency and require prior approval of
any charge or tax levied or bond issued by the agency;”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 33:1415(B) provides, “In any case
where the governing authority of any parish or municipality shall have created or
established, or shall hereafter create or establish, any board, commission, agency,
district, office, government of any entity whatever, having governmental functions,
power or authority, such governing authority is hereby authorized to provide
appropriate budgetary and fiscal controls over said agency or entity…. The parish

or municipality shall exercise such other budgetary and fiscal controls as are
necessary and proper to ensure the maximum feasible coordination of government
on the local level;”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 42:12 provides, “It is essential to the
maintenance of a democratic society that public business be performed in an open
and public manner and that the citizens be advised of and aware of the performance
of public officials and the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of
public policy;”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 42:1102(18) and (19) define “public
servant” as including public employees, elected officials, and appointed officials;
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 42:1170(A)(3)(a)(i) requires public
servants to “receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Code
of Governmental Ethics during each year of his public employment or term of
office;”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 42:343(A)(1) requires public
servants to “receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on preventing
sexual harassment during each full calendar year of his public employment or term
of office;”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 42:1267(B)(1) states that each “local
agency shall identify employees or elected officials who have access to the agency’s
information technology assets and require those employees and elected officials to
complete cybersecurity training. Each new state and local agency official or
employee with access to the agency’s information technology assets shall complete
this training within the first thirty days of initial service or employment with the
agency.”
● WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 33:1415(A) provides, “Where a
parochial or municipal governing authority is given the power to appoint members
to boards or commissions, whether presently or hereafter created, the governing
authority shall also have the power to remove and replace the members or
commissioners;” and,
● WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government considers accountability and
transparency of the utmost importance for the meetings and operations of local
governmental entities.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
that the following Ordinance establishes rules and controls to ensure St. Landry Parish’s
local governmental entities maintain accountability and transparency for the Parish
citizens’ knowledge and benefit.

Annual Financial Review or Audit Required.
a. All special districts and local agencies previously created or hereafter created by the
governing authority of St. Landry Parish shall, within 120 days of the beginning of
each calendar year, conduct a financial review or audit of the preceding year’s
operations, expenditures, holdings, and debts.
b. The financial review or audit must be performed by a licensed Certified Public
Accountant, and the report of the financial review or audit must be provided to the
St. Landry Parish Government within 180 days of the beginning of each calendar
year.
c. If the St. Landry Parish Government does not receive a report of the financial
review or audit within 180 days, as required herein, the St. Landry Parish
Government may retain a Certified Public Accountant to perform the financial
review or audit, and may charge the non-reporting entity for all expenses incurred
for the financial review or audit and for the preparation of the required report.
d. If the St. Landry Parish Government retains a Certified Public Accountant to
conduct the financial review or audit of the non-reporting entity, the non-reporting
entity must provide (or allow the review of) all information and documentation
required by the Certified Public Accountant to fully and properly conduct the
financial review or audit
Video Recording of Public Meetings Required.
a. All special districts and local agencies previously created or hereafter created by the
governing authority of St. Landry Parish shall record by video all public meetings,
including committee meetings. Proceedings conducted in Executive Session are not
subject to this requirement.

b. The video recordings of the public meetings must be delivered or transmitted to the
St. Landry Parish Government within seventy-two (72) hours of the meeting.
c. The St. Landry Parish Government shall upload and post the videos of the meetings
for public viewing. The method and means of posting the videos for the public shall
be at the sole discretion of the St. Landry Parish Government, and may change from
time to time, after public notice.
d. The failure of any St. Landry Parish special district or local agency to record public
meetings by video and to deliver or transmit such records to the Parish Government
shall provide the Council cause to conduct a review or investigation of the special
district or local agency, and the Council may take any action authorized by the
Charter, Code of Ordinances, or Louisiana law that it deems appropriate based on
its finding.

Education and Training Required.
a. All public servants, board members, and commissioners of any special districts or
local agencies previously created or hereafter created by the governing authority of
St. Landry Parish shall be required to receive a minimum of one hour of education
and training on the Code of Governmental Ethics during each year of his public
employment or term of office, in accordance with the mandates of the Louisiana
Code of Ethics, including La. Rev. Stat. § 42:1170.
b. All public servants, board members, and commissioners of any special districts or
local agencies previously created or hereafter created by the governing authority of
St. Landry Parish shall be required to receive a minimum of one hour of education
and training on preventing sexual harassment during each full calendar year of his
public employment or term of office, in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. § 42:343.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-036
(Sponsored By: Councilman Ernest Blanchard)

AN ORDINANCE TO SELL ADJUDICATED PROPERTY TO AN ADJOINING
LANDOWNER OF THE ADJUDICATED PROPERTY AS PER LA R.S. 47:2202 (B)
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 47:2202 B. states that the governing authority of
each political subdivision may allow an adjoining landowner to purchase adjudicated
property for any price set by the governing authority without public bidding at a public
meeting of the governing authority; provided, that the governing authority determines that
the adjoining landowner has maintained the adjudicated property for a period of one year
prior to the sale. Such a sale shall be deemed a public sale.
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has determined that Edwin Patrick
Manuel is the adjoining landowner of adjudicated property and has maintained said
adjudicated property for a period of one year or more, and thus, Edwin Patrick Manuel
may purchase the adjudicated property through a public sale without public bidding.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
that the following adjudicated property shall be sold by public sale to Edwin Patrick
Manuel, an adjoining land owner to the adjudicated property who maintained said
adjudicated property for one year or more, without public bidding, for a price set by St.
Landry Parish Government of, as per LA R.S. 47:2202 B., at the assessed value of $3,000
and said adjudicated property is described as follows:

1 LOT IRREGULAR IN SHAPE (0.199AC) IN THE NE/4 OF THE NW/4 OF SEC 34 T-
65 R-1W 708569 (V-27-153) 947218 (J-41-458)

This adjudicated property bearing parcel number 8602320500 in the St. Landry
Parish land records.

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XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:

None.

XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4th, 2024 @ 5:30 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W BELLEVUE ST
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
MINUTES

I. This meeting was called to order by Chairman Wayne Ardoin.
II. Chairwoman Mildred Thierry led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.
Chairman Wayne Ardoin ask that the audience silence their electronic devices.
III. Roll Call: PRESENT: Jody White, Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry,
Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards and
Ernest Blanchard. Ex Officio: Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: Dexter Brown.
IV. Item for Discussion:

A Buy-Sale Contract between St. Landry Parish Government and Opelousas Life
Church.
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Bellard, you have called this meeting, do you
want to elaborate?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, so the opportunity came up for us to buy
the Owen Hills Country Club from the church. We secured money from the state through
appropriations to do this. The plan for the facility as it sits right now is to immediately
go in there and clean up the property and make sure that it is cleaned to start the whole
process. The next step is to develop the master plan for a Sports Recreational Facility
meaning softball, baseball, tournament ball and volleyball, a little bit of everything that
we can put on there. It is open for discussion, there is no plan set in stone as of right now
but the first step was the ability to buy it and get the funding for it.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Mr. President, if this should happen will this
interfere funding wise with the services that is provided to the constituents of the parish?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No this money that we received or will receive
from the state is subject to and only for the buying and the care of that facility over there.
This is not money that is used or can be used for anything else but what it was allocated
for.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Thank you.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I know that we are just discussing it. One of the
questions that I have is about the neighborhood. In the past we have had issues with the
church in the neighborhood. We have had some complaints and I wanted to know
because there will be a lot of traffic if this goes through. There are a lot of residence that
live around there. We have an opportunity to get money from the state to build or restore
or remodel how much more expensive will it be to have this facility in a non-residential
area?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “As far as the money concern is allocations from
the state so that is to purchase the property and to get it back to where we need to have it
as far as the grass being cut and everything else. The next part of this is to develop a plan
and have input from everybody on how and what we do going further. The initial talk is

mainly a sports complex to attract a tournament ball players to come to the parish which
is going to attract a lot more tourism and a lot more money for the parish. It is a place for
the kids to have, a place to go and play ball and do what they need to do.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “How is this going to be maintained if it does go
through? Is the parish going to maintain it by hiring employees?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is going to be a parish facility and the funding
is coming from the Federal Government. There is funding out there for us to go and get
for this facility. We cannot go and apply for anything until we actually own it. We
actually have a plan to submit to the Federal Government for the funding.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So we are taking the public’s opinion on this
right?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Definitely, this is just a blank sheet of paper
right now. The first step is for us to get with the area and have a meeting and let them
come and put their input and hopefully people can agree on what needs to happen for that
facility.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I have one last question. I know in the past
there have been some tax debt that was acquired. Is everything clear on this property?
Are there liens or anything associated with this that we would have to incur?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “As far as the taxes the taxes were paid. So they
are up to date on their taxes. It is not owned by an individual it is owned by the church.
As far as for liens or anything else they are going to determine that through the title
search whenever the process starts. We are not obligated to do anything as of right now
because there is nothing to do with us. We did not do any search we just started the
process.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So the church is willing to sell this property.
They approached you wanting to sell this? I know that you wanted to buy it initially
before the church.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We have a Resolution from Pastor Kerney
Thomas that his board voted to sell the church, yes.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Mr. President, is there a time limit? Is there a window
of opportunity identified or it has not been identified yet?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The time frame basically is this: The state has
the money and the state sends out a CEA for us to approve. Once that CEA is approved
we only have until next June to completely do everything that we need to do with the
money after that it can go back into their general fund. In the past few years it has not
been, they usually give us some kind of breathing room on that because it takes so much
time to do anything. We should see the CEA within the next two or three weeks. At that
point we would like to do something and get the ball rolling because by the time they
finish doing the title search and all of the paper work it will be a couple of months.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “So we don’t see the seller being in a fast tract?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “With a buy/sell agreement we kind of hold him
to the price and to the conditions of the buy/sell agreement so I think that we will be
fine.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay, thank you.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Bellard, would you just inform the council of
the discussion that we had before the meeting regarding the appraisal of these
properties?”

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So everything that we have in the buy/sell
agreement is going to be subject to the appraised value. It has to appraise or we are not
buying it, we can’t, the law does not allow us to pay more than what the value is, the state
is not going to release the money if it does not appraise. The first thing is to make sure
that it appraises for that amount. If it does not and the seller does not want to go down on
the price to meet it then it is a no sale. Government cannot do this. I know that he paid
750 or seven something for the property and he is asking $1.5 right now. Will it appraise
for $1.5? We don’t know but everything is condition to be whatever the appraised value
is.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I will ask some of the people that are here and I know
that some of you all did not get time to fill out any slips but Mr. LeBlanc you had given
me one and I have another one from a gentlemen in the audience. Please give your name
and address and phone number please.”
Ms. Monet DeBlanc addressed the council. She stated, “1221 Katherine Drive. My
back yard is not going to hit the proposed sports complex I just think in a residential
neighborhood it is unnecessary. I want anything for the kids but I am concerned about
my property taxes and I am concerned about any kind of residuals, you know, whatever is
going on. I can tell you from the neighbors that I have talked to they all have the same
concerns. Is there not some other land that can be purchased for a Sports Complex? That
is not my thing, my thing is animals. I am still waiting for that new shelter that
supposedly was going to be built. I am not mad at nobody, don’t take nothing the hard
way but I am just saying. I thought that was going to happen and it should have happen
long before a Sports Complex in a residential neighborhood where there is a 25 mph right
there. Can you all imagine all of the drama and all of the bull? If you had to live there
and see that and try to go to the store and do whatever you had to do. I am not opposed
to a Sports Complex and I want something for the children, I honestly do, I came up poor,
I was poor and I understand that. What I am saying is that I just don’t think a residential
neighborhood is the place to put it, no offense to anyone here whoever is supporting it. I
also appreciate the fact that you mentioned that what it is purchased at and there is going
to be an appraisal and I do appreciate that president. To me how can we have that big of
a massive difference because it has been for sale forever in years past and it just did not
go through. I don’t know if you all ever been there or walked the grounds, I have, not
because I was a member but it is just unleveled. To me it seems like a lot of maintenance
as far as building it up. There is no offense to anyone, I promise you I have no ill will. I
just don’t want it in my neighborhood. I would like it on some acres of land where there
is going to be plenty of parking where you don’t have to demolish stuff, just start over
and build that animal shelter.”
Mr. Greg Free addressed the council. He stated, “I am at 1324 Katherine Drive right
across the corner from Ms. Monet and some of my neighbors over here as well. We have
been there about three years. Our property backs up to the golf course. We try to be
good neighbors to our friends at the church, we have visited them a couple of times and
had some conversations with them. Our only issue ever was the way the property was
maintained. We spoke to Mr. Bellard and he came to our home and helped us with an
issue with our water meter. I trust the judgment of Mr. Bellard when he has these
conversations. My concerns are a lot of the same as Ms. Monet’s. I am not opposed to a
Sports Complex but it is a big piece of property and I am sure that work needs to be done
to the infrastructure like she was saying, property grading needs to be done. Where is in
grass, where is e-grass? Where are we going to pull in or pull out? In my mind I am not
opposed to the sounds of a baseball game or a softball game in the middle of the summer
time, a little bit of light pollutions comes in but I just want to make sure that whatever
process we go into the community is given the opportunity to give opinions, show us
some drawings, show some plans and let’s put ideas together. I tend to agree with
another one of my neighbors if anything looking at my back porch other than what I am
seeing now would be an improvement. I have paid like some of our other neighbors to
mow that area back there and keep it clean, make it presentable, make it useful to the
youth of Louisiana and the other states. I am not opposed to it but let’s have a
conversation about how it can be done well. I want cars to pull in and out somewhere
besides like she was saying, not on a residential street, let’s just talk about it. That is all.”

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is definitely going to be the issue talking to
everybody around the area first and then hiring these professionals to come in and show
us what it would look like. Before anything is done they have a lot of approval processes
to go through. We have to make sure and I don’t think that we are going to get
everybody 100% on it because everybody has different ideas about different things but if
it is not going to interfere with the neighborhood that is our goal. Everything should
happen off of Prudhomme, nothing should go in the subdivision at all, that would not be
one of those, it is just not feasible and it is just not good. Something needs to happen
with that area. I am just telling you all if we don’t buy it and something else happens
from what I am hearing it is not going to be good. I am just saying and I don’t want to
buy it for that reason, we do have a legitimate reason to buy it and to come up with the
master plan of the Sport Complex but nobody is sold on anything. Nobody have seen the
first drawings. There is nothing on it, opportunity came up and unfortunately in the
world that we live in I cannot disclose information until I actually have the money. It is
sad, I should be able to tell everybody what we are going at the capital when I go to the
capital but if I do that then I won’t get, you know, it is politics. I have to secure the
funding first. Again if the council says we are not buying it then we are not buying it and
the money stays with the state because we can’t use it for nothing else. It is an
opportunity that we have right now that could help that north end of the city and
hopefully do some good. There is a lot of talk for a lot of different things but one think
that you all can rest assure about, animal control is not going to right there and housing,
that is not going to happen either, not if the parish owns it.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Sir, would you please go back and fill out one of these
slips that is on that back table with your name and address so our clerk will have a record
of it. Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to speak about this item here of
the Indian Hills Country Club? I will come to you Mr. White. Mr. Bellard, most of these
people are very concerned about that jungle behind their yard, it is pitiful. You said you
all have sent some letters for them to sort of clean up back there?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That process have been going on in that area.
Once in a while they go cut the grass a little bit and they burn up the lawn mower and
they stop.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “We went and ride there today. I know that
subdivision. I know these people, they are all of my customers over there when I was in
the pest control business. Some of these people are cutting the grass themselves like this
gentleman said but this gentleman that owns it or this church that owns it, this group are
they immune to where they have to follow the orders of the letters that you send them?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Now Mr. Ardoin you are going to ask that
question in an open meeting and you know that answer that I am going to give you.
Nobody is above the law. It is happening but like every little thing that we have to do if
we don’t do it by the letter of the law then we will have a problem. So whenever you
bring up this kind of comment you are trying to make these accusations like I am giving
people a break. So the answer to your question is: I am taking care of the problem, I am
taking care of the problem.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Okay, thank you. Mr. White.”
Councilman Jody White stated, “I want the people in the neighborhood to know this:
Number 1, I am still affiliated big time with softball and baseball right now. Yes in
reference to the property there I totally agree that your entrances and exits from a
potential Sports Complex needs to be as close to the service road as it can be, not toward
the neighborhood and when you start getting to Prompt Succor so I totally agree with
that. One thing I want you all to know is that in reference to most of the association’s
baseball and softball you cannot start an ending after 9:00 p.m. with the youths. When
you start thinking about what type of noises, traffic or whatever we are not talking about
late night types of things that would happen if the Sports Complex would come about.
When you look at it that way in reference to having whatever noise you might have been
having in the last year let us say at 12 o’clock at night you won’t be getting that if the
Sports Complex would come up because they cannot start endings after 9’o’clock.”

Mr. Peter Briggs addressed the council. He stated, “I live at 1635 Kingston Place. Do
you all know if the whole country club, I don’t know how much land it is, 100 acres I
guess, give or take, is it in the city or is it in the parish?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It is in the parish.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “So it is considered Parish Property?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct.”
Mr. Peter Briggs questioned, “Are there any restrictions as what they can or cannot do
with that property?
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right now we have no zoning in the parish what
so ever other than a subdivision that we passed last year or year before last, other than
that there is no zoning. We are in the process of zoning some of, I call it zoning, they call
it land use, it is the same word, up and down I-49 but it does not go that far to the
Country Club.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “Okay, I am just asking, you all talked about the grass cutting
and there is another lot in the neighborhood that never gets cut which is like a jungle all
in its own but that is a whole another thing. If you all are going to get money for a Sports
Complex is it more like baseball fields or stadiums?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “If you know the Youngsville Park and these
other Sports Complex’s that have been built in the last few years it brings a tournament
team in from all over. That is what we are looking at doing but to the next level. We
want to make something that is going to be where everybody can be proud of and
generate the traffic that we need for funding. We are looking for something for kid to do
and we are not looking for a place just for our kids but for everybody’s kids to come in
and enjoy and have a good childhood if you say it that way.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “So if a chain of events would happen and you all would want
to purchase the property and the church is willing to sell the property as you all did with
the sports field and stuff there, would you all buy the property only if that would be able
to be done or would you all buy it and if that fell through then what happens?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The first step is for us to own the property.
Once you own the property you develop your plans. We have an idea what we would
like to see out there but if you can’t then we have the property we would take care of the
property. It would not stay vacant. I feel very strongly in saying that we will be able to
get the funding to do what is needed out there for a Sports Complex. How it looks and
what it looks like, we don’t know that because we never even sat down with anybody.
But what I would like to do is whenever we do sit down with the professionals that draw
this stuff up is have it at the Country Club where everybody can come and sit down and
listen to the conversation. What I don’t want is to have a meeting where only a handful
of us in the meeting deciding on what and how it is going to look. It is going to benefit
the entire parish but it is going to have to benefit that area as well. It can’t be an eyesore,
for sure that is not going to happen. My goal would be to have the meetings at that
location so everybody can look at what they are saying could be done and what can’t be
done. The input from the people who live around there is the most important part.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “My big concern of the area no matter what happens with it is
just that I don’t want anything that will bring down values in that particular neighborhood
at all.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am 100% behind you on that.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “I am 62 years old and I have seen a lot of things where they say
they are going to do this and it falls through and all of a sudden we are having to put this
eye sore here and that all that we can do. Of course there is a bunch of excuses and a

bunch of hoop-la with it and the people have no say so and it is like you like it or lump it.
That is what I don’t want to happen.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, and I am with you. I look at everything that
we do in Government. If it is something that is going to effect the neighborhood or effect
the neighbors I put myself with that neighbor. Would I want that next to my place?
Period. If I don’t want it next to my place and I can see the bad spots in it then why
would I want to put it next to you or anybody else? Which there is a lot of things that I
am afraid of and that it is going to get sold at some point, somebody is going to buy it. It
might not be at $1.5 and then what? An opportunity came up and like I told the people
earlier I was not able to disclose that information until we get to a point where I can
actually say something now because they have to agree to sell it and we have to get the
funding. Now it is like we can buy it, develop it and have the input from everybody on
what happens right there.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “I caught the tale end, is there an anonymous donor or
something that is helping them with funding or something?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So the $1,000,000.00 is coming from the state,
appropriated money from the state. $500,000.00 is going to come from Parish
Government, regardless of where that money is coming from it has to funnel through
Parish Government but it does not necessarily have to be tax payer’s money. I am going
to tell you all, I rather not have anything to do with using tax money that we collect in our
parish to purchase this property or any property. I feel very sure of telling you all that it
would not be considered tax payers money whenever it is purchased other than I say tax
payers money no matter what we do everybody is paying taxes, here or with the state or
whatever, but the money that is coming into the parish is not going to be parish taxes
used.”
Mr. Peter Briggs stated, “Thank you.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Peter would you fill out one of those slips in the back
with your name, address and phone number. They are on the back table so we will have a
record of it. Are there any councilmember with any comments? Do I have a motion to
go ahead with the buy/sell contract with St. Landry Parish Government and Opelousas
Life Church? Mr. Lejeune made the motion and I have a second. Roll call vote.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere started, “I want to understand, you said buy and sell.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “It is a buy and sale contract which we have a copy
here.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I will abstain for now.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “That is to go ahead to start the process. It is just to
start the process.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “It is just to start the process that is fine.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to authorize the Parish President to sign the buy-sale contract between
the St. Landry Parish Government and Opelousas Life Church.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry,
Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards
and Ernest Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 4th, day of September, 2024.

A Buy-Sale Contract between St. Parish Government and Ken FaKouri.

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So that contract you all do not have in front of
you all. It is the same as the one that we have here. Peter had to have the opportunity to
draft that one up but the stipulations are the same, it has to meet the appraised value.
That property is located on HWY 35, right across from St. Bridget Church in Lawtell.
That one is for a walk-in park, to develop a walk-in park and just have a park for kids.
There is nothing in Lawtell and this would be a great place to do this. It is 10 acres of
land and the plan over there would be to clean up the area first and then start putting a
walk in trail down and develop the same thing, put a plan together and have the park put
in place. There are allocations from a different pot of money on the Federal Government
level that we are sure to get but we have to own it and have the plan in place first.”
Councilman Harold Taylor questioned, “Again Mr. Bellard would you tell them about
the appraisal and that process.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Everything is subject to the same guidelines and
it is state money. The same thing follows that money. If it does not appraise for the
amount then we can’t. It is against the law and we can’t buy it. If it does not meet it then
it is a no sale unless the seller goes down to what it needs to be.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Okay, I have a question. Any schools that
were built around 1980 or before have that Asbestos problem. Do you know of any
problems with this school? It has been sitting up a very long time.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right so that is one of the conditions that the
property, the 10 acres is Asbestos Free. We are fighting a battle everyday where we have
to deal with Asbestos at the Courthouse. This property, if it is not asbestos free then we
are not going to buy it.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I know you said it was piggy-backed off of the
same contract because we don’t have it in front of us to see it. It is verbatim, word for
word, the same contract?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Word for word as far as the conditions.
Obviously the property description is going to be whatever that property description is in
Lawtell. He has been in trial and he kind of did this one for us to get the ball rolling but
it is going to be the same Buy-Sell Agreement as this one but just a different property
description, same stipulations.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “With this one are you planning on getting
Community involvement in this one also?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Most definitely. The area comes first.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Are there any other questions? Do I have a motion?”
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Timmy
Lejeune to authorize the Parish President to sign the Buy-Sell contract between St.
Landry Parish Government and Ken FaKouri on HWY 35.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry,
Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards
and Ernest Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 4th, day of September, 2024.

Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “At this time I will ask for a motion to adjourn.”

V. ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to adjourn this Special Meeting.

On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry,
Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards and
Ernest Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 4th, day of September, 2024.

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 2024
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the Administrative/Finance Committee of
the St. Landry Parish Council to order.
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation was said earlier in the Special Meeting.
Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and Ernest Blanchard.
Ex-Officio: Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: Dexter Brown.
Person to address the Committee.
a. Mr. Willie Hayes III – St. Landry Parish Housing Authority
Mr. Willie Hayes III addressed the council. He stated, “Thank you Mr. Chairman, good
after noon to each and every one of you. My name is Willie Hayes, I am from Melville,
the northern end of the parish. I would like to thank the board for allowing me to come
before you to speak on my behalf and hopefully by sharing some additional information
with you I can overcome this dilemma that I am faced with, unfortunately. First of all I
would like to start off and I know I don’t have that much time but I have some
information that I would like to share with you. There are some folders that I gave to the
chairman and I would like for you to pass one out to each councilmember.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Madam Clerk can you pass
these out.”
Mr. Willie Hayes III stated, “I will wait until you all get your packets before I continue.
I remember she said that I needed 13 so there is an extra one.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Hayes, while she is
passing those out do you want to say a little about yourself? Your background and so
forth.”
Mr. Willie Hayes III stated, “Okay, it is all in the folder and it is in conjunction on how I
am going to start off. This is some of the information that is associated with myself and
background, there is more but this is as they would say the ‘meat’ of it. Okay as I said
earlier I am coming here before the board to see if I can share some additional
information that you may not have or you may not know. First you will look at the table
of contents that I have given to you I would like to start off with the qualifications and
that is on the next page. Thirty-one years as a Commissioner with the St. Landry Parish
Housing Authority and many of you that are on this board supported me on many of my
re-appointments. I want you to know that I was qualified then and I am even more
qualified now. In my duration as a Commissioner there were many other activities that I
was engaged in up to this point, former elected official, councilman for the town of
Melville and a five year term on the Police Jury when they were doing the Police Jury
System. I have sat in that same seat that you are sitting in now, just in a different
building. I was three terms as Mayor of the town of Melville and at a very early age I
served 8 years as a Representative for the elderly here in St. Landry Parish. I am a retired
Administrator with the St. Landry Parish School Board, by the way 40 plus years there. I
was a former Vice-President of the Commissioners for the Louisiana Housing Council. I
presently serve as Senior Vice President to the Louisiana Housing Council which makes

me eligible to become president of the L. H. C. for here in the State of Louisiana. If you
go to the next page under certificates and certifications, the very first certificate is to
make you aware that I am a NAHRO Certified Commissioner and I am certified for the
next three years, this is my second term being certified as a Commissioner so I continue
to gather information to improve not only myself but to help the Housing Authority and
the residents, whether they are in public or section 8. In that packet I also have my
training, I am up to date on all of my training, ethics and sexual harassment, all of those
trainings are up to date, 2024. I ask that you all go through that when you have time.
The next item is a letter from the Louisiana Housing Council, Mr. Bobby Collins, a
previous or an immediate past president of the Louisiana Housing Council. I asked him
to write a letter in support of me, please read the letter, it sums up everything that I have
tried to explain to you all in this short length of time. Mr. Bellard indicated in a text
through some of you all or maybe all of you I don’t know, but it did indicate that he was
in regular conversation with HUD, LHC. I spoke with the past president, I would have
gotten a letter from the president herself but due to death in her family, her husband
passed away, during that grieving period I can understand, when I asked her she just did
not have time and was not up to par because of losing a loved one. When you lose a
loved one like that you don’t have time to deal with nothing but recovery and that is what
the mode she was in, the recovery mode. The immediate past president said, Willie, I
will write a letter for you and he did. I am asking for you all to read that letter. The next
item on the table of contents is the Procedure for the removal of a Commissioner. You
don’t just ask a Commissioner a couple of questions and if it is not the right answer or if
it is not even close to the right answer then you are going to say I don’t think that you are
knowledgeable enough about HUD Affairs. HUD Affair, LHC Affairs and Parish
Council Affairs change every day and every hour, there is no way that you can keep up
with all of them, no one knows it all. I am asking that you all read this statue of the
procedures in removing a Commissioner. Please pay very close attention to the
highlighted area that is indicated to you on that sheet. My last and final page includes the
letter removing me from the board. Please read the letter, go back to the procedures for
removing a Commissioner and pay very close attention to the highlighted area. Ladies
and gentleman of the council here in St. Landry Parish I come to you this afternoon
asking that you re-appoint me to the St. Landry Parish Housing Authority and allow me
to prove to our Parish President that I am knowledgeable, I am worthy, I am dedicated
and I am a Public Servant, I have been that and I will continue to do that. After my term
is up, if he is not satisfied or if you all are not satisfied he will then have the option of
removing me, it is simple as that. At least give me a chance to prove myself, I ask you all
to do that, Thank you very much for your time.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Thank you Mr. Hayes. Our
next speaker is Mr. Greg Johnson.”
Mr. Greg Johnson addressed the council. He stated, “Good evening, my name is Greg
Johnson. I am the VP of Commissioners for LHC. Currently and I am here in support of
Mr. Willie Hayes. It saddens me that we have to come and discuss his qualifications but
I would like to ask this council to consider re-appointing him and reconsider his
appointment to the St. Landry Parish Housing Authority and here is why. Mr. Hayes
have brought a tremendous amount of change to LHC and a tremendous amount of
change to St. Landry Parish. He is very open and honest and I can tell you that because I
served underneath him for a brief period of time. Every single conference that we go to, I
don’t care if it is in Chicago or Washington D.C. there is one person that the majority of
the people knows and that is Mr. Willie Hayes and he represents St. Landry Parish in
every state in the United States very well. I can tell you that he has a reputation
throughout the housing industry, a very reputable person. There is probably not any other
Commissioner in this state that gets to do what he does at all of these conferences and
represent St. Landry Parish well and I am asking this board to reconsider him based on
the facts, based on his history and based on his performance. I can tell you I would be
proud to have Mr. Willie Hayes representing me at these conferences. He brings dignity,
loyalty and he bring honesty to the Housing Industry. I can tell you personally that I go
to him for advice and it is always advice that is above the board. He always give advice
that requires you to be a stand up person and I am asking this board to reconsider. If you
guys loose him on the board you all are losing a jewel and you all are losing a standing
that this guy worked 30 plus years to get in the LHC, again he is the VP of LHC,

Southwest and all over these people know Mr. Willie Hayes all over the place and they
respect him. If you guys do not re-appoint him I think that you guys will be losing a
jewel in this parish. Thank you.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Bellard, I think that you
sent out an e-mail that you did not want us to appoint him. Do you want to elaborate on
that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir. This is a Committee Meeting not a Full
Council Meeting. No Sir. I have no comment.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “The question is this: Do we
want to send it to full council for further discussion?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is the decision that you all have to make. I
am not going to discuss anything at this meeting.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Members of this committee
do we have a motion to move this to full council?”

A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilwoman
Nancy Carriere to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
to further discuss re-appointing Mr. Willie Hayes III back to the Housing Authority
Board.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Parish President & Finance Reports:
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So you have the Financials in front of you.
Today we got notice of another Grant that we received, $1,500,000.00 from the Federal
Government, only 3 in the state were award this. This is another program that we are
putting in place to help people get to work and provide transportation for the people of
our parish to get them to work and to help them get the education that is needed to learn
their trade. It is mainly dealing in the medical field but the application was very difficult
to go through but we were awarded it today, we got the message today so that is a good
thing. It is for the entire parish so we will be able to utilize Community Action Buses for
the transportation and utilize the schools throughout the Region for that.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry questioned, “Mr. President in the past if you recall I had
inquired about providing some extra tutoring in support of the lower grades like from at
least K thru 3. I know that St. Landry Parish School Board normally provide but it does
not get to cover all children who needs it. I believe that if you have a strong foundation
you will do better as you get up in the grades. So would we be able to consider maybe
possibly placing another tutor or two at those sites where they have the tutoring going on
from some of these funds.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I can ask that question. These funds are
allocated specifically for certain things. I don’t believe it is going to fit the mold for
younger kids. It is mainly for those that are ready to get to work and help them get
through school and get to the work environment and to their trade. I can ask that question
but we have not given up on that. It is hard to get funding for those types of programs
but we have not given up.
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Okay, please don’t. Thank you.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I heard you mention that it is for medical
training or to help with the workforce and the medical. Years ago I remember when I
was younger, not to long ago rather, they had the Candy Stripers at the Hospitals. Could

you consider using some of the funds for that? Educating and getting some of the high
school kids to do some Candy Stripping which would help at the hospital.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is a good question. I can ask that question
tomorrow, we will see. The Grant is specific but it is dealing in the Medical Field. It
might have an option there so we will ask that question.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Also Nursing Homes and Hospital, even
Hansberry Elderly, maybe getting some of the high school kids to do grooming at the
nursing homes so we can get our young children involved in that and helping them for
future Cosmetology and helping at the Senior Citizens Facilities.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We will make that request tomorrow and see
what they tell us.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Mr. Bellard, have you started the process on
selling the bonds?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Tomorrow morning I will be meeting with Mr.
LeFleur and tying him down to something that we all can agree on.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I don’t know if this is the appropriate time or
not to discuss the Clerk of Court. Would you rather discuss that later? What is the
bottom line with the Clerk of Court? I did not hear anything with that.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I had a meeting with the Clerk of Court and his
Attorney. We had our Attorney and Chad was in the room and I can tell you that he is
wanting us to pay half of the remodeling and stuff. I just threw this out there I am not
paying half of the remodeling, that is not our building. I do agree that we pay fair market
value on space that we take up at that place. Whether they like it or not it is irrelevant
because it is not our building but we are obligated to do some storage for some of the
files and I don’t have a problem paying fair market value rent for the space and that is the
last conversation I had with them.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I am full of questions tonight, on the news
today, it is the first time that I heard of this litigation, it is not finances is that correct? It
is only improvements with the courthouse.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We did not get served yet. This lady goes
around all over and sues people for ADA Requirements.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Say it again please sir.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This lady who is suing us or allegedly suing us,
she went to TV 10 with it. She has been suing a bunch of people, some stores and other
businesses. Our attorney advised me to contact a Lawyer out of Lafayette and I spoke
with her yesterday and she sent over some stuff today. Upon talking to her and talking to
the architects and talking to the Fire Marshall we are okay. The Courthouse was built in
1937 or 1939, I forgot the exact date but a lot of these things that she is asking for makes
us in compliance, now, can we do better? Yes, if we can do better we are going to do
better. One of the things was a basic counter top in the Clerk of Court’s Office, we did
not build them the Clerk of Court did. I did send out a letter that no renovations in the
courthouse is going to be done unless I approve it so that way we can make sure if
someone wants to do renovations it does meet the codes. If we are not aware of it we
can’t fix it, we can’t stop it. We put the handicap ramp in the front last year or maybe
year before last, nobody made us do it, there was a need for it and the funding was
available so we did it, so we do what we can. Even the new Jury Boxes for the
Courtrooms. They said in the lawsuit that I read on line that we don’t have a spot for a
handicap person. From what I am understanding through the attorneys and the Fire
Marshall’s Office and the Architects we have to make accommodations and we do that
and we put them right in front. The new courtroom that is being built now we are going
to make accommodations to put at least one inside the box. If you have room to do it you

can do it, if you don’t have room it is not required you have to make accommodations.
Everything on that list we went and check it and we will be okay, again we have to
answer the call but we have not been served yet.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I am glad that you answered the questions
because I had no idea that we had a lawsuit. You just mentioned a new courthouse that is
being built.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The courtroom, Judge Meche’s Courtroom.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “I think that we need to set a date or something
with Steve Moosa for the Audit. We happen to have an Aduit this year.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are meeting with them on Friday and they
are going to meet with you all next week.”
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.

Forward to full meeting for the Council to serve as the Board of Review for anyone
present + wishing to file a protest in reference to their property values.
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday September 18th, 2024 for the
Council to serve as the Board of Review for anyone present + wishing to file a protest in
reference to their property values.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks and
Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Dexter Brown. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
None.
Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Faltery Jolivette, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks 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

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 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.
Roll Call: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Timmy Lejeune
and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio: Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: None.
Person to address the Committee:

Mr. Gary Thompson addressed the council, He stated, “I am Gary Thompson, I live at
309 Sugar Mill Road, Opelousas. I am new to St. Landry Parish. I moved here from
Baton Rouge three years ago. In addition to buying my property I have since invested and
additional $200,000.00 in property improvements so I am very heavily invested here in St.
Landry Parish. When I first brought my property for whatever reason my issue was
drainage and flooding. For whatever reason I had 18 inch 25 foot long Culverts, two of
them because I had a double drive entry. For whatever reason the parish came and pulled
my culverts out and they returned and put 15 inch 20 foot culverts. So not only did my
water flow get reduced but now you run off my culvert when you are trying to turn into
my driveway. I have been asking to see Mr. Bellard since the beginning of January. I
have been calling on a regular basis because this have been a problem. I finally secured a
face to face meeting with him 2 weeks ago. We addressed all of this issue. Every time I
would call for him his assistance whether it was Ms. Shawnee or the lady that was before
her which would automatically transfer me over to Parish Maintenance. I have had Barry
in Parish Maintenance screaming and yelling at me because I am calling too much and he
has more important or greater issues in the parish than my flooding and my drainage.
They have come out and they have cleaned my ditch probably 6 times in 3 years. What is
happening is that I have a drainage canal north of my property and south of my property
that crosses the road. It is full of trash and debris and does not flow so everything we get
rain everything just backs up and I end up with a ditch full of trash and sediments and
nothing is happening. Our road floods on both ends of the street and you can’t get in or
you can’t get out. In calling the parish I ask what happens if one of my neighbors has an
emergency I was told I guess we will send a Pirogue in to get you, that is not a response
that a tax payer is wanting to here, so this has been on going. I just recently learned that
there is a parish water board. I have only been dealing with parish ditches and culverts so
apparently the canal issue is parish water board. Two weeks ago I went before the parish
water board and I was insulted the entire time I was there. I had to listen to listen to bad
president Biden jokes throughout this committee which was uncalled for. The Chairman
mumble and made comments the whole time I was trying to explain my issue. They are
telling me that I cannot clean the canals because if they do it will dump too much water
into Plaquemine Bayou so we are stuck with flooding. The Parish Maintenance did come
out and clean the ditch again although they are not shooting leasers so in front of my
property it is full of water right now then it flows uphill so that water is not going
anywhere. When I meet with Mr. Bellard two weeks ago he told me that he was going out
that evening to look at my property but it never happened. He told me before this meeting
that I would not accomplish my goal here tonight by coming before this committee. I am
running into obstacles everywhere I go. I did not know that I was buying property that
was going to have this flooding issue and drainage issue and have one department pointing
the finger at the other department and the other department pointing their finger back and I
am caught in the middle. I have property that I am proud of but I have flooding issues. I
live alone, I am disable and I am retired. If I should have a medical emergency during one
of these flooding times what do I do, sit there and die? I just don’t understand this red
tape and nobody can help and I can’t get anything accomplished. The drive, they said
they were going to come out and do extensions on my culverts, instead of doing
extensions on both sides of my culverts they came and did just one side. I still have one
side of my driveway that is a drop off when you try to turn in my driveway. This is what I
am up against, whether it was right or wrong of me to come before the committee I am
running out of options of what to do. I have a problem and I am asking somebody as a tax
payer to just pay attention and do something about it. That is all that I have. Let me also
say my Councilman, Dexter Brown told me to meet him here for 5:30 p.m. and he is not
even here. He is telling me that the 15 inch culvert and again I don’t know who to trust or
who to believe or whatever but he is telling me that the Code is nothing less than 18 inch
culverts but I have been told that that is not correct. A 15 inch culvert is adequate enough
but it still fills with trash and debris. My nearest neighbor is three acers away and he does
not have a ditch in front of his property because he is at the highest point of the road.
When it rains and this trash is flowing the road becomes the waterway and all of that
dumps at my first culvert and from there it backs up all the way down the line.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “I just want to say that I don’t know your
situation, it is not in my district, I have not had any conversation with Mr. Bellard or
anyone else but I just feel that it is so sad and unfortunate that you did have to attend a

meeting and had to leave less understood or appreciated than when you first got here. I
am hoping in the future that can change. I don’t know your whole situation and it is not in
my district but I just think that it is so sad listening to you. You just feel so lost and I
don’t think that we should have to feel that we just don’t know where to turn in this day
and age.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Thank you and let me just add, after all of this I called back
to Mr. Bellard saying the problem is still here. Ms. Shawnee says there is no point in you
calling this office any more, we consider this case closed.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Hold on, what is not going to happen is you
talking like this, that is not going to happen in here. Let me explain to you what the
process is going to be. I told you before this meeting that you were wasting your time
coming to a Committee Meeting. Dexter Brown should have not told you to come to a
Committee Meeting because they can’t do anything about your problem. There are a lot
of problems over there on your road, it is not just your little driveway with the problem.
The drainage board is correct, if they would dig out that canal it is going to cause a bigger
problem down the line. I told you that in our meeting that we had. For you to say that you
have been trying to reach me since January that is a lie.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “No it not a lie. Don’t call me a liar sir.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I have the floor and I am trying to explain it to
you. I am going to go tomorrow afternoon and I am going to look at what you are saying.
The 15 inch pipe works right there because you are on a hill. It is irrelevant what you are
telling me about where you think you are and I am telling you what the people are telling
me, the people that go out there and they run the laser and they make sure that everything
is correct, okay. Whenever you are going to come up here and start lying on my staff.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Please stop calling me a liar sir.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am calling you what you are saying right here is
a lie. This is what we are going to do. You wasted you time here tonight. What, you
want me to lie to you and say that you are going to get everything done.
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Why not, you have been lying to me all along.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Have a good day.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Yep.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is how it is going to be. Good luck. That is
how you get something done.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is what I have been dealing
with.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, you have not been dealing with that.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Have a good day which means he is not going to do
anything.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Come to a meeting like that again and start
making accusations about my staff and everything else.”
Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “She told me to not call anymore because the case is closed.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “They went out there more than three times to try
and take care of your problem. They extended the culvert. It was not exactly like you
wanted it, sorry but they did it and it did not cost you a dollar. Everything they did it did
not cost you a dollar.”

Mr. Gary Thompson stated, “Nobody could tell me why my culverts were pulled out to
begin with. Thank you. I am leaving. Thank you.”
a. Kenny Boagni, III, P.E., P.L.S. – Morgan Goudeau & Associates, Inc. to speak on
Ward One South Gravity Drainage District No.1.
Mr. Kenny Boagni, III addressed the council. He stated, “Madam Chairwoman and
Committee, here tonight on behalf of Ward One South Gravity Drainage District No. 1.
I am here to talk about two matters. There are a couple of board members here, Mitch
Wyble, Dale Vidrine and Randy Wagley over there, he is on the board as well. The first
item: In 2014 the Drainage District came before the council and adopted their official
drainage map. Part of the idea of that was to enforce the State Statue about the 50 foot
either side that you could clean but we have not really done anything with that. Whenever
we still do work we still go to people’s property and still get easements whenever
possible. We have had a few that refused to give easements and that happens and you
always irritate someone and you can never please everybody. I have a copy of what was
done in 2014 by the council and I think that one simple thing that the board is asking is
that we revised the map and when I say revised, it is not that we stretched the districts out
it is just that we refined the definition of what the Laterals were in the district, we revised
the lengths of the laterals. It is recorded in the court house in 2014 and we would like for
the Parish Attorney to review it and see if it could be amended and we could record the
new map. I have a copy of the new map and I can be in contact with the parish attorney to
review the documents.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Garett did come and talk to me about it and he
agrees that it is just a matter of putting it back into the Clerk of Court with the revisions.
They are not adding anything they are just identifying.”
Mr. Kenny Boagni, III stated, “Correct, I have a copy of the map. It is 6 feet by 3 feet, it
is pretty big. Ward 1 is basically 549 Corridor, they are east and west on each side of the
corridor from 190 about 1 mile south from Judson Walsh. They cover some of the city
and some of that development along I-49.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Was there a drastic change to this map? Can
you give me a short definition?”
Mr. Kenny Boagni III stated, “Not at all Mr. Lejeune. We put the lengths of every lateral
that was within the district. We refined those lengths based with a fine tooth comb. They
use the lengths for spraying and to tell someone how far to spray so we refined those. We
added lateral numbers just for work that we have done that was not shown on the map.
Typically to define a lateral is anything over 36 to 48 inch pipe when you start to get to
that size, it no longer a little ditch it becomes something of significant size. We added 3
laterals, one of them is a clarification on Country Ridge. I think that it was 100 feet which
goes to Prairie Bass District. There was another one on Country Ridge Road where the
board did some work by the back stop. There were no additions to the boundaries.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Your last statement is what I was going to ask. It
has not changed the original statue as far as your boundaries? Has it? Same boundaries.”
Mr. Kenny Boagni III stated, “No that was set by DODT those have not changed.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “So you are just revising certain entities of it for laterals
and things.”
Mr. Kenny Boagni III stated, “That is right.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jody
White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 to
authorize Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain to review the changes to Ward One South
Gravity Drainage District No. 1 Map and file an updated copy it the Clerk of Court.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.

Motion forwarded.
b. Any Member of Ward One South Gravity Drainage District No.1 to speak.
Mr. Kenny Boagni III stated, “The second item is probably the bigger item that I think
some of the board members can speak on if they need to. This will be an introduction to
something that the boards wants to entertain and acting and we have been discussing it and
refining it within the board for the last year or so and that is doing a drainage impact
procedure for large residential and commercial subdivisions within the district. We have
drafted and I have a draft here of the procedure for a lack of a better word is to introduce
tonight because it is going to take some coronation with the parish president’s office
looking over it and the parish attorney did review it somewhat and seeing how we enacted
it because it involves somethings as how you define what size developments would be
impacted and how does the board get the documents from someone when they apply for a
permit to say you need to submit drainage impact analysis for that particular development
and it involves the city. Some of their districts are in the city. Tonight I only have 10
copies.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I have a comment, I think there is a simple
answer. We do it for the entire parish, it is needed for the entire parish. We have been
talking about this for years. I think that if we are going to do it we do it for everybody, the
whole parish because it effect the whole parish, I completely agree with what Kenny is
saying. William and I have been talking about that for a while. To do it for one district,
no, not for one district, do it for the whole parish at one time.”
Public Work Chairwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “Do you have someone else that wants
to speak?”
Mr. Mitch Wyble addressed the council. He stated, “I am Mitch Wyble. I live on Grant
Road. I have been on the Drainage District for quite a few years. I was a City Engineer
for Lafayette Consolidated Government for 27 years. I helped enact the Drainage
Ordinance for Lafayette with retention that is necessary. This parish, in my opinion is
long overdue for needing retention-detention. You have let it get built out to where all of
the new developments are just exacerbating what is existing and what can be taken. Yes,
Jessie I agree with you and I think that you do need a parish ordinance for the whole
parish. We recognized a few years ago that our drainage district is one of the most
popular and up growing districts in the parish. That corridor along I-49 as you can tell is
growing rapidly. We figure if we did not something at this point and time we were going
to be behind the 8 ball and things would get developed and retention-detention would not
be considered. I do agree that you need a parish wide ordinance but I do think that we
need to enact this ordinance for our district as soon as possible and let the parish do what
they have to do and come back and either refine what is in our district or improve on it, it
does not matter but I would like to see this ordinance adopted for our district until such
time as it becomes parish wide and then it goes away and it becomes something for the
entire parish.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The only problem with that and I am going to be
honest, it is going to take forever just to do one district. I can see the writing on the wall.
William is already working on something, we just have to get it done, period. We have
been fighting this long enough and it needs to be parish wide, whether we do one district
or do the whole parish but I am telling you it will be the same amount of time.”
Mr. Mitch Wyble stated, “So the ordinance and the rules and regulations that are
presented tonight in my opinion as a retired engineer would suffice for the entire parish
with some minor modifications. If you elect to file a suite on what we have prepared you
are ahead of the 8 ball. If you have to start from scratch it will be two years before we get
to this point again.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We already have the engineers in the room. I
think that we will be ahead of the 8 ball. I think that my suggestion is that we do it for the
entire parish, modify what you have as long as it meets the legal hurdle. Every time we
get a subdivision in this room the big topic is drainage, every one of them. I think if we

put this in place, like we should have done a long time ago, I think that we will help to
stop the problem so I agree 100%.”
Mr. Mitch Wyble stated, “Our board agrees with you also Jessie.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We can modify what you have. If it meets the
legal guidelines for our procedures then the permit department can act on it and the zoning
and everything else can be done at the same time.”
Mr. Mitch Wyble stated, “Good.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “That is in District 9 what they are trying to do and I
agree with Mr. Bellard, I have seen a new development. Just like in Ms. Nancy’s area she
takes some of the area that I have in District 9 and that drainage district, they built a pond
in the back. That is the one on Country Ridge Road, that development. If you notice
wherever a dollar store goes now, where they erect them in this parish they are putting
some ponds. Like Mr. Bellard stated, we need to do it parish wide. With the engineers
that are on that board and with Mr. Boagni’s group it is obvious that we in District 9,
everything is going south. We need to start somewhere.”
Public Works Chairwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “They just open up a subdivision on
HWY 182 by me and they have 2 ponds back there.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I am just asking that we start tonight, bring it to the full
council and start the process.”
Mr. Mitch Wyble stated, “It is nothing new if you develop along the state route and you
are going to empty into the state route the state makes you do retention-detention. That is
probably what you are seeing on HWY 182 and other places. This is nothing new and it is
nothing that developers haven’t gotten used to but they are pretty much used to it but if
you don’t have a requirement for them to do it they are going to take the easy road and
they are not going to do it.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I make a motion that we forward this information to
the full council.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “If Kenny can have this modified for introduction
at the full council, is that possible Kenny? To modify what you all have for Parish Wide.”
Mr. Kenny Boagni, III stated, “I think what we will have to do is see how it incorporates
more into the existing parish ordinance. You get into defining what is a development?
Like all commercial developments. Or if I am putting 2 houses on a piece of property is
that required?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Our ordinance defines all of that already. I am
just trying to figure out a way where we can implement this like at the full council meeting
to introduce it and start the process then. Could you have that modified?”
Mr. Kenny Boagni, III stated, “I think that we can. I would like to. If you went that
route I think it would take a full month. It might be October to see how we would marry
those together.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “If that motion could read if they could have that
modified in time for introduction at the full council meeting so we can get that ball
rolling.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I am good with that.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry for forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th
,
2024 to further discuss Retention-Detention Parish Wide and prepare an Ordinance for
adoption for the October 2024 meeting.

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

Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “In the
month of August we:

Boom Axed 10 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 09 Roads
Culvert Installation 20 Roads
Debris Removal 47 Roads
Ditching 14 Roads
Grading 115 Roads
Material Spreading 09 Roads
Patching 26 Roads
Shredding/Grass
Cutting

57 Roads
Sign Installation 34 Roads
Tree Removal 14 Roads
Washout 03 Roads

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

Forward all applications received for one appointment to Public Works Commission
District Six for a four-year term. (10-20-2024 – 10-20-2028)
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Timmy Lejeune to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
all applications received for one appointment to Public Works Commission District Six
for a four-year term. (10-20-2024 – 10-20-2028)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for one appointment to St. Landry Parish
Waterworks District No. 3. Mr. James Solar has resigned. (No Term Set).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jody White to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 to
advertise for one appointment to St. Landry Parish Waterworks District No. 3. Mr. James
Solar has resigned. (No Term Set)
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for five appointments to Fire District No. 7
for a one and two year terms. (11-18-2024- 11-18-2025) and (11-18-2024 – 11-18-
2026)
A motion was made by Councilman Alvin Stelly, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting Held on Wednesday, September 18
th
,
2024 to advertise for five appointments to Fire District No. 7 for a one and two year terms.
(11-18-2024 -11-18-2025) and (11-18-2024 – 11-18-2026).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Update on Bayou Mallet. (Councilman Timmy Lejeune).
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Mr. Bellard, could you give us an update on
what is going on with that? Have they bib out the project?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So what we did is we are going to move that
money to help just Ms. Mildred and her district.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Yes, take care of my District, District 4
Mr. Lejeune, you heard that.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “That don’t fit well with me.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We did take in bids for that project. The last that
I heard William was looking at whether I can accept the bids as they were put in place. I
will find out more tomorrow. If we do have to rebid we can rebid immediately. So it is
not a problem. It is ready to go finally.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “So we will have an update at the full council
meeting?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, I will have more information by then.”
Discuss Trash on Miller and Montgomery Road. (Councilman Timmy Lejeune)
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “The reason I have that on there is because I got a
few complaints about a lot of trash on Miller Road and Montgomery Road. I don’t know
who we get to come and pick up potato chip bags but I am not talking about trees exactly I
am talking about trash, litter that is get thrown out of their vehicles. It is not just those two
road but I just have those two listed but I can name a bunch of them as I ride through my
district you can see that they have a chair and they have a recliner, we have to do
something about this.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am going to get with Sargent Stansberry with
the Sheriff’s Office. He has the litter crew. We will tell him where we are having our
problems at and then he will send a crew out there first. Once we know about it then we
can tell him and they will go and take care of it. So we can knock that out tomorrow.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Since we are talking about trash I know that it is
really hard because we had that discussion before with the man in that other district. My
question is this: Is it any way possible when a landlord is evicting a tenant and they put
everything to the road and I drive a school bus all day and I am calling trying to get
somebody to pick up trash that I see that is piled up on the side of the road. I am sure
Morgan is doing a great job at what they can do with the bulky items but sometimes there
are little things that are left that is not in a trash bag. Can we have the landlord held
accountable to call sometimes? A lot of times Mr. LeBouef and his staff does not know
that that is out there. The do pass once a week. How can we get some of this little trash
picked up? Mr. Stansberry has a schedule that they send the inmates out to pick up in
certain areas.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is a topic that we have been discussing
lately. This is my take on it. Whenever a landlord have an eviction or whatever the case
maybe, whatever is put to the road is considered trash. I don’t care why but if it is put to
the road it is trash. If you don’t see it being picked up please notify us. Then I can
promise you that we will pick it up and we will bring it to the landfill. Morgan and
Morgan is picking up bulky waste and the definition of bulky waste in their eyes over
there is not the same as what we would think. I am thinking if it is on the side of the road
it needs to be picked up. Morgan and Morgan have to follow their contract and everything
else. We as Parish Government have the same piece of equipment so we can go and pick it
up and dispose of it and it happens a lot in the parish, believe it or not. The landlord can
only do so much and if it is trash it is trash we can just pick it up and be done with that.

So that is not a problem. Whenever people call us that Grappler is sent out there and the
trash is picked up and brought to the landfill.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “On Emmett and I-49 there is a mattress.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Bellard, I know it was discussed before with Solid
Waste and the people that are picking up the garbage cans, those truck drives, don’t you
think they would be responsible. They see the route that they are on every day. I see it in
Park Vista and I see it on HWY 182. Are they calling in the stuff that they had to leave
behind?
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I don’t know the answer to that question but that
question was posed many times before. I don’t think they are and I don’t think that they
are required to per their contract. I am not saying that they should not document
something so that they will know.”
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated, “That is where I am going. We are fortunate. I called
John Guidroz about three for four times a week. He picked us some stuff that I gave him
yesterday morning a list of stuff, he picked it up today, someone picked it up but the thing
about it is that truck driver that picks up that blue can should be able to call that in and that
way they will have it documented.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I agree. I am not sure what their contract reads
and I don’t think that it is in their contract to do that. It is unfortunate because what
happens is that people will call us and we have to call somebody like John or somebody.
If they would just notify the right people at the right time we would not have to be getting
the phone calls and making phone calls. If anybody have a problem with it just let us
know and we will go and pick it up and help them any way that we can. We can find out
with Richard and see if there is something in there contract.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I would like for the Council Clerk to look at the
minutes when they introduced the new trash pickup company to the parish. I would like to
see a copy of those minutes when they were introduced to us by Mr. Richard LeBouef. To
my understanding those trucks have up to the minute where these trucks are at all times.
They were going to report any excess waste to the proper channels to have it picked up. I
would actually like to see the minutes of that so we can understand exactly what the
responsibility of everyone here is. I would like to have that for the full council meeting
please.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
to provide a copy of the minutes from the introduction of the new trash pickup company to
the parish that was introduced by Mr. Richard LeBouef.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Jody White, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Timmy Lejeune,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Public Works Chairwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “Mr. John Trahan you wanted to
speak?”
Mr. John Trahan stated, “I know that I am kind of late in the game but what Mr. Lejeune
talked about I agree with. The question that I have is this: We have the same problem at
my house and all over the parish. When was the last time that somebody got fined for
littering? That is the question?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “You will be surprised. Our investigators do write
tickets for littering. It is a criminal offense and it does go to the District Attorney’s office
and Chad makes sure that they are taken care of. When it is reported and they can actually
identify where it comes from we do have camera throughout this parish and believe it or
not they are catching a lot of people with littering. It is so much of it. It is mostly like TV
boxes and stuff like that that is just thrown on the side of the road. They have serial
numbers and stuff on there so we track all that back to where it came from and that is how

we identify who threw it out there. I can get a list of the citations that we have issued this
year. The District Attorney is prosecuting them. He is not letting them go. This is one of
those things that he keeps close.”
Mr. John Trahan stated, “It reflects the whole parish. What he has on his road I have on
my road and everybody else has to. It ends up to the drainage board and it stops up
everything.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I agree but we do have camera set out and the
investigators check the camera every day. Mainly right now it is tires. They go to these
canals and dump tires and it is a mess. But the small bags of trash and stuff is becoming a
major issue and when it rains it goes right back into the canals and it end up blocking
drainage. It is just a mess across the whole parish. We are writing citations and I am very
happy to say that the District Attorney is not taking them lightly.”
Mr. John Trahan stated, “I appreciate it if they could catch a lot more because it is bad
everywhere.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Mr. Bellard is there any way with the state you
can find out if they have a litter abatement program? By the casino I have been getting a
lot of complaints in my district that when the state cuts the grass then you get to see all of
the debris. I tell people all of the time that it is not their job to get off of that tractor and
start picking up trash. So do they have an abatement program with the state or will we be
going to do that to?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That area is done by CSLED. CSLED pays for
that program to be in place. The tractors that you see cutting that grass, the state pays and
they pay out the funds. It is a program thru CSLED. I am not sure if the contract states
anything about picking up trash but I do see before the tractors come around they are
picking up and I see them picking up trash. I am not exactly sure if there are any state
programs but I know that I-49 basically where the district is they do pick up trash before
they cut the grass but sometimes they may miss something.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Mr. Bellard, I received a text message from
Shawnee Hills Area. There was a fire out there and there was a fence with a dividing line
between two subdivisions. I am not real sure what side the fire was on, either the left or
the right but I do understand that the emergency response team possibly went on the
opposite side of the fence and had to completely go around. There is only one entry in
which means there is only one entry out. I don’t know how long it takes to go around. I
am not going thru all of that but what I am asking you if there is any way possible that you
could check with 911 to make sure that that system is set us and they are very much aware
of the fact that you have to go into one entry or go into the other. There is something
wrong with that.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Let me give you a little back ground. Being a
fireman and retired a call comes in for a fire and you are used to going a certain route
regardless. Now or days it is all GPS. So you know where you are going but you are
following the GPS because that is where they train you for now. You knew they had a
blockage there because you knew it. Now it is GPS. GPS did not recognized that fence so
what happens is what happen right there. I did talk to the fire chief and ask him to please
make sure that these guy know that you can not make if from that end. It is different
roads. Sometimes you have the 100 blocks that makes the difference but the roads are
different names so that is not an issue. It is an issue of the fireman knowing the routes that
they use to take and also the GPS tells them where to go. It is just not a good mix. That is
not the first time that that happened, he assured me that he would get with them. It is not
so much 911 as it is the actual the fire department that just needs to know and let the
people know that they need to go the other route to get on certain roads. It is tough. In the
frame of mind that you are in whenever you get the call you just know where you are
going and it is just a little difficult but it is a couple of minutes delay if you have to make
that route around. Please don’t bring up that fence.”