P U B L I C N O T I C E
ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC HEARING
THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY GIVES NOTICE THAT IT WILL HOLD A
PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
TH, 2024, AT OLD CITY
MARKET LOCATED AT 131 W. BELLEVUE STREET, OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA.
THE HEARING IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS
FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
5:30 p.m.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-032
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
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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
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
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THE ROADS IN THOSE ROAD DISTRICTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PAYMENTS ARE
MADE.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-034
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
An Ordinance to Establish Rules and Controls to Ensure the Accountability and Transparency of
St. Landry Parish’s Local Governmental Entities.
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● 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
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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
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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
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.
BY ORDER OF ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
/s/ Wayne Ardoin, Chairman
Sherell Jordan, Council Clerk
St. Landry Parish Council
P.O. Drawer 100, Opelousas, LA 70570
Telephone Number: 337-942-6863
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact
Sherell Jordan or Karen Barlow at 337-942-6863 describing the assistance that is necessary.
