St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on July 21, 2025, receiving a detailed update from the Department of Community Services on its safety-net programs and hearing Parish President Matthew Jewell's report on recent storm preparation and ongoing drainage projects. The council's most consequential actions were approving major drainage infrastructure contracts, including a $10.5 million contract for the Ormond CN Railway Culverts Project and an $18.9 million contract for the Montz Pump Station No. 2 and Drainage Improvements project, both described by officials and residents as long-awaited solutions to decades of flooding.
Decisions & Votes
Approved9–02025-0175
Installation of All-Way Stop Signs at Lorraine Street and Amy Street in Gabriel Heights
Authorizes installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Lorraine Street and Amy Street in the Gabriel Heights subdivision in Destrehan to address speeding concerns and improve traffic safety.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0176
Speed Limit Reduction on River Place Drive in Hahnville
Amends Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances to lower the speed limit on River Place Drive in Hahnville from 25 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour to enhance child safety on the street.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0182
Elimination of Demolition Permit Fee
Amends Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances to change the demolition permit fee from one hundred dollars to no fee, to encourage proper permitting and disposal practices for residential demolitions.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0183$65,000.00
Three-Year Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources for Local Coastal Program Implementation
Approves and authorizes execution of a three-year renewal cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources for St. Charles Parish local coastal program implementation, which provides state funding for coastal permit review activities.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0184$10,542,425.00
Contract with BLD Services LLC for Ormond CN Railway Culverts Project
Approves and authorizes execution of a contract with BLD Services LLC for the Ormond CN Railway Culverts Project to improve drainage in an area with long-standing flooding issues, with significant grant funding support.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0186$168,945.00
Change Order Number One for Sunset Bar Screen Cleaner Project
Approves Change Order Number One to add fourteen additional piles under the bridge deck structure to meet required safety factors for the Sunset Bar Screen Cleaner project as part of the West Bank Hurricane Protection Levee System.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0188$18,882,865.00
Contract with Sea Level Construction for Muntz Pump Station No. 2 and Drainage Improvements
Approves and authorizes execution of a contract with Sea Level Construction, Inc. for Muntz Pump Station No. 2 and drainage improvements as part of the East Bank West Shore Hurricane Protection Levee System, providing significantly increased drainage capacity.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0189
Assessment Levy for Delinquent Weed, Grass, and Structure Removal Charges
Levies assessments on 2024 ad valorem tax bills of property owners delinquent in paying outstanding invoices for removal of weeds, grass, unsafe structures, trash, and debris in accordance with Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0190$381,480.00
Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement for Destrehan Boat Launch Project
Approves Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement with Duplantis Design Group to perform additional construction administration and inspection services for the Destrehan boat launch project.
Moved by Bob FisherSeconded by Michelle O'Daniels
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0191$153,724.00
Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement for Ormond Center Drainage Improvements
Approves Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement with Stuart Consulting Group, Inc. for reworked engineering on the Ormond Center drainage improvements project to reduce costs and improve design efficiency.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0192
Reinstatement of Vendors' Compensation Provisions
Reinstates vendors' compensation provisions allowing registered sales tax collectors to take a one percent deduction from remitted sales and use taxes to compensate them for collection and remittance services.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Approved9–02025-0193$422,160.00
Amendment No. 3 to Professional Services Agreement for Muntz Pump Station No. 2
Approves Amendment No. 3 to the professional services agreement with GIS Engineering LLC to add resident inspection project representatives, construction administration, and removal of the Prescott pump station upon completion of the Muntz pump stations.
Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler
Watch Items
Several ordinances were introduced for a future public hearing scheduled for Monday, August 4, 2025, 6:00 pm, Council Chambers, Courthouse, Hahnville. Residents should watch for discussion and possible final passage of:
- A Professional Services Agreement with Fairway Consulting and Engineering, LLC, for the Circle K Sewer Force Main Extension Feasibility Study.
- Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with H. Davis Cole & Associates, LLC, for Murray Hill and Destrehan Drives Drainage Improvements, adding resident inspection funds.
- Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Volkert, Inc., for the Evangeline Road & CN Railroad Box Culvert project.
- Change Order No. 1 (Final) for the Bethune Park Renovations project.
- A Professional Services Agreement with Crescent Engineering & Mapping, LLC, for the Riverbend Subsurface Drainage project.
- An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to exempt off-street parking for manufactured and mobile homes in R-1A(M) districts from permanent dust-free paving.
- A Professional Services Agreement with Crescent Engineering & Mapping, LLC, for the JCJR Outfall Ditches project.
- An amendment updating the composition of the Coastal Zone Advisory Committee.
- Amendment No. 1 to the Engineering Services Contract with Shread-Kuyrkendall & Associates, Inc., for the Lakewood Drive Reconstruction project.
Other items to follow:
- The ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 2 with Duplantis Design Group for the Des Allemands Boat Launch construction administration and inspection was postponed indefinitely. Parish President Jewell said the project is still going out to bid in the coming weeks, with a bid opening expected in late August, and the administration will bring the item back to the council before construction to ensure all needed work is included.
- The Ormond Center Drainage Improvements project (Amendment No. 2 with Stuart Consulting Group) is being redesigned after bids came in over budget. Officials said revised plans and specifications are expected to be finished by roughly the middle of next month, after which the project will be rebid.
- The Animal Shelter's new weekday public hours, opening at 10 a.m. instead of earlier, took effect the day of this meeting; residents should note the schedule change when planning visits or adoptions.
Public Comments