Parish Council · Monday, March 2, 2026
Parish Council
St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
This was a regular Parish Council meeting that opened with a series of ceremonial proclamations (French Heritage Day, Disability Awareness Month, ARC Fest, Retired Teachers Day, Lions Month, Kidney Month, Problem Gambling Awareness Month), followed by departmental reports and a full slate of ordinances, resolutions, and appointments. The most consequential actions were unanimous approval of a nearly $4.8 million engineering contract for a new ~$50 million West Bank water treatment plant, adoption of the parish's coastal "Shield Plan" and a floodplain management planning resolution tied to flood-insurance discounts, and the unanimous rejection of a special-use waiver that would have allowed a truck fleet-service business near the Almedia Plantation/Turtle Pond neighborhood, after roughly a dozen residents testified about traffic, drainage, and safety concerns.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2026-0043$-2,370.00
Change Order Number One for Wall Water Intake Structure Access Bridge Pile Replacement
Approval of change order to decrease contract amount by $2,370 for project WW-CHAOS-112. Reduction due to deletion of borrowed material backfill and compaction work, as native material was suitable for use.
Approved2026-0059$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Bible Center Church
Approval of three-year lease agreement with automatic one-year renewal for use of Bible Center Church as polling place for District 2, Precinct 3. Rate set at $150 per election per Secretary of State standards.
Approved2026-0060$4,814,099.00
Professional Services Agreement with Principal Engineering Incorporated for West Bank Water Treatment Plant E-Plant Construction Project
Approval of design agreement for new 4 million gallon-a-day water treatment plant on west bank to consolidate controls for plants C, D, and E, including new control room and laboratory building, demolishment of plants A and B (built 1951 and 1962). Parish secured $3 million in state capital outlay funding to assist with design costs. Project estimated at approximately $49.8 million total construction cost.
Approved2026-0062
Amendment to St. Charles Parish Code Chapter 8 to Provide Permanent Change of Polling Place for Precinct 2-3
Ordinance to formalize permanent change of polling place for Precinct 2-3 as previously approved by resolution.
Approved2026-0066$660,000.00
Contract with Centric Gulf Coast Incorporated for Edward A. Dufresne Community Center Sand Volleyball Courts
Approval of contract for construction of sand volleyball courts at Edward A. Dufresne Community Center. Project includes four courts, fencing, and lighting. Bid selected excludes additional pavilion alternate.
Approved2026-0067
Resolution Adopting the St. Charles Fire Shield Plan (Stabilizing Habitats Through Infrastructure, Ecology, and Land Defense)
Adoption of comprehensive coastal restoration and defense plan developed by parish administration, council, Planning and Zoning Office, and public input. Document outlines priority projects for coastal restoration to present unified parish priorities to CPRA for inclusion in annual and master plans. Represents $137 million in planned coastal protection projects across fiscal years 2027-2029.
Approved2026-0080
Resolution Endorsing Waiver from Appendix C Subdivision Regulations Regarding Lot Size
Approval of waiver for lot line adjustment between lots 25A and 26 for ICG Investing LLC and Blake Lorio. Lot line shift corrects setback for existing structure; one resulting lot will be slightly below minimum width. Planning Commission approved with waiver; adjustment improves safety situation.
Denied2026-0081
Resolution in Support of Special Permit Use for Automobile Fleet Services (GM Elite Company)
Request for waiver from landscaping threshold requirement under C-3 zoning for automobile fleet services on Lot B-2, Almedia Plantation, 150 Almedia Plantation Road in St. Rose. Planning Commission approved subject to council resolution. Multiple residents testified opposition citing narrow residential road (20-foot asphalt on 40-foot right-of-way), existing flooding issues, inadequate drainage, safety concerns for children, and impacts from heavy truck traffic on one-lane-in/one-lane-out access.
Approved2026-0044
Accept Resignation of Ed Griffin from Planning and Zoning Commission
Acceptance of resignation of Ed Griffin from District 3 position on St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission.
Approved2026-0085
Accept Resignation of Huey Marcel from Communications District
Acceptance of resignation of Huey Marcel from St. Charles Parish Communications District representing Emergency Medical Services, Hospital Service District No. 1.
Watch Items
- GM Elite / Almedia Plantation traffic & drainage: The waiver failed, but Public Works and Planning staff confirmed a formal traffic impact analysis had not yet even been conducted; residents' concerns about a single-access road and chronic flooding remain unresolved regardless of this vote. A new, larger pump station for "Turtle Pond" is described as "in the works" with DOTD but has no confirmed timeline. [01:32:53–01:44:37]
- CPRA floodgate/tieback project (~$140–150M): No permit yet in hand; parish president expressed skepticism about claims of breaking ground in 2026. [00:53:54–00:54:22]
- Upper Barataria Basin diversion study: A rough
Appointments, Proclamations & Recognitions
Approved2026-0016
Resolution Appointing Member to River Parish Transit Authority
Appointment to fill vacancy on River Parish Transit Authority Council caused by resignation of Emile Broussard III. One member chosen from nominees submitted by River Region Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO. Term to begin immediately and expire January 9, 2028.
Moved by Ms. Fonseca (nominated Nick Nassar)
Approved2026-0045
Resolution Appointing Member to Planning and Zoning Commission District 3
Appointment of Stephen Dorand to St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission District 3 to fill vacancy caused by Ed Griffin's resignation. Term to begin immediately and expire May 31, 2029.
Moved by Chairman (District 3 representative nomination)
Published July 7, 2026 · Last updated July 9, 2026