Parish Council · Monday, April 20, 2026
Parish Council
St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
This was a regular St. Charles Parish Council meeting on April 20, 2026, consisting mostly of proclamations honoring community members and organizations, routine contract renewals, and infrastructure/drainage business. The most consequential actions were council approval of a resolution calling a November 3, 2026 special election on two property-tax renewals (recreation and Council on Aging), and approval of a drainage servitude (easement) donation from the Vial family that officials said will meaningfully improve flooding in the Fashion neighborhood near the railroad tracks. Council Member Ms. Skiba was absent for the entire meeting and every vote.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2026-0148
Resolution ordering special elections for recreation millage renewal and council on aging millage consolidation
Calls for two special elections on November 3rd, 2026: one to renew a recreation millage at 2.68 mills, and one to combine and renew council on aging millages at 1.25 mills (reduced from current 1.48 mills levied).
Approved2026-0124
Ordinance approving cooperative endeavor agreement with Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for office space
Renews existing cooperative endeavor agreement allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate a satellite office in the St. Charles Parish Courthouse where veterans can access benefits and advice.
Approved2026-0129
Ordinance approving cooperative agreement with LSU AgCenter for extension service support
Renews ongoing cooperative agreement with LSU AgCenter for continued operation of the St. Charles Parish Cooperative Extension Service through November 1, 2030, providing agricultural information and support to farmers and community members.
Approved2026-0128
Ordinance approving donation of 30-foot drainage servitude and revocation of 15-foot servitude
Accepts a 30-foot drainage servitude donation from Stephen O. Vial and Leon C. Vial III to improve drainage in the Fashion subdivision by connecting to the Vial Canal outfall, while revoking a previously granted 15-foot servitude from April 22, 2013.
Approved2026-0130$3,620,000.00
Ordinance approving intergovernmental agreement with CPRA for Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion project operation
Renews five-year intergovernmental agreement with Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) for the parish to continue operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion project, with 100% of costs covered and reimbursed by CPRA using WERDA and GOMESA funds.
Approved2026-0132$137,335.00
Ordinance approving professional services agreement for Willowdale Boulevard overlay and widening design
Authorizes contract with Digital Engineering and Imaging Incorporated to perform engineering design services for the Willowdale Boulevard overlay and widening project, expanding the road from 21 feet (10.5-foot lanes) to 27 feet (12-foot lanes with 1.5-foot shoulders).
Approved2026-0147
Resolution approving pre-application to Statewide Flood Control Program for St. Rose flood damage reduction project
Authorizes submission of pre-application to the Statewide Flood Control Program for flood damage reduction assistance in St. Rose, expanded to allow applications for both Fairfield/Oakland pump station improvements and Oak Street watershed conveyance improvements.
Moved by FonsecaSeconded by Fisher
Watch Items
- FAA review of the airport's Master Plan, draft submitted, approval still pending [00:38:41–00:38:58].
- New Citizens Request Management (CRM) system, documentation finished; parish is now choosing a vendor and hopes to launch this year [00:42:56–00:46:02].
- ADA web/document accessibility compliance, described as an "unfunded mandate," with a compliance deadline extension recently granted; work is ongoing with the Public Information Office [00:47:53–00:48:55].
- Zoning case 2026-0104 (Wolford rezoning request) remains tabled indefinitely; applicant has not responded to outreach and was not present [01:17:24–01:19:01].
- Future "jack and bore" drainage upgrades under the railroad tracks in the Fashion neighborhood, engineering/design not yet started, contingent on new servitude and state watershed modeling data [01:08:56–01:09:29].
- Coastal use permit for a low spot on the west Davis Pond guide levee, Jewell said there is "apparently" a permit to fix the section but was uncertain of details: "so um so there is i think a permit out to to fix that portion of levy... i'm not sure if that's exactly it but apparently that's going to be handled by the cpra whatever it is" [01:14:08–01:14:13].
- Statewide Flood Control Program pre-applications (Fairfield/Oakland pump station and St. Rose conveyance improvements), due May 1, 2026; outcome of state funding decision pending [01:19:52–01:24:16].
- Planning & Zoning Commission appointments for District 1 (replacing Marilyn K. Ross) and District 7 (replacing Richard J. Fulce, Jr.), nominations to be taken up at the May 4, 2026 meeting [01:25:51–01:26:39].
- Election dates: Parish Primary Election is May 16, 2026; voter registration deadline April 25, 2026; early voting May 2–3 and May 4–9, 2026 [01:27:24–01:28:29].
Appointments, Proclamations & Recognitions
Approved2026-0086
Resolution confirming appointment to St. Charles Parish Communications District representing Emergency Medical Services
Confirms appointment of Mr. Kevin Gauthier to the St. Charles Parish Communications District representing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Huey Marcel, unexpired term through August 19, 2026.
Published July 7, 2026 · Last updated July 9, 2026