The Parish Council gave final approval Monday night to a new ordinance regulating e-bikes, electric scooters, electric dirt bikes, motorized bicycles and motor-driven cycles on parish streets and property. The measure amends Chapter 15 of the parish code, adding definitions and new Sections 15-27 through 15-30. It was sponsored by council member Holly Fonseca at the request of the Sheriff's Office and passed after several amendments were made to the original draft.

Under the new sections, riders under 17 are restricted from operating Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycles and electric low-speed scooters without meeting age and equipment requirements spelled out in the ordinance. The rules set out who may ride what kind of device, where those devices may be operated, and what safety equipment is required. The ordinance passed on a vote of the council.

Public comment on the ordinance was mixed. One resident said the ordinance's fines were too low to change behavior, questioning whether habitual offenders actually pay penalties under current law and arguing the fine amount should be raised to $500 to be effective. The same resident argued separately that state law already covers most of what the ordinance addresses and questioned the need for new local rules if existing law is not being enforced. That resident also argued the number of amendments made to the draft that night was significant enough that the ordinance should have been reintroduced at a future meeting rather than passed the same night. The council proceeded to a vote and passed the ordinance despite those objections.

The council also approved two contracts involving parish infrastructure work. A professional services agreement with Digital Engineering and Imaging for asphalt maintenance was approved for $212,080. A resident questioned the contract's language on document reuse and who would bear responsibility for defective work, and separately asked about language covering contractor responsibility for subsurface conditions and potential change orders. The council approved the contract as presented.

A contract for discharge modifications at the Lakewood Pump Station was approved for $959,300. No public comment was recorded on that item.

The council approved a revocation of a servitude, or legal right-of-way, for the Cajun Paradise Levee System, and approved assessing delinquent weed, grass and structure removal charges directly onto property tax bills. A resident asked whether a correction to the tax year for those charges would improve the parish's ability to collect the delinquent fees; no further detail was given in response.

Three rezoning requests were approved without recorded opposition: a property at 16825 Highway 90 in Des Allemands, the former St. Gertrude Catholic Church campus, and a property on Gwen Lane. A representative for the property owners on the Highway 90 request appeared to answer council questions, and a representative for the applicant spoke in favor of rezoning the former church property to commercial use. The council also approved a special use permit waiver for automobile fleet services.

The council made three appointments during the meeting: to the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control for District 6, to the St. Charles Parish Communications District, and to the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control for District 2. Two newly appointed board members addressed the council briefly to thank members and describe their commitment to serving the parish.

The council also handled a round of recognitions and proclamations, including honoring the 8U All-Star Baseball State Champions, a proclamation of Constitution Week, recognition of Johnny Bourgeois, a proclamation of Alligator Weekend, and recognition of the Miss Alligator Festival Queen and Teen Alligator Festival Queen. A coaching staff representative thanked the council and the recreation department for the baseball recognition, and a Rotary Club representative spoke about the impact of the Alligator Festival and thanked the council for the proclamation. All of these items passed without objection.

Residents with questions about the e-bike ordinance's specific age, equipment or location requirements can review the full text of Sections 15-27 through 15-30 through the parish clerk's office.