LEGAL NOTICE

OFFICIAL

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY, STATE OF LOUISIANA

AUGUST 14, 2024

FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA

The St. Mary Parish Council met on this date in Regular Session with Chairperson Gwendolyn L. Hidalgo presiding and the following members present: Rev. Craig Mathews, J Ina, Rodney Olander, David W. Hill, Leslie “Les” Rulf, Jr. Patrick Hebert, James “Jimmy” Davis, Jr., Mark Duhon, and Kristi Prejeant Rink, M.D. Absent was Dean Adams.

The Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Mathews and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Duhon.

Mr. Olander moved that the reading of the Second Regular Meeting, July 24, 2024 and Special Session, August 7, 2024 be dispensed with and that the same be approved. Mr. Davis seconded the motion, which carried.

Mrs. Hidalgo moved up Item 13A, “Resolution of respect in memory of Mr. Jody Gerard Vaccarella.”

Mr. Duhon moved that the following Resolution be adopted. The Council seconded the motion, which carried by the following 9-0-0-2 Roll Call vote:

YEAS: Mathews, Ina, Olander, Hill, Rulf, Hebert, Davis, Duhon, and Hidalgo

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: None

ABSENT: Adams and Rink

RESOLUTION OF RESPECT

WHEREAS, the Lord Almighty in His Infinite mercy and goodness has seen fit to remove from our midst Jody Gerard Vaccarella, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vaccarella was a man of boundless generosity, unwavering dedication, and an enormous heart, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vaccarella was a hard worker and devoted provider who exemplified what it meant to be an amazing father, husband, and grandfather, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vaccarella was known as a generous man, proud Coach of Little League Baseball, and was a testament to the power of family, friendship, and fun, and

WHEREAS, the members of the St. Mary Parish Council wish to ac- knowledge publicly your sorrow and sympathy to the family of Jody Vaccarella, and

WHEREAS, the St. Mary Parish Council hopes that his family will find comfort in the thought that your grief and sorrow are shared by their friends.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE- SOLVED, by the St. Mary Parish Council through the unanimous adoption of this resolution that they solemnly deliberate with sincere condolences, sympathy, and understanding during this time of grief.

ADOPTED AND APPROV-ED by the St. Mary Parish Council in regular session convened on this the 14th day of August 2024.

APPROVED:

S/G

GWENDOLYN L. HIDALGO

GWENDOLYN L. HIDALGO,

CHAIRPERSON

ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL

ATTEST:

S/G LISA C. MORGAN

LISA C.

MORGAN,

CLERK

ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL

Efrem Randle appeared before the Council to give a presentation for the EBP (Efrem’s Benefit Party) Community Boxing Sport. He asked for community support and a Resolution of Support from the Council.

In response to several Council Members’ inquiries, Mr. Randle stated that community clubs will be located in Franklin, Patterson, Morgan City, and West St. Mary Civic Center that will cater to children from ages 8-18 and will in- corporate the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education) Education Program.

Rev. Mathews moved to expand the agenda to adopt a Resolution of Support for EBP Community Boxing. Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which carried.

Rev. Mathews moved that the following Resolution be adopted. Mr. Ina seconded the motion, which carried by the following 9-0-0-2 Roll Call vote:

YEAS: Ina, Olander, Hill, Rulf, Hebert, Davis, Duhon, Hidalgo, and Mathews

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: None

ABSENT: Adams and Rink

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLV-ED, by the St. Mary Parish Council, State of Louisiana, in regular session convened on this 14th day of August 2024:

WHEREAS, that the St. Mary Parish Council does hereby support the creation of the EBP Community Boxing Initiative, and

WHEREAS, that the St. Mary Parish Council does hereby commend and support the efforts of Mr. Efrem Randle on his dedication and success of creating the EBP Community Boxing Initiative for the empowerment of children and young adults throughout St. Mary Parish, aimed at reducing violence by promoting self-discipline, anger management, conflict resolution, and physical fitness, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Mary Parish Council does hereby support the creation of the EBP Community Boxing Initiative and Mr. Randles positive engagement of the youths of St. Mary Parish.

ADOPTED AND APPROV-ED by the St. Mary Parish Council in regular session convened on this the 14th day of August 2024.

APPROVED:

S/G

GWENDOLYN L. HIDALGO

GWENDOLYN L. HIDALGO,

CHAIRPERSON

ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL

ATTEST:

S/G LISA C. MORGAN

LISA C.

MORGAN,

CLERK

ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL

Parish President, Sam Jones congratulated Vernon Norwood, Morgan City resident, for winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the Men’s 4x400 meter relay final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

President Jones informed that the oldest living person in the United States, Elizabeth Francis, was born in St. Mary Parish and just celebrated her 115th birthday.

Mr. Hebert in- formed that his wife’s grandmother, Lorena Gaudet Aucoin, celebrated her 103rd birthday on August 13, 2024 and was born in Amelia, Louisiana.

Chief Administrative Officer, Paul J. Governale submitted his re- port for a three (3) week period ending August 14, 2024.

Item 3 of Mr. Governale’s report stated, “Capital Outlay Applications – FY 2024-2025 Mr. Jim Fir-min with Community Design Group is preparing Capital Outlay applications for the up- coming state fiscal year. The deadline to submit project ideas for applications is September 3, 2024. Any potential project applications that are submitted after that deadline will be included in the FY 2025-2026 applications that will be submitted next fall.”

In response to Mr. Ina’s inquiry relative to the em- ployee leave process, Mr. Governale stated that the process is the same for every employee. He stated that if the employee knows they will be absent, they submit a re- quest for leave form to their supervisor for approval or disapproval. He stated that if an emergency happens and the employee cannot give advance notice and submit their leave request form, they will need to notify their supervisor and their leave request form will be submitted after. He also explained that if an employee forgets to clock in or out, they need to contact their supervisor, who will approve and write their time in for them. He informed that if the issue occurs several times, the employee will get a warning. He also explained that if an employee says they were at work but was not seen at work, some areas have cameras to review.

Per Mr. Duhon’s inquiry relative to the overweight loads contract re- newal with the State relative to using Duhon Boulevard as the alternate route and obtaining a grant to repair Duhon Boulevard, Mr. Governale stated that he will re- search this information.

In response to Rev. Mathews’ in- quiry relative to procedure of certain approval(s) for a director’s leave request, Mr. Governale stated that he, the CAO, approves or disapproves all directors’ leave request.

Mr. Hebert mov-ed that the reading of the Public Hearing Report – July 24, 2024 be dispensed with and that the same be approved. Mr. Rulf seconded the motion, which carried.

Lisa Morgan in- formed that Item 13B “Resolution approving and authorizing Parish President to execute a contract with the lowest bidder relative to the Runway and Taxiway Overlay and Striping at Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport,” was withdrawn.

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Referred from the July 24, 2024, Regular Council Meeting - Discussion and action pursuant to Ordinance No. 2152 which provides that any member of any Board of Commissioners appointed by the Parish who shall miss three (3) meetings in any twelve (12) month period of time without good cause stated to the Parish Council shall be terminated from the Board of Commissioners. The intent of the ordinance is to have people serving on these boards that have the time and willingness to attend meetings so as to ensure that a quorum would be met to conduct business that may come before the board. On June 21, 2024, a letter was sent to Mr. Herbert Bell and Mr. Wendell C. Bogan informing them that a commissioner who misses three meetings within a twelve-month period without good cause shall be terminated. They were both asked if they wanted to continue to serve and I have not heard back from either board member.

Per Rev. Mathews’ inquiry, Lisa Morgan stated that the majority of the time, the Chairperson or Director of the board will report the absences.

Mrs. Hidalgo in- formed that Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink is now in attendance.

Several Council Members discussed the verbiage and amending of Ordinance No. 2152, attendance record keeping, and past procedure (s) to remove a member(s) from a board.

Dr. Rink inform-ed that Herbert Bell did attend the July 2024 meeting.

Mr. Rulf also informed that due to lack of a quorum, this board only meets quarterly and that meeting notices are sent last minute.

After discussion, Mr. Hebert moved that Herbert Bell and Wendell C. Bogan be removed from the Kemper Williams Park Advisory Committee. Mr. Rulf seconded the motion.

After lengthy discussion, Mr. Hebert called for the question. Mr. Rulf seconded the motion, which carried by the following 9-1-0-1 Roll Call Vote:

YEAS: Olander, Hill, Rulf, Hebert, Davis, Duhon, Rink, Hidalgo, and Mathews

NAYS: Ina

ABSTAIN: None

ABSENT: Adams

Mr. Hebert amended the motion to remove Wendell C. Bogan from the Kemper Williams Park Advisory Committee. Mr. Rulf seconded the motion.

Mr. Ina telephoned Mr. Bogan who informed him that he would like to be removed from the Kemper Williams Park Advisory Committee.

After discussion, Mr. Hebert moved that Wendell C. Bogan be removed from the Kemper Williams Park Advisory Committee. Mr. Rulf seconded the motion, which carried.

B. Referred from the June 6, 2024, Regular Meeting – Appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

St. Mary Parish Tourist Commission - District 7, 8, and bordering 9 (1 Vacancy)

Patsy W. Powell (District 7, 8, and bordering 9) - Present Member

Mr. Davis moved that Patsy W. Powell be reappointed to the St. Mary Parish Tourist Commission. Mr. Duhon seconded the motion, which carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. We received the following financial statements:

St. Mary Parish Sales & Use Tax Department – year ended December 31, 2023

St. Mary Parish Water & Sewer Commission No. 2 and Report on Internal Control – years ended September 30, 2023, and 2022

B. Appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

Recreation District No. 4 (Patterson) – 1 Vacancy

LaGenia Darnell Bradford – Present Member

Mr. Rulf moved that LaGenia Darnell Bradford be reappointed to Recreation District No. 4. Dr. Rink seconded the motion, which carried.

Dr. Rink in- formed that the next Public Forum/Town Hall Meeting is scheduled to be held on August 27, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bayou Vista Civic Center.

There being no further business, Mr. Olander moved for adjournment. Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which carried.

S/G

GWENDOLYN L. HIDALGO

Gwendolyn L. Hidalgo,

Chairperson

S/G LISA C.

MORGAN

Lisa C. Morgan,

Clerk

Adv. Sept. 4, 2024