Special Meeting Of the
Assumption Parish Police Jury
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
5:30 O’clock p.m.
1. The Special Meeting of the Assumption Parish Police Jury was called to order by Police Jury President Leroy Blanchard in the Assumption Parish Police Jury Chamber located at 4813 Highway 1, Napoleonville, Louisiana.
2. Police Jurors recorded as present were: Mr. Ron Alcorn, Ward 1; Mr. Ira Patureau, Ward 3; Mr. Charles Breaux, Ward 4; Mr. Michael Dias, Ward 5; Mr. Chris Carter, Ward 6; Mr. Leroy Blanchard, Ward 7; Mr. Jamie Ponville, Ward 8; Myron Matherne, Ward 9.
Police Juror recorded as absent was: Mr. Jeff Naquin, Ward 2
3. President Leroy Blanchard led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. President Leroy Blanchard requested comments, questions, or concerns regarding any item on the agenda. Following three (3) calls, there were no comments received.
5. President Leroy Blanchard recognized Ms. Ebony Bailey and Mr. Pat Gordon to discuss the Water Sector funds. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that the rate specialist and herself did develop an alternative possibility for the jury to consider for the Water Sector Grant so it can move forward. She stated that the Water Sector Commission did approve for us to come up with an alternative plan to present before them recognizing that the goal of the grant is to be equitable to our citizens while also trying to achieve the initiatives of the state which is to move the safe water drinking and safe sewer forward. She stated that this is a three (3) year plan that she would like for the jury to consider. She stated that one (1) issue they discussed with the rate specialist was that the state requiring us to go to the $55 per month rate does not include adding the one hundred (100) plus customers in 2026. She stated that right now the current system is serving three hundred sixty-five (365) customers as of 2024 and we did agree to a thirty-eight (38) percent rate increase in 2025 to $33 per month which will be generating $158,796 annually. She stated that the rate study specialist expects a ten (10) percent increase of paying customers in 2025 due to meter management improvements and once the Ewell-Virginia system is added that will likely add an additional one hundred (100) new customers in 2026. She stated that rates should get the system to a 1.15 sustainability factor this year without a transfer from the General Fund and that they are trying to establish a dedicated sewer fund to eliminate reliance on general fund transfers. She stated that currently under a three (3) year plan to get where OCD wants the Parish to get, we can do either a thirty-eight (38) percent increase in the first year like they already agreed to do and after the two (2) subsequent years a twelve (12) percent increase would be needed in 2026 and 2027. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that in 2025 they have projected to have about four hundred and one (401), at a rate amount of $33, revenue generated would be $158,796, revenue needed/cost of service would be $267,512 and general fund transfer would be 108,716. She stated in 2026 with twelve (12) percent increase they have projected to have about five hundred and one (501) customers, at a rate amount of $36.96, revenue granted would be $222,204, revenue needed/cost of service would be $243,339 and general fund transfer would be $21,163. She also stated that 2027 they have projected to have five hundred and one (501) customers, at a rate amount of $41.40, revenue generated would be $248,868, revenue needed/cost of service would be $249,958, and general fund transfer would be $1,090. She stated that with this option there will have to be a three (3) percent increase annually thereafter. She stated that the other option would be to increase the rate by fifteen (15) percent and for 2025 they have projected to have four hundred and one (401) customers, at a rate amount of $33, revenue granted would be $158,796, revenue needed/cost of service would be $267,512, and general fund transfer would be $108,716. She stated in 2026 they have projected to have five hundred and one (501) customers, at a rate amount of $37.95, revenue granted would be $228,155, revenue needed/cost of service would be $243,339, and general fund transfer would be $15,184. She stated that in 2027 they have projected to have five hundred and one (501) customers, at a rate amount of $43.64, revenue granted would be $262,379, revenue needed/cost of service would be $249,958, and general fund transfer would be $0. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that with this option we would not have an increase in 2028 to 2029 but every year after will have a two (2) percent increase. The Secretary-Treasurer stated that she has concerns regarding the adding of the thirty-six (36) households from the meter management because she stated that she does not see that happening. Police Juror Chris Carter stated that he thinks we have way more than that connected but that are not paying. He stated that we need to look at the state law says to see if it says even if you are in a sewer district you should still be connected and paying. The Secretary-Treasurer stated that from her understanding it was a federal law that all houses were to be connected. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that we have until the Water Commission meeting next week to give them a decision on what route the jury decides. She stated that they have until the 30th to determine whether or not they will fund us. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that they can help the jury out by creating some kind of flyer for residents to get stating what will happen in the next few years with the increases. The Secretary-Treasurer stated that we have two (2) issues; we need to either select one of these options if the jury agrees to move forward and we need to connect all houses in the districts to start billing them. Ms. Ebony Bailey stated that the next step if this was approved, we are looking to get letters of support from State Delegation to get them onboard as well.
6. Police Juror Myron Matherne offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Chris Carter, “THAT, the jury approve to present the twelve (12) percent increase option for three (3) years to the Water Sector Commission for acceptance with the target to get zero (0) transfer in year three (3).” This motion was unanimously adopted.
7. Ms. Ebony Bailey asked if the Water Sector Commission says that a twelve (12) percent increase is not enough, would the jury consider doing the fifteen (15) percent increase option. Police Juror Chris Carter said he is not willing to do the fifteen (15) percent.
8. Police Juror Jamie Ponville offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Chris Carter, “THAT, the jury approve to send a letter requesting all as-built systems for all parish sewer treatment systems.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
9. President Leroy Blanchard requested to discuss the LGAP Proposed Application. Mr. Pat Gordon stated that after speaking with the Parish Manager it seems like he would be interested in applying for the two (2) three-quarter ton pickup trucks to meet the $100,000 cap. He also stated that the Parish Manager will then take a look at what he would like to purchase with the remaining funds after we find out what the Parish of Napoleonville submits. He stated that the Police Jury could end up with $275,000 or the whole $300,000. President Leroy Blanchard asked Mr. Pat Gordon if he can let us know what types of purchases you can normally make with LGAP. Mr. Pat Gordon stated that it was very broad, you can do maintenance work, renovations, and purchase equipment. The Secretary-Treasurer stated that the reason we normally buy equipment with LGAP is because its quick and LGAP normally restricts your applications if you have too many pending. She stated that equipment is easy to close out.
10. Police Juror Jeff Naquin offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Myron Matherne, “THAT, the jury approve the purchase of two (2) three quarter ton pickup trucks with LGAP funding.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
11. President Leroy Blanchard requested a presentation from BTNEP on Bayou Lafourche Sewer Assistance to Low/Moderate income families. Mr. Pat Gordon stated that this $200,000 was geared towards low to moderate income families who needed to change their sewer systems out. He stated that this will be $4,000 to change the system with one hundred (100) percent funded. He stated that they must own the property and the land.
12. President Leroy Blanchard requested to discuss the LCDBG Funding Cycle and possible next “Letter of Intent”. Mr. Pat Gordon stated that the LCDBG Program the infrastructure will start again next year for the two (2) year 2026 and 2027 cycle. He stated that Public Facilities, make a Difference, Economic Development and LCDBG Clearance will all be available programs next year.
13. President Leroy Blanchard requested approval of lowest quote for the load rating of the Bridge St. Bridge. He stated that Principal Engineering is a total cost of $10,070 and CJ Savoie was a total cost of $22,500.
14. Police Juror Ron Alcorn offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Michael Dias, “THAT, the jury approve the lowest quote for the load rating of the Bridge St. Bridge from Principal Engineering at a total cost of $10,070 to come out of Road Fund.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
15. President Leroy Blanchard requested approval to hire an APCC Maintenance Worker at Grade 4 Step 13. The Parish Manager stated that he does recommend this.
16. Police Juror Jeff Naquin offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Myron Matherne, “THAT, the jury approve to hire an APCC Maintenance Worker at a Grade 4 Step 13.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
17. President Leroy Blanchard requested approval to amend the ordinance 24-21 to levy grass cutting charges totaling $1,294.86.
18. Police Juror Ron Alcorn offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Jamie Ponville, “THAT, the jury approve to amend the ordinance 24-21 to levy grass cutting charges totaling $1,294.86.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
19. President Leroy Blanchard requested approval for the President to sign the LIHEAP Contract in the amount of $198,059.00.
20. Policer Juror Chris Carter offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Jeff Naquin, “THAT, the jury approve for the President to sign the LIHEAP Contract in the amount of $198,059.00.” This motion was unanimously adopted.
21. Police Juror Myron Matherne offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Charles Breaux, “THAT, there being no further business to come before the Assumption Parish Police Jury, the meeting be adjourned.” The motion was unanimously adopted.
Kim M. Torres Leroy Blanchard Secretary-Treasurer President
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On a motion by Mr. Myron Matherne, seconded by Mr. Chris Carter, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Assumption Parish Police Jury does hereby approve Option 1 – 12% plan as presented by South Central Planning Development Commission relative to the proposal to be submitted to the Office of Community Development in order to secure the funding with the Water Sector Grant and allow moving forward with the project.
Upon being placed to a vote, the above resolution was adopted as follows:
Yeas: 9
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
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On a motion by Mr. Jeff Naquin, seconded by Mr. Myron Matherne, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Assumption Parish Police Jury does hereby approve and authorize South Central Planning Development Commission to submit an application for the following within the upcoming LGAP Funding Cycle:
• (2) ¾ ton trucks on State Bid Contract
Upon being placed to a vote, the above resolution was adopted as follows:
Yeas: 9
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
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On a motion by Mr. Ron Alcorn, seconded by Mr. Michael Dias, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Assumption Parish Police Jury does hereby approve and accept Principal Engineering, Inc. for engineering services for the Bridge St. Special Inspection and Rating at a cost of $10,070 to be funded through the Road Fund.
Upon being placed to a vote, the above resolution was adopted as follows:
Yeas: 9
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
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n a motion by Mr. Jeff Naquin, seconded by Mr. Myron Matherne, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Assumption Parish Police Jury does hereby approve and authorize the hiring of Damion Daggs, APCC Maintenance Worker, Grade 4 Step 13 at $15.00/hr.
Upon being placed to a vote, the above resolution was adopted as follows:
Yeas: 9
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
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n a motion by Mr. Chris Carter, seconded by Mr. Jeff Naquin, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Assumption Parish Police Jury does hereby approve and authorize its President, Leroy Blanchard to sign the LIHEAP FY 2025 contract in the amount of $198,059.00.
Upon being placed to a vote, the above resolution was adopted as follows:
Yeas: 9
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
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