MINUTES
POINTE COUPEE PARISH COUNCIL
December 10, 2024
The Pointe Coupee Parish Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Courthouse Annex in the Parish Council Meeting Room, New Roads, Louisiana.
Chairman Boudreaux extended condolences and sympathy to the family of Lillie Major Thibaut, who passed away. She was the grandmother of Parish President Major Thibaut.
Chairman Boudreaux called the meeting to order and directed Council Clerk Gerrie Martin to call the roll:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jimmie Gaspard, Sidney LaCoste, Edwin Soulier, Charles Watkins, Kurt Jarreau, Edward Bazile, Paul Bergeron and Dustin Boudreaux.
ABSENT: None.
APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 2024 MEETING
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. LaCoste:
RESOLVED, That the minutes of November 12, 2024 regular meeting of the Parish Council be adopted as presented and published in the official journal.
Unanimously carried.
CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
There were no amendments to the agenda.
PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Parish President Major Thibaut gave updates and reported on the following: presented a written financial report including sales tax, ad valorem tax, severance tax, utilities collections and permits fees; total revenues of $16,644,438, total expenditures of $20,367,253 and total excess of revenue of ($3,722,815) as of November 30, 2024; the retirement of Mrs. Yvonne Chenevert & Mr. Joe Zaback December 31, 2024; and advertisement for bids for the next phase of the courthouse project and opening bids in January.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
Persons signed up for public comments waived their comments until the agenda item is being discussed.
FIRE SERVICE UPDATE FOR THE PARISH
Fire Chiefs Aaron Edwards (Districts 1 & 2) and Pedro Leonard (District 5) appeared before the council to give updates on fire protection in the parish.
Chairman Boudreaux announced the fire chief(s) will appear at the council meetings quarterly to give updates on fire protection in the parish.
RECOMMENDATION(S) FROM PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION - DENIED REZONING REQUEST FOR LOT 14-A OF RIVER ROAD SUBDIVISION, 9030 MANDELA DRIVE, NEW ROADS, LA FOR MARVIN & DONNYSIUS KADOR
Ms. Marley Kador reported on the recommendation and denial from the Pointe Coupee Planning & Zoning Commission of the rezoning request for Lot 14-A of River Road Subdivision, 9030 Mandela Driver, New Roads, LA for Marvin & Donnysius Kador. Ms. Kador reported on the establishment of the therapeutic group home for young female occupants and the services and benefits that will be provided.
Dr. Monica Fabre, an educator and resident of 8864 Mandela Drive, New Roads, LA made comments about the rezoning request and oppose establishing the therapeutic group home in their residential area. She reported 82 residents of Mandela Drive signed a petition opposing the location of the group home in their subdivision.
Mrs. Yvette Baker, a resident of 8610 Mandela Drive, made comments that she does not approve of the therapeutic group home on Mandela. She confirmed owning a trucking business and only housing their trucks on Mandela, and that she does not manufacture sugar cane or sugar at their residence.
Mrs. Simone Thomas, a resident of 9125 Mandela Drive, made comments about their quiet neighborhood and opposes locating the group home in the subdivision.
Mrs. Sadie Houston, a resident of 8973 Mandela Drive, made comments objecting to the group home in the subdivision.
Mr. Lawrence Smith, a resident of 8485 Mandela Drive, made comments about the group home not being suitable for a residential area, and oppose the group home in the subdivision.
Mrs. Shylah Albert, a resident of 8984 Mandela Drive, made comments that the safety on Mandela is already an issue, feels everyone should work together and she supports the group home locating in the subdivision.
Mr. Anthony Hurst, P. O. Box 133, New Roads, LA, made comments about his history of working with children, and voiced concerns about the location of the group home. He confirmed that his home on Mandela is not a business, but is being renovated into a duplex to house his son and daughter. He opposed the location of the home, and asked the council to uphold the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation denying the rezoning request.
Chairman Boudreaux clarified that the rezoning is a recommendation that comes from the Planning & Zoning Commission, and thereafter, the council has the final vote.
Mrs. Donnysius Kador asked the council to reconsider federal laws and approve their rezoning request to establish the group home on Mandela. She reported denying the group home would violate federal laws. She noted the state requires group homes to locate in a residential area so the children can maintain a sense of normalcy and connection with the community.
Councilman Jarreau reported on the need for the council to follow their ordinance as it relates to rezoning.
Attorney Dannie Garrett reported the parish ordinances addresses congregate housing that requires no more than five unrelated persons living in a house. He briefly commented about the Fair Housing Act, American Disabilities Act, and Rehabilitation Act. He reported to justify the accommodations for the home, they need to establish the group home is reasonable, how it will impact the area, and necessary, whether you have to have more than that number of people in order to make it financially viable. He is of the opinion that the ordinance does not violate the ADA, because the ordinance does not refer to disability.
In response to Attorney Garrett, Mrs. Kador stated for the record that the house is currently set to occupy four girls, which was reported to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion by Mr. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Soulier:
RESOLVED, That the rezoning request for Lot 14-A of River Road Subdivision, 9030 Mandela Drive, New Roads, LA for a Therapeutic Group Home for Marvin & Donnysius Kador be denied as recommended by the Pointe Coupee Planning & Zoning Commission.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows:
YEAS: Messrs. Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron and Boudreaux.
NAYS: Messrs. Gaspard and LaCoste.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 6-2-0, the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING ON AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE V OF POINTE COUPEE PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES - AMENDING THE PARISH GOVERNMENT 2024 OPERATING BUDGET, ADOPTING 2025 OPERATING BUDGET AND 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION & CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend Article V of the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances, relative to amending the Pointe Coupee Parish Government 2024 Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures, adopting the 2025 Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures and adopting the 2025 Capital Budget, and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 6:24 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. Soulier:
RESOLVED, That a proposed ordinance to amend Article V of the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances, relative to amending the Pointe Coupee Parish Government 2024 Operating
Budget of Revenues and Expenditures, adopting the 2025 Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures and adopting the 2025 Capital Budget, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows:
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0, the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING ON AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND POINTE COUPEE PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES - AUTHORIZE PARISH PRESIDENT TO PURCHASE IMMOVABLE PROPERTY LOCATED AT MAIN & PENNSYLVANIA STREETS AT NEW ROADS, AND THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances, relative to authorize the Parish President to purchase immovable property located at Main & Pennsylvania Streets at New Roads, and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 6:25 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
In response to Councilman Bergeron, President Thibaut reported the appraisal cost for the property is $229,000, which will be used for additional parking for courthouse.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. LaCoste and seconded by Mr. Bazile:
RESOLVED, That a proposed ordinance to amend the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances, relative to authorize the Parish President to purchase immovable property located at Main & Pennsylvania Streets at New Roads, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows:
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0, the motion carried.
RECOMMENDATION(S) FROM PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION - APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A CEMETERY LOCATED AT 2308 LA HWY. 971, LETTSWORTH, LA FOR PREVAILING WORD CHRISTIAN CENTER
Motion by Mr. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Jarreau:
RESOLVED, That the special use permit for a cemetery located at 2308 LA Hwy. 971, Lettsworth, LA for Prevailing Word Christian Center be approved as recommended by the Pointe Coupee Planning & Zoning Commission.
Unanimously carried.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE(S):
A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO DECLARE PROPERTY SURPLUS AT INNIS AND AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER THEREOF TO COUNCIL ON AGING (PUBLIC HEARING 1/14/25)
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed ordinance to amend the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances to declare property surplus and authorize the transfer thereof to the Pointe Coupee Parish Council on Aging, and otherwise provide with respect thereto has been introduced before the Pointe Coupee Parish Council, and that a public hearing will be held relative thereto at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana, after which said ordinance may be considered for adoption. All interested persons are urged to attend.
A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE PC CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING REGULATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES ALONG FALSE RIVER (PUBLIC HEARING 1/14/25)
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed ordinance to amend Article III of Chapter 6 of the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances regarding regulations of construction of structures along False River, and otherwise provide with respect thereto has been introduced before the Pointe Coupee Parish Council, and that a public hearing will be held relative thereto at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana, after which said ordinance may be considered for adoption. All interested persons are urged to attend.
RESOLUTION(S):
RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZE BUTCH BROWNING TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT OUTLINES LONG-TERM GOALS FOR FIRE SERVICES
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. Gaspard:
WHEREAS, a comprehensive strategic plan will address issues such as infrastructure needs, personnel, efficiencies, technological advancements, service expansion and community engagement; and
WHEREAS, the study should provide a clear roadmap for both immediate actions and future growth, ensuring that fire services can adapt to the evolving needs of the parish: Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Mr. Butch Browning be authorized to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines long-term goals for fire services in the parish; and be it
RESOLVED further, That said plan should be submitted to the Pointe Coupee Parish President, Pointe Coupee Parish Council and Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners by June 1, 2025.
Unanimously carried.
DISCUSSION & CONSIDERATION OF APPLYING FOR WATER SECTOR FUNDING WITH THE INTENTION TO CONSOLIDATE PC PARISH WATERWORKS DISTRICTS NO. 1 & 2
President Thibaut gave a summary of available funding and applying for another round of the Office of Community Development - Water Sector Program Phase III with the intention to consolidate a portion of Pointe Coupee Parish Waterworks District No. 2 with Pointe Coupee Parish Waterworks Districts No. 1. He ask the council to support this endeavor.
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. Soulier:
RESOLVED, That the Pointe Coupee Parish Council supports Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish submittal of an application with the Office of Community Development - Water Sector Program Phase III with the intention to consolidate Torbert-Frisco Public Water System of Pointe Coupee Parish Waterworks District No. 2.
Unanimously carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, NOTICES, MEETINGS, ETC.
There were no announcements, notices, meetings, etc.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. LaCoste, the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Gerrie P. Martin Dustin Boudreaux
Council Clerk Chairman