TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
RACELAND, LOUISIANA
STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH LAFOURCHE
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LAFOURCHE PARISH COUNCIL, PARISH OF LAFOURCHE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, WAS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M., HELD AT THE MATHEWS GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, 4876 HIGHWAY 1, RACELAND, LOUISIANA AND LIVE-STREAMED ON LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENTS YOUTUBE LIVE CHANNEL.
The Lafourche Parish Council was duly convened as the Governing Authority of said Parish by Mr. Armand Noonie Autin, Chairman, who then stated that the Lafourche Parish Council was ready for the transaction of business at 5:00 p.m.
Proceedings of the meeting were called to order with the following:
PRESENT: Mr. DeJae Broomfield, Mr. William T-Boo Adams, Mr. Mark Perque. Vice-Chair, Mr. Aaron Bo Melvin, Mr. Terry Arabie, Mr. Armand Noonie Autin, Chairman, Mrs. DLynn Chiasson, Mr. Daniel Lorraine
ABSENT: Mr. Terry Pierce (entered Chambers at 1703 hours), Mr. Archie Chaisson, III, Parish President (entered Chambers at 1703 hours)
Chairman Autin announced that the invocation would be led by Mr. Daniel Lorraine. The Council then recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Terry Arabie.
STATE AND/OR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
The first item on the agenda was State and/or Federal Legislative Updates.
There was no one present to make a presentation at this time.
LAFOURCHE PARISH OUTSTANDING CITIZEN
The next item on the agenda was the Lafourche Parish Outstanding Citizen.
There were no recommendations at this time.
PROCLAMATION
The next item (1) on the agenda was a proclamation honoring Mrs. Marybeth Autin Rotolo on her retirement after serving 40 years with Lafourche Parish Fire District 3.
Mrs. DLynn Chiasson read the proclamation honoring Mrs. Marybeth Autin Rotolo on her retirement after serving 40 years with Lafourche Parish Fire District 3.
PRESENTATIONS AND/OR UPDATES
The next item was presentations and/or updates.
Parish President, Archie Chaisson, presented the Prevention Partnerships Calendar Contest Winners for Lafourche Parish.
See Exhibit A.
ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECT REPORTS
The next item on the agenda was a presentation of planned, presently on going, recently completed or other projects by appropriate engineering firms engaged by the Parish.
Chairman Autin asked if there were any Engineers/Architects present to give a report and there was no one present to make a presentation at this time.
PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL (PUBLIC HEARINGS, AGENDA ITEMS, ETC.)
The next item on the agenda was Public Wishing to Address the Council (Public Hearings, Agenda Items, Etc.).
No one requested to address the Council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The next item (2) on the agenda was a motion to accept the minutes of the May 27, 2025 Regular Session meeting.
A motion was offered by Mr. Arabie, seconded by Mrs. Chiasson, and carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCES FOR RATIFICATION
A motion was offered by Mr. Arabie, seconded by Mr. Melvin, to open the Public Hearing, and carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
The next item (3) on the agenda was an ordinance providing for a 2025 Supplemental Appropriation (25-004) within the 2025 Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Outlay Budget to de-obligate funding for the Rehab Bridge Project and transfer funds from Construction Fund-2021 Bond RSTD 2 to the Cote Blanche Bridge; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said transactions as provided for by Article VI of the Lafourche Parish Home Rule Charter.
A motion was offered by Mrs. Chiasson, seconded by Mr. Pierce. Chairman Autin asked three times if anyone from the public wanted to speak on the proposed ordinance. With there being no one from the public wishing to speak, and with their being a brief discussion about the scope of work, the start of the project coinciding with the start of school, and the balance of the Road Sales Tax District 2 Fund, Chairman Autin called for a vote, which carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
ORD. NO. 7048 PROVIDING FOR A 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (25-004) WITHIN THE 2025 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET TO DE-OBLIGATE FUNDING FOR THE REHAB BRIDGE PROJECT AND TRANSFER FUNDS FROM CONSTRUCTION FUND-2021 BOND RSTD 2 TO THE COTE BLANCHE BRIDGE
The next item (4) on the agenda was an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7015 that adopted the 2025 Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Budget for the Lafourche Parish Council as well as setting the salaries of unclassified employees as provided for by Article V of the Lafourche Parish Home Rule Charter.
A motion was offered by Mrs. Chiasson, seconded by Mr. Lorraine. Chairman Autin asked three times if anyone from the public wanted to speak on the proposed ordinance. With there being no one from the public wishing to speak, and with no discussion from the Council, Chairman Autin called for a vote, which carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
ORD. NO. 7049 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 7015 THAT ADOPTED THE 2025 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE LAFOURCHE PARISH COUNCIL AS WELL AS SETTING THE SALARIES OF UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES AS PROVIDED FOR BY ARTICLE V OF THE LAFOURCHE PARISH HOME RULE CHARTER
A motion was offered by Mr. Perque, seconded by Mr. Melvin, to close the public hearing, and carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
PROPOSED ORDINANCES
Chairman Autin relinquished the meeting to Vice-Chair Perque.
The next item (5) on the agenda was a proposed ordinance providing for a 2025 Supplemental Appropriation (25-005) within the 2025 Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Outlay Budget to de-obligate funding for HMGP Parish Wide Pump and carryover budget for CDBG Projects; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said transactions as provided for by Article VI of the Lafourche Parish Home Rule Charter.
A motion was offered by Mr. Autin to introduce the above stated proposed ordinance.
The next item (6) on the agenda was a proposed ordinance approving the de-dedication of a drainage servitude agreement between Phillip J. Killian and Sandra B. Killian and the Parish of Lafourche; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Lorraine to introduce the above stated proposed ordinance.
The next item (7) on the agenda was a proposed ordinance approving the de-dedication of a drainage servitude agreement between Joyce Savoie and the Parish of Lafourche; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mrs. Chiasson to introduce the above stated proposed ordinance.
The next item (8) on the agenda was a proposed ordinance approving Amendment No. 2 to the lease agreement with JBon Properties, LLC to serve clients affected by the opioid epidemic; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said amendment and any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Autin to introduce the above stated proposed ordinance.
The next item (9) on the agenda was a proposed ordinance accepting the Magnolia Street Extension (75 feet) constructed during the Acadia Park Lot Extension, intersecting Cypress Street in the subdivision formerly known as Wilmer Matherne et al into the Parish system.
A motion was offered by Mr. Arabie to introduce the above stated proposed ordinance.
Vice-Chair Perque returned the meeting to Chairman Autin.
RESOLUTIONS
The next item (10) on the agenda was a resolution requesting the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) to remove the caution light and install a full traffic signal light at the intersection of Ridgefield Road and Talbot Avenue due to the numerous accidents which continue to occur at this intersection, Thibodaux, LA, Ward (1), District (1), Parish of Lafourche, State of Louisiana.
A motion was offered by Mr. Broomfield, seconded by Mr. Adams, and with a brief discussion the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-136 REQUESTING THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT (LADOTD) TO REMOVE THE CAUTION LIGHT AND INSTALL A FULL TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF RIDGEFIELD ROAD AND TALBOT AVENUE DUE TO THE NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS WHICH CONTINUE TO OCCUR AT THIS INTERSECTION
The next item (11) on the agenda was a resolution approving the hiring of an attorney and/or their law firm when necessary for the Year 2025 to perform any and all legal defense services for Lafourche Parish Government and to provide compensation in accordance with the Louisiana Attorney Generals Fee Schedule; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Perque, seconded by Mr. Adams, and with no discussion the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-137 APPROVING THE HIRING OF AN ATTORNEY AND/OR THEIR LAW FIRM WHEN NECESSARY FOR THE YEAR 2025 TO PERFORM ANY AND ALL LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICES FOR LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT AND TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERALS FEE SCHEDULE
The next item (12) on the agenda was a resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between Lafourche Parish Government and All South Consulting Engineers, LLC for the project titled Bayou Vista Drainage Project; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said amendment and any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Melvin, seconded by Mr. Arabie, and with no discussion the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-138 APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT AND ALL SOUTH CONSULTING ENGINEERS, LLC FOR THE PROJECT TITLED BAYOU VISTA DRAINAGE PROJECT
The next item (13) on the agenda was a resolution approving Change Order No. 2 for the project titled Lockport Community Center Ballpark increasing the contract price by $64,420.62 and adding 90 additional days; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said change order and any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Perque, seconded by Mr. Adams, and with a brief discussion regarding the money that was de-obligated for this project and then having to keep adding more money to the project, the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-139 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR THE PROJECT TITLED LOCKPORT COMMUNITY CENTER BALLPARK INCREASING THE CONTRACT PRICE BY $64,420.62 AND ADDING 90 ADDITIONAL DAYS
The next item (14) on the agenda was a resolution approving Change Order No. 2 for the project titled Hurricane Ida Repairs Ferd Block Building (Phase 2 Buildback) increasing the contract price by $42,031.68 and adding 14 additional days; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said change order and any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Perque, seconded by Mr. Adams, and with no discussion the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-140 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR THE PROJECT TITLED HURRICANE IDA REPAIRS FERD BLOCK BUILDING (PHASE 2 BUILDBACK) INCREASING THE CONTRACT PRICE BY $42,031.68 AND ADDING 14 ADDITIONAL DAYS
The next item (15) on the agenda was a resolution approving Change Order No. 1 for the project titled Lafourche Parish Government Center Trailhead decreasing the contract price by $9,120.00; and authorizing the Parish President to sign, execute and administer said change order and any and all relevant documents.
A motion was offered by Mr. Arabie, seconded by Mr. Pierce, and with a brief discussion that a majority of the funding for this project came from a grant from DOTD, the item carried by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
RES. NO. 25-141 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 FOR THE PROJECT TITLED LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT CENTER TRAILHEAD DECREASING THE CONTRACT PRICE BY $9,120.00
PARISH PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT HEADS, DIRECTORS OR MANAGERS REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND/OR UPDATES
The next item (16) on the agenda was a Department of Public Works representative to present a report.
Parish President Chaisson stated that all the Councilmembers received a copy of the report and at the end of the quarter there will be a master presentation.
See Exhibit B.
QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION
The next item on the agenda was of any Questions for the Administration.
Chairman Autin acknowledged for Mr. Arabie to have the floor.
Mr. Arabie said, Mr. President, last meeting I asked you about the recycle material for the Butch Hill Boat Launch and you told me that when they were going to start shredding the road they were going to bring it directly to Butch Hill. And I thought that was a great idea because that was going to save us some trucking costs, but I see the road completely milled and were putting black top down and we dont have a load yet at Butch Hill. So, Im just kind of wondering what took place.
Chairman Autin acknowledged for Mrs. Chiasson to have the floor.
Mrs. Chiasson said, The update on the courthouse, the two courthouses. Like where are we with it, is the air conditioning going to get fixed? What kind of work is getting done? So, we can answer a few questions when were asked as well.
Chairman Autin acknowledged for Mr. Broomfield to have the floor.
Mr. Broomfield said, Yes, just wanted an update about, I know we talked about the Marydale Park, so what is an update on that?
Chairman Autin acknowledged for Parish President Chaisson to have the floor.
Parish President Chaisson said, So, Terry, we did get the recycle material. They brought it to the landfill instead of Butch Hill. So, were going to take care of that in the next couple of weeks. Itll be ready to go for the height of summer fishing season so we can take care of those parking issues we have back there. So, well take care of that. So, I do know, theres been a lot of Facebook chatter or a Facebook post by a certain other public official that took aim at us for the work. So, I want to give you guys a little history to know, one of the judges came here a few months ago and started to kind of complain about the conditions of the courthouse. The contracts for the courthouse repair work were actually instituted in 2020. If you guys remember right, we set aside about a million dollars to begin some renovations at the courthouse, right, we knew we had some issues there. The historic courthouse itself is 200 plus years old, can you hear me, Daniel? I see you sitting here like this, I just want to make sure. So, we knew there were some issues in there, right. Theres old mechanical, theres old electrical, the elevators constantly having issues, so we actually started that process. So, you fast forward through the hurricane and covid, we instituted the bond in about November of 2021, after the hurricane, right. We bonded out that 120 million dollars to start the process knowing that we were probably going to have issues with our insurance and FEMA and all the typical things we deal with after the hurricanes. So, we signed those new contracts in the spring of 2022 that began four renovations at both the courthouse and the annex. So, the first steps on those two buildings were the roofs, right. You had to dry them in before you could do anything on the inside. It wouldnt make any sense to go and start repainting walls if the roofs were going to leak again. So, those roof projects wrapped up, I dont know, probably four or five months ago, the courthouse taking the longest, right. The fact that the constituent came one night and talked about how we were rebuilding the dome of the Vatican, because its new copper. The biggest issues were still facing, especially on the historic courthouse, dealing with the fact that its a historical building. We cant just roll in there and slap new vinyl windows and new vinyl doors and just start splashing paint everywhere, right, we have to work through the State Historic Preservation Office. And in fact, Councilman Pierce and I were running late because we met with the Lieutenant Governor this afternoon about something else, but at the end of the meeting I talked to him about the issues with SHPO because it falls underneath his office and the delays that weve seen. So, hes going to light some fires for us on that end. I can assure you guys, based on the Facebook page, theres no mold or mildew in that building, right. Theres some stuff, oh, you cant see anymore because we just changed the ceiling tiles in here. But if you walk around the Thibodaux office, right, Councilman Pierce was in the office this afternoon, theres water spots and stuff everywhere in our office as well. Which is what really infuriated me about that post because the people behind that and some of the commenters behind that make it seem like we dont care about the buildings. We own 28 buildings across the parish. If you walked into either one of the offices that I work out of your going to see missing ceiling tiles, youre going to see water-stained stuff, youre going to see missing base boards. Youre going to be here on days when the air conditioners arent working, because all of the buildings are in some stage of repair, right. Its not like weve forgot about those two buildings. And Im sorry that the judges have to wear black robes, and Im sorry that the attorneys have to wear a coat and tie when they go in there. I wear slacks and dress shirts, and coats to work every day too, right, and those buildings are hot. We have 126 individuals that work in six different field offices that have not been repaired yet, that sweat every day when they walk in because theres still holes in their roofs and holes in their walls. So, to be very blunt, I really dont feel sorry for people because they have to sweat, right. Weve made three other buildings available to the judges and the court staff to use, including this building, which it had a couple of trials here, its pretty cool in here now, right. The event that, I think, sparked the Facebook post from last week was a Drug Court Graduation. They had over 100 people in Judge Laroses courtroom upstairs, in a 200-plus-year-old building with not much insulation, with an air conditioner thats probably older than Daniel and Terry put together, right. That has constantly, we cant find parts to fix this stuff anymore, thats how old it is. We have made, Im sorry yall are just old. Could they have used this building to do the Drug Court Graduation, absolutely, was Drug Court Graduation chosen to have it at that particular facility for a reason, absolutely. Was it to complain and make fun of the Administration and put a bad eye on us, absolutely, right. And again, thats what ticked me off about that Facebook post. Because you could have had it here, we have more than enough chairs here, we have more than enough space here, we have enough air conditioners that work here, but you did it there for a reason and its not right. We have met with Leon to bring in some other window units to help cool that off because we know the summertimes coming. We have talked to GOHSEP to see if theres some portable air conditioners that can be brought in. The biggest issue that we face with the portable air conditioners is that its an air conditioner on an 18-wheeler trailer, right. When you crank that thing up, downtowns going to get very loud, and the last time we talked about that the judges were worried about the noise with it running all day in the courthouse. So, the courthouse annex itself is on schedule, they are 126 days into a 262-day contract, which leaves us about 136 days left. So, if no delays occur, which were pretty sure we wont. We are past the additional asbestos we found, which was a change order you guys approved a couple of meetings ago. We should be on schedule for about October-ish to have them, the two judges and the clerks office move back in there. If we get through probably the next 30 or 60 days, the issues we have with SHPO, about the time the annex is wrapping up, we should be going out to bid on the courthouse itself. Which means that Judge Larose is leaving in July, so whatever judge is going to take Judge Laroses place, Judge Robichaux, and Judge Richard are going to be moved out. Their office is going to be moved across the street to the Oil and Gas building where Judge Boudreaux and Judge Able are now, and then theyll begin to circulate court rooms like Judge Able and Judge Boudreaux had to do. Well probably see a lot bigger presence here because well have three divisions of court trying to do stuff versus just two. But Im sure some of that stuff will be done in Thibodaux, as well Mayor Clement has made the City Council Chambers available, and Judge Chiasson has made City Court available as well too. So, we may use some of those options depending on whats being done, you know. Large jury trials of course are going to probably end up here, but duty stuff might be done, you know, magistrates might be done at one of the other two facilities. So, I hope that answered the questions. And DeJae, on the park were working to get the inmates out there in the next couple of weeks to pressure wash the basketball courts so we can clean them and restripe them. Jennifer is working on ordering the basketball goals and then were trying to figure out if we can get some playground equipment through a joint purchasing agreement, so we dont have to go to bid on something. So, we can replace that playground equipment for you to go to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Autin said, Thank you, Mr. President, much appreciated. He then moved to the next item.
DISCUSSION
The next item was any discussion.
Chairman Autin acknowledged for Mr. Arabie to have the floor.
Mr. Arabie said, I just have one comment, Mr. Chairman. Mr. President if you continue to live my boy, youre going to find out how things go out on you too.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. Perque, and with no further business, the Lafourche Parish Council Regular Meeting of June 10, 2025 adjourned at 1737 hours, by a vote of (9) yeas, (0) nays, and (0) absent.
ARMAND NOONIE AUTIN, CHAIRMAN
CARLEEN B. BABIN, COUNCIL CLERK
RACHELE WHEATER
MINUTE CLERK
LAFOURCHE PARISH COUNCIL
11462627 7/7/25 ($368.64)