MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Tuesday May 13, 2025

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Tuesday May 13, 2025
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Tuesday May 13, 2025 at for the Public Hearing/Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order and led the prayer, Alderman Duplechain. led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderwoman Mariah Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore. Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderman Ray Duplechain City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte and City Clerk Susan Colden. Alderwoman Christia Simmons was absent. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present. The Mayor welcomed the Parish President Larry Richard and District 5 Councilmen Warren Gachassin Jr., District 11 Parish Councilman Brian Napier, and District 12 Council woman Lady Fontenette Brown.
For item 5, public comment there were two public comment cards. for item 9A.
6.A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting April 14, 2025, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried on voice vote of all yea
B. Approval of Minutes of the Last Special Meeting May 5, 2025, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried on voice vote of all yea.
C. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting May 6, 2025 motion by Alderman Duplechain and second by Alderman Bourgeois, motion carried on voice vote of all yea.
D. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting May 6 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Moore second by Alderman Bourgeois motion carried on voice vote of all yea.
E. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting May 6, 2025 motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried on voice vote of all yea.
7.Correspondence by the Mayor- The Mayor announced there will be a free summer breakfast and lunch program at St. Charles Elementary. Breakfast will be served from 7:45-9:00 am and lunch will be served from 11:00 am, June 2 through June 27-This is sponsored by the Iberia School Board and Iberia Park and Rec. There is also a group working with Iberia Parks and Rec to revitalize youth baseball. Starting Wednesday May 14, tee ball for ages 4-6, and Sandlot league for ages 7-9 & 10-13 free of charge, boys and girls -team line up starts at 5:30 pm games begin at 6:00 pm. At Jeanerette City Park off Tarelton. All games will be on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm.
8.Announcements by Mayor-
9. Reports
A. Iberia Parish District 5 Councilmen Mr. Warren Gachassin Jr, update on HB613-This bill alters the current structure of our airports which include Acadiana Regional Airport and the Lemaire Memorial Airport District. This bill would create an Iberia Parish Airport Authority through a legislative act. This will alter the governing authority which could alter the taxes that are received. The big concern with the bill is having local control. There is a battle about Baton Rouge Metro Airport and creating a Baton Rouge Regional Airport Authority through SB176. Which would change from metro run to an actual district created by state. This bill is written to allow more local control and representation. This is a right that the Parish would like in HB613. The Parish has been operating the airport for over 50 years. This legislation was created in Baton Rouge, the local council has never voted on it, nor has there been independent consultants to look at the creation of the authority. The only official action the Parish has taken is a Resolution to oppose HB613. There was information about other airports such as in Lake Charles but that airport has differences three entity intergovernmental agreement and their own mileage. There is also talk that if we had an Authority, we would get more money from FAA. Mr. Gachassin Jr. said there is no evidence of that and there is no paperwork from FAA to support the claim. He asked if the City would join with the Parish government to oppose HB613. He also went on to say that the changes to the bill took away some of the local authority because the Airport Authority Commissioners can re-appoint themselves and if the local authority wants to remove a commissioner, it requires the agreement of the Airport Authority. So, the Parish really doesn’t have appointment and removal authority. Baton Rouge should be working on getting our insurance under control and paying our teachers, leave our airport alone. He also feels it not stopping here, there is a trend going in Baton Rouge where they are going after these boards and commissions, so once they have this one which one is next? Next District 12 Council woman Lady Fontenette Brown addressed the council and asked if anyone from state or legislative or airport authority contacted you? She then said that is part of the problem that we were never engaged in these talks, but now that First Solar is at the airport area this change was decided. She also questioned if this happens what other City or Parish assets can the state take? She said that She and President Richard went to Baton Rouge and addressed their concerns. St. Bernard Parish was at the capital also expressing concerns on a similar matter. She also said we should be able to create our own airport district. The Mayor asked what do our representatives think, Ms Brown replied that Representative Bryant will support what his constituents want and Councilman Napier said Senator Allain feels the same. The bill passed through the committee and is set to go to the floor of the house. There was discussion about the City drafting a resolution. Parish President Larry Richard then addressed the council. He first stated that the airport has been a part of Iberia Parish government for more than 50 years and now is poised to generate dollars. There is a piece of property at the airport, 232 acres that were leased to First Solar where the Parish will be receiving roughly a million dollars a year. Mr. Richard also stated that he would like the Airport Authority District to be created by the Iberia Parish government under their home rule charter. HB 613 states that the new district would be a political subdivision of the state, President Richard has a problem with that. The area that the district would cover is not defined in this bill either, and it can levy taxes. Mr. Richard is not in favor of any additional taxes. Again, the request was made to have the City draft a resolution. The Mayor said that there is agreement with your position, however there is no time available to draft and pass a Resolution. President Richard then asked if it was possible for us to state in a letter that we are in opposition to HB 613 and want the bill pulled, and the Mayor said he was willing to say that. Parish Councilman Napier and Ms. Brown gave ideas for who to send the letter to. Mr. Richard asked if the letter could be written today and sent out and the Mayor agreed.
B. Jeanerette Police Department monthly update by Chief Terrance Moore. The Chief said in the month of April the department responded to 201 calls and 17 arrests, both misdemeanor and felony. Twelve citations were written and 1 homicide occurred on April 30 that we are currently investigating, and 6 calls for shots fired. They have been responding to calls as they can and have been having assistance from outside agencies. The Mayor congratulated the job done by the Chief administratively operationally and even getting the training that is needed.
C. Update from Statewide Electrical Services on Sewer and Water Operations by Mr. Barry Segura. Mr. Segura reported no issues with the water plant, no water complaints. This water achieved an A rating by Louisiana Department of Health. The valve that goes ahead of the insertion valve has been ordered. Regarding the sewer plant, 2 fixed aerators and one floating operating. The rain caused some high flows because of the infiltration but there were no complaints and they are working had to have samples pass the tests.
10.Agenda Items
A. LCDBG Sewer System Rehabilitation 9642-03, request for approval of Authorization to Advertise for Bids introduction by Nick Sonnier of Sellers and Associates. This is for the sewer system inflow and infiltration project. The letter authorizing the City to advertise for bids from the state. The Letter was dated April 15, and the last meeting was the 14t it allows 30 days to begin. Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderman Duplechain roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderwoman Simmons
Abstain: Alderwoman Clay
Motion Carried
B. Request extension for Wastewater treatment plant LDEQ loan closing Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Moore roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderwoman Simmons
Abstain: Alderwoman Clay
Motion Carried
C. S. J. Langlinais & Associates, Surveyors-Parkview subdivision/resubdivision approval, Russell Sereal owner. Introduction by Mr. Langlinais and Mr. Sereal to add 6 lots to the subdivision.
Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Moore roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderwoman Simmons
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Status of Sewer Plant Project-Nick Sonnier from Sellers and Associates reviewed the project and asked council for direction. Alderman Bourgeois stated that the board intends to rehab the current plant. Mr. Sonnier asked how do they intend to fund the project? Alderwoman Moore said Water Sector. Alderman Duplechain added that there is an understanding that the water sector funds could be used if the scope of the project and the timing of the distribution of funds can be defined to make sure the funds are expended by Dec 2026. Alderwoman Moore asked about the match for water sector funds and Mr. Sonnier confirmed the match requirements so for a 4 million project the match would be 1.7 million. There was discussion if the change would require a new engineering report which could take 6 months for the DEQ loan. Also, the rehab, vs new construction and the timelines. This process would be necessary if the city wanted to use the Water Sector and DEQ funds for the Rehab of the plant.
Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay to change the scope of the project from new construction to rehabilitation of current plant using funds from the Water Sector, Capital Outlay money and DEQ. Ray Allain asked if the council still intended to purchase the property for the equalization basin and Alderman Bourgeois and Duplechain both commented not at this time, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderwoman Simmons
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
11. Proclamations-
12. Resolutions-
13. Ordinances
A. Introduction of Ordinance 2025-05A Amended budget for year 2024-2025 & Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. On motion by Alderman Duplechain and second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried on voice vote of all yea
14.Adjourn

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Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:

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Susan Colden City Clerk