MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING -BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday July 14, 2025

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING -BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday July 14, 2025
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday July 14, 2025 at the Public Hearing/Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order and led the prayer. Alderman Bourgeois led the. Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderwoman Mariah Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte and Finance Manager Christie Connor. Alderman Ray Duplechain and City Clerk Susan Colden were absent. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present. There were public comments cards submitted for items 9B. Next was 6A. the approval of Minutes from the Public Hearing June 9, 2025. City Attorney Pecantte advised the board that as the attorney for the City she can’t advise the council if there is a change or not because the Mayor has refused to give her the packet. The Mayor told Ms. Pecantte that she was suspended pending termination. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Simmons the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Item 6B was the approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting. Again Ms. Pecantte stated as the attorney for the City she can’t advise the council if there is a change or not because the Mayor has refused to give her the packet. On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderwoman Moore the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Item 6 C is approval of the Minutes from the Special Meeting July 26. Ms. Pecantte stated same response. On motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderwoman Simmons the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Item 6D is the approval of the Minutes from the Personnel Committee July 8, 2025 meeting. Ms. Pecantte stated same response. On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderwoman Moore the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Item 6E is the approval of minutes from the July 8 Finance Committee meeting. Ms. Pecantte stated same response. On motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderwoman Simmons the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Item 6F is the approval of minutes from the July 8 Public Works Committee. Ms. Pecantte stated same response. On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderwoman Moore the motion passed on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Next is item 7, correspondence by the Mayor and item 8 is announcements, the Mayor provided an update and noted that construction crews are repairing and replacing the gas lines. The Mayor also announced a back to school event sponsored by Delta Pi Sigma Fraternity and Macknificent Kutz. They will be providing free haircuts to children on Sunday August 10th, 12 pm-3 pm. At the King Joseph Recreation Center. Prior to that on Aug 2, Mr. Mitchel, who is a karate instructor, will be hosting karate event involving teams from the surrounding communities. The Mayor then addressed the proposed renovations for City Hall. Next was the report from Statewide Electric on Water and Sewer operations by Mr. Barry Segura. He first addressed the water plant and stated that everything is good at the plant. They are pressure washing hydrants and getting them painted. The valve was changed on softener #1. All of the sample tests are passing. The Mayor stated to the audience that our water system was given an A letter grade award by LDH. The Mayor also commented on the brine and filters role in improving our water quality. Mr. Segura then addressed the sewer plant, there is some issues with the aerator with the wire that is burnt, they are getting prices. They passed the bio-monitoring test, no minnows died, the plant is working as efficiently as it can.
9B. Teche Plaza Property update, Mr. Kevin Bacala-The Mayor introduced and addressed how it has been a parking spot for trailers dump spot for tires and trash. He said that they have been in contact with the owner and the local property manager. He then stated that Mr. Kevin Bacala has been very helpful helping the City address this problem as well as the Alderman of the ward, Ray Duplechain. Mr. Bacala addressed the council and said after examining the site of Teche Plaza he filed a complaint with the Louisiana department of Environmental Quality. He then he was contacted by an agent of DEQ, and they toured the site with Mayor Bourgeois Jr. The DEQ agent concluded that the site was contaminated with oil drained from the trucks on the ground and tires dumped without the property owner’s permission. The criminal investigative division of DEQ caught and cited 2 persons for dumping tires. This enforcement will hopefully improve the quality of life for the neighbors of the property. Mr. Bacala urged everyone to properly dispose of items and report violators to the authorities. Alderwoman Simmons asked about the owner’s responsibility. Mr. Bacala said that the owner was very open to talking to them and wants to do what is right for the property and they are speaking to contractors. Judge LeGros warned the council to hold everyone accountable to not have the blighted mess return. The Mayor commented that it is his understanding that there are two interested parties for the property and they will be watching to make sure things stay in order.
10A Appointment of Matt Goulotta for Planning and Zoning Commission Board. Motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Simmons to approve the appointment. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Duplechain
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
10B Award of Bid for the 2024 LCDBG Sewer System Improvement Project #9642-03. Mr. Nick Sonnier of Sellers & Associates introduced the two companies that submitted bids. Mr. Sonnier recommended the council award the bid to the low bidder NCMC, LLC for $1,882,645.00 and he added that the grant amount for this project is $2,000,000. Alderwoman Simmons stated that Louisiana Rural water has been used by the City in the past for smoke testing because they provide this service for free and your bid estimate has this service at $42,000, why aren’t we using Louisiana Rural Water? Mr. Sonnier said that their results isn’t detailed enough, and their experience that if they hire the subcontractor to do the smoke testing it is better. Then Alderwoman Simmons asked that since this is an LCDBG project there is not a match by the City, and Mr. Sonnier said yes, the City just has to pay the engineering and administration fees. Alderwoman Simmons questions how much can be repaired with this budget and Mr. Sonnier replied that what has been given is a broad estimate and it will depend on the results of the smoke testing and then the repairs can be prioritized. Alderwoman Simmons asked about the fees and engineering cost, but all the costs will be in scope of the grant. Ms. Pecantte commented that Mr. Greer tried to save the City money and if she had had prior knowledge of this item she could have done further research. The Mayor commented that the prior LWRA smoke test report will be used to help quickly identify problem areas. The Mayor called for a motion, Ms. Pecantte stated as the attorney for the City she can’t advise the council because the Mayor has refused to give her the packet. Alderman Simmons moved to award the bid to NCMC, LLC, and the Mayor made a comment that the council reacted to and Alderman Bourgeois and Alderwoman Clay left the meeting, leaving a lack of quorum. The meeting was suspended until July 21, 2025 at 6:30 pm.





_____________/s/____________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



________/s/______________________
Susan Colden City Clerk