Monday August 11, 2025 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING -BOARD OF ALDERMEN

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING -BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday August 11, 2025
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday August 11, 2025 at 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 Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, Alderman Ray Duplechain, City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte and City Clerk Susan Colden. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present. The Mayor recognized the LMA President and Mayor of Broussard Ray Bourque and LMA at Large Vice President and the Mayor of Baldwin, Clarence Vappie.
5. Public Comment, 6-13, there were no speaker cards submitted.
6. A. Approval of Minutes from regular meeting, July 14, 2025. Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Clay, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
B. Approval of Minutes from special meeting, July 21, 2025 Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Simmons, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
C. Approval of Minutes from Personnel Committee August 5, 2025, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Simmons, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
D. Approval of Minutes from Finance Committee August 5, 2025, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderman Duplechain, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
E. Approval of Minutes from Public Works & Safety Committee August 5, 2025, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Simmons, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
7.Correspondence by Mayor- the Mayor took this time to remind everyone that school is back in session and to watch for the children and their parents traveling to and from. The Mayor had the opportunity to join the Alumni group to welcome the students back. The Mayor also noted that there had been several back to school giveaways to get the student ready for the year.
8. Announcements, LMA Community Achievement Award for Water Services-The plaques were presented to the Mayor and board by the LMA President and Mayor of Broussard Ray Bourque and LMA at Large Vice President and the Mayor of Baldwin, Clarence Vappie. Next the Mayor recognized other individuals who were instrumental in this effort. They are; Sellers and Associates Todd Vincent, Statewide Electric Barry Segura, Bernard Daniels former water operator, Garrick Musso of Thornton, Musso & Bellemin, Fire Chief Sherry Landry, Public Works, City Clerk Susan Colden. The Mayor outlined the extent of the project from the wells to the water plant and how LDH gave the City of Jeanerette a Grade of A for water quality. Alderman Duplechain also added that this project also benefited from the early efforts of Mr. Clarence Clark and Mr. Poochie Ward. The Mayor then recognized Ms. Liz Creel and the work of the Creole Festival Committee. Ms. Liz Creel reported that the Creole Festival has grown in popularity and has generated more money that it can use to for beautification of the area. They are looking this year to create 2 new signs as you enter the city, at no cost to the City. They would look like the Jeanerette Sugar City logo on the wall of the council area and would be 60” x 40”. They are also thinking about getting a sign on Canal Street as you are entering the City. They would like to get approval but the item was not added in time to the agenda and could not be brought to a vote. But the discussion was positive and the board felt that this project should be able to go forward. There was some discussion if DOTD would need to approve. There was statement that past communication committees placed the signs without council vote, the Mayor told Ms. Creel to go ahead.
9.A. Statewide Electric report on Sewer and Water operations by Barry Segura. The first report was concerning the sewer plant, the plant is doing good, the lift stations are fine, a few control panels need to be replaced. The panel on Bayside will need a new panel and on Domigue will need a circuit board. For the aerator, the price to fix the wiring has been settled. The Mayor asked if he could still use the sugar and Mr. Segura said it wouldn’t hurt. It would help feed the good microbes. The Mayor said the port director has volunteered to assist getting some. The Mayor also asked if the lift station at Domingue by the Bayou could get a street light installed on the pole. Regarding water operations, as noted by LDH, the water is great. The plant is working very well no customer complaints. The Mayor said that there may be another vendor for the brine that would be a huge cost savings. On Wednesday a 12 inch valve will be replaced at the water plant and the City will need to issue a system wide boil advisory. The water tower will be filled before the procedure so the City should have plenty of water.
B. Street Lamp proposal, John Royston-Mr. Royston outlined a beautification project that starting out would feature 19 solar powered LED light, 89.37 inches tall. These street lights could be placed North Side of Main Street across from existing street lights, on south side of street from Druihet to Pellerin. They could be placed on the back edge of the existing sidewalk or grass area. Mr. Royston said he hopes to secure funding to have this available at no cost to the city.
10. A. Approval of the revised Professional Services Agreement for the 2025 COP Water System Improvements-Contract A & Contract B. Mr. Todd Vincent remarked that this is a revised agreement. The agreement originally contained items from the grant application and some of the items are currently in priority 5 and not funded. At the last meeting the board asked for those items to be removed. Mr. Vincent reviewed the revised budget with a construction budget of roughly 1.8 million dollars and $148,000 in engineering costs. He also stated that the water plant is the priority we should develop a list and assign costs to it. Then it will be easier to determine if any funds are left over for new water meters. At this time Ms Pecantte stated that since she had not received a packet she could not comment on the language in the contract. There was a lively discussion regarding Ms. Pecantte. Alderwoman Simmons asked Mr. Vincent if he has spoken to the water plant operators to see what is needed. Mr. Todd Vincent agreed. Alderwoman Simmons said if the items covered by the grant, more for water plant, how does that change budget and contract. The fees will be adjusted according to the scope of work to be done. Motion to table this item until the city attorney can review it made by Alderwoman Clay and second by Alderwoman Moore. Mr. Vincent asked if they wanted changes and Alderwoman Clay stated that she wanted the item tabled until our city attorney can review it. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Approval of Statewide Maintenance and Operations Contract for Water plant- Features 3 year with $1,600 per month increase. Attorney Pecantte stated that she spoke to Mr. Segura and that the language in the contract has not changed from last year except for now it is a 3 year term instead of 2 year and the cost per month is increasing $1,600 per month. She had reviewed that contract and has no objections. Motion to approve moved by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Moore. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Alderwoman Clay,
Motion Carried
C. Approval of Statewide Maintenance and Operations Contract for Sewer plant- Features 3 year with $1,500 per month increase. - Features 3 year with $1,600 per month increase. Attorney Pecantte stated that she spoke to Mr. Segura and that the language in the contract has not changed from last year except for now it is a 3 year term instead of 2 year and the cost per month is increasing $1,500 per month. She had reviewed that contract and has no objections. Motion to approve moved by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderman Bourgeois. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Alderwoman Clay,
Motion Carried
11. Proclamations
12. Resolutions-
13. Ordinances –
A. Adoption of Ordinance 07-2025A Revise and Reanact Sections 11-5029 Open Container On motion by Alderwoman Clay and second by Alderman Bourgeois to leave regular session and enter public session. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Alderwoman Simmons outlined the changes to this ordinance as requested by our police chief. She stated that it just better defines what an open container is and that this ordinance must be posted in establishments that sell alcohol so public knows the laws. The Mayor read the ordinance. There was a brief discussion to clarify and then motion by Alderwoman Clay and second by Alderman Bourgeois to leave public session and enter regular session. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Motion to adopt the ordinance moved by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Simmons. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Adoption of Ordinance 07-2025B Revise and Reanact Sections 10-403 thru 10-4011 Parade Regulations- On motion by Alderwoman Clay and second by Alderman Bourgeois to leave regular session and enter public session. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Alderwoman Simmons said this ordinance was made at the request of Police Chief Moore, and a lot of this ordinance is new and is specifically made for safety and security. Alderwoman Simmons deferred to Chief Moore for the description of the Ordinance. Chief Moore briefly described each section such as times, definitions, designated route, ages, float sizes etc. There was a question if it was only a convertible that could have a person sit it, not a sun roof, the Chief confirmed only convertibles. There was an objection to having the parade route only along Main Street, from Ms Bazzar, she felt the Mardi Gras parade should be able to continue on the regular route. The Chief explained the there are too many problems with the current route, it is too narrow and does not allow for barricades to be easily placed, there are 2 railroad crossing, and a lot of intersections to block. There were objections to the change and the person felt with only Main Street people would be all jammed up. Regarding congestion, the Chief said the parades can roll from the St. Mary parish line to Burleigh Park. The Chief also stated that a new law allow parade attendees who are not drinking to have firearms, which is a concern to the Chief. Alderman Bourgeois asked how many officers will this require. The Chief replied that they will designate certain intersections as performance areas motion by Alderwoman Clay and second by Alderwoman Moore to leave public session and enter regular session. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay. Motion to adopt the ordinance moved by Alderwoman Clay, second by Alderwoman Moore. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
14.Adjournment Motion by Alderwoman Simmons second by Alderman Bourgeois to adjourn, motion, carried on voice vote of all yeah, no nay and no abstain.



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



___________/s/__________________
Susan Colden City Clerk