MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING Monday October 13, 2025

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING -BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Monday October 13, 2025
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday October 13, 2025 at the Public Hearing/Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order and Alderman Bourgeois led the prayer. Alderwoman Clay 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.
Alderman Duplechain motioned to have the agenda expanded to add item 10 E, Approval of liquor license for Raintree Market in Jeanerette. Alderwoman Simmons seconded Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
5. Public Comment, 6-13, there were no speaker cards submitted.
6.A. Approval of Minutes from regular meeting, September 8, 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 the Special meeting September 24, 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Clay, second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
C. Approval of Minutes from Personnel Committee October 7, 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Moore, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
D. Approval of Minutes from Finance Committee October 7, 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
E. Approval of Minutes from Public Works & Safety Committee October 7, 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Clay, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
7.Correspondence by Mayor-.On Wednesday October 15, at 10 am there will be a ribbon cutting for the new Acadiana Crime Lab in Iberia Parish. The annual Trunk or Treat will be held Friday Oct 31, at the Jeanerette City Park Pavillion from 6-8 pm. Registration for adult tennis lessons at Burleigh Park on Mondays and Wednesdays starting Oct 27 and ending November 12, cost is $50, register at Iberia Park and Rec 113 Willow wood drive New Iberia, questions contact Bishop Jerry Hebert.
8.Announcements-The Mayor recognized Ms. Carol Whipp from the Council on Aging to give an update on programs. They provide services to seniors 60 and older, with 190 home delivered meals a day. There are two meal sites, in Jeanerette there is King Joseph and serves 33 meals a day, and they deliver 57 meals to homes. She also mentioned the Mardi Gras event at King Joseph that was for Jeanerette area residents only, They will be hosting this event again on Feb 13. They are holding a fund raiser for the meals on wheels programs, hotdogs for seniors on Friday Oct 17 the cost is $10. She spoke on the nutrition of the meals and left monthly menus and lists of services.
9. Reports A. Recognition of Fire Chief Sherry Landry for outstanding service to Jeanerette, Iberia and especially to St. Mary Parish, by St. Mary Marine Corps, presented by District 11 Chief Clarence Clark. The Mayor also commented that both Chief Clark and Chief Landry were recently recognized for their life saving efforts by Acadian Ambulance.
B. Update by Fire Chief Landry on fire rating and operations-Chief Landry explained the department got their 5-year rating, and they achieved a class 4 public protection fire rating by the insurance industry in Louisiana for the first time in its history. It recognizes strong commitment to fire prevention, emergency response, and community safety. She added that the measure is from 1 to 10 with 1 being superior, last rating was a 5. She also added this may help the insurance rates. Chief also said on the 18th from 9 am to 1 pm, at the Ward 8 Recreation Center they will be working with the Red Cross to register to have new alarms installed that afternoon. The chief then reviewed the call-outs in September. They also participated for fire prevention month in the National Night out, and show and tell at the head start and St. Charles Elementary. For the year they have had 699 emergency calls.
C. Update by Police Chief Terrance Moore on police operations, Chief Moore reported that September was a very busy month for the police department. There were 60 calls, only major crimes were a few armed robberies. Some arrests have been made and individuals have been identified. The department was able to attend the Louisiana homicide investigators training, and they are compliant with sexual assault training and domestic violence training as well as deaf and hard of hearing training. The department is still working on the human trafficking training. The Chief said he is in compliance with the 12 hours of required leadership training. He also mentioned the Trunk or Treat event on Friday Oct 31 from 6-8 at the City Park Pavillion. The first National Night out was a success and he thanked all the sponsors. He also is investigating funding for the fleet.
D. Statewide Electric report on Sewer and Water operations by Barry Segura. The water plant is running as it should be, the chlorine room had the annual service. The Mayor asked about the brine pump to mix our own brine from bulk salt. Cost of conversion is about $250,000. Buying the bulk salt is much cheaper. Our liquid brine is currently costing about $34,000 per month. Alderwoman Simmons said after about 8 months you would have paid for the conversion and asked if the cost for the bulk salt would be substantially less and Mr. Segura said yes and there be multiple vendors. On the sewer side the two fixed aerators are still running, no major issues. The lift stations are operating with 2 pumps be station, they are getting a new pump for the Pellerin station.
10. Agenda Items
A. Authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Sellers & Associates for the 2025 COP Water System Improvements Project, Contract A-Water Treatment Plant Improvements. Introduction by Mr. Todd Vincent, Alderwoman Simmons asked if the brine pump was going to be added to the scope of this project and Mr. Vincent said yes. Attorney Pecantte asked a few questions. Motion to approve by Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons seconded, Alderman Duplechain made a motion to amend the contract in 3.01 to remove the wording of reasonable time period and replace with plans and specifications shall be submitted no later than 9 months after receipt of notice to proceed. Second by Alderwoman Clay, Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Next the vote on the Motion to approve the amended contract by Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons seconded, Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Mr. Vincent added that they had provided a preliminary scope of work
B. Authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with CHG Group, APC, subject to them furnishing proper documentation from the Gesser Group as well as subject to the approval of the Louisiana Facility Planning and Control (FP&C). The Mayor asked Mr. Coray Wiles, Mr. Hunter Lebreton, and Akili Kelly licensed architect. Mr. Coray Wiles reviewed the passing of Mr. Gesser and forming their company CHG Group. Alderwoman Moore asked if a succession for Mr. Gesser has been done and Mr. Hunter Lebreton said no. Attorney Pecantte said until the succession is done and there is a judgement of possession, they are not legally the heirs. Attorney Pecantte read a letter from Gesser Group assumed heirs to transfer the project to CHG Group, APC. Attorney Pecantte said without having a succession they cannot transfer. The Mayor asked what the time frame for the project is and Alderwoman Simmons said it is 2 years so it has to be used by June of 2026. Alderman Duplechain said he understands that the city is under a strict deadline, but he feels we need to listen to council’s advice. Alderwoman Moore asked if the individuals in the letter from Gesser Group could legally transfer the project to CHG Group and attorney Pecantte said no. The Mayor asked if the individuals could still function as Gesser Group and finish the project. The attorney didn’t think that could work since the will is not out of probate. Judge LeGros was recognized to address the issue. The judge stated that the company is a professional services corporation, much like his business is a legal services corporation. He then went on to say that the city of Jeanerette approved Mr. Gesser as the architect for this project. Mr. Gesser died. Mr. Gesser was doing work through a corporation. For example, if Mr. LeGros passed away each of his clients would be notified how much they owed Mr. LeGros’s company for the work that was performed and then they would be free to choose whomever they wished to complete the work, it is the client’s choice. Gesser Group is owed for the schematics and then if the city chooses to go with CHG Group going forward they can sign a contract. Alderwoman Simmons asked about the approval by F P & C, Mr. Wiles stated he will provide Mr. Todd Vincent with any documentation that is required for approval. After some discussion on termination of Gesser Group contract Mr. LeGros stated that a professional services contact terminates upon death of the person providing the service. Motion by Alderman Duplechain second by Alderwoman Clay to table 10 B. and C, until the next meeting, to allow the attorney and Judge LeGros to come up with come legal documentation to allow the project to move forward. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. Approval of the Schematic Design Documents for the City Hall Renovations project provided by the Gesser Group/CHG Group. See 10B.
D. Sewer Plant Update-by Nick Sonnier. Mr. Sonnier addressed the council requesting that they find out if DEQ would require the 100-year base flood elevation, and weather the project would be required to protect to that elevation. That question was asked of LDH and DEQ, LDH said it was not a requirement and DEQ said it would be so that would require a taller levee wall around the plant. Alderwoman Simmons said that what is being planned seems like maintenance, removing sludge and fixing aerators. So, we have to spend 6 million to clean out the aeration ponds DEQ has backed us up in a corner. So, it’s either spend 6 million on a wall to clean out an aeration pond or spend 9 million on a new plant. Mr. Sonnier said unfortunately it is a requirement so you have to contact your legislator. Mr. Sonnier then reviewed the various items to be serviced and the costs estimated to each item. Alderwoman Simmons then asked the council what they wanted to spend, 7 million-no wall, 8 million-with the wall, or 10 million-new plant. Alderwoman Moore said maybe the group should go to Baton Rouge and talk to DEQ. Mr. Sonnier warned that just cleaning the oxidation ditch and not addressing some other things will cause you to not achieve your permit limits. The current plant is not designed to meet the 10/15 limits. Alderwoman Simmons asked Mr. Sonnier if he thinks there is some creative way that DEQ will allow the money to be used without building the wall and he said no. Alderman Bourgeois made a motion to get a second opinion with another engineering firm regarding the maintenance of the sewer plant, seconded by Alderwoman Clay. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
E. Approval of liquor license for Raintree Market in Jeanerette. License package introduced by the Mayor, motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Simmons to approve. Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
11. Proclamations
12. Resolutions-
A. Approval of Resolution 10 of 2025 Requesting Financial Assistance from the State of Louisiana Under the FY 2026-2027 Capital Outlay Program.
Introduction by Nick Sonnier from Sellers and Associates. Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Clay to approve Roll call vote,
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
13. Ordinances – A. Introduction of Ordinance 2025-10 Mobile Vendor Permits-Alderwoman Simmons said that at the policy meeting the police chief requested the penalty to be criminal, but Alderwoman Simmons said that our attorney said it has to be civil penalty to avoid conflict. Motion by Alderwoman Clay, second by Alderwoman Simmons to approve, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.
14.Adjournment Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman clay to adjourn, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.



___________/s/_____________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor

ATTEST:



__________/s/___________________
Susan Colden City Clerk
Seal