Thursday, June 20th, 2024
https://scpdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-06-20-SCPDC-Board-Mtg-Min_-APPROVED-1.pdf
On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at 10:30am at Petra’s Restaurant in LaPlace, LA. Vice-Chairman Chaisson called the meeting to order then J. Bergeron led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. E. Bergeron conducted roll call followed by introductions.
Members present or represented by proxy were: W. Reed, M. Arceneaux representing R. Animashaun, A. Chaisson, J. Jones, K. Cressoine representing K. Clement, S. deCastro representing M. Jewel, E. Alexander, W. Comardelle, L. Wilson, L. Sorapuru, Jr., C. Vappie, D. Arthur, R. Grogan, J. Bergeron, J. Amedee, D. Babin, L. Charles, and J. Rogers. Ex-Officio members J. David representing Dr. J. Clune of NSU and A. Nanney representing Dr. K. Strickland of FCC.
Staff members present were: K. Belanger, J. Foret, J. Boudreaux, C. Curole, T. Watkins, and E. Bergeron.
Members absent were: J. Naquin, M. Atzenhoffer, J. Bouziga, B. Plaisance, C “Bub” Millet, P. Dufrense, S. Bourgeois, P. St. Pierre, J. Hotard, S. Jones, E. Foulcard, and M. Marmande, Jr., Ex-Officio member M. Darden of the Chitimacha Tribe.
Guests present were: C. Pulaski and R. Blanchard of TPCG, K. Hill and G. Campo of OCD-DRU, C. Theriot of Senator J. Kennedy’s office, and State Representative Sylvia Taylor.
The first item on the agenda was the Review and Acceptance of minutes of April 18th, 2024, Regular Meeting. J. Amedee motioned, seconded by L. Charles to accept minutes of April 18th, 2024, Regular Meeting. There being no objections motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the Acceptance of Management Committee Meeting Minutes of June 14th, 2024. E. Alexander motioned, seconded by J. Bergeron to accept minutes of June 14th, 2024, Management Committee Meeting. There being no objections motion carried.
The third item on the agenda was the Review and Approval of the Financial Statement ending May 31st, 2024. K. Belanger reviewed the Financial Statement ending May 31st, 2024, and relayed the ending fund balance to date for SCPDC’s General Fund was $1,874,287.74. J. Bergeron motioned, seconded by D. Babin to approve the Financial Statement ending May 31st, 2024. There being no objections motion carried.
Review and Approval of FY24 Budget Adjustments was the fourth item on the agenda for discussion. K. Belanger explained the adjustments made to the FY24 Budget. J. Jones motioned, seconded by J. Amedee, to approve the FY24 Budget Adjustments. There being no objections motion carried.
Review and Approval of FY25 Proposed Budget was next on the agenda. K. Belanger explained how historically the Commission begins each new fiscal year in a deficit. He relayed there are contracts not yet signed but are forthcoming which have not been added into the budget. J. Bergeron motioned, seconded by R. Grogan to approve the FY25 Proposed Budget. There being no objections motion carried.
Agenda item six was discussion on the New Isle Development. Ms. G. Campo of LA OCD spoke briefly to the Commissioner’s about the New Isle Settlement located in Schriever, LA. She explained how the State was seeking partners to assist with the build-out of the commercial property as well as to help drive economic development for the resettlement. LA OCD is interested in partnering with SCPDC for the next phase of the project to provide resilient affordable housing for area residents as well as to pursue Regional Development. Discussion ensued.
J. Foret explained the proposed Personnel Policy and Administrative Policy Amendments were recommended by the legislative auditors. She relayed the proposed addendums to the SCPDC Personnel Policy were a Preventive Training Policy and an Annual Reporting Policy under the Anit-Harassment Policy. The proposed addendum to the SCPDC Accounting and Administrative Procedures Manual was Vendor Management and how vendors are added for payables. E. Alexander motioned, seconded by D. Babin to accept the Personnel Policy and Administrative Policy Amendments. There being no objections motion carried.
K. Belanger explained agenda items eight, nine, and ten were resolutions required annually.
Resolution (updated) authorizing the CEO to sign any and all documents including bank drafts, and to enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of SCPDC. C. Vappie motioned, seconded by J. Jones to accept the Resolution (updated) authorizing the CEO to sign any and all documents including bank drafts, and to enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of SCPDC. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution certifying that the Revolving Loan Fund Program is consistent with the current Regional Economical Adjustment Strategy; is being operated in accordance with the Policies and Procedures contained in the plan; and that all loan portfolios meet plan standards. D. Babin motioned, seconded by C. Vappie to accept the Resolution certifying that the Revolving Loan Fund Program is consistent with the current Regional Economical Adjustment Strategy; is being operated in accordance with the Policies and Procedures contained in the plan; and that all loan portfolios meet plan standards. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution approving and directing CEO/Chair to request defederalization of EDA-RLF funds and for the CEO and Chair to sign request and agreement. J. Amedee motioned, seconded by D. Babin to accept the Resolution approving and directing CEO/Chair to request defederalization of EDA-RLF funds and for the CEO and Chair to sign request and agreement. There being no objections motion carried.
Agenda item eleven was the Resolution declaring various equipment as surplus property and authorizing the CEO to appropriately dispose of said equipment and setting the minimum acceptable bid for the sale of equipment declared as surplus. J. Bergeron motioned, seconded by L. Charles to accept the resolution declaring various equipment as surplus property and authorizing the CEO to appropriately dispose of said equipment and setting the minimum acceptable bid for the sale of equipment declared as surplus. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution adopting System Survey and Compliance Questionnaire. J. Jones motioned, seconded by C. Vappie to accept the resolution adopting System Survey and Compliance Questionnaire. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution authorizing the Chairman of SCPDC Board of Commissioners to sign on behalf of SCPDC any and all documents related to contract(s) between SCPDC and SCRACH including any future project addendums. E. Alexander motioned, seconded by J. Amedee to accept the resolution authorizing the Chairman of SCPDC Board of Commissioners to sign on behalf of SCPDC any and all documents related to contract(s) between SCPDC and SCRACH including any future project addendums. There being no objections motion carried.
Quotes received for the Official Journal for July 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2025 were reviewed. The Courier submitted the lowest quote with a rate of $3.20 per legal square of 100 words. J. Amedee motioned, seconded by C. Vappie to approve the Houma Courier to continue as the Official Journal of SCPDC for July 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2025. There being no objections motion carried.
Ratification of New Member to the RLF/RCF Administration Board was agenda item fifteen. St. Charles Parish Council appointed Mr. Brandon Savoie to the RLF/RCF Administration Board. It was motioned by S. deCastro seconded by D. Babin to ratify Mr. Brandon Savoie to the RLF/RCF Administration Board. There being no objections motion carried.
Under Other Business, K. Belanger relayed that the Restore Ida/May Loan Program is coming to an end and staff has begun closing out the program. The Laura/Delta initiative is continuing. The SCRACH Housing Initiative is currently waiting for the translation software for the equipment to create the studs and trusses. Staff will begin working with the Management Committee on SCPDC’s Strategic Plan. T. Watkins spoke briefly on SCPDC’s Condemnation Project. He explained that SCPDC has created a program to assist the Parishes and Municipalities with the management process of condemning blighted properties.
SCPDC newsletter was emailed out to all. Corporate Sponsor was St. John the Baptist Parish Government.
Next meeting date has been set for Thursday, October 17th, 2024, in St. Mary Parish, location to be determined.
There being no other business to discuss. D. Babin motioned, seconded by J. Bergeron to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.