The following minutes have been approved for the South Central Planning & Development Commission Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting:
On Thursday, April 18th, 2024, at 10:30am at Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant in Vacherie, LA. Chairman Naquin called the meeting to order then K. Belanger led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. E. Bergeron conducted roll call followed by introductions.
Members present or represented by proxy were: J. Naquin, W. Reed, M. Arceneaux representing R. Animashaun, K. Cressoine representing K. Clement, M. Jewel, E. Alexander, L. Wilson, S. Nosacka representing P. Dufrense, E. Foulcard, B. Cefalu representing L.Dragna, R. Grogan, J. Bergeron, J. Amedee, L. Charles, M. Marmande, Jr., J. Rogers, and S. Thibodeaux. Ex-Officio members J. David representing Dr. J. Clune of NSU and M. McLean representing Dr. K. Strickland of FCC.
Staff members present were: K. Belanger, J. Foret, J. Boudreaux, C. Curole, and E. Bergeron.
Members absent were: A. Chaisson, M. Atzenhoffer, J. Jones, J. Bouziga, B. Plaisance, W. Comardelle, C “Bub” Millet, S. Bourgeois, P. St. Pierre, J. Hotard, C. Monica, S. Jones, C. Vappie, D. Arthur, D. Babin, L. Charles, and J. Rogers. Ex-Officio members M. Darden of the Chitimacha Tribe.
Guests present were: C. Pulaski of TPCG, K. Hill and J. Haley of OCD-DRU, and J. Dubinin and S. Majors of CPEX.
The first item on the agenda was the Review and Acceptance of minutes of February 8th, 2024, Regular Meeting. E. Foulcard motioned, seconded by W. Reed to accept minutes of February 8th, 2024, Regular Meeting. There being no objections motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the Acceptance of Management Committee Meeting Minutes of April 12th, 2024. E. Alexander motioned, seconded by J. Amedee to accept minutes of April 12th, 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 February 28th, 2024. K. Belanger reviewed the Financial Statement ending February 28th, 2024 and relayed the ending fund balance to date for SCPDC’s General Fund was $1,084,729.58. J. Bergeron motioned, seconded by E. Foulcard to approve the Financial Statement ending February 28th, 2024. There being no objections motion carried.
Mr. K. Hill of LA OCD spoke briefly to the Commissioner’s about the New Isle Settlement located in Schriever, LA. This program is a federally funded, first-of-its-kind effort that offers resettlement options to current and former residents of Isle de Jean Charles. In 2018 515 acres of land was purchased near Schriever in Terrebonne Parish for the resettlement project. Currently, 37 families have been resettled with 19 more homes set for completion over the course of the summer. Site plans include the construction of 120 houses, commercial and retail spaces, a community center, and walking paths. M. K. Hill 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.
K. Belanger relayed to the Commissioner’s that on March 24th-26th, staff conducted their own Strategic Development Plan Workshop; whereas, Department Heads and key staff collaborated together on developing a Strategic Plan. Mr. J. Stuart from the University of Lafayette facilitated the event, whereas, 5-15 year “vision” was outlined. The process is expected to take a year before the Strategic Plan is completed and presented to SCPDC’s Board of Commissioners for consideration.
K. Belanger explained agenda items six, seven, and eight were resolutions required annually.
Resolution proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month. J. Amedee motioned, seconded by L. Charles to accept the Resolution proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution authorizing the CEO, to enter into a contract for Metropolitan Planning for FY25 between SCPDC and the LADOTD for the Houma-Thibodaux MPO, Transit Funds. J. Amedee motioned, seconded by E. Foulcard to approve the Resolution authorizing the CEO to enter into a contract for Metropolitan Planning for FY25
between SCPDC and the LADOTD for the Houma-Thibodaux MPO, Transit Funds. There being no objections motion carried.
Resolution authorizing the CEO, to enter into a contract for Metropolitan Planning for FY25 between SCPDC and the LADOTD for the Houma-Thibodaux MPO, Continuing Planning Phase. J. Bergeron motioned, seconded by J. Amedee to approve the Resolution authorizing the CEO to enter into a contract for Metropolitan Planning for FY25 between SCPDC and the LADOTD for the Houma-Thibodaux MPO, Planning Phase. There being no objections motion carried.
Agenda item nine 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. W. Reed motioned, seconded by J. Amedee 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.
Ratification of New Member to the RLF/RCF Administration Board was agenda item ten. Assumption Parish’s Ms. Rayetta Crochet, Grants Coordinator/Economic Development Specialist was appointed to the RLF/RCF Administration Board by the APPJ. It was motioned by J. Bergeron, seconded by L Charles to ratify Ms. Rayetta Crochet to the RLF/RCF Administration Board. There being no objections motion carried.
J. Boudreaux provided a brief update on the Housing Initiative. He relayed the building improvements which have been taking place ie: electrical improvements, sewerage upgrades, drainage improvements, creation of display wall, etc. Staff have been collaborating with an architect to create two model house plans. Demo work is set to begin in the Town of Baldwin. A contract for the construction of a warehouse in Assumption Parish will soon be finalized.
Under Other Business, C. Curole reviewed the number of applications received for the Hurricane’s Laura/Delta/Ida/May Floods Recovery Funds. He also provided a breakdown of applications received by region and explained the stages which the applications may be in. Chairman Naquin reminded Commissioner’s to submit their Ethics Tier 2.1 forms to the LA Board of Ethics before May 15th, 2024.
K. Belanger introduced Ms. J. Dubinin of CPEX. She explained how EPA is providing $3million in grant funding for the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Actions to Reduce Emissions (CARE) plan to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. CPEX and SCPDC have partnered to develop a CARE plan for the Region. This collaboration will increase awareness of the strategies being developed and assist with identifying related goals.
Corporate Sponsor was Trinity Capital Resources, LLC.
Next meeting date has been set for Thursday, June 20th, 2024 in St. John the Baptist Parish, location to be determined.
There being no other business to discuss. It was unanimously motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
As duly authorized officers of South Central Planning and Development Commission, Board of Commissioners, we do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is the official version of the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on April 18th, 2024.
Jeff Naquin, Chairman
South Central Planning & Development Commission
Jason Bergeron, Secretary
South Central Planning & Development Commission