LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / February 9, 2000

HAHNVILLE – An administrative agency under the direction of the St. CharlesParish Council is not in the foreseeable future after a vote Monday night against the proposed ordinance to create one.

Councilwoman Darnell “Dee” Abadie received written advice from attorney Martha Hess which suggested creation of such an agency would be allowed under the parish’s home rule charter.

Abadie did admit, though, the letter is only advice and doesn’t carry the weight of an attorney general’s written opinion.

Abadie’s proposal called for establishment of a professional/technical agency, which could include an independent attorney as well as positions as legislative liaison, grant writer and computer technicians.

Each of these positions would be contractual and short-term in nature and come under the supervision of the council secretary.

The proposal drew pointed opposition from some fellow council members, including G. “Ram” Ramchandran, who said, “I believe in minimumgovernment. Why do we need this? Beats me!”Brian Fabre likewise objected and cited Judge Edward S. Dufresne Jr., whohad served as chairman of the home rule charter commission in the 1970s.

“Judge Dufresne clearly intended that the council not have its own department,” Fabre said.

Parish attorney Robert Raymond said regardless of the agency’s supervision employees by law would still fall under parish civil service and, therefore, under the parish president. He suggested a charter amendment couldpossibly do what Abadie wanted.

Barry Minnich urged the matter be discussed in committee to iron out exactly the functions of such an agency before one is created.

“We should take this and kill it now!” Ramchandran urged.

On the final vote, only four council members supported the proposal, including Abadie, Lance Marino, April Black and Desmond Hilaire.

“I’m disappointed they didn’t see it for what it was,” Abadie commented after the vote.

In another matter, parish administrator Timothy Vial gave his annual report to the council, reminding members of the impending 2000 U.S. census,reapportionment hearings which will follow the release of census results, the ongoing community boundary project with South Central Planning Commission and curbside recycling.

Vial said census will begin in April, and accurate reporting is important to qualify the parish for various state and federal grants. Part-time jobs arealso available for census workers through the JTPA office.

Vial said council district reapportionment hearings should begin as soon as census results are received in spring 2001, to be completed by the end of 2002.

South Central Planning is also progressing with its community boundary determination contract. Vial said the questions as to the exact boundariesbetween towns has caused confusion, especially with 9-1-1. Questionsespecially remain as to the lines between New Sarpy and Destrehan, between Luling and Boutte and between Luling and Hahnville.

Vial concluded his report and urged the council to attend to the need for a long-term recycling contract. The former contract expired in March 1999,and the rates are exposed to being increased. Meanwhile, he added, recyclingparticipation is up, from 37 percent to 49 percent, over last year.

In other matters: Robert Brou Sr. was unanimously confirmed as director of the WaterworksDepartment.

The Parish Council approved a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineersobjecting to issuance of a wetlands permit for expansion of a subdivision across Heather Drive from Lakewood Elementary School. Minnich said he hadseveral objections to the project, to add 52 more lots behind the 30 lots already under development, as the wetlands region “is one of the hardest-hit by flooding.”He also objected to further development, as recreational facilities in the area are inadequate.

Among resolutions approved by the council are the following: To support the parish’s application to the Governor’s Rural Development fund for the Luling Bridge Park parking lot expansion project.

To request the state highway department to install left-turn signals at the intersection of Barton Avenue/Lakewood Drive and U.S. Highway 90; and alsoat the intersection of Queenie Drive/Oak Lane at U.S. 90. To request the state highway department to install a signal light at the intersection of River Road and St. Rose Avenue.

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