By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Council on Tuesday discussed and approved change orders for an expansion at the parish’s central library in LaPlace and renovations to the Health and Human Services Building in Reserve.

The council also approved a task order for design and engineering services for phase 3 of the Mississippi River multi-use trail atop the levee on the east bank during a meeting of the finance committee.

The council authorized a change order of about $32,000 for the expansion project at the LaPlace central library on Louisiana Highway 51. Parish Chief Administrative Officer Theresa Rodgers said the change includes a lightning protection system, a concrete patio extension, an increase in ground elevation and a change to some exterior doors on the new building. The parish Library Board had already approved the changes.

The change is part of a $1.1 million expansion at the library that will add 5,800-square feet of space to the existing 20,000-square-foot building. J.A. “Jack” Julius Construction of Marrero is the contractor on the project.

The council also approved a $2,800 change order with Lanco Construction for completion of renovations at the Health and Human Services building. The change deals with a decision to replace, rather than repair, two internal doors, frames and hardware in the building. The parish recently wrapped up a $272,000 renovation of the more than 30-year-old building, adding new offices, a waiting room, a conference room and a small kitchen.

The $87,000 task order for the multi-use trail will fund design and engineering for phase 3, which will extend the path from East 29th Street to West 10th Street in Reserve. Total cost of the third phase is $855,500, which will be funded through the state Department of Transportation and Development. The first phase, which begins at the St. Charles Parish line and extends to Walnut Street in LaPlace, was completed earlier this year. The parish has taken bids on the second phase of the path, which will extends from Walnut Street to East 29th Street. That project should begin by early 2012.

In other action, the council voted in favor of rezoning a property at 944 River Road in Reserve from C-1 to C-3 so the property owner can open a bar. The Planning and Zoning Commission and the administration recommended against the request because it did not meet specific requirements necessary for the change. Some council members felt the Planning and Zoning Board did not properly handle the zoning change request and argued that if the property owners were in compliance the change should be granted.

The council also voted to enlist the serves of E. Jeffery Perilloux as council attorney for the new incoming council. Perilloux had previously served as council attorney until 2010.

Councilman Steve Lee proposed the measure as a way to assist incoming council members who will have to handle an assortment of legal issues.

“They are going to have lots of questions, especially in the beginning,” Lee said. “He was there for us seven days a week with answers.”