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LAPLACE — An agreement allowing the River Parishes Convention, Tourists and Visitors Commission to manage the St. John the Baptist Community Center for one year provides parish officials an opportunity to assess the facility and its future management structure, parish president Jaclyn Hotard said during a parish council meeting this past Tuesday night.

The one-year agreement, which calls for the commission to pay the parish $1,750 a month plus pre-approved expenses, finally resolves an issue that has been stewing for several years.

The final legal caveat was resolved when the council approved a recommendation from the district’s attorney’s office that the proposed Cooperative Endeavor Agreement be changed to a Professional Services Agreement, ensuring that neither public agency would provide a gratuitous donation the other, which would violate state law.

The commission has been managing the center in recent years without an agreement in place, and still oversees the center and existing contracts.

But even with that thorny issue resolved, the center remains mired in controversy. In recent years, council members have raised concerns that the center was being underutilized and rates being charged were too high for some parish residents and organizations, forcing events such as proms and even Mardi Gras balls to use out-of-parish venues.

Also fueling the issue that has stirred emotions in council chambers is the movie industry using the community center as a studio, also resulting in local residents being locked out, although the industry has recently moved out.

Councilwoman Tammy Houston admitted several of her constituents were not in favor of the agreement, claiming alleged discrepancy of usage fees.

“There seems to be a hesitance on someone’s part in allowing our residents to book the facility,” Houston said. “I thought (Buddy Boe, director of the River Parish Tourist Commission) would be here tonight to answer some of those concerns. I see he is not. How much does it cost to use the facility?”

Although not answering Houston directly, Hotard, who said Boe had texted her saying he had a previous engagement and would be unable to attend the meeting, noted the fees are pre-determined and set by the parish. She also said no agreement for usage of the center is finalized until the contract is signed by the parish president.

Viewing the role of the tourist commission as “just managing the paperwork,” and handling the management and bookings of the center based on rules set by the parish, Hotard emphasized the commission is “not in position to negotiate any of these rates.”

However, without elaborating, Hotard did admit she found “inconsistencies” in some existing contracts.

“(The commission) houses all of the contracts; they have the calendar but they don’t book the events without approval of administration,” Hotard said. “We sign off on all of them.”

She said that usage by parish residents was more than she thought, with events such as weddings, family reunions, parties and other events hosted by the center.

Councilman Lennix Madere proposed setting rates for local residents where the center does not make any money.

Hotard and several parish council members were in agreement of the parish eventually taking over facility management.

“If it’s a parish building we should be managing it,” councilwoman Tonia Schnyder said, also inquiring if Boe would be amenable to having the commission staff train the parish staff during the next 12 months for an eventual transferal of management.

Hotard’s vision for the future is to attract more local events, including schools hosting proms or even graduations.

“Rates are reasonable,” she said. “It’s a great rate for what you are getting.”

– by Richard Meek, contributing writer