St. Charles Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Charles Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
CEO transition
The hospital is searching for a permanent CEO, with candidates and an announcement expected by the December meeting.
Ormond Center drainage improvements
Unmarked AT&T lines and owner access requests added $282,632 to the Ormond drainage project. Council members defended the cost as necessary to protect major drainage capacity.
Drainage project funding shifts
More than $700,000 was redirected through amendments toward drainage work — culvert cleaning, bank stabilization, and articulating block mat along the Bayou Gauche canal near Armand Condominiums. Some recreation projects like the gymnasium engineering and Monsanto Linear Park gave up money to fund it.
Tropical Storm Arthur flooding and FEMA response
St. Charles wasn't a primary disaster parish for Tropical Storm Arthur, but businesses and nonprofits here can still apply for SBA economic injury loans through March 30, 2027.
Montz pump stations and drainage investments
President Jewell reported the $32 million Montz pump station projects are on track — Montz No. 1 done in November 2026, No. 2 in January 2027.
Willowdale pump station sump enlargement
Engineers found the parish already owns a drainage servitude, letting the sump be enlarged without touching the golf course. Design work is funded through $351,560 total.
Barton Avenue Drainage Improvements
Parish President Jewell presented the Barton Avenue Corridor project, with consultant Gary McClure and Regional Planning Commission's Jeffrey Roesel providing details on the infrastructure effort.
New Sarpy pump station drainage expansion
The council funded a $959,300 fix to discharge pipes that were damming up Cousins Canal and backing water into Mimosa neighborhoods. The project started because one resident complained directly to the parish president — a small-government success story Jewell highlighted.
Private sewage treatment for rural subdivisions
The Des Allemands lot split can't connect to parish sewer, so the buyer plans private treatment systems meeting state health rules. A resident questioned whether that's wise given past concerns over temporary treatment plants.
Hospital air handler replacement
The board awarded an $841,510 bid to BGSN to replace the hospital's air handler unit — a major building-systems investment that keeps the hospital running safely.
Water system modeling and West Bank plant upgrades
The parish is spending $4.8 million to design a new water treatment plant that will replace 1950s-era plants A and B — a roughly $50 million project overall. President Jewell says the parish is chasing federal and state money, including the Corps' 219 program.
Engineers Canal Pump Station design and permitting
A $1.42 million contract with GIS Engineering will refine and permit the Engineers Canal Pump Station, with bidding targeted for spring 2027. Norco residents have waited years for this drainage relief.
Cousins Pump Station T-Wall and sump expansion
The state's CPRA awarded $16.7 million for the Cousins Pump Station T-Wall in Luling, plus a roughly five-acre sump expansion to help the station keep up in torrential rains.
Wastewater generator maintenance program
The $99,735 contract keeps 32 emergency generators at lift stations running — a setup that saves roughly $400,000 a year versus renting generators during storms.
$500,000 Drainage Grant Application
St. Rose residents who have flooded for 20-plus years get another shot at federal money — the council unanimously backed a $500,000 Delta Regional Authority application for culvert work under the railroad.
Routine drainage maintenance criticized
A frequent council commenter pressed the parish to do better on basics — cleaning culverts, ditches, and jack-and-bores — saying employees were pulling debris by hand after the June flood. Engineering Director Bingham defended his staff's workload and budget limits.
Turtle Pond Pump Station Relocation and Drainage
The parish is relocating the Turtle Pond pump station in St. Rose to a better site near Airline Highway, with about $9 million in LWI grant funding. The approved contract amendment pays for the redesigned engineering.
Milling drainage improvements engineering contract
An introduced ordinance would hire All South Consulting Engineers for $85,575 on the Milling drainage improvements project.
Public Works Drainage Maintenance Facility design
The parish is paying Murray Architects $124,486 to design a new drainage maintenance facility — the first step in a project aimed at keeping drainage equipment and crews ready.
Parish canal maintenance permits (drainage and storm protection)
Parish Public Works wants permits to clear vegetative debris from the Destrehan pump station canal and the Peterson Canal over five years to keep drainage and storm protection working. Both need coastal use permits.