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.
Electronic public records fees repealed
The council rolled back fees for electronic copies of public records until the state legislature clarifies what parishes may charge.
Election equipment modernization pending
The Registrar of Voters said the state is still negotiating with vendors to replace aging voting machines bought in the early 2000s, with a decision expected by year's end — and the parish will foot part of the bill.
Employee wellness and health insurance incentives
Employees on the parish health plan must complete wellness requirements to get the preferred rate, which will be $40 in 2027. Packets were mailed telling each employee what they still need to do.
2027 Holiday Schedules for Parish Workforces
Both five-day and four-day workforces get their 2027 holiday calendars approved — 15 holidays for five-day employees and 12 full holidays for four-day employees, with a half-day float cleverly moved to Juneteenth and Good Friday.
George Prince ferry disaster 50th anniversary
A memorial ceremony will be held October 20 at 5 p.m. at East Bank Bridge Park for the 1976 tragedy that claimed 77 lives.
Rathborne donated park land returned
The parish gave back donated land it can't use because the federal levee footprint now covers it, killing the planned parking expansion.
Delinquent property maintenance liens shelved
Public Works is behind on parish grass cutting because of staffing and equipment gaps, but tractors are back online and new hires are starting, according to President Jewell.
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.
Library and 911 board appointments
Nominations were made for two Library Board seats — Erica Spengler (District VI) and Lindsey Tullier (District II) — while the Firemen's Association 911 board seat was delayed to September.
WimCo foreign trade zone agreement
The board approved the agreement for WimCo Inc. and DPA Randall Logistics under Foreign Trade Zone Trade Sub Zone 124, supporting logistics businesses in the parish.
Highway 90 Corridor sign sizing standards
A business wanted a 108-square-foot sign where only 24 is allowed, arguing a car wash and setback hide it from view. The board wasn't persuaded and voted the waiver down.
Extreme-weather worker protections
The personnel policy now lets the authority buy uniforms and electrolyte-replacing drinks for staff working in heat and cold.
Resubdivision of lots on Barber Road, Paradis
A family is squaring off a lot line between adjacent parcels on Barber Road to position a new home. The landlocked resulting lot will use a 30-foot servitude through a neighboring lot instead of direct street frontage, which the commission waived.
July meeting rescheduled around July 4th holiday
The commission's July 2 meeting falls right before the Independence Day holiday, and two commissioners planned to be out of town, so members voted to move it to July 9.
Modular home in R-1A district, Des Allemands
Keith and Sherry Petit can build a four-bedroom, two-bath modular home on Wenger Road. The home must meet modular specs and all standard construction codes, fixed to a permanent foundation.
Virtual home-based health practice in Hahnville
A nurse practitioner will run an entirely telehealth-based practice from her home at 128 Duhe Drive. Commissioners found no impact on neighbors since there are no in-person visits, extra deliveries, or added parking.
Residential generator placement and carbon monoxide safety
The Lists' generator will sit close to the property line and near their house, prompting board questions about exhaust direction, window sealing, and carbon monoxide risks. The board granted the variance with a safety warning.
Residential lot splits in St. Rose, Des Allemands, and Luling
Four routine minor resubdivisions were approved, including a father splitting land to build his daughter a house and two Des Allemands lot splits that could each hold a home.
Communications District board vacancy
Kevin Gauthier fills the EMS seat on the Communications District board through the unexpired term ending August 19, 2026.
Sworn testimony before the zoning board
The board fixed its oath-taking procedure using legal's recommended language and scheduled a training session with parish legal on topics like compelling witnesses — the kind of housekeeping that affects how smoothly future cases run.
Wet floodproofing limits for residential accessory buildings
FEMA caps wet floodproofed sheds at 600 square feet; two homeowners got variances beyond that by promising flood vents. Planning staff noted the parish already raised the cap once and could push FEMA for more.
Designation of a Records Officer
Resolution 26-2 would name an official responsible for the library's public records compliance — a housekeeping matter with real implications for transparency.
Updated substance abuse rules for parish employees
The parish updated its personnel rules on substance abuse for parish employees — a workplace policy change that applies to the parish workforce.
Precinct 2-3 polling place change
District 2, Precinct 3 voters get a new permanent polling place at The Bible Center Church under a lease the council approved, plus the code change making it official.
No Overnight Parking on Weinnig Drive
Residents of Weinnig Drive in Luling will get 'No Overnight Parking' signs after the ordinance passed unanimously.
Subdivision waiver request by Laurie Delaune
The council endorsed a waiver from subdivision block-arrangement rules for Laurie Delaune of Paradis, even though parish planning staff recommended denial — the Planning Commission had backed it.
Council District 1 and 7 redistricting cleanup
A pending ordinance would shift portions of Pit Road, Alexander Street and Boutte Estates Drive south of Tinney Street into a single council district. Public hearing is February 9.
Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (Resolution 26-1)
The board was scheduled to adopt Resolution 26-1 certifying the library system's compliance with state requirements — routine housekeeping that keeps parish library funding and operations in good standing.