The Pointe Coupee Parish Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Courthouse Annex in the Parish Council Meeting Room, New Roads, Louisiana.
Chairman Boudreaux called the meeting to order and directed Council Clerk Courtney Hurst to call the roll:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jimmy Gaspard, Sidney LaCoste, Edward Soulier, Charles Watkins, Kurt Jarreau, Edward Bazile, Paul Bergeron, and Dustin Boudreaux.
ABSENT: None.
APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025 MEETING
Motion by Mr. LaCoste and seconded by Mr. Soulier:
RESOLVED, That the minutes of November 4, 2025 regular meeting of the Parish Council be adopted as presented and published in the official journal.
Unanimously carried.
CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
There we no amendments to the agenda.
SPECIAL BUSINESS – PROCLAMATION DECLARING JANUARY NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH
Mrs. Tammy Fabre of the Blood Center was present to receive the proclamation presented. Mrs. Fabre provided a brief overview explaining the request to recognize January as National Blood Donor Month and thanked the Council for their time and consideration.
Motion by Mr. Soulier and seconded by Mr. Bergeron:
PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH
WHEREAS, the health and well-being of our community depend on the dedication of individuals who generously give the gift of life through blood donation; and
WHEREAS, donating blood is a safe and simple act of kindness that can save lives, support medical treatments, and provide critical aid during emergencies, surgeries, and ongoing health conditions; and
WHEREAS, the need for blood is constant, and volunteer donors play an essential role in ensuring hospitals and medical facilities have an adequate and reliable blood supply; and
WHEREAS, one single donation can save multiple lives, and the continuing commitment of blood donors reflects the highest ideals of public service, compassion, and community responsibility; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize, honor, and express gratitude to the individuals and organizations who participate in and support blood donation programs throughout our region;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DUSTIN BOUDREAUX, Chairman of the Pointe Coupee Parish Council, do hereby proclaim the month of January, 2026 as NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH in Pointe Coupee Parish, and encourage all citizens to celebrate and encourage all
residents to consider becoming regular blood donors to help save lives and strengthen our community.
Unanimously carried.
PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Parish President Thibaut provided updates and reported on the following: presented a written financial report detailing sales tax, ad valorem tax, severance tax, utility collections, and permit fees; reported total revenues of $20,944,406, total expenditures of $21,504,785, fund balances for 2025 of $18,640,742, and available end-of-year funds of $18,080,362 as of November 30, 2025; and reported one resignation. President Thibaut also expressed appreciation to Parish Government staff for their contributions to the year’s progress as an organization.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were not public comments on agenda items.
PUBLIC HEARING – AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND PARISH GOVERNMENT 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, ADOPT 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET, THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend the Parish Government 2025 Operating Budget, adopt 2026 Capital Budget; and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 5:43 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2025 at Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Bazile and seconded by Mr. Watkins:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to amend Parish Government 2025 Operating Budget, adopt 2026 Capital Budget, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE III RELATIVE TO CREATING A FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU PURSUANT TO LA R.S.40:1563, THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article III relative to creating a fire prevention bureau pursuant to LA R.S.40:1563; and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 5:44 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2025 at Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
Chairman Boudreaux opened the floor for discussion regarding amendments made to the ordinance. The amendment specified that Fire District No. 4 will remain under the current Fire Prevention Bureau, while the remaining fire districts will establish their own bureau.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Soulier and seconded by Mr. Gaspard:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article III relative to creating a fire prevention bureau pursuant to LA R.S.40:1563, and further provide with respect thereto be accepted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Boudreaux and seconded by Mr. Soulier:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article III relative to creating a fire prevention bureau pursuant to LA R.S.40:1563, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted with amendments by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE IV RELATIVE TO THE SINGLE BOARD GOVERNING ALL FIRE DISTRICTS, THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article IV relative to the single board governing all fire districts; and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 5:50 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2025 at Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
Chairman Boudreaux introduced amendments to the ordinance. The amendment provides for the addition of two at-large board members who are property taxpayers.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. LaCoste:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article IV relative to the single board governing all fire districts, and further provide with respect thereto be accepted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Boudreaux and seconded by Mr. Bergeron:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article IV relative to the single board governing all fire districts, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted with amendments by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – AN INTRODUCED PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO ENACT CHAPTER 29 OF THE POINTE COUPEE PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND AMEND SEC. 17-57, PERTAINING TO BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS, THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A hearing to obtain public input to a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 9, Article IV relative to the single board governing all fire districts; and further provide with respect thereto was conducted at 5:53 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2025 at Parish Council Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
President Thibaut spoke regarding the amendments made to the ordinance.
Vice Chairman Bergeron expressed agreement with the amendments made to the ordinance and proposed an additional amendment requiring the inclusion of an Economic Impact Statement with those changes.
There were no objections received orally or written to the ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Soulier and seconded by Mr. Jarreau:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to enact Chapter 29 of the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances, and amend Sec. 17-57, pertaining to Battery Energy Storage Systems, and further provide with respect thereto be accepted by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Jarreau:
RESOLVED, That the proposed ordinance to enact Chapter 29 of the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances pertaining to Battery Energy Storage Systems, and further provide with respect thereto be adopted with amendments by the Pointe Coupee Parish Council.
The Chairman called for a roll call vote that resulted as follows;
YEAS: Messrs. Gaspard, LaCoste, Soulier, Watkins, Jarreau, Bazile, Bergeron, and Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0-0, the motion carried.
RESOLUTION - APPROVE ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH OFF-SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Motion by Mr. LaCoste and seconded by Mr. Bazile:
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH
STATE OF LOUISIANA OFF-SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Code of Federal Regulations, as enacted by the United States Congress, mandates that all structures defined as bridges located on all public roads shall be inspected, rated for safe load
capacity, and posted in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards, and that an inventory of these bridges be maintained by each State; and
WHEREAS, the responsibility to inspect, rate and load post those bridges under the authority of Pointe Coupee Parish, in accordance with those Standards, is delegated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to Pointe Coupee Parish;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the governing authority of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, convened in Regular Session on the 9th day of December, that it does hereby certify to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) that for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026:
1. The Parish will perform all interim inspections on all parish-owned or maintained bridges in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards and Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory;
2. All bridges owned or maintained by the Parish will be structurally analyzed and rated by the Parish as to the safe load capacity in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Bridge Evaluation. The load posting information that has been determined by DOTD for all bridges where the maximum legal load under Louisiana State Law exceeds the load permitted under the operating rating as determined above will be critically reviewed by the Parish. Load posting information will be updated by the Parish to reflect all structural changes, any obsolete structural ratings, or any missing structural ratings;
3. All Parish-owned or maintained bridges which required load posting or closing will be load posted or closed in accordance with the table in the DOTD Load Rating Directives. All DOTD supplied load posting information concerning a bridge has been critically reviewed by the Parish Engineer prior to load posting; and
4. All bridges owned or maintained by the Parish are shown on the attached list in the format specified by the DOTD. Corrections to data supplied to the Parish by the DOTD are noted.
5. All bridges owned and maintained by the Parish are accessible to DOTD for all routine bridge inspections. Parish will clear vegetation as required upon DOTD request.
These stipulations are prerequisites to participation by the Parish in the Off-System Bridge Replacement Program.
Unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION – APPROVE FINAL PLAT FOR RE-SUBDIVISION OF TRACT 5-F AND LOT 2
THEREBY CREATING TRACTS 5-F-1 AND 2-F-1 FOR LOTTIE B. SMITH, ET AL
SUBDIVISION
Motion by Mr. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Gaspard:
RESOLVED, That the final plat showing the re-subdivision of tract 5-F and Lot 2 thereby creating tracts 5-F-1 and 2-F-1 (1355 River Station, Lottie, LA 70756) for Lottie B. Smith, et Al Subdivision.
Unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION – APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE POINTE COUPEE PARISH FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU AND PROVIDING FOR THE INDEMNITY OF THE FIRE MARSHAL AS REQUESTED BY LA. R.S. 40:1563 AND RELATED MATTER
Motion by Mr. Soulier and seconded by Mr. Bazile:
RESOLVED, That A resolution approving acknowledging the creation of the Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Prevention Bureau and providing for the indemnity of the Fire Marshal as required by La. R.S. 40:1563 and related matters.
WHEREAS the Pointe Coupee Parish Council hereby finds as follows:
WHEREAS Pointe Coupee Parish created the Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Prevention Bureau to conduct fire safety inspections within Pointe Coupee Parish;
WHEREAS the Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Prevention Bureau was created by ordinance pursuant to La. R.S. 40:1563;
WHERERAS, this Resolution is required by La. R.S. 40:1563(C)(6);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of Pointe Coupee, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of said Parish, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitations are incorporated into and made part of this Resolution.
Section 2. The Parish of Coupee assumes all responsibility and liability for and releases the fire marshal and any other State entity from responsibility or liability for those inspections performed by the Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Prevention Bureau, or the consequences thereof, within the Parish of Pointe Coupee.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: Messrs. Jimmie Gaspard, Sidney LaCoste, Edwin Soulier, Charles Watkins, Kurt
Jarreau, Edward Bazile, Paul Bergeron, and Dustin Boudreaux.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
On a vote of 8-0-0, the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 9th day of December, 2025.
RESOLUTION - APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO PC PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Motion by Mr. LaCoste and seconded by Mr. Jarreau:
RESOLVED, That Mr. Brett Robillard be appointed as a member of the Pointe Coupee Parish Planning & Zoning Commission (District B) to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Pete Fremin, Jr.
Unanimously carried.
DISCUSSION REGARDING CLARIFICATION OF A VARIANCE RELATIVE TO ORDINANCE AND ZONING (DONNYSIUS & MARVIN KADOR)
Mrs. Donnysius Kador appeared before the Council seeking clarification regarding the variance ordinance and zoning requirements. She stated her intent to apply to operate a therapeutic group home on her property without rezoning and while maintaining the property’s classification as a rural single-family residence. Mrs. Kador requested a use variance to allow the property to be used as-is rather than requesting an area variance.
Chairman Boudreaux responded to Mrs. Kador’s questions and advised that parish regulations do not provide a variance process for use classifications. He further explained the definition and limitations of a variance as outlined in the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinances.
Parish Attorney Dannie Garrett also explained the process for special use permits and zoning classification procedures within the Parish. He advised Mrs. Kador that the Council does not have the authority to grant a special use permit in a zoning classification where such a permit is not permitted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, NOTICES, MEETINGS, ETC.
Chairman Boudreaux announced that there would be no further meetings for the month of December.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Gaspard and seconded by Mr. LaCoste, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
_______________________ _______________________
Courtney D. Hurst Dustin Boudreaux
Council Clerk Chairman
cost $888.00
