LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / October 6, 1999

HAHNVILLE – Trying to shift the Lakewood drainage project off dead center, the St. Charles Parish Council acted Monday to seek proposals totake over a portion of the project.

An agreement was hammered out between Parish President Chris Tregre and contractor J. Caldarera and Co. of LaPlace to allow Caldarera off thesubsurface portion of the contract and allow another contractor to complete that job.

The agreement formed part of an emergency ordinance to expedite the total contract, which now should be completed in six or seven months, according to public works director Richard Wright.

And Caldarera, according to the agreement, has until Nov. 30 to completework on two pumping stations The project has inconvenienced Lakewood residents since it began in January. It was supposed to have been finished by August. However, it snagged in April upon discovery of unsuspected sewer lines where drainage pipes were intended to go.

Since then, new charts were prepared and completed in August by the engineering firms in question, Burke-Kleinpeter and CHM2M Hill, yet Caldarera attorney Daniel Rance said the new charts weren’t complete and didn’t show all the problem areas.

“We are not abandoning that work,” Tregre emphasized. “Whoever is liablewill pay. The engineering firm is definitely not off the hook.”Councilman Ellis Alexander observed, “This is not the way to do business,” and moved to table action until more information could be received. Thatmotion failed in a 4-4 vote.

“While we’re sitting here taking one side or the other, the people in Lakewood are suffering,” Councilman Barry Minnich urged.

Councilman Bill Sirmon agreed with Minnich and added, “This is extremely important, and we are not to delay any longer.”Councilwoman Dee Abadie pointed out the emergency was known in April, and she demanded to know why action was not taken then to expedite the project.

“Let’s act on this thing,” Tregre said. “Let’s get it done.”This time, the vote was 6-2 in favor, with Alexander and Abadie voting against it.

In other activity, the parish council denied a change order which would have added 41 calendar days to the Destrehan Wastewater treatment plant contract.

The contractor, Roxco Limited, cited rain delays in fulfilling the construction contract. However, Abadie researched rainfall from theNational Weather Service and reported she could not account for all those delays.

“We had a relatively dry summer,” she observed, saying she thought it was a waste of money.

Minnich likewise researched the rainfall during the period and commented, “I’m really baffled by this one.”The ordinance failed 6-2, with Dickie Duhe and Brian Champagne supporting it.

The parish council also approved the annual tax levy, which totals 27.90mills on the east bank, excluding Norco; 33.68 mills in Norco; and 26.87mills on the west bank.

Finance Director Roland Becnel reminded the council that the Emergency- 911 millage (0.49 mills), the Library Service District No. 1 (2.95 mills)and the Road Lighting District No. 1 millage (2.69 mills) must be renewedby June 1, 2001 to stay in uninterrupted effect.

Becnel also noted this year marks the final levy of Gravity Drainage District No. 1, as the council did not call for a renewal election. Also, areduced levy of Road Lighting District No. 1 of one mill was done, though2.69 mills is authorized, because the fund balance was sufficient to coverexpenses.

Likewise, no levy was done for the Mosquito Control Program, though 2.13mills is authorized, for the same reason.

Total millage parishwide will increase 1.93 mills to cover debt service onsewer obligation bonds.

The parish council meeting was cut short during discussion of an ordinance for a jack-and-bore behind Fashion Plantation Estates. Theremainder of the agenda will be taken up first at the next regular meeting, scheduled Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

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