By SUE ELLEN ROSS – Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – The St. John Parish Council recently addressed an administrative order they received in December from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

Two items on the council’s Feb. 10 agenda reflected areas that are targeted for improvements to the water supply in St. John Parish.

The quality of the parish’s drinking water, as well as upgrading East Bank water plants, are at the center.

When the Parish first received the order last December to improve the quality of drinking water and also employ properly trained operators, Parish President Nickie Monica said the Parish would work toward the goals ordered by the LDHH.

Some council members want to know what has been done so far. There doesn’t seem to be complete communication on the status of the mandate, according to Councilman Joel McTopy.

To that end, McTopy asked the council to appoint a three-member committee to coordinate information and status level. He called this group a “point of contact” with the council.

The committee includes C.J. Savoie, Parish Consultant Engineer; Hugh Martin, testing; and Mike Curtis.

Most of the council members agreed with McTopy. His request passed in a 6-3 vote.

Councilman Dale Wolfe asked why a new committee had to be appointed. He felt the department heads could, and should, be doing the same things the three-man team would do.

Councilwoman Jaclyn Hotard added that the approval was not taking away courtesy of newly-appointed Public Utilities Director Ralph Bean. She added that, although a specific time limit to address the mandate from the state wasn’t given, time is still of the essence to comply.

Another item on the Feb. 10 agenda addressed the topic of funding to complete the Lions Water Plant renovation.

Councilman Allen St. Pierre asked for the request to be tabled and said he needs more information regarding exact needs, and he plans to talk with C.J. Savoie and Associates, the firm handling the project.

The council approved this request and tabled the discussion until their Feb. 19 meeting.