By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – After a solid offer to lease the St. John Parish Civic Center, the decision to accept could be delayed due to bidding requirements.

The Louisiana Institute of Film Technology sent a letter of intent to the Civic Center’s marketing consultant Wayne Read on Nov. 2, stating interest and agreement to pay a $12,000 per month lease to use the building, plus additional expenses for other utilities beginning Jan. 1, 2006 until Dec. 31, 2006.

The problem is, according to Parish Attorney Jeff Perilloux, whether or not a lease can be done without bidding.

&#8220We are currently looking into the actual bidding requirements,” Perilloux said. &#8220Because it is a public facility, it may have to be bid out to the highest bidder, but at the time we are not sure if it needs to be bid out or not.”

Councilman Sean Roussel said he is currently pursuing this and is trying to get something done as soon as possible.

&#8220I am arranging a meeting with (parish president) Nickie Monica this week, so we can get an answer to L.I.F.T as soon as possible,” Roussel said.

It states in the letter of intent from L.I.F.T that they are willing to match higher offers that are received.

Perilloux said they should know whether or not a lease can be done without bidding by the next council meeting, which will be held Nov. 22 at the Percy D. Hebert in LaPlace.