LAPLACE — Contract awards for design and management and a proposal to upgrade equipment were on the table for the St. John the Baptist Parish Council last week, with three administration recommendations receiving the green light from the governing board.

The Council authorized an agreement with Motorola for upgrades to the 911 system, which is managed by the Department of Public Safety.

Director of Emergency Preparedness Jobe Boucvalt said the current system is five years old, which means there are no spare parts available for repairs. He said the total cost of the new system is $356,265, which will be paid for in four payments.

“Two payments will be in 2015, and two in 2016 through the 911 Communications District,” Boucvalt said. “To take advantage of a no-interest program, the final payment will be before April 1, 2016.”

The agreement is with Motorola for the VESTA 911 System, which officials said is engineered to ensure there is essentially no single point of failure by having hardware duplication within the system. The system upgrade will also include technical support moving forward.

In another agenda item, the Council approved a task order in conjunction with Phase 4 of the Mississippi River Multi-Use Trail and Meyer Engineering Ltd.

The task order included $101,140 for basic engineering services and a not-to-exceed amount of $152,486 for supplemental services, such as geotechnical investigation, environmental clearance through DOTD, permitting, coordination of agreements and resident inspection.

Once completed, the levee trail will extend the entire length of the Mississippi River on the East Bank of St. John Parish.

“With construction of Phase 3 to begin this year, we look forward to design and construction of the final 14.3 miles of the trail to complete the project,” Parish President Natalie Robottom said.  “This project is a true collaboration between the parish, region and state to improve the quality of life of our residents.”

The Council also approved an amendment to the management contract for Digital Engineering Inc., who is currently managing the $6 million Department of Health and Hospitals Drinking Water Loan.

The loan is funding altitude valves at select elevated storage tanks, adjustments and upgrades to the water intake structure at the Lions Pump Station, replacement of old filters at the Lions Treatment Plant and installation of a water main beneath the Mississippi River to connect the Lions Water Plant to the Edgard Water Plant.

The approved change was in the amount of $57,197.75 for additions to the existing scope of work.

The additions include the Ultraviolet Disinfection Project required by DHH, amendments to the System Improvement Plan associated with the project and Temporary Servitude Services for the Mississippi River Waterline Crossing Project.

The UV Disinfection Project — designed by CJ Savoie Consulting Engineers Inc. — was recently added to the loan project, and construction was awarded to Sealevel Construction Inc.

Officials said the target completion date is October.