LAPLACE — As the weather warms the issue of grass cutting, a sometimes a hot button topic for St. John the Baptist Parish Council members, is back on the agenda.

The most recent dustup last week came when Councilman Larry Snyder questioned the administration about the awarding of contracts when the Sheriff’s Office pulled three crews from providing lawn maintenance on some parish grounds. Snyder said the parish was paying the Sheriff’s Office about $250,000 a year for those services and wondered where the money was being spent.

He also questioned if other potential landscapers specializing in lawn care were provided the opportunity to bid on filling the void, saying he was under the impression only those already under contract were allowed to pick up the slack.

Parish Chief Administrative Officer Laverne Toombs quickly mowed down Snyder’s grassy concerns, informing the councilman after the sheriff discontinued providing the service in 2014, proposals were advertised and individuals had the opportunity to submit packets for consideration.

“(The contracts) were awarded through the proper process,” she said with emphasis.

Parish President Natalie Robottom said several new individuals and businesses were awarded the additional contracts and noted the amount of parish property being maintained by the Sheriff’s Office was much more than people realized.

Robottom said those contracts were set to expire this year but are being extended by one year to assess “what we are doing and (determine any) additional areas we may have missed.”

She added some adjustments would likely be made when the bids are advertised to include more landscaping.

Council members quickly moved from lawns to the rails, questioning Public Works Director Brian Nunes about CN Railroad maintaining culverts near the rail tracks.

Nunes noted he and one other staff members periodically ride in CN trucks on the rails to identify problem areas, including where culverts need to be cleared and also address any traffic concerns that might arise.

In response to a question from Councilwoman Julia Remondet, Nunes said the Parish is not allowed to clear a culvert maintained by the railroad.

— By Richard Meek