LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Council unanimously voted to award the water meter billing system project to Greenup Industries LLC during the Oct. 22 meeting.

Bids were opened on Sept. 25, with Greenup Industries LLC initially submitting a base bid amount of $5,346,975.61. Greenup Industries reduced the bid to $5,274,975.61 after a calculation error was brought to the company’s attention, according to Robert Figuero, chief financial officer for St. John Parish.

“After reviewing the bid, a calculation error was identified,” Figuero said. “Greenup Industries LLC was notified of the error and acknowledged the error. Despite the error, Greenup Industries LLC remains the lowest responsible and responsive bidder with a base bid amount of $5,274,975.61.”

Figuero said the bid was reviewed and approved by the project engineer and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to ensure it met all guidelines.

Installation work can reasonably begin within 30 to 45 days, according to Rob Delaune of Digital Engineering.

“Once a contractor signs a contract, he’s going to have to order the materials for his meters and valves and things, covers, meter boxes,” Delaune said. “That’s going to take a little time to get that equipment in before he can get started.”

The contract award has been a long time coming.

At the end of 2018, installation of new Advanced Metering Infrastructure seemed to be sailing forward, with water bill relief for residents projected to come to St. John the Baptist Parish residents between April 2019 and April 2020.

The project did not progress as expected. Water meter upgrades were initially pushed back one month to re-advertise a mandatory pre-bid meeting. In May, Parish Council members followed the advice of District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut’s Office and rejected Parish President Natalie Robottom’s recommendation to award a contract to Aqua Metric Sales Company. The Parish Council opted to start the bid process over to align with legal recommendations, further delaying the process.

With work now slated to begin in 30 to 45 days, St. John residents can expect the project to take approximately one year. However, many residents should see relief from inflated water bills within the first few months of the project.

The construction phase breaks the parish into six areas, or “water cycles.” The expectation is that each cycle will be completed fully before moving forward to the next one.

New water meters will have accurate readings, smart leak detection and software allowing homeowners and business owners to track their water usage on an hour-by-hour basis.

St. John Parish closed on a $6 million LDEQ loan late last year for the installation of the project. The loan term is 20 years with a 0.95 percent interest rate, according to Parish administration. Funds are delivered in a reimbursement style that allows the Parish to receive money as it is spent.

Residential meters have a lifespan of 20 years, comprising a majority of the project, while larger meters to be placed near businesses have an industry standard 10-year lifespan.

St. John Parish Council members have discussed setting aside funds for replacement once the system reaches end-of-life.

Figuero said the St. John Utilities department is preparing for the installation by making sure all water meters are located and accounted for. He said St. John Parish will likely partner with South Central Planning to facilitate this process.

The cost associated with it would most likely be discussed and go to a council vote during an upcoming Parish Council meeting, according to Figuero.

Also during the Oct. 22 meeting, the St. John Parish Council discussed the status of abandoned and blighted houses marked for demolition on East 23^rd Street and 219 Homewood Drive in Reserve and at 119 Tassin Court in LaPlace.

Planning and Zoning Director Rene Pastorek said contractor DLH is mobilized to demolish five of the six houses in question. However, the violation process is still underway for 119 Tassin Court.

“That is because the homeowner has decided to begin renovating the house,” Pastorek said.

In regards to East 23^rd Street, Pastorek said a violation order to board and secure the property was issued on Oct. 7.

Councilman Lennix Madere has received a lot of community complaints, especially regarding the house on 119 Tassin Court.

“I believe the guy came and got the permit to remodel without the intention of actually remodeling,” Madere said. “That’s why I asked you what was the deadline. We have to keep up with it and make sure he does his part.”

Madere also disagreed with board and secure decision on East 23^rd Street.

“Since 2009, it has been also declared by South Central on two separate occasions that it should be demolished,” Madere said, noting the property owner failed to make the necessary adjustments to save the structure from demolition.

“That particular house should not just be boarded and secured. It should go back to court immediately to be torn down,” he said.

Councilman Kurt Becnel recommended administration look within to see if any equipment operators in the public works department can save the parish money with demolition work.

“I guarantee you, some of them have got licenses, or they can get trained to tear down some of these houses,” Becnel said.