WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024 9:00AM
CITY HALL ANNEX BUILDING - 110 W. HICKORY ST., PONCHATOULA, LA
Vice-President William “Bill” Joubert called the regular meeting to order on March 13, 2024 at
9:05 AM. The meeting was held at the City Hall Annex Building, located at 110 W. Hickory
Street, Ponchatoula, LA.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Timothy DePaula. There was no invocation
today per Vice-President Joubert.
Commissioners Present: William “Bill” Joubert, Tina Roper, Timothy DePaula, William Sims,
Rhonda Sheridan
Commissioners Absent: Darryl Ferrara, Jimmy Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
Vice-President Joubert welcomed the attendees, which included Stormy Joiner, Fire-Chief from
the Ponchatoula Volunteer Fire Department and George Coxen, Fire-Chief from the Manchac
Volunteer Fire Department. Others Present: Patrick Dufresne, Executive Director; Robyn
Pusey, Administrative Assistant; Andre Coudrain, Cashe Coudrain & Bass; Lee Barends, ITL
Accounting; Richard Meek, Hammond Daily Star.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA/MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner DePaula and seconded by Commissioner Sheridan that the
South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission approve the regular meeting agenda for March 13,
2024 as presented. Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper, DePaula, Sims, Sheridan. Nays:
0 Absent: 2 Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
Vice-President Joubert announced that the minutes of the regular meeting on February 14,
2024, had been sent to the Commissioners by email for review, and a copy of the minutes had
been placed in their meeting folders. After a brief review of the minutes, a motion was made by
Commissioner Sims and seconded by Commissioner DePaula to adopt/approve the minutes
from the regular meeting on February 14, 2024. Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper,
DePaula, Sims, Sheridan. Nays: 0 Absent: 2 Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Lee Barends of ITL Accounting told the Commissioners that prior to the meeting today the
financial reports for the period ending February 29, 2024, had been forwarded and emailed to
the Commissioners for their review, and she did not receive any feedback. She said the first
report that provides income and expenses in comparison to the budget shows Hurricane Ida
items that were not budgeted but will be addressed at the first budget amendment.
On the balance sheet, she said there was a balance in the Hancock Whitney general account of
around $345,000.00, leaving the possibility of moving another $95,000.00 to the Edward Jones
cash account. She pointed out that the Edward Jones cash-money market account had a total
of $2,639,240.85, and $978,708.00 in the Edward Jones CD account.
Returning back to the income and expenses report, Ms. Barends said since she was given
access to the Edward Jones account, she would provide the earnings information on a monthly
basis instead of quarterly. Commissioner DePaula asked Ms. Barends if she transfers money to
the Edward Jones account. Ms. Barends said she does not transfer money to the account, that
she lets the financial advisor Sean McArthur know the amount that needs to be transferred and
then he gets approval from the Executive Director, Patrick Dufresne, to make the transaction.
She assured the Commissioners that this process has run smoothly with no problems.
Vice-President Joubert asked what Hurricane expenses were not accounted for in the budget.
Executive Director Patrick Dufresne said it was the retainage for Warehouse Building #2. Ms.
Barends said she did not have that information when the budget was originally created.
There were no additional questions from the Commissioners. It was moved by Commissioner
DePaula and seconded by Commissioner Sheridan that the Commission accept/approve the
financials for the month ending February 29, 2024. Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper,
DePaula, Sims, Sheridan. Nays: 0 Absent: 2 Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
OLD BUSINESS
1. LA-DOTD Port Priority State H. 011927 – Transload Improvements – update
Truck scale container update and electrical update.
Executive Director Patrick Dufresne told the Commissioners that the truck scale container unit
had been installed, and the electrical components inside and outside the unit were currently
being installed. Mr. Dufresne said that he was waiting on Entergy to discuss installing a new
power service pole that would provide electrical service to the container unit. Vice-President
Joubert asked if the container unit had been lifted on to a platform. Mr. Dufresne said yes, the
container unit had been transferred to the refurbished platform at the port, and said he emailed
photographs to President Ferrara that should have been forwarded to the Commissioners.
Commissioner DePaula confirmed that they had received the photos. There were no additional
comments or questions.
2. Warehouse Building #3 - evaluation & maintenance schedule update
Port attorney Andre Coudrain said that he had been in touch with Andy Parker of Premier
Chemicals and was told the lights had been fixed, and that the area around the generator would
be replaced and repainted. He said Mr. Parker told him proposals were still out for bid, and he
expects to award the contract at the end of the month. Mr. Coudrain advised the commission to
let Premier Chemicals get this work completed and when done see what else needs to be
addressed. He said the work is progressing.
3. Prospective Tenant(s) – update
Mr. Dufresne told the Commissioners that he had received an inquiry from a company regarding
the storage of empty 20 ft storage containers at the port. He said that it would be temporary
laydown storage space, that it’s a manageable size and there may be just enough space to
lease. He said we should be able to accommodate the project if they want to proceed, and that
it could last a year. He said the company is doing some research and he should have an
update at the next meeting.
4. Insurance coverage FY 2024 – 2027, update
Mr. Dufresne told the Commissioners that the RFP advertisement process for the port
insurance coverage had started, and that the RFP will run for 90 days and expire on May 31,
2024. He said that the port office had already received a couple of inquiries and hopefully will
get more. The RFP was placed in the Tangi Times, the Daily Star, and The Advocate in Baton
Rouge and New Orleans. Commissioner DePaula asked for a digital copy of the RFP for
review, and asked when the commission would make a decision on this. Mr. Dufresne told him it
would be at the June board meeting, as the deadline for proposals is May 31, 2024.
5. Invoice Payment Approval
Commissioner/Secretary Roper presented the current invoices for payment approval.
1. Cashe Coudrain & Bass
Services rendered through February 29, 2024
Inv# 127504 Matter # 4623-1 Amt. $300.00
Inv# 127505 Matter # 4623-4 Amt. $60.00
Total Amt. $360.00
2. LA Contracting Enterprise, LLC
State Project No. H.011927 (322)
Payment application #4 Amt. $13,639.15
Mr. Dufresne reminded the Commissioners that the payment for LA Contracting Enterprise, LLC
was for the truck scale container unit, and that FEMA would pay 90% of this invoice.
A motion was made by Commissioner DePaula and seconded by Commissioner Sims that the
Commission approve payment for the invoices presented today for Cashe, Coudrain & Bass,
and LA Contracting Enterprise, LLC. Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper, DePaula, Sims,
Sheridan. Nays: 0 Absent: 2 Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Review and adoption of a policy to facilitate participation in public meetings by
members of the public with disabilities recognized by the Americans with
Disabilities Act to fully comply with LA RS 42:14E and 17.2.1
a) Resolution
Port attorney Andre Coudrain said there is a state law that requires jurisdictional public entities
like the commission to have a participation policy for persons who are disabled, including
Commissioners who are disabled. He said that the policy was patterned after other government
jurisdictions and complies with the ADA policy. He also said that the administrative assistant
has information to assist a disabled person who may contact STPPC asking to participate in one
of the board meetings. Mr. Coudrain said the person requesting assistance must have a
recognized disability and that essentially this would be a hearing disability, as a policy for
mobility disability is already in place with handicapped parking and access to the building. He
said once the policy is approved and adopted by the commission, the policy will be added to the
STPPC by-laws, and at that time the by-laws will be reviewed for any changes or updates if
needed.
Vice-President Joubert asked if there would be any fee’s associated with satisfying this policy,
and the administrative assistant said she didn’t think there were any fees to use the TTY
service, however there may be a fee for use of an interpreter if requested. Commissioner
Sheridan said the City of Ponchatoula had used an interpreter during past meetings, and the
closest agency providing interpretation services was in Covington, LA.
A resolution was introduced by Commissioner/Secretary Roper:
Moved by Commissioner DePaula, seconded by Commissioner Sheridan that the Commission
adopt and approve a policy to facilitate participation in its public meetings by disabled
individuals as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act by telephone, to fully comply
with Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:14E and 17.2.1; such policy shall be added to and included
in Article VIII of the by-laws of the commission.
Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper, DePaula, Sims, Sheridan. Nays: 0 Absent: 2
Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
2. Manchac Fire Department – update
Mr. Dufresne told the Commissioners that Fire-Chief George Coxen of the Manchac Volunteer
Fire Department had recently inquired if modifications could be made to the small vessel dock at
the port to help facilitate their new air boat. Mr. Dufresne said the small vessel dock was
originally funded by the LA-DOTD program, and he planned to apply for another package of
funding once the current program is completed and feels certain the DOTD would accommodate
any additional requests. Mr. Dufresne said there was an existing pole guidewire near the dock
that would need to be moved, and this would open up more space for access. He had also
spoken to Entergy about adding a support pole in the area. There were also other
improvements that could be completed around the parking lot. Mr. Dufresne then introduced
Fire-Chief Coxen, who told the Commissioners that there is no place to park in the area to
launch a boat. Fire-Chief Stormy Joiner also explained the different issues they find at the port
when trying to launch from the small dock vessel. Vice-President Joubert thanked both men for
their attendance, and said it was something for future consideration.
Remarks:
Mr. Dufresne reminded the Commissioners that the annual Louisiana Board of Ethics Tier 2.1
Financial disclosure is due by May 15, 2024.
Commissioner Roper said she had attended the PAL (Ports Association of Louisiana)
conference and found it very informative and said, “there is a lot of money out there strictly for
the ports.” She said she had spoken with the director from the Port of South Louisiana, and
said he is interested in the possibility of doing some joint ventures with STPPC. She also said
it was discussed at the meeting the problem of getting insurance, and that everyone seems to
be having the same issues. She said the meeting was very interesting and suggested that more
of the Commissioners attend next year.
Having no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Commissioner Roper and
seconded by Commissioner Sims. Motion passed. Yeas: 5 Joubert, Roper, DePaula, Sims,
Sheridan. Nays: 0 Absent: 2 Ferrara, Schliegelmeyer, Jr.
The meeting adjourned at 9:41 AM.
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Tina Roper, Secretary STPPC Daryl Ferrara, President STPPC