[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6279429,"mediaKeyId","2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39","parentId",2623571,"title","Parish engineers report progress and right‑of‑way hurdles on multiple drainage projects, urge short‑term parish work to limit flooding","audioSeconds",7000,"startMs",4190000,"endMs",11190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39&start=4190&end=11190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39/thumbnail_4190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279429/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Parish-engineers-report-progress-and-rightofway-hurdles-on-multiple-drainage-projects-urge-shortterm-parish-work-to-limit-flooding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279429-df9979fb2fc515ea8265612b17d02b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770902571&Signature=ErALbKFS-TQA~vtLSO2N2bBUUDQ9~fnHJefMAMu33gPPiqEdiPpj23e6-Q1JfQxMfxIRPIbGjZM~JM2auw97YCGF~GevSqK-lnz6QMitUJbSmqgRvrYpbMpFjmDVWXSHTPuNfK9kSRQpKlp6GFfjWoTNiOzBScQU5jhGjCLEd2h0D63UhAUPszbATdhTSCOYwnlGVl2z3snyDImT1WXwHaK-zxlxlLC09ulT2~V1eNDx~KZ14gIJv0whaAanfRvf9I58ayic5ZvORJZjn7l3c1cQ8jnTrjrPUx-msFWYj73TG5~zraLgmlJRT1fE3tDfQr1PQTDs2l7UbOklym8RqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","assumptionla","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","A drainage committee meeting and the full police jury heard updates Wednesday on multiple ongoing drainage projects across Assumption Parish, from Lavenderville canals to pump‑station and levee repairs near Georgia Street and Lower Texas.

Committee and engineering staff said several excavation and snagging contracts are complete or under way, but landowner refusals to grant excavation right‑of‑way are delaying the excavation portions of projects in Lavenderville and other reaches. Parish staff said they will pursue a cooperative agreement (CEA) with the landowner while continuing to advance snagging and other work that required only limited access.

Engineers from GIS Engineering and the parish’s drainage staff described field findings and preliminary designs. For the South Loop Canal reaches, staff reported completed snagging and excavation work and that no further issues were reported after completion. For the Locust Road/Redwood Street reach, GIS provided invert elevations that indicate roughly three feet of material could be removed over about 3,700 linear feet; staff said they will prepare a cost estimate for excavating to Bayou Lafourche and for dam removal.

At the Georgia pumping station and connected reservoirs, staff described repeated short‑duration flooding and a constrained cross‑culvert that limits inflow to pumps. Parish staff said enlarging that cross‑culvert (to 24 inches) or adding a second crossing and expanding the reservoir would increase inflow to the pumps, reduce repeated pump starts and improve local drainage. Staff said they will produce a cost estimate and work with the engineer to identify immediate tasks the parish can do with in‑house crews before sending the larger package to bid.

Committee members and the engineer recommended splitting work: have GIS/consultant complete the overall design and permit work while the parish identifies and implements discrete tasks (clearing, small earthworks, temporary berms or culvert work) that can be done immediately with parish labor and drainage funds.

On right‑of‑way issues, staff said one Lavenderville landowner provided a set of restrictive conditions for excavation access (including time constraints and liquidated damages), which the parish is attempting to resolve through negotiation and a potential CEA. Where full excavation access is not granted, staff said snagging and tree removal that require limited access can proceed and have been progressing.

The drainage committee reported the following approvals or directions within the committee: staff were authorized to pursue the Supreme Canal clean‑out and to examine the levee breach near the Judge Pumping Station/Georgia area and to prepare cost estimates for levee repairs and culvert improvements. The committee chair asked staff to pursue overtime or weekend work where feasible to accelerate clearance in high‑risk neighborhoods.

Public comments during the regular meeting amplified residents’ concerns from Lavenderville and Locust Road about large, newly dug private canals that residents say divert water into parish drains. Parish staff said these claims will be reviewed alongside GIS invert data and right‑of‑way negotiations.

Next steps listed by staff include finishing GIS design cross sections, pursuing the Corps of Engineers permit where required for Himalayan Canalwork, preparing cost estimates for targeted levee/culvert repairs, and phasing construction so parish crews can implement early actions while consultants finish the bid‑ready packages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assumption Parish Police Jury Meeting 2/26/25","oneSentenceSummary","Parish engineers and staff told the drainage committee and police jury that snagging and partial excavation work is under way across multiple canals but that landowner refusals, levee breaches and a constrained cross‑culvert at Georgia Street are forcing a phased approach and immediate parish labor to reduce short‑term flood risk.","taxTitle","Assumption Parish, Louisiana","taxId",73376,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279411,"Newly elected judge presses jury for office space; board sets one‑week timeline to confirm landlord work or present alternatives",0,11889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39&start=11889&end=11889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39/thumbnail_11889000.jpg","/articles/6279411/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Newly-elected-judge-presses-jury-for-office-space-board-sets-oneweek-timeline-to-confirm-landlord-work-or-present-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279411-24f09f1ece7645c8e0e0c772a52c1a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770902571&Signature=fq4GSe0wfEKQBwKfT3njEojsmZZukgf7Kp8dkhaxLnDVI6mB8gcMD2lDQHpcWJm6FHL~7NCXeQLDu6fwMXEx1SSpgt~vIZe7~PFrkrh7hwM~yr2g5wJuilckkStFPyv66dHooXZTgeq~sSc11wGOYZoqR~FKZ62aLr7N3ehY-lUP0b2~qGqVwU0iaGZP0euTrEDljC~oTw8VU7PMvGb8uf1VOPyijnCnvu~WASqnete0nZdQnLXSeU1JiMWmsnioXn8GoP6vsDSNyVz4wzYjvPEkH4goureYiptRPCC9AMJOSH6-iOZF8rJqw437KgXU38S6nkVWHTJar3fq1S1Yiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Faldeman Menard addressed the jury during the regular meeting to request a secure, local office and asked the jury to set timelines to resolve the issue.

Menard said she took the bench Jan. 1 and has been traveling to Gonzales for courtroom duties; she said she needs an office near the courthouse for safety and public access. The judge said a privately owned building (referred to in the minutes as the \"Rob\" property) had been discussed but that renovations had not progressed and that lease drafts had been exchanged without visible construction or readiness. She asked the jury to set firm deadlines so she could have a functioning office in the parish.

Jurors discussed alternatives — partitioning other available buildings, modular solutions and short‑term rentals — and tasked staff to contact the prospective landlord (Mr. Martin in the minutes) and request a clear move‑in timeline. The jury set a one‑week window for a response; if no concrete timeline or progress is reported within that week, the jury directed staff to pursue alternative options and present them at the next meeting.

The jurors did not adopt a lease at the meeting; rather, they authorized staff to obtain a timeline from the landlord and to prepare options (plan B) to ensure the judge has a local, secure workspace within a near‑term schedule.","Judge Faldeman Menard told jurors she lacks a local, secure office and has been driving to Gonzales; the jury authorized staff to contact the proposed landlord for a firm timeline and asked staff to present alternate options within one week if the landlord cannot commit.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279416,"Police jury approves $50 liquidated‑damages assessment after contractor refuses bulk‑waste pickup",188,7262000,7450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39&start=7262&end=7450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39/thumbnail_7262000.jpg","/articles/6279416/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Police-jury-approves-50-liquidateddamages-assessment-after-contractor-refuses-bulkwaste-pickup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279416-48609d43b8e5933f156eb9753d445049/orig.mp4?Expires=1770902571&Signature=Cb47La4YfBvXc8EFEPokIqxkJXPXNH0xnJ4uVurSpvewDcVBxLHgJD2Lomt5jgPtt1Ro4vWZCtoK0DDWDkYGrMiggsO7t0pRSw9xwAaSaidMKQ-qDXGFdOPwJRs9dZWu5lWL7-mZluTDlPG6O0I0egHnhGuZfhgrgxILJoy2qF7BywcgtpWRrWL8KBaT8qBQAbnCdUDUjWN6DctfdMgF39oVUV3WG7Kjt9Ovg939yjybrNwiZn4aSTMDXLWIJ2qGet7T~Z7wkX9ux-eYDeawcfJVh91kRqPOLmTlL1tkZucLIDk8B60tmLH4SUXhc6npmr2UW0idbfMysXB2pwPy9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Solid Waste Committee voted to assess liquidated damages against the refuse contractor after a household at 517 (corrected address) placed bulk demolition material at the curb and the contractor refused collection.

Committee members said the resident contacted Waste Depot, which declined the pickup because the contractor asserted the material fell outside the contract scope. Solid Waste staff said the contract contains a 24‑hour response provision and a 72‑hour window after verified notification for the contractor to collect bulk waste; failure to collect within 72 hours can trigger liquidated damages. Committee members said they have repeatedly requested the contractor attend meetings and respond to pickup location challenges and noted a continuing lack of responsiveness.

A motion to assess liquidated damages was made and seconded in committee; the minutes record Motion by Mr. Pahnhill, second by Mr. Blanton, with the motion carrying (one recorded nay). The minutes state liquidated damages are $50 per missed pickup and that the assessment will be applied to the contractor’s billing per contract provisions.","The Solid Waste Committee voted to assess liquidated damages against the refuse contractor for failing to collect bulk waste at 517 Highway 1001/1000; committee members cited repeated missed pickups and lack of contractor responsiveness to notices.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279422,"Police jury approves assistant parish manager appointment and hires part‑time ULV spray driver",282,6676000,6958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39&start=6676&end=6958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39/thumbnail_6676000.jpg","/articles/6279422/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Police-jury-approves-assistant-parish-manager-appointment-and-hires-parttime-ULV-spray-driver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279422-54c9d98a8bdc0cdc85528d30b40f8cdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770902571&Signature=EdBJeh382WjW7Fg3LZCOzsazrZYCJtDFkIIbjdXXFmrxdH2ZHMZzDZdE5gB6wQLNKvt6rhLq--trBuZEEEJfZE5zb04PUAXONzn2ZFoMGszzfDpd12sdF4KkMam0xLGmW4Bpj4akugqtTXRdz2nHevJJ7acay8-rPdmtn4fsAmDemhhldfMB01Gz2nMkPZ6tYxvsayp5UwN-avZNeScnxram-llgHyNClb-G-vNctUEW4ypoCRyjOSiby0wvca8yo7OKc-EQXmNuqd4QeHKO-D-K6yd67KazTxeqcxj4S0Nm3ymbpimvhirl6IO~IZPrMWM~zykev1bquxyfwUSlMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The personnel committee and the full police jury moved to staff up operations: the jury approved the appointment of an assistant parish manager and authorized hiring a part‑time ULV spray truck driver.

At the committee meeting jurors discussed an organizational gap during the parish manager’s absence and recommended creating a lateral assistant position to help manage day‑to‑day operations. Committee members presented a candidate, referred to in the minutes as Paul Leber (the candidate name appears in the committee discussion); jurors asked staff to bring a scope and job description and to return with a recommended salary change for the next meeting. The committee reported the recommendation to appoint Mr. Leber as assistant parish manager to the full jury; the regular meeting minutes record the committee’s actions as approved.

On hiring for mosquito/ULV spraying operations, the personnel committee approved hiring a part‑time ULV spray truck driver at a contractor rate of $20 per hour. The minutes state the position will be part time (\"27 or less\" hours) with typical nightly shifts of approximately two to three hours on Monday through Wednesday, with an average of about 10 hours per week reported during discussion. The motion was seconded at committee and recorded as carried in the minutes.

Committee leaders asked staff to provide a final job description, scope and recommended pay adjustment for the assistant manager position at the next meeting and to finalize contractor hours and scheduling for the spray position.","The police jury's personnel committee and full meeting approved creating an assistant parish manager position (appointment of Paul Leber) and authorized hiring a part‑time ULV spray truck driver at $20 per hour (estimated 27 hours or less per week).",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279426,"Police jury allocates GOMESA funds to drainage projects, approves more than $1.9 million in motions",440,7200000,7640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39&start=7200&end=7640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623571-20aade4dce79de6afb3a0a653d995c39/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6279426/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Police-jury-allocates-GOMESA-funds-to-drainage-projects-approves-more-than-19-million-in-motions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279426-2f757b0d22130d7b2143f79ee579b87a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770902571&Signature=YgGr0djcWj5yVJHCTZAxOtXdd3CULv-fkxjabaay0W3QtkOX2oe~k~4QORc40xrNSgOYz6aWpfKyCcI2n3SQPyGQ2mCrCb7wlaeiq-hg5ug5CHmMOo9nzT4bWfDRJZ2m9iUqU4~dxlt1wjv4-j-CtflD~MRiPcph6GzYxHuyvW1FFdwOD-Cfw44WcKkgrP68Oua-zOhgn~it7q4YYJVQEqvTGyP0NTWEXyGCHTva~CqMjYiuB6guD8IWTkwZX0yEn~llh05b0Kt4Nq2~SIr0KiOuFXwIRKRNYPz5wh8m0AC-A~0lJq3iij-jJuU2fvBsJXm6uVoxOSnImk2uog5WMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assumption Parish Police Jury voted Wednesday to allocate GOMESA revenues to several drainage projects and pumps after hearing cost estimates and project readiness from staff and engineers.

The jury approved the following allocations and related motions during the finance committee and full meeting: $1,000,000 to the Joel/Amore Street drainage project (motion by Mr. Carter, second by Mr. Nacken); $300,000 to Lavenderville drainage (motion by Mr. Calder, second by Mr. Narkand); $100,000 to Ward 3 to purchase two 16‑inch electric pumps with panels (motion recorded as moved and seconded; staff said the pair cost roughly $46,000 each installed); and the remainder of the GOMESA balance — $487,896 — to ring‑levy work at the Pierport/Bell River area (motion by Mr. Pompeo, second by Mr. Porter).

Jurors discussed priorities and whether engineering estimates were in hand before allocation. Several jurors argued projects should receive money only if engineering estimates supported the requested amounts; others said some projects already had completed estimates and were shovel‑ready. Jurors also asked staff to supply engineering estimates for projects not yet fully designed before moving forward with allocations.

Votes recorded in the minutes show motions carried on voice votes where specified. Committee minutes noted the jury will continue to track costs and ensure funds are applied to the engineered scopes approved in the committee and full meeting.","At its Feb. 26 meeting the police jury approved a series of allocations from GOMESA funds, including $1,000,000 to Joel/Amore Street drainage, $300,000 to Lavenderville drainage, $100,000 for two pumps in Ward 3 and the remaining $487,896 toward ring‑levy projects, after motions from jurors and seconds recorded in the minutes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parish engineers report progress and right‑of‑way hurdles on multiple drainage projects, urge short‑term parish work to limit flooding

Newly elected judge presses jury for office space; board sets one‑week timeline to confirm landlord work or present alternatives

Police jury approves $50 liquidated‑damages assessment after contractor refuses bulk‑waste pickup

Police jury approves assistant parish manager appointment and hires part‑time ULV spray driver

Police jury allocates GOMESA funds to drainage projects, approves more than $1.9 million in motions