Parish President Jewell used the Dec. 1 council meeting to report progress on drainage, pump station construction and the parish's capital projects list.

Jewell said crews have been clearing overgrowth and trees along the CC Road canal to improve sight lines and allow crews to identify obstructions from the road. That clearing, she said, will enable use of standard excavators to clear blockages instead of placing heavy machinery inside the canal and relying on marsh or swamp buggies.

She outlined progress at the two pump stations serving the CC Road drainage area and described the combined investment for the two pump stations as $33,000,000. Jewell said wing walls are in place at Munc Pump Station No. 1, while additional batter piles and plumb piles were required at Munc Pump Station No. 2 after geotechnical results increased foundation needs and costs.

Jewell also reported that emergency operations center staff and response agencies recently participated in a FEMA-graded biannual drill for the Waterford 3 nuclear facility as required by the NRC; final ratings are pending but evaluators praised interagency coordination.

On capital planning, Jewell said staff circulated the parish's construction project list for 2026 (projects completed, underway or out to bid). She put the current projected total of listed projects at $59,390,520 (about $60 million) for drainage, roads, pump stations and recreation, while cautioning that final totals will depend on bid results for pending items like the Primrose Canal project.

Jewell closed with reminders about a Dec. 9 business meet-and-greet, the Toy & Gift Fund event on Dec. 13 at the Edward A. Dufferin Community Center, and the Norco Christmas Parade on Dec. 7.

Where Jewell referenced construction costs and geotechnical work, she described the increased piling at one station as necessary to stabilize the sheet pile walls and support pump foundations; she said some road closures would be needed as contractors reach project milestones.

No formal action was required for the station progress report; council members thanked staff and moved on to ordinance and hearing business.