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LEGAL NOTICE
LABADIEVILLE MINI STORAGE
An auction will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at Labadieville Mini Storage, located at 790 Highway 398, Labadieville, La.
Unit #2 — contents include re- frigerator, sofa, stove, beds, etc.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
OFFICIAL
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ST. MARY PARISH FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 7
October 1, 2024
Bayou Vista,
Louisiana
The Board of Commissioners of St. Mary Parish Fire Protection District No. 7, State of Louisiana, met on this date at 6;00 p.m. at the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire De- partment, 1519 Hwy. 182 East, Bayou Vista, Louisiana for a public meeting.
Meeting was called to order by Andros Williams
Members Present:
•Andros Williams
•Martin DeHart
•Jermy Price
•Joseph Adyden
•Alvin Metrejean
Guest Present:
•Gerald Price
•Jennifer Mc- Donald
Approval of minutes from September meeting. Mo- tion by Jeremy Price seconded by Joe Adyden all in favor.
Public Comment:
•None
Treasure Report:
•Discussed Budget and changed that will need to be made.
•Gave out spreadsheet to board members.
•Gave print out of Financials to board members.
Report for the Chief:
•Gave status of truck that is in the shop.
•Update status on Hurricane Francine.
•Gave yearly maintenance re- port.
•Discussed the future truck re- placement.
•Gave update on Fire Department inventory.
Old Business:
•None
New Business:
•Discussion of Gas card to move forward with Wix Motion by Joseph Adyden seconded by Jeremy Price all in favor.
•Board discussed the need to have a Dist. Credit Card for Dist. Purchases. To allow Andros Williams, President to obtain credit for the district. Motion by Martin DeHart seconded by Jeremy Price all in favor.
•Board discussed allowing the Chief to use the Chief’s vehicle for anything that is Department re- lated. Not for personal use.
•Discussion on need office supplies for the office.
•Discussion to add Martin De- Hart as signer on bank accounts. Motion by Jeremy Price seconded by Alvin Metrejean all in favor.
•Discussion to purchase uniforms for member to wear. Motion by Martin DeHart seconded by Joe Adyden all in favor.
•Discussion of Fire Dept. annual budget
1. Pay insurance for the year. Mo- tion by Joe Adyden Seconded by Martin DeHart all in favor.
2. CPR (Lucas) Machine to purchase. Motion by Martin DeHart seconded by Jeremy Price all in favor.
•Discussion to Authorize Board Chairman to spend up to $2,000 per monthly for emergency and unforeseen expenses. Mo- tion by Martin De- Hart seconded by Alvin Metrejean all in favor.
•Discussion about cement to cover ditch in front of the Fire Station. Fire Chief to give update.
Motion to ad- journ the meeting by Martin Dehart, Seconded by Jeremy Price All in favor. Meeting ad- journed at 7;00 pm.
Next Meeting date is November 12, 2024.
S/G Andros
Williams
Andros Williams,
Chairman
S/G Glen Elliott
Glen Elliott,
Secretary
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3404301027.00, - 1214 Joseph Street, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly repairing, disposing, or removing the abandoned/derelict structure on or before De- cember 22, 2024.
Failure or refusal within fifteen (15) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3404301027.00, - 1214 Joseph Street, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly cutting and disposing of the grass on or before December 7, 2024.
Failure or refusal within fifteen (15) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3374321064.00, - 1358 Joseph Street, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly repairing, disposing, or removing the abandoned/derelict structure on or before De- cember 22, 2024
Failure or refusal within fifteen (15) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3374321064.00, - 1358 Joseph Street, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly cutting and disposing of the grass on or before December 7, 2024.
Failure or refusal within fifteen (15) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3524241206.00, - 141 Friendship Aly, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly repairing, disposing, or removing the abandoned/derelict structure on or before De- cember 22, 2024.
Failure or refusal within thirty (30) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 3374301052.00, - 1029 Grace Street, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly repairing, disposing, or removing the abandoned/derelict structure on or before De- cember 22, 2024.
Failure or refusal within thirty (30) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pursuant to St. Mary Parish Ordinance 1410, there is a Public Nuisance identified at Parcel Id# 2984301275.00, - 226 Universe Road, Morgan City, LA, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It is necessary that the owner of the property abate the nuisance by properly cutting and disposing of the grass on or before December 7, 2024.
Failure or refusal within fifteen (15) days may result in further action as per Ord. No. 1410-Sec. 12.5-204-F.
St. Mary Parish Government, Nuisance Abatement Office, Mandi LeBlanc, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, LA; (337) 828-4100 ext. 500.
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, De- cember 2, 2024, AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Randy Joubert II for a Lot Area Variance to deviate from the re- quired 10 acres to Six (6) acres in an Agricultural (AG) Zoned District at 405 Prairie Rd., Franklin LA, Sec.5 T15S R10E; Parcel # 2564521043.00, to be subdivided into Tract 1A and 1B. 12.00 AC Tract JNOPQRSLKJ Per Plat 187 3304118 Acq 399 334776. (ZON-1447)
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of
Adjustments
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman
Adv. Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
ST. MARY
PARISH
RECREATION
DISTRICT #3
BAYOU VISTA COMMUNITY CENTER
1333 BELLVIEW STREET
P.O. BOX 635
PATTERSON, LA 70392
985-395-6552
The Board of Commissioners of the St. Mary Parish Recreation District #3 met in regular session on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Bayou Vista Community Center.
Members Present: Brian Head – Chairman, Lane Boudreaux – Vice Chairman, Dr. Jeffery Fitter, Eddie Gay, Calvin Johnson, Rachel Kidder, Javon Charles
Employees of the District Present: Mark Richard – Facilities Manager, Angie Guillotte – Office Manager, Kim Willoughby – Activities Director
Secretary: Tyler Lambert
Guest: Stacey Wright
Mr. Head called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Everyone present stood for the pledge of allegiance.
Board members reviewed the minutes from the September meeting. Dr. Fitter motioned to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Gay made a second to the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Board members reviewed the minutes from the budget hearing meeting held last month. Mrs. Kidder motioned to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Johnson made a second to the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Board members reviewed the ac- counts payable re- port and the monthly budget comparison report. Mr. Johnson made a motion to accept the report as is and pay the bills. Mr. Gay made a second to the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Mrs. Guillotte presented the community center report and updated the board on the rental activity for the month of October.
The board enter-ed into a discussion on giving merit raises to community center staff. A motion was made by Mr. Charles to move Activities Director, Kim Willoughby, a full-time, exempt employee, with a base salary of $31,000.00 on a 90-day review period with eligibility for insurance coming 1/1/25. A second was made by Mr. Johnson. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Facility Manager, Mark Richard, gave the manager/maintenance re- port. He updated the board on quotes received to replace the roof on the concession stand/press box at the community center. A motion was made by Mrs. Kidder to accept a quote from Peak Roofing in the amount of $5,500.00. A second to the motion was made by Mr. Gay. All were in favor and the motion carried.
In old business, Mr. Boudreaux asked that the board consider moving forward by obtaining more in- formation on up- dating the tennis courts and baseball field at Central Park. This was discussion only and no motion was brought to the floor.
Moving to new business, the board discussed moving the November monthly meeting up one week due to a scheduling conflict with the Christmas Light Lighting Ceremony at the community center. A motion was made by Mrs. Kidder to move the meeting to Monday, November 18, 2024. A second to the motion was made by Mr. Charles. All were in favor and the motion carried.
The board re- viewed the engagement letter from Kolder, Slaven & Co regarding the upcoming audit. A motion to accept the engagement letter was made by Mr. Charles. A second to the motion was made by Mr. Johnson. All were in favor and the motion carried. Mr. Head will sign the engagement letter on behalf of all other board members in his role as board chairman.
The board enter-ed into a discussion of whether or not it wanted to consider offering compensatory time to employees who are called into work outside of their working hours. After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Charles to deny the request for compensatory time. A second to the motion was made by Dr. Fitter. All were in favor and the motion carried. Any em- ployee who is called into work outside of their working hours will be paid their regular hourly rate.
As activities and events being held at the community center are growing at a rapid pace, the board discussed the possibility of hiring an Event Coordinator to assist the Office Manager and Activities Director. After much discussion, a motion was made by Dr. Fitter to adopt a pay scale of a minimum of $250.00 per event with an hourly rate of $10.00 to be paid for any time worked over twenty-five (25) hours per event. In the event that the Event Coordinator would need to work in excess of thirty-six (36) hours per event, that would need to be approved by the board. A second to the motion was made by Mrs. Kidder. All were in favor and the motion carried.
The board discussed the possibility of hosting an arts and crafts market at the community center. This was for discussion purposes only. No motion was brought to the floor.
With no further business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Gay. A second was made by Mr. Charles. All were in favor. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.
(s) Brian Head
Brian Head,
Chairman
(s) Tyler Lambert
Tyler Lambert,
Secretary
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
Recreation
District No. 4 of the Parish of
St. Mary
Minutes of
Meeting
October 16, 2024
Members Present: William Miller, LaGenia Bradford, Vincent Byrd, Edward Austin
Members Ab- sent: Terreance Johnson
Others Present: Jerry Boyles, Barry Dufrene, Gabrille Gil
Mr. Miller open-ed the regular meeting leading the Board in the pledge of allegiance.
The minutes of the regular meeting held on September 18, 2024 were reviewed. Mrs. Bradford made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Austin seconded the mo- tion. The motion passed.
Mr. Dufrene presented and re- viewed the financial statements presented to the Board. A motion to accept the report and pay outstanding invoices was made by Mr. Byrd and seconded by Mr. Austin. The motion passed.
Mr. Boyles presented his report to the Board. The lights in the gym have been replac-ed. The portable outdoor storage building was de- stroyed in the hurricane. It will need to be replaced. There are lights in the parking lot that need to be replaced. This will be done after some additional information is gathered.
Upon a motion by Mr. Byrd and a second by Mr. Austion, the Board agreed to declare 12 light fixtures and 2 beer dispensers as surplus. The motion passed. They will be listed on govdeals.com.
After discussions, a motion was made by Mr. Austin and seconded by Mrs. Bradford to authorize the chairman to sign the engagement agreement with Kolder, Slaven and Company to perform the review of the district’s financial records for the year ending September 30, 2024. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Byrd and seconded by Mrs. Bradford to authorize Mr. Miller to complete and sign the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the period October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The motion passed.
With there being no other business to discuss, a mo- tion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Bradford and seconded by Mr. Byrd. The motion passed.
———————
William Miller
Chairperson
———————
Gabrielle Gil
Secretary
Treasurer
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICE
COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Publish: November 22, 2024
End of Comment Period: December 8, 2024
Telephone ERR Preparer:
985/384-3094
Town of Berwick
PO Box 486
Berwick, LA 70342
This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but re- lated procedural notification re- quirements.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about the ninth (9th) day of December, 2024, the Town of Berwick will submit a request to the Louisiana Division of Administration for the release of Federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) as amended, for the following project:
PROJECT TILE OR NAME: LCDBG Town of Berwick 2023 Street Improvements
PURPOSE OR NATURE OF THE PROJECT
The project will address the damaged and sub-standard sections of a portion of Sixth Street in the Town of Berwick. The current conditions present safety hazards to residents that live in the neighborhood. The project area in- cludes a total of 81 beneficiaries and of the 22 structures along the street, 20 are occupied residences of which 95.06% have in- comes below the low-moderate level. Of the 20 families 4 have female heads of household. Project will have no adverse effect on minority or low-income populations relative to the community at large. It will provide benefits to all low-moderate homeowners in the neighborhood. The benefits fulfill the objectives of the Town’s Community Development Plan as the principal benefit is to low-moderate income persons.
LOCATION OF PROJECT
The target area for the program is the unpaved far end of Sixth Street in the Town of Berwick which covers approximately 1,695 linear feet. The street is currently in place however, there is currently no roadway surfacing.
The existing surface is limestone. Over time it continues to deteriorate leaving very large potholes. The roadway improvements consist of scarifying and compacting roadbed to include lime and soil cement treatment, installation of asphaltic concrete levelling course and wearing course, installation of aggregate shoulder material, pavement striping, road signs, etc. Shoulders will be added which is considered new construction but all work will be within the existing right of way. Maps showing the project site are available for review at the Berwick Town Hall.
ESTIMATED COST OF
PROJECT
The amount included in the project for Street Improvement Construction is $787,095.00. The Town will provide the cost of Engineering and Inspection at a cost of $101,951.00, and Grant Administration at $50,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Town of Berwick has conducted a review and evaluation of this proposed Louisiana Community Development Block Grant project to determine the potential affect that its activity will have on the human environment. The Town has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. The project does not involve noise sensitive uses, development, construction, rehabilitation, modernization or land use conversion on property intended for residential, institutional, recreational, commercial or industrial use and will not affect wild and scenic rivers, air quality, or farmlands. The project will not have an adverse effect on the quality of ground water. It is not located near a facility with explosive and flammable operations. There is no anticipated impact to rare, threatened, or en- dangered species or critical habitats are anticipated for the proposed project. This project does involve resurfacing, repairing, or maintaining existing streets where additional ground disturbance, outside of the existing surface is not necessary. An Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Berwick Town Office, 3225 Third Street, Berwick, LA and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Mr. Newell Slaughter, CAO, Town of Berwick, PO Box 486, Berwick, LA 70342 or email to nws@townofberwick.org. All comments received by December 8, 2024, will be considered by the Town of Berwick prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commenter’s should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Town of Berwick certifies to the La. State Division of Administration (DOA) Duval Arthur, Jr., in his capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the en- vironmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. DOA’s ap- proval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Town of Berwick to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The La. State Division of Administration (DOA) will consider objections to its release of funds and the St Mary Parish Government certification received by December 26, 2024, or a period of fifteen days from its receipt of the re- quest (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer or other officer of the Town of Berwick approv-ed by DOA; (b) the Town of Bewick has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before ap- proval of a release of funds by DOA; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to DOA, Office of Community Development, PO Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095. Potential objectors should contact the DOA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Duval Arthur, Jr,
Mayor
Town of Berwick, PO Box 486, Berwick, LA 70342
Adv. Nov. 22, 2024

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Two attorneys will try to work out a way to reduce loud music and other complaints centering on a Fifth Street bar, the Table 5 Lounge in Morgan City.
That decision was reached after lengthy City Council discussion on Tuesday, the night when the council considered liquor licenses for city businesses.
Also Tuesday, the council passed a city government budget that accounts for $20 million in water, sewer and natural gas system upgrades funded through state and federal grants. And council members heard a presentation in favor of the Hospital Service District No. 2 tax proposition that will appear on the Dec. 7 ballot in eastern St. Mary.
Police Chief Chad M. Adams came to the council with printouts of 46 complaints involving Table 5, located in the 700 block of Fifth Street. The complaints include people drinking outside the bar in the early morning hours, loud music and vehicles parked in nearby yards.
Two more incidents involve a bullet hole in a truck from a round believed to have come from the area of Table 5 and three shell casings found nearby. Table 5’s connection to those incidents is a matter of dispute.
Adams said that as a new chief in 2023, he tried to find a solution that would not close the bar. That included telling the bar’s management that the bar owner — Cherie LeBoeuf has the liquor license — that she’s responsible for preventing customers from drinking outside the bar.
And, told that the bar couldn’t afford to hire more security, Adams said he made plans to assign reserve officers on nights when crowds are anticipated if he received notice that a big event was scheduled. But no one called, he said.
One nearby resident, Hettie Carries of nearby Greenwood, is among the people who have complained.
“It sounds like the music box is at my front door, knocking to come in,” Carries said.
Lt. Richard Briscoe responded to one of the complaints about people partying outside the bar just before closing time on May 26, 2023, when he was still a sergeant. He told the council that he has since viewed body cam footage of the incident.
At the time, with no officers available for backup and with no desire to hurt the business, Briscoe tried to resolve the situation without a confrontation.
“I was slightly disappointed in myself because someone should have gone to jail,” Briscoe said.
But, from the point of view of David Ardoin, an attorney representing the bar’s management, Table 5 was being singled out.
Ardoin asked whether other lounges in Morgan City are treated the same way.
“How many other bar owners did you call and say you have to call before you open?” Ardoin said.
He said the city’s loud music ordinance isn’t specific about the sound level and is unenforceable, he said.
“If you act in a manner that deprives them of the ability to conduct business, you will be sued,” Ardoin told council members
LeBoeuf also produced what she said were letters from neighbors who said the bar is not a problem.
At one point, Councilman the Rev. Ron Bias got into a brief but loud shouting match with some of the bar’s supporters, prompting Mayor Lee Dragna to move behind Bias’ chair and move the councilman’s public address microphone away.
Bias later apologized for his outburst.
But popping the cork seemed to release some of the pressure. And by the end of a discussion of more than two hours, Ardoin had agreed to work on a solution with City Attorney Paul Landry, possibly by measuring sound levels and setting a limit.
Budget
At first glance, the 2025 budget passed unanimously by the council Wednesday shows $61.7 million in revenue and $70.1 million in expenditures.
But among the expenditures are capital budget items including $3 million from a state Water Sector grant for an upgrade of the water system; a $7 million water program revolving loan, a portion of which is forgivable; $5 million from a federal grant for the city’s gas system; and a $5 million request for capital outlay funding for sewage system improvements.
Without intergovernmental revenue and capital expenditures, the consolidated budget shows anticipated revenue of about $45.8 million and expenditures of $44.6 million.
The city expects to receive $10.8 million in tax revenue, about $900,000 less than this year.
The budget calls for public safety spending of about $8.2 million, up about $110,000 from this year, and $4.5 million in general government spending, up about $60,000. Public works spending is budgeted for $2 million, down about $104,000 from this year.
Utility operations and interest are expected to bring in $27.9 million, while utility system operations will cost $19.5 million.
Hospital tax
Hospital Service District No. 2 is seeking a 9-mill property tax to be paid by district residents. The $3.4 million expected to be raised each year will go to repairs and improvements at Ochsner St. Mary, owned by the district and operated under lease by Ochsner health.
Among the needs identified by The Grace Hebert Curtis Architects firm are sealing the building against moisture and installing energy-efficient and hurricane resistant windows.
The hospital also needs a new heating and air conditioning system.
District counsel Bill Bourgeois told the council that the building is 45 years old and showing signs of age.
The tax will also be used to raise money for scholarships for local young people going into health-care related fields.
If passed, the tax would amount to $45 a year for the owner of a primary home worth $125,000, and $157.50 per year for a home valued at $250,000. Under Louisiana’s homestead exemption, the first $75,000 of a primary home’s value is not subject to parish-level property taxes.
Early voting for the Dec. 7 election was to begin Friday and run through Nov. 30 except for Nov. 24, 28 and 29.
Housing
authority
Morgan City Housing Authority Director Clarence Robinson presented Finance Director Deborah Garber with a check for about $63,000 as a payment in lieu of taxes. That’s up from the $59,000 payment in 2023.
Ninety-seven percent of the authority’s units are leased, Robinson said, even with 10 units vacant for modernization.
In 2024, the authority performed $1 million in roof repairs, and exteriors of two-story units in Brownell Homes are being cleaned and repainted.
Robinson thanked Dragna for new sidewalks that students can use to walk on Veterans Boulevard.
Among goals for 2025, the authority hopes to raise its lease-up rate to 98%, continue modernization of housing units and partner with the technical college system to provide education for residents.

St. Mary Parish government offices and city halls in Morgan City, Patterson and Berwick will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 29.
The Harold J “Babe” Landry Landfill in Berwick and the West End Solid Waste Pick Up Station in Franklin will be closed Thursday.
Pelican Waste will be operating earlier than normal Thanksgiving Day, and asks residents to set out trash cans Wednesday night.
The Review offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 29. The deadline for legal ads for the Friday, Nov. 29, edition will be 10 a.m. Monday.
The obituary deadline for the Wednesday, Nov. 27, edition will be 8 a.m. Tuesday. The deadline for the Friday, Nov. 29, edition will be 8 a.m. Wednesday.

As you drive down Grand Caillou Road and into the town of DuLac, you’ll find rows of abandoned shrimp processing plants and boats run aground.
DuLac was a shrimping mecca not so long ago and its ruin has been aided by foreign countries and forgotten by the federal government. More than 90% of shrimp consumed in the United States is now foreign and farm-raised.
That wasn’t always the case. In 1989, the US imported 502 million pounds of shrimp. By 2019, imports had grown to 1.2 billion pounds.
From 2002 to 2022, domestic production declined by approximately 48%, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“It turned into a market that, slowly, all they wanted to do is import,” Kermit Duck, a shrimper from Morgan City, told The Center Square. “The thing you got to remember is that shrimp all used to be seasonal.”
This change matters because it’s not just a loss of local jobs — it’s a shift in the entire market and industry. As imports flood in year round, they undercut the price and demand for domestic shrimp, leaving communities that once thrived on seasonal harvests with fewer opportunities.
“When you start over-importing, you start shutting down America,” Duck said.
“We can’t compete with the market, so were stuck having to sell our shrimp here to make ends meet because we can’t afford to sell them at the dock.”
Normally, shrimpers sell their catch to docks, which serve as intermediary points where shrimp are stored, chilled and made ready for transport to processing plants.
These docks provide essential services like ice and fuel, and they buy shrimp directly from shrimpers, who rely on the docks to handle and distribute their catch to the next step in the process.
“Remember one thing,” Duck said. “The processor is the one that makes the price.”
Accordingly, over-importation allows processors to charge lower prices and shrimpers find themselves in a position where they can’t stay competitive when cheaper foreign shrimp dominates the market.
So, what led to such an astounding increase in imported shrimp?
“Our lawyers have found that shrimp farming companies overseas are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies from their governments,” David Chauvin, founder of David Chauvin’s Seafood Co., told The Center Square.
Unlike foreign producers, U.S. shrimpers don’t receive similar support from their government.
“We don’t get any of that,” Chauvin said.
Chauvin said that he’s currently awaiting a ruling from the International Trade Commission on a lawsuit he filed against India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ecuador, which make up 85% of all farm raised, imported shrimp in the United States.
As The Center Square recently reported, a group of U.S. lawmakers has raised concerns that the U.S. Treasury Department may not be upholding its duty to protect American industries from unfair international competition.
The lawmakers pointed out that the Treasury Department is required by law to oppose any international monetary projects that could harm U.S. industries, particularly when foreign competitors, like shrimp farms, receive economic assistance from their governments.
According to the press release, U.S. directors have backed projects involving industries that directly compete with American shrimpers at least 17 times since 2006.
The cherry on top? A shrimper’s most costly expenditure — diesel fuel — has skyrocketed. From January of 2021 to June of 2022, prices increased by 116%.
Currently, prices remain elevated 30% from when President Joe Biden took office.