Council OKs $10M pump station

In still another move to expand St. Charles Parish’s hurricane protection system, the Council approved the $10.2 Magnolia Ridge Drainage Pump Station.

Burk-Kleinpeter, the project engineer, recently reviewed the bids and recommended the contract be awarded to Sealevel Construction at Council’s Monday meeting.

The project, which is part of the parish’s West Bank Hurricane Protection Levee project, will provide protection to about 231 residences, 41 businesses, two public buildings and 25 schools, hospitals and churches located in the Magnolia Ridge watershed area.

The project will encompass a new pump station, intake channel and discharge over the newly constructed levee being connected to the Magnolia Ridge Levee system.

Project monies will include $5.6 million in state grant funds under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Sealevel Construction was the low bidder of seven companies that bid on the project.

The Council also acted on the following:

– Councilman Billy Woodruff got an ordinance passed to restrict overnight parking in Bayou Estates Drive in Bayou Gauche. Resident Patsy Doucet welcomed the move, but also asked that the ordinance take into consideration those holding parties.

– Approved an ordinance to approve and authorize a contract with Barriere Construction Co. for $ 1 million. Parish Public Works Director Clayton “Snookie” Faucheux said it’s a good bid that will help lower the overall cost of the project.

– Approved execution of an intergovernmental agreement between the parish and River Parishes Transit Authority to  provide supplemental funding for the operation of a public transit system.

– Approved execution of a contract with Fleming Construction Co. for the $341,000 Mimosa Culvert Replacement project.

– Approved holding a public  hearing at the Council’s Dec. 11 meeting on an a requested special permit use at 121 Ormond Center Court, Suite) as requested by Ormond Center One to permit off-track betting establishments in the area. Ormond Center One requests approval for Churchhill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Co. The parish’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approving the permit.