Robottom Requests Approval of Agreements to Improve Water Services and Assist Small Businesses

St. John the Baptist Parish –- (RealEstateRama) — President Robottom moved action items forward to replace aging infrastructure and help the business community at the recent Council Meeting.

In an effort to begin the process of seeking funds to replace existing water meters, Parish President Robottom received approval of a resolution to submit a loan pre-application to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for commercial and residential water meter replacement. Funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund is being sought at an interest rate of 0.95% for a not to exceed amount of $6 million. If approved, the loan will be used for automatic meter reading and smart metering technology with leak detection software.

The Council also authorized execution of an agreement with Shell Pipeline Company LP for the Shell Potable Water Line Project. This reimbursement agreement for approximately $185,876.00 is for design and construction of a potable water line from an existing Parish water transmission line to the Shell facility in Garyville. This project will also improve parish infrastructure to Hwy. 54 with minimal cost to the Parish.

Shell requested this partnership to provide a potable water line and fire services for increased safety and through the agreement. The Parish will be allowed to extend a transmission line near the project to connect to Hwy. 54 which will help improve utilities access and water pressure for fire services.

Additionally, a separate Engineering Agreement was approved with N-Y Associates, Inc. to provide design services, project management and inspection services at a cost of $37,488.00. The total project cost is $224,000 which will be funded through the Shell Reimbursement agreement and the 2015 Bond Issue.

In other news, a contract with EME Consulting Group of Laplace was renewed in an amount not to exceed $122,904 to continue outreach services to new and existing businesses. The agreement which is managed through the Department of Economic Development includes a variety of components such as increasing small business retention; building small business organizational capacity; and assisting small companies to increase profitability, employment and business opportunities in the parish.

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