News

Statement From St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper on the St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services

Statement From St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper on the St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services

We are aware of the stories circulating on Social Media about our St. Tammany Parish Animal Shelter. Many residents have contacted us with their concerns as well. I have personally spoken with many people who have voiced their concerns. Since taking office, I have been gathering information regarding all Parish Government Departments. At Animal Services, I have been evaluating their processes and protocols, addressing staffing needs, and learning about where deficiencies may exist to identify areas that need improvement as we work to finalize our Strategic Plan. As a result, changes will be forthcoming soon for the benefit of the welfare of the animals at the shelter, the dedicated employees, and St. Tammany Parish as a whole. I have been committed to making changes and I recognize there are deficiencies that must be addressed.  These are the changes that are already in progress:

Shortly after taking office, I authorized an independent animal welfare group to visit and evaluate the Shelter and make recommendations. While this visit was originally scheduled for May, it was pushed back due to COVID-19. This visit will take place within the next few weeks.

We are actively seeking a new Director of Animal Services as part of our plan moving forward to address staffing. This appointed position is posted on our website to fill the current vacancy. I invite qualified candidates to apply.

I have been seeking input from local veterinarians, animal welfare groups, and invested parties into how we can improve operations at the Shelter and we are reviewing best practices from other public Animal Shelters to determine if there are protocols and processes we can adopt to implement in our own Shelter.

We have a working strategic plan which we are finalizing, and expect to continue to build upon as we grow and improve.

We are purposely assessing the situation in an in-depth and methodical way, so that we retain the processes that work, and improve in the areas that do not, to implement lasting change and so that we can make this shelter the model shelter we know it can become. It is my ultimate goal to work toward a day when animals will not suffer because of abuse and neglect, and that every pet born into our community is assured a good home and loving care its entire life. We will continue to work to ensure the legal protection of animals from mistreatment and to promote in our community responsible pet ownership through education, motivation, and enforcement. 

I would like to thank the dedicated employees at the Animal Shelter who are committed every day to the continued care of the animals in their charge. I would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding as we move to bring new leadership and make improvements. 

 

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St Tammany Parish to hold Public Meeting for Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

St Tammany Parish to Hold Public Meeting for Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Covington, LA – St Tammany Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) is in the process of updating the St Tammany Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan and will hold a public meeting on the plan update process. Due to the current situation with COVID-19, this meeting will be held virtually to keep the steering committee and public participants safe and following the guidelines set by both the CDC and our Governor.

The Public Meeting will be held on June 18th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM through a virtual platform.  Meeting details: Zoom Meeting
https://lsu.zoom.us/j/99617973759?pwd=RVZMcVV3VmI0OTNpVytrZUNGM3pHUT09

Meeting ID: 996 1797 3759
Password: 513833
 

Natural hazards have the potential to cause property loss, loss of life, economic hardship, and threats to public health and safety. While an important aspect of emergency management deals with disaster recovery (the actions that a community takes to repair damages), an equally important aspect of emergency management involves hazard mitigation - sustained actions taken to reduce long-term risk to life and property. These actions are things we do today to be more protected in the future.  Some examples of mitigation actions include elevating buildings in flood hazard areas, installing hurricane clips and storm shutters, relocating critical facilities out of hazard areas, and using fire-resistant construction materials in wildfire hazard areas. Hazard mitigation actions are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. With careful selection, they can be long-term, cost-effective means of reducing risk and helping to create a more sustainable and disaster-resilient community.

A hazard mitigation plan describes an area’s vulnerability to the various natural hazards that are typically present, along with an array of actions and projects for reducing key risks to these hazards. While natural disasters cannot be prevented from occurring, the continued implementation of mitigation strategies identified in the plan will gradually, but steadily, make our communities more sustainable and disaster-resilient.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires all states and local governments to have a hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible to apply for certain types of federal hazard mitigation project grants. Hazard mitigation plans must be: (a) implemented on an ongoing basis, and (b) updated every five years to ensure that they remain applicable representations of local risk and locally-preferred risk reduction strategies.

Residents of St Tammany Parish are asked to participate in a survey about public perceptions and opinions regarding natural hazards in the parish.  The survey results will be used in the development of the plan. This short web-based survey can be found at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sttammanyhm2020

St Tammany Parish to hold Public Meeting for Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

St Tammany Parish to Hold Public Meeting for Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Covington, LA – St Tammany Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) is in the process of updating the St Tammany Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan and will hold a public meeting on the plan update process. Due to the current situation with COVID-19, this meeting will be held virtually to keep the steering committee and public participants safe and following the guidelines set by both the CDC and our Governor.

The Public Meeting will be held on June 18th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM through a virtual platform.  Meeting details: Zoom Meeting
https://lsu.zoom.us/j/99617973759?pwd=RVZMcVV3VmI0OTNpVytrZUNGM3pHUT09

Meeting ID: 996 1797 3759
Password: 513833
 

Natural hazards have the potential to cause property loss, loss of life, economic hardship, and threats to public health and safety. While an important aspect of emergency management deals with disaster recovery (the actions that a community takes to repair damages), an equally important aspect of emergency management involves hazard mitigation - sustained actions taken to reduce long-term risk to life and property. These actions are things we do today to be more protected in the future.  Some examples of mitigation actions include elevating buildings in flood hazard areas, installing hurricane clips and storm shutters, relocating critical facilities out of hazard areas, and using fire-resistant construction materials in wildfire hazard areas. Hazard mitigation actions are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. With careful selection, they can be long-term, cost-effective means of reducing risk and helping to create a more sustainable and disaster-resilient community.

A hazard mitigation plan describes an area’s vulnerability to the various natural hazards that are typically present, along with an array of actions and projects for reducing key risks to these hazards. While natural disasters cannot be prevented from occurring, the continued implementation of mitigation strategies identified in the plan will gradually, but steadily, make our communities more sustainable and disaster-resilient.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires all states and local governments to have a hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible to apply for certain types of federal hazard mitigation project grants. Hazard mitigation plans must be: (a) implemented on an ongoing basis, and (b) updated every five years to ensure that they remain applicable representations of local risk and locally-preferred risk reduction strategies.

Residents of St Tammany Parish are asked to participate in a survey about public perceptions and opinions regarding natural hazards in the parish.  The survey results will be used in the development of the plan. This short web-based survey can be found at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sttammanyhm2020

St. Tammany Parish Government Tropical Storm Cristobal Updates

St. Tammany Parish Government Tropical Storm Cristobal Updates

St. Tammany Parish Government Tropical Storm Cristobal Updates

Non-emergency offices of St. Tammany Parish Government will close until 1 p.m. tomorrow due Tropical Storm Cristobal and the forecast by the National Weather Service of severe weather and possible flooding. In addition, the Tammany Trace and the St. Tammany Fishing Pier will remain closed until both are inspected and deemed safe to open.

Parish officials continue to monitor Tropical Storm Cristobal and ask residents to continue to do the same. For continued updates, visit www.stpgov.org/departments/hsep and monitor St. Tammany Parish Social Media sites.

 

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St. Tammany Parish Government in Preparedness Posture

St. Tammany Parish Government in Preparedness Posture

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, his administration and emergency operations personnel continue to monitor any potential impacts of Tropical Storm Cristobal as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center has issued Tropical Storm Warnings for Southeastern Louisiana. Forecasters are predicting weather conditions deteriorating beginning late Saturday evening into Sunday, June 7, 2020 as Cristobal approaches the Louisiana coastline and the continued deterioration of conditions including heavy rain and high winds as the storm moves inland Sunday evening.

Parish Government is following its emergency preparedness protocols. The Emergency Operations Center will partially activate the evening of Saturday, June 6, 2020 with additional emergency operations liaisons operating virtually to maintain social distancing. Public Works and Tammany Utilities personnel are on call, if needed, out of an abundance of caution. Parish Government remains prepared in the event conditions worsen. Parish Government will also be pre-positioning high water signs in low-lying areas in the event tidal, wind and/or rain conditions make it necessary to close or post signs on roads. 

In anticipation of tropical storm force conditions, the St. Tammany Fishing Pier and Camp Salmen Nature Park are closed today.  The Tammany Trace will also close today, Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 2p.m. These facilities will reopen when Parish Officials determine it is safe to do so. The Lacombe draw bridge will close at 12 p.m. , Saturday June 6, 2020 to marine traffic.

 In addition, six sandbag locations are open until dusk Saturday, June 6, 2020:

St. Tammany Parish Government- Building -21410 Koop Dr., Mandeville

St. Tammany Parish Public Works- Airport Road Barn- 34783 Grantham College Rd. Slidell, LA


St. Tammany Parish Public Works- Fritchie Barn- 63119 Highway 1090 in Pearl River

St. Tammany Parish Public Works Barn- Keller Barn- 63131 Fish Hatchery Road, Lacombe

St. Tammany Parish Public Works Barn- Covington Barn-  1305 N. Florida Street, Covington

The Old Levee District Site – Self-Serve Only - 61134 Military Road (Hwy 1090) Slidell, La.

Parish Officials will continue to closely watch this system and are asking residents to do the same. The St. Tammany Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is receiving continual updates from the National Weather Service and is closely monitoring the track and intensity of Tropical Storm Cristobal in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Residents are asked to prepare by clearing storm drains, updating and enhancing your emergency preparedness plans to include masks, hand sanitizers and gloves, and continuously monitoring local news stations for the most up-to-date information.

Parish Government will announce any emergency preparedness information to the public, contingent on the forecast, through STPG-TV — Channel 710 on Charter, Channel 99, AT&T U-VERSE, or livestream at www.stpgov.org/; the local media, our website - www.stpgov.org, and through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Citizens can also sign up to receive automatic email updates from the Parish by visiting www.stpgov.org.  

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Sign up now for ALERT St. Tammany, here. This is the Parish-wide emergency notification system for St. Tammany Parish Government. If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

 

 

 

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St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper has declared a State of Emergency in advance of the anticipated landfall of Tropical Storm Cristobal. This declaration is a procedural process that enables Parish Government to better coordinate any and all local, state or federal resources necessary to support public safety.

“We are prepared for this early tropical storm, and we ask residents to be prepared also. Please have an enhanced plan to account for COVID-19 precautions, make sure elderly family members and neighbors are safe and have adequate shelter, clear storm drains around your neighborhood, and secure loose items in your yard,” Cooper said. “In addition, please stay tuned to STPG-TV, your local news and the weather channels for the most up-to-date information on Cristobal.”

You may read the declaration here.

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Sign up now for ALERT St. Tammany, here. This is the Parish-wide emergency notification system for St. Tammany Parish Government. If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

 

 

 

 

 

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St. Tammany Parish Government Begins Phase Two Reopening

St. Tammany Parish Government Begins Phase Two Reopening

St. Tammany Parish Government Begins Phase Two Reopening 

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper signed an Executive Order today, to reopen St. Tammany Parish and St. Tammany Parish Government beginning June 5, 2020 as Phase 2 openings begins across the State of Louisiana.

“Phase 2 means we are making positive progress.  I am looking forward to seeing our businesses gain more capacity for revenue and seeing businesses who have not yet had a chance to reopen, do so safely,” Cooper said. “This next phase of recovery is a hopeful sign. I want to again thank our St. Tammany Economic Recovery and Resiliency Council for their continued outstanding and tireless work throughout this crisis.”

Under Phase 2 guidelines, St. Tammany Parish Government offices will be open to the public by appointment only. Members of the public who wish to enter Parish Government buildings will be required to adhere to the same screening requirements as Parish Government employees. These include:  completing an entrance questionnaire and having their temperature taken with a touchless thermometer. They will also be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing while in the buildings. The Kids Konnection Playground will remain closed.

Other changes of note in Phase 2 include: Bars and Breweries without an LDH food permit may operate with strict requirements at 25 % capacity, all businesses open in Phase I may continue operations with existing protocols at 50% capacity; close contact businesses like massage, spa, esthetician, and tattoo establishments may open with strict guidance from their State governing boards. Recreational sporting leagues and non-contact sporting events at public ball fields, gyms, parks and facilities may open under strict guidelines.

Cooper’s proclamation also includes Phase 2 reopening guidelines for businesses as outlined in the Live Safe. Work Safe. Shop Safe. Action Plan.  Which may be found at sttammanysafe.com.

Read the entire declaration here.

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Executive Order Implementing Phase Two Of The Recovery Plan June 4, 2020

Executive Order Terminating Stay-At-Home Order And Implementing Phase One Of The Recovery Plan  May 15, 2020

sttammanysafe.com

Link to Press Conference May 12, 2020

St. Tammany Parish Extended Stay At Home Order issued April 30, 2020

St. Tammany Live Safe. Work Safe. Shop Safe. Action Plan (DRAFT)

St. Tammany Parish Extended Stay At Home Order issued April 7, 2020

St. Tammany Parish Executive Stay At Home Order issued March 23, 2020

Emergency Declaration issued March 17, 2020

Emergency Declaration issued March 13, 2020

COVID-19 Links

St. Tammany Parish Government

CDC

Office of Governor John Bel Edwards

Louisiana Department of Health

OpenSafely 

 

 

 

 

 

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St. Tammany Parish Government Opens Self-Service Sandbag Locations in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish Government Opens Self-Service Sandbag Locations in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish Government Opens Self-Service Sandbag Locations in Advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal

St. Tammany Parish Government announces the opening of six self-service sandbag locations. All locations will have sand and bags provided. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels in case all shovels provided are in use. In addition, residents are asked to limit the number of sandbags to 15 per vehicle. The locations will be open from dawn to dusk.

St. Tammany Parish Government- Building

21410 Koop Dr., Mandeville

St. Tammany Parish Public Works- Airport Road Barn

34783 Grantham College Rd. Slidell, LA


The Old Levee District Site

61134 Military Road (Hwy 1090) Slidell, La.

St. Tammany Parish Public Works- Fritchie Barn
63119 Highway 1090 in Pearl River

St. Tammany Parish Public Works Barn- Keller Barn

63131 Fish Hatchery Road, Lacombe

St. Tammany Parish Public Works Barn- Covington Barn

1305 N. Florida Street, Covington

Residents are asked to clear any debris from culverts and drainage pathways, and to monitor the weather forecast in the coming days through your local media outlets. St. Tammany Parish Government will have updates on STPG-TV — Channel 710 Charter, Channel 99 AT&T U-VERSE, www.stpgov.org,  Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Sign up now for ALERT St. Tammany, here. This is the Parish-wide emergency notification system for St. Tammany Parish Government. If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

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St. Tammany Parish Implements Storm in the Gulf Protocols

St. Tammany Parish Implements Storm in the Gulf Protocols

St. Tammany Parish Implements Storm in the Gulf Protocols

Tropical Storm Cristobal is now located in the extreme Southern Gulf of Mexico. There still exists some uncertainty as far as the path of this system. The St. Tammany Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is receiving continual updates from the National Weather Service and is monitoring the track of this system. St. Tammany Parish has implemented its Storm in the Gulf protocols. 

Based upon the forecast track, emergency preparedness plans will be announced to the public as they happen through the local media, through STPG-TV — Channel 710 on Charter, Channel 99, AT&T U-VERSE, or livestream at www.stpgov.org/; the local media, our website -www.stpgov.org/departments/hsep, and through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and, if necessary, through ALERT St. Tammany. Sign up to receive automatic email updates from the Parish on our website, www.stpgov.org.

We are asking all residents to prepare for the possibility of a localized rain event, assure that all family members are accounted for and have a safe place to shelter from any potential foul weather. We ask that you clear storm drains, follow your family plan for a storm event, and pay close attention to weather forecasts and Parish officials as the storm moves into the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, we ask that you enhance your emergency preparedness plan to include masks, hand sanitizers and to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For more storm preparation tips visit www.ready.gov.

St. Tammany Parish is poised to fully activate our Emergency Preparedness plans if necessary.

 

 

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Sign up now for ALERT St. Tammany, here. This is the Parish-wide emergency notification system for St. Tammany Parish Government. If we can’t reach you, we can’t

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St. Tammany Parish Government 2019 Annual Report Online

St. Tammany Parish Government 2019 Annual Report Online

St. Tammany Parish Government 2019 Annual Report Online 

St. Tammany Parish Government has released its 2019 Annual Report. The report pinpoints, in detail, the revenues and expenditures of St. Tammany Parish Government. The entire report can be reviewed at www.stpgov.org.

“The 2019 Annual Report gives a snapshot of significant accomplishments and completed initiatives by St. Tammany Parish Government,” said Mike Cooper, St. Tammany Parish President. “We look forward to continuing many of these initiatives and to the start of many more in 2020.”

A digital copy of the report can be viewed at www.stpgov.org.  Printed copies of the report will be made available to the public following the reopening of public buildings. Parish Government will announce when and where the public can obtain printed copies as they become available.

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  • Administrative Complex
    21490 Koop Dr.
    Mandeville, LA 70471
    985.898.2700

    Hours of Operation:
    Monday through Friday
    8:00am to 4:30pm