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St. Tammany Parish Sandbag Distribution UPDATE

St. Tammany Parish Sandbag Distribution UPDATE

St. Tammany Parish Sandbag Distribution Update - Friday, July 12, 2019 until 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 12, 2019 7 p.m. 

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

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

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 Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Sandbags will be available for distribution today (Wednesday, July 10, 2019) until 3:30p.m., at the following locations:

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

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

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

Hours for sandbag distribution for tomorrow (Thursday, July 11, 2019) will be determined this afternoon after an updated briefing by the National Weather Service.

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 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 Government in Preparedness Posture

St. Tammany Parish Government in Preparedness Posture

St. Tammany Parish Government in Preparedness Posture

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, her administration and emergency operations personnel continue to monitor any potential impacts of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two, currently located in the Gulf of Mexico, and forecast to possibly become a tropical depression later this week. Parish Government is following its emergency planning, and has instituted its Storm in the Gulf protocols. Although the predicted path of this system by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center modeling has not pinpointed the severity of the impact to St. Tammany at this time, Parish Government remains prepared for any predicted impacts. 

Parish Officials will continue to closely monitor 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 receiving constant updates concerning the track of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two as it gains strength in the Gulf.  

Based upon the forecast, Parish Government will announce any emergency preparedness information to the public through the local media, our website, and through social media on Facebook and Twitter. 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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Improvements to the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds Move Forward

Improvements to the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds Move Forward

Improvements to the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds Move Forward

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced today that a $750,000 Capital Outlay funding request spearheaded by her administration to complete improvements to the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, was approved by the Louisiana Legislature and signed by the Governor. This funding, coupled with a $950,000 match from St. Tammany Parish Government from BP funds, will facilitate continued capital improvements.

“I want to thank Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Mike Strain, as well as our legislative delegation for their diligence in securing this funding,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “The Bobby Fletcher Arena at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, is an amazing asset to our community in that it drives the agricultural sector of our economy through the livestock events we host here, it provides a place where our community can gather for Parish-wide events like the St. Tammany Parish Fair, and it provides shelter and a holding area for livestock during a disaster. We are thrilled to be able to continue improvements to this treasured community resource.”

"I am pleased and honored to have played a part in the acquisition of additional dollars for the expansion of the Bobby Fletcher Arena at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds. This was truly a team effort and this facility will be beneficial for generations to come," said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M. 

Slated improvements include: completion of the Bobby Fletcher Arena entrance and concession stand; the addition of 12,000 square feet to the arena that will house the newly expanded 1000-seat ADA compliant bleacher system; upgrade of the rodeo arena to meet professional rodeo event requirements; livestock wash area and bay additions; portable horse stalls; the addition of ADA compliant parking area, sidewalks and restrooms; upgrades to the electrical system, and specialized maintenance equipment. Construction on this project is expected to begin by fall of 2019.

 

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St. Tammany Fishing Pier and Northshore Beach Closed to Patrons Due to LDH Warning

St. Tammany Fishing Pier and Northshore Beach Closed to Patrons Due to LDH Warning

St. Tammany Fishing Pier and Northshore Beach Closed to Patrons Due to LDH Warning

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced that the St. Tammany Fishing Pier, located at 54001 E. Howze Beach Road near Slidell, as well as Northshore Beach, located off Carr Drive in the Slidell area, are closed to patrons until further notice because of the Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) algae bloom warning.

“The LDH is urging people to avoid contact with the water and the algae itself, but also advising against harvesting or eating fish from the lake during the bloom,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “We feel, out of an abundance of caution, it’s best to close these facilities until LDH advises that water is safe for human contact.”

Parish officials plan to have signage indicating the closures, installed by the close of business today.

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St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services Receives Environmental Leadership Award for Successful Water Quality Project

St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services Receives Environmental Leadership Award for Successful Water Quality Project

St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services Receives Environmental Leadership Award for Successful Water Quality Project

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced today that the St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services (DES) was awarded with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s Environmental Leadership Award Ceremony. St. Tammany Government’s DES won the State’s only Outstanding Achievement Award for their forward-thinking Decentralized Management Program in the Bayou Liberty Watershed, in the Slidell area. This program, funded in part by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reduced pollution and increased septic system compliance in the targeted subdivision, through the inspection and repair of home septic systems as well as outreach and education on the proper installation, maintenance and use of these septic systems. Because of the success of the pilot program, a Parish-wide Decentralized Management Program was developed.

“I am extremely proud of our Environmental Services team. This program not only enhanced the quality of the water in the subdivision itself, but also increased the quality of life in the area as well,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “This program is a sound, smart and innovative way to make a real impact on the lives of our citizens. It is a perfect example of how your Parish Government is leading the way in tackling a problem, with huge success. We are committed to continuing this program, where we will see continual improvements in water quality all around the Parish”

The DES team chose the Bayou Liberty Watershed because it is identified on the EPA’s §303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies. Before the start of the project, the condition of subdivision ditches were poor with black, septic, foul-smelling water throughout. Door-to-door inspections revealed an initial 59% failure rate of the systems, including 132 unpermitted septic tanks.  At the conclusion of the project, the majority of identified repairs had been made, over 80 of the septic tanks were replaced, and water quality improved significantly. A 400% reduction in Biochemical Oxygen Demand, indicating an improvement in overall water quality, was observed in Bayou Liberty, and the ditches are now clear. This resulted in an improvement in the overall quality of life in the subdivision, as well as newly formed relationships with residences who were receptive to the process.

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Parish President Pat Brister Picks Up the 750,000th Pound of Litter

Parish President Pat Brister Picks Up the 750,000th Pound of Litter

Parish President Pat Brister Picks Up the 750,000th Pound of Litter

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, and others from her administration spent time today removing litter from the streets of St. Tammany, to commemorate the 750,000th pound of trash picked up since she created Keep St. Tammany Beautiful. Parish President Brister and Keep St. Tammany Beautiful have now surpassed three quarters of a million pounds of litter that have been bagged up and removed, in an effort to stem the tide of unsightly garbage that is strewn across the Parish. Realizing several years ago the need to proactively tackle the growing litter problem that was becoming a blemish in a Parish that prides itself on its natural beauty, Parish President Brister created Keep St. Tammany Beautiful. The creation of Keep St. Tammany Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful, has been the main driving force in cleaning up the unincorporated areas of the Parish.

“Three quarters of a million pounds of litter have been picked up off the streets of this Parish, I am proud of our efforts to preserve our natural beauty,” said Parish President Brister. “The success of these efforts demonstrate how a determined program, like Keep St. Tammany Beautiful, can make a positive impact of the lives of our citizens and this great community. However, we must all play a part to begin the cultural change to stop litter from negatively impacting our quality of life.”

In addition to the litter pick up programs, Keep St. Tammany Beautiful partners with Parish Government to host the wildly popular Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days throughout the Parish; will sponsor their first ever residential Shred Day scheduled on May 18th to shred sensitive documents free of charge; and works with homeowner associations for neighborhood pick up events. To volunteer for Keep St. Tammany Beautiful events, visit: www.keepsttammanybeautiful.org/get-invovled/volunteer.

 

 

 

 

 

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Safe Haven Campus Expands with Groundbreaking of Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center

Safe Haven Campus Expands with Groundbreaking of Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center

Safe Haven Campus Expands with Groundbreaking of Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced the groundbreaking of the Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center on the grounds of the Safe Haven campus. The facility will be a place where parents can come in the daytime hours with their children, and utilize case management resources to help them regain their footing. In addition, the day center will provide the Guest families with a mailing address and a place to search for employment and tend to basic needs like personal hygiene, laundry, and care of pre-school aged children. Family Promise currently operates a day center serving homeless families, in the Slidell area.

“Safe Haven will be all-encompassing, and Family Promise of St. Tammany plays a part in that as they help homeless families in our community find their way back from difficult times, and regain their footing,”  said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “It is particularly heartwarming for me to see this building named in honor of Willie Paretti, who was not only a personal friend, but an unwavering, committed, community servant who held the cause and plight of our homeless residents dear to her own heart, and championed their cause throughout her life.”

“We are truly honored and privileged to have our new Day Center named in honor of Willie Paretti. Willie has positively impacted our families since our doors have opened,” said David Horchar, Executive Director, Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie’s generosity coupled with our other donors, volunteers and congregations have created more than a shelter. It’s become a beacon of hope for homeless children and their families.” 

“The Safe Haven Foundation chose Family Promise of St. Tammany as the beneficiary of our inaugural event, because we believe that behavioral health and behavioral health care, is important for every community to thrive,” said Jack Donahue, founding member of the Safe Haven Foundation. “We fully support the mission of Family Promise, and look forward to the completion of a second facility here in St. Tammany.”

The Family Promise Network Program brings shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families. It is a cost-efficient, effective community response to family homelessness. Guest Families will use this Day Center from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, where a Case Manager provides services. At the Day Center guests pursue employment, tend to their pre-school children, shower, and launder their clothing. The center provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment searches during their time in the program. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school. Family Promise partners with area congregations to provide temporary housing at night.

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In 2015 Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced her administration’s vision of developing a comprehensive system of behavioral health care in St. Tammany. Safe Haven will provide a collaborative healing environment for the behavioral health continuum by creating a high-quality, coordinated, sustainable and humane network of care anchored in St. Tammany Parish. The facility will serve as a comprehensive multi- faceted program and provide a drop-off location into the Behavioral Health continuum of care for law enforcement, the judiciary and local area hospitals. To sign up for updates on the progress of Safe Haven visit www.safehavenstp.org. 

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St. Tammany Parish Government Chooses Bond Firm For Infrastructure Investments

St. Tammany Parish Government Chooses Bond Firm For Infrastructure Investments

St. Tammany Parish Government Chooses Bond Firm For Infrastructure Investments

St. Tammany   Parish President Pat Brister announced today that Parish Government has accepted and opened the bids for the Parish’s bond issuance for investing in the Parish’s infrastructures needs. The bond sale drew an unprecedented eleven bidders, with the lowest bid proposal coming from J.P. Morgan Securities.

“Because of my administration’s conservative money management, we will be able to build more roads and continue to increase drainage capacity for the citizens of this Parish,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “Because we have been great stewards of the taxpayers’ money, we have earned the second highest bond rating available from Standard and Poor’s; AA+. Our hard work has again paid off when it counts, with an exceptional bond sale to build more roads and drainage.”

Earlier this year Parish President Brister put into motion the mechanisms to bond out some of the future collections of the Parish’s dedicated sales tax, so that critical infrastructure needs could be met today, as opposed to a pay-as-you-go expansion of roads and drainage. She also announced the increase in St. Tammany Parish Government’s bond rating for Sales Tax District #3. This is the second bond rating upgrade on this tax in the last few years.

“Parish President Brister and her administration should be extremely pleased with the results of the bids. In the more than 45 years that I have been a part of processes just like this one, I have never seen this amount of interest in a government bond,” said Grant Schleuter, the Parish’s Bond Attorney. “This competition has resulted in the Parish getting the best deal the market had to offer.”

“St. Tammany Parish Government is one of four or five Parishes in the State with a rating this healthy,” said Jim Ryan, the Parish’s Municipal Advisor for the bonds. “Their exceptional rating, as well as their strict and methodical financial policies, can be directly attributed to the reason the Parish has gotten one of the best bond deals that I have ever seen.”

The investment in the infrastructure will be fully funded through the bond issue that was previously approved by voters. The final procedural step in the process will be before the Parish Council on May 2, 2019, at their May Parish Council Meeting, where they are expected to pass the final bond issuance ordinance they passed in April, but with the bid results attached.

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Cane Bayou Mitigation Bank will Save Money and Preserve over 1,000 Acres of Land

Cane Bayou Mitigation Bank will Save Money and Preserve over 1,000 Acres of Land

Cane Bayou Mitigation Bank will Save Money and Preserve over 1,000 Acres of Land

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced today, the opening of the Cane Bayou Mitigation Bank, and conservation project; the first of its kind in St. Tammany Parish. A culmination of over five years of work has resulted in roughly 1,200 acres of tree-populated land which will be preserved, and a portion utilized, for wetlands mitigation by St. Tammany Parish Government. Wetlands mitigation credits, required by federal law when natural resources are disrupted through developmental impacts, were previously purchased from out-of-state companies at a much higher cost. St. Tammany Parish Government will fund the bank out of capital project funds in the amount of $6,000 per credit, as opposed to market value which can range up $22,000 per credit.
 
 “This 1200-acre Mitigation Bank is a re-investment in St. Tammany, through responsible preservation and growth that takes into consideration both the viability of a location for development, but mitigates the environmental impact through planned, dedicated environmental equity, and guaranteed preservation,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “The Cane Bayou Mitigation Bank will give us another tool to save taxpayers money, because we will not have to rely on out-of-state banks to purchase credits, and  it will help us to maintain our commitment to preserving what is one of our greatest assets — our pristine natural resources.”
 
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the objective of a mitigation bank is, “… to provide for the replacement of the chemical, physical and biological functions of wetlands and other aquatic resources which are lost as a result of authorized impacts.” Land is purchased and then donated to the place impacted for preservation, in perpetuity. This mitigated land cannot, by law, be developed.
 
St. Tammany Parish has purchased, and placed in conservation, 1169.2 acres of land.  The project will consist of two phases involving wetlands restoration. The first phase of the Mitigation Bank (section 1 on map) will provide approximately 395 acres of mitigation credits. The second phase (section 2) will provide nearly 300 acres of mitigation credits. The bank will be established through the restoration, creation, and/or enhancement of these wetlands.
 

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Wetland Mitigation banking
 
Wetland mitigation banking is the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands for the purpose of compensating for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location. Wetland mitigation banking is commonly used to compensate for wetland impacts from development, but it also used for impacts from agriculture.
 
How Mitigation Banking Works
 
Producers can buy credits from wetlands mitigation banks to compensate for the impact of lost wetlands. Wetland mitigation banks are established through the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands. When a mitigation bank is established, the landowner retains ownership and use of the property, while a conservation easement protects the wetlands from degrading activities. The size and scope of the wetland restoration, creation or enhancement activities determine the quantity of credits available for sale. The price of credits is negotiated between the buyer and seller.
 

Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Keep St. Tammany Beautiful Hosts First Residential Shred Day

Keep St. Tammany Beautiful Hosts First Residential Shred Day

Keep St. Tammany Beautiful Hosts First Residential Shred Day

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced Keep St. Tammany Beautiful will host its first Shred Day — offering secure document shredding at no charge. Shred Day is happening on Saturday, May 18, 2019, from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Centerpoint Park and Ride located in the Lacombe area. 

“When we can, we want to offer residents options for safe disposal of any waste, and personal documents — especially financial records — can contain sensitive information. This is an opportunity to safely and securely dispose of these papers at no cost,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “As always, we ask people to be patient as events like these are popular.”

This event is for residents only — no commercial customers please. Residents can bring up to five file boxes measuring 15 inches x 12 inches x 10 inches, of paper documents per vehicle, and will be on-site as their documents are shredded. Acceptable items include: computer paper, computer binders, carbon forms, and entire files. There is no need to remove paper clips, staples, clasps or rubber bands. All shredded paper will be recycled.

For questions about the event contact Keep St. Tammany Beautiful at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (985) 898-2535.

 

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    985.898.2700

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