The Parish Ordinance was put forth “together” since the aggregate funding for the War Memorial Health and Safety Upgrades (which will not be performed) was $1,250,000.  The Ordinance puts forth the reallocation of the entire $1,250,000 in one ordinance.  This is American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds which need to be allocated by December 31, 2024, and built by December 31, 2026, or be LOST. To avoid the funds being lost, the Ordinance commits the entire amount.

These funds will be reallocated as follows:

• The Milton Fire Department — $62,500. Milton Fire Department is the recipient of a $250,000 grant from the State in the Capital Outlay budget. However, the Milton VFD does not have the 25% match as required for the Capital Outlay dollars. The $62,500 from the Parish ARPA funds is intended to be used as their match.

The funds will primarily address improvements at Picard Park. Picard Park will also receive additional funding in the form of a Capital Outlay grant for the Picard Park project. 

No.  

At this time, the plans for the project are not completed; therefore, actual maintenance funding cannot be determined. 

Part of the proposed funding will be used for access and security of the property. Additionally, ingress and egress to the site will be limited to addressing security concerns. It is nearly 4,000 feet from Homewood Drive to the edge of the property at the Vermilion River. Therefore, the far end of the park site has limited visual access, and thus entails a multi-dimensional security. 

Perimeter security will be addressed around the entire site and be a part of the Homewood Pond plans. It is the intent to utilize the Lafayette Sheriff’s Department for security. The level of service will be determined as needed.

This will be part of the recreational planning and design.

Timelines provided below could be affected by adverse weather conditions, impacting excavation activities in Ponds 1 and 2 alongside the Bayou Vermilion. 

Obtaining a USACE permit for the discharge into the Bayou Vermilion; estimated June 2024. Regarding the permit, it is believed that the process could move fairly quickly based on the recent Supreme Court Sacket Ruling. At least one of the channels, possibly two, will be presumed not to be a Waters of the United States, and the other smaller channels will be handled under a Nationwide General Permit.

Recognizing the additional $10,000,000 from the Louisiana Office of Facility and Planning Control (FP&C) to complete the project; Estimated February 2024. We believe it is possible to have all four ponds functioning by late 2024, again, weather permitting.

Any recreational facilities on the Homewood pond site will be planned and constructed, complementary to the designated stockpile removals/reduction.

It is not anticipated at this time.

Any recreational facilities to be located on the Homewood pond site will be performed outside those areas. 

Are you aware that the Disposal well on site was recently found to be deficient as of the July 5, 2023, inspection by the Department of Natural Resources, as it was found to have “FAILED to exhibit mechanical integrity…”? How will this impact the liability of the Parish on a site utilized by the public? 

 The operation of the salt water disposal wells and the shut-in gas wells will remain as existing, with the current operator providing all necessary improvements in the area, as provided for by their agreements. LCG will bear no responsibility towards the operations and maintenance of those facilities.

There are no current renderings or sketches of the Homewood Recreation plan. 

No, plans have not been finalized; however, a set of construction plans could be made available, through a public records request, for viewing.

The next steps are to receive the USACE permit, recognize the $10,000,000 from the Louisiana Office of Facility and Planning Control and obtain the final guaranteed maximum price construction contract.

While the contractor has reduced on-site resources, a small workforce has been maintained to perform punch list items and as-needed work associated with the Pond 3 and 4. The contractor will ramp up crews and activity as permitting and funding become available.