South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission public meetings in 2025

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The commission will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2026 budget. This will be followed by a regular monthly meeting.

• Public hearing and adoption of the proposed 2026 budget

The Commission formally adopted the proposed budget for the 2026 calendar year. Members also approved November 2025 financial reports and an Environmental Services Master Service Agreement. Several vendor invoices for legal, engineering, and drainage services were paid.

• Adopted Proposed Budget for 2026 (6-0)
• Approved November 2025 financial reports (6-0)
• Approved Environmental Services MSA (6-0)
• Approved Cashe Coudrain & Bass invoice for $2,240.00 (6-0)
• Approved GeoEngineers, Inc. invoice for $1,757.50 (6-0)
• Approved Bip & Sons Services, LLC invoice for $35,459.00 (6-0)
• Approved November 12, 2025 meeting minutes with correction to attendance (6-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific action items.

The Commission authorized Executive Director Patrick J. Dufresne to manage the barge dock repair project (Project No. 36-P33-25-01) and certify state disbursement requests. Officials also established an escrow account to demonstrate the port's ability to meet a $1.3 million funding match. A public hearing for the 2026 budget was scheduled for December 10, 2025.

• Authorized Executive Director to act on behalf of Commission for Project No. 36-P33-25-01 (6-0)
• Approved creation of an escrow account to show ability to meet $1.3M project match (6-0)
• Scheduled 2026 Budget Public Hearing for December 10, 2025 (6-0)
• Approved October 2025 financial reports (6-0)
• Approved $1,072.00 payment to Cashe Coudrain & Bass (6-0)
• Approved $3,600.00 payment to Arcane Inspection Services (6-0)
• Approved November 12, 2025 meeting agenda (6-0)
• Approved October 15, 2025 meeting minutes (6-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Ponchatoula City Hall Annex Building. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no specific items listed for decision or discussion.

The Commission approved a contract for drainage work behind Warehouse Building 2 and adopted amendments to the FY 2025 budget. Members also reviewed financial reports and approved legal invoices. Discussions were held regarding fire safety measures and a new 5-year Master Plan.

• Approved $35,459 contract with Bip and Sons Services, LLC for drainage project (6-0)
• Adopted FY 2025 budget amendments including reduced FEMA revenue and professional contract expenses (6-0)
• Approved September 2025 financial reports (6-0)
• Approved $3,376 in invoices for Cashe Coudrain & Bass (6-0)
• Approved October 15, 2025 agenda and September 10, 2025 minutes (6-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission is holding a regular meeting on September 10, 2025. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific items for decision or discussion.

The Commission authorized a $38,500 contract for geotechnical engineering for the barge dock repair project. It also approved a tree planting storage agreement and a warehouse inspection contract. Financial reports for August 2025 were approved, and excess funds over $250,000 were moved to an investment account.

• Approved geotechnical engineering services for Barge Dock Repair Project not to exceed $38,500 (6-0)
• Approved agreement with Restore the Earth Foundation, Inc. for tree storage at $2,000 per month (6-0)
• Approved inspection services for warehouse buildings 2 & 3 by Arcane Inspection Service (6-0)
• Approved moving excess funds over $250,000 from operating to Edward Jones account (6-0)
• Approved August 2025 financial reports (6-0)
• Approved payments to Cashe Coudrain & Bass ($1,368) and All Tech Specialty Services ($3,120) (6-0)
• Approved September 10, 2025 agenda and August 14, 2025 minutes (6-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on August 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The agenda includes discussion and possible action on a lease renewal with Louisiana 1 Resources. The meeting will take place at the Ponchatoula City Hall Annex Building.

• Discussion and possible action on lease renewal with Louisiana 1 Resources

The Commission approved a resolution to advertise for competitive bids for the Building 2 Rail Track Drainage project. They also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office to support a grant application for a security vessel.

• Approved LA-DOTD resolution to advertise for competitive bids for Building 2 Rail Track Drainage (4-0)
• Approved Memorandum of Understanding with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office (4-0)
• Approved July 2025 financial reports (4-0)
• Approved $792.00 payment to Cashe Coudrain & Bass (4-0)
• Approved $13,000.00 payment to M&R Resources, LLC for electrical repairs (4-0)
• Approved August 14, 2025 meeting agenda (4-0)
• Approved July 23, 2025 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Withdrew resolution for barge dock repair project pending additional engineering data

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on July 23, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Ponchatoula. The agenda includes discussion of a lease agreement with Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC, and consideration of a resolution to authorize the Port Director to execute the lease. Other items include approval of minutes, financial reports, and a letter of support for a grant application.

• Discussion and possible action on lease agreement with Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC
• Consideration of resolution authorizing Port Director to execute lease with Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC
• Approval of minutes from June 25, 2025, regular meeting
• Financial reports for May 2025
• Letter of support for Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC grant application to Louisiana DOTD

The Commission authorized revised engineering fees for the barge dock repair project and approved a new official journal. It also authorized drainage work at Warehouse Building 2 and approved several vendor payments. An audit for FY 2024 resulted in an unmodified clean opinion.

• Approved revised engineering agreement with Ragland, Aderman and Associates for barge dock repairs not to exceed $215,000
• Approved agreement with G.I.S. Engineering, LLC for FEMA cost management services not to exceed $6,000
• Approved agreement with G.I.S. Engineering, LLC for Building 2 Rail Track Drainage Project fees not to exceed $4,000
• Designated The Tangi Times as Official Journal for Aug 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026
• Approved $6,500 payment to Pinel & Martinez, LLC for FY 2024 audit
• Approved $3,713 payment to Southeastern Overhead Door, Inc. for electric door operator
• Approved $3,000 payment to CN Illinois Central for private road crossing annual fee
• Approved $299 payment to Cashe Coudrain & Bass for services through June 30, 2025

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Ponchatoula City Hall Annex Building. The agenda contains only procedural and boilerplate items; no substantive decisions or discussions are listed.

• Meeting scheduled for June 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Ponchatoula City Hall Annex
• Public participation accommodations available for persons with disabilities upon 24-hour notice

The Commission approved the May 2025 financial reports and authorized the Executive Director to renew insurance for 2025. Members discussed potential premium increases linked to FEMA grant revenues and the feasibility of installing sprinkler systems.

• Approved agenda for June 4, 2025 (4-0)
• Approved minutes from May 14, 2025 (4-0)
• Approved May 31, 2025 financial reports (4-0)
• Approved $920.00 in payments to Cashe Coudrain and Bass (4-0)
• Authorized Executive Director to approve 2025 insurance renewal not to exceed $250,000.00 (4-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on May 14, 2025. The agenda contains only procedural notice of the meeting time and location.

The Commission approved a resolution to enter an agreement with the LA-DOTD for port improvement project reimbursements. The board also approved several invoices for legal services, insurance, and warehouse repairs.

• Approved resolution to enter LA-DOTD Port Priority Program agreement for site and infrastructure improvements (4-0)
• Approved April 2025 financial reports (4-0)
• Approved $1,985.00 payment to Cashe Coudrain and Bass for legal services (4-0)
• Approved $19,123.00 payment to Ace Garage Door Co. for Warehouse #3 door (4-0)
• Approved $1,596.00 payment to LWCC for workers comp insurance installment (4-0)
• Approved RFP for Official Journal of Record for Aug 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved May 14, 2025 agenda (4-0)
• Approved April 7, 2025 meeting minutes (4-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Ponchatoula City Hall Annex Building. The agenda does not list any specific items for discussion or action.

• Meeting scheduled for April 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Location: Ponchatoula City Hall Annex, 110 West Hickory Street
• Public participation accommodations available for persons with disabilities upon 24-hour notice

The Commission adopted a resolution for the FY 2024 audit compliance questionnaire and approved several invoices for legal, engineering, and rail repair services. Financial reports for February and March 2025 were accepted. The board also discussed the status of the LA-DOTD Port Priority program application.

• Adopted FY 2024 Audit Engagement Compliance Questionnaire resolution (4-0)
• Approved $3,866.00 in payments to Cashe Coudrain and Bass (4-0)
• Approved $8,340.00 payment to Rail Technical Services, LLC for track repairs (4-0)
• Approved $20,000.00 payment to GIS Engineering, LLC for Port Priority Program Application (4-0)
• Approved $45,760.00 in payments to Ragland Aderman & Associates for dock repair engineering (4-0)
• Approved February 2025 financials (4-0)
• Approved March 2025 financials (4-0)
• Approved February 12, 2025 meeting minutes (5-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The regular meeting scheduled for March 12, 2025, was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate for a regular meeting. No specific discussion items or decisions are listed.

The Commission approved financial reports for January 2025 and amended the 2025 budget to correct a payroll tax expense error. Several vendor invoices were paid, and the board discussed ongoing lease negotiations for warehouse buildings.

• Approved January 2025 financial reports (5-0)
• Amended 2025 Budget to correct payroll tax expense from $23,000 to $2,300 (5-0)
• Approved $1,339.75 payment to Cashe Coudrain & Bass (5-0)
• Approved $1,750.00 payment to Fontenot Benefits & Actuarial Consulting (5-0)
• Approved $2,200.00 payment for Ports Association of Louisiana annual dues (5-0)
• Approved February 12, 2025 meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved January 8, 2025 meeting minutes (5-0)

South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission

The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission is holding a regular meeting on January 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Ponchatoula. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no specific items for decision or discussion.

The Commission elected its 2025 leadership and approved a contract for the fiscal year 2024 audit. Members also authorized payments for legal services and gate repairs, and approved a legal engagement letter following a lawsuit filed on December 16, 2024.

• Approved FY 2024 audit engagement with Pinell & Martinez, LLC not to exceed $6,500 (5-0)
• Elected 2025 Officers: Daryl Ferrara (President), Tina Roper (Vice-President), Timothy DePaula (Treasurer), and Rhonda Sheridan (Secretary) (5-0)
• Approved $1,560 payment to Cashe Coudrain & Bass (5-0)
• Approved $1,860 payment to All Tech Specialty Services for port gate motor and labor (5-0)
• Approved legal engagement letter from Cashe Coudrain and Bass (5-0)
• Approved minutes from December 12, 2024 meeting (5-0)