Terrebonne Council Moves Forward, “I think we can do better. We should always desire to do better.”

Last night, the Terrebonne Parish Council met with a slew of items on the agenda including moving the council forward in a positive direction and members holding accountability when it came to ratifying the Parish Attorney and Assistant Parish Attorneys.

The meeting started with Councilman John Amedee discussing possible action regarding Parliamentary Procedure and Procedural rules. He said that he feels over the time he has observed things that he thinks they can do “even better.” He said he met with the Parish Attorney to make sure they were not breaking any open-meeting laws. From there, he said they can take the next steps to see if they have any issues with following procedures. “I’m one that believes that sometimes you give a little lead way to a person out of empathy when they come before the council and they’re sharing whatever troubles and problems they have, but also when we’re conducting business, there are some rules that we need to follow as well. I don’t want to get a reputation of this council being like other parishes who have knock-down drag-outs that they do.” He said he believes the council news to refresh themselves on the rules so they can properly conduct themselves. “I believe that the rules are there for a reason. In previous organizations, whenever we had an issue, the rules are our safety net, and we go back to those and adjust our behavior in accordance to that. Everybody has a little passion for what they’re talking about and you give them a little lead way” Amedee said, “Speaking with the chairman, he understands that as well.”

Amedee said he wants to look for someone that can come address a few things on Robert’s Rules, which is the set rules they follow for open meetings and help them operate in their offices more professionally. He explained that Robert’s Rules has a broad existence and when the rules do not get to the specific of an issue, then the council can write other rules about it. For example, in the Terrebonne Parish Council, they have a rule that a council member can only speak three times per agenda item.

Amadee urged his colleagues to look up open-meeting rules on the PAR website and wants to get the council together for a class, “I hope my fellow members agree that it would be a good thing,” he said.”

Councilman John Navy agreed and said he knows people that would like to come to provide leadership training, “I do think that is something we really do need,” he said. Councilman Daniel Babin agreed as well but wanted to take it a step further to broaden the spectrum past just Robert’s Rules, “I think we need the whole gamut of it,” he said,” I think we need to be addressed in every area.” Following the comments, Amedee said he wants to address a broad scope. “I like everybody,” Amedee said,” When I get emotional or passionate about an issue, sometimes I forget where I’m at and what I’m doing.” He went on to say he thinks this will help them understand how to conduct themselves. He went further to say that the council does have differences, but when it comes to the work of the parish, “if it’s good for the parish, then it’s good for the parish. If it’s not good for the parish, then it’s not good for the parish. I don’t care who proposes it, who wants it…if it’s good it’s good. If it’s not, it’s not. We can deal with our personalities outside of the meetings, and I think we can do better. We should always desire to do better.”

Chairman Guidry then read some rules including information as far as how the discussion has to occur and he said it also extends to the general public. “When a question is pending, a member can condemn the nature or likely consequences of the reposed measure and strong terms, but he must avoid personalities and under no circumstances can he attack or question the motives of another member,” he read,” that extends to the general public. If you come to speak on an issue, you can come speak, you can speak in strong terms, say why you’re against the issue, but you cannot attack a department head, you can’t give anything that is considered a personal or individual attack. We have to stick strictly to the measure that we are discussing.” He said, “I want to abide by that and I want to do better with that this year.”

The agenda went on to address ratifying Parish President Dove’s appointment of Julius P. Hebert where they had some more heated discussion. Councilman Michel said he has been asking for 6-8 months about information that involves an accusation that an attorney was hired where a considerable amount of money was spent. He wants to know two things: 1. What was the outcome of it? And 2. How much money did they spend on it?

He said he has asked several times about it and he is just looking for answers. Hebert went on to argue saying Michel made a public information request and to his knowledge, Mart Black did provide him with the requested information. He claimed the attachments regarding the legal fees, which are public, were responded to in the same email. He advised Michel to go back and look into his emails for a response. Michel responded, “I hope that’s the case, and if it’s not satisfactory, then I’ll bring it up at the next meeting.” Hebert then advised that the issue should not be addressed at the meeting since it is a public information request which is handled by the administration. Michel insisted, “yeah, but if it’s not dealt with appropriately, I will deal with it at a meeting.”

The council moved on to ratify the Parish President’s appointments. Councilman Navy commented on the group appointed and wanted to make sure that diversity and inclusion is put into play. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a thing that is big for us now in this parish and I think that diversity, equity, and inclusion means that we are diversifying our board for women and minorities to make sure that everyone is inclusive,” he said. He congratulated those appointed and he’s happy to see Mr. Gary Williams and Brianna Oregeron on the list because “that’s the direction I think we need to go in, to be inclusive, and involve everybody in the process of government.”

Councilman Michel then spoke up about the appointment. He said it was nothing personal and he thinks Mr. Hebert is an excellent attorney, “but the fact is I think you are an administration’s attorney, and I think when there’s a disagreement between the administration and the council, you’re going to paint it in the administration’s eyes, and the very fact that there’s been a struggle to stop the council from getting its own attorney, or even allowing one of the appointed assistants to be able to confidentially speak to the council members, kind of confirms that. So, it’s nothing personal, I do appreciate you and I appreciate your efforts and your ability, and I certainly love all of the assistants, but I’m going to have to vote against.”
Hebert clarified the process. He said the parish council cannot hire its own attorney and the issue has happened in the past with the Terrebonne Consolidated Government. It said it happens frequently with political divide. He explained the Attorney General has issued opinions where they have to look at the charter; there is one parish attorney and he is over all Assistant Parish Attorneys. The attorneys are appointed by the Parish President and are subject to ratification by the council. Hebert said the Attorney General said the parish attorney represents the Executive Branch, which is the Parish President, and the Legislative Branch. The Legislative Branch is not council members individually but rather the council as a whole. The council operates by a majority vote, “so I represent the council and I represent the Executive Branch,” Hebert said. He went on to say that the council sometimes has political differences in which he represents the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government to the best of his ability along with representing both the Executive and Legislative Branches, “Which I’ve done,” he said. “I am thorough. I want to make it clear, if you don’t agree with my opinion, then you can request the Attorney General’s opinion.” With only one vote against it, the ratification was passed. Congratulations to the following: Parish Attorney Julius P. Hebert along with Assistant Parish Attorneys Courtney Alcock, Derrick Bercegeay, Vincent Dagate, Chris Erny, Kentley Fairchild, Craig Landry, John Lauden, Tanner Magee, Brian Marceaux, Michelle Neil, Brianna Wilson Orgeron, Gary Williams, and Patrick Yancy.

Two board vacancies were also filled at last night’s meeting. Mr. Davon K. Charles was reappointed to the Fire District No. 10 Board and Derek Dark was appointed to the TEDA board representing the Terrebonne Parish Council.