Covington city fill ordinance doesn't float

In a 3-3 vote with one council member absent, an ordinance that changed fill requirements and regulations failed at the Tuesday Covington City Council meeting.

Changes to the existing amendment that caused concerned included the elimination of the appeals process, the transfer of flood zone B from criteria that covered both flood zone A and B to criteria for flood zone B and C, the combination of commercial with residential property regulations and the requirement of detention systems to provide for a 25- or 50-year storm.

City engineer Tom Schreiner explained the difference between levels of storm detention ponds and drainage stating that a 50-year detention pond would be larger than a 25-year pond. Confusion over the issue of the detention pond and drainage added to the defeat of the ordinance.

Michael Bopp, a resident of W. 15th Street, appeared before the Council to resolve the issue of fill on his property, and was told that the ordinance being considered would answer his problems. Unfortunately, the ordinance did not pass and Bopp’s problems still remain. Bopp cannot finish renovations on his poperty until the fill situation is resolved.

The ordinance will now go back to a committee or work session that will meet to try to resolve and clarify issues so it can be re-submitted at a future Council meeting.

The Council did pass an ordinance that amended the 2008 budget to transfer funds from the annexation sales tax area fund and the general fund for street improvements with a vote of 6-0.

The overlay paving of streets in the City of Covington has been a major priority and the passage of this ordinance will provide an addition of $950,000 in funding for the project.

An ordinance amending the 2008 budget to transfer funds from the recreation complex to the annexation sales tax area fund was also passed by a vote of 6-0.

This was a “financial housekeeping” matter that corrected a paperwork error.

A resolution adopting the 2006 Louisiana Hurricane Katrina surge inundation and advisory base flood elevation map for the City of Covington passed with a vote of 6-0. The resolution needed to be adopted in order for elevation grants to be awarded.

A letter requesting the St. Tammany Parish School Board to remove their fence from the city right of way along the dedicated section of South Van Buren north of West 17th Avenue was tabled at this time pending the opinion of City Attorney Deborah Foshee. A committee meeting will be held with all involved parties, including the St. Tammany School System, to attempt to solve the problem.

City Attorney Deborah Foshee was not present at the meeting, so the swearing in of new Tree Board member Judy Mayeaux was postponed. The Council approved Mayeaux’s appointment to the position by a vote of 6-0.