OCTOber 20, 2025      

                                                             St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                                                                                       22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La.                                                                       985-888-6547

Notice Posted:  Friday, October 17, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:                          Monday, October 20, 2025

TIME:                           7:00 P.M.

PLACE OF MEETING:   St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

                                          Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

                                          22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, La.

AGENDA:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing.  No meeting August due to not having a quorum.

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business

     a.  Discussion of wastewater treatment plant on STPRD#11 property.

           b.  Pitcher and Catcher tryouts for baseball and softball

           c.  Parent requests for coaches – all sports

           d.  Adopt reimbursement resolution

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting –October 21, 2025.

 In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-888-6547 describing the assistance that is necessary.

September 16, 2025 Minutes

Called to order: 7:02

Roll Call: Bart Soileau, Steven Rock Ruiz, Larry Route, Scott Newton, Brandon Harrell

Absent: None.

Also in attendance:   Sandra, Angie Hahn, Sarah Smith, Erika Soileau, Timmie Cade, Lisa Palisi

 Public Forum. 

Motion to approve minutes from July meeting since august meeting was cancelled due to not having a quorum.  First by Rock.   Second by Larry.  Motion passes.

Start with New Business:

Brandon spoke with the board about working with the town to develop a sewer plant on Recreation district property to assist the town since the town treatment plant is at capacity.  Need to develop sewer plant for 200,000 to 250,000 gallons per day.  Brandon would like to see the town and the recreation district work out a cooperative endeavor agreement for this matter.  Brandon reported that he gathered some information and that he was told that for one million to two million dollars, the recreation district should be able to build an adequate wastewater treatment plant.

Bart wanted to discuss pitcher/catcher tryouts and honoring parent requests for placing players on teams.  Lisa explained that every player except for the head coach’s child is available for coaches to draft when we pick teams for the season.  Discussion followed.  It was suggested that pitcher/catcher tryouts are also done during evaluations.  If a player doesn’t evaluate to pitch, he is ineligible.  Bart requested that we honor parent requests, but Lisa stated that she does not tell coaches who has to be on their teams.  Brandon recommends more coach training.  He also suggested Lisa look at other parks registration forms to see what questions are asked of players that might give more information to the coaches when picking their team.

Discussion about what items to include on the reimbursement resolution so that Lisa can complete the information. Kelly sent an estimate for 2.9 million dollars to develop the 22 acres for clearing, sewer, water, stormwater detention, concrete driveway, limestone walking path, erosion control, wetlands, surveys, design costs, equipment, purchases, and professional fees.  Lighting was not included in the estimate.

The next order of business is to adopt the reimbursement resolution.  First by Scott. Second by Bart.  Brandon read the resolution which states that expenditures made for the development and renovations to the existing facility, infrastructure improvements, professional service fees, land acquisition, and land development can be reimbursed with tax exempt bonds.

Votes:  Scott Newton  yeay

          Bart Soileau      yeay

          Larry Route       yeay

          Rock Ruiz           yeay

          Brandon Harrell yeay

The reimbursement resolution is adopted.

Old Business 

Financial report.

 Bank balances:                     CBT              $232,200.38

                           Hancock/Whitney   $1,402,858.87

                           Sinking fund                          $17.98

Director’s report by Lisa.  Games have started for all sports except for baseball and softball.  Perl river is holding up the schedule, so we pushed the season back one week.  If she doesn’t hear back from Pearl River by morning, the schedules will be remade without PR.  Basketball registrati0on is starting soon.  Practices will start in January; games in December through January.  Cary Menard and Joey Alphonse, parish attorneys were speaking with Bucky to include the first right of refusal and amending the restrictions and servitude of property since the original purpose of the property is listed as a group home.  Regarding the millage election, the recreation district offers 18 sports for youth; yoga, pickleball, and table tennis for adults; has three playgrounds within the park; a gymnasium that includes a court used for volleyball, or basketball, or three pickleball courts; two classrooms; a conference room; and offices.  We also have three lighted batting cages, and on site staff for all activities.  Future plans are to add another court to the gym; outdoor pickleball courts; paved walking trail with workout stations; develop 22 acres by the gym for football and soccer fields, a concession stand with bathrooms, and add disc golf.  The recreation district would aloo like to purchase the SAV property where we look to have a fishing pond stocked by Wildlife & Fisheries. Brandon briefly discussed AquaPards, a waterpark in Livingston Parish.

Next meeting is October 21, 2025.

Meeting adjourned:   9:06 P.M.

NOVEMBER  2025      

                                                             St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                                                                                       22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La.                                                                       985-888-6547

 Notice Posted:  Friday, November 7, 2025 at 4:45 P.M.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:                          Monday, November 10, 2025

TIME:                           7:00 P.M.

PLACE OF MEETING:   St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

                                          Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

                                       22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, La.

AGENDA:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing. 

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

c.       Update on wetlands mitigation

7.      New Business                                                                                                                                              

            a. Discuss November 15, 2025 millage election 

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting –December 16, 2025.

      Brandon Harrell

                                                      St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11

                                                  22519 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420

                                                                                                                                985-888-6547

  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-888-6547                                                                    describing the assistance that is necessary.

October 20, 2025 Board Meeting

Called to order: 7:34 P.M.

Roll Call: Larry Route, Scott Newton, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Bart Soileau, Steven Rock Ruiz,

Also in attendance:   Lisa Palisi

 Public Forum.  None

Motion to table minutes from September meeting by Brandon.  Second by Scott.                          

Motion to accept the financial report:  Motion by Scott.   Second by Brandon.

Director’s report by Lisa.  Zack Rudolph informed Lisa that he hopes to have the wetlands permit by later this week.  Lisa asked if she should reach out to FLWB to discuss adding the second gym court.  Brandon agrees.

Lisa also spoke with Bucky Meredith.  He was talking with Cary Menard on the deed restriction and first right of refusal.  Cary retired Friday so this matter will go back to Emily.  Lisa called Emily and left a message for her.

Lisa reported that we have 52 teams in the basketball league.  Baseball, softball, fall t-ball, cheer, flag, and soccer are still going on, so it’s been a busy fall.  Flag playoffs start November 6th with the championship on November 10.  Brandon prepared a flyer to remind people to vote for the millage. 

New Business:

Brandon spoke with the board about working with the town to develop a sewer plant. Need to develop sewer plant for 200,000 to 250,000 gallons per day.

Next meeting is November 10, 2025.

Meeting adjourned:   7:57 P.M.

DECEMBER 2025      

                                                            St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La.  985-888-6547

Notice Posted:  Monday, December 15, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:                          Tuesday, December 16, 2025

TIME:                           7:00 P.M.

PLACE OF MEETING:   St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

                                          Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

                                       22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, La.

AGENDA:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing. 

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Amend 2025 Budget

7.      New Business                                                                                                                                      

            a. Resolution for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held

             on November 15, 2025 to authorize the levy of a special tax                                               

            b. Adopt 2026 Budget

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting –January 20, 2026.

      Brandon Harrell

                                                      St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11

                                                  22519 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420

                                                                                                                           985-888-6547

 In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-888-6547 describing the assistance that is necessary.

November Meeting Minutes                        

    Called to order: 7:15

Roll Call: Larry Route, Scott Newton, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Bart Soileau, Steven Rock Ruiz

Also in attendance:   Lisa Palisi

Motion to approve minutes from October meeting.  First by Scott.   Second by Larry.  Motion passes.

Public Forum.  None.

Financial report tabled.  Bank balances:                          CBT:    $233,650.96

                                                                         Hancock/Whitney:  $1,325,953.60

                                                                          Sinking fund:                     $17.98

Director’s Report by Lisa:  Lisa spoke with Zack from Thomas Brown’s Office and Scott Kennedy from USACE.  Zack reported that we should have the permit by the end of the week.  Zack will send out for bids from mitigation banks.  Lisa sent an email to Kieran Weldon to schedule a meeting to discuss plans for an additional basketball court.  She spoke with Emily at the Parish Council office. Emily reported that she believes she has most of what she needs to complete the purchase agreement for SAV.  She spoke with Grant Schleuter about bonding out in order to purchase the property which will take a couple of months.  Lisa reported on attending the National Alliance for Youth Sports congress in early November to renew her certification.

Next meeting is December 16, 2025.

Meeting adjourned: 7:27P.M.

JANUARY 2026

                                                                     St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                         22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La., 985-888-6547

Notice Posted:  Friday, January 16, 2026 at 4:00 P.M.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:                          Tuesday, January 20, 2026

TIME:                           7:00 P.M.

PLACE OF MEETING:   St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

                                          Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

                                       22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, La.

AGENDA:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing. 

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

7.      New Business                                                                                                                                      

a.       Adopt Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

b.      Adopt Resolution for Engagement Letter for Hebert/Johnson Accounting Firm

    to handle yearly audit

8.      Adjournment - Next monthly regular Board meeting – February 10, 2026.

      Brandon Harrell

                                                      St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11

                                                  22519 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420

                                                                                                                           985-888-6547

 In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-888-6547 describing the assistance that is necessary.

December Meeting Minutes

Called to order: 7:20

Roll Call: Rock Ruiz, Scott Newton, Larry Route, Brandon Harrell

Bart Soileau recently resigned.

Absent: None.

Also in attendance:   Pat and Brandy Burel, Lisa Palisi

 Public Forum.  None.

Motion to approve minutes from October meeting.  First by Rock.   Second by Scott.  Motion passes.

Motion to approve financials. First by Scott.  Second by Larry.

Motion to amend 2025 budget. First by Scott.  Second by Larry.

Adopt 2026 budget. First by Rock.  Second by Scott.

Canvass of election results from November 15, 2025. Brandon read the resolution.  There were 246 votes in favor of the tax, 339 votes against, resulting in the proposition being defeated.

Vote accepting the results of the election.

Scott Newton     yeay

Bart Soileau         absent, resigned

Brandon Harrell   yeay

Larry Route           yeay

Rock Ruiz               yeay

Resolution adopted.

Rock wanted to discuss whether we should go before the voters again for the millage.  By unanimous vote, this item was added to the agenda as item c. Discussion of future millage election ensued.  Brandon asked Lisa to get dollar amount recreation district could expect from the entire district including the annexed portion.

Next meeting is January 20, 2026.

Meeting adjourned: 8:07 P.M.