St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11
22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420
985-888-6547
Notice Posted: Friday, June 13, 2025 at 4:00 P.M.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting will be held as follows:
DATE: Tuesday, June 17, 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, May 21, 2025
5. Public Forum
6. Old Business
a. Financial Report
b. Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi
7. New Business
a. Adopt 2025 millage rate
b. Read announcement regarding July meeting to request an election
c. Executive session to discuss possible purchase of additional property
8. Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – July 15, 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.
Board Meeting Minutes May 21, 2025
Called to order: 7:15
Roll Call: Bart Soileau, Rock Ruiz, Scott Newton, Brandon Harrell
Absent: Larry Route
Also in attendance: Grant Schlueter, Lisa Palisi
New Business: Grant Schlueter reminded the board that the current millage goes through 2032 which gives the board seven years of borrowing potential. He stated that since Recreation District #7 released a portion of their district to Recreation District #11, the board can do what is called an in lieu of millage election which substitutes for the old tax. The purpose would be to include the annexed area in taxes. This in lieu of tax could be for 10 years or 20 years. The next available election date is November 15, 2025. If the board would like to go forward with an election, two board meetings are required. At the first meeting, the board must declare the intention to have an election. The intention must be read aloud at the board meeting, published in the official journal, and sent to the Parish council. At the second meeting, the board would declare the intent to have the election. Two things are needed for the second meeting. From the Assessor’s Office, the taxable assessed valuation of the entire recreation district is needed to be able to state the dollar amount the millage would bring in to the district. From the Registrar of Voters Office, the list of polling places areawide, including polling districts in the newly annexed area, is needed for the election. Grant then went on to inform the board that they may purchase land, but prior to disbursing any money for projects or a purchase, he advises the board to adopt a resolution to reimburse expenses with a future bond. He informed the board that there are actually three (3) dates to levy on the 2026 tax roll; November 15, 2025, and two spring dates, April 18, 2026 and May 30, 2026. For the April election, the state will pay half the cost of the election. Grant and the board discussed this information. The board discussed informing the public, and Grant reported that the school board put information on their website that was very informative regarding their bond election. He also stated that we can prepare a flyer with information and send it to him to make sure the rules regarding elections are followed so that we do not have any violations in the information. He suggested giving as much information as possible since transparency is important. Brandon thanked Grant for attending the meeting to discuss these matters with the board.
Motion to approve minutes from previous meeting: Tabled until next month.
No Public Forum.
Motion to accept the financial report: Scott Newton made the motion to accept the financial reports from the past two months. Second by Rock Ruiz.
Public Forum: None.
Brandon asked Lisa to plan for an executive session at the next board meeting, and to ask Emily Couvillion to attend so that the board can discuss the land purchase.
Director’s report by Lisa. Baseball season is mostly finished with Lee Road still having a couple of rescheduled games to play. 8U and 10U all stars started practicing this week, and will participate in a tournament in Pearl River. They will play two games each week, then have a single elimination tournament the first week of July.
Lisa mentioned that she has concerns about 6U baseball due to having low numbers, and the catcher’s equipment doesn’t fit them properly, so you can’t start teaching catching until 7/8.
Lisa brought fall registration flyers to the schools last week since registration takes place over the summer from July 1 through July 30. We will have the summer camps in July for football conditioning and soccer on Mondays and
Wednesdays. Lisa then reported that the Town of Abita Springs had to give a comment period until April 20 for the town engineers to look at our plans regarding developing fields next to the gym. They sent a letter to Kelly with some questions about managing runoff. Kelly McHugh sent Lisa an email today regarding addressing the town’s concerns, so he will need to redo the site plan and hydrology analysis which means we’ll have more ponds and less fields. Mr. Brown’s office asked Lisa to write a letter to the Army
Corps stating why we should be allowed to develop the land which Lisa provided to the board. Lisa informed the board that when the electrician came out to the gym to look at gym lights that were blinking, he discovered that the lights we have are obsolete. He can no longer get the replacement fixtures, so he prepared an estimate to replace them. Scott Newton made a motion to accept the Case bid. Second by Brandon. Motion passes unanimously.
Next meeting is June 17, 2025.
Meeting adjourned: 8:35
JULY 15, 2025
St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11 22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420
Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547
Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman Bart Soileau
Scott Newton Larry Route
Steve “Rock” Ruiz Lisa Palisi, Director
Notice Posted: Monday, July 14, 2025 at 4:00 P.M.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting will be held as follows:
DATE: Tuesday, July 15, 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, June 17, 2025
5. Public Forum
6. Old Business
a. Financial Report
b. Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi
7. New Business
a. Adopt Resolution Calling for a Special Election to authorize the levy of a special tax.
8. Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – August 19, 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.
Board Meeting Minutes June 17, 2025
Called to order: 7:00
Roll Call: Bart Soileau, Steven Rock Ruiz, Scott Newton, Larry Route
Absent: None
Also in attendance: Emily Couvillion, Lisa Palisi
No Public Forum.
Motion to approve minutes from May meeting: Scott Newton. Second by Rock Ruiz.
Motion to accept the financial report: Scott Newton. Second by Larry Route.
Director’s report by Lisa. 8U and 10U All Stars are still playing in the Pearl River Tournament. Bart informed the board that the 8U team is having a wonderful experience playing in the tournament. Registration starts July 1 through July 30 for fall sports. The town had some questions about the development plan regarding drainage. Kelly McHugh, Thomas Brown, Zack Rudolph, and I met with the town engineers to discuss the town’s concerns, and for Kelly to respond to the questions. It looks like we will need to add more drainage.
Paused meeting to wait for Brandon Harrell who was still at work. Meeting resumed at 7:43 P.M. Brandon Harrell is now present.
New Business: Adopt the millage rate for 2025. Brandon read the resolution to adopt the acquisitions and maintenance millage rate of 9.26 for 2025.
Vote: Yeas: 5; Bart Soileau, Scott Newton, Rock Ruiz, Brandon Harrell, Larry Route
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Absent: 0
For the next item on the agenda, Brandon read the following notice:
Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Recreation Gymnasium, 22519 Hwy. 36 East, Abita Springs, Louisiana, the Board of Commissioners of St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 11, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 11, State of Louisiana to authorize the renewal or replacement of an ad valorem tax therein.
The board then entered into executive session at 7:47 to discuss the preparation of a purchase agreement with Emily Couvillion.
The meeting was resumed at 8:05 to state the results of the executive session. The purchase will be contingent upon an appraisal of the property and on wetlands credits that have already been issued.
Next meeting is July 15, 2025.
Meeting adjourned: 8:06 P.M.
JULY 15, 2025
JULY 15, 2025
St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11 22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420
Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547
Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman Bart Soileau
Scott Newton Larry Route
Steve “Rock” Ruiz Lisa Palisi, Director
St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11
22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La.
985-888-6547
Notice Posted: Monday, September 16, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting will be held as follows:
DATE: Tuesday, September 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. 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.
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.
St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11 22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 985-888-6547
Notice Posted: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 4:45 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.
5. Public Forum
6. Old Business
a. Financial Report
b. Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi
7. New Business
8. Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting –November 18, 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.
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.
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.