FAQs

We've compiled a list of questions that are frequently asked by students, residents, and visitors alike.

Q: How and where does a citizen register to vote?

A: In the Iberville Parish Register of Voter’s Office, located in the Iberville Parish Courthouse (Meriam Street) 2nd floor or the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles (57815 Fort Street, Plaquemine).

You must have proof of identification, such as a birth record & citizenship, and be at least 18 years of age.

City & State Government

Q: What type of local government do we have?

A: Mayor and Board of Selectmen – formed as a Special Charter by the Louisiana Legislature

Q: How is the mayor elected?

A: The mayor is elected by majority vote within the city limits. There are no term limits.

Q: What are the qualifications to be mayor?

A: U.S. citizen, a resident of Plaquemine, registered voter of Iberville Parish, legal age

Q: How many elected members do we have, and who are they?

A: There are six Board of Selectmen members:
Lindon “Lin” Rivet Jr. – District 1, Oscar Mellion – District 2, Ralph Stassi – District 3, Timmy Martinez – District 4, Mickey Rivet – District 5, and Jimmie Randle – District 6
There are no term limits –They serve four year terms. Their term expires December 31, 2012

Q: What is a typical day like for the mayor?

A: A typical mayor’s day can be hectic at times. There are often meetings with various groups or individuals to address constituents’ concerns, providing leadership and awareness of problems and solutions. Oftentimes, Mayor makes visual property and project inspections within the city, thereby creating personal contact with citizens and observes first hand problem areas.

As the Mayor serves as the CEO, there are regular meetings with departmental staff for reporting and project work assignments. The Mayor serves as the official spokesperson for the City, and must respond on the City’s behalf to media and other entities. Mayor is also responsible for maintaining proper budgetary control. Mayor presides over regularly-scheduled Board of Selectmen meetings. On behalf of the City, Mayor will often lobby state and congressional delegation for project funding and legislative requests for better operations of the City.

Each Mayor’s administration decides on which community projects or activities shall be of importance during their term of office.

Q: Who are our state senators and representatives?

A: State Senator Robert Marionneaux (District #18) and State Representative Karen St. Germain (District #60). They serve four year elected terms. They generally have several offices within their electoral district, for the convenience of the constituents.

Q: Who are our senators and representatives?

On the federal (congressional) level: U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. Senator David Vitter

The City of Plaquemine is served by two congressmen:

U.S. Congressman Bill Cassidy (6th District) and U.S. Congressman Rodney Alexander (5th District)

City Operations

Q: Where does our city get its money and how is it used?

A: Our city gets its money from property and sales taxes, permits and licenses, penalties, dues, utilities, and grant funding.

Funds are used to maintain paid Fire and Police Departments, the upkeep of public buildings and properties, public improvement projects, city employee’s salaries, streets and drainage maintenance, street lighting, and all four utility services – electricity, natural gas, water and sewer.

Q: How many departments does the city have? What are they?

A: The City has 13 departments:
City Clerk/Tax Collector, City Court, City Inspector, Finance, Fire, Police, Public Works, Purchasing, Main Street (downtown development) Program, Mayor and Board of Selectmen, Section 8/HUD (housing), Recreation and City Utilities.

Q: Who appoints the department heads?

A: The Mayor and the Board of Selectmen appoint department heads such as Fire Chief, City Attorney/Prosecutor and City Clerk. Elected are the City Court Judge, City Marshal and Chief of Police. There are no term limits on the elected position. The department head appointments are ratified every four years.

Q: What is the master plan for our city? What future plans exist for the growth of the city?

Although there have been some written plans during previous administrations; there is not an overall plan just for the City of Plaquemine. However, City of Plaquemine is included within the Iberville Chamber of of Commerce - Iberville Parish Master Plan of Year 2005, which has been adopted by the Iberville Parish Council and all six (6) municipalities within Iberville Parish: Plaquemine, Grosse Tete, Maringouin, Rosedale, St. Gabriel and White Castle.

The City of Plaquemine has been a Louisiana-designated Main Street City since 1992. This perpetual program of downtown revitalization continues to seek grant funding to improve the downtown area.

Each Selectman’s District is reviewed annually for its needs.

Q: What is the tax base of our city?

A: The tax base of our city is eight cents on the dollar.

Q: What kind of recreational programs does the city provide?

Iberville Parish Parks & Recreations District oversees most parks within the Parish. Baseball programs are under Iberville Parish Parks & Recreation. The Mike Zito Multi-Purpose Center, operated by the Iberville Parish Council, also offers varied programs and activities.

In 1996, the City acquired the vacant Plaquemine High School (built under the WPA program). It is now known as City of Plaquemine Activity Center (COPAC) which provides year round activities. Local organized and non-league teams use the site for basketball and football games. Special events such as Relay for Life and community gatherings are held at the site. The site offers a year round senior walking track, with a full time custodian on site, which is owned and maintained by the City of Plaquemine.

City Park, located on Belleview Road, is owned by the City of Plaquemine, but maintained by Iberville Parish Parks & Recreation District. At this time, a newly installed Skateboard Park was added in Year 2008. The Water Spray Park will be opened in June 2010. The Park's Master Plan includes upgrade of the playground equipment and additional parking.

Additional city parks are North Plaquemine Park and Herman Graham Park, which offers neighborhood recreational playground equipment. They are owned and maintained by the City of Plaquemine.

Q: What utilities does the city provide?

A: The City provides all four services: electricity, natural gas, sewer and water – City utility services are publicly-owned and operated. Plaquemine's electric is part of Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) - an 18 Louisiana city association and the Mayor serves on the Board of Directors. City is also a member of the Louisiana Muncipal Gas Authority, Louisiana Public Power Association, American Water Works Association, Louisiana Gas Association, Louisiana Rural Water Association and Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association.

Q: How is garbage pickup and disposal handled?

A: SWDI picks up garbage twice a week. SWDI also picks up properly bundled tree limbs and white goods such as appliances and furniture. SWDI has a parish-wide contract under the Iberville Parish Council, which is paid for by taxpayers through sales taxes. Click here for collection schedule.

Within the city, tree limbs hanging over electric lines that may pose an public safety concern are removed by the City and then picked up by the City on a periodic basis. Within the city, tree limbs cut down by residents will be picked up by the City when they are brought to the curbside. If a resident hires a professional tree cutting service, that company must then dispose of the tree cuttings. Call City Warehouse (225-687-2036) for more information.

Q: What kind of public housing does the city provide?

A: The City does not own any housing projects – the City's Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/ Section 8 Housing Department works with individual landlords who own the rental property. Landlords are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of tenant rental property. There is a Section 8 program provided by the Iberville Parish Council also. The City was awarded a $600,000 housing grant in Year 2006 to improve housing conditions in Council District 6 . The City participates with Habitat for Humanity Program with 22 homes built since Year 1999 in the Plaquemine area.

Q: Does our city have plans for a civic center or convention facilities?

The Carl F. Grant Civic Center is operated by the Iberville Parish Parks and Recreation District (IPRD), as it is owned the Iberville Parish Council. It is rented for large and small functions. It is located within the City of Plaquemine. Iberville Parish Council also operates the Michael Zito Multi-Purpose Center.

City of Plaquemine uses COPAC (City of Plaquemine Activity Center) for various public and recreational activities. Also, the Bayou Plaquemine Water Front Park, located in the downtown historic district.

Q: How much does our city collect in utility deposits for residents? From businesses?

A: From residents - $225 per resident;
Annual collection - $50,000

From businesses - $375 per business;
Annual collection - $10,000

Q: How many employees does our city have?

A: About 125, including full-time, part-time and Fire and Police Departments, which are regulated under Civil Service.

Q: How does a person become an employee of the police or fire department?

A: They must pass a Civil Service examination which is administered through the Plaquemine Civil Service Board given in Plaquemine City Hall on assigned dates as well as pass a drug screening test and physical examination.

Q: Explain the role and chief responsibilities of the various city departments and/or officers.

Mayor and Selectmen/Councilmen – Mark A. "Tony” Gulotta, Mayor since 1993

Councilmen are referred to as Selectmen and serve 4 year terms as there are no term limits. Roles and duties are defined in the Plaquemine City Charter, which is a Special Charter of the Louisiana Legislature. Mayor’s representation is city wide and 6 Selectmen have their own district. The Selectmen responds to the constituents’ needs and solutions in their district.

They attend Board of Selectmen meetings which are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Discussion may include, but is not limited to, special recognition of individuals, groups or events, grass cutting and/or housing demolition/condemnation by absentee owners, bids and contracts for public services, public improvements, funding opportunities for programs and projects, future plans for leadership and development, approval of zoning changes, approval of the City of Plaquemine Code of Ordinances revisions or amendments, personnel changes, and city budget approval.

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City Engineer – There are none on the staff; the City works with individual engineering firms

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Municipal/City Clerk – Shelia Migliacio, City Clerk/Tax Collector

City Clerk serves as the Official Record keeper for the City of Plaquemine and as City Tax Collector. The City Clerk also:

Records and maintains minutes for city selectmen meetings
Responsible for collection various taxes such as property and sales
Issues occupational and alcohol licenses and various business permits
Responsible for publication of public notices such as meeting, city code and ordinance changes and tax information
Maintains city contracts and municipal bonds, provides city election data
Provides information to the public and assists the Board of Selectmen

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City Attorney/City Prosecutor– L. Phillip "Phil” Canova, Jr.

Attends Board of Selectmen meetings and Board/Commission meetings; renders legal opinions on city issues and matters
Reviews all proposed changes in City of Plaquemine Code of Ordinances to avoid conflict with state and federal laws
Handles lawsuits that the City files against persons or companies as well as those persons or companies that sue the City of Plaquemine

The City Attorney also serves as City Prosecutor and reviews all criminal charges before bringing them to City Court and determines charges - only misdemeanors are handled in City Court; all felony charges are heard in the 18th Judicial District Court in Iberville Parish. City Court does not hear jury trials. Civil, criminal, and juvenile trials are heard by the Plaquemine City Court Judge.

Difference between a misdemeanor and a felony: Punishment of the crime determines if it is a felony or a misdemeanor. Those crimes with a punishment of hard labor are considered felonies; all else are misdemeanors

Housing Authority Committee – inactive

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HUD/Section 8 Housing Assistance Program – Susie Burns, Director
- Provides rental assistance for low income families

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Fire Dept. – Mackie Guillot, Fire Chief

Responsible for all fires within the city limits
Works with E-911 formedical emergenciesand has a Haz–Mat team for chemical spills

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Police Dept. – Orian Gulotta, Chief of Police

Responsible for enforcement of laws
Works with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office Task Force as a collaborative effort between city and parish
Has an active D.A.R.E. program
Participates in various grant funding sources which provides a community police officer that has direct contact with neighborhoods
Assists with City’s summer youth programs - Provides various public service security and oversight

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Finance Dept. – Laurie Berthelot, C.P.A.

Responsible for all city and utility income and expenses and yearly audits
Oversees financial accounts, payroll, and insurance matters
Oversees Human Resource staff

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Community/Economic Development – Kristine Hebert, Main Street Manager

Plaquemine is one of the 35 Louisiana-designated Main Street Cities; offers downtown revitalization of the commercial district utilizing 4-Point Approach™: Promotions, Design, Organization, and Economic Restructuring. It is administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation - National Main Street Center in Washington, D.C. The National Register Historic District consists of 21 blocks of downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places in addition to the Plaquemine Local Historic District.The Louisiana Scenic Byways meanders through the downtown district. The Program had recently altered the use of the vacant railroad depot into the Plaquemine Depot Market which offers a variety of merchandise with weekend cultural interests and activities.

Actively involved in grant funding for various city-wide projects and programs
Sits on various boards as the City’s representative
Plans and implements various internal city government operations and activities
Has served as the Plaquemine Main Street Manager since 1996
Serves as the Plaquemine Historic District Recording Secretary since 2008

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Recreation and Parks Dept. – Kristine Hebert, Special Projects Director

COPAC – Through the Mayor’s office, all gym and field bookings for public functions are made. The site has a full-time custodian for the site.
Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park – Inquiries regarding the hosting of special events can be obtained from the Mayor’s office

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Public Works – Dickie Simoneaux, Public Works Director

Responsible for maintenance of public roads,right-of-ways,sidewalks, signage,drainage, public grounds and buildings
Assists with grass cutting of absentee property owners and building structure demolition debris
Assists in public improvements, seasonal decorating and community events

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Utilities – Ronnie Rockforte, Director of Utilities

Responsible for all utilities and services (electric, natural gas,water, and sewer)
Responsible for trimming tree limbs over city power lines
Assists in public improvements,seasonal decorating and community events

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Utilities Business Office – Monika Edmond, Utilities Customer Service Director

Supervises all utility monthly billing which includes the utility computer operations, meter readers and customer service operations

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City Inspector – Brandon Mellion

Responsible for inspecting and certifying that homes andbuildings comply with the City and State Building Code
Responsible for the inspection of properties abandoned/condemned
Inspects and sends notices to property owners who do not maintain clean yards or create nuisances on properties
Serves as Zoning Code Enforcement Officer and Secretary for the Plaquemine Planning and Zoning Board

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Purchasing Agent – Lois Allen

Responsible for the ordering and purchasing of city supplies and equipment
Receives city inventory at the City Warehouse
Receives and dispatches requests concerning the citizens concerns and issues in the City

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Animal Shelter
Maintained by the Iberville Parish Police Jury, which is located on Bayou Road near the Parish Jail

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City Court – Michael Distefano (part-time position)

Elected position - 6 year term with no term limit
Responsible for holding civil, criminal, and juvenile court
Signs all judgments, writs, summons, and warrants
Holds criminal court 2 times per month; holds 72 hour hearings for those persons arrested and their alleged criminal activity requires a bond to be set before they can be released

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City Marshal – Bronco Wilbert (part-time)

Elected position – 4 year term with no term limit
Responsible for maintaining peace and quiet during city court sessions
Serves all civil and criminal warrants including bench warrants (persons who don’t appear for court), search warrants, summons, writs, and can also make arrests

General Questions

Q: How old is our municipality, and when was it founded?

A: Plaquemine was established as a settlement in 1775; Incorporated March 10, 1838 – first Mayor was Zenon LaBauve

Q: How did Plaquemine get its name and what does it mean?

Plaquemine is an Indian word for the fruit - persimmon. There are very few native persimmon trees left in the State due to adverse weather conditions during the late 1890’s when the state suffered severe winter conditions.

City of Plaquemine is often confused geographically with Plaquemines Parish, located below New Orleans. City of Plaquemine is located in Iberville Parish, across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge.

Q: What is the population of our city?

A: According to the 2000 US Census 7,100; however, City of Plaquemine serves 14,000 residents with police and fire protection, utilities, and other services.

Q: What kind of public transportation is available?

A: None.

Q: How many banks (financial institutions) does our city have?

A: Plaquemine has five banks:
Plaquemine Bank and Trust Company, Citizens Bank, Iberville Trust & Savings Bank, First Financial (formerly Iberville Building and Loan Association. In addition, there are various credit unions and finance agencies.

Q: Who are the largest employers?

A: According to labor statistics, local government and chemical companies employ the largest number of local residents.

Q: Name some other industries in our city.

A: Over 600 occupational licenses will be issued for 2008. However, 300 licenses are for insurance companies (they must have a license to sell each type of insurance).

Q: How many flags have flown over our city? (a history question never hurts)

A: Seven flags have flown over our city – Indian, French (1699-1762), Spanish (1762-1800), French (1800-1803), United States (1803-1861), Confederate States of America (1861-1864), United States (1865-present).

Q: What are the major tourist attractions of our city?

Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site
Iberville Museum – built as Iberville Parish Courthouse of 1846 then served as City Hall from 1906-1985
Four locally- recognized districts: Garden District, Historic and Main Street District, Old Turnerville District, and W.W. Harleaux-Capt T.T. Harris District
Pre-historic Bayou Plaquemine and the mighty Mississippi River
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Spedale Home which is assumed to have been put on a barge for display at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
Former St. Basil’s Academy, which is now the home of former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman
A variety of architectural features in the Historic District which has a walking tour brochure
Plaquemine Depot Market (former railroad depot) which offers arts/crafts & antiques
Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park, which provides access to the Bayou’s edge for a scenic overlook of the area, family-oriented picnics and activities, floating piers for boating, downtown festivals, and other recreational activities
1The vintage 1882 railroad tracks which run in the center of downtown are reportedly the 2nd busiest in the nation by Union-Pacific Railroad Company
Home cooked meals at our local eateries

Q: How many recreation or community centers does our city have? And where are they located?

A: The City of Plaquemine Activity Center (COPAC) on Ferdinand Street which offers a senior walking track, a gym used by various community and school teams for year round basketball, and a football field for soccer practice and junior varsity football games. Summer youth camps are also held at this site. Iberville Parish Council owns and maintains the Iberville Civic Center which is located on Belleview Road (La Hwy 75) in Plaquemine. There are various private halls available for rent around the city.

Q: How many parks do we have in our city? Where are they located?

Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park is owned by the City and offers beautifully landscaped pavilions and scenic overlooks, wooden boardwalk and lighted walkways, recreational fishing and boating options, as well as being handicap accessible on the 2.8 acre site. Public and special events, family picnics, outdoor wedding ceremonies are a few activities throughout the year. Be sure to look for our Christmas holiday lighting extravaganza.

Future design concepts include renovation of vacant 10,000 square foot foundry building into a multi-purpose pavilion, open plaza space, meeting rooms, and additional parking spaces. The park is admisson free and is located on La. Hwy One, adjacent to Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site and Best Western Inn. .

Q: How important is industry?

A: Plaquemine has seen many different kinds of industries throughout history. First, it had the water and timber commerce coming from the Atchafalaya through the Plaquemine Locks to the Mississippi River going to New Orleans. By the 1900s, five lumber mills were located in the Plaquemine vicinity. Iberville Parish was then nicknamed “Sweet Iberville” or “Heart of the Sugarbowl” because of the large agricultural lands which produced sugarcane. Plaquemine is now surrounded by the chemical industries and some of their spin-off industries. Towns can have many kinds of industries, but it is dependent upon the natural and human resources.

Q: Where does our city get its water?

A: Six wells comprise the City of Plaquemine water sources. Three wells are in Plaquemine and three wells are in West Baton Rouge Parish. The West Baton Rouge wells are from 2,000 to 2,400 feet deep. In this area, this is the depth where the ground water is located. In Plaquemine, the wells are 360 feet deep.

Even though our water met all EPA standards, Plaquemine City Light and Water recently invested $2.5 million on its water treatment plant to further improve water quality.

Tests preformed concluded our drinking water met all EPA standards and requirements

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health routinely monitors constituents in our drinking water according to federal and state laws.