Council approves DOTD roundabout agreement and hires Picollo Group for federal/state government affairs

The Central Parish Council approved two business items at its Jan. 8 meeting: a cooperative agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for a Roddy Road at Black Bayou Road roundabout and a professional-services agreement with Picollo Group LLC for federal and state government affairs.

The DOTD cooperative and debit agreement for the Roddy Road roundabout was moved and approved with authorization for Parish President 'Clint Cuomo' to execute the document. No questions were raised and the motion carried by voice consent.

On the Picollo Group agreement, the council discussed a typographical error in the agenda. The intended contract compensation is $10,000 per month for federal government affairs services and $7,500 per month for state government affairs services (a combined $17,500 per month), with a not-to-exceed total of $250,000 for federal/state services, printing, travel, events and miscellaneous costs. Councilmembers amended the motion to correct the language; the amended motion passed. Emily De Silva, a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, briefed the council on congressional appropriations timing and projects included for Ascension; she said Congress might finish appropriations before the continuing resolution expires on Jan. 30 and that the firm would work to advance parish projects in FY2026 funding bills.

Parish leadership described ongoing challenges obtaining FEMA and HUD grants and said they will rely on the contracted firm to help secure funding and move stalled projects, naming the Sorento pump station expansion as an example of a project delayed by federal agency review. The Picollo Group engagement is intended to connect parish staff with federal and state decision-makers to advance infrastructure and grant priorities.