| Advisory opinion request regarding the application of the post-employment restrictions from a former employee of the Lafayette Consolidated Government. |
|
Catherine Coker is a former employee of the Lafayette Consolidated Government ("LCG"). Prior to her retirement on February 1, 2024, she was the Meter Reader Supervisor for the Meter Services Division of the Lafayette Utilities System ("LUS").
As the Meter Reader Supervisor, Ms. Coker was responsible for the daily supervision of electrical and water meter-reading operations, including water meter programming, assembly, installations, replacements, and repairs. She was also responsible for supervising the Meter Services labor foreman, meter readers, water meter technicians, engineering aides, and clerical workers. She assigned, managed, and analyzed workflow. She monitored overtime usage, response time, and other employee performance measures to make adjustments as necessary to improve the efficiency and delivery of services. She oversaw the management of the water meter inventory and warehouse, and you managed the capital budget for that inventory. She also monitored and analyzed data generated through smart meters, kept records of new and disconnected electric and water services, and assigned new accounts for solid waste pickup by a contracted service, for wastewater collection, and for new electric and water services.
Ms. Coker is interested in working as a manager/consultant for Preferred Mechanical LLC of Lafayette ("Preferred Mechanical") on its new contract with LCG to furnish and install water system pressure monitors on existing water lines in the Lafayette service area in place of the currently installed water meters. The LUS Meter Services Division will supervise the installation and troubleshooting of the new water system pressure monitors by Preferred Mechanical.
|
|
La. R.S. 42:1102(2)(a)(vi) defines "agency" to mean a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity. The agency of a public servant of political subdivisions means the agency in which the public servant serves. Public servants of political subdivisions shall include, but shall not be limited to, elected officials and public employees of municipalities, parishes, and other political subdivisions.
La. R.S. 42:1102(3) defines "agency head" to mean the chief executive or administrative officer of an agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over the agency.
La. R.S. 42:1102(16) defines "person" to mean an individual or legal entity other than a governmental entity, or an agency thereof.
La. R.S. 42:1102(19) defines "public servant" as a public employee or an elected official.
La. R.S. 42:1121A(1) provides that no former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that former agency or render any service on a contractual basis to or for such agency.
|
|
|
Adopt the proposed Advisory Opinion.
|
|
| Assigned Attorney: |
Jessica Meiners |
|
|