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Heck v. Lafourche Parish Council

11/14/2003

Kuhn, J. Agrees in Part and Dissents in Part


In this appeal, plaintiff, David Heck, and intervenor, Gerald Breaux, Lafourche Parish President, challenge the judgment of the trial court, awarding Heck certain sums for engineering services he performed for Lafourche Parish. For the following reasons, we amend in part, affirm in part, reverse in part and render.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY


David T. Heck, P.E., a Professional Corporation ("Heck") entered into two contracts with the Lafourche Parish Council whereby he agreed to provide engineering services in connection with various road construction contracts. Prior to the execution of these contracts, the Lafourche Parish Council approved the contracts and authorized the Parish President to sign the contracts at issue. These contracts were then signed on December 23, 1998 and August 19, 1999, by Heck and by Aaron Caillouet, who was the Lafourche Parish president at that time and who, pursuant to the contracts, was acting as a representative of the Lafourche Parish Council.

In January 2000, Gerald "Buzz" Breaux took office as Lafourche Parish President. Thereafter, by letter dated January 22, 2001, Breaux instructed Heck not to implement or perform any future engineering services with regard to Lafourche Parish roadway improvements which had not been previously approved by him. The stated reason for Breaux's directive to Heck that he cease performing engineering services for the parish was an alleged "lack of funds." However, Heck questioned Breaux's authority to demand that he cease work under the contracts with the Lafourche Parish Council, and he was concerned that if, in fact, he did interrupt his work under the contracts, he would be in risk of default under the contracts for non-performance. Thereafter, on February 13, 2001, the Lafourche Parish Council passed Resolution No. 01-151, stating that the council needed to "ensure adequate control of professional and consultant contracts." Thus, in that resolution, the council affirmed that the council, as governing authority for the Parish of Lafourche, had the exclusive authority to approve all professional services contracts.

Accordingly, Heck continued to perform engineering services under the contracts he had entered into with the Lafourche Parish Council and continued to bill the council for the work performed. However, Breaux refused to pay the bills submitted by Heck. Additionally, by letter dated July 10, 2001, Breaux informed Heck that " s of today, July 10, 2001, you are hereby notified and given 30 days notice that your contract with the Lafourche Parish Council and Administration for all services performed by you or your engineering firm will cease on the 30th day from the date of this letter."

Apparently, after Breaux sent the letter of termination to Heck, the parish council passed another resolution, providing that the parish president did not have the authority to terminate the contracts between the council and Heck and reinstating Heck's services. Thus, relying on the resolutions of the council and his belief that Breaux did not have the authority to terminate his contracts with the parish council, Heck continued to perform engineering services under his contracts, services for which Breaux refused to pay.

After making written demand for payment of his outstanding invoices under both contracts, Heck instituted two suits on open account against the Lafourche Parish Council, seeking to recover for services rendered under the two contracts he had with the parish council. Shortly thereafter, the suits we

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