Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, December 14, 2015

December 14, 2015
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, December 14, 2015, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Richard led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Joanne Bourgeois, Terry Richard, Don Neisler
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent: Scot Rhodes, Shane Andrè

Mayor Normand introduced Elizabeth Engolio, a candidate for Judge, 18TH District. Ms. Engolio presented information on her qualifications and spoke briefly about her views on campaign platform issues.

Mayor Normand introduced Joseph Dupont, a candidate for 18TH District Judge.
Mr. Dupont presented information on his qualifications and spoke briefly about his views on campaign platform issues.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s special meeting of November 2, 2015, was made by Council Member Neisler and seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of November 9, 2015, was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s special meeting of November 11, 2015, was made by Council Member Richard and seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee: None

Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Normand presented the Preliminary Plat for River Mill Reserve Third Filing – Lots 24 through, 49 Zero Lot Line Residential Development being Tract “X-4-A-1-A” & Tract “X-4-A-2-A” portion of Additions to Cinclare Plantation, Located in Sec. 15 & 16, Township 8 South, Range 12 East, Southeastern Land District, West of the Mississippi river, West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana for Ace Holdings, LLC.

A motion to approve the Preliminary Plat for River Mill Reserve Third Filing was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments.

Jim Tatum with Tatum Engineering Consultants, representing Donnie Jarreau and Ace Holdings LLC, explained that the preliminary plat was in full compliance with Town’s ordinances regarding submittal. Mr. Tatum also explained that if approved, his firm would begin on the construction drawings for the subdivision which would then be submitted to the Council for approval before any actual construction work is began.
Mr. Paul Tschirky, a resident of the Gates at the Oaks, expressed disappointment that none of his concerns about flooding, drainage and sewage issues had been addressed on the plat. After stating his concerns he asked the Council to reject the current development plans put forward for River Mill Reserve until concerns of the adjacent property owners are addressed.

Mr. John Pritchett, a resident of the Gates at the Oaks, asked if there was a punch list signed off on showing that the preliminary plat was in compliance with the Town’s ordinance. The Mayor informed Mr. Pritchett that the plat was verified to be in compliance by Town staff, but it is not a practice to sign off on the verification.

Ms. Nita Lindsly, the president of the Gates at the Oaks Homeowners Association, expressed concerns about flooding in the area and asked the Council to take their concerns into consideration.

Hearing no further comments from the public the Mayor turned the matter over to the Council. Council Member Neisler stated that the questions posed would not be answered until the engineering drawings were prepared and reviewed by the Town’s engineer who will then report to the Council. Hearing no further comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Richard, Neisler, Bourgeois
Nays: None
Absent: Rhodes, André

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Finance Committee:
A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign three contracts for the new Town limit sign was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Bourgeois, Neisler, Richard
Nays: None
Absent: Rhodes, André

Personnel Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to approve the 2016 Holiday Schedule, as presented, was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments the motion passed unanimously.

Recreation Committee: None
Police Committee: None
Governmental Affair Committee: None
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None
Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions and Commendations:
Upon the request of Mayor Normand a motion to approve Resolution #12 of 2015 applying for an LGAP Grant, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Neisler. The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of November was given by Chief Lefeaux. There were four (4) 911 hang-up calls, two (2) alarms, four (4) assists to other agencies, two (2) assist person calls, two (2) burglaries, one (1) area check, one (1) civil call, five (5) disturbances, one (1) harassing phone call, one (1) hit and run, three (3) miscellaneous calls, two (2) suspicious person calls, five (5) thefts, six (6) traffic accidents, forty (40) traffic stops, one (1) vehicle, four (4) warrant arrests, one (1) wire down, four (4) driving under suspensions and thirty-six (36) no insurance tows. For the month there were 354 citations, 457 violations and a total of 84 complaints received.

Correspondence: None
Mayor’s Report: None
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Mayor Normand explained that the proposed sewer project will take the effluent from the Venzule sewer station and take it straight to the west, across Oscar Denham’s property and intersect the system near Live Oak Drive splitting the flow in two to alleviate the problem on Allene Street. The Mayor gave a rough estimate of $200,000 for the cost of the project. Mayor Normand also explained that refinancing the Town’s current sewer bond at a lower interest rate would result in no change in cost of the Town’s current note. The Mayor gave an estimate of one to one and a half years to complete the project.

Council Member Bourgeois thanked Debbie Berthelot and the office staff for their work putting on the Veteran’s Day Ceremony. Ms. Bourgeois also gave a special thanks to Richie Johnson for being the speaker at the program.

Announcements:
Reflections of the Season opens Dec. 3rd – Dec. 23rd at WBR Tourist Information Conference Center Grounds.
Planning & Zoning Meeting will be held Dec. 16th at 6:30 pm in Town Hall Chambers.
Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24th & 25th in Observance of Christmas.
Town Hall will be closed Jan. 1st in Observance of New Years.

A motion was made by Council Member Richard to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.

____________________________ _________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk