Town Meeting Minutes

December 12, 2016
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, December 12, 2016, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 P.M. Mayor Normand’s grandchildren led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

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

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of November 14, 2016 was made by Council Member Bourgeois 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:
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Normand, a motion to approve the substantial completion of the Street Overlay Project was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member Rhodes. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Planning and Zoning Committee: None

Finance Committee:
After reporting that there were no findings for the 2015/2016 Audit, Mayor Normand recommended accepting the Town of Brusly 2015/2016 audit as presented. A motion to accept was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Rhodes. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to approve Liquor Licenses for Athenos, Back Brusly Grocery LLC, JW Food Mart, Las Palmas, La. Bayou Bistro and Pin High Cyber Golf, LLC was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Personnel Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to approve the 2017 Holiday Schedule, as presented, was made by Council Member Rhodes; seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee:
Upon Chief Lefeaux’s recommendation, a motion to hire Nicolas Schilling as an unpaid Reserve Officer, was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member Rhodes. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Governmental Affairs 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 #9 of 2016 applying for the 2017/2018 LGAP Grant, was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. 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 Assistant Chief Southon. There were two (2) alarms, two (2) assists to other departments, one (1) battery, two (2) burglary calls, two (2) damage to property calls, three (3) disturbances, one (1) domestic, one (1) harassing call, one (1) illegal carrying of weapon, one (1) information call, three (3) miscellaneous calls, four (4) private property accidents, three (3) thefts, six (6) traffic accidents, six (6) warrant arrests and 19 insurance tows. For the month there were 57 total calls, 386 total citations and 453 total violations.

Correspondence: None

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand presented Town Clerk Debbie Berthelot with a plaque of appreciation, on the occasion of her retirement, for her 17 years of dedicated service to the people of Brusly.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Council Member Rhodes presented Mayor Normand with a plaque, on behalf of the staff and Council, for his 16 years of service and leadership in serving as Mayor of the Town of Brusly.
Mayor Normand and Town Clerk Debbie Berthelot accepted words of appreciation and congratulations on their retirement by Mayor David Toups of Addis, Retired Parish President Ted Denstel, Wayne Delapasse, and Parish President “Pee Wee” Berthelot.
Parish Council Member Kershaw gave a brief update on WBR Parish projects, concluding with words of appreciation for Mayor Normand.

Mayor Normand expressed appreciation and gave thanks to his wife, Andrea Normand, for her support during past 16 years, reporting “there would be no Joey without Andrea.” The Mayor also thanked his family for their understanding, the town’s maintenance department led by Butch Leger in the beginning, then by Wayne Delapasse for their outstanding work ethic keeping the town looking so good, the town’s administrative staff led first by Jules Lefeaux, then by Debbie Berthelot for their tremendous work ethic and efficiency protecting the town’s interests, the police department led by Chief Jonathan Lefeaux for their outstanding morale and cooperation with the Council & Administration, former Town Attorney Jamie Fontenot, followed by Tom Acosta for keeping him out of trouble and the Members of the Planning Commission for serving the Town. Mayor Normand also expressed his appreciation for the unheard of cooperation and outstanding team work between the Parish Council and three Municipalities of West Baton Rouge Parish. Mayor Normand thanked Roy Waggenspack of Owen & White for his years of engineering work throughout the Town. Mayor Normand emphasized that he could not feel better about the way the Town is being turned over to the next Mayor. He directed comments to Mayor Elect Scot Rhodes expressing his complete confidence and best wishes. Mayor Normand closed by reciting the lyrics to the song “I Did It My Way.”

Announcements:
Reflections of the Season open December 15th – 23rd from 5:30 to 9:00 at the WBR Tourist Information Conference Center.
Planning & Zoning Meeting will be December 21st at 6:30 P.M.
Town Hall will be Closed December 22nd – 27th in observance of Christmas.
Town Hall will be Closed December 30th – January 2nd for New Years.

A motion was made by Council Member Rhodes to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 P.M.

/s/Joey Normand, Mayor /s/Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk

/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor