Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, April 12, 2004

April 12, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, April 12, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Normand called for all cell phones to be turned off or silenced. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Perrault. A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Ronda Perrault, Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andre’, Chris Kershaw
Absent: Daryl Babin
Town Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Andre’ to amend the agenda and move to item 10.D, Cleanest City Appreciation Certificates. The motion passed with four council members in favor, and one absent. Council Member Bourgeois described two cleanup days held and presented Appreciation Certificates to Lions Club representative John Gossman. Those receiving certificates were John Gossman, Andrea Normand, Susie Berthelot, Margaret Cannella, Nila Bahry, Skipper Grady, Richard Rabalais and Chris Kershaw. The certificates will be presented at the next Lions Club meeting. Appreciation Certificates were also awarded to students who helped: Jamee Blink, Wayne Blink, Eric Bucholtz, Jacob Soileau, Garrett Couvillon and Jarhett Theriot. Ms. Evelyn Credeur from Port Allen also participated, along with Jackie Kulcke, Dana Strauss and Arlen Landry.

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Andre’ to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 8, 2004. The motion passed with no opposition.

A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Perrault to approve the minutes of the special meeting of March 16, 2004; it passed with no opposition.

The Planning and Zoning Committee minutes of March 23rd were reviewed.
Mayor Normand led the discussion on approval of a variance requested by Blaine Rabalais to allow a fence to be built on the Orleans Quarters rear servitude. A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois to approve the variance; the motion passed with no opposition.

Under Personnel Committee business, Mayor Normand announced that 23 persons had applied for the full-time Clerical Specialist position. He recommended Ms. LaTasha Martin be hired effective April 8, 2004 with a salary of $10.00 per hour. A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Perrault to approve his recommendation. The motion passed with no opposition.

For the Recreation Committee, Council Member Bourgeois announced that Brusly had again won the Cleanest City Contest, District VI Category B with a score of 99.7%, thanks to much community involvement as reflected in the scrapbook which documented citizens’ efforts. She said the State of Louisiana Historic Marker, a gift from the WBR Historical Association recognizing Brusly as the oldest settlement in West Baton Rouge, will be dedicated on May 11th, the day of the State Cleanest City Contest judging. A reception will be held at the Town Hall and the public is invited.

Under Police Committee, Police Chief Emmett Worley recommended that Mr. Leonard Taylor be appointed as a Reserve Officer, in the position vacated by the promotion of Officer Donald Vallet. A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to appoint Mr. Taylor, pending the required psychological evaluation; it was seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion passed with no opposition.

Mayor Normand led the discussion on purchasing a 2004 Chevrolet Impala police car to replace the Jeep Cherokee which is bought from the dealers from www.conklinfordnewton.com site. Police Chief Emmett Worley recommended the Impala be purchased. A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Andre’ to approve the purchase. The motion passed with no opposition.
Under Grant Committee, Council Member Bourgeois requested that Rural Development Grant funds be used for Town records preservation, including minutes dating back to 1901. The Brusly Oak tree project should start soon with the moving of a utility pole.
Mayor Joey Normand read the heading of proposed Ordinance No. 8 of 2004, to enforce the National Fire Protection Association Code within the Town limits, particularly regarding fire lanes and obstructing a fireman. He opened a public hearing on the ordinance. After no comments were heard, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Council Member Perrault to adopt Ordinance No. 8; it was seconded by Council Member Andre’. The Ordinance passed with four council members in favor, and Council Member Babin absent.
Mayor Joey Normand read the heading of proposed Ordinance No. 9 of 2004, to re-codify the Town Ordinance Book. He opened a public hearing on the ordinance. After no comments were heard, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois to adopt Ordinance No. 9; it was seconded by Council Member Perrault. The Ordinance passed with four council members in favor, and Council Member Babin absent.

Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance to amend the 2003-04 Town budget. He also introduced an ordinance to change the order of business for Town Meetings, and presented written documents for both to Town Clerk Lefeaux.

Council Member Andre’ made a motion for the approval of Resolution No. 6 of 2004, to adopt and re-enact the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Brusly. The motion was seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and passed with no opposing votes.

Council Member Kershaw made a motion for Resolution No. 7 of 2004 to be approved; it supports the passage of Federal legislation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The motion was seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand stated the United Way Campaign for the Town employees was very successful, and requested Jules Lefeaux, the Campaign Coordinator, to describe the award received. He showed a large plaque certifying that the Town of Brusly employees had donated more per person than any other governmental entity in the 9-parish area. Lefeaux presented the plaque to Mayor Normand, as it was the Town’s award for generosity, and thanked the Mayor for his support of United Way.

Mayor Joey Normand led the discussion on adopting Rules for Public Comment. After review by the Council, a motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois to adopt the Rules; it was seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with four council members in favor, and Council Member Babin absent.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In March, there were 11 first aid calls in the Town and 20 first aid calls outside the Town. There was one fire call in the town and one fire call outside the Town. There was one mutual aid call answered. The total calls for the month of March, 2004 was 34; and a total of 97 calls this year. A letter from a grateful citizen was read; fire officials had helped her by inspecting and testing for carbon monoxide in her home.
Police Chief Emmett Worley gave the Police Department report for the month of March. He stated that there were 7 wrecks, 12 bench warrant arrests, one battery, one assault, two illegal discharges of firearms, two damages to property, 8 disturbing the peace incidents, four thefts, seven alarms, 10 assistances to other agencies, three 911 calls, four drug arrests, one domestic call, 24 traffic arrests, and 15 miscellaneous calls for a total of 101 calls and 496 traffic citations issued. Chief Worley also reported that Officer Dexter Walker had successfully completed the P.O.S.T. Academy with good grades; and Officer Darren Hernandez was injured while chasing an offender on foot.

Since a police car chase and accident had occurred just before the March Town Meeting, no one was available to give the Police Department report at that meeting. Mayor Normand invited the Chief to give the report at this time. Chief Worley stated that there were 8 wrecks, two bench warrant arrests, three arrests for driving while intoxicated; two batteries, five damages to property, 6 disturbing the peace incidents, four thefts, four alarms, 10 assistances to other agencies, six 911 calls, three drug arrests, two domestic calls, one juvenile arrest, two juvenile matters, 30 traffic arrests, and 28 miscellaneous calls for a total of 120 calls and 588 traffic citations issued in February.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He has requested repair at the West Saint Francis St. railroad crossing where it was widened recently, as the pavement makes a dip there. Entergy will help with street lighting by installing 12 light poles on that street. The Relay for Life event on April 2nd was very successful; donations totaling $32,000 will be announced. DeAngelo’s Pizza and Brusly’s Cafe have been issued licenses to operate restaurants. Bids will be opened in late May for the new parish Central Communications Tower. The Mayor congratulated Council Member Bourgeois for receiving a certificate from the Friends of the Archives for her hard work on historical preservation. Mayor Normand was impressed by the Girl Scout programs in the area, and invited all to participate. A meeting will be held soon on the proposed Northern Loop road, but no one knows its proposed routing yet. The Capitol Region Planning meeting was held in March at the Brusly Lions Club, and was enjoyed by guests from surrounding governmental agencies. Regarding ozone, we may be forced to use high-priced reformulated gasoline, and industries will suffer higher operating costs. Questions should be asked of the EPA.
Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Fire Chief Mike Alleman asked about a left turn stoplight at Saint Francis Street; the Mayor explained that using one would cut into the 24 seconds now allowed for Brusly residents to cross or enter Highway 1. Chief Alleman complimented the Town Maintenance Crews for their good work in keeping the Town clean; Council Member Bourgeois agreed heartily. Don Neisler thanked the Town for putting on the CRPC meeting and supper, which was well attended. He also stated the new zoning map for Brusly has been delivered; Mayor Normand appreciates it as a service to citizens. Council Member Andre’ announced that on May 28th there will be a golf tournament fund-raiser at the West Side Golf Course to assist the summer baseball program at Brusly High School. In mid-July, Brusly will host the National Baseball Congress’ State Tournament for 15-16 year old players. Mr. Andre’ thanked the builder of the new locker rooms, who did a fantastic job, and invited everyone to tour them. John Gossman thanked the Mayor for the recognition of the Lions Club’s efforts, and announced they are holding a blood drive Thursday.

Mayor Normand announced the Cleanest City State Judging would be held May 11th and the Brusly Lions Blood Drive is from 4pm to 8pm on April 15th.

A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion carried without opposition.

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Joey Normand, Mayor
Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk