Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, August 13, 2007

August 13, 2007

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, August 13, 2007, at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Joey Normand called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Andre’ led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault, Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andre’, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of July 9, 2007 was made by Council Member Kershaw and seconded by Council Member Andre’; the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works: The Mayor recommended that the Council authorize him to sign a contract with Owen and White Engineering to perform a drainage study on the west end of Allene Street. The estimate is not to exceed $15,000. A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ and seconded by Council Member Rodrigue. A roll call vote was had with the following result:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, Andre’, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None
The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning: None

Finance Committee: None

Personal Committee: None

Recreation Committee: An update was given by Council Member Andre’ on the baseball league.
The 18 and under boys team finished third in the state, the highest finish since the 1990s.

Police Committee: None

Grant Committee: Council Member Bourgeois reported that applications had been completed for the Dow Community Grant and the Wal-Mart Bonus Grant to fund purchasing Landmark plaques.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: Mayor Normand read aloud and opened a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance #11-Additional job duties of the Chief of Police. Mrs. Rosa Stelly asked Council Member Kershaw if any changes had been made since he introduced the ordinance. He informed her that no changes had been made to the wording, but there was discussion at the Committee Meeting regarding the ordinance not being necessary because the Chief is responsible for enforcing all Ordinances. The public hearing was closed and discussion ensued among Council Members. Council Member Andre’ commented that added duties are duties that are not in the ordinance so why was an ordinance needed to enforce another ordinance.
Council Member Kershaw stated that he could not or would not support a Police Chief Salary Increase without the additional duties of Chief enforcing the Nuisance Ordinance. He wanted to add it to the Chief’s duties so it was clear whose job it was to carry out the Ordinance. A motion was made by Council Member Kershaw but failed for a lack of a second.

The Mayor read aloud and opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance #8-Police Chief Salary Increase. Assistant Fire Chief Kenny Hunts felt that it was not enough money for what he does. Mrs. Rosa Stelly commented that the salary is well deserved. The public hearing was closed and turned to the Council for discussion.
Council Member Perrault stated that she will be comfortable with a $2,000 raise which comes out to about a 6% raise.
Council Member Kershaw stated that he believes the Chief has done well in the position. He thinks asking a man with a family to work for four years with no raise is not right. He agrees to the $4,000. Council Member Rodrigue thought the cost of living should be considered. He stated that the Chief has turned the department around and increased the revenues.
Council Member Andre’ feels that it is a “no brainier” and he is going to vote on Chief’s salary being $40,000 with no compromise.
Council Member Bourgeois commented that she appreciates all that Chief has done but feels that a $2,000 raise is adequate for this year.
A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ and seconded by Council Member Kershaw to increase the Chief of Police salary to $40,000 a year.
Council Member Perrault made a substitute motion to give the Chief a $2,000 raise; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote on the substitute motion was had with the following results:

Yeas: Perrault, Bourgeois
Nays: Rodrigue, Andre’, Kershaw
Absent: None

The motion failed with two votes in favor and three votes against.
A roll call vote was had for the Chief to receive a $4,000 raise:

Yeas: Rodrigue, Andre’, Kershaw
Nays: Perrault, Bourgeois
Absent: None
The motion passed with three in favor and two against.

Introduction of Ordinances: Council Member Perrault introduced Ordinance #12-Fireworks.
Council Member Bourgeois introduced Ordinance #13-Budget Adjustments.

Resolutions and Commendations: Fire Chief Alleman commended Assistant Chief Hunts for retaining his 6th District position with the State of Louisiana State Fire Marshal Association.

Fire Department: Fire Chief Mike Alleman gave the Fire Chief’s Report for July. There were six first aid calls outside the Town and seven first aid calls inside the Town. There was one motor vehicle crash outside Town and one motor vehicle crash inside Town; one mutual aid call to Addis and four investigations. Total calls for the month were 24 and 235 total calls for the year.

Police Department: Report for the month of July was given by Chief Whaley. He stated that there were three wrecks, 18 assistance to other agencies, 22 traffic arrests, four alarms, two thefts, 11 bench warrants, one battery, and 30 miscellaneous calls. There were no juvenile matters, for a total of 91 calls and 247 citations for the month.
The Mayor expressed his concern about the house that burned on Gwin Street. He wants the owner to be notified in writing that the house is a hazard and they need to take action.

Correspondence: The Mayor received a letter from Shintech about the plant’s expansion.

Mayor’s Report: Central Communication Board is putting together a resolution to discontinue the collection of fees from the local fire districts for Central Communications.
There will be P-Tech training for students who score high in Math and Science. These students can earn credits for Baton Rouge Community College. They will be able to work in plants after High School by taking this course.
He met with Wayne Delapasse about the drainage plan and the parish is ready to dig the ditches back to grade.
He called the manager at the Wal-Mart Super Store Center regarding many complaints about poor service and inadequate stocking of shelves.
He and Chief Whaley went to Brusly High School on the first day of school to address students. He promised those who fight that they will spend a weekend in jail.

Remarks of Personal Privilege: Chief Whaley informed the Council that Officer Travis Anderson completed the Basic and Advance School Resource Training. Officer Anderson is doing above what was expected of him.
Assistant Fire Chief Hunts highly commended all police and Chief Whaley on a job well done.
Parish Council Member Jeff Kershaw pointed out some positive activities in the parish.
Town resident, Mrs. Lucy Landry, asked the town about looking into activities for senior citizens.
Parish Council Member Kershaw volunteered to meet with her to seek Parish Recreation Department help in establishing a program.

Announcements: The Town Hall will be closed for business on September 3rd for Labor Day.
The Town Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4th. Culvert applications are due by August 17th. The new date for trash pick-up will start on the second Monday of each month.

A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with a unanimous vote; the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

___________________ _________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk