Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, December 8, 2003

December 8, 2003

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, December 8, 2003 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: Daryl Babin, Ronda Perrault,
Joanne Bourgeois, Chris Kershaw
Absent: Shane Andre’
Town Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Kershaw to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 10, 2003. The motion passed with no opposition.

A motion was made by Council Member Babin and seconded by Council Member Kershaw to advertise for bids for the repair of Sewer Pump Stations No. 1 and No. 3. The motion passed with no opposition.

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois to adopt the new Employee Manual. The motion passed with no opposition. Council Member Perrault, Mayor Normand, and LaTasha Martin had worked on the Manual since January 2003.

The Holiday Schedule for 2004 was reviewed, and upon motion by Council Member Perrault and second by Council Member Babin, it was adopted with a vote of four Council Members in favor, and one absent.

Council Member Bourgeois described the Veterans’ Appreciation Reception held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, November 11, 2003. Mayor Joey Normand opened the program by greeting and welcoming approximately 150 guests in attendance.
Harvey Blanchard led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an invocation given by Reverend Matt Dupre, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Jules Lefeaux, Brusly Town Clerk and former Army Sergeant First Class, read a moving essay entitled “What is a Vet?” Guests then heard from Lt. Colonel Tom Acosta who recently returned from active service in Kuwait. Closing comments were given by Brusly Councilwoman Joanne Bourgeois, followed by group singing of God Bless America led by Brusly resident Claudette Purnell. During the reception, guests viewed a photo presentation compiled by Col. David Couvillon during his assignment in Iraq.

Special guests attending the Veterans’ Appreciation Reception included members of the Addis VFW Post and members of the McKinley Bourg American Legion Post of Port Allen. Serving on the planning committee for the event were Mayor Normand, Councilwoman Bourgeois, Genie Hendry, Lillie Mabile, Debbie Berthelot, and LaTasha Martin. Special assistance was given by Jocelyn Gauthreaux, Vera Lucas, Mary Althea Parker, Ella Dean Thibodeaux, and Lois Rivet, members of the Addis Historical Society.

Council Member Babin introduced an ordinance to increase side setbacks from 8 feet to 10 feet. Council Member Perrault introduced an ordinance on the Building Permit Fees Schedule. Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Article A – Subdivisions. Council Member Bourgeois introduced an ordinance to amend Section 9.41 – Cable Franchise. Council Member Babin introduced an ordinance to amend Section 9.1 – Telephone Franchise.
Council Member Bourgeois introduced an ordinance to amend Section 9.21 – Electricity Franchise. Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance to amend Section 9.11 – Natural Gas Pipeline Franchise.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In November, there were 8 first aid calls in the Town and 12 first aid calls outside the Town. There were no fire calls in the town and two fire calls outside the Town. There was one mutual aid call answered. The total calls for the month of November 2003 was 23, and 334 calls for the year. The Annual Christmas Parade was held on the first Sunday in December, and was enjoyed by a large crowd.

Sergeant Jonathan Lefeaux gave the Police Department report for the month of November. He stated that there were 7 wrecks, three bench warrant arrests, one DWI arrest, one battery, one assault, two damages to property, six disturbing the peace incidents, four thefts, one alarm, six assistances to another agencies, two 911 calls, five domestic calls, 19 traffic arrests, and 13 miscellaneous calls for a total of 71 calls and 226 traffic citations issued. Sergeant Lefeaux advised that officers would be patrolling in privately owned vehicles at times during the holiday season to provide more security against thefts.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. The sugar cane grinding season is expected to end on December 17th. The Ladies of Pearls made a presentation at the committee meeting, and appear to be organized well enough to have a parade on February 22nd without incidents; so a parade permit was granted. Maintenance Department took delivery of a new tractor we purchased with grant money. Family Dollar Store will have their ribbon cutting on December 11th. Mr. L. M. Comeaux donated a trophy case for display of the Grambling University autographed football, given to the Town at a reception for the Grambling Alumni Association. Mayor Normand called for volunteers in Front and Back Brusly to use rain gauges and report rainfall to the Town Hall, for use in providing better drainage. The Mayor said he appreciated the professional presentation by the Police Department on the need for computers in police vehicles, and it represented much improved communications between the Department and Town.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, information was given on inoperative pickup trucks parked near Main Street. Tommy Gascon suggested a rain gauge be installed at the sewer pond, as workers go there regularly to take readings. Jeff Kershaw advised that the Parish Government budget was approved, and has funds for ball field lights at Alexander Park, and a meeting/ locker room at Brusly High School baseball field. Marianne Berthelot advised that the public is invited to a retirement party for Ted Denstel on December 23rd from noon to 3 P.M. at the Community Center. Council Member Chris Kershaw thanked Editor Chris Chatelain of the West Side Journal for his good article on the community of Brusly and the eyeglass program of the Lions’ Club. He enjoyed the Fire Department’s Christmas Parade and activities. Mr. Kershaw asked for prayers for Elaine Worley and her family.

Mayor Normand announced that the Town Hall offices will be closed December 25th and 26th for Christmas, and on January 1st, 2004 for New Years’ Day. Also, the Planning and Zoning Meeting would be moved to December 17, 2003.

At that time, Council Member Bourgeois made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter. The motion was seconded by Council Member Perrault, and Town Clerk Lefeaux called the roll, finding four council members in favor and one absent. The executive session began at 7:09 P.M.

Upon returning to the Council Chamber, Council Member Bourgeois made a motion to end the executive session. The motion was seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with 4 council members in favor, and one absent.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk