Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, December 8, 2008

December 8, 2008

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, December 8, 2008 at the Brusly Town Hall.

Council Member Andre’ led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault,
Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andre’,
Chris Kershaw (Absent due to work related trip to New Jersey)
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Mayor: Joey Normand

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of November 10, 2008 was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee: None

Planning and Zoning:
Approval for rezoning of Tract “X-4-A-2”, a portion of Tract “CA-1” measuring 50’ x 383.21 and a portion of Tract “X-4-A-1-A”, measuring 50’ x 505.76’, located in Sections 15 & 16, T8S, R12E, 420 W. St. Francis Street, from C-2 Commercial to R-6, Town Homes, was favorably recommended by the Planning and Zoning. A motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission Eastwas made by Council Member Perrault; seconded by Council Member Rodrigue. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois
Nays: Andre’
Absent: None
Finance Committee:
Mayor Normand nominated Council Member Kershaw for appointment to the WBR Parish Commodities Board. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Council Member Andre’; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. The motion passed unanimously.

Personnel Committee:
The Town’s Holiday schedule was approved on a motion by Council Member Bourgeois. Council Member Perrault seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous vote.

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee:
Chief Whaley recommended a list of police vehicles to be declared surplus with the minimum value set at $3,500.00 each. A motion to accept Chief Whaley’s recommendation was made by Council Member Andre’; seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

A motion to amend the agenda to take up the hiring of a new Police Officer was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Andre’. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, Andre’
Nays: None
Absent: None

Chief Whaley recommended the hiring of Gil Banta for the position of School Resource Officer with a salary of $30,000 a year. After a brief discussion, a motion to accept Chief Whaley’s recommendation was made by Council Member Andre’; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, Andre’
Nays: None
Absent: None

Grant Committee:
Mayor Normand announced that a Grant Application had been submittedturned in for street overlays and the purchase of sewer generators.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions and Commendations:
Mayor Normand presented plaques of appreciation to Council Members Rodrigue and Perrault for their years of service to theThe Town of Brusly.

Fire Department:
Fire Chief Alleman gave the Fire Chief’s report for November. There were thirteen (13) first aid calls inside the Town and nine (9) outside of Town. There were no fire calls inside or outside the Town. There were five (5) false alarm investigations. There was one (1) grass fire and one (1) trash fire. There were nine (9) motor vehicle crashes. The total calls for the month were forty (40). Total calls year to date are four hundred thirty (430).

Police Department:
Report for the month of November was given by Chief Whaley. There were six (6) wrecks, nineteen (19) bench warrant arrests, one (1) battery, two (2) damage to property, one (1) disturbing the peace, two (2) thefts, two (2) burglaries, two (2) assists to other agencies, seven (7) traffic arrests, nine (9) miscellaneous calls and three (3) Domestic calls. There were a total of 54 calls, 218 citations and 270 violations.

Correspondence:
Mayor Normand received copies of letters stating Animal Control policy on weekend calls. Animal Control Personnel will respond calls on the weekend in emergency situations only. Emergency situations will include animal bite cases or situations where a citizen’s safety is at risk.

The Mayor received a letter from Secretary of State Jay Dardenne complimenting the Town of Brusly on the beautiful display of flags which flew onflying for Veteran’s Day.

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand attended a debriefing on Hurricane Gustav. The Mayor announced the implementation of a new occupancy permit application. Mayor Normand attended the Thanksgiving lunch at Brusly High School, the Chamber’s Taste Fair and the Fireman & Policeman Memorial Dedication in Port Allen. The Mayor also attended Veteran’s Day Celebrations at Brusly Middle, Lukeville Upper Elementary and the Town Hall. Mayor Normand attended the Dedication of the State of Louisiana Historic Marker for St. James Square and Molaisonville on December 7th, followed byalong with the Landmark Plaque Ceremony which was held at the Town Hall. The Mayor reported on the Sewer Telemetry System allowing Town personnel to respond to a sewer problem on a weekend thus avoiding a crisis. He participated in a mediation as a LMA representative.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
A citizen requested and received an update on the progress being made on previously identified nuisances in town. Mayor Normand announced there will not be garbage pick up on Christmas Day or New Year’sYears Day. A citizen requested and received an update on the completion of repairs to the rail road crossing on Main St. Chief Alleman thanked Council Members Rodrigue and Perrault for their support of the Fire Department during their terms. Cindy Ocmand expressed concerns about the activities of the Citizens Cleanup Committee. Rosa Stelly read a statement and explained the role of the Citizens Cleanup Committee. A discussion ensued amongtook place between Mayor Normand, Chief Whaley and some citizens about Nuisances. Mayor Normand explained that the Citizens Cleanup Committee is not a Town appointed Committee. Council Member Bourgeois stated that the Brusly Landmarks announce the Landmark Book is for sale in the Town Hall. Council Member Bourgeois thanked Council Member Perrault for all her help during of the past eight years. Council Member also summarized three major projects of the past four years: the Brusly Gym being listed on the National Register of Historic Places;thanked all involved for their help with the Landmark and Heritage Commission; the book which has been publishedCeremony and especially thanked Marianne Berthelot for her work on the projects.Book Project. Council Member Andre’ thanked Council Member Perrault for her years of service. Mayor Normand pointed out the new aerial map of the Town of Brusly.

Announcements:
Town Hall Closed – December 25th and 26th for Christmas
Town Hall Closed – January 1st for New Years
Swearing in Ceremony and Reception – January 5th – 6:00PM – Town Hall – Committee Meeting follows Reception.

A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

_____________________ _______________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk