Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, February 9, 2004

February 9, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, February 9, 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 Andre’. A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Daryl Babin, Ronda Perrault,
Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andre’,
Chris Kershaw
Absent: None
Town Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Kershaw to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 12, 2004. The motion passed with no opposition.

Mayor Normand led the discussion to evaluate bids on Sewer System pump replacements in two lift stations. He called on Engineer Roy Waggenspack of Owen & White, Inc. who had opened and reviewed the bids. He recommended the low bid of $93,000.00 by R. L. Mixon Contractors, Inc. in Baton Rouge, although it was over the estimate of $76,000.00. Mayor Normand advised that only $50,000 was available in depreciation and contingency funds. Mr. Waggenspack advised that the above-ground pumps in the bids would eliminate some hazards of doing maintenance work in confined spaces; and we could take 45 days to evaluate the bids. Council Member Kershaw inquired about installing one pump per year. A motion was made by Council Member Babin and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois to accept the bids on the pump replacements and take them under advisement, but not award a contract at this time. The motion passed with no opposition. The Mayor, Council Member Babin, Mr. “Butch” Leger, and Mr. Waggenspack will meet to discuss options and prepare a recommendation for the Council.

The Planning and Zoning Committee minutes of January 28th were reviewed.

Under Finance Committee, proposed budget adjustments were discussed. Mayor Normand advised that four adjustments included grant funds: $1,000 was for police training for a replacement School Resource Officer; capital expenditures are increased $4,770 for computers in police cars; and funds are provided for the Police Clerk to work full-time. The net effect on the fund balance is -$31,283. A motion was made by Council Member Kershaw to approve the budget adjustments (which are attached and made part of these minutes); it was seconded by Council Member Andre’. The motion passed with no opposition.

In Recreation Committee business, the Mayor checked the location of a proposed swing set and found it satisfactory as far as safety is concerned.

Under Police Committee, Police Chief Emmett Worley recommended that the Police Clerk’s hours be increased to full time, with benefits, due to vacancies in the Police Department. Mayor Normand told how the clerk helped administration in that department, and handled many telephone calls. A motion was made by Council Member Kershaw to make the Police Clerk job full-time with benefits; it was seconded by Council Member Andre’. Mayor Normand asked the Town Clerk to have a roll call vote, which had the following result:

YEAS: Babin, Perrault, Andre’, Kershaw
NAYS: Bourgeois

Whereupon, Town Clerk Lefeaux announced that the motion passed with four affirmative votes, and one negative.

Police Chief Emmett Worley then recommended that Donald Vallet be hired as a full-time Patrol Officer. Council Member Kershaw asked if this was a vacancy due to an officer retiring, and Chief Worley said yes, they were one man short. Mayor Normand requested a roll call vote; Town Clerk Lefeaux called the roll and Council Members voted as follows:

YEAS: Babin, Perrault, Andre’, Kershaw
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: Bourgeois

Therefore, the motion passed with four affirmative votes, and one Council Member abstaining. Mayor Normand congratulated Officer Vallet, and reminded him that he represents the Town of Brusly in all his actions. When invited to comment, Officer Vallet said he takes a lot of pride in his job, is carrying on a tradition of law enforcement in his family, and tries to give 110% effort.

Mayor Joey Normand read the heading of proposed Ordinance No. 6 of 2004, to increase side setbacks from 8 to 10 feet in residential zones. He opened a public hearing on the ordinance. Five pages, including the chart of zoning districts on page 19-35 and definitions of R-1 through R-6, Residential Zones, are attached and made part of the Ordinance. Council Member Andre’ inquired about existing approved subdivisions with 8’ setbacks; Mayor Normand explained they would not be affected. Mr. Kenny Hunts of the Fire Department stated a firewall rated for one hour should be installed if setbacks are less than 10 feet; using slightly thicker sheetrock would accomplish that. Council Member Bourgeois stated that this is for the safety of the community, and not to impose a hardship on anybody. After comments were heard, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Council Member Babin to adopt Ordinance No. 6 with the additional five pages attached; it was seconded by Council Member Perrault. The Ordinance passed with no opposition.
Council Member Andre’ introduced an ordinance to adopt various enforcement provisions of the N.F.P.A. Code within the Town of Brusly.

Council Member Perrault made a motion for Resolution No. 1 of 2004 to be approved authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement to reduce the width of the rear drainage servitude in Orleans Quarters Subdivision from 25’ to 10’. The motion was seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Council Member Perrault made a motion for Resolution No. 2 of 2004 to be approved; it authorizes the Mayor to negotiate and sign contracts needed for the Police Information System, which includes laptop computers in police cars with wireless connections to large law enforcement data bases. Capt. Viator explained how the information would allow more bench warranted offenders to be apprehended. The motion was seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Council Member Bourgeois made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 3 of 2004, which approves the Town’s application for a Rural Development Grant. The motion was seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes.

Council Member Kershaw requested passage of a resolution to request the State of Louisiana to construct a turn lane on La. Highway One northbound at Lukeville School, similar to a recent W.B.R. Parish Council Resolution. His motion was seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.
The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In January, there were 8 first aid calls in the Town and 15 first aid calls outside the Town. There were three fire calls in the town and three fire calls outside the Town. There were three mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of January, 2004 was 32.
Police Chief Emmett Worley gave the Police Department report for the month of January. He stated that there were 8 wrecks, one bench warrant arrest, one DWI arrest, 7 batteries, three damages to property, one person contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, 9 disturbing the peace incidents, four thefts, one armed robbery, four alarms, five assistances to another agencies, four 911 calls, one drug arrest, three domestic calls, two juvenile matters, 19 traffic arrests, and 17 miscellaneous calls for a total of 88 calls and 130 traffic citations issued. Council Member Bourgeois asked about the status of a person arrested in the Harvey Blanchard case; an arraignment has been made, but the police have not been notified of a trial date.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He requested that Town Council Members get feedback from the public on the whether Chief of Police position should be budgeted as a full-time job. The Mayor congratulated Council Member Bourgeois and Council Member Perrault for a very good newsletter. The old Water Board office has been converted into a training facility and a storage room. West Saint Francis St. needs temporary striping where it was widened recently, and better drainage; he is requesting help from the contractor. Jules Lefeaux reported that sales tax collections for the month were over $70,000, and we expected only $60,000 in the budget. Collections for the year are now on target.
Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Fire Chief Mike Alleman said drainage was very good after the recent heavy rains. Deputy Chief Kenny Hunts asked that striping paint not be put over the blue reflectors in the roads that indicate fireplugs. Parish Council Member Jeff Kershaw said a turn lane at Lukeville had been requested, and roads in Lynndale would be resurfaced. Council Member Bourgeois reported a historical marker, provided by the West Baton Rouge Parish Historical Association, has been erected at the Town Hall, with French language on one side, and English on the other. A ceremony will be held later to dedicate it. She requested that the proclamation for football star Randall “Blue” Gay be made part of the minutes. Mayor Normand said the book signing event for “Tirailleurs” (“Brusly Soldiers”) on February 1st was quite a success, and all the books were sold. Tickets are available for the Relay for Life cancer benefit dance on Valentine’s Day, and purple bows.

Mayor Normand announced that the Town Hall offices would be closed on February 24, 2004 for Mardi Gras Holiday.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk