Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 8, 2004

March 8, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, March 8, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Normand called for a moment of silence in respect for Mr. John Landry, a former Alderman, who recently passed from this life. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Perrault. Mayor Normand requested all cell phones to be turned off or silenced. 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

Mayor Normand introduced Petit Kershaw, Vice-Chairman of West Baton Rouge Parish, who addressed the meeting on behalf of Parish President Riley “PeeWee” Berthelot. He described a recent trip to Washington, D.C., which included Mr. Berthelot, Mr. Larry Johnson, Parish Council President, Mr. Huey Brown, Parish Council Member, Mr. Chris Kershaw of the Brusly Town Council, and Mr. Larry Durbin of the Chamber of Commerce. They met with Louisiana’s congressional delegation personally, namely Senator Richard Baker and Representative Mary Landrieu, regarding funding for area projects such as the Central Communications Building and Tower, a road with a bridge connecting LA Hwy. 1 with Interstate 10, and other projects. Congressional staff mentioned that their presentation was unified and sophisticated.

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Babin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 9, 2004. The motion passed with no opposition.

Mayor Normand led the discussion on bids for two Sewer System pump replacements. He recommended rejecting the bids, since the low bid was $93,000, and alternatives could be studied. A motion was made by Council Member Babin and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois to reject the bids on the pump replacements. The motion passed with no opposition. The Mayor announced that the culvert project is almost finished.

The Planning and Zoning Committee minutes of February 25th were reviewed.

Under Finance Committee, surplus equipment was discussed. A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ and seconded by Council Member Perrault to declare a copy machine, two desks, a tractor, and microphones as surplus, and have the Town Clerk sell them at an auction on the porch of the Town Hall on March 30, 2004. The motion passed with all council members in favor.

The Personnel Committee had considered the need for a full-time office assistant; Council Member Bourgeois made a motion to advertise for a full-time clerical employee. The motion was seconded by Council Member Perrault, and passed with no opposition.

In Recreation Committee business, Council Member Bourgeois announced that the judging for the Cleanest City Contest would be done about 3:00 PM on Friday, April 2nd. A Poster and Essay Contest would be held, and a “Cleanup Day” is scheduled for March 27th. She said the Boy Scout Troop would again help clean up St. John the Baptist Cemetery, and high school student groups are ready to assist. Council Member Bourgeois called for all able-bodied citizens to come help on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. to noon. Council Member Andre’ announced that the Brusly High School Girl’s Power Lifting Team again won the Class 3A State Championship—the sixth one in 9 years; and Miss Melissa Bourgeois won the Composite State Championship in the 123-pound class. Mayor Normand stated the Brusly High School Boy’s Wrestling Team again won a State Championship.

Under Grant Committee, Council Member Bourgeois said she and Ms. LaTasha Martin would go to the Secretary of State’s office to meet with a staff archivist regarding the grant application to preserve historical Town of Brusly records. Council Member Andre’ asked about our Rural Development Grant application; Mayor Normand said it was accepted, and the award amount would be announced later. He also advised that Town Clerk Lefeaux had completed the final paperwork on the grant for the tractor and welding machine, to close out that $20,000 grant and collect the funds.

Council Member Perrault introduced an ordinance to adopt various enforcement provisions of the N.F.P.A. Code within the Town of Brusly. Council Member Bourgeois introduced an ordinance to re-codify the Town Ordinance Book.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In February, there were 7 first aid calls in the Town and 20 first aid calls outside the Town. There was one fire call in the town and three fire calls outside the Town. There was one mutual aid call answered. The total calls for the month of February, 2004 was 32, and a total of 64 calls for the year.
The Police Department report for the month was not given, due to an officer being injured in a wreck just before the Town Meeting began. A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Perrault to amend the agenda and go to Remarks of Personal Privilege at this time. The motion carried without opposition.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Mayor Normand invited comments on the enforcement of the scooter regulations. Several citizens gave their opinions about the enforcement of the motorized vehicle regulations.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He will meet with the Assessor to have locations of sewer lines placed on the GPS System. The School System invited him to participate in picking “Students of the Year” at three schools, and he found that very uplifting. The Mayor attended an Elected Officials Reception at the Chamber of Commerce; Council Member Chris Kershaw is the Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. A final inspection was done on the Brusly Oaks’ commercial development, and it was accepted. He attended the LMA Mid-Winter Conference to review new laws; Council Member Bourgeois and Town Clerk Lefeaux also attended. A new set of building permit forms have been made to simplify the process for citizens. This month, Spectrum Fitness Center and Scoop-N-Doo’s Ice Cream have opened for business in Brusly Oaks. Ochsner Health Insurance sent us notice that rates will increase 60%, so he and Jules Lefeaux are looking at alternatives. The Mayor and Council Members participated in Dr. Seuss Day at Brusly Elementary School. Information was received that 64% of people who die in auto accidents are not wearing a seat belt.

Returning to Remarks of Personal Privilege, Jeff Kershaw said the ballpark lighting project has started, and boring is being done for underground electric lines. The new High School locker rooms are almost completed; Council Member Andre’ said it will be a very nice facility of 2,000 square feet. Mr. Kershaw was proud of the cooperation between the parish, schools, and Town to accomplish this. Fire Chief Mike Alleman advised that the budget for Fire Protection Subdistrict No. 2 would be presented at the April Quarterly Meeting. He reported that the election workers had moved a large amount of paperwork that had been carefully laid out in the Fire Station for presentation to the Fire Rating Committee, causing much extra effort to reassemble the data. Parish Council Member Jeff Kershaw will talk to the Registrar of Voters and Clerk of Court.

Under Announcements, Mayor Normand said the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will have screening on Monday, March 22, 2004 at the Town Hall from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; and the Relay For Life to benefit cancer programs would be held at Brusly High School April 2, 2004 from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM. About 25 teams are entered; there will be games and food.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk