Town Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, April 20, 2005

April 20, 2005

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

A special meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, April 20, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Kershaw. Mayor Normand called for cell phones to be turned off or silenced.

A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault,
Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andre’,
Chris Kershaw
Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

Mayor Normand began the discussion on Ordinance No. 5 of 2005, a local service agreement with Wal-Mart. The Mayor described important factors in the proposed project, and summarized the 35-page agreement. Basically, Wal-Mart will build a 155,078 square feet Super Center and the infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc.) to support it. After it is open for one year, the Parish and local governments will begin reimbursing Wal-Mart for the infrastructure (with a limit of $1,000,000) using increased tax revenues. A 2008 bond issue will be used for the financing. Ordinance No. 5 includes a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement and a Local Service Agreement. The project commencement date is June 30, 2005 and the expected completion date is March 30, 2007. The store could open before March 30, 2007. Beaulieu Plantation is donating the land for various uses. It is predicted that 370 jobs will be created, possibly as many as 660 after several years of operation. There is also potential for other businesses to open nearby.

He read the heading and called for a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. Mr. Pee Wee Berthelot, expects large increases in sales taxes, and may construct a sewer treatment plant of five acres. Our Parish School System, Fire District, and jail should also benefit greatly from increased sales tax income. The exact location of the LA Hwy. 1—I-10 connector road has not yet been determined, but Mr. Rawlston Phillips will donate a 150-foot right-of-way for it. Mrs. Rosa Stelly asked if the Parish pursued Wal-Mart, or did Wal-Mart contact the Parish. Mr. Berthelot said Wal-Mart and Mr. Phillips called for a meeting with him in October. Mrs. Robert Benoit asked what effect it might have on local businesses. Mr. Berthelot replied that the store would be open 24/7 and would have the greatest effect on grocery stores. Gasoline will not be sold there. While Wal-Mart is its own contractor, it will likely employ several subcontractors. Council Member Kershaw advised that Port Allen is 2 ½ times as large as Brusly, and will put up 2 ½ times as much tax money. With no further comments offered, the Mayor closed the public hearing and called for discussion by the Town Council. He recommended the project as being good for the community, and thanked Mr. Berthelot for his staff’s work on the legal documents. Council Member Rodrigue thanked the Mayor and Attorney for their work. Council Member Andre’ said the schools should receive $330,000 more the first year. Council Member Rodrigue said there may 700 to 800 more houses coming up in Addis, and the schools will need to expand.

Upon motion by Council Member Kershaw and second by Council Member Perrault to adopt Ordinance No. 5, Mayor Normand requested a roll call vote, which was performed by Town Clerk Lefeaux with these results:

YEAS: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, Andre’, Kershaw
NAYS: None
Absent: None

Therefore, the Ordinance passed with a unanimous vote in favor.

The next agenda item was approval of part-time police officers. Mayor Normand advised that one police officer would be out with surgery, and another resigned, so more officers are needed. Police Chief Jamie Whaley recommended seven people with police experience, and all have passed the required psychological and drug tests: Mr. Neal Cavalier, a Brusly Reserve Officer; Ofc. Travis Morris and Ofc. Jason Langlois of Addis; Officers Eugene Domingue and Steve Guillory of Plaquemine; and Officers Tammy Eppinet and Dustin McGinnis of Plaquemine Police Department. Chief Whaley has reviewed each person’s personnel file and saw no problems. A motion to approve all 7 candidates was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Rodrigue, and passed with no opposition. Chief Whaley will have them take oaths of office tomorrow and notify our insurance carrier, Risk Management, Inc.

Police Chief Whaley also reported that an officer had resigned, and there were no disciplinary matters involved.

A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion was unopposed. The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

/S/ Joey Normand, Mayor /S/ Jules Lefeaux, CMC, Town Clerk