Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, September 8, 2003

September 8, 2003

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, September 8th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Normand asked that all cell phones 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 officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Daryl Babin, Shane Andre’, Ronda Perrault,
Joanne Bourgeois, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

Mayor Normand introduced Mr. Riley “Pee Wee” Berthelot, a candidate for Parish President, who spoke relative to his candidacy for Parish President.

Mayor Normand introduced Mayor Lynn Robertson, a candidate for Parish President, who spoke relative to her candidacy for Parish President.

Mayor Normand introduced Senator Rob Marionneaux, a candidate for State Senate, who spoke relative to his candidacy for State Senator.

A motion to amend the agenda to hear Mr. Keith Washington was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes. Mr. Washington then spoke regarding his candidacy for re-election to the Parish Council.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of August 11, 2003 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

A motion to approve the minutes of a Special Meeting of the Town Council held August 21, 2003 was made by Council Member Andre’, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes.

Under Public Works, Council Member Babin announced that the Culvert Program Lottery Drawing will be held at the regular Town Meeting on October 13th. Mayor Normand began discussion of a plat approval for re-subdivision of Lot 10-A, into 10-A-1, 10-A-2, and 10-A-3 of the Bezet Subdivision, per request of Mr. Randy Willis. This matter was reviewed by the previous Town Council in May, 2000—but was tabled at that time. Council Member Andre’ made a motion to approve the Plat, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Kershaw. A roll call vote by Town Clerk Lefeaux found all Council Members in favor of the motion. Mayor Normand announced that a person purchasing land near Mr. Randy Willis is willing to grant a servitude for his sewer pipe needs.

Council Member Perrault made a motion to approve Brusly Oaks Plan Change #3 to allow a sewer station to be moved 17 feet to the North. The motion was seconded by Council Member Babin. The motion passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of a proposed Dedication to the Public and Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for the historic Back Brusly Oak Tree. The agreement and insurance matters were reviewed by Town Attorney Jamie Fontenot, who gave her opinion on a certain clause in the Town’s insurance policy. A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Back Brusly Oak Tree Agreement, after necessary adjustments, was made by Council Member Bourgeois, and seconded by Council Member Perrault; the motion passed with no opposing votes.

Council Member Bourgeois advised that a funding source had been found for preservation of the Town’s old Minutes and Ledgers (dating from 1901). Forms to request funds will be sent to the National Archives.

Mayor Normand read aloud the heading of proposed Ordinance No. 11—Criminal Trespass Law—and called for a public hearing to be opened. After comments were received, Council Member Kershaw made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 11, with modifications in the penalties stated. The motion was seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote found all Council Members in favor of the Ordinance.

Mayor Normand proposed the adoption of Ordinance No. 10, the N.F.P.A. Code for fire protection, suggesting that it be adopted with the effective date of its adoption in Fire Protection Subdistrict No. 2 of West Baton Rouge Parish (which includes the Town of Brusly and more). He opened a public hearing on the proposed Ordinance, and invited comments. The public hearing was closed after no comments were received. Council Member Babin made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 10, replacing the words “rule promulgation” in Section 2 with the word “ordinance”. The motion was seconded by Council Member Andre’. All Council Members were in favor of the Ordinance.

At this time, with concurrence of the Council Members, Ms. Emma DeVillier was allowed to make her presentation on her candidacy for re-election to the office of State Representative (as originally scheduled in agenda item 5.B.)

Council Member Babin introduced an ordinance to govern driving permits and time to pay fines. Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance to revise Section 19.23 (a) of “Accessory Structures” and (e) and (f) of “House Additions”. Council Member Andre’ introduced an ordinance ordering and calling a special election to change the position of Chief of Police from an elected to an appointed position.

Council Member Kershaw moved to adopt Resolution #9, to establish a millage rate of 2.16 mills for the tax year 2003 (which is the same rate as the previous year). The resolution motion was seconded by Council Member Perrault. A roll call vote found all Council Members were in favor.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Assistant Fire Chief Fred McKenzie. In August, there were three first aid calls in the Town and 10 first aid calls outside the Town. There was one fire call in the town and one fire call outside the Town. There were four mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of June 2003 was 19, and 247 calls for the year.

Police Chief Emmett Worley gave the Police Department report for the month. He stated that there were 9 wrecks, five DWI arrests, six damages to property, five thefts, four alarms, five assistances to other agencies, one drug arrest in Brusly by Brusly officers, 11 traffic arrests, and 14 miscellaneous calls, for a total of 60 calls and 260 traffic citations issued.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He received differing answers about when work would start on Highway One, so he asked State Representative Emma DeVillier. She will report the status soon.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, several citizens commented on the proposed ordinance relative to the special election to determine if the Police Chief should be elected or appointed. Mr. Jeff Kershaw thanked the citizens for returning him to the Parish Council without opposition. Mayor Normand answered questions on the new Culvert Program.

Under Announcements, Mayor Normand advised that a Parish Candidates Forum would be held September 15, 2003 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the WBR Community Center; and a State Candidates Forum would be held September 22, 2003 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Addis VFW Hall.

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Andre’. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 7:43 PM.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk