Town Meeting Minutes – April 2023

April 10, 2023
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, April 10, 2023, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m., by Mayor Rhodes. Council Member Tassin led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor                         Scot Rhodes
Council Members:       Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Blake Tassin, Shane André
Town Attorney:            Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                        Don Neisler

Recognitions & Commendations:
Mayor Rhodes called for a moment of silence in recognition of Jeffery Thibodaux, the recently deceased husband of Town Employee Patricia Thibodaux.

A motion to approve minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of March 13, 2023, as presented, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read the Public Works Report, as prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet, for the month of March. There were 3.6 inches of rainfall in the month; there were no drainage issues reported; there were 2 SCADA alarms; no “out of compliance” test result on the Sewer Treatment Facility; changed pump out at S. LaBauve lift station; cleaned 400’ of roadside culverts along LeJeune & Bourgeois Streets; LRWA performed main sewer line camera imaging on Tullier & Courtney Streets; 1 manhole concrete base needed adjusting; installed culverts and drain at problem area on Allene St; had pre-construction meeting for street at end of Orleans Quarters; Venzule drainage project is underway; no incidents to report for maintenance department for the month of February.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of April 10th; the extra trash pickup will be April 28th.

Planning and Zoning Committee:  
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to appoint Cindy Popleon to the Planning & Zoning Commission was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to reappoint Kim LeMoine to the Planning & Zoning Commission was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Finance Committee:

Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for March, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.

Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, it was determined that the Town should renew the liability coverage with La Municipal Risk Management.

Personnel Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Full-Time Police Officer Sherry Villemarette at the rate of $19.00 an hour, effective April 10, 2023, was made by Council Member Tassin; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Recreation Committee:  None

Police Committee: None

Governmental Affairs Committee:
Landmark and Heritage Commission Meeting will be held Monday, April 17, 2023, at 6:30pm.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing & Final Action on Ordinance:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud and opened the public hearing for Ordinance 1 of 2023, to amend and reenact the Town of Brusly Code of Ordinances, Chapter 30-Traffic, Section 30-7. Stop intersections established, to eliminate the stop sign at N. LaBauve and Allene Street, south. Hearing no comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing and turned the matter over to the Council. A motion to approve was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Tassin.  A roll call vote was had with the following results:

Yeas                 Daigle, Bourgeois, Tassin, André
Nays                 None
Absent             Neisler

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions: None

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of March was given by Officer Jason Fontenot. There was one (1) agency assist, eight (8) alarms, four (4) assaults, one (1) burglary, one (1) civil problem, two (2) disturbances, one (1) family disturbance,  one (1) fraud, three (3) juvenile problems, four (4) medicals, two (2) miscellaneous, eight (8) no insurance tows, one (1) obstruct justice, one (1) obstruct police, three (3) suspicious activity/vehicle, ten (10) traffic accidents, four (4) traffic problems, one (1) trespassing, two (2) unlocks, two (2) warrants and one (1) welfare check.  For the month, there were 61 total events, 237 total citations and 303 total violations.

Through use of the Flock License Plate Camera System, there were 8 warrant arrests, 2 stolen plates and 5 stolen vehicles recovered.

Mayor’s Report: 
Mayor Rhodes gave brief updates on the Water Shed Sewer Project, the Joliet Trail Project and the Venzule Drainage Project. Mayor Rhodes will be joining in a walk-through of the Joliet Trail to check for any problems that need to be addressed. Mayor Rhodes reported that the LA HWY 1 no right turn on red signs have been removed at W. Main and W. St. Francis. The Mayor also noted that the Brusly High School Baseball Stadium has been renamed the LJ Dupuy Stadium.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
WBR Councilman Atley Walker, Jr. gave a brief presentation on Kratom, its leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence. Councilman Walker asked the Brusly Town Council to consider writing a resolution in support of the adopted WBR Council Resolution.

Council Member Bourgeois reported that the 1854 map donated by Mr. Edward Dupuy, showing St. James Square and the surrounding area, has been restored and framed and is now hanging in the Council Chamber.

Announcements: None

Council Member André made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor                                       /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk