Town Meeting Minutes – August 2023

August 14, 2023
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, August 14, 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, Don Neisler
Town Attorney:            Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                        Shane André

Recognitions & Commendations:
Mayor Rhodes congratulated Public Works Director, Shane Sarradet, for being awarded LRWA Wastewater Operator of the Year. Mayor Rhodes also congratulated and presented a certificate to Brusly Middle School student, Maci Williams, for placing third in the U.S. Kids Golf World Teen Championships. Mayor Rhodes reported that the Town of Brusly received the LMA Community Achievement Award, Honorable Mention, for Saint James Park.

A motion to approve minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of July 10, 2023, as presented, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Tassin. 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 July. There were 2.1 inches of rainfall in the month; Owen & White has started this year’s Street Overlay Engineering process; trimmed low hanging branches on Richard & Elaine Street; 2 SACDA alarms; one “out of compliance” test result on the Sewer Treatment Facility; E. & W. Main and S. LaBauve curb and gutters were swept; new road at the end of Orleans Quarters has been laid and has passed all inspections; no personnel incidents to report for maintenance department for the month of July.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of August 14th; the extra trash pickup will be August 25th.

Public Hearing – 308 Lejeune Lane Condemnation:
After hearing from several members of the Eva LeJeune family and the court appointed attorney for the LeJeune Estate, a motion to condemn the house at 308 Lejeune Lane, with a three-month time period for a follow up hearing to set a demolition date, was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning Committee: None
Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for July, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.

Personnel Committee: None
Recreation Committee: None
Police Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Chief Lefeaux, a motion to approve the 5 year renewal on the body camera contract with Pileum Corporation, without the optional expenses, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois narrated a slide presentation accompanying a Landmark Plaque application for the home at 346 Lee Drive, presently owned by Jules & Patricia Lefeaux.
Upon the conclusion of the presentation, a motion to award the Landmark Plaque was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing & Final Action on Ordinances: None
Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Neisler introduced Ordinance 6 of 2023, Open Container Permit.

Resolutions:
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to approve the Audit Questionnaire Resolution, with changes discussed, was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of July was given by Chief Lefeaux. There was one (1) burglary, one (1) civil incident, three (3) civil problems, one (1) damaged property, four (4) disturbances, one (1) drunkenness, two (2) family disturbances, three (3) frauds, two (2) medical, seven (7) no insurance tows, one (1) sexual assault, two (2) stolen property, two (2) suspicious, nine (9) traffic accidents, one (1) trespassing, and one (1) warrant. For the month, there were 41 total events, 192 total citations and 269 total violations.

Through use of the Flock License Plate Camera System, there were 6 warrant arrests, 6 stolen plates and 3 stolen cars.

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes announced that the statewide burn ban was still in effect. Mayor Rhodes, Town Clerk Rabalais and Council Member Tassin attended the LMA Convention in Alexandria. The Mayor and Public Works Director Shane Sarradet are working daily on blighted property. Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on the Venzule drainage project and on the LA 1 overlay.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Brady Hotard, WBR Parish Council Member, gave a brief update on the Parish lawsuit with the Capital Area Ground Water Commission.

Council Member Bourgeois gave a brief slideshow presentation showing the plans for the new WBRP Library South Branch.

Announcements:
The September Committee meeting will be moved to Tuesday September 5th due to Labor Day holiday. The Town Hall will be closed September 4th for Labor Day.

Council Member Tassin made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:11p.m.

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