March 11, 2024 Town of Brusly Brusly, Louisiana The regular meeting of the Town of…
Town Meeting Minutes – December 2022
December 12, 2022
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana
The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, December 12, 2022, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m., by Mayor Rhodes. Council Member André led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor Scot Rhodes
Council Members: Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Shane André, Don Neisler
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent: Blake Tassin
Recognitions & Commendations:
Margaret Pritchard, representing Baxley & Associates, presented the 2021/2022 Audit report to the Council. Ms. Pritchard reported that the Town of Brusly received the highest audit opinion that can be received and is in a great financial position. Ms. Pritchard thanked Blaine Rabalais, Patricia Thibodaux and the staff for their help with preparing for the audit.
A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of November 14, 2022, 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.
Public Works Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read the Public Works Report, as prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet, for the month of December. There were 9.8 inches of rainfall in the month; no drainage problems were reported or observed; there were 3 SCADA alarms; 2 “out of compliance” test results on the Sewer Treatment Facility; Elaine St. overlay project is complete; 1 culvert program installation was done on Anita St.; no incidents to report for maintenance department for the month of November; contract approval from the State to proceed on 2021/2022 LGAP in the amount of $35,000 was received; flags were taken down & Christmas decorations are up.
Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of December 12th; the extra trash pickup will be December 30th.
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Owen & White for the Sewer Project Grant, was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the variance request of Wesley Knight, 256 River Mill Dr. – Non-Compliance Sec. 120-52, Servitude Encroachment to build a fence. Mr. Knight explained his request and included a letter of no objection from adjoining property owners. Having been unanimously recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the variance request of Savannah Bezet, 2633 Allen St. – Non-Compliance Sec. 120-145(3) R-1 Single Family Residential to reduce the side setback from 10’ to 3’ to build an accessory structure. Ms. Bezet stated that she had a signed letter of no objection from the adjoining neighbor. Having been unanimously recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Neisler. 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 November, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.
Having received the audit report from Margaret Pritchard, a motion to accept the 2021/2022 Audit was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Upon recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to approve Liquor Licenses for the following businesses: Athenos, Back Brusly Grocery Oaks LLC; JW Food Mart; Lit Pizza; La. Bayou Bistro; Rio Cantina and Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Personnel Committee:
Following a recommendation from Mayor Rhodes, a motion to approve the prepared 2023 Holiday Schedule was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Recreation Committee: None
Police Committee: None
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois reported that the Town held an Arbor Day Celebration on November 22, 2022. Ms. Bourgeois stated that trees that were planted at St. James Park were part of the annual requirements to be considered a Tree City. Council Member Bourgeois thanked Patricia Gaudet Thibodaux for her work compiling the records required to apply for Tree City Designation. Ms. Bourgeois also thanked the Maintenance Department for raising the Tree City Flag at St. James Park.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing & Final Action on Ordinance: None
Introduction of Ordinances: None
Resolutions:
A motion to approve Resolution 12 of 2022, declaring and approving a list of surplus items and equipment for sale or disposal, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of November was given by Major Southon. There was one (1) abandoned car, eleven (11) agency assist, nine (9) alarms, one (1) animal problem, one (1) assault, one (1) civil problem, two (2) damaged property, one (1) drunkenness, one (1) family disturbance, two (2) harassments, one (1) juvenile problem, eight (8) medicals, two (2) miscellaneous, two (2) no insurance tows, one (1) obstruction of police, one (1) property watch, twelve (12) suspicious activity/vehicle, two (2) theft, seven (7) traffic accidents, four (4) traffic problems, one (1) transport, four (4) unlocks, four (4) warrants, and two (2) welfare checks. For the month, there were 81 total events, 213 total citations and 299 total violations.
Through use of the recently installed Flock License Plate Camera System, there was 1 stolen car recovered and 4 stolen plates retrieved.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes reported that an employee in the Maintenance department has resigned and Public Works Director Shane Sarradet is in the process of interviewing applicants. The Mayor thanked Council Member Bourgeois for filling in for him while he was out of town during November. Mayor Rhodes attended a meeting regarding the WBR Parish Master Plan. The Mayor also reported that the work should start soon on the entrance of Orleans Quarters Dr. and the Venzule drainage project. Mayor Rhodes reported that the State Hwy. Overlay project was nearing its end and work on the service road should begin soon. The Mayor also gave brief updates on the St. James Park Project and the St. Francis Street sidewalk project.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Council Member André reported there was a dip in the road on S. LaBauve in front of Brusly Elementary School.
Announcements:
Town Hall closed for Christmas Holidays on Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th.
Town Hall will be closed for New Years on Monday January 2nd. The January Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd.
Council Member André made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk
