March 11, 2024 Town of Brusly Brusly, Louisiana The regular meeting of the Town of…
Town Meeting Minutes – February 2021
February 8, 2021
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana
The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, February 8, 2021, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Neisler led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Rhodes asked for a moment of silence in recognition of recently deceased former Fire Chief Mike Alleman. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor Scot Rhodes
Council Members: Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Blake Tassin, Shane André, Don Neisler
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent: None
Recognitions & Commendations:
Mayor Rhodes recognized newly elected WBR Parish Assessor, Chris Guerin. Mr. Guerin gave information about his staff and a brief description of the work the Assessor’s Office does for the Parish. Mr. Guerin also briefly reported on WBR Parish property tax income.
A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of January 11, 2021, as written, 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 January. There were 3 inches of rainfall in the month; no drainage issues; 2 light poles were knocked down on LA Hwy 1 and have been replaced; installed historic marker at 138 S. Kirkland for Hebert & Mouch Store; 2 SCADA alarms; 2 “out of compliance” test results on the Sewer Treatment Facility; force main was damaged on Bourgeois St. during an excavation but was immediately repaired; 3 catch basins repaired on Marionneaux St; 3 lift stations were equipped with radar to replace floats.
Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of February 11th. The extra trash pickup will be February 26th.
Upon the request of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to authorize the bid phase of the street overlay project for E. St. Francis Street and the front apron of Orleans Quarters Drive, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Council Member asked that Margaret Street be checked for possible repairs. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for January was included in the meeting packets for Council Members to review.
Planning and Zoning Committee:
Council Member Daigle recused himself from discussing and voting on matters regarding this item.
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the variance request of Brennen Sanchez at 617 Burgundy St. for non-compliance of Sec. 120-59, to reduce the Utility Servitude from 10’ to 5’. Court Bradford, representing Mr. Sanchez, reported that a DOTTIE ticket was requested, and no utilities are presently located on the servitude. Mr. Bradford stated that no other utilities except a 2” sewer line would be in the servitude.
Joey Normand, a nearby property owner, suggested that if the Council approves the variance that they approve it for all the lots that are currently vacant in the development at the same time. Council Member Neisler made a motion to approve the variance request, including the remaining vacant lots of Orleans West 2nd Filing; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Bourgeois, Tassin, Neisler
Nays: André
Absent: None
Recused: Daigle
Personnel Committee: None
Recreation Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, and following a brief discussion, a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Tipton Associates for design and consulting services for the St. James Square Park at the Levee, was made by Council Member Tassin; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Upon the Mayor’s request, a motion to amend the Agenda to include consideration to seek an appraisal of the triangle bordered by Bourg Street, East Main Street and Kirkland Drive, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Daigle, Bourgeois, Tassin, André, Neisler
Nays: None
Absent: None
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to obtain an appraisal for the triangle described above was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Police Committee: None
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois narrated a slide presentation accompanying Landmark Plaque applications for the following homes:
- 395 LA Hwy 1 North – The Solvay Pump House, built circa 1940 (currently owned by Richard (Dickie) Hebert);
- 444 Lee Drive – built in 1966 (currently owned by Barbara Knotts);
- 343 St. Mary Street – built in 1964 (currently owned by Elaine Barber);
- 348 St. Mary Street – built in 1969 (currently owned by David Barber);
Having been recommended by the Landmark & Heritage Committee, a motion to approve the Landmark Plaques was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances:
Ordinance 2 of 2021, to amend and reenact the Town of Brusly Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8-Criminal Code, Section 8-3, Fireworks, was read aloud and opened for Public Hearing by Mayor Rhodes. After a brief discussion, Mayor Rhodes directed the issue to the Council for consideration. A motion to adopt Ordinance 2 of 2021, as discussed, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Tassin. A roll call vote was had with the following result:
Yeas: Neisler, Daigle, Bourgeois, Tassin, André,
Nays: None
Absent: None
Introduction of Ordinances:
Mr. Levar Greenhouse, representing AT&T, presented information pertinent to requesting the Town of Brusly to add an Ordinance for Small Cell Wireless Facilities within the Town of Brusly, to allow for cell towers.
Council Member Daigle introduced Ordinance 3 of 2021 to regulate small cell wireless facilities.
Resolutions:
A motion to approve a Resolution to set the minimum building permit fee to $40, was made by Council Member Tassin; seconded by Council Member Neisler, The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
A motion to approve Resolution 3 of 2021, with changes discussed, was made by Council Member Neisler. The motion died for a lack of second.
It was determined to table Resolution 3 of 2021, to update the Employee Manual until further review, upon a motion by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André.
Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of January was given by Lt. Fontenot. There were nine (9) alarms, one (1) suspicious person, one (1) warrant arrest, five (5) drug related incidents, thirteen (13) miscellaneous complaints, eight (8) disturbances, one (1) fire, twenty-five (25) no insurance tows, one (1) crash report, three (3) batteries, one (1) medical, one (1) illegal use of weapon, one (1) remaining after being forbidden, three (3) thefts, seven (7) public assists, two (2) animals at large, two (2) trespassing and one (1) possession of THC Vape @ BHS. For the month, there were 85 total complaints, 362 total citations and 503 total violations.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on the Venzule Drainage project. Mayor Rhodes reported that 12 nuisance letters were mailed and each property is being addressed. Mayor Rhodes met with the new representative from Republic Garbage, Steve Smith.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
WBR Parish Council Member Kershaw presented an update on WBR Parish projects.
Announcements:
The Town Hall will be closed Tuesday February 16th for Mardi Gras.
A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.
/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk
