Town Meeting Minutes – January 2025

January 13, 2025
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, January 13, 2025, 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, Sheri Young, Blake Tassin, Mike Chustz, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney:            Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                        None

Recognitions & Commendations: None

A motion to approve minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of December 2, 2024, was made by Council Member Kershaw; 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 for the month of December, prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet. There were 6.3 inches of rainfall in the month; 0 SCADA alarms at the Wastewater Lift Stations; no samples were taken during the Lagoon Improvement Project; potholes were filled on Live Oak Dr. and Orleans Quarter; street gutters cleaned out on S. LaBauve; 1 pump went out at Venzule Lift Station; sinkhole on drainage culverts leading to retention pond repaired; the Parish is considering installing flow monitors for the Ton-Ton and the Parish Canal; the sewer treatment facility operated at 45% of its total capacity for the year; Christmas decorations have been taken down.

Waste Pro roadside debris pickup is scheduled for the week of January 13th.

After discussion and upon the recommendation of Toby Fruge of Owen & White, a motion to approve Pay App 1 for the WSP Lagoon Project in the amount of $1,226,830.00 was made by Council Member Tassin; seconded by Council Member Chustz. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

After discussion and upon the recommendation of Toby Frugé of Owen & White, a motion to approve Pay App 2 for the WSP Pump Station Rehab Project in the amount of $109,012.50 was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. 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 December, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.
Personnel Committee:
Mayor Rhodes presented the following list of his recommendations for assignment of committee members and chairpersons:
 Committees
Finance
Chairperson:           Chris Kershaw
Members:                      Rusty Daigle, Sheri Neisler Young
Public Works
Chair:                 Rusty Daigle
Members:                      Blake Tassin, Mike Chustz
Recreation
Chair:                     Chris Kershaw
Members:                      Sheri Neisler Young, Blake Tassin
Police
Chair:                      Blake Tassin
Members:                      Mike Chustz, Rusty Daigle
Personnel
Chair:                     Sheri Neisler Young
Members:                      Mike Chustz, Chris Kershaw
Governmental Affairs
Chair:                    Mike Chustz
Members:                      Rusty Daigle, Chris Kershaw
Planning and Zoning
Chair:                    Rusty Daigle
Members:                     Sheri Neisler Young, Blake Tassin
Committees were agreed upon as listed.

Recreation Committee: None
Police Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Alicyia Primus as a full-time Officer at the rate of $20.50 an hour, starting December 28, 2024, was made by Council Member Young; seconded by Council Member Chustz. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to appoint Brent Babin as a Landmark & Heritage Advisory Member was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member Chustz. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Upon Mayor Rhodes’ recommendation, a motion to appoint Blaine Rabalais as Town Clerk was made by Council Member Young; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Upon Mayor Rhodes recommendation, a motion to appoint Tom Acosta as Town Attorney was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member Chustz. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Upon Mayor Rhodes’ recommendation, a motion to appoint Council Member Daigle as Mayor Pro Tempore was made by Council Member Young; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Upon Mayor Rhodes’ recommendation, a motion to appoint Shane Sarradet as Building Official was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Kershaw. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing & Final Action on Ordinances: None
Introduction of Ordinances: None
Resolutions:
A motion to approve Resolution 1 of 2025, to apply for the 2024/2025 LGAP Grant, was made by Council Member Chustz; seconded by Council Member Tassin. 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 December was given by Asst. Chief Southon. There were seven (7) agency assist, four (4) alarms, one (1) animal problem, two (2) assaults, one (1) damaged property, four (4) disturbances, one (1) DUI, one (1) extortion, one (1) family disturbance, one (1) harassment, three (3) medical, two (2) miscellaneous, one (1) no insurance tow, one (1) ordinance violation, one (1) property watch, one (1) public peace, three (3) suspicious, nine (9) traffic accidents, two (2) traffic problems, one (1) unlock, and two (2) welfare checks. For the month, there were 49 total events, 26 total citations and 37 total violations.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes received a release letter from Cox Communications stating they will be reimbursing the Town for the total amount of expenses incurred for the sinkhole on Oak Plaza. The Mayor reported that the sidewalk project has started on E. St. Francis Street. Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on derelict buildings in Town.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Joan Blouin requested an update on the drainage problems on Allene Street. Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update and offered to email the engineer’s report to Ms. Blouin. Ms. Lucy Landry expressed a desire to see the Town host an event celebrating the Town’s 125 year of incorporation, which will take place October of 2026.

Announcements:
Town Hall will be closed Monday January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Landmark & Heritage meeting will be January 27th at 6:30pm.

Council Member Young made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 pm.

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