Skip to content

Town Meeting Minutes – July 2019

July 8, 2019
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, July 8, 2019, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Neisler led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor:                         Scot Rhodes
Council Members:         Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Terry Richard, Shane Andrè, Don Neisler
Town Attorney:            Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                         None

Recognitions & Commendations: None

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of June 10, 2019, as written, was made by Council Member André and seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the Public Works Report, as prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet, for the month of June. There were 8 inches of rainfall in the month; several drainage issues; one unauthorized discharge due to heavy rainfall; several SCADA alarms sounded; no “out of compliance” test results were noted at the sewer treatment facility; Street Overlay Project was nearly completed; a catch basin has been installed along drainage ditch next to Mausoleum in St. John the Baptist Cemetery; no personnel incidents were reported in the Maintenance Department.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of July 8, 2019. The extra trash pickup will be Friday, July 26, 2019.

429 Gwin Street Update: Gregory Sanders reported for his family regarding updates to renovation on property. He said about his property that structural defects were found when work began on some areas of the ceiling. Family is trying to reinforce the ceiling areas in order to continue work. Next date to report is October 14, 2019.

Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud a Variance Request for Non-Compliance, Sec. 19.31.1 Zoning District R-1 Side Setback, to build a lean to at 3160 Live Oak Dr. for Sean Allain. Mr. Sean Allain explained his reasons for requesting the variance and offered to answer any questions posed. Some discussion ensued, including comments from Council Member Neisler. Having been unanimously recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and also having a letter of no objection from the adjourning neighbor, a motion to approve with the condition of the roof being guttered and the structure staying open on three sides, was made by Council Member Andé; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:

Yeas:       Daigle, Bourgeois, Richard, André
Nays:       Neisler
Absent:   None

Mayor Rhodes read aloud a Variance Request for Non-Compliance Sec. 19.31.1 Zoning District R-1 Side Setback to reduce the side setback from 10’ to 8’ for an existing building at 467 Marionneaux St. for Daniel Scott. Mr. Scott answered questions posed by Council Members. Noting that the request had been recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and also having a letter of no objection from the adjourning neighbor, Council Member Daigle made a motion to approve the request from 10’ to 7’ 10 3/4”; Council Member André seconded the motion. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, a roll call was had with the following results:

Yeas:       Bourgeois, Richard, André, Neisler, Daigle
Nays:       None
Absent:   None

Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” was included in the meeting packets for Council Members to review.

Recreation Committee:
Mayor Rhodes commented on the Bike Share Program.

Personnel Committee: None

Police Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, Council Member Richard made a motion to hire Stephen Wallis as a Full Time Police Officer at the rate of $17.00 an hour effective July 8, 2019; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, Council Member André made a motion to hire Jeremy Thompson as a School Resource Officer at the rate of $18.00 an hour effective July 8, 2019; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. After a short discussion, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois reported that 5 homeowners had received Landmark Plaques at Landmark & Heritage Reception which was held on June 23, 2019, including: Todd Lucas, for the home built by Jack & Faye Sarradet; Mike & Karen Averette, for the home built by Emily & Roy André, Sr.; Arlen Landry, Sara Sarradet, Layne Morales, for the home built by George & Genevieve P. Levert. The Former Landmark Site of Eureka Central School, on property of Leslie “Chip” Purnell, will receive a Former Landmark Sign. Council Member Bourgeois thanked everyone who participated and helped with the ceremony.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Neisler introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 17 to allow bicycles on sidewalks.

Resolutions: None

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of June was given by Officer Jeremy Thompson. There were eleven (11) alarms, fifteen (15) warrant arrests, three (3) property recovery, four (4) civil complaints, six (6) miscellaneous complaints, eleven (11) disturbance calls, six (6) assist to other agencies, thirty-eight (38) no insurance tows, seven (7) crash reports, thirteen (13) truancy investigations, one (1) burglary, two (2) unlock calls, eight (8) traffic complaints, one (1) battery, three (3) drug related calls, one (1) illegal use of weapons, one (1) resisting an officer arrest, two (2) medical calls, three (3) public assists, and two (2) suspicious persons. For the month, there were 138 total complaints, 294 total citations and 430 total violations.

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes briefly updated efforts regarding garbage service. Mayor Rhodes reported that Mr. Roy Waguespack, Town Engineer, is currently drafting 2 projects: the sewer lift station pump at Live Oak and Town wide drainage issues. The Mayor recently met with area farmers about draining their fields into the Town’s drainage system. The Mayor reported that the parish was negotiating with Cinclare for a drainage servitude to alleviate drainage problems. Mayor Rhodes attended a meeting at the Parish Office with the watershed group regarding drainage issues. The Mayor stated that WBR Parish Officials had named the street connecting to Sid Richardson going South to Plaquemine for former Addis Mayor Carroll Bourgeois.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Ms. Jennifer Lamana reported that her house had flooded 2 times in the past month and asked for some solution to the drainage problems on Allene Street. Mayor Rhodes assured Ms. Lamana that a drainage study is being developed by the Town Engineer to resolve drainage issues.

Announcements:
Landmark & Heritage meeting will be held on July 15, 2019, at 6:30

A motion was made by Council Member Richard to adjourn; seconded by Council Member André. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM.

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

Back To Top