Town Meeting Minutes – March 2019

March 11, 2019
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, March 11, 2019, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Bourgeois led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor: Scot Rhodes
Council Members: Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Shane Andrè, Don Neisler
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent: Terry Richard

Upon the request of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to amend the Agenda to include the Planning & Zoning Special Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2019, under Planning & Zoning Committee, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was held with the following results:
Yeas: Neisler, Daigle, Bourgeois, André
Nays: None
Absent: Richard

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of February 11, 2019, as written, was made by Council Member André and seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Recognitions & Commendations: None
Public Works Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the Public Works Report, as prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet, for the month of February. There were 3.6 inches of rainfall in the month; 1 alarm SCADA sounded; the Street Overly Project has been handed over to Owen & White for bid process; security cameras have been received and the Camera Project is underway; DOTD permitting process has begun for the catch basin project for the triangle area near the “Trailhead”; no personnel incidents were reported in the Maintenance Department; no “out of compliance” test results were noted at the sewer treatment facility; the “Welcome Sign” Project for the south boundary line of Town has begun; Mr. Brian Falcon has submitted a design.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of March 11, 2019. The extra trash pickup will be Friday, March 29, 2019.
Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” was included in the meeting packets for Council Members to review. Mayor Rhodes stated that a Sewer Budget adjustment will be required since the LGAP Grant funding is less than budgeted.

Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud a Variance Request from Cody Acosta, 253 W. Main St., for Non-Compliance – Sec. 19.31.1 Zoning District R-1 – Side Setbacks – to reduce side setback from 10’ to 2’ to build a shed. Mr. Acosta explained that after meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission, he wishes to amend the variance request from 10’ to 4’.
Citing a variance of 6’, unanimously recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, contingent upon receiving a letter of “no objection” from the adjoining property owner, a motion to approve was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Rhodes presented the Final Plat of Map Showing Re-Subdivision of Lots 7 & 8, Sq. 15, Town of Brusly LA (Molaisonville) into Lots 7-1 & 8-A, Sq. 15, T-8-S, R-12-E, for Richard G. Soniat, to the Council for consideration and opened the floor for comments. The matter had been favorably recommended to the Council by Planning and Zoning Commission. Following a brief discussion, a motion to approve the final plat was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Hearing no further comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Recreation Committee: None
Personnel Committee: None
Police Committee: None
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois reported that an application had been submitted to the Keep LA Beautiful Grant for 5 trash receptacles, four to be placed along the levee and one to be placed on the triangle bordered by Kirkland Drive and Bourg Street.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None
Introduction of Ordinances: None
Resolutions:
Council Member Bourgeois made a motion to adopt Resolution #1 of 2019, Enabling Reimbursement for over time worked during the 2016 Flood Event per FEMA requirements; seconded by Council Member Daigle. The motion passed unanimously.

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of February was given by Officer Garrett Yetman. There were four (4) alarms, eight (8) warrant arrests, one (1) violation of protective order, three (3) civil complaints, seven (7) miscellaneous complaints, five (5) disturbance calls, one (1) hit & run, thirty-four (34) no insurance tows, six (6) crash reports, one (1) damage to property, one (1) terrorizing, one (1) unlock call, two (2) traffic complaints, three (3) harassment calls, one (1) trespass, one (1) possession of stolen property, three (3) theft calls, two (2) suspicious persons, two (2) truancy, four (4) medical calls, one (1) animal at large and one (1) fire call. For the month, there were 93 total complaints, 160 total citations and 220 total violations.

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes reported that the Town should receive notice in April regarding the grant application to fund improvements to the property purchased at the corner of E. Main Street and Bourg Street. Town Clerk Blaine Rabalais attended the Clerks’ Conference in Shreveport. Mayor Rhodes encouraged everyone to read the article in the Advocate about the proposed Bike Share Program to be funded by Dow. The Mayor attended an emergency meeting with DOTD regarding the traffic situation on LA 1. Council Member Bourgeois read at the Elementary School for Dr. Seuss Day.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Council Member Neisler reported that the Brusly High Girls’ Softball Team is 14 and 0, thus far in their season.
Announcements: None

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 6:49 PM.

_____________________________ _____________________________
Scot Rhodes, Mayor Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk