March 11, 2024 Town of Brusly Brusly, Louisiana The regular meeting of the Town of…
Town Meeting Minutes – March 2023
March 13, 2023
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana
The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, March 13, 2023, 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:
Mayor Rhodes recognized the Brusly High School State Champion Wrestlers. Mayor Rhodes presented Anthony Denova with a certificate for coming in 1st at State in the 182-weight category. Coach Bible announced that the Brusly High Girls Wrestling team came in first at the first ever girls state tournament.
Council Member Bourgeois commended Coach Bible for his dedication to Brusly High School Wrestling for over 26 years.
Assistant Chief Southon presented Officers Jordan, Zachary, Logan Anderson and Devin Donaldson certificates of excellence for handling a recent armed assailant call at Walk-On’s with quick action, preventing anyone from being hurt. Assistant Chief Southon presented Officers Jason Fontenot and Stephen Wallis with certificates for the most Flock Recovery of Stolen Cars for the year 2022. The Brusly Police Department had placed 2nd in the Nation for the recovery of stolen cars with the use of the Flock Camera System.
Assistant Chief Southon presented Officer Stephen Wallis with the Officer of the Year Award.
Assistant Chief Southon presented Officer Nicholas Jirovec a certificate of bravery for going into a burning apartment building to guide all persons to safety. Mayor Rhodes expressed his appreciation for the entire Brusly Police Department for their service to the community.
A motion to approve minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of February 13, 2023, as presented, 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 February. There were 4.2 inches of rainfall in the month; there were no drainage issues reported; there were 4 SCADA alarms; 1 “out of compliance” test result on the Sewer Treatment Facility; maintenance crew attended Tractor Safety Class in Port Allen; replaced 3 old concrete culverts on Allene St.; 2 culvert program installations on Richard & Hebert St.; 1 landmark plaque installed on St. Mary St.; no incidents to report for maintenance department for the month of February.
Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of March 13th; the extra trash pickup will be March 31st.
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana, Division of Administration, to allocate a portion of Louisiana’s ARPA funds for the purpose of providing grants for repairs improvements, and consolidation of community water and sewer systems, and repairs and improvements necessitated by storm water, was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to approve an agreement with Republic Services for extra bulk pick up at the rate of $895 a month, was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud the variance request of Logan Williams, 2914 Orleans Quarters Dr. – Non-Compliance Sec. 120-52, Servitude Encroachment to build a fence. Having been unanimously recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve 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.
Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for February, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.
Upon the recommendation of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to renew the Town’s current Blue Cross Health Insurance plan was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Personnel Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Full-Time Police Officer David Johnson at the rate of $19.00 an hour, effective March 27, 2023, 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.
Recreation Committee: None
Police Committee: None
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Landmark and Heritage Commission Meeting will be held Monday, April 17, 2023.
Council Member Bourgeois showed a copy of an 1854 map of the St. James Square area which was donated by Mr. Edward Dupuy.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None
Hearing & Final Action on Ordinance: None
Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Daigle introduced Ordinance 1 of 2023, (N. LaBauve Stop Sign).
Resolutions: None
Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of February was given by Officer Jordan Zachary. There was one (1) abandoned, one (1) agency assist, eight (8) alarms, one (1) animal problem, one (1) damaged property, one (1) disturbance, one (1) fire, one (1) harassment, two (2) juvenile problems, four (4) medicals, four (4) no insurance tows, one (1) obstruct justice, one (1) property, one (1) suspicious activity/vehicle, four (4) thefts, nine (9) traffic accidents, four (4) traffic problems, four (4) unlocks, three (3) warrants and one (1) welfare check. For the month, there were 53 total events, 221 total citations and 299 total violations.
Through use of the Flock License Plate Camera System, there were 4 warrant arrests and 2 stolen cars recovered.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes reported that the State Service Road Overlay project was in process. The Mayor reported that the town has purchased a new John Deere Mower. Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on the Venzule Drainage Project and the East St. Francis Sidewalk Project. Mayor Rhodes read at Brusly Elementary for Dr. Suess day.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Council Member André commended the Brusly High School Wrestlers and Coaches for years of excellence. Council Member Bourgeois and Town Clerk Blaine Rabalais recently helped judge the science fair projects at Brusly Upper Elementary.
Announcements: None
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 7:09 p.m.
/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk
