Town Meeting Minutes – March 2024

March 11, 2024
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, March 11, 2024, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m., by Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois. Council Member André led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor Pro-Temp:       Joanne Bourgeois
Council Members:     Rusty Daigle, Shane André, Don Neisler
Town Attorney:          Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                      Mayor Rhodes, Blake Tassin

Recognitions & Commendations: None

A motion to approve minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of February 12, 2024, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois read the Public Works Report for the month of February, prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet. There were 2.4 inches of rainfall in the month; no drainage issues; 2 SACDA alarms; 3 “out of compliance” test results on the Sewer Treatment Facility; filled several sinkholes along subsurface drainage on Gleason St.; force main project from Live Oak to Sewer Pond is underway; Held pre-construction meeting with contractor on lagoon & Lift Station upgrades; the Parish cleaned out & Brought to grade ditch north of Blanchard St. along cane field from River Road to the new High School; Arborist visited the Back Brusly Oak Tree (trimmed & removed fungal growth); Cleaned out culverts in front of Upper Elementary School on River Road.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of March 11th; the extra trash pickup will be March 29th.

Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for discussion on the condemnation of the house at 325 S. LaBauve Ave. After hearing from Town Attorney Acosta, Mayor Pro-Temp opened the public hearing. Attorney Elisabeth Leblanc, representing the unopened succession of Ambrose Williams II & Emma Baptist Williams, and recognized Ms. Valorie Spriggs, caretaker of the property. Council Member André moved to grant Ms. Spriggs an extension until of July 31, 2024, to make progress on demolishing the house, and to report the status to the Town Council at its August 12, 2024 meeting; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for public comment. After hearing comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas:           Daigle, Bourgeois, André, Neisler
Nays:          None
Absent:       Tassin

Planning and Zoning Committee: None

Finance Committee:
Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for February, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.

Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for discussion about payment application #1 for the Sewer Force Main Project. After a brief discussion, Council member André motioned to approve payment of $203,298.76 to Owen and White, using ARPA funds; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Personnel Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Tim Gilbert at the rate of $20.00 per hour, affective March 11, 2024, to fill the vacant Full-Time Police Officer position, was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Pro-Temp Bourgeois opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee: None

Governmental Affairs Committee: None

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing & Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions: None

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of February was given by Assistant Chief Southon. There was one (1) abandoned, three (3) agency assists, two (2) alarms, five (5) assaults, one (1) burglary, one (1) controlled substance, one (1) damaged property, one (1) disturbance, one (1) drunkenness, one (1) family disturbance, one (1) fire, one (1) juvenile problem, one (1) missing person, eight (8) no insurance tows, one (1) non UCR reportable one (1) privacy violation, one (1) property, one (1) public peace, one (1) sexual assault, two (2) suspicious, eleven (11) traffic accidents, two (2) traffic problems, two (2) trespassing, three (3) warrants and one (1) welfare check. For the month, there were 54 total events, 223 total citations and 365 total violations.

Mayor’s Report: None

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Mr. Phillip LaBauve introduced himself and stated his intention to run for Chief of Police for the Town of Brusly.

Announcements:
Town Hall will be closed Friday March 29th for Good Friday.
There will be a Landmark & Heritage Meeting April 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

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 was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

/s/Joanne Bourgeois, Mayor Pro-Temp                            /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk