Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, April 12, 2010

April 12, 2010

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, April 12, 2010 at the Brusly Town Hall. Council Member Bourgeois led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Thomas Olinde, Joanne Bourgeois, Landess Hebert,
Shane André, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta Jr.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of March 8, 2010, was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Hebert. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Public Works Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s request, a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement between the Town and DOTD for median maintenance was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion to place a STOP sign at the corner of N. LaBauve & Allene St. was made by Council Member Hebert; seconded by Council Member Olinde. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André
Nays: None
Absent: None

Upon the recommendation of Chief Whaley, a motion to place NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER signs 50 feet into each side of Allene St., even with the first open lots on each side, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Hebert. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André, Bourgeois
Nays: None
Absent: None

Upon the recommendation of Chief Whaley a motion to remove the STOP signs at Gleason St. /Floyd St. and Gleason St. /Margaret St. was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Olinde. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Kershaw, Olinde, André, Bourgeois, Hebert
Nays: None
Absent: None

A motion to amend the agenda to add the subject of removal of a one way sign on Oak Bend Dr. was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Olinde, André, Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Upon the recommendation of Chief Whaley, a motion to remove the one way sign on Oak Bend Dr and replace it with a “CHILDREN AT PLAY” sign was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: André, Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw
Abstaining: Olinde
Nays: None
Absent: None

Planning and Zoning Committee: None

Finance Committee: None

Personnel Committee: None

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Chief Whaley, a motion to promote Officer Ned Robertson to Sergeant was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. The motion passed unanimously.

Chief Whaley recommended hiring Joshua Peffers as a Full Time Police Officer at the rate of $12.50 hour starting April 12, 2010. A motion to hire was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André
Nays: None
Absent: None

Governmental Affair Committee:
Discussion ensued regarding Mayor Normand’s recommendation to write a letter of support for the Brusly Landing Recreational Trails & Promenade. Some topics included the Town’s financial contribution to the project and safety issues. It was determined that consideration of the financial investment would be made at the appropriate time. Council Member André made the motion to support the concept of the project; seconded by Council Member Hebert. A roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas: Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André, Bourgeois
Nays: None
Absent: None

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions and Commendations:
A resolution expressing gratitude and appreciation to Don W. Neisler for his many contributions to the Town was recommended by Mayor Normand. A motion to adopt was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Normand recommended a resolution expressing gratitude and appreciation to Dow Chemical Company for support of the Keep West Baton Rough Beautiful organization. A motion to adopt was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed unanimously.

Fire Department Report:
Asst. Fire Chief Hunts gave the Fire Chief’s report for March. There was one (1) fire alarm, two (2) grass fires, one (1) tree fire, two (2) gas smell calls, two (2) motor vehicle crashes and two (2) 4 wheeler crashes. There were seven (7) first aid calls inside the Town and eleven (11) outside of Town. The total calls for the month were twenty eight (28). The total for the year is seventy nine (79).

Police Department Report:
Report for the month of March was given by Chief Whaley. There were three (3) wrecks, six (6) bench warrant arrests, one (1) damage to property, three (3) theft, four (4) alarms, fourteen (14) assists to other agencies, two (2) juvenile matters, nine (9) traffic arrests and twenty eight (28) miscellaneous calls. For the month’s total, there were 71 calls, 400 citations and 467 violations.
Correspondence:
The Mayor received a thank you note from the Brusly Middle School Softball Program for the Town’s support.

Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor met with this area’s Census representative. Mayor Normand gave an update on the steps being taken to get a complete and thorough count in the Town of Brusly. The Mayor attended the Leap Fair that was held at Brusly Middle School and a Relay for Life Proclamation signing. Mayor Normand gave a brief update on the awarded LGAP grant of $35,000.00. The Mayor also attended a Brusly Oaks Homeowners Association meeting. Mayor Normand spoke about the CRPC meeting that was hosted by the Town of Brusly, stating that there was a large turnout. The Mayor announced an upcoming fair that will be held at the Brusly Oaks Shopping Center. Mayor Normand attended a West Baton Rouge Council Meeting at which the new animal ordinance was passed.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Debbie Jones Mack, representing the Brusly High School Band Boosters thanked the Town for support, announcing the band will be competing in the Battle of the Bands being held in Baton Rouge at Memorial Stadium. Council Member André spoke of the impressive performance of the Brusly High School Band’s halftime during football season. Council Member Bourgeois thanked Chief Whaley and Sergeant Robertson for their help on April 8th at Back Brusly Oak Tree, during the Brusly Elementary first graders’ field trip to the Oak Tree.

Announcements:
Landmark & Heritage Meeting – April 19, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Great American Cleanup – April 24, 2010

A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.

_____________________ _________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk