Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, August 11, 2008

August 11, 2008

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, August 11, 2008 at the Brusly Town Hall.

Council Member Rodrigue led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault, Joanne Bourgeois, Shane André,
Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Mayor Normand introduced Mr. Troy Grezaffi, a candidate for 18th District State Representative. Mr. Grezaffi gave a short presentation introducing himself to the community. Mayor Normand thanked Mr. Grezaffi for coming and for telling the community what he stands for.
Attorney Acosta requested the following names to be added to the July 14, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes as property owners: Dane Lea D’Armond and Bonnie Theriot D’Armond; Henry J. Melancon, Sr. and Irene Ganaway Melancon; Hubert Anthony Thibodeaux and Shirley Woods Thibodeaux; and Mark Gerard Tassin and Janet Gauthier Tassin. A motion to approve the minutes with the changes discussed was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Perrault. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Special Meeting of July 21, 2008, was made by Council Member André and seconded by Council Member Perrault. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to reject the road overlay bid received was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Rodrigue. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Planning and Zoning:
A request by Alice Rambin for re-subdivision of Lot 11, Live Oak Place Subdivision into Lots 11-A and 11-B was favorably recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. A motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Rodrigue.
A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Finance Committee: None

Personnel Committee: None

Police Committee: None

Grant Committee: None
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances:
At the request of Attorney Acosta, Council Member Andre’ introduced two ordinances, Cox Cable Franchise and Cox Cable Franchise Fee. Council Member Perrault introduced an ordinance to create a zoning classification to address Hotels.

Resolutions and Commendations:
Council Member André motioned to approve Resolution # 7 to Levy Millage Rates at 2.16 mils; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

A motion to approve Resolution #8 to Discontinue Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2008 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Rodrigue. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Resolution #9 to support the Keep WBR Beautiful Organization was accepted unanimously upon a motion by Council Member Perrault with a second by Council Member André.

Fire Department Report:
Fire Chief Alleman gave the Fire Chief’s report for July. There were ten (10) first aid calls inside the Town and eleven (11) outside of Town. There were no fire calls inside the Town and two (2) outside the Town. There was one (1) false alarm investigation. There was one (1) trash fire and one (1) ruptured gas line. There were four (4) motor vehicle crashes and four (4) mutual aid calls to Addis and Port Allen. The total calls for the month were thirty four (34). Total calls year to date are two hundred twenty six (226).

Police Department Report:
Report for the month of July was given by Officer O’Brien. There were two (2) wrecks, five (5) bench warrant arrests, three (3) damage to property, one (1) disturbing the peace, two (2) thefts, one (1) alarm, fourteen (14) traffic arrest, and eight (8) miscellaneous calls. There were a total of 36 calls, 160 citations and 209 violations.
Correspondence: None

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand expressed the Town of Brusly’s appreciation to and commended Dane Lea D’Armond and Bonnie Theriot D’Armond; Henry J. Melancon, Sr. and Irene Ganaway Melancon; Hubert Anthony Thibodeaux and Shirley Woods Thibodeaux; and Mark Gerard Tassin and Janet Gauthier Tassin for signing the servitude agreements for the drainage project on Allene St. Mayor Normand greeted members of the Teachers Institute who visited the Town Hall while touring Government Agencies around the Parish to talk about local Government structure. The Mayor attended and spoke at the opening ceremonies of the Babe Ruth Regional Tournament held at Alexander Park. The Mayor also spoke at the State Fire Convention, co-hosted by the Brusly and St. George Fire Departments, which was spearheaded by Asst. Fire Chief Hunts. Mayor Normand attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new Cottonport Bank and two meetings of the Senior Citizens Club. The Mayor gave a short update on the Allene St. and Courtney Estates drainage projects.
Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Asst. Fire Chief Hunts, on behalf of the La State Fireman’s Association, expressed appreciation to Mayor Normand for speaking at the opening ceremonies of the State Fire Convention.

Council Member André announced that the Plaquemine 12 and under softball team who won the regional tournament held at Alexander Park were currently participating in the World Series with four (4) wins and no loses.

Property owner Leo Sternfels and potential Hotel owner Ravi Josi spoke and offered to answer questions about the proposed construction of a Hotel in the Town of Brusly. Questions, concerns and comments about the proposed Hotel were made by Asst. Fire Chief Hunts, Lamar Thomas, Thomas Olinde, Marianne Berthelot, Martha LeBlanc, Woody Triche, David Fontenot and other members of the audience.

Announcements:
Opening Exhibit of Brusly Photographs at WBR Museum 1:00 pm August 30, 2008.
Deadline for Culvert Program Applications, September 2, 2008.
Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2008.
Deadline for Landmark Plaque Applications, September 30, 2008

A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

_____________________ _________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk