Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, December 8, 2014

December 8, 2014

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, December 8, 2014 at the Brusly Town Hall.
Council Member André led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: Scot Rhodes, Joanne Bourgeois, Terry Richard, Shane André,
Don Neisler
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent: None

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of November 10, 2014, was made by Council Member Rhodes and seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Upon the recommendation of the Mayor, a motion to approve change order #4 of the Police Station Project in the amount of $3,467.25 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Normand read aloud a Variance Request for Non-Compliance – Sec. 19.6 Servitude Encroachment for Ryan McClatchey at 3448 Orleans Quarters Dr. to build a fence. The Variance having been favorably recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Finance Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to approve Liquor Licenses for Athenos, Back Brusly Grocery, El Paste Dorado 2, JW Food Mart, Las Palmas, and La. Bayou Bistro Restaurant was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments the motion passed unanimously.

Personnel Committee:
Upon Mayor Normand’s recommendation, a motion to approve the 2015 Holiday Schedule, as presented, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Rhodes. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments the motion passed unanimously.

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee:
Chief Lefeaux reported that the body cameras, which the Council had approved to be purchased, had arrived and were issued to all officers. Chief Lefeaux also reported that the WBR Sheriff’s Vehicle Maintenance Department agreed to do all maintenance on the Brusly’s police units for the cost of the parts only.

Governmental Affair Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois announced Brusly High student winners of the Veteran’s Day Essay contest as follows: 1st Place – Bryce Harris; 2nd Place – Maya Jackson; 3rd Place – Destani Green.
She thanked Mayor Normand, Council Member Neisler and Rosa Stelly for judging the essay contest; Mr. Cliff Kershaw for being the key note speaker; Ms. Claudette Purnell for vocal selections; the Town Hall Staff and Town Maintenance Crew helping with the Veteran’s Day Ceremony held at the Town Hall. Council Member Bourgeois also thanked Mr. Bob Benoit for his memorabilia which was displayed for the event.

Mayor Normand introduced Ms. Shaun Grantham of Wright, Moore, DeHart, Dupuis & Hutchinson, Inc.
Ms Grantham presented the 2013/2014 Audit Report for the Town of Brusly. She reported that the Town was in excellent financial condition with no findings requiring corrective action. She complimented Town Clerk Debbie Berthelot for keeping excellent records. A motion to accept the 2013/2014 audit report was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Rhodes. Mayor Normand opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Normand commended Town Clerk Debbie Berthelot and her staff for keeping everything in order, congratulating them for receiving an excellent audit.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Bourgeois introduced an ordinance on Chapter 4, Personnel.

Resolutions and Commendations:
Mayor Normand read aloud Resolution #11 of 2014 – to apply for a LGAP Grant. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Council Member Rhodes; seconded by Council Member Richard. The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments the motion passed unanimously.

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of November was given by Interim Chief Johnson. There were four (4) wrecks, two (2) bench warrant arrests, two (2) theft, one (1) burglary, eight (8) alarms, three (3) assistance to other agencies, two (2) juvenile matters, nine (9) traffic arrests and fifteen (15) miscellaneous calls. For the month’s total, there were 76 calls, 159 citations and 207 violations.

Correspondence: None

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand attended both the Veteran’s Day Ceremony and the Landmark Plaque Ceremony held at the Town Hall in November. Mayor Normand announced that the Police Department had moved into the new building. The Mayor reported on maintenance done around Town which included tree trimming and displaying Christmas decorations.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Mayor Normand presented slides with governmental significance from his vacation trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Announcements:
Reflections of the Season will be open December 6th thru December 24th on the grounds of the WBR Tourist Information & Conference Center.
There will be an Arbor Day Ceremony December 11th at 2:00 pm at Alexander Park.
The Planning & Zoning Meeting will be held December 17th at 6:30 pm.
The Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24th & 25th in Observance of Christmas.
The Town Hall will be closed January 1st.

A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Richard. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.

____________________________ _________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk