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Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, January 10, 2005

January 10, 2005

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, January 10, 2005 at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Joey Normand called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and requested that all electronic devices be turned off or silenced. Council Member Kershaw led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following officials present:

Mayor: Joey Normand
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault, Joanne Bourgeois,
Shane Andre’, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Jamie Fontenot

Mayor Normand introduced Ms. Anna Marchiafava, Director of the West Baton Rouge Parish Library, who presented information regarding the January 15th election to renew the 4-mill tax for the Library. She presented brochures showing the many benefits and costs to homeowners.

A motion to amend the agenda and proceed to Item 9 F, “Hire a School Resource Officer,” was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Perrault and passed with no opposing votes. Chief of Police Jamie Whaley described the interviews held and recommended Mr. Fred Smith for School Resource Officer at a salary of $32,000 per year. He also recommended Mr. Ned Robertson, Jr. be hired as a part-time Police Officer at an hourly rate of $9.15. In response to a question by Council Member Andre’, Chief Whaley said Mr. Robertson was experienced in Neighborhood Watch and could begin a program in Brusly. The School Resource Officer’s time would be split between Brusly High and Brusly Middle Schools. A motion to hire Mr. Fred Smith for School Resource Officer at a salary of $32,000 per year effective January 25, 2005 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Andre’ and passed with no opposing votes. A motion to hire Mr. Ned Robertson, Jr. as a part-time Police Officer at an hourly rate of $9.15 effective January 10, 2005 was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Rodrigue and passed with all in favor.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of December 13, 2004 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Perrault and passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand read the following list of his recommendations for assignment of committee members and chairpersons:

Committees
Finance

Chairperson: Chris “Fish” Kershaw
Members: Shane Andre’
Ronda Perrault

Public Works

Chair: David Rodrigue
Members: Ronda Perrault
Joanne Bourgeois

Recreation

Chair: Joanne Bourgeois
Members: Shane Andre’
David Rodrigue
Police

Chair: Shane Andre’
Members: David Rodrigue
Chris “Fish” Kershaw

Personnel
Chair: Ronda Perrault
Members: Chris “Fish” Kershaw
Joanne Bourgeois

The written list was approved upon a motion by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Perrault, which passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand recommended Mr. Jules Lefeaux to be appointed as Town Clerk and Tax Collector. A motion to appoint Mr. Jules Lefeaux Town Clerk and Tax Collector was made by Council Member Kershaw, seconded by Council Member Andre’ and passed with all in favor.

Mayor Normand recommended Ms. Jamie Fontenot to be appointed as Town Attorney and Ad Hoc Magistrate. A motion to appoint Ms. Jamie Fontenot Town Attorney and Ad Hoc Magistrate was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Andre’ and passed with all in favor.

Mayor Normand recommended Council Member Bourgeois to be Mayor Pro-Tempore. A motion to appoint Ms. Bourgeois was made by Council Member Andre’, seconded by Council Member Kershaw and passed with no opposing votes. Council Member Andre’ commented that she is the first lady to be elected Mayor Pro-Tempore in the history of the Town of Brusly.

Planning and Zoning business at their next meeting will include a request to re-zone a commercial parcel to R-4, located at the corner of Gwin Street and Kirkland Drive.

Recreation Committee business included the Arbor Day Proclamation and announcement of an Arbor Day Program on January 21, 2005. Mayor Normand advised that the Ladies of Pearls had applied for a parade permit and requested the Council give him authority to approve it, provided it meets requirements. A motion to grant the Mayor approval authority was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Bourgeois and passed with no opposing votes.

Under Grants Committee, Council Member Bourgeois reported that she and Ms. LaTasha Delmore will attend a grants workshop in Hammond on February 1st.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 1 of 2005, raising the Police Chief’s pay to $36,000. per year. He opened a public hearing and invited citizen input. The public hearing was closed after no comments were heard and a motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois to adopt Ordinance No. 1. It was seconded by Council Member Andre’ and passed with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of Resolution No. 1 of 2005, formally expressing the support of the Mayor and Town Council for Shintech’s plans to construct a new manufacturing facility near Addis, LA. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Council Member Kershaw, seconded by Council Member Perrault and passed a unanimous vote.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by CEO Normand. In December, there were 8 first aid calls in the Town and 8 first aid calls outside the Town. There were 6 fire calls in the Town and 6 fire calls outside the Town. There were four motor vehicle accidents that the Fire Department responded to, and four mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of December 2004 was 36, and 329 calls for the year. The annual Christmas Parade was held on December 5th.

The Police Department report for the month of December was given by Chief Jamie Whaley. He stated that there were 7 wrecks, 17 bench warrant arrests, one assistance with a fire, two simple batteries, one assault, one damage to property, no disturbing the peace incidents, three thefts, one burglary, one alarm, 10 assistances to other agencies, one drug arrest, one domestic call, four juvenile matters, 10 traffic arrests and 8 miscellaneous calls, for a total of 68 calls and 68 traffic citations issued for 77 violations. Chief Whaley has issued warrants for the arrest of thieves operating in Front Brusly.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. DeAngelo’s Restaurant has closed, and Showtime Video has opened a store. The Parish Newsletter will feature Brusly’s Culvert Program. The Second Filing of Brusly Oaks was inspected by a walkdown and it appears satisfactory. A pre-bid conference will be held in the Mayor’s Office for the Allene Street Extension. He attended a meeting of officials regarding the proposed Shintech Expansion. The Mayor thanked the Town Hall employees for their work for the “Swearing In” Ceremony. The timing of traffic signals on LA Highway 1 seems all right now.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Council Member Bourgeois asked for support for taxes for the Library, drainage, and recreation programs in the election of January 15, 2005. Council Member Kershaw thanked Police Officer D.J. Vallet for his help with the Church Youth Ministry Christmas Caroling Program. He appreciates the recent meetings with Chief Jamie Whaley and tour of his facilities. Council Member Perrault appreciates working with Chief Whaley, especially on interviews of job candidates. She said the candidates had good experience. Chief Whaley said Mr. Robertson actually started the Brusly Police Reserves in the 1970’s and he is willing to attend the P.O.S.T. Academy. Council Member Bourgeois told about the Arbor Day Program, at which a bronze plaque will be placed to commemorate the Back Brusly Oak Preservation Project of 2004, made possible by a cooperative endeavor between the Town of Brusly and the Caillouet Family, funded by grants from the Dow Chemical Company and the Louisiana Urban and Community Forestry Program, in memory of Mr. Gerald Caillouet, who had wanted to donate the tree and land to the Town. Council Member Rodrigue asked if the Back Brusly Oak could be lighted at night; Council Member Bourgeois said that may be the subject of another grant. Addis Council Member David Toups advised of the Addis Mardi Gras parade, dance and food on January 30, 2005.

Mayor Normand announced the Town Hall would be closed January 17th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. He invited all to a Shintech Public Meeting to be held at 6:30 PM on January 16, 2005 in the Iberville Parish Civic Center. A motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 7:04 p.m.

/S/ Joey Normand, Mayor /S/ Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk

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