Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, July 12, 2004

July 12, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, July 12th, 2004 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 Bourgeois led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following officials present:

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

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of June 14, 2004 was made by Council Member Kershaw, seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Under Personnel Committee, Council Member Perrault advised that new job descriptions for the clerical staff were still being reviewed.
Under Recreation Committee business, Council Member Bourgeois recommended a Proclamation recognizing the Brusly Lions Club for 50 years of service to the community. Mayor Normand requested Council Member Bourgeois present the Proclamation to the Lions’ Club members.

The Grant Committee is still reviewing new grant possibilities.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 14 of 2004 to set the pay of all elected officials. He explained that the Police Chief can be a part-time position, so four years ago the salary was set by ordinance at $1,500 per month; should the newly elected Police Chief state that he will work full time, the Council could set the salary at a full time status. The Mayor further explained that salaries of the Council Members and Mayor would remain the same as they were set in October 2000. He opened a public hearing and invited citizen input. The public hearing was closed after no comments were made, and a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 14 of 2004 as stated was made by Council Member Babin and seconded by Council Member Andre’; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Mike Alleman. In June, there were five first aid calls in the Town and 10 first aid calls outside the Town. There was one fire call in the town and two fire calls outside the Town. There were four mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of June 2004 was 22, and 165 calls for the year. Chief Alleman said the slab had been poured for the Fireman’s Statue. The statue will be unveiled on Sunday, August 15th at a special ceremony. A plaque will be added later, and will contain the names of deceased firemen. Chief Alleman advised that the fire insurance rating continues to be a “3”, and thanked all who made the good rating possible. He made copies of the Hurricane Readiness Plan available to all.

Captain Bryan Viator gave the Police Department report for the month of June. He stated that there were four wrecks, three bench warrant arrests, two batteries, one assault, one damage to property, eight disturbing the peace incidents, four thefts, one burglary, six house alarms, 8 assistances to other agencies, one drug arrest, one domestic call, one juvenile arrest, one juvenile matter, 8 traffic arrests, and 27 miscellaneous calls, one recovery of a stolen vehicle, for a total of 77 calls and 197 traffic citations issued.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. Mr. Arlen Landry served honorably for 42 years on the Water District No. 2 Board, and wishes to resign. The Mayor asked for a volunteer to replace him. Mrs. Debbie Berthelot and Mrs. LaTasha Delmore attended a seminar on grants at L.M.A. The Police Department has assigned Officer Dexter Walker to work bench warrant cases full time. State Representative Karen St. Germain attended our Committee Meeting and advised us the Rural Development Grants we requested were awarded. Repairs to the Orleans Quarters Sewer System have been done, and Attorney Jamie Fontenot will send a demand letter for payment to the contractor. The sewer system in Brusly Oaks is also being tested, and the developer is proactive in solving problems detected.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Captain Viator advised that the Police Department purchased digital cameras for four police cars with their Rural Development money. Council Member Andre’ complimented the Fire Department for having fewer calls, indicating their fire prevention programs are working. Town Clerk Lefeaux advised that the Town’ s financial picture is good at the end of the fiscal year, and our budget prediction made a year ago for sales tax income was correct within one tenth of 1% on that $624,000 revenue item.
Attorney Jamie Fontenot suggested that bench warrants could be listed on the Town’s web site.

Mayor Normand announced there will be an auction of used, surplus equipment and a vehicle at 9:00 a.m. July 20th, to be done by Town Clerk Lefeaux. Also, the Culvert Program for 2004 has begun, and citizens should turn in an application by August 15th to participate.

A motion was made by Council Member Perrault to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Andre’. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 6:48 p.m.

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