Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, June 9, 2003

June 9, 2003

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, June 9th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Kershaw. 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

Council Member Andre’ made a motion to amend the agenda so that agenda Item No. 7, Commendations, could be done at this time; it was seconded by Council Member Bourgeois, and passed with no opposing votes. A commendation was issued to Ms. Rachael Bourgeois, for bringing honor on the Town of Brusly as the valedictorian of the 2003 graduating class of Our Lady of the Lake College. A commendation was issued to Mr. Blake Dayries, who also honored our Town by placing second in State Class 3A Golfing Championships.

Certificates of Appreciation were issued to Town Maintenance employees “Tommy” Gascon, “Butch” Leger, Curtis Allen, Bryan Peek, Anthony Scott, and Horace Lee for their dedicated efforts to make Brusly look like a “shining star” for the Cleanest City Contest.

Mayor Normand introduced Ms. Karen Gaudet-St. Germain, a candidate for State Representative in District 60. Ms. Gaudet- St. Germain described her work with the Legislature and her willingness to help people.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of May 12, 2003 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Perrault and passed with no opposing votes.

Upon recommendation by Mayor Normand, a motion to reappoint Mr. Arlen Landry to the Board of Water Works District No. 2 was made by Council Member Babin, seconded by Council Member Perrault, and passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand presented two letters to be sent to the Coast Guard, requesting more presence in the Baton Rouge area, to enhance security. A consensus of Council Members agreed that the Mayor should send the letters.

Mayor Normand recommended the reappointment of Mrs. Claudette Purnell to another term on the Planning and Zoning Boards. A motion to reappoint her was made by Council Member Babin, seconded by Council Member Perrault, and passed with no opposing votes.

Upon reviewing correspondence from Tatum Engineers and Land Surveyors, a motion to approve Brusly Oaks Subdivision Plan Change #2 was made by Council Member Babin, seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and passed with no opposing votes.

A motion to appoint The West Side Journal as the Town’s official journal was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux advised the Council on the LaMATS Collection Program for delinquent insurance premium taxes, and requested that agency be employed to collect unpaid insurance taxes for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001. LaMATS is sponsored by the La. Municipal Association, and charges a 10% fee on taxes collected. Since three towns our size recommend them highly, a motion to allow the Mayor to sign a contract with LaMATS was made by Council Member Andre’ and seconded by Council Member Perrault, and passed with no opposing votes.
Under Recreation Committee business, Mayor Normand read a Proclamation for Brusly Night at Pete Goldsby Field, home of the River Bats baseball team. A motion was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Andre’ to approve the Proclamation. The motion passed with no opposing votes.
Mayor Normand presented a letter from Police Chief Emmett Worley declaring one 1999 Ford Crown Victoria police car surplus, and authorizing its sale. Town Clerk Lefeaux advised that its appraised trade-in value was $4,035, and the minimum bid should be set at $4,000 as requested by Chief Worley. It can be sold at public auction scheduled for June 18th. A motion approving the transaction was made by Council Member Andre’, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 6 of 2003, governing the abandoning of dogs, cats, and other animals within the Town limits. 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. 6 of 2003 as stated was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Kershaw; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 7 of 2003, to make appropriations for the expenses of the Town of Brusly General Fund as authorized in the Budget. 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. 7, with some minor changes to that proposed by the Mayor, was made by Council Member Kershaw and seconded by Council Member Babin; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Normand led the discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 8 of 2003, to make appropriations for the expenses of the Town of Brusly Sewer System as authorized in the Budget. 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. 8 was made by Council Member Andre’ and seconded by Council Member Perrault; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

Council Member Bourgeois introduced an ordinance to designate Brusly as a Tree City. Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance to amend the Town of Brusly 2002-03 General Fund Budget.

Resolution No. 6 to approve, ratify, and confirm the grant application to the Governor’s Office of Rural Development was adopted upon motion by Council Member Bourgeois, and second by Council Member Kershaw; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 7 to appoint Mr. Don DeVille, CPA, as our official Auditor for fiscal year 2002-03 was adopted upon motion by Council Member Kershaw, and second by Council Member Perrault; it was adopted with a unanimous vote.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In May, there were six first aid calls in the Town and 10 first aid calls outside the Town. There were two fire calls in the town and one fire call outside the Town. There were four mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of May 2003 was 23, and 164 calls for the year.

Since Police Chief Emmett Worley was at a conference, Lieutenant Bryan Viator gave the Police Department report for the month. He stated that there were 11 wrecks, one arrest on bench warrant cases, two assists with fires, one DWI arrest, one battery, three damages to property, five disturbing the peace incidents, five thefts, one burglary, five alarms, three assistances to other agencies, two 911 calls, 13 traffic arrests, one domestic call, and 25 miscellaneous calls, for a total of 75 calls and 111 traffic citations issued.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He announced that Council Member Kershaw was elected to the Board of Directors of the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. He advised that the bid for the Water Board Building was awarded to a local contractor, Frank Williams, and work will start soon. In the Town Hall Office, Latasha Martin has boxed and stored most records dated before June, 2002. Fire Chief Alleman and the Mayor have signed cooperative agreement documents for the donation or use of two fire stations (these are recorded in the Court House).

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, Mr. Don Neisler reminded participants of the CRPC meeting next Monday at the new Tourist Center. Council Member Kershaw thanked Mayor Normand, Town Clerk Lefeaux, Police Lt. Bryan Viator, and Fire Chief Alleman for their hard work in preparing “clean” budgets.

Mayor Normand announced there will be an auction of used, surplus vehicles at 10:00 a.m. June 18th, to be done by Town Clerk Lefeaux.

A motion was made by Council Member Babin to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Andre’. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 7:47 p.m.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk