Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 9, 2009

March 9, 2009

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, March 9, 2009 at the Brusly Town Hall.

Master Sergeant Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Council Members: Thomas Olinde, Joanne Bourgeois, Landess Hebert,
Shane Andre’, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Mayor: Joey Normand

A motion to amend the agenda to make a presentation to Master Sergeant Ron Johnson was
made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André. A roll call vote
was called with the following results:
Yeas: Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André, Bourgeois
Nays: None
Absent: None
Council Member Bourgeois read aloud from a Proclamation by the Town of Brusly, proudly recognizing and congratulating Master Sergeant Johnson upon his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. Mayor Normand presented Master Sergeant Johnson with a key to the Town of Brusly.

Mayor Normand introduced Mary Delapasse, the Director of Keep WBR Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful. Mrs. Delapasse gave a presentation introducing and explaining the certification of the new organization. She also outlined the organization’s schedule of events, inviting all citizens to participate in the Great American Clean Up to be held April 25th in West Baton Rouge.

Mayor Normand introduced Jason Manola, Executive Assistant to the Parish President. Mr. Manola gave a presentation on the Allied Waste Contract Renewal, outlining the services and rates contained in the contract. Mayor Normand thanked Mr. Manola and spoke about the excellent working relationship between the Town of Brusly and WBR Parish.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of February 9, 2009 was made by Council Member Bourgeois and seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
A motion to accept the Allene St. Drainage Project Change Order in the amount of $1,400.00 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Hebert. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Based on a recommendation by Roy Waggenspack of Owen and White Engineers, Mayor Normand recommended the Allene St. Drainage Project Substantial Completion. A motion to accept the Mayor’s recommendation was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning:
A variance request submitted by Anatole Vincent II and Brittany W. Vincent to construct a fence on the servitude that runs along the retention pond at the rear of Lot 1, The Gates at the Oaks Subdivision, 549 West Main Street 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 Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André. The motion passed unanimously.

A variance request submitted by Veronica W. Aukerman to construct a fence over the drainage right-of-way at the rear of Lot 14, Southside Acres Subdivision, 404 Gleason Street 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 Kershaw. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Normand recommended the appointment of Gary Soniat to the Planning & Zoning Commission. A motion to accept Mayor Normand’s recommendation was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Olinde. The motion passed unanimously.

Finance Committee:
Mayor Normand requested authorization to pay the Gustav Debris Removal charges. A motion to authorize payment of $6,049.44 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Hebert. The motion passed unanimously.

Personnel Committee: None

Recreation Committee: None

Police Committee:
Police Chief Whaley recommended hiring Travis Anderson at $13.00 hour with the starting date of March 10, 2009. A motion to accept Chief Whaley’s recommendation was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Kershaw. A roll call vote was had with the following result:
Yeas: Kershaw, Olinde, André, Bourgeois, Hebert
Nays: None
Absent: None
Government Affairs Committee: None

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None
Ordinance #1 of 2009 – To Amend and Reenact Chapter 19, Planning & Development Regulations, including Zoning Ordinance; Amend and re-adopt Official Zoning Map; including Review & Setting of Subdivision, Rezoning and Building Permit Fees was presented to the Council and opened for Public Hearing by Mayor Normand. Attorney Steve Irving, representing Skipper Grady, made a presentation regarding the Zoning Ordinance. Skipper Grady and Marianne Berthelot were also heard before the Mayor closed the Public Hearing and turned the Ordinance over to the Council for consideration. Included in the reenactment were increases in the rezoning fee to $450 and the fee for plats with four lots or less to $35. After a brief discussion, a motion to accept Ordinance #1 of 2009 with the changes discussed and the effective date of March 20, 2009 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Olinde.
A roll call vote was had with the following result:
Yeas: Olinde, André, Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Attorney Thomas Acosta recommended the Council also re-adopt the current Official Zoning Map. A motion to re-adopt was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Olinde. A roll call vote was had with the following result:
Yeas: André, Bourgeois, Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde
Nays: None
Absent: None

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions and Commendations:
Resolution #3 of 2009-Nuisance-325 S. LaBauve, authorizing the removal of a trailer at that address, was recommended by Attorney Thomas Acosta. A motion to adopt was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Hebert. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Hebert, Kershaw, Olinde, André;
Nays: Bourgeois
Absent: None

Fire Department:
Fire Chief Alleman gave the Fire Chief’s report for February. There were nine (9) first aid calls inside the Town and eight (8) outside of Town. There were no fire calls inside or outside of Town. There was one (1) false alarm, three trash fires, three (3) motor vehicle crashes and two (2) mutual aid calls. The total calls for the month were twenty six (26). Total calls year to date are fifty (50).

Police Department:
Report for the month of was given by Chief Whaley. There were five (5) wrecks, twelve (12) bench warrant arrests, one (1) damage to property, one (1) disturbing the peace, one (1) theft, one (1) burglary, two (2) alarms, four (4) juvenile matters, twelve (12) traffic arrests, fifteen (15) miscellaneous calls and three (3) Domestic calls. There were a total of 57 calls, 231 citations and 305 violations.

Correspondence:
Mayor Normand received a plaque from Louisiana DEQ in Appreciation of the Town of Brusly’s commitment to improving Louisiana’s environment.

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand attended a meeting with Wayne Delapasse, Representative Karen St. Germain and Senator Robert Marionneaux to discuss the possibility of the Town of Brusly receiving a grant for construction of a new combination Fire/Police Station. The Mayor, Council Members Bourgeois and Hebert, Town Clerk Debbie Berthelot and Town Attorney Acosta attended the LMA Mid-Winter Conference. Mayor Normand met with representatives of the US Census Bureau. Several Town officials participated in the Addis Mardi Gras Parade; Mayor Normand, Council Members Bourgeois and Kershaw participated in Dr. Seuss Day at Brusly Elementary.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Skipper Grady expressed concerns about the legality of Ordinance #1 of 2009. Fire Chief Alleman updated the Council on the progress of the budget proposal for next year, explaining that it would be presented in a timely manner as usual. Council Member Bourgeois commended Debbie Berthelot, the Brusly Fire and Police Departments, and Town Hall personnel for their participation of the Safety Town Program that was held this month. Council Member Bourgeois also announced the participation of the Town of Brusly in the Cleanest City Competition this year.

Announcements:
The Great American Clean Up – April 25, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Kite Fest Louisiane – April 4 & 5 – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Hebert. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

_____________________ _______________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk