Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, May 10, 2004

May 10, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, May 10th, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Normand called for all cell phones to be turned off or silenced. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Babin. A roll call by Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux determined the following officials present:

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

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of April 12, 2004 (as amended to add the words “pending a psychological evaluation”), was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and passed with no opposing votes.

The first item under Public Works Committee was recommending a BFI contract preference to the Parish Council. Council Member Kershaw invited citizens present to state their views on the proposed new garbage can system, and several people participated. The consensus was in favor of the 96-gallon cans with wheels (provided by BFI at no cost), to be emptied and neatly replaced by machine. Mayor Normand will advise the Parish Council of the Town’s recommendation.

Regarding an engineering firm for the proposed Allene Street extension, Mayor Normand suggested delaying the project due to availability of funding.

The Planning and Zoning Committee Minutes of April 28, 2004 were reviewed. Mayor Normand recommended the reappointment of Ms. Debbie Thompson to the Planning and Zoning Commissions, advising of the good work that she and the Commission Members had done for the Town. Council Member Bourgeois made the motion for her reappointment; it was seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of Council Members present.

Under Finance Committee business, Mayor Normand presented his Budget Message to Council Members, and advised the public that copies of the budget are available. Budgets will be discussed at the Committee Meetings on June 7th. The Mayor also presented the Sewer System Budget and Budget Message. Copies of the budgets were distributed to Council Members and citizens.

Mayor Joey Normand read the heading of proposed Ordinance No. 11 of 2004, changing the order of business at Town Council meetings. He opened a public hearing on the ordinance. After no comments were heard, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Council Member Perrault to adopt Ordinance No. 11; it was seconded by Council Member Kershaw. The Ordinance passed with four council members in favor, and Council Member Andre’ absent.

Council Member Perrault introduced an ordinance for the Town of Brusly budget. Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance for the Sewer System budget.
A motion was made to adopt a resolution to transfer the Town’s investments to the Edward Jones brokerage office in Port Allen by Council Member Kershaw; it was seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with four council members in favor, and Council Member Andre’ absent.
The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In April, there were five first aid calls in the Town and 14 first aid calls outside the Town. There were no fire calls in the town and two fire calls outside the Town. One hazardous material call and one mutual aid call were answered. The total calls for the month of April 2004 was 23, and 120 calls for the year. The Fire Department’s rating examination is complete, and a rating of “3” is expected.

Fire Chief Alleman commented on the department’s activities during the recent chemical leak from a river barge. He thanked the Mayor and staff, and the Police Department for their assistance that day. Since the leaking chemical was far more odorous than harmful, it was an excellent “drill” for handling hazardous chemical situations. Good communications with the Parish Government, School Board, and Mayor’s office were experienced. Mayor Normand reminded all that the command center for such situations is the Fire Department.

Captain Bryan Viator gave the Police Department report for the month of April. He stated that there were 7 wrecks, and four arrests on bench warrant cases, of which three were done with information on the new computers in police cars; one battery, six disturbing the peace incidents, one theft, two alarms, nine assistances to other agencies, five drug arrests made in Brusly by Brusly Officers, 10 traffic arrests, including one case of a motorist in possession of about 3,200 possibly illegal CD’s and DVD’s; three juvenile arrests, 14 miscellaneous calls, and one cruelty to animals, for a total of 62 calls and 260 traffic citations issued.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He announced that he participated in a meeting regarding the proposed north loop road, but the route has not been discussed yet. He has authorized Town Attorney Jamie Fontenot to pursue the contractor for Orleans Quarters Subdivision to fix problems with the sewer; registered letters had been sent. Mayor Normand negotiated for a lower invoice price for recent road overlays, and obtained more reasonable pricing. D’Angelo’s Pizza is now open. He attended an appeal hearing in the Louisiana Supreme Court regarding the Firefighters’ Retirement System demands for larger contributions; several other concerned mayors also attended. Letters are being written to persons who do tree trimming in Brusly, advising them of their obligation to remove debris if BFI is unable to. Mayor Normand attended a reception at DOW and viewed their new electricity cogeneration plant. He thanked Mr. Don Neisler for the new Town Zoning Map, which is beneficial to both staff and citizens; Mr. “Butch” Leger and Mrs. Marianne Berthelot also helped on the project. New street lights have been installed on W. Saint Francis Street with the help of electricians from knightelectricalinc.com/.
Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, a citizen asked if he could still cut his own trees, and was advised he could.

Announcements were made regarding the Cleanest City Judging on May 11th; a reception following the dedication of the Brusly historical Marker on May 11th; and the Legislative Update at the Chamber of Commerce on May 12th. Council Member Kershaw called on Mr. Darrell Jones of the Masonic Lodge for an impromptu announcement of a benefit BBQ for Mrs. Emmett “Elaine” Worley, a cancer patient; the chicken lunches may be picked up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brusly Lions Club on Saturday, June 19, 2004. Tickets can be purchased at the Town Hall, or from any member of the Blazing Star 212 Masonic Lodge. Council Member Bourgeois announced a program for Armed Forces Day, May 15th, at the Tourist Commission Building; donations of items for soldiers in Iraq are being accepted there this month.

A motion was made by Council Member Kershaw to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Babin. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 7:08 p.m.

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