Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, November 8, 2004

November 8, 2004

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, November 8th, 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 Babin 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 amend the agenda and go to Item 9, Resolutions and Commendations, was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Perrault, and passed with no opposing votes. Mayor Normand reported that Brusly High School’s yearbook staff and Panther Quarterly staff had received awards in statewide competition, and presented the following Certificates of Commendation: to Ben Clancy for placing second in high school newsletter editorial/ political cartoon, to Rebecca Lousteau for placing second and third in political cartoon strip, and to Ms. Sarah Gibson, BHS Publications Sponsor, for guiding the yearbook staff in achieving third place honors in the State of Louisiana for Best Overall Yearbook. Certificates of Commendation were awarded to Kelsey Waite for placing second in the State for high school newspaper feature photo, and first in the State for high school yearbook feature lay-out and design; and to Karsheener West for placing second in yearbook feature lay-out and design.

Council Member Bourgeois thanked Mr. Gary Soniat of Brusly High School for encouraging his Advanced-Placement Civics students to participate in an essay contest for Veterans’ Day, and also thanked all the students who participated. Certificates of Commendation were awarded to Alexis Jones, 3rd place; Erica Singleton, 2nd place; and Katie LeBlanc, 1st place. They will read their essays at the Town’s Veterans’ Day Celebration on November 11th.

Mayor Normand presented a Certificate of Commendation to Louis Arlen Landry for 39 years of service as a Board Member of Water Works District #2, including recent years of service as Chairman, during which it has grown to become one of the best in the State and an asset to the Brusly community.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of October 11, 2004 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Andre’, and passed with no opposing votes.

Under Public Works, Mayor Normand reported on two new sewer lift pumps that were installed.
Under Finance Committee, Council Member Kershaw requested Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux to comment on a newspaper article in the recent Louisiana Municipal Review (which is published by the Louisiana Municipal Association, an advisor to all local governments). Lefeaux said the article was written by the new Legislative Auditor, Honorable Steve Theriot. His article stated 15 things that local governments should do in the areas of internal control, cash handling , bank reconcilements, etc. to prevent internal thefts. Lefeaux reviewed the article, and was able to report to the Mayor and Council that we were already doing all of the recommendations in the article to protect the Town of Brusly’s cash and investments.

Mayor Normand complimented Personnel Committee Chairman Ronda Perrault on the recently mailed Town newsletter.

Council Member Bourgeois reported that Town had participated in Arbor Day Ceremonies at Brusly Elementary School on November 5th, and our participation will help toward obtaining “Tree City U.S.A.” status for government grants. Council Member Andre’ reported that pipes and concrete are being installed under our recreation grant. Responding to a question on the Back Brusly Oak, Mayor Normand said the mulch is being provided.

Council Member Kershaw introduced an ordinance to make budget adjustments.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Mike Alleman. In October, there were four first aid calls in the Town and 12 first aid calls outside the Town. There were four fire calls in the Town and two fire calls outside the Town. There were three motor vehicle accidents that the Fire Department responded to, and one mutual aid call answered. The total calls for the month of October 2004 was 26, and 273 calls for the year. Deputy Chief Kenny Hunts reported a 25% reduction in calls compared to last year, and a 42% reduction in childhood injuries due to the Risk Watch Program. Chief Alleman announced that the Governor’s Office had given 200 smoke alarms for the elderly; they would be distributed at the Fire Station at no cost to citizens in Fire Protection Subdistrict No. 2, but they would have to certify that a qualified person would install the smoke alarm. The annual Christmas Parade will be on December 5th. Chief Alleman introduced Tim Robichaux as the new President of the Brusly Volunteers. Mr. Robichaux introduced Scott Rodrigue as Vice President, and noted that Peter Strauss will serve as Secretary, and Sid Barber will be Treasurer. Jim Robnett and Erin Cavalier are now Board Members At Large.

The Police Department report for the month of October was given by Ms. Gail Alleman, Police Department Clerk. She stated that there was one vicious dog incident, 7 wrecks, 15 bench warrant arrests (including one from EBR Parish listed on the car computer), two assists with fires, one DWI arrest, one simple battery, two damages to property, three disturbing the peace incidents, no thefts, 12 alarms (all were false), four assistances to other agencies, two 911 calls, five drug arrests (one in which Officers Vallet and Walker found 48 grams of marijuana and 25 grams of crystal meth) one domestic call, 10 juvenile matters, 16 traffic arrests, four NSF check recoveries, 17 miscellaneous calls, and one sex crime, for a total of 104 calls and 161 traffic citations issued for 232 violations. She also reported that four officers attended a class on investigations of sexual abuse and similar crimes at the District Attorney’s Office. Chief Worley and Captain Viator are recovering from recent major surgeries. Mrs. Alleman also reported that officers will attend training on firearms, radar, and drugs. She reported that she and Officer Darren Hernandez completed fingerprinting students in kindergarten and preschool programs.

Correspondence was received from the State Department of Education regarding a school taken over in Russia, and how to avoid such situations.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. He is in contact with DOTD regarding problems with traffic signals. He attended ribbon cuttings at Planet Smoothie and Blimpie’s in Brusly. The Mayor, Council Member Bourgeois, and Council Member Kershaw had attended the recent Chamber of Commerce Breakfast during which School Superintendent David Corona presented an overview of education in West Baton Rouge, including a proposal to initiate a Head Start Program. The Mayor attended a Red Ribbon Program at Brusly Middle School. Construction of a new Super Wal-Mart near Bellelo’s will begin in January and end a year later. The Mayor also attended the second Land Use Meeting of the WBR Parish Council with Don Neisler.

Under Remarks of Personal Privilege, a citizen complained about police cars going fast on St. Francis Street. Council Member Bourgeois said the Cemetery Cleanup was well attended on October 16th, with these citizens helping: Kim Lemoine; Jack Sarradet; Jamie, Jessica, and Cameron Whaley; Cindy Brou; Daryl, Julee, Wayne, and Jamie Blink; Tyler Sedotal; Richard Rabalais; “Fish” Kershaw, and Joanne Bourgeois. Mayor Normand and Council Member Kershaw addressed concerns of citizens on BFI garbage pickup. A citizen complained about a sagging electrical line; the Mayor will contact Entergy in his behalf. Town Clerk Lefeaux recruited a team of eight employees and entered Governor Blanco’s “Lighten up Louisiana” weight losing program, and the team members have done well by losing an average of 14 pounds each since September 1st. Lefeaux congratulated the team members for working toward improved health. Council Member Andre’ suggested a review of the proposed Allene street work.

Mayor Normand announced the annual Veterans’ Day Reception to be held at the Town Hall at noon, November 11, 2004; and the Town Hall office would be closed November 11th in observance of Veterans’ Day. He also announced the Planning and Zoning Meetings will change to November 17th and December 15th due to major holidays. The Firemen’s Christmas Parade will roll at 1:00 PM on December 5th, and the Circle of Friends’ Parade will be held at noon on December 11, 2004. A motion was made by Council Member Babin to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Andre’. The motion was unopposed. The meeting ended at 7:05 p.m.

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