Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, October 13, 2003

October 13, 2003

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, October 13th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brusly Town Hall. Mayor Normand announced that all cell phones should be turned off or silenced. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Perrault. 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 amend the agenda, so that Item 12A, a Certificate of Appreciation for the Caillouet Family could be presented at this time, was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes. Mayor Normand called Mrs. Jane Caillouet and members of the Caillouet Family forward to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for their generous donation of the 360-year-old Back Brusly Oak Tree to the Town of Brusly. The tree is significant to the history of the Town. Ms. Beth Scioneaux made this statement: “My mother and I donated the Back Brusly Oak Tree in memory of my father, Gerald Caillouet. My parents owned the property on which it rests for 30 years and always enjoyed this privilege. We hope that this act will ensure the tree is preserved for many future generations.” Council Member Bourgeois advised that Mr. Butch Leger, Maintenance Supervisor, began the initiative to preserve the Tree in 2001. She further stated, “Mr. Gerald Caillouet was very determined to cooperate with the Town on anything we could do. We pursued the grant funds, and now we are at a point where we are ready to start.”

Mayor Normand stated that Council Member Bourgeois was a driving force in getting the project and funding under way, and gave credit to everyone but herself.

Mayor Normand introduced Ms. Sharon Stam of the Tourist Commission, who spoke about the Baton Rouge Corporate Cup. It is a 5-K run, and it will be moved to West Baton Rouge for the first time, to start at the Tourist Commission this year. She was excited about the many corporate officers who have already visited the new building, and intend to make use of it in the future. Much media publicity for our parish should result.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of September 8, 2003 was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and passed with no opposing votes.

A motion to approve the minutes of a Special Meeting of the Town Council held September 29, 2003 was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes.

Under Public Works, the Culvert Program Lottery Drawing was done. Mayor Normand requested that Police Chief Emmett Worley draw the names; Chief Worley read them aloud as they were drawn. The Town will spend approximately $17,000 on the project.

Council Member Babin expressed concern over the proposed speed limits in the new Brusly Oaks Subdivision; engineers for the developers had established those limits.

A motion to approve Resolution No. 10, requesting a turn lane to be provided for the YMCA Building wherever it is constructed, was made by Council Member Bourgeois, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes. Council Member Kershaw moved to set Halloween “Trick or Treat” hours at 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. on October 31, 2003. His motion was seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes.

Police Chief Emmett Worley presented the Reserve and Commissioned Officers List for approval by the Council. A motion to approve the list was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and passed with no opposing votes.

Reporting for the Grant Committee, Council Member Bourgeois announced receipt of a DOW Chemical Grant of $3,750, and a Forestry Grant of $3,000; both grants are for the improvement of the Back Brusly Oak Tree. Another grant may be possible from the National Archives, to restore and protect the Town’s ledgers and minutes dating back to 1901.

Mayor Normand announced that Auditor Don DeVille, CPA, was ready to give his annual audit report on the Town and Sewer System. He said the report is good, with the Town’s finances coming out $12,000 better than budgeted. For the Sewer System, cash flow was positive, but depreciation charges resulted in the income statement showing a loss. The increase in sewer rates should erase the deficit in future years. A motion to approve the audit was made by Council Member Kershaw, seconded by Council Member Babin, and passed with no opposing votes. Mayor Normand thanked Mr. DeVille for his willingness to help and advise all during the year.

Mayor Normand read the beginning of Ordinance No. 12 regarding driving permits and allowing time to pay fines. He opened a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, and asked for comments from the audience. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing, and invited the Council to discuss it. Upon motion by Council Member Bourgeois, and second by Council Member Perrault, the ordinance was passed with a vote of four council members in favor, and Council Member Andre’ absent.

Mayor Normand described Ordinance No. 13 and read its heading; it revises Section 19.23 (a) of “Accessory Structures” and (e) and (f) of “House Additions”. He opened a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, and asked for comments from the audience. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing, and opened the discussion by the Council. Upon motion by Council Member Kershaw, and second by Council Member Babin, the ordinance was enacted with a vote of four council members in favor, and Council Member Andre’ absent.

Council Member Babin introduced an ordinance to establish regulations for mechanical sewer systems.

The report of the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was given by Fire Chief Michael Alleman. In September, there were 12 first aid calls in the Town and 14 first aid calls outside the Town. There were no fire calls in the town and three fire calls outside the Town. There were three mutual aid calls answered. The total calls for the month of September 2003 was 32, and 279 calls for the year. Chief Alleman advised that the fire department would be out in force in vehicles during Halloween trick or treat. The Annual Christmas Parade will be on the first Sunday in December, and Mr. Rod Prejean would be Grand Marshall. Chief Alleman described the new Mini-Pumper Fire Truck, which has equipment for first aid as well as fighting fires.

Police Chief Emmett Worley gave the Police Department report for the month. He stated that there were four wrecks, eight arrests on bench warrant cases, two assaults, one illegal discharging of a firearm, one case of criminal mischief, two damages to property, one contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, five disturbing the peace incidents, three thefts, one burglary, one alarm, 11 assistances to other agencies, two drug arrests in Brusly by Brusly officers, three domestic calls, two juvenile arrests,10 traffic arrests, and 22 miscellaneous calls, for a total of 79 calls and 231 traffic citations issued. There were also two counts of obstruction of justice, public intimidation, and threatening of a public official. Chief Worley described a case in which a lady living on Live Oak Street, who had graduated from our RAD Program, had been attacked by a man in Baton Rouge. She actually knocked the man out using the skills she learned, even though she only weighs 105 pounds and the man weighed 240 pounds.

Chief Worley presented the award for Police Officer of the Year to Sergeant Jonathan Lefeaux. Council Member Perrault thanked Chief Worley for the wonderful reporting format used.

Mayor Normand gave the Mayor’s report for the month. The widening of the railroad crossing on West St. Francis Street would be done October 20 and 21, 2003; that street would be closed for two days. Chief Worley described alternate routes and publicity. Mayor Normand described the first Mediation Session between himself and Chief Worley as being very productive; it was facilitated by L.M.A. representatives and lasted two hours, plus a lunch. He and the Police Chief agreed to meet weekly to continue discussing items. Both officials were encouraged by the progress that now seems possible.

The sewer aeration system was then reviewed; it did cut electrical costs in half. It was a wise investment, Mayor Normand advised. He also noted that two area teachers, Ms. Melissa Hunt and Ms. Dianne Tonkovich, were honored as Teachers of the Year at a banquet put on by Cox Cable; commendations would be appropriate. Also, Town Clerk Jules Lefeaux was placed on the President’s Advisory Board of LAMP (The Louisiana Asset Management Plan, in which municipalities have invested over one billion dollars). He was appointed by the State Treasurer.

The floor was opened for Remarks of Personal Privilege. Mr. Randy Willis inquired about the proposed ordinance on mechanical sewer systems. Parish Council Member Jeff Kershaw thanked everyone for his re-election without opposition, and promised to continue bringing better things in the next four years. Mr. Mike Martinez discussed the major drainage ditch between Allene Street residences and Orleans Quarters. Mayor Normand advised that the area had been studied by an engineer, who had set necessary culvert sizes. Fire Chief Mike Alleman pointed out that Police Chief Emmett Worley was personally directing traffic on Highway One, due to his officers being ill or in school. Complaints were voiced about cane truck drivers running red lights. Council Member Kershaw thanked Council Member Bourgeois for her hard work on the grants; he also thanked the Mayor and Police Chief for putting their differences aside and working together for progress.

Under announcements, Mayor Normand invited all to the Veterans’ Appreciation Reception at 11:45 AM, November 11th; and the World Youth Day, “Walk in the Reign” beginning at 2:30 PM Sunday, October 27, 2003. It begins at the Catholic Church, and 1200 people are expected. Council Member Bourgeois announced a cleanup day at St. John the Baptist Cemetery on Saturday, October 18th.

A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Perrault, seconded by Council Member Kershaw, and approved without opposition. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.

___________________________ ___________________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Jules Lefeaux, Town Clerk