Town Meeting Minutes – Monday, September 8, 2008

September 8, 2008

Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, September 8, 2008 at the Brusly Town Hall.

Council Member Rodrigue led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:
Council Members: David Rodrigue, Ronda Perrault, Joanne Bourgeois,
Shane Andre’, Chris Kershaw
Town Attorney: Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Mayor: Joey Normand

Mayor Normand introduced Mr. Billy Ward who spoke on behalf of his candidacy for State Representative.
A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s Regular Meeting of August 11, 2008 was made by Council Member Perrault and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Motion was made by Council Member Andre’ to amend the September 8, 2008 Agenda to include Chief Whaley’s recommendation to hire an officer; seconded by Council Member Perrault. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Public Works Committee:
Mayor Normand gave brief updates on the Culvert Program and the Courtney Estates Drainage Project.

Planning and Zoning:
A Variance of 5 feet on the Eastern Line of 420 Venzule Dr., by Mr. James Wilson, for construction of a workshop 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.
A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None

Finance Committee:
Mayor Normand gave a brief summary of the Cox Franchise Fee Audit Report.

Personnel Committee:
Mayor Normand announced that the Town of Brusly’s Maintenance Supervisor, Butch Leger, resigned his position and an ad has been placed in the paper for a replacement.

Recreation Committee:
Mr. Joe Mancuso gave a short description of the damage to Alexander Park caused by Hurricane Gustav.

Police Committee:
Chief Whaley recommended hiring Blake Tanner as an Officer at the rate of $11.00/hr., effective September 10, 2008. After some discussion and questions from the Council, a motion to accept Chief Whaley’s recommendation to hire Blake Tanner was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member André. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chief Whaley recommended Brian Cazes for the position of School Resource Officer. Council Member Perrault motioned to move the discussion of Chief Whaley’s recommendation to agenda item 15 ½; seconded by Council Member André. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Grant Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois gave a brief update on the LGAP Grant.
Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances:
Attorney Acosta explained and recommended Ordinance #9 – Cable Franchise and Ordinance #10 Cable Franchise Fee. Ordinance #9 – Cable Franchise was read aloud and opened for public hearing by Mayor Normand. Hearing no comments from the public Mayor Normand turned Ordinance #9 over to the Council for consideration. A motion to adopt Ordinance #9 was made by Council Member Kershaw; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Motion passed unanimously.

Ordinance #10 – Cable Franchise Fee was read aloud and opened for public hearing by Mayor Normand. Hearing no comments from the public Mayor Normand turned Ordinance #10 over to the Council for consideration. A motion to adopt Ordinance #10 with the change of a flat 5% fee was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Rodrigue. Motion passed unanimously.

Ordinance # 11 – Hotel/Motel Classification was read aloud and opened for public hearing by Mayor Normand. After some discussion a motion to table Ordinance #11 was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Yeas: Rodrigue, Perrault, Bourgeois, André, Kershaw
Nays: None
Absent: None
Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Andre’ introduced an Ordinance to ban Hotel, Motels, Inns, Lodges, Cabins, etc. Council Member Kershaw introduced an Ordinance to adopt changes made to the language of Chapter 9.

Resolutions and Commendations:
Resolution #10 of 2008, to Support the NUCOR Corporation Project was adopted unanimously upon a motion by Council Member Perrault with a second by Council Member André.

Fire Department:
Fire Chief Alleman gave the Fire Chief’s report for August. There were six (6) first aid calls inside the Town and eleven (11) outside of Town. There were no fire calls inside or outside the Town. There were five (5) false alarm investigations. There was one (1) trash and one (1) grease fire. There were five (5) motor vehicle crashes and six (6) mutual aid calls. The total calls for the month were thirty five (35). Total calls year to date are two hundred sixty one (261). Chief Alleman also answered questions and reported on Hurricane Gustav related events.

Police Department:
Report for the month of May was given by Police Chief Whaley. There were six (6) wrecks, five (5) bench warrant arrests, one (1) battery, one (1) damage to property, one (1) disturbing the peace, one (1) theft, two (2) burglary, eight (8) assists to other agencies, one (1) juvenile matter, ten (10) traffic arrests, thirty one (31) miscellaneous calls and two (2) domestics. There were a total of 69 calls, 166 citations and 200 violations. Chief Whaley also reported two (2) drug raids. Chief Whaley answered questions and reported on Hurricane Gustav related events. Chief Whaley announced that the School Resource Officer withdrew his resignation.

Correspondence: None

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Normand announced that bids for the Allene St. Project were due on September 15, 2008. The Mayor contacted an engineering firm to look into mapping the Town’s sewer system. Mayor Normand attended a litter meeting and a meeting with Don Cazayouz. The Mayor received phone calls from agencies offering the Town free generators. Mayor Normand gave a presentation on the events surrounding Hurricane Gustav.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
Fire Chief Alleman complimented the Mayor, Council, Police Department, Fire Department and the Citizens of the Town of Brusly for their help and support during and after Hurricane Gustav.
A member of the public commended Council Member Bourgeois and Marianne Berthelot for the Historical photographs which they assembled, now on display at the WBR Parish Museum through December 30th..

A motion was made by Council Member André to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Perrault. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:32.

_____________________ _______________________
Joey Normand, Mayor Debbie Berthelot, Town Clerk