Town Meeting Minutes – October 2017

October 9, 2017
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was held this date, October 9, 2017, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Andrè led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of September 11, 2017, was made by Council Member Andrè and seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Public Works Committee:
Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on the DOTD highway apron project which addressed repairs to the service road at East Main and East St. Francis Streets intersections.

Planning and Zoning Committee:
Mayor Rhodes read aloud a Variance Request for Non-Compliance – Sec. 19.31.1-Zoning District R-1 Side & Rear Setbacks, 2309 Live Oak Dr. for Richard Dayries, to decrease the side setback from 10’ to 8.5’ and to decrease the rear setback from 10’ to 8’ to build an awning. Following a favorable recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve the request was made by Council Member Neisler; seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Rhodes read aloud a Variance Request for Non-Compliance – Sec. 19.31.1-Zoning District R-1 Side Setback, 3220 Allene St. for Roxanne Jenkins, to decrease the side setback from 10’ to 3’ to build an RV cover. Following a favorable recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, a motion to approve the request was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Richard. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes referred Council Members to review the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” which accompanied meeting packets.

Personnel Committee: None

Recreation Committee:
Mayor Rhodes requested authorization to sign a Cooperative Endeavor with WBR Parish School Board for the purpose of allocating budgeted recreational funds, as approved by the Town Budget.
A motion to approve was made by Council Member Andre’; seconded by Council Member Neisler. The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas:             Neisler, Daigle, Bourgeois, Richard, Andrè
Nays:             None
Absent:         None

Police Committee:
Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Garrett Yetman as a full time Police Officer, at the rate of $14.00 an hour, starting October 3, 2017, was made by Council Member Andrè; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas:             Daigle, Bourgeois, Richard, Andrè, Neisler
Nays:            None
Absent:        None

Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Brett Portier as a POST Certified full time Police Officer, at the rate of $16.50 an hour, starting October 3, 2017, was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:
Yeas:           Bourgeois, Richard, Andrè, Neisler, Daigle
Nays:           None
Absent:       None

Governmental Affairs Committee:
A motion to set Trick or Treat on October 31, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm was made by Council Member Richard; seconded by Council Member Daigle. The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing and Final Action on Ordinances: None

Introduction of Ordinances:
Council Member Neisler introduced Ordinance 5 of 2017, Chapter 19, to Rezone a portion of 4,408 AC M/L SEC 16 T8S R12E Rita Babin Subdivision.

Resolutions and Commendations: None

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of September was given by Chief Lefeaux. There were six (6) alarms, seven (7) warrant arrests, five (5) assists to other agencies, one (1) battery, three (3) civil complaints, nine (9) miscellaneous complaints, one (1) criminal damage to property, three (3) disturbance calls, two (2) fire calls, one (1) unwanted person, three (3) medical calls, 23 insurance tows, two (2) auto accidents, one (1) suspicious person/vehicle, two (2) thefts, and one (1) unlock. For the month, there were 70 total complaints, 221 total citations and 336 total violations.

Correspondence: None

Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Rhodes reported that Town Clerk Blaine Rababais received a $500 scholarship to attend the LA Municipal Clerk’s Conference. The Mayor and other area leaders attended a meeting with the Governor during which the State’s budget short fall was discussed. Mayor Rhodes announced that an Ethics Training Session will be held on October 25, 2017, at 7:00 AM at the WBR Community Center in Port Allen.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
In response to Ms. Rosa Stelly’s request for an update on tall grass at 2250 Live Oak Drive, Mayor Rhodes replied that a nuisance notice has been served to the property owner.
Parish Council Member Kershaw gave a brief update on WBR Parish 2018 budget proposal schedule and projects.

Announcements:
There will be a Veteran’s Day Program at the Brusly Town Hall on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

There will be a Landmark & Heritage Meeting October 16th at 6:30 PM.
A motion was made by Council Member Andrè to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM.

/s/Scot Rhodes, Mayor                                                              /s/Blaine Rabalais, Town Clerk