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Town Meeting Minutes – October 2022

October 10, 2022
Town of Brusly
Brusly, Louisiana

The regular meeting of the Town of Brusly was called to order this date, October 10, 2022, at the Brusly Town Hall, at 6:30 p.m. Council Member André led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call determined the following officials present:

Mayor                         Scot Rhodes
Council Members:         Rusty Daigle, Joanne Bourgeois, Blake Tassin, Shane André, Don Neisler
Town Attorney:            Thomas Acosta, Jr.
Absent:                         None

Upon the request of Mayor Rhodes, a motion to amend the Agenda to add item b. Consider Elaine Street Overlay Quote under Public Works, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:

Yeas:                Tassin, André, Neisler, Daigle, Bourgeois
Nays:                None
Absent:            None

Recognitions & Commendations:
Mayor Rhodes introduced Mr. David Corona, Interim Superintendent of West Baton Rouge Schools who gave a brief presentation regarding the upcoming Property Tax Renewal. Mr. Corona explained that this tax helps pay for teacher salaries & benefits, school resource officers and also to maintain facilities. Mr. Corona urged citizens to vote early, beginning Tuesday October the 25th, and ending Tuesday November the 1st.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Town’s regular meeting of September 12, 2022, was made by Council Member André; 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 read the Public Works Report, as prepared by Public Works Supervisor Shane Sarradet, for the month of September. There were 1.1 inches of rainfall in the month; repaired several catch basins on Ory, Allene and Gleason; there were 4 SCADA alarms; 0 “out of compliance” test results on the Sewer Treatment Facility; sewer jetted main line between Oak Plaza & Brusly Oaks Lift Station; sewer jetted entire length south side of Ory Drive; ran camera on portion of Allene St. culverts; trimmed trees on Live Oak, S. LaBauve & St. James Park; made improvements on pond road to sewer treatment facility.

Regular bulk trash will be picked up the week of October 11th. The extra trash pickup will be October 28th.

Mayor Rhodes briefly updated progress of work on the St. James Park Project and announced October 13, 2022, as the grand opening of St. James Park.

Mayor Rhodes presented 3 quotes for the Elaine Street Overlay Project. Upon hearing the recommendation of Owen and White Engineering and being advised by Town Attorney Acosta that the Town was fully within its rights to accept the recommendation, a motion to accept the quote of $122,410.00 from R.J. Daigle for the Elaine Street Overlay Project was made by Council Member Tassin; seconded by Council Member André. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning Committee:  None

Finance Committee:
Mayor Rhodes noted that the “Budget to Actual Comparison Report” for September, in the meeting packets, is available for Council Members to review.

Mr. Chris James of Tipton and Associates gave an update on the St. James Park Project.

After some discussion, a motion to approve the Change Order in the amount of $1,204.00 to add pavers to perimeter of social pavilion and an additional 16 days to complete the St. James Park Project, was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Neisler. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Personnel Committee:
Upon the Mayor’s recommendation, a motion to approve the Travel & Expense Police as written with changes previously discussed was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Rhodes recommended hiring Jeff Kershaw to maintain the St. James Park grounds and facilities at the rate of $20 an hour for 10 hours per week. After some discussion, including the possible need for a fulltime Maintenance staff member, a motion to approve the Mayor’s recommendation, was made by Council Member André; seconded by Council Member Tassin.
Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. After hearing comments, a roll call vote was had with the following results:

Yeas:       André, Tassin
Nays:       Neisler, Daigle, Bourgeois
Absent:   None
Motion failed.

Upon the recommendation of Chief Lefeaux, a motion to hire Blaze Lewis as a Full-Time Police Officer at the rate of $17.50 an hour, retroactive to October 3, 2022, was made by Council Member Daigle; seconded by Council Member Bourgeois. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Recreation Committee:  None

Police Committee: None

Governmental Affairs Committee:
Council Member Bourgeois offered the motion to set the Town of Brusly’s Halloween Trick or Treating time as October 31st from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm; seconded by Council Member Daigle. Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Landmark & Heritage meeting will be held October 17th at 6:30pm.

Consideration of Vetoed Ordinances: None

Hearing & Final Action on Ordinance:  None

Introduction of Ordinances: None

Resolutions:
A motion to approve Resolution 9 of 2022, to adopt an official flag for the Town of Brusly, was made by Council Member Bourgeois; seconded by Council Member Daigle.  Mayor Rhodes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Police Department Report:
Police Department Report for the month of September was given by Lt. Fontenot. There were three (3) agency assist, sixteen (16) alarms, one (1) animal problem, one (1) assault, six (6) disturbances, one (1) family disturbance, one (1) forgery, one (1) harassment, one (1) kidnapping, one (1) medical, two (2) miscellaneous, ten (10) no insurance tows, one (1) process service, one (1) property, one (1) suspicious activity/vehicle, one (1) theft, thirteen (13) traffic accidents, one (1) traffic problem, six (6) unlocks, two (2) warrants and three (3) welfare checks.  For the month, there were 74 total events, 162 total citations and 244 total violations.

Through use of the recently installed Flock License Plate Camera System, there were 2 stolen cars recovered, 3 NCIC Warrant arrest and 1 stolen plate retrieved.

Mayor’s Report: 
Mayor Rhodes gave a brief update on the St. James Park project and the Grand Opening Ceremony.
and stated that work continues on the Joliet Trail sidewalk project on East & West St. Francis Streets.  Mayor Rhodes asked the Council to reconsider hiring Jeff Kershaw to do maintenance at St. James Park at a later date.

Remarks of Personal Privilege:
State Representative Jeremy Lacombe introduced himself and announced that he was running for the State Senate seat which includes the Town of Brusly. Mr. Lacombe gave a brief description of his platform.

Assistant Chief Southon reported that the Brusly Police Department will be recognized to all attending the Chief’s Convention for effective use Flock Camera System. Southon thanked the Council for their support in purchasing the system, stating that it has been an amazing tool and continues to be so.

Council Member Bourgeois announced that there will be a Veteran’s Day Breakfast held at Town Hall November 11th 2022.

Council Member André thanked Mr. David Corona for coming to the meeting asking for support the WBR School Tax Renewal and encouraged all to support the tax renewal.

Announcements:
St. James Park Grand Opening Event will be October 13th at 4:00 p.m.
Hazardous Materials Collection Day will be October 29th at Alexander Park.
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday November 6, 2022.

Council Member André made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Tassin. Hearing no comments, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

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

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