Regular Meeting: July 1, 2009

TOWN OF ADDIS MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at the Addis Municipal Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bourgeois who led the Pledge of Allegience. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the members of the Fitzgerald family who were killed in a plane crash in 1982.

Roll Call: Present: Mayor Bourgeois; Councilman Cazes; Gauthreaux; Landry; Parrish; Toups.
Absent: None

Minutes: The minutes of the June 3rd regular meeting were approved, as mailed, on a motion by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Landry and adopted.
The minutes of the June 17th special meeting were approved, as mailed, on a motion by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish and adopted.

Additions to Agenda: The following items were added to the agenda on a motion by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted: (1) 2008 Audit-Kathleen Beard, CPA (2) Plantation Ridge (3) Panther Paws (4) Update on clock (5) Susie Crowson-Open early request (6) Executive Session.

Sewer Report: The sewer report, given by Councilman Gauthreaux, included 16 equipment failures; 1 jammed pump; 3 miscellaneous calls. The sewer machine was run in Addis Place to unplug a line and there were two sewer tie-in inspections in Sugar Mill.

Police Report: The monthly police report, given by Chief Anderson, included 173 traffic citations written; 16 misdemeanor arrests; 1 felony arrest and 5 vehicle wrecks worked. The misdemeanor arrests were: 4-traffic; 5-disturbing the peace; 2-warrants; 1-trespass; 4-narcotics. The felony arrest was possession of illegal firearm.

Planning & Zoning Commission: Following a presentation of the subdivision request of the Mouch family by Attorney Tom Acosta, a motion was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission and approve the request for subdivision of property, located at 6869 River Road, owned by Louis Mouch, Jr. The motion was adopted on the following roll call vote: Yeas: Cazes; Gauthreaux; Landry; Parrish; Toups;
Nays: None Absent: None Abstaining: None

Sewer Update: Oscar Boudreaux, Engineer, advised that there was no further report on the bond application.
On the “Shaw” Sewer line project, a $5.00 a foot change order will be issued to bore behind Dickies, as the line which was originally going to be used was inaccessible.

2008 Audit: Kathleen Beard, CPA, was introduced and gave a report on the 2008 audit for the Town's general fund and the Sewer enterprise fund. Following her presentation, a motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to accept the 2008 audit as presented. The motion was adopted. A copy of the complete audit is available at the Town Hall during regular office hours for inspection by the public.
Mrs. Beard then gave the report on the 2008 audit for Fire Sub-District #1 of West Baton Rouge. Discussion on this audit will take place at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Fire Sub-District #1 a little later tonight.
Town of Addis Minutes
Regular Meeting – July 1, 2009
Page 2

Lighting Project Update: The project is progressing nicely. A discussion on an additional six poles to include the last annexed property to the north town limits will be discussed at a later date.

Plantation Ridge: Mr. Boudreaux advised that all of the leaks in the sewer system in Plantation Ridge have not been repaired.
A motion was made by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to leave the lifting of the moratorium at Plantation Ridge to the recommendation of the Engineer and John Artigue. The motion was adopted.

Mr. Owen Cope: Mr. Cope of Entergy gave a report on Entergy's hurricane preparedness. He was thanked for his assistance in getting the lighting project underway.

Meeting Time: A discussion was held on adopting an ordinance to change the time for the regular monthly meetings. This will be discussed further after the republication of the Code is finished.

Software: A motion was made by Councilman Parrish, 2nd by Councilman Toups to purchase a software program for occupational licenses from Computer Systems Development Corporation at a cost of $2,700.00. The motion was adopted.

Fireworks: A motion was made by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux to follow the Parish Executive Order which prohibits “projectile” fireworks for the 4th of July holiday due to the extreme dry weather conditions. The motion was adopted.

Panther Paws: A request for an open container by the Panther Paws to hold a ball tournament at the Myhand Park on August 1 and 2nd was approved on a motion by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux and adopted.

Early Opening-Susie Crowson: A request to open Charlie's Lounge early on August 1st to hold a benefit for Kent Burgess was approved on a motion by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Toups and adopted.

Public Comments: None

Fire Meeting: At 7:40 p.m., a motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to temporarily adjourn the meeting and hold the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Fire Sub-District #1 of WBR. The motion was adopted.
At 7:46 p.m. the meeting was reconvened on a motion by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux and adopted.

Committee Reports: Finance: A motion to pay bills presented was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish and adopted.

Mayor Bourgeois set a Finance Committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29th and a special meeting to begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29th.
Town of Addis Minutes
Regular Meeting – July 1, 2009
Page 3

Sewer: Mayor Bourgeois advised that a letter advising of the sewer rate increase will be mailed on July 10th and will be reflected on the August water bills.

Police: Executive Session later.

Personnel: Mayor Bourgeois advised that the Code of Ordinances book is been republished and will be in a new, larger format.

Drainage: None Buildings: Mayor Bourgeois advised that the first apartment building in Sugar Mill is completed and is already filled. By the end of July the other buildings should be completed.

Streets, Roads, etc. A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to purchase six “Welcome” banners. The motion was adopted.

Executive Session: At 7:54 p.m. a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss police personnel was made by Councilman Gauthreaux , 2nd by Councilman Parrish and adopted.
At 8:10 p.m. a motion to return to regular session was made by Councilman Parrish , 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux and adopted.
Mayor Bourgeois advised that personnel, specifically police personnel, was discussed in Executive Session.

As a result of Executive Session, a motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to accept the recommendation of Chief Anderson and hire Mr. Joshua Anderson as the 3rd officer on the new Stimulus grant package at a starting salary of $1,800., per month to be increased at the end of a 90-day probationary period at the discretion of Chief Anderson. The motion was adopted.
Chief Anderson and Ass't Chief Jones advised that monthly reports will be made by the 5th of each month on the Stimulus Grant with a check being received around the 15th of each month.
Chief Anderson further recommended that the third car be purchased after the first $42,000 is received from the Stimulus grant.

Add to Agenda: The purchase of new shirts was added to the agenda on a motion by Councilman Landry, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Shirts: A motion to have the council purchase two shirts each , blue and khaki, was made by Councilman Toups, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. on a motion by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Carroll P. Bourgeois
Vera T. Lucas Mayor
Town Clerk