Regular Meeting: September 1, 2004

TOWN OF ADDIS MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council for the Town of Addis was called to order by Mayor Bourgeois at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 at the Addis Municipal Center. The Pledge to the Flag was recited.

Roll Call: Present: Mayor Bourgeois; Councilmen Cazes; Gauthreaux; H. Landry; J. Landry; Parrish.
Absent: None

Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of August 4th were approved on a motion
by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Fire Meeting: At 7:02 p.m. a motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman J. Landry to temporarily adjourn the meeting to hold the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners for WBR Fire Sub-District #1. This action was taken to allow Mr. Paul W. Ramagos to attend another meeting. The motion was adopted.

At 7:08 p.m., the meeting was reconvened on a motion by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman H. Landry and adopted.

Parish Council: Mr. Randy Mouch advised that everything is going smoothly and extended best wishes on the upcoming election.
Councilman Cazes asked how a resident can obtain another garbage container. A discussion ensued on the cost of having two containers. More information on this later.

Police: Chief Anderson gave the monthly report which included 139 tickets issued; 5 vehicle accidents worked; 8 misdemeanor arrests; and 1 felony arrests. The felony arrest was for second degree battery; and the misdemeanor arrests were: 3 simple battery; 1 remaining after forbidden; 2 traffic; 2 warrants.

Sewer: In the absence of John Artigue, Mayor Bourgeois read the sewer report which included 9 equipment failures; 3 jammed pumps; 1 leak and 1 grease problem. Belts and sheaves were replaced on the River Boat pump station; the chlorine pump went out and had to be repaired; and one tank and panel was removed.
A motion was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Cazes to ratify the repair of the chlorine pump at a cost of $550.00. The motion was adopted.

Planning & Zoning Commission: A motion was made by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Cazes to accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission and approve a request by Mr. Jason Larousse to conduct a computer service business in his home in River Bend Mobile Home Park. The motion was adopted.
On a motion by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux and adopted, the terms of the members of the Planning & Zoning Commission were updated to: Joan Barbier to 5/30/04; John Daniel to 5/30/06; Bonnie Kleinpeter to 5/30/08; Velma Stewart to 5/30/07.
Other members serving on the Commission are: Gene Bertrand to 5/30/05; David Toups to 5/30/05 and Holly LeBlanc to 5/30/06.

Town of Addis Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 1, 2004
Page 2

Old Business: Sugar Mill/Railroad agreement. A lengthy discussion was held on the agreement between Sugar Mill Subdivision, the Railroad and the Town pertaining to the installation of a railroad crossing to Sugar Mill. This will be discussed more at future meetings.

Building Code Update: Mayor Bourgeois advised that a model ordinance was received from the LMA regarding new regulations by the State on contractors and requirements the Town office has to meet to issue a building permit. The Town Attorney was asked to review the model ordinance.

Sid Richardson Road: Mayor Bourgeois advised that, at the request of Parish President Berthelot, a letter was sent to the State DOTD asking them to look into a possible turn lane at Sid Richardson Road. A response was received advising that the State feels the traffic is too light at this area, and no corrective action is being taken at this crossing at this time.

Parish Building Inspector: Councilman Gauthreaux asked about the status of the Parish building inspector. He was advised that something should be done by the 1st of next year.

New Business: BHS-Softball Field Lights: Following a discussion on a request for the Town to assist in installing lights on the Softball Field at Brusly High School, a motion was made by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Cazes to authorize the expenditure of approximately $3,500.00 to assist with the lighting of the Brusly High School Softball Field, and authorize the attorney, Dana Larpenteur, to prepare an Intergovernmental Agreement between all entities involved. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Larpenteur advised that Town could take part in this project due to the fact that the Field will be used with the overall summer recreational program in which Addis can and do take part.

Rural Development Grant: A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman J. Landry to authorize Mayor Bourgeois to submit an application for the 2005 Rural Development Grant to continue work on the ditch on the south side of Myhand Street. The motion was adopted.

Computers: A motion was made by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to expend $4,000.00 to have Eric Seneca install a new Backup System on the town’s computers. The motion was adopted.
A motion was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to expend $708.00 for new antivirus software on the town’s computers. The motion was adopted.

Open Container: A request by Dienna Landry for an open container permit for an Election Party at the VFW Hall, on Saturday, September 18th was approved on a motion by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Town of Addis Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 1, 2004
Page 3

Clerks’ Institute: A motion to expend funds for Dana Strauss to attend the LMCA’s annual Institute for the week of October 18-22; and Vera Lucas to attend the two-day Graduate’s session, was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman J. Landry and adopted.

Proclamation: A proclamation naming September 12th-18th as Marriage Appreciation Week was offered on a motion by Councilman J. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Parrish and adopted.

Computer: A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman H. Landry to expend $1,920.00 to upgrade the accounting software. The motion was adopted.

Forum: Mayor Bourgeois announced that a Forum for all candidates for elected office in the Town of Addis will be sponsored by the Civic League of Addis and held on September 7th at the Municipal Center.

Cox Communications: A motion was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to table the discussion/decision on the transfer of the Cox Communications’ franchise until the Town Attorney has a chance to review it. The motion was adopted.

Water Board: A motion was made by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman J. Landry to reappoint the Town’s representative, Mr. Shane Lopez, to another five year term on the Board for Water Works District #1 of West Baton Rouge. The motion was adopted.

Entergy/Owen Cope: Mayor Bourgeois reviewed a plan presented by Mr. Owen Cope
Of Entergy to contact residents making a “pitch” to make a one-time contribution to Entergy’s Project Care program.
A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman H. Landry to expend monies necessary to send out letters to residents of Addis and take a part in this project. The motion was adopted. Mr. Cope advised that all the money donated in this area will be used to help families in this area.

Home Occupation: A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Parrish to accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission and grant a Home Occupation license to Robert Rivet to have a cabinet shop at his home. The motion was adopted.

Committee Reports: Finance: A motion was made by Councilman H. Landry, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux to pay bills found in order. The motion was adopted.

Sewer: A motion to ratify repairs to the mower at a cost of $550.00; and pay for sludge removal at $1,200.00 was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Cazes and adopted.

Police: A motion was made by Councilman Cazes, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux for the Town to continue payment of two pagers, used by Chief Anderson and Assistant Chief Jones to communicate, when the grant presently paying this expense runs out. The motion was adopted.

Town of Addis Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 1, 2004
Page 4

Drainage: Ditches on Sybil have been dug.
A motion was made by Councilman Parrish, 2nd by Councilman Cazes to replace the windshield on the dumptruck. The motion was adopted.

Leadership West: A motion was made by Councilman Parrish, 2nd by Councilman Gauthreaux to allow the Chamber of Commerce to hold its Leadership West meeting in the Chambers on September 13th at 8:00 a.m. The motion was adopted.

Streets, Roads, etc. A discussion was held on individuals dumping garbage near the dumpster at the VFW. John will install some “no dumping” signs.

Executive Session: At 8:15 p.m., a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, was made by Councilman Gauthreaux, 2nd by Councilman Parrish and adopted.
At 8:33 p.m. a motion to return to regular session was made by Councilman J. Landry, 2nd by Councilman H. Landry and adopted.
Mayor Bourgeois advised that a personnel matter was discussed in Executive Session.

Mr. Owen Cope of Entergy arrived and addressed the Council concerning Project Care.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 p.m. on a motion by Councilman J. Landry, 2nd by Councilman H. Landry and adopted.

Carroll P. Bourgeois
Vera T. Lucas Mayor
Town Clerk