August 2022

August 2022

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE HELD AT THE CITY HALL, 101 BERARD STREET, AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022. Mayor Ricky Calais called the meeting to order, the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited. PRESENT:  Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Ernest “E.J.” Ledet, Neil Melancon and Eddy Leblanc. ABSENT:  None Monthly budget-to-actual comparisons on the General Funds, Sales Tax Funds, Park and Recreation Fund, and Utility Funds were distributed to the councilmen and Mayor. Upon motion of Eddy LeBlanc duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the following additions to the August Meeting Agenda:                 Item 11:  Consider the recommendation to reappointment Kenneth Mouton to the Civil Service                                  Board.                 Item 12:  Request by the Chief to hire one Patrol Officer. Upon motion of Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the minutes of the July 8th meeting were approved. Upon motion of Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen opened a Public Hearing to consider 2023 LCDBG application. Prior to opening the public hearing, Mayor Calais explained that an application was submitted and was accepted on behalf of the City of Breaux Bridge for roughly $900,000.00. This would be for a sewer rehab project. This would include various tests such as smoke testing, manhole inspections, then the contractor would proceed in repairing any issues with the sewer lines. This would include the West side area of Breaux Bridge, the downtown area, East of the Bayou (south side) up to Doucet Street. These are the oldest infrastructure in the city. This involves only sewer issues. Mr. Tauzin read from the newspaper an issue he was concerned with. The paper stated that this would be for the Ruston area.  Mayor Calais believed this to be a mistake. It should read the Breaux Bridge area, not Ruston. Tyler Benjamin asked how the bid process works. Mayor Calais stated that it is put online, and anyone can bid on it. The city engineers, if they know of some contractors would be interested and would be good contractors for the city, they would specifically target them and provide them with a packet to bid on the project.  Upon motion of Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and unanimously carried, their being no further input the Public Hearing was closed. Upon motion of Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Scotty Borel and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the recommendation of Chief Cantu to promote Taylor Boutin to Lieutenant. Upon motion of Eddy Leblanc duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the recommendation of Chief Cantu to hire John Leger as a Patrol Officer. Upon motion of Ernest “E.J.” Ledet duly seconded by Eddy Leblanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen introduced Ordinance #2280 (An ordinance to amend Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances, the Zoning Ordinance, by the repeal, amendment, revision, enactment, and/or re-enactment of general zoning regulations, Sections 23-2.1, 23-4.29,23-5.6 and 23-7.4, applicable to zoning districts R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-5 regarding regulation of temporary model homes, townhouse dwellings and matters related thereto.)  Upon motion of Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Public Hearing was opened to consider Ordinance #2281 (An Ordinance approving and adopting an annual plan for repair and maintenance of municipality infrastructure for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to be funded through the use of tax proceeds generated by the special tax imposed by Sales Tax District NO. 1 of the City of Breaux Bridge, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith) Mayor Calais stated what the tax money would be used for. By law they are required to utilize 20 percent of the taxing district funds. A plan is adopted on how to spend roughly 200,000 dollars. This would be used to repair issues in Parc Hardy for batting cages, parking lot improvements etc. Alderman Neil Melancon asked if the proceeds pay for the upgrades to the turf? Attorney Bart Hebert stated that it was for infrastructure, wherever it is needed. Mayor Calais stated that Eighty percent of the money states it is to be used for new and substantial improvements to existing infrastructure and twenty percent would be used for maintenance and repairs. Alderman Eddy LeBlanc asked if the Batting cages need to be repaired? Park Director Randy Cormier agreed with Mayor Calais that the batting cages needed repairs. Mayor Calais stated that covers would be added to the batting cages.  Alderman Neil Melancon stated that they had allocated money towards the covers of the batting cages. Randy Cormier asked if it would be $200,000 used every year? Mayor Calais stated that they had last year too.  Mr. Ray Pellerin stated that the dog park needs parking. People must park along the street. Mayor Calais stated that they have parking next to the offices. The plan is to provide five or six parking spots on the west side of the park. Randy Cormier stated that they are looking into culverts. Mayor asked Randy Cormier to speak to the engineers to come and look at the situation. Upon motion Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Eddie LeBlanc and unanimously carried their being no further input, the public hearing was closed. Upon motion of Neil Melancon duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted Ordinance #2281 as submitted. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2281 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN ANNUAL PLAN FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MUNICIPALITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 TO BE FUNDED THROUGH THE USE OF TAX PROCEEDS GENERATED BY THE SPECIAL TAX IMPOSED BY SALES TAX DISTRICT NO. 1 OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN…

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CAJUN MUSIC: A SONG OF HISTORY

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The history of Cajun music is a long, winding, and emotional one—from the good times to the bad times, Cajun music has made its mark on the culture of south Louisiana, and of Louisiana as a whole. It has produced a unique experience, as diverse as the people of Louisiana, and just as culturally influential. Cajun music traces its roots all the way back to the French, Spanish, and especially Acadian settlers (les Acadiéns, the descendants of French-speaking settlers of Canada, who would eventually be known as Cajuns). The first permanent settlements in current-day south Louisiana, in the 1760s, brought the unaccompanied ballad as a popular form of music in the day. Songs of love, betrayal, and humor that had been passed down through the generations made their new homes in Louisiana, often sung at events like weddings and funerals. The performance of the ballad was accompanied by family, food, and friends, which are strong traditions in Cajun music still today. The introduction of the accordion in the late 19th century made a significant impact on Cajun songs. The accordion is the most recognized instrument associated with the style of music even today. A Louisiana Saturday night is not complete without the presence of these ever-popular Cajun music instruments, which paved the way for the upbeat Cajun and Zydeco of today by introducing waltzes, two steps, and dance halls. Today, Cajun music takes influences from a wide variety of genres, especially rock, blues, and R&B, but the exchange is mutual: the music has more exposure than ever, with many outside of Louisiana having the opportunity to hear Cajun songs for the first time and to reflect its influences on their own music. Cajun music enjoys an enduring legacy both inside and outside of Louisiana, as the dance halls continue to rock on Saturday nights and show no sign of stopping.

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CRAWFISH: BREAUX BRIDGE’S CLAIM TO FAME

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It is difficult to look around the town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and not see a crawfish. They are painted on bridges, carved into signs, used to decorate doorfronts, and more. It is the Crawfish Capital of the World after all. But how and why? Louisiana as a whole is the largest producer of crawfish in the world with St. Martin Parish providing the most of that crawfish. Breaux Bridge specifically became so known for its crawfish farming and cooking that to celebrate its centennial birthday the Louisiana Legislature gave it the name in 1959. Why Crawfish?Who decided such a funny-looking creature would be a delicious undertaking? If you know the history of the Acadians in Breaux Bridge, it’s a simple leap. After Le Grande Derangement, the new inhabitants of South Louisiana, familiar with seafood because of their time in the Canadian maritime provinces and with help from the local Native Americans, decided to take advantage of the abundant food source. It wasn’t until the 1800s however that crawfish were farmed, and it wasn’t until many years later that they were seen as a culinary adventure for all people. FarmingToday, crawfish farming is necessary to keep up with the demands of the bright red crustaceans. How are they farmed? When crawfish became popular, many rice farmers decided to cash in on the crawfish already feeding in their flooded fields. As grain farming became less economical, many farmers switched to full-time crawfish farming but still planted the price for food. Breaux Bridge Crawfish FestivalThe Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is the largest food festival in the state of Louisiana. 10s of thousands patronize the festival, which takes place on the first full weekend in May each year. Filled with music, delicious food, fun rides, crawfish races and the ever-important crawfish etouffee cook-off; the festival celebrates Breaux Bridge‘s claim to fame and honors the crawfish the town is known for.

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