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 CONNECTION THEREWITH.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge,Louisiana, duly convened in regular session on the ____ day of _____________, 2022, that:
WHEREAS, by act Number 923 of the 2008 Regular Legislative Session, La.R.S. 33:2711 was amended by the enactment of subparagraph D thereof to permit a municipality such as the City of Breaux Bridge to create a special sales tax district within a portion of the municipality for the purpose of levying and collecting a one (1%) per cent sales and use tax;
WHEREAS, the said Act Number 923 mandated that the proceeds from such a tax be used by the municipality pursuant to the specific terms and conditions of an intergovernmental agreement between the municipality and the sales tax district;
WHEREAS, the said Act Number 923 further mandated that the proceeds of the aforementioned tax be utilized for the payment of the costs and expenses of constructing, improving, and maintaining the municipality’s infrastructure which services property located within its jurisdictional boundaries or be used to promote the economic development of both the district and municipality;
WHEREAS, on November 11, 2008, by Ordinance Number 2163, the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge created a special sales tax district and designated it as “Sales Tax District No. 1 of the City of Breaux Bridge, State of Louisiana” (“District”);
WHEREAS, by Ordinance Number 2163, the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge further approved and adopted an intergovernmental agreement between it and the District with respect to the use and expenditure of the proceeds of the taxes generated by the District;
WHEREAS, on November 11, 2008, by Ordinance Number 2164, the District and/or the City of Breaux Bridge levied and imposed a sales and use tax of one (1%) per cent upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property, and on sales of services within the District, commencing on January 1, 2009;
WHEREAS, the aforementioned intergovernmental agreement, as well as Ordinance Number 2164, created with the fiscal agent bank of the City of Breaux Bridge a special fund designated as the “Sales Tax District No. 1 Infrastructure Fund”, into which fund there would be deposited and held as sacred funds all proceeds collected by the Parish Sales Tax Collector from the levy of the tax after deducting therefrom the reasonable expenses of the Collector incurred in connection with the collection and enforcement of the collection of the tax, all as more fully set forth in Ordinance Number 2164;
WHEREAS, the aforementioned intergovernmental agreement further provided that all proceeds received by the City of Breaux Bridge from the collection of the said tax shall be used for the payment of the costs and expenses of constructing, improving, and maintaining the City’s infrastructure which serves property located therein or shall be used to promote the economic development of the District or the City, it being provided, however, that a minimum of thirty-five (35%) per cent of the annual proceeds of the tax shall be dedicated and set aside for the purpose of providing matching funds to be received by the City from state and/or federal grants for the construction and improvement of the infrastructure of the City;
WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33:2711(D) was amended and re-enacted by Act Number 568 of the 2012 Louisiana Legislature as La.R.S. 47:338.1(D) to require that all tax proceeds generated by the District be expended as follows: twenty (20%) per cent of the proceeds be used annually for the repair and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure provided that an Annual Plan for Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure be approved by ordinance and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Aldermen, and eighty (80%) per cent of the proceeds collected be expended on new construction of infrastructure or substantial improvements of existing infrastructure. However, any such expenditure must be pursuant to a Master Plan for the Construction of Municipal Infrastructure listing the specific projects to be funded through the said tax proceeds, and furthermore, that any such plan be adopted by ordinance passed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the City’s governing authority;
WHEREAS, the intergovernmental agreement confected between the City of Breaux Bridge and the District was revised and amended by virtue of Ordinance Number 2200 adopted on March 11, 2014, to reflect the mandates set forth in La. R.S. 47:338.1(D) as amended by Act Number 568 of the 2012 Louisiana Legislature;
WHEREAS, the Mayor and city engineer for the City of Breaux Bridge have prepared an Annual Plan for Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure for the fiscal year 2022-2023, a replica of which is appended to this ordinance;
WHEREAS, in accordance with the dictates of La.R.S. 47:338.1(D)(2)(b)(i), an ordinance must be adopted by the City of Breaux Bridge approving the attached Annual Plan for Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure for the fiscal year 2022-2023:
BE IT, THEREFORE, ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, that the Annual Plan for Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure for the fiscal year 2022-2023 be and is hereby approved, adopted and satisfied, as applicable.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the total amount of the proceeds from the Sales Tax District No. 1 Infrastructure Fund to be used for the projects embraced by the Annual Plan for Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 shall not exceed the total of the sum of twenty (20%) per cent of the sales tax proceeds on deposit in the said fund after expenditures associated with the Annual Plan adopted for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Mayor for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, be and is hereby authorized, directed, and empowered to execute any and all documents which may be necessary to effectuate the above and foregoing edicts.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable, and if any provision, word, phrase, or clause of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof:
WHEREAS, this Ordinance shall become effective upon signature of the Mayor of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, the lapse of ten (10) days after receipt by the Mayor of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs first.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, duly convened in regular session on the ______ day of _____________, 2022 that the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable, and if any provision, word, phrase, or clause of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
UPON MOTION of_____________________________, seconded by __________________________, and upon verification and assurance that the foregoing ordinance was:
- Introduced on ______________________________, at the regular meeting of the
Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana;
- Disseminated to the Mayor and all aldermen;
- Published, by title, in the official journal of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, together with notice of the time and place of its consideration for formal adoption; and
- Presented at a public hearing held on the ____ day of ____________________, 2022, the Board of Aldermen, on the ____ day of __________________, 2022, adopted Ordinance Number 2281 by virtue of the following votes:
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSENTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
KRISTI LEBLANC, CITY CLERK RICKY CALAIS, MAYOR
Date: Date:
City of Breaux Bridge
2022-2023 Annual Plan
for the Repair and Maintenance of Municipality Infrastructure
The following items have been identified as projects that need to be performed as part of the repair and maintenance of the city’s utility infrastructure.
- Maintenance of and repairs to Parc Hardy baseball and softball fields, to include upgrades to lighting fixtures, painting of any wood surfaces in need, any needed fence repairs, drainage work, upgrades to batting cages, and parking lot improvements.
This plan is prepared in accordance with La. R.S. 47:338.1(D) as it relates to the funds available for the repair and maintenance of the City’s Infrastructure from the proceeds of the sales tax revenues from the Special Taxing District.
Upon motion of Eddy LeBlanc duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen reappointed Kenneth Mouton to the Civil Service Board.
Upon motion of Ryan Breaux duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adjourned the meeting.
_________________________________________ ______________________________________
Kristi LeBlanc, CMC Ricky Calais
City Clerk Mayor
