PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMAN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE HELD AT CITY HALL, 101 BERARD STREET, AT 6: 00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025.
Mayor Ricky Calais called the meeting to order, the invocation and the pledge of Allegiance were recited.
Monthly budget-to-actual comparisons on the General Funds, Sales Tax Funds, Park and Recreation Funds, and Utility Funds were distributed to the councilmen and Mayor.
PRESENT: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon and Eddy Leblanc.
ABSENT: None
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen added the following item to the agenda:
Item #12. Authorize Mayor to award the contract for Gary Drive, Lena, Drive, Goldie Drive Water Line Extension Project to the lower bidder.
Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Albert Menard and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the following minutes of the City Council:
- The minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on June 10, 2025
- The minutes of a special meeting held by the City Council on June 24, 2025
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved a Resolution in support of the Teche-Vermillion Commission area projects.
CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE TECHE-VERMILLION COMMISSION
AREA PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the Teche-Vermillion Commission has scheduled upcoming projects that help maintain the two bodies of water involved; and
WHEREAS, the removal of debris and low hanging limbs along the Bayou Teche will provide for improved safe navigation; and
WHEREAS, the replacement of the outdated structure along Ruth Canal will include needed upgrades to enhance the ability to manage water between the Vermillion River and Bayou Teche; and
WHEREAS, both projects are important to this region; and
WHEREAS, on this 8th day of July 2025, the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, did meet in open and regular session in order to consider this Resolution; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, along with Mayor Ricky J. Calais, do hereby extend their full support to the efforts of the Teche-Vermillion Commission in its pursuit of these valuable projects.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
By motion of Alderman Alber Menard, duly seconded by Alderman Ryan Breaux, the above Resolution was adopted by the following vote on this 8th day of July 2025:
YEAS: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
AND THIS RESOLUTION was declared adopted as of the 8th day of July 2025.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Ricky J. Calais, Mayor
CERTIFICATE
I, Kristi LeBlanc, City Clerk of the City of Breaux Bridge, do hereby certify that the above is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Breaux Bridge on July 8, 2025, at which time a quorum was present and voting.
_____________________________
KRISTI LEBLANC, CLERK
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted a Resolution establishing utility rates.
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING UTILITY RATES
WHEREAS, the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, manages and operates a Municipal water and sewerage system for the majority of the residents within the City;
WHEREAS, the costs associated with maintaining said system have been increasing, along with the escalating costs of adhering to all federal and state standards;
WHEREAS, we must fund and pursue substantial repairs and upgrades to our water plant, water towers, as well as to sections of our sewerage system throughout the City;
WHEREAS, our current water and sewer rate structure is insufficient to support the costs associated with completing all the necessary repairs, upgrades and improvements;
WHEREAS, La.R.S. 33:4161, et seq, grants unto the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, the authority to operate and maintain utility services within its municipal limits;
WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33:4163 expressly grants unto the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, the authority to establish rates, rules, and regulations, with regard to the sale and distribution of utility services;
WHEREAS, the establishment of rates, rules, and regulations, with regard to the sale and distribution of municipal utility services has been deemed a legislative function:
BE IT, THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, that the sewerage rates for the sale and distribution of the said utilities for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, are hereby increased to
Proposed Water Rate Structure (Residential and Commerical)
Water Consumption Sewer Rate
(thousand gallons) (per thousand gallons)
Flat Rate $19.91
Costs per 1,000 gallons of usage 6.43
Proposed Water Rate Structure for Out-of-Town (Residential and Commerical)
Water Consumption Sewer Rate
(thousand gallons) (per thousand gallons)
Flat Rate $25.48
Costs per 1,000 gallons of usage 9.65
Proposed Sewer Rate Structure (Residential and Commercial)
Water Consumption Sewer Rate
Flat Rate $20.30
Costs per 1,000 gallons of water usage 6.04
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subject rates shall be charged effective August 1, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor, as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, be and is hereby authorized, directed, and empowered to adopt any and all steps necessary and deemed fit and appropriate in his discretion in order to implement and effectuate the foregoing resolution(s).
THIS RESOLUTION, having been submitted to a vote, the result was as follows:
YEAS: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
NAYS: None
ABSENTIONS: None
ABSENTS: None
THIS RESOLUTION was declared adopted on the 9th day of July, 2025.
ATTEST:
________________________
KRISTI LEBLANC,
City Clerk
_________________________
RICKY J. CALAIS
Mayor
Upon motion of Neil Melancon, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen opened a public hearing for Ordinance #2314 (An ordinance to amend Division 3 of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances, by the repeal, amendment, revision, enactment, and/or re-enactment of Sections 2-51.4.1, 2-51.5 (h), 2-51.5.1 and 2-51.6 (d) regarding ADA guidelines for participation in public meetings by the public or members of the Board of Alderman, broadcasting and recording of public meetings of the Board of Aldermen and matters related thereto.)
Alderman Neil Melancon explained that it is his position that the City should have live-broadcasted council meetings. He explained that with how far technology has come, it would not be overly difficult or expensive to offer this service for the citizens and that this would allow citizens to be able to access the public forum more easily. He stated that by law, public bodies must live-stream their public meetings when their population reaches at least 10,000 and that the City of Breaux Bridge is growing and will likely meet that threshold in the foreseeable future.
Attorney Bart Hebert suggested that if the Council would not be in support of live-streaming, the Council should at least adopt the guidelines contained within this Ordinance pertaining to allowing the public to record meetings and also the ADA guidelines that are outlined within the Ordinance.
Alderman Ryan Breaux inquired about the cost of implementing this Ordinance.
Alderman Melancon referenced that there is $20,000 allocated in the City budget for this line item.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, and there having no further input from Council or the public, the public hearing for Ordinance #2314 was closed.
Upon motion of Neil Melancon and duly seconded by Scotty Borel, the adoption of Ordinance #2314 was put to a roll call vote with the votes being as follows:
District A: Nay
District B: Yea
District C: Nay
District D: Yea
District E: Nay
The motion and second to adopt Ordinance #2314, therefore, failed due to lack of a majority vote in favor.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved an amendment to the budget for line item 101-771, Police Capital Outlay Grants, in the amount of $8,500 for the purchase of handheld radios.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen authorized Mayor Calais to award the Water Main Extension Project-Gary Drive, Lena Drive, and Goldie Drive to the lowest bidder.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adjourned the meeting
_____________________________ ________________________________
Kristi LeBlanc, CMC Ricky J. Calais
City Clerk Mayor