PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE HELD AT CITY HALL, 101 BERARD STREET, AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024.
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 Fund and Utility Funds were distributed to the councilmen and Mayor.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the following addition to the June Meeting Agenda:
# 14: Authorize Mayor Calais to pursue a project to refurbish or replace the pavilion at Parc Hardy with the consultation of Councilmen.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the following addition to the June Meeting Agenda:
#15: Authorize Mayor Calais and City Attorney Bart Hebert to amend the lease contract with Hebert’s Tree Service regarding the use of City property on Brick Street.
Upon motion of Neil Melancon, duly seconded by Albert Menard and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the minutes of the May 14, 2024 City Council Meeting.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen opened a Public Hearing for Ordinance #2301 (Be it Ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, that the Municipal Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 be Amended According to the Terms and Figures Contained in the Attached Exhibit Identified as “Exhibit A”).
Mayor Calais requested the following items be added to the amended budget.
- $5,400 to be added to Parks and Recreation to include a small pavilion at the baseball fields in Parc Hardy.
- $34,000 in the Sewer Department for repairs
- $200,000 transfer from Sales Tax to General Fund
Upon motion of Alber Menard, duly seconded by Scotty Borel and unanimously carried, there having been no further input from the Council or the public, the Board of Aldermen closed the Public Hearing for Ordinance #2301.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted Ordinance #2301 (Be it Ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, that the Municipal Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 be Amended According to the Terms and Figures Contained in the Attached Exhibit Identified as “Exhibit A”), including the above-mentioned additions.
ORDINANCE 2301
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA, THAT THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 BE AMENDED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS AND FIGURES CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED AS “EXHIBIT A”.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana duly convened in session on June 11, 2024 that:
The Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 be amended according to the terms and figures contained in the attached exhibit identified as “Exhibit A”.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, duly convened in session on the 11th day of June, 2024, that this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon signature of the Mayor.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, seconded by Eddy LeBlanc, and upon verification and assurances that the foregoing ordinance was:
- Introduced on May 14, 2024 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 on the 11th of June, 2024.
The Board of Aldermen, on June 11, 2024 adopted Ordinance number 2301 by virtue of the following votes:
Yeas: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
Nays: None
Absent: None
Attest: None
___________________________________________
Kristi Leblanc, City Clerk
___________________________________________ _____________________
Ricky Calais, Mayor Date
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen opened a Public Hearing for Ordinance #2302 (Be it Ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana that the Municipal Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025 be Adopted According to the Terms and Figures Contained in the Attached Exhibit Identified as “Exhibit A”).
Alderman Melancon requested the following items to be added to the budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025.
- $15,000 for livestreaming council meetings
- $100,000 for “Crawfish Capital Expressway” signs to be placed on I-10
Alderman Menard requested the following items to be changed in the budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025.
- Police miscellaneous line item to be changed to $90,000
- A salary increase of 6% for the Mayor
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, there having been no further input from the Council or the public, the Board of Aldermen closed the Public Hearing for Ordinance #2302.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted Ordinance #2302 ((Be it Ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana that the Municipal Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025 be Adopted According to the Terms and Figures Contained in the Attached Exhibit Identified as “Exhibit A”).
ORDINANCE 2302
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA THAT THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 BE ADOPTED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS AND FIGURES CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED AS “EXHIBIT A”.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, duly convened in session on June 11, 2024, that:
The Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 be adopted according to the terms and figures contained in the attached exhibit identified as “Exhibit A”.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, duly convened in session on the 11th day of June, 2024 that this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon signature of the Mayor.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, seconded by Neil Melancon and upon verification and assurances that the foregoing ordinance was:
1. Introduced on May 14, 2024 at the regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
2. Disseminated to the Mayor and all Aldermen;
3. 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,
4. Presented at a public hearing on the 11th day of June, 2024.
The Board of Aldermen, on June 11, 2024 adopted Ordinance Number 2302 by virtue of the following votes:
Yeas: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
Nays: None
Absent: None
Attest: None
__________________________
Kristi LeBlanc, City Clerk
____________________________ ______________________________
Ricky Calais, Mayor Date
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc, 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 $15.45
Costs per 1,000 gallons of usage 5.50
Proposed Water Rate Structure for Out-of-Town (Residential and Commerical)
Water Consumption Sewer Rate
(thousand gallons) (per thousand gallons)
Flat Rate $19.45
Costs per 1,000 gallons of usage 8.00
Proposed Sewer Rate Structure (Residential and Commercial)
Water Consumption Sewer Rate
Flat Rate $15.75
Costs per 1,000 gallons of water usage 5.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subject rates shall be charged effective July 1, 2024.
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 11th day of June, 2024.
ATTEST:
________________________
KRISTI LEBLANC,
City Clerk
_________________________
RICKY J. CALAIS
Mayor
Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Albert Menard and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted the millage rates for 2024.
CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2024 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the City of Breaux Bridge:
MILLAGE
General Alimony 3.880 mills 5140001
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. Martin, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2024, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full; the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: None
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on June 11, 2024, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, this 12th day of June, 2024.
__________________________ ________________________
Kristi LeBlanc, City Clerk Ricky Calais, Mayor
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the request of Chief LeBlanc to hire the following patrol officers.
- Craig Sewell
- Devon Courville
Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Albert Menard and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen introduced Ordinance #2304 (An ordinance to amend Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances, the Zoning Ordinance, by the repeal, amendment, revision, enactment, and/or re-enactment Sections 23-5.10, and 23-5.10.a regarding zoning regulations applicable to C-1, concerning neighborhood mixed districts, and matters related thereto.)
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen opened a Public Hearing for Ordinance #2303 (An Ordinance approving and adopting an annual plan for repair and maintenance of municipality infrastructure for the fiscal year 2024-2025 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 explained that, as in previous years, this money will be dedicated to necessary repairs and maintenance in Parc Hardy.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, there having been no further input from the Council or the public, the Board of Aldermen closed the Public Hearing for Ordinance #2303.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted Ordinance #2303 (An Ordinance approving and adopting an annual plan for repair and maintenance of municipality infrastructure for the fiscal year 2024-2025 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.).
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2303
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN ANNUAL PLAN FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MUNICIPALITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 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 11th day of June, 2024, 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 2024-2025, 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 2024-2025:
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 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 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 2024-2025.
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 11th day of June, 2024 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 Albert Menard, seconded by Eddy LeBlanc, and upon verification and assurance that the foregoing ordinance was:
- Introduced on May 14, 2024 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 11th day of June, 2024, the Board of Aldermen, on the 11th day of June, 2024, adopted Ordinance Number 2303 by virtue of the following votes:
YEAS: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, Albert Menard, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSENTENTIONS: None
ATTEST: APPROVED:
KRISTI LEBLANC, CITY CLERK RICKY CALAIS, MAYOR
Date: Date:
City of Breaux Bridge
2024-2025 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 and improvements to Parc Hardy parking lot, drainage work, powder coating of buildings roofs where needed, repairs to electrical lines to baseball field scoreboards.
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 Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Albert Menard and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen authorized Mayor Calais, in collaboration with the council, the pursue a project to refurbish or replace the pavilions at Parc Hardy.
Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen authorized Mayor Calais and City Attorney Bart Hebert to amend the lease agreement with Hebert’s Tree Service regarding use of City property on Brick Street.
Upon motion of Albert Menard, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adjourned the meeting.
___________________________________ _______________________________
Kristi LeBlanc, CMC Ricky J. Calais
City Clerk Mayor