May 2022

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, MAY 10, 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 Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the following addition to the May Meeting Agenda:

Item #18: Authorizing  Mayor Ricky Calais to purchase two (2)                               police units.

Upon motion of Eddy Leblanc, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux, and unanimously carried the minutes of the April 12, 2022, City Council meeting were approved.

Upon Motion of Scotty Borel, duly seconded by Neil Melancon, and unanimously carried that the Resolution in Support of the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District Capital Outlay Request for Funds to Construct and Equip a New Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory project was adopted.

RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ACADIANA CRIMINALISTICS LABORATORY DISTRICT CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST FOR FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT AND EQUIP A NEW ACADIANA CRIMINALISTICS LABORATORY; COMMITTING TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $117,609.00 SHOULD SAID CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST BE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS BE REQUIRED; PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF; AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO. 

            WHEREAS, the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana operating the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory for the purpose of crime detection, prevention, investigation, and other related criminal investigative services; and

            WHEREAS, the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District boundaries include the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion; and

            WHEREAS, the current Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory facility is in need of repairs, expansion and upgrading to meet the increased demand for its services by the law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial community; and

            WHEREAS, the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District has submitted a Capital Outlay Request to the State of Louisiana for funding to plan, construct and equip a much-needed new Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory, including office, evidence storage and laboratory space; and

            WHEREAS, the new Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory will be built on an approximately three (3) acre tract of land owned by the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District located adjacent to or near the current Crime Lab facility; and

            WHEREAS, the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory Project is extremely important to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Acadiana Region; and

            WHEREAS, most Capital Outlay Requests require some level of local matching funds; and

            WHEREAS City Council of Jeanerette wishes to express its full and complete support of the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District Capital Outlay Request and its commitment to provide its pro-rata share of any required matching funds should the Request be funded.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Breaux Bridge hereby expresses its full and complete support of the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District Capital Outlay Request to the State of Louisiana for funding to plan, construct and equip a new Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory to be located on land owned by the District located adjacent to or near the current Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory facility. 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Breaux Bridge also commits to cooperate with the Administrative Branch of the City of Breaux Bridge to use their best efforts to provide funding of up to $117,609.00 should the Capital Outlay Request made by the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory District be funded by the State of Louisiana and local matching funds required.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the City Council of Breaux Bridge and approval by the Mayor.

This Resolution having been submitted to a vote; the vote thereon was as follows:

YEAS:     Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, E.J. Ledet, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc   

NAYS:     None

ABSENT:   None

And the Resolution was declared effective this 10th day of May, 2022.


__________________________________                                        ____________________

                                 Mayor                                                                             Date

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Eddy Leblanc, and unanimously carried, the Board Aldermen introduced Ordinance #2277 (BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUSISANA, THAT THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022 BE AMENDED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS AND FIGURES CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED AS “EXHIBIT A”).

UPON MOTION OF Eddy LeBlanc, duly seconded by Neil Melancon, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen introduced Ordinance #2278 (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, 2023 BE ADOPTED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS AND FIGURES CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED AS “EXHIBIT A”).

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Neil Melancon, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen introduced ORDINANCE #2279 (AN ORDINANCE REAPPORTIONING SINGLE MEMBER VOTING DISTRICTS FOR THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN FOR THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 2020 CENSUS).

Director of Planning & Zoning, Jeremy Broussard explained to the council that the developers of Parc Ridge Subdivision met every deadline they were given.  Parc Ridge developers were on time, everything was set just with the festival we could not quorum.  All the inspections were done, and they met all the required regulations except for the sidewalks, a price was given for the bond.

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen allowed an irrevocable letter of credit or a performance bond to be the instrument to provide 125% of the estimated cost of the uncompleted sidewalks with a time limit of 18 months to complete sidewalks pending the City Attorney’s approval.

Upon motion of Eddy LeBlanc, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux, and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted a Resolution to declare that an extreme public emergency exists and to purchase two (2) trucks for the Public Works Department in accordance with the mandates of LA. R. S. 38:2212 (P) and LA. R. S. 38:2212.1 (K).

CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE

A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THAT AN EXTREME PUBLIC EMERGENCY EXISTS AND TO PURCHASE TWO (2) TRUCKS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANDATES OF LA. R.S. 38:2212(P) AND LA. R.S. 38:2212.1(K)

            WHEREAS,  The City of Breaux Bridge (the “City”) is in desperate need of at least two new trucks for the City’s Public Works Department;  

            WHEREAS, no trucks are available for order by the City through the State contract or fleet sales approach;  

            WHEREAS, the City has been made aware of two trucks arriving at Courtesy Chevrolet within a few weeks that are available to purchase, and that would satisfy the needs of the City’s Public Works Department; 

            WHEREAS, the City has been advised that new truck orders take approximately forty (40) weeks to come in; 

            WHEREAS, the City cannot afford to wait 40 weeks plus the additional time for bid process to replace the trucks needed for the Public Works Department; under such circumstances the Public Works Department will not be able to adequately maintain the drainage, roadways, and other City infrastructure of the City required for continued operation;         

            WHEREAS, the Mayor has declared that, due to the foregoing circumstances, an extreme public emergency exists for the City, and in view of such emergency, the City needs to purchase two new trucks for the Public Works department promptly; 

            WHEREAS, pursuant to La. R.S. 38: 38:2212(P) and La. R.S. 38:2212.1(K), the City is allowed to purchase materials or supplies in the case of an extreme public emergency, without advertising for bids, when the mayor of the municipality has declared that an extreme emergency exists, and shall cause such declaration to be published in the official journal of the City within ten days or as soon as practicable thereafter;

WHEREAS, on this 10th day of May, 2022, the Mayor and 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 hereby acknowledge that Mayor has declared that an extreme public emergency exists, and further that the Board declares that given the circumstances cited above, an extreme public emergency exists; be it further resolved that the Board hereby authorizes the Mayor to purchase two (2) new or pre-owned trucks for the City’s Public Works Department, on such terms as the Mayor determines reasonable, in his sole discretion, in accordance with the mandates of La. R.S. 38: 38:2212(P) and La. R.S. 38:2212.1(K), and further that the Mayor cause the City’s declaration of extreme public emergency be published in the official journal of the City within ten days or as soon as practicable thereafter. 

This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. 

By motion of Alderman Eddy LeBlanc, duly seconded by Alderman Ryan Breaux, the above Resolution was adopted by the following vote on this 10th day of May, 2022:

YEAS: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, E.J. Ledet, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc                   

NAYS: None              

ABSENT: None          

ABSTAIN: None                                                                                

AND THIS RESOLUTION was declared adopted as of the 10th day of May, 2022. 

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 May 10, 2022, at which time a quorum was present and voting. 

____________________________
KRISTI LEBLANC, CLERK                                                                        

Upon motion of Ernest “E.J.” Ledet, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen adopted a Resolution reappointing Teche News as the official journal for City of Breaux Bridge.

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL JOURNAL 

CERTIFICATE

I, Ricky Calais, do hereby certify that I am the Mayor, of the governing authority of the Municipality of City of Breaux Bridge, and as such am the custodian of the records of said Municipality; that according to said records, the THE TECHE NEWS, 214  North Main, St. Martinville, LA  70582, (337)394-6232  Fax (337)394-7511, is the Official Journal of said Municipality having been selected as such on the 9th day of June, 2009, in the manner provided by law, for the period beginning June, 2009 and ending July 2010; and that this Certificate is made for the purpose of identifying the Official Journal of said Municipality to the Honorable Jay Dardenne, Secretary of State, as required by .S. 43:150 and R.S. 43:174.

____________________________________            ________

                    (Signature of Official)                              (Date)

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried the Board of Aldermen adopted a Resolution Committing to a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for ARPA Water Sector Program Grant Award and Committing to Local Match.

RESOLUTION 

RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT FOR ARPA WATER SECTOR PROGRAM GRANT AWARD AND COMMITTING TO LOCAL MATCH

WHEREAS, the City of Breaux Bridge (“City”) submitted Application Number 505 for its wastewater system identified as AI # 30578 to the ARPA Water Sector Program (WSP), and

WHEREAS, the City committed to providing matching funds of $1,202,300.00 to be funded through the NEU funds received as well as funds on hand, and

WHEREAS, the City was awarded a $2,267,100 grant from the WSP, which does now therefore require execution of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the State of Louisiana Division of Administration, and documentation identifying matching funds provided by the system are available to be spent, and

WHEREAS, the City has all funds needed that will be used for the matching funds 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA, THAT:

  1. The Mayor be authorized to act on behalf of the City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, in all matters pertaining to the ARPA Water Sector Program.  The Mayor is further authorized to execute any and all documentation associated with this project including but not limited to the CEA.
  1. The City of Breaux Bridge hereby pledges the above identified DWRFL as matching funds to the ARPA Water Sector Program funding for the construction of the projects identified in the Application.

Said Resolution having been read and considered by a quorum of the City Council, a record vote was taken and the following result was had:

YEA: Ryan Breaux, Scotty Borel, E.J. Ledet, Neil Melancon, Eddy LeBlanc

NAY: None

ABSENT: None

 WHEREUPON, the presiding officer declared the above Resolution duly adopted in full on this 10th day of May 2022. 

ATTEST:

________________________________                    ________________________________

         Kristi LeBlanc, City Clerk                                             Ricky Calais, Mayor

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen approved the recommendation of Chief Cantu to hire patrol officer Jeremy Paul Cortez.

Rule to show cause for the property located at 613 Blanchard Street.

Compliance Officer, Bianca Faulk and Mr. Rodney Richard, Inspector, visited the property located at 613 Blanchard Street numerous times. Mr. Richard recommended condemnation and demolition of structure.   Mr. Richard reiterated that they had gone out to the property and put a stop work order on it because they were starting to re-frame some of the structure improperly.  Also, in inspecting the property the floors were damaged, and the rafters did not support roof properly.

Mr. Richard recommended the structure be condemned and demolished as it was beyond repair.  A set of plans was supplied to Mr. Richard for a new structure which would comply with all codes. Property owners were present at the meeting.  They stated that their plans were to rebuild using existing foundation.  Mr. Richard explained that this would not be possible as the existing foundation is not up to code and needs to be torn down.

Upon motion of Ernest “E.J.” Ledet, duly seconded by Eddy LeBlanc and unanimously carried, the Board of Aldermen ordered that the house be condemned and that it shall be demolished within ninety days (90) by the homeowners or the City will have it demolished after this period at the homeowners’ expense.

Upon motion of Eddy LeBlanc, duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet, the Board of Aldermen authorized the Mayor to purchase two police units.

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Scotty Borel, and unanimously carried, the Board Aldermen adjourned meeting.

________________________                                                ________________________

Kristi LeBlanc, CMC                                                        Ricky J. Calais
City Clerk                                                                           Mayor

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, and duly seconded by Scotty Borel, and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustments meeting was opened.

Upon motion of Neil Melancon, duly seconded by Ryan Breaux and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustors approved the minutes of the April 12, 2022 Board of Adjustors Meeting.

Upon motion of Neil Melancon, duly seconded by Ernest “E. J. Ledet and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustors opened a Public Hearing regarding a granting a variance to Ordinance Sec. 23-5.2 R-2, Single Family Residential District of the Code of Ordinance. The property owner requested permits to operate a business office in a residentially zoned district.

Planning and Zoning Director Jeremy Broussard explained the ordinance in question that would be violated by approval (Sec. 23-5.2 R-2).  The Ordinance does not prevent reasonable use of property in question.  Mr. Melancon suggested an Ordinance be crafted to allow this situation.

The City Attorney Bart Hebert included the variance clause does not apply to this particular situation as it does not prevent for reasonable use of the property. A representative from Parc Ridge/D.R. Horton, Ryan Christiansen said that the office will be built as a home with the intentions of it being sold as a home/residential when neighborhood is complete. He futher explained that the adjacent lot will be a 3-car parking lot with the intention to build a home on that lot as well.

Upon motion of Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Neil Melancon and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustors closed the Public Hearing regarding a variance on Ordinance Sec. 23-5.2 R-2, Single Family Residential District of the Code of Ordinance.

Upon motion Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Ernest “E.J.” Ledet and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustors denied the request for a variance to Ordinance Sec. 23-5.2 R-2, Single Family Residential District of the Code of Ordinance.

Upon motion or Ryan Breaux, duly seconded by Scotty Borel and unanimously carried, the Board of Adjustors meeting was adjourned.