TOWN OF ADDIS MINUTES
January 4, 2023 – REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council for the Town of Addis was called to order by Mayor David Toups at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at the Addis Municipal Center. On behalf of the Town of Addis, Mayor Toups offered condolences to the Dunn and Gill families affected by the tragic event that took place on December 31st. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community. A moment of silence was observed. The pledge to the flag was led by David Jones.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Toups; Councilors Bliss Bernard, Ray Lejeune Sr., Rusty Parrish, Rhonda Kelley and Kevin LeBlanc
Absent: None
MINUTES
The minutes of the December 7, 2022 regular meeting were approved on a motion by Councilor Kelley; seconded by Councilor Lejeune and adopted unanimously. The minutes of the December 27, 2022 special meeting were approved on a motion by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor Kelley and adopted unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
ACT OF DONATION – SUGAR MILL 2ND FILING PUMP STATION: A motion authorizing Mayor David H. Toups to accept the donation of the SUGAR MILL PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, SECOND FILING, TRACT PS, “PUMP STATION SITE” and to execute all documents necessary to evidence the same was made by Councilor LeBlanc; seconded by Councilor Bernard and adopted unanimously. Resolution and Act of Donation attached to and made a part of these minutes.
MONTHLY REPORTS
ENGINEER REPORT: Phil Smith reported that the First Street Drainage project is progressing well. Weather permitting, it should be completed within 5-7 days excluding clean-up.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
A motion approving the Council to discuss/take action on the planning & zoning business submitted by Big Fat LLC., was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor LeBlanc and adopted unanimously.
A. Application for Rezoning of Property – David Patterson (Big Fat LLC): Mr. Patterson with LandSource, Inc., representing Big Fat, LLC (property owners), presented the request to rezone the property located at the corner of W. Frontage Road and Sugar Plantation Parkway, from C2 to C1. Mayor Toups opened a public hearing. Hearing no comments, the public hearing was closed and turned over to the Council for discussion. A motion to approve the rezoning request was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor LeBlanc and adopted unanimously.
B. Application for Subdivision of Property – David Patterson (Big Fat LLC): Mr. Patterson with LandSource, Inc., representing Big Fat, LLC (property owners), presented the subdivision of property request to subdivide Tract B into Tract B-1 & Tract B-2 as presented. Mayor Toups opened a public hearing. Hearing no comments, the public hearing was closed and turned over to the Council for discussion. A motion to approve the subdivision of property request was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor Parrish and adopted unanimously.
PARISH COUNCIL REPORT: Parish Councilman, Chris Kershaw reported that a special election will be held to fill Mike Zito’s position as West Baton Rouge Marshall. He also reported that Caleb Kleinpeter, the newly elected Senator will be replaced by a special election on March 18, 2023.
POLICE REPORT: The December 2022 police report, given by Chief Anderson, consisted of 120 traffic citations issued, 137 calls for service, 4 misdemeanor arrests, 2 felony arrest and 11 vehicles crashes.
PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER REPORT – No report.
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ON INTRODUCED ORDINANCES
None
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE 2023-1 (MONTHLY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING DATE CHANGE) - A motion to introduce Ordinance 2023-1, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ADDIS PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33:405(2). THIS ORDINANCE REVISES AND AMENDS ADDIS CODE OF ORDINANCES, ARTICLE II, SECTION 2-21 “REGULAR MEETINGS” TO PROVIDE THAT THE REGULAR MEETING AS REQUIRED BY STATUTE SHALL BE THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH COMMENCING AT THE ADDIS TOWN HALL AT 6:00 PM. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE COMMENCING WITH THE MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2023 AND CONTINUING EACH MONTH ON THE SECOND TUESDAY THEREAFTER.”, was made by Councilor Kelley; seconded by Councilor Bernard and adopted unanimously.
ORDINANCE 2023-2 (MONTHLY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING DATE CHANGE) - A motion to introduce Ordinance 2023-2, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF ADDIS. THE REGULAR MEETING SHALL BE THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH COMMENCING AT THE ADDIS TOWN HALL AT 6:00 PM. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE COMMENCING WITH THE MEETING OF APRIL 4, 2023 AND CONTINUING EACH MONTH ON THE FIRST TUESDAY THEREAFTER.”, was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor Parrish and adopted unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE:
A. Pay Bills Found in Order: A motion to pay bills found in order was made by Councilor LeBlanc; seconded by Councilor Kelley and adopted unanimously.
B. Monthly Budget to Actual Reports: The monthly budget to actual reports were reviewed with no comments.
POLICE: No report.
PERSONNEL: Phil Smith advised that we will re-advertise for the vacancy in the Sewer Department.
SEWER: Clarifier at the sewer plant scheduled to be installed in the spring.
DRAINAGE: No report.
BUILDINGS: No report.
STREETS AND ROADS: No report.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Potential Litigation, Police Personnel and Town Personnel was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor Kelley and adopted unanimously. A motion to return to Regular Session was made by Councilor Kelley; seconded by Councilor Lejeune and adopted unanimously. As a result of Executive Session (Police Personnel), Chief Anderson made a recommendation to the Council to suspend Officer David Cauthron without pay pending conclusion of the investigation. A motion to approve Chief Anderson’s recommendation was made by Councilor LeBlanc; seconded by Councilor Lejeune and adopted unanimously. As a result of Executive Session (Potential Litigation), Town Attorney Dana Larpenteur made a recommendation to the Council to authorize Mayor Toups to enter into contract with co-counsel to support him in connection with the handling of the potential litigation. A motion to approve Dana Larpenteur’s request was made by Councilor Lejeune; seconded by Councilor Parrish and adopted unanimously.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A motion to authorize Mayor Toups to sign the contract and enter into an agreement with McGinnis Consultants, LLC for HR Consulting services was made by Councilor LeBlanc; seconded by Councilor Bernard and adopted unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Councilor LeBlanc; seconded by Councilor Lejeune and adopted unanimously.
/s/ Jade V. Simpson
JADE V. SIMPSON, TOWN CLERK
/s/ David H. Toups_
DAVID H. TOUPS, MAYOR