Broussard – Le conseil du village de Broussard a décidé à la réunion du 24 avril de faire la publicité pour obtenir des acres pour des parcs et de créer un comité chargé de négocier des biens pour les parcs.

The City Council voted, at the April 24 meeting, to abandon two resolutions which would allow Mayor Charles Langlinais to go forward with negotiations on two pieces of property for recreation parks. The council then voted to advertise for additional properties and to establish a committee to further negotiate.

After the resolutions were presented, Councilman David Bonin said that he was under the impression that a committee would be formed to negotiate. City attorney Don Landry made clear that the resolution allowed the mayor to negotiate but the council would have to approve any land purchase.

Langlinais explained that he had done extensive research and assured the council that the two pieces of property were the best available for their needs. He further explained that it would be hard to find such a diversity of terrain to fit their purposes. He said he is “…interested in building a park that enhances future revenue.”

The two tracts of land include a 123-acre tract located off of St. Nazaire near Walmart and belonging to the Billeaud & St. Julien, Inc. and a 40-acre tract on South Bernard owned by Comeaux Planning Co.

Councilman-at-large Johnnie Foco agreed with Bonin that there should be a committee. The council voted unanimously to advertise for available properties from 50 to 200 acres for purchase or donation. Property owners would have 30 days to come forward, and the matter would again be taken up at the council’s second meeting in May.

With the council’s approval, city architect David Bernard presented a possible configuration for the 123 acres on St. Nazaire Road. If accepted, the tract could offer eight football fields and tournament-worthy setups for tennis and baseball, as well as a walking trail and wooded areas.

Another suggestions by the mayor was to include an amphitheater.

City engineer Walter Comeaux followed up on his presentation from the April 10 meeting on the possibility of improving drainage on Cypress Bayou lateral 2. He confirmed that the fall from Hwy 90 to Hulin Road is sufficient to create a slope. Drainage at Hwy 90 is sufficient but most of the rest would possibly need to be lowered, depending on several factors, including capacity. Comeaux said he will study capacity in the interim and report back to the council on his findings and costs at the next meeting.

City accountant Gene Chiariuli reported that sales tax revenue for March was $937,000 and will surpass a million dollars for the month of April. He reported the city will be well within budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

In other news, the council also passed two introductory ordinances to annex property known as La. 92/Michael Laborde annexation and the So Morgan/Patsy Morvant annexation.