JANUARY 11, 2000

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on January 11, 2000, with the following present:

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, Douglas R. Pond; Supt. Of Public Works, Derick Thomas; Asst. Supt., C. J. Dean; Harold Parrish of 116 Sixth Ave; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; and the press.

Absent: Council member, Debbie R. Edmonds

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as received, suspend the reading and file. This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

HOUSING CODE REPORT

Council was given copies of the housing code enforcement report. A discussion was held concerning the extension of time given by the Courts. Mr. James asked if it would help if members of Council went to Court and explained what Council is trying to do. Mr. Outten stated that this might be helpful.

CITIZEN CONCERN- DOGS

Harold Parrish, a resident of 116 Sixth Ave, asked to speak to Council concerning dogs running loose in Town. After a discussion, Mr. Parrish asked what had to be done to pass a leash law and how long it would take. Mr. Parrish stated that he would return at the February meeting. Mr. James stated that there had been an increase in the number of dogs running loose in the past couple years. Mayor Clarke asked Mr. Pond to be in contact with surrounding towns and report back at the February meeting. Mayor Clarke told Mr. Parrish that the matter would be on the agenda for the February meeting.

Mr. Pond thanked town employees for their efforts and for standing by over New Years.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Mr. Pecht gave a brief overview of the financial statement. A copy of the Dream 2000 finances was given out and Mr. Pecht explained this to Council. $59,000 had been borrowed from the General Fund to finish the Hicks St. project and to return the TEA21 fund to $150,000. Mr. Pond was asked to check with Langley McDonald to see if the Town has to have a matching amount for the TEA21 money or will the amount already spent count on this. Mr. Pecht stated that the $59,000 needed to be paid back to the private prison fund at this time.

The fire, personnel and police reports were in the packets.

POLICE OFFICER RESIGNS

Mayor Clarke reported that a letter of resignation had been received from Officer Mitch Copeland effective January 31, 2000. Mayor Clarke stated that the resignation was accepted with regrets and that Mr. Copeland was wished well in his new job.

TEA21 GRANT

Mayor Clarke stated that at the last meeting, Council had approved applying for a TEA21 grant for lighting on Courthouse Square. This grant was to be used jointly with the County. The County has approved up to $16,000 to be used for this project. The Town needs to approve fully paying for the application package. Mr. Brockwell made a motion to amend the previous motion to pay $1,500 to state the Town will fully fund the grant application cost of approximately $3,000. This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

PROJECT ENDORSEMENT RESOLUTION

Mayor Clarke stated that a Project Endorsement Resolution needed to be adopted and signed to be included in the TEA21 grant application. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize the Mayor to sign resolution. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

Mr. Brockwell passed out a form concerning improvement projects the town could consider. Members are asked to list any improvement projects and return to Mr. Brockwell monthly. The Downtown Committee would keep an ongoing list of projects for consideration when funds are available.

Mr. Hardy reported that the water expansion projects are moving along. The pipeline is approximately 95% complete and the water plant is over 50% complete.

The Safety report was in the packets. Mr. Brockwell asked Mr. Pond to see that all employees are given safety training and that this training be documented.

Mrs. Talbert stated that she needed to know the Council members that wished to take the flu shot in the fall. The shot will be given to employees and Council members free and spouses can receive it for $10.00.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $44,061.12 and charge to the proper accounts. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

Mayor Clarke stated that a new committee was being formed to help promote Lawrenceville. This committee would have a total of 8 members and he would have more information at the February meeting.

As there was no further business, a motion was made by Mr. James to adjourn.

__________________MAYOR

__________________ATTEST