February 8, 2000

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on February 8, 2000, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Debbie R. Edmonds, 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; Assist. Supt., C. J. Dean; Harold Parrish, resident of Sixth Ave; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer

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

PUBLIC HEARING

As this time had been advertised for a public hearing to receive public comment on the possible closing of an unnamed alley, Mayor Clarke declared the hearing open. Mayor Clarke stated that the alley is located at the east end of the courthouse parking lot that leads north from East Hicks St. to the Red & White parking lot. The only adjourning property owners are Red & White and the County. As no one asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. James to close the public hearing. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Edmonds, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

Mayor Clarke will appoint three citizens to serve as viewers and they will report back at the next meeting.

HOUSING CODE REPORT

Council was given copies of the Housing Code Status Report. Mr. LeBlanc, Housing Code Enforcer, included in his report an alternative method for enforcing Virginia-Building Maintenance Code. This report was turned over to Mr. Outten for review and the Housing Code Committee was asked to meet before the March meeting and report back.

CITIZEN CONCERN

Mr. Harold Parrish, resident of Sixth Ave, asked about the dog leash law and what was being done. Mayor Clarke stated that the matter would be discussed later in the meeting. Mr. James reported that there seems to be less stray dogs running around and Mr. Pond reported that between 20 and 40 dogs have been picked up by the dog warden since October.

ETVA

Mr. Outten stated that he had met with ETVA concerning the water and sewer problems. B & B Consultants are to make an onsite visit in the next few days in regard to the need for a screen to keep plastic particles from entering our sewer system and will report back to Council. Mr. Outten reported that a letter had been received from DEQ concerning a violation with plastic in our system. Mr. Outten and Mr. Pond responded to the letter and a report from B & B Consultants was sent to DEQ pointing out that this was not a failure of our system but materials put into the system.

SNOW REMOVAL

Mr. Pond stated that Felton Bros. and Fred Maslen had worked down town to clear snow from the streets to allow for parking. Town crews did a good job of keeping the streets passable with our two snowplows. Mr. Pond also stated that the Town Office was only closed for four hours during the storm.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that it was time to start work on the budget and asked that all departments get information to the finance committee as soon as possible. He asked that the personnel committee meet and get all recommendations ready. Mr. Pecht also stated that we were running dead even with last year even with one debt service payment, which we did not have last year.

Mr. James reported that he was given the fire report just before the meeting and would have in included in the packets for next month.

Mr. Hardy reported that interviews would be held on February 9 for the position of police officer.

DOWNTOWN REPORT

The TEA21 application has been made and Mr. Moorman reported that a copy was in the Town Office if anyone wished to look at it. The pre-allocation hearing is April 5^th.

The DREAM Lawrenceville 2000 Enhancement-South Hicks Street is going into the design phase and plans are for construction to start in June.

ARTBANK GRANT APPLICATION

Mrs. Talbert reported that a request had been received from the ArtBank to again apply for the Virginia Art Grant. This is a matching fund, which the Town has been awarded the last several years. A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to apply for the grant in the amount of $500. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Edmonds, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Moorman to pay the list of accounts as presented in the amount of $52,783.13 and charge to the proper funds. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Edmonds, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

DOG ORDINANCES

Under unfinished business, Mayor Clarke stated that our current dog ordinances need to be reviewed. The Town has a vicious dog, a barking dogs and habitually chasing vehicles etc., and an ordinance concerning confinement of dogs. Mr. Outten stated that he had talked with the County Dog Warden and he is interested in helping the Town with the problem of strays and had given Mr. Outten a copy of a sister town’s vicious dog ordinance which goes into more detail of what is considered vicious and is easier to enforce. Mr. Moorman made a motion to form a committee to meet with the Dog Warden and study different towns’ ordinances. This was seconded by Mr. James and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Edmonds, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

CITIZENS COMMITTEE

Mayor Clarke reported that the new Citizens Committee to Promote Lawrenceville as a Residential Community had met and will be meeting monthly. Their first project is to help develop a Town web site. This committee will also serve as a sounding board for citizens on housing code issues.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adjourn. This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and carried.

_________________________MAYOR

__________________________ATTEST