MAY 9, 2000

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 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; Assist. Supt., C. J. Dean; Bob Carter and Chris Stephenson of the Department of Historic Resources; Nathaniel Neblett, Architect; Dorothy Thomas, Brunswick Tourism; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press:

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

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

PUBLIC HEARING-PROPOSED BUDGET

Mayor Clarke stated that this time had been advertised for a public hearing on the proposed budget for FY00/01. Mayor Clarke declared the public hearing open and asked if any citizens wished to comment on the proposed budget. No one asked to speak and a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to close the public hearing. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

Mr. Pecht made a motion to tentatively adopt the budget as presented. This was seconded by Mr. Moorman. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht. Formal adoption at the June meeting.

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES

Mayor Clarke turned the meeting over to Bob Carter from the Department of Historic Resources. Mr. Carter stated that the Town and Department of Historic Resources had formed a partnership about two years ago to nominate Lawrenceville’s Historic District for listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Carter gave an overview of all that had taken place since then. Mr. Carter thanked Douglas Pond, Nathaniel Neblett and Bill Lafoon for all their many contributions to this project. Mr. Carter stated that it was his pleasure to report that Lawrenceville Historic District had been designated as an official Virginia historic landmark district and also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Carter presented the Mayor with a special citation signed by Governor Jim Gilmore.

CITIZEN CONCERNS

Mayor Clarke asked if any citizens wished to address Council. Marty Neblett stated that she and her husband had recently purchased a house on Fifth Ave. She did not feel safe walking because of dogs and due to the killing of a friend’s cat by pit bulls on Sunday. Brenda Adcock of First Ave stated that she had problems with dogs running at large both in her yard and on the streets and she felt owners should be responsible and should not allow dogs to run loose. Pat Fletcher of Fourth Ave. stated that she was concerned for children playing out side especially after dogs killed her neighbor’s cat. Rosa Lafoon of Fourth Ave stated that the dogs that killed her cat could have attacked a child. Harold Parrish of Sixth Ave asked Council to consider a leash law. Jessi Hagen of S. Main Street stated that she was not as afraid of stray dogs as she was of neighbor’s pets. Mary Isbell of S. Main Street stated that dogs running loose are a nuisance, and she did not want to have to clean up after other peoples’ pets.

Mr. James asked what had been done about the dogs responsible for killing the cat. Mr. Pond stated that the dogs had been located and identified and he would be meeting with the dog warden on Wednesday. Mr. James stated that he felt the citizens had a legitimate complaint.

RESOLUTION FOR FEMA

Mr. Pond stated that Council needed to adopt a resolution for FEMA concerning the snow removal and that Council had a copy of the resolution. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Moorman to adopt the resolution as presented. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Pecht reported that the finance committee would be meeting after Mr. Outten and Russell Slayton have met concerning the Town, IDA and County agreement and memo of understanding on the water plant expansion.

STUDY OF LEASH LAWS

Mr. James made a motion for the police committee to study leash laws from surrounding communities and report back to Council. Mr. Moorman seconded this motion and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

The fire and police reports were in the packets.

STATUS REPORT-DREAM 2000

Mr. Moorman stated that Council had been given copies of the status report from LandMark Design on the current phase of Dream 2000. He also noted that the project was to be completed by October 30.

WATER EXPANSION

Mr. Hardy asked Mr. Pond to give a report on the status of the water expansion. Mr. Pond reported that the final inspection on the water line was due to be done a week from Friday. At the water plant, it will be necessary to take one of the filters out of service, which will reduce water production by 30-40%. After a discussion, Mr. Pond was asked to remind the contractor that the work was to be done on a weekend and they were to work 10-hour days. Mr. Pond was to also get the exact date this work is to be done and get back with the Mayor. Mayor Clarke will declare mandatory water conservation for the period this work is done.

The safety report is in the packets.

HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT

Mr. Pecht stated that it would be necessary for the housing code enforcement committee to meet with Dennis LeBlanc before the June meeting.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

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

RENTAL OF OLD FIREHOUSE

A request had been received asking to change the rental agreement on the old firehouse from Walker Drug to Brunswick Respiratory & Medical Supply. After a discussion, Council agreed to change the agreement to Bruns. Respiratory and asked the property committee to check into rental terms, rent amount and etc. Mr. Pond was asked to notify Brunswick Respiratory and to inform them that the rent would be increased at a later date.

Mr. Pond reported that he had received a request from Sheriff Woodley to move the county’s antenna from the school bus garage to the Mayfield water tank. Mr. Pond was asked to study this request and meet with Mr. Outten and report back at the next Council meeting.

CLOSED SESSION

A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Hardy to go into closed session for personnel, legal matter and possible property acquisition. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Pecht to return to regular session. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

CERTIFICATION

A motion was made by Mr. Moorman to certify that no matters were discussed other than that stated in the motion and no action was taken. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Moorman and Pecht.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned

________________________MAYOR

________________________ATTEST