November 8, 2005
Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the Lawrenceville Town Council meeting to order on November 8, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, J. Grady Martin, John J. Miller, Jr., Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Code Enforcer, Scott Kelly; Dorothy Thomas and Bobby Conner, Jr. of Brunswick County Lake Gaston Tourism; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.
Roll was called.
A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Dean Packer to approve the minutes as received, suspend the reading and file. This passed by all ayes.
GRADY MARTIN WELCOMED
Mayor Clarke welcomed our new Council member, J. Grady Martin and his wealth of experience to our group.
SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION
The Scenic River Designation was again discussed. Mr. Dean stated that he had not received an answer from DEQ concerning our water withdrawals and what impact the Designation would have on the Town’s water supply. Mr. Martin stated that he had attended the public meeting on November 7th and been told by Mr. Robert Munson of the Department of Conservation and Recreation that DCR would give information to DEQ concerning the flow and any draw downs affecting the river. Mr. Miller asked where the public access would be located and if the land would be taken from the owners to use for the public access. Mr. Conner stated that this would not happen. The landowner would have to consent to have a public access site located on their property. It was further stated that at the November 7th meeting the general public was opposed to the Designation.
CITIZEN CONCERNS
Mayor Clarke asked if any citizen wished to speak to Council concerning any matter. Mr. Joe Whitby asked to address Council concerning the Scenic River Designation. Mr. Whitby stated that he owned property next to the River and was concerned about the increase in traffic, trash and the impact to wildlife. He stated that people floating the River would not be shopping and bringing money into Town. He said a lot is not known yet on the impact and asked Council not to jump in without more information.
Mr. Pecht stated that he is not against the Designation but could not be in favor of a Letter of Support at this time as there were too many unknowns. Mr. Dean was asked to continue trying to get in touch with DEQ and the matter would be tabled until the December meeting.
ANNUAL VIRGINIA WATER/WASTEWATER RATE REPORT
Copies of the 17th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Report 2005 were given out to Council.
Mr. Dean stated that he would be attending a VML meeting on November 15th concerning the Historical District Overlay.
MID-ATLANTIC BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY GRANT
Information concerning a Mid-Atlantic Broadband Technology Grant was in the packets. Mr. Dean explained that this was a matching fund grant to study local fiber loops in South Hill, Clarksville, Town of Halifax, Blackstone, Chase City and Lawrenceville. The matching share for Lawrenceville would be $5,000. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the expenditure of $5,000 for the grant. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.
DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE TO MEET
Mayor Clarke asked the Downtown Committee to look into 15 minute parking in front of businesses and merchandise being placed on sidewalks. He asked that they look at all options and the zoning for sidewalk use and report back at the December meeting.
STREET CLOSURE CONCERN
Mr. Dean reported that VDOT had questioned the frequency of street closure requests. Mayor Clarke and Mr. Dean are to check into this and report back to Council.
SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
Mr. Dean had received information from Virginia Tourism Corporation asking Lawrenceville to join the regional Southside Virginia Tourism Partnership. This Corporation focuses on promoting tourism along Route 58. The cost of membership is $100. Mr. Pecht made a motion to approve joining the Southside Virginia Tourism Partnership at a cost of $100 and authorized the Mayor to appoint a representative. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.
TOWN CODE OFFICIAL
Mr. Scott Kelly, Town Code Official, stated that he was pleased with the support he had received from homeowners. Mr. Brockwell asked that monthly code enforcement reports be provided to Council.
AUDIT UPDATE
Mr. Pecht reported that a draft of the audit had been prepared and he hoped to be receiving the audits shortly and would set up a Finance Committee meeting in December.
FIRE REPORT
Dean Packer reported that the fire department had 26 calls in October 7 in town and 19 outside of town and 3 assisting other departments.
SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 2006
The following slate of Officers for the Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department for 2006 was read by Mrs. Talbert:
Chief Robert Peebles
Deputy Chief Bryant Rifkind
Assistant Chief Tracy Powell
Captain Mike Thomas
Lieutenant Josh Griffin
EMS Lieutenant Danny Clary
President James Wesson
Vice President Brad Morefield
Secretary Kevin Pair
Treasurer Julian Moore
A motion was made by Mr. Packer and seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the slate of Officers for 2006 as presented. This carried by all ayes.
CHRISTMAS BONUSES
Mr. Miller made a motion to approve Christmas bonuses for the Town employees in the amount of $2,350. This was seconded by Mr. Packer and carried by all ayes.
POLICE REPORT
Mr. Hardy stated that the police report was in the packets and commended Chief Pond, Officer Moody and Officer Clary for their in-service training.
GENERATOR PURCHASED
Mr. Brockwell reported that the generator for the Town had been received.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills in the amount of $61,783.11 and charge to the proper funds. This carried by all ayes,
CAR TAX RELIEF
Mr. Outten stated that due to changes made by the General Assembly concerning the car tax relief, an ordinance would need to be adopted. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mr. Outten to draft an ordinance to present at the December meeting. The motion carried by all ayes.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before Council a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to adjourn. This carried by all ayes.
Keith W. Clarke
_______________________________MAYOR
Alice B. Talbert
_______________________________ATTEST