MAY 09, 2006

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 2006, with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, John J. Miller, Jr., and Dean Woodrow Packer; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Donald Riegel of the VFW; Chief Douglas R. Pond; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

Absent: Council members: Joyce D. Bland, J. Grady Martin and Robert F. Pecht, III.

 

Roll was called.

 

Mr. Brockwell made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as received, suspend the reading and file.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Clarke stated that this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget for FY06/07 and declared the Hearing open.  As no one asked to speak on the Proposed Budget, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to close the Public Hearing.  This received a second by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Clarke declared the Public Hearing on the Sidewalk Ordinance opened and asked if anyone wished to speak.  As no one asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to close the Public Hearing.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Donald Riegel of the VFW asked to address Council.  Mr. Riegel stated that he would like to present Certificates of Appreciation to Mayor Clarke, Mr. Dean and Chief Pond for their help and participation in the Loyalty Day Parade held on April 29, 2006. 

 

Mr. Dean stated that the Town would need to hold a Public Hearing to amend Section 78.65 of the Town Code to increase the water rates.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to advertise for a Public Hearing on June 13, 2006 to increase the water rates.  This was carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that due to the reassessment for real estate, the Council would need to hold a Public Hearing to increase property tax levies.  The rate of $.28 per $100 of assessed value is proposed as the new tax rate.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to advertise for a Public Hearing to be held June 13, 2006 on the proposed tax rate.  This was seconded by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean stated that a copy of a resolution was in the packet that Council would need to adopt to apply for a Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Economic Development Grant.  The funds would be used to help develop the wireless broadband initiative to further economic growth and stimulate prosperity.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller to adopt the Resolution and authorize Mr. Dean to sign and submit the application.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reminded Council that on June 25, 2006, approximately 2000 bike riders would be in Town from 9 am until 1 pm.  Lunch will be served on Main Street and plans are under way to have a church service in the Historic Courthouse.  Permission has been given by the owners of Red and White to use their parking lot for the bikes.  Main Street will be closed for this event.

 

Mr. Dean stated that he would be meeting with Saint Paul’s College on May 17th to try to get the College to sign the contract awarding the sewer line replacement project.

 

The Goodrich/Davenport Project is moving along and will be ready for asphalt soon.

 

A list of business license customers that had not purchased a new license was given to Council.  The four listed had been notified by a second notice letter and by phone that their license had expired February 28th.  Mr. Dean asked what action Council would like taken.  After a discussion, a letter is to be sent to notify the 4 businesses that they can no longer do business in town.

 

Mr. Dean stated that a notice was in the packets concerning a Wireless Broadband 101 workshop to be held in South Hill on June 1 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Mr. Dean stated he felt this would be a very informative meeting and hoped members would attend.  Any Council wishing to attend can contact the Town Office and Mr. Dean would send in the registration.

 

Mr. Dean had received a contract agreement between the Town and the Brunswick Prison Workforce permitting the ladies workforce to come into Town to work.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mr. Dean to sign the contract with the Prison Workforce.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean stated that the General Assembly has mandated the development of water supply plans throughout Virginia.  The Town of Lawrenceville is required to complete a plan by November 2010.  Last year the Southside Planning District Commission managed Phase 1.  Mr. Dean presented a resolution for Phase 2 authorizing Southside Planning to develop a regional water supply plan and secure DEQ grant funds to offset the cost of the plan development.  This would be at no cost to the Town.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller to adopt the resolution as presented.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that he had attended two meetings concerning the Blackstone Area Bus Service expanding its service to Alberta, SVCC and Lawrenceville.  The first year there would be no cost to the Town as SVCC would take care of the first year with matching funds.  All of the plans are contingent on the State passing the budget.

 

Mr. Dean presented Council with a list of downtown properties and a copy of a letter to be sent to property owners along with a questionnaire.  Mr. Dean and the Downtown Committee are working to be able to respond to anyone interested in opening a business in Lawrenceville with accurate, up-to-date information.

 

Mr. Dean attended a meeting with DHCD today at 11 a.m. concerning the Town’s request for VCDBG Planning Grant assistance.  In order to receive the $3,000 grant funds, the Town must complete a list of activities and meetings by June 23, 2006.  Mr. Dean stated that meeting dates would be sent out shortly.  Mayor Clarke asked if the meetings could be set for early evening so more business people would be able to attend.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Miller to tentatively adopt the proposed budget for FY06/07.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye were the following: Brockwell, Hardy, Miller and Packer.  Mayor Clarke stated that formal adoption would take place in June.

 

Dean Packer reported the fire department answered 28 calls in April with 9 in town and 19 out of town. Dean Packer gave the following breakdown of calls:

            Disregard                                        4

            Motor Vehicle Accident           4

            EMS                                        4

            Car fire                         2

            Landing Zone set up                  1

            Brush Fire                              4

            Equipment Fire             1

            Stove Fire                              1

            Dumpster Fire                          2

            Elevator Entrapment                 1

            Structure Fire                           1

            Lightning Strike                        3

 

Mr. Dean stated that the fire department had requested permission to prepay the new fire truck.  If they pay by next week they will save $6,000.  Mr. Dean stated that funds have been borrowed and the money is in the bank.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Dean Packer to approve the prepayment on the new fire truck.  This carried by all ayes.  Mr. Dean stated that the truck should arrive late August.

 

Mr. Hardy stated the police report was in the packets.  Mr. Hardy reported that steps had been taken to increase visibility in the area of Park, Third, Fifth and Walnut Streets and Hanna Feed and Seed and Pecht Distributors.  Mr. Brockwell stated that he had seen the graffiti and was concerned that it might be gang related.  Chief Pond’s report stated that the graffiti has been removed and two juveniles had been arrested for breaking and entering and hopes to arrest a third in regard to the graffiti soon.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to adopt the proposed sidewalk ordinance.  This motion was carried by all ayes.

 

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council of the Relay for Life to be held on June 16th.  Mrs. Talbert thanked Mayor Clarke, Mr. Outten and Mr. Pecht for being sponsors for the Relay.  Mrs. Talbert thanked Chief Pond for his “protection” during the team meetings.

 

Mr. Hardy made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $34,386.39 and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

A letter from Roanoke River Basin Association was in the packets for information only.

 

A motion to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended for the purpose of discussing contractual matters was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller.  This carried by the following aye vote: Brockwell, Hardy, Miller and Packer.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn the closed meeting and convene again in open session.  This carried by all ayes.

 

The following resolution was adopted by the Lawrenceville Town Council following a closed meeting held on May 9, 2006 on a motion by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by the following vote:

                                                            AYE                            NAY                ABSENT                  

Joyce D. Bland                                                                                          X

H. B. Brockwell, Jr.                             X

Wilbur Hardy                                         X      

J. Grady Martin                                                                                                     X

John J. Miller, Jr.                                  X

Woodrow Packer                                  X

Robert F. Pecht, III                                                                                                  X

 

BE IT RESOLVED to the best of my knowledge (i) only public business matters exempted from open meeting requirement, under Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and (ii)only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting.

 

There being no further business to come before Council a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Hardy to adjourn.  This carried by all ayes.