The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on August 8, 2006, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:
Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Wilbur Hardy, J. Grady Martin, John J. Miller, Jr., Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Town Code Enforcer, Scott Kelly; Town Clerk, Alice Talbert; citizens and the press.
Absent: Council members: Joyce D. Bland and H. B. Brockwell, Jr.
Roll was called.
A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, suspend the reading and file. This was carried by all ayes.
Mayor Clarke stated that he had something special to do tonight that was both a pleasure and sadness. Tonight was the last meeting for Dean Packer and Mr. Miller. Mayor Clarke read a Resolution of Appreciation for Dean Packer for his three years of service and presented it to Dean Packer. Mayor Clarke then read a Resolution of Appreciation for John J. Miller for his six years of service and presented it to Mr. Miller. Mayor Clarke thanked both for their years of service.
Mr. Outten thanked Dean Packer and John Miller for their years of service and stated that they will be greatly missed.
Mr. Dean reported that the town had been awarded a grant for
the additional funds needed for the
Mr. Dean reported that the streets have been paved and the contractors are in the final stages of clean up.
The Downtown Revitalization Grant has been submitted and Mr. Dean stated that he would advise when the next meeting is set up.
Mr. Dean stated that a letter from the Department of Health had been received concerning his request for an extension of the Construction Permit. This extension will allow the town to install a potassium permanganate feed system at the water treatment plant. The permit was extended until July 17, 2007.
A copy of a resolution received from the Southside Virginia Genealogical Society asking the town to proclaim the month of September as Genealogy Month in Lawrenceville. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mr. Hardy to authorize Mayor Clarke to sign the resolution of support proclaiming September as Genealogy Month in Lawrenceville. This was carried by all ayes.
Mr. Dean reported that a letter had been received from the Lake Country Area Agency on Aging requesting financial support the LCAAA for the coming year. After a discussion, Mr. Martin asked that the finance committee look into this for next year. It was pointed out that the agency is supported by the county.
Mr. Dean reported that he would be advertising for RFP’s on updating the comprehensive plan.
Mr. Dean also reported that fire hydrant flushing would be started in late August or early September and notices would be sent out.
Mr. Dean stated that the fire department is planning an activity for fire prevention week in October. Trading cards with trucks from the Lawrenceville Fire Department will be featured on the cards. They are seeking sponsors at a cost of $100. The fire department has asked if the town would sponsor the 1952 Chevrolet truck. The cards will include the sponsors logo and information on the back. People will collect the cards from the different locations and on October 8th the fire department will have an open house and people who have collected all the cards will be registered for a drawing that will be held on October 8th at the open house. A motion was made by Mr. Miller to support this project by sponsoring the 1952 Chevrolet truck at a cost of $100. This was seconded by Mr. Packer and carried by all ayes.
Mr. Kelly stated that the last couple months had been quiet with tall grass and abandoned vehicles being taken care of. Mr. Kelly also stated that he has been checking into possible solutions to abandoned houses and would report back in September.
Mayor Clarke stated that many people were to be thanked for the success of the Dixie Youth League games. Before the games problems developed at the ball park and the town employees stepped in and took care of the problems. Randy Lynch worked weekends and afternoons to get this done. Mayor Clarke thanked Mr. Lynch and his crew.
Mayor Clarke also thanked Mrs. Talbert and the town crew and fire department for the movie shown on July 30.
Mr. Pecht stated that again this year the town may need to borrow a tax anticipation loan and asked that authorization be given. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to authorize Mrs. Talbert to get a loan in the amount of $100,000 when needed. This motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.
Dean Packer reported that the fire department had answered 31 calls in July with 13 in town and 18 outside the town limits with the following breakdown:
Gas leaks 1
L-Z set up 1
Dumpster fire 1
Alarm activation 1
Unfounded call 1
Shorting electrical equip 1
Structure fire 2
Lightning strike 2
Disregard 4
M.V.C 6
E.M.S 11
Mr. Hardy reported that the police report was in the packets.
Mr. Pecht reported that Jim Shiller had been hired to run the airport and he felt we were fortunate to have him.
Mrs. Talbert reported that effective September 1, the tax relief on all delinquent personal property tax would be added back to the unpaid tax.
Council members were reminded of the Chamber picnic to be held on Wednesday, August 9th. Members that had responded were Joyce Bland, John Miller and Dean Packer.
A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills in the amount of $29,258.90 and charge to the proper funds. This was carried by all ayes.
Mr. Miller thanked the Mayor and Council for a great job. He stated that the town was blessed to have Mayor Clarke, Alice, C. J. Wanda, Randy Lynch, and Eddie Hall; Doug Pond and the police department. He stated that he had had a great ride.
Dean Packer stated that he appreciated being on Council with distinguished people and would have great memories of his time.
As there was no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn. This carried by all ayes.
Keith W. Clarke, MAYOR
Alice B. Talbert, Clerk :ATTEST