September 9, 2008

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on September 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present: Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Vanessa Y. Jones, Scott E. Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Douglas R. Pond; Cindy Pecht and Jordan Clarke Pecht; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

Absent:  Council member, Harry S. Holman

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

MAYOR WELCOMED DOMINION LEADERSHIP GROUP

Mayor Clarke welcomed Marc Finney and members of the Dominion Leadership Group from Saint Paul’s College.  Mr. Finney stated that his group of students was partnered with Virginia Dominion Power in community outreach.  Mr. Finney thanked Council for the opportunity for the students to see how Council operates.

 

UPDATE ON CHARRETTE

Mr. Dean gave an update on the Downtown Charrette held on September 4th and 5th.  Posters drawn by students from Virginia Tech and VCU were shown and Mr. Dean stated that a report from VCU with maps would be coming out in October.  Citizens met on Thursday, Sept. 4th and talked about ideas and things they would like in downtown.  Students from VCU and VA Tech came on Friday and did the drawings and the ideas and plans were presented to citizens on Friday night.  Mrs. Jones asked about the grant and what it would pay and Mr. Dean explained that this is just a Planning Grant and the Town would apply for another grant in March of 2009 for the construction.

 

Mr. Dean handed out copies of  Eleven Principles of Creating Great Community Places” for Council to review.

 

HIGH STREET PROJECT

Mr. Dean reported that an extension on the High Street Project had been applied for to help with new construction but it did not look like this would be granted.  There may be funds available to help with demolition through the grant.

 

HLRA UPDATE

Mr. Dean stated that the Historic Lawrenceville Revitalization Association, Inc. had been formed to help with downtown revitalization.  The group had 501 ( c ) 3 status and the group has not been active. In order for HLRA to remain a 501 ( c ) 3 it will need to be reactivated and new officers elected.  Mr. Dean gave out a copy of the by-laws of the Association and a copy of the Articles of Incorporation.  After a discussion, Mr. Dean  was asked to set up a reorganizational meeting with the Town Development Committee and the group.

 

RAILS-TO-TRAILS REPORT

Mr. Dean reported that plans for Rails-to-Trails have been sent in and bids would probably be sent out in November with construction early next year.  The easement from the James E. Matthew, Jr. estate had been received with the Town as the holder and the estate added as an additional insured on our insurance policy.  All easements from the water treatment plant to the river are in place.

 

USE OF OLD FIREHOUSE

Mr. Dean reported that all permits have been filed with the wireless and he will be meeting on September 10th with Kenbridge Construction and Mid Atlantic Broadband on possible use of the old firehouse.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that the financial statement is in the packet.  He reported that hopefully the audit would be ahead of schedule from last year.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS IN PACKETS

The fire, personnel and police reports were in the packets.

 

SHRED-IT

Chief Pond reported that the Shred-it would be in town on Saturday, September 13th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm behind the Municipal Building.  This is provided by a grant and there will not be a charge for the service to the public.  If successful, Chief Pond hopes to be able to provide the service again in December.  

 

Mrs. Sanderson stated that the Charrette had a good turn out and the Eleven Principles Mr. Dean had handed out was very helpful, especially item 10, Have a Vision.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF SEPTIC WASTE

Mr. Brockwell reported that the Water/Wastewater Committee had met and addressed several issues with customers.  One request had been received to take septic waste at the wastewater plant.  This is something the Town has not been doing at present however the committee would like to start.  They received information from other places that accept septic waste and would like to have a 6-month trial period.  The charge would be $65.00 per 1,000 gallons and we would not take more than 2 loads per day.  This would be on a first come first serve basis.  The VA Dept. of Health is encouraging systems to accept this waste.  After the 6-month trial period, the Committee would come back to Council for approval to continue this service.

 

SAFETY TRAINING REQUEST

Mr. Brockwell asked Mr. Dean to have the departments provide Council with a 12-month list on safety training.

 

APPROVAL OF AIRPORT BILLS

Mr. Pecht stated that Council had a summary of bills for the airport for FY07/08.  The county pays 2/3 of the cost and the town 1/3 .  The Town share is $15,636.57 for operating cost and $10,398.09 in capital expense.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to pay the bills and reimburse the county in the amount of $26.034.66.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM MAYOR CLARKE

A letter of resignation effective September 30, 2008 from Mayor Clarke was read by Mrs. Talbert.  Mayor Clarke’s letter stated that although he would continue to live in Lawrenceville his current employment is in the Richmond area and he did not feel he was able to serve the town as it deserved to be served by its Mayor.

 

After the letter was read, Mayor Clarke stated that normally he would ask for a motion to accept the letter of resignation.  As no one made a motion,  Mr. Brockwell asked what happens if a motion is not received.  Mayor Clarke asked to say a few words.

 

Mayor Clarke stated that it had been a privilege and an honor to be associated with the town.  He had served with good dedicated people up to and including the current Council and staff, first as a Town Council member and then as Mayor over the past thirty plus years. Remembering Ed Dawson, John Bailey Rawlings, Wayne Lucy, John Miller, Earl Stanley, Wayne Talbert, Dean Packer, Norborne Doyle, Sydney Strickland, Chief Poarch and Mrs. Brewer and he could go on and on.   He stated that he goes all the way back to the old building where Council shared a room with the police. Mayor Clarke stated that one thread was shared with all and that was a commitment to the town.  He said sometimes the past meets the present as he remembers Chief Pond back then was a rookie officer.  Mr. Outten, who he likes to think of as the 8th Council member, was here then and is still here.  Mayor Clarke stated that he also is still here but his time will be over at the end of September.  Three important factors in his life have been his family, his profession and business and his commitment to giving back to the community.  This was not a easy or hasty decision but a necessary one.  Lawrenceville will continue to be his home as he and his family will still be living at 502 Church Street.  Mayor Clarke stated that he would like to leave Council with a bit of advice.  1) Don’t give up; it took the Town 3 years before the Dream 2000 was funded. 2) Never make decisions quickly; take time to think it over. 3) Don’t forget the little things; your friend and neighbor who has to drive over potholes each day or the neighbor who looks out at a vacant lot full of high weed, these are important issues to them.  4) If anyone gives you something to sign, especially if it is really thick, get Mr. Outten to look at it first.

 

Mayor Clarke thanked Council, staff and all citizens of Lawrenceville for allowing him to serve the Town and for what has been given back to him over all these years.  Then Mayor Clarke thanked his family, who was with him tonight, for their patience and understanding in allowing him to serve over the years.

 

Mr. Brockwell, with the utmost and deepest regret, made a motion to accept Mayor Clarke’s letter of resignation effective September 30, 2008.  After a silence, Mr. Pecht with deep regret seconded the motion.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills in the amount of $98,331.78 and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.

 

REQUEST FOR HALLOWEEN PARADE

Mrs. Talbert reported that a Halloween Parade would be held on October 31st and asked for $100 to help with the cost and also asked that members of Council bring a bag of candy to the October meeting to help fill the bags given out to children that night.

 

CHRISTMAS PARADE REQUEST

Mrs. Talbert also stated that the Christmas Parade will be held on December 5th and asked for up to $500 to help with the bands.

 

REQUEST TO CHANGE COUNCIL MEETING IN NOVEMBER

One other item was a request to change the November meeting as it falls on Veterans Day to the following week.

 

APPROVAL  TO SUPPORT HALLOWEEN PARADE

After a discussion on the above, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to support the Halloween Parade in an amount not to exceed $100.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

APPROVAL TO SUPPORT CHRISTMAS PARADE

A motion was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to support the Christmas Parade in an amount not to exceed $500. Voting ayes: Bland, Brockwell, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

APPROVAL TO CHANGE COUNCIL MEETING DATE

A motion was made by Mrs. Jones to change the November 11th meeting date to November 18 and advertise the change.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

PARADES TO BE HELD IN TOWN

Mr. Dean reported that the Saint Paul’s Homecoming Parade would be held on October 18th, and the Rescue Squad will be holding their 40 Anniversary on October 4th.

 

 

FILLING VACANCY OF MAYOR’S POSITION

Mr. Outten stated that Council would have 45 days to fill the Mayor’s position from either the Council or a citizen of the town.  After 45 days the Circuit Court will fill the vacancy.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Jones to adjourn.  This carried by all ayes.

 

 

 

 

______________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

_____________________________CLERK