June 9, 2009

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on June 9, 2009, by Mayor Douglas R. Pond at 7:30 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present: Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Dora D. Hardy, Harry S. Holman, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr., Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Everette L. Gibson; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Absent: Council members: Joyce D. Bland and Scott E. Martin.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – RELOCATION POLLING PLACE

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the relocation of Polling Place for Precinct 501, The Lawrenceville Precinct of Election District 5, Mayor Pond declared the Public Hearing open.

 

As no one asked to speak on the proposed change of polling place, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to close the Public Hearing.  Mayor Pond read the ordinance to be sent to the U. S. Justice Department.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Holman to adopt the ordinance.  This carried by the following roll call vote:  Aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson. Nay: none; Absent: Bland and Martin.

 

HORSES

Mr. Brockwell stated that to help get into the sprit of our new logo, he had brought model horses to Council and asked members to pick a name for their horse and next month we may have a demonstration of match racing between Council members’ horses.

 

LETTER OF SUPPORT

Mayor Pond stated that he had a visit from Philip Bell General Manager of GO 21 asking for support to increase rail freight across the USA.  Mayor Pond stated that he would write a letter of support for the Freight Railroad Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act and send to Representative Thomas Perriello.

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT OVERLAY ORDINANCE

Mr. Outten stated that Council had before them a copy of Historic District Overlay Ordinance.  Mr. Outten asked that Council review the ordinance.  This would be allowing mixed use in downtown.  Council will need to outline the district and what type of residential use will be permitted.  After a discussion, it was decided that the Town Development Committee needed to meet with Mr. Outten before the July meeting.  Mayor Pond stated that he has maps he will get out to the Committee.  Nat Neblett also has a copy of the ordinance and Mayor Pond will get his comments to the Committee.  Mr. Outten asked that Council study the ordinance now.

 

BID AWARD FOR UTILITY LINE REPLACEMENT

Mr. Dean stated that request for bids had been advertised for the utility line replacement and two bids had been received.  Biggs Construction was low bidder at $43,777.  Mr. Dean asked that Council accept the low bid from Biggs.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to accept the low bid from Biggs Construction, this was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

HIGH STREET PROJECT EXTENDED

Mr. Dean reported that the High Street Project had been extended to December 31. 2009.  With Rev. Thornhill’s private rehab help we have gone over the in-kind amount needed for the project.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Holman to accept the extension and authorize Mr. Dean to sign the acceptance letter.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

ADOPTION FO DOCUMENTS FOR DOWNTOWN PROJECT

Copies of pre-contract documents were presented for adoption with the Downtown Revitalization Project.  Mr. Outten had reviewed the documents and stated that the Town has adopted these in the past on other projects.  A motion was made by Mr. Holman to adopt and authorize signing the following: 1) Public Body’s Local Business and Employment Plan, 2) Non-Discrimination Policy, 3) Grievance Procedure, 4) Anti-Displacement Plan and 5) Fair Housing Certification. This motion was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

FIRE DEPT VEHICLES INSURANCE

Mr. Dean had received information from VML on the cost to cover the Fire Department vehicles that are now covered by another insurance company.  The cost from VML is approximately $4,000 cheaper.  After a discussion, Mr. Dean was advised to go ahead with the decision on the change before July 1 on changing the coverage to VML. 

 

FORMAL ADOPTION OF FY 09/10 BUDGET

Mr. Pecht stated that the Budget for FY09/10 had been tentatively adopted at the May meeting and he made a motion to formally adopt the FY09/10 Budget.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

Mr. Pecht reported that we are running close to budget for this year.  He reminded Council that the financial statement is on a cash basis and the audit at end of the year is on accrual.

 

Mr. Holman stated that the fire report for May was in the packets.  The fire department had been awarded a $9,504 grant for training purposes.

 

Mrs. Sanderson stated that the police report was in the packets.

 

Mayor Pond stated that he had received an email from Mark Novey stating that the broadband had been pushed back approximately 30 days. They hope to start service in Lawrenceville in July.

 

The Town Development Committee was asked to look at incentives the Town can offer and see what can be provided and to include County incentives as well.

 

Mrs. Sanderson had received a letter from Andrew Edmunds of Virginia Film Office; a copy was in the packets.

 

2008 WATER TREATMENT PLANT PERFOMANCE AWARD

Mr. Brockwell stated that the Virginia Department of Health had presented the water treatment plant with the 2008 Virginia Department of Health Water Treatment Plant Performance Award; a copy of the award was in the packets.  The award is a reflection of the Town’s effort to assure safe, reliable supply of drinking water to residents.

 

Safety reports were in the packets.

 

GRASS NOTICES SENT

Mr. Dean reported that high grass notices had been sent out.  He reminded Council that the notice only had to be sent one time after which the Town can cut the grass and bill the owner.

 

The airport report was in the packets.  Mr. Pecht reported that both events held at the airport had been successful, even with rain.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council that Relay for Life would be June 19 – 20 from 7pm until 7am.  The Survivor reception will start at 5pm and invited all survivors to attend.  Mrs. Talbert thanked Mr. Outten and Mr. Pecht for their sponsorship for the past 9 years.  Mrs. Talbert thanked Mr. Dean and Mrs. Johnson for all their support and help and presented them with a Relay t-shirt.

 

Mayor Pond stated that Tom Perriello would be visiting June 13th and would be at the Senior Citizen Center on Sharpe Street at 10:30 a.m.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $101,460.68 and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Pond stated that this was the time to make appointments for Town Attorney, Town Manager, Town Clerk/Treasurer and Town Sergeant.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY

Mr. Pecht made a motion to appoint W. C. Outten, Jr. as Town Attorney for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell; voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.  Mr. Outten stated that he had served for 46 years as Town Attorney.

 

TOWN MANAGER

A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Pecht to appoint C. J. Dean as Town Manager for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.  Voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

TOWN CLERK/TREASURER

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to appoint Alice B. Talbert as Town Clerk/Treasurer for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011.  Voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

TOWN SERGEANT

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to appoint Everette L. Gibson as Town Sergeant for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011.  Voting aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk