March 10, 2009

 

Mayor Douglas R. Pond called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 pm on March 10, 2009.

 

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Town 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; Assistant Chief, B. N. Newcomb; Assistant Chief of the Fire Dept., Robert Peebles; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; VDOT representatives, Dale Goodman, John Kennedy and Tommy Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, Harry S. Holman

 

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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

 

DALE GOODMAN OF VDOT-REPAIRS TO BRIDGE ON 46

Mayor Pond stated that Mr. Dale Goodman of VDOT was present to discuss the repairs on the Hwy 46 bridge near Cochran.  Mr. Goodman stated that this bridge was built in the 1950’s.  Patching was done last year and the weight limit was lowered in November.  VDOT had looked at several ways to improve the bridge. The bridge will be removed and replace with a new one with bids in October, this will be a 15 month project.  Semi trucks will be detoured to I85 toward South Hill and other traffic use detours on Hwy 646 and Hwy 634.  When asked about other possible repairs other that replacing the bridge, Mr. Goodman stated that any delays may cause the bridge to be closed completely due to the condition of the structure it will not last 2 years and that is the time it would take to get things in place for a temporary bridge to be installed.  After much discussion, Mayor Pond thanked Mr. Goodman for coming and explaining to Council about the bridge.

 

TOWN CITIZENS

Beverly Brewer, a town citizen, asked if the locality has the right to request a public hearing.  Mr. Goodman stated that this would cause a 90-day and any additional delays would result in the bridge being closed.  Ms. Brewer stated that the detour would cut the county in half, Mr. Goodman replied that this is an emergency situation.

 

Connie Drumgold asked to speak to Council.  Mr. Drumgold thanked Mayor Pond for the opportunity to speak.  Mr. Drumgold was born and raised in Lawrenceville, left at 17 and is now returning at 70.  He gave out copies of his business proposal to deliver a service in the development of affordable housing in the community to help expand the tax base and help citizens become property owners rather than renters.  As a Senior Loan Officer employed by Mortgage Advantage Inc. he is able to provide the mortgage money needed.  He stated that his mother also said you should leave this place better than we found it and that is what he is trying to do.  He stated that in the last 3 years he has helped 6 new homeowners with affordable housing.  Mr. Drumgold thanked Council for their time and hopes to join forces in this development plan.

 

SNOW REMOVAL BY TOWN

Mayor Pond stated that the town had snowplows out all night to clear the roads in town after our snow.

 

REPAIRS TO BRIDGE OVER MEHERRIN RIVER

Mr. Dean stated that a copy of a letter was in the packets concerning the possible repairs to the bridge on Hwy 46S over the Meherrin River.

 

VHDA GRANT UPDATE

Mr. Dean reported that VHDA Grant people are looking at 2 properties for mixed use.  Jonathan Brown is looking at possible changes to our ordinance to allow for mixed use if Council decides to allow for mixed use in the business district.

 

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION UPDATE

Mr. Dean stated that the second Public Hearing concerning the Downtown Revitalization Grant application would be held on March 23rd at the Town Office at 5:00 p.m.  The deadline for the application is April 8th.  A call meeting of the Council will be held to approve a Resolution of Support.  Mr. Dean stated that T21 grants would be applied for in November for additional assistance.  An informational packet was handed out showing the breakdown on the CDBG funds applied for and recommendation as to how they would be used.  Mrs. Sanderson made a motion to accept the recommendation and to move forward with the grant.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

BUDGET REQEST

Mr. Dean again reminded Council that any budget request be turned in as a proposed budget would be presented at the April meeting.

 

SPRING FESTIVAL

Mr. Dean reminded members of the Spring Festival to be held on April 18th from 8:30 am – 1pm,  Mayor Pond stated that the Town would have a table at the Festival and invited Council members to come and join him at the booth as this is a joint Festival with the Town and Chamber of Commerce.

 

INFORMATION FOR COUNCIL

Mr. Dean reported that he had applied for stimulus funds for water/wastewater projects and had applied for the Rose Creek project with DEQ.

 

There was a flyer in the packets concerning the Virginia Downtown Development Association meeting on April 3rd.  Information was included if anyone wanted to attend.

 

Mr. Dean reported that Boydton had sent a request for a Resolution of Support for a Boydton Horse Park.  Mayor Pond and Mr. Dean felt a letter of support would be better.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell authorizing Mr. Dean and Mayor Pond to submit a Letter of Support for the Boydton Horse Park.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

EMERGENCY SERVICES REQUEST - DECALS

A request had been received from the Emergency Services Advisory Board asking that the Town make the decals for auxiliary and life members of the fire department and rescue squad free.  At the present time all fire department members and rescue squad members receive free decals.  A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to give auxiliary members and life members of the fire department and rescue squad free decals effective July 1, 2009.  This motion was carried by all ayes.

 

LONGWOOD SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

A flyer was in the packets concerning a program to be presented by Longwood Small Business Development Center on Setting the Stage for Performance in a New Economy.  This is to be held on March 25th from 8am until 10am at SVCC.  Anyone interested in attending are asked to call Mary Lucy of the Brunswick Chamber to register.

 

SPRING CLEAN UP WEEK

Mr. Dean stated that Spring Clean Up Week will be held April 6 –10, 2009.

 

FCC LICENSE REQUEST

Mr. Dean reported that he had received a letter from Emergency Services concerning the FCC re-licenses for the Town going through the Emergency Services.  No cost was given but Mr. Dean said in talking with Bill Parrish the cost should be between $50 and $60.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mr. Dean to sign for FCC 2013.  This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH  B & B CONSULTANTS

Mr. Dean stated that as discussed at a previous meeting he had copies of a contract with B & B Consultants for two water/wastewater projects.  Mr. Outten has reviewed the contracts. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to enter into a contract with B & B Consultants for two water/wastewater projects.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

BID OPENING

Mr. Dean stated that the bid opening for the Tobacco Heritage Trail project would be Monday, March 16th at 3 pm at the Town Office.

 

WAIVER OF CONNECTION FEES- SIMMONS DRIVE

Mr. Dean stated that the County has applied for CDBG funds for Simmons Drive.  Approximately 15 houses will be in this grant.  In the past the Town has waived the water and sewer connection fees as in-kind in helping the County get the grant.   A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to waive the connection fees for the Simmons Drive project.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that  a flyer was given out on a Business & Home Security Seminar sponsored by Brunswick Crime Solvers to be held on March 17th at 6:30 pm at Brunswick Senior High Cafeteria.

 

Mr. Pecht again reminded Council to get any budget request to Mr. Dean.  Mr. Pecht stated that the Town is running a little ahead of last year.

 

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

 

SURPLUS VEHICLES

Mr. Brockwell stated that a list of surplus vehicles was in the packets.  Mr. Brockwell made a motion to put the listed items up for sealed bid.  This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.

BILLBOARD PROOF

Copies of a proof of a billboard were presented for Council approval. Mrs. Sanderson stated that the billboard would be placed at Midway on Hwy 58.  The cost of the meeting is $325.00 per month.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to proceed with the billboard as presented.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

The safety reports were in the packets.

 

APPROVAL OF USE OF AIRPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that a letter from the Lions Club had not been received yet but he would like to get approval for the use of the airport for their annual Seafood Fest to be held on the first Wednesday in May with the same requirements as always for use of the airport.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to approve use of the airport on May 6, 2009 by the Lions Club for their annual Seafood Fest with the same requirements.  This was carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS

Mr. Pecht made a motion to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

ARTBANK GRANT

Mrs. Talbert stated that a request has been received for the ArtBank Grant.  As in the past, the Town has applied and given $500.00 and the grant is a matching fund.  Mr. Brockwell made a motion to apply for the grant in the amount of $500.00.  This was seconded by Mrs. Jones and carried by all ayes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business to come before Council, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.

 

 

Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk