MARCH 14, 2000

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on March 14, 2000, with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B.Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, Michael F. Moorman, and Robert F. Pecht, III;  Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, Douglas R. Pond; Supt. Of Public Works, Derick Thomas; Assist. Supt., C. J. Dean; Faye Creel of Municipal Code Corporation; Harold Parrish, Citizen of Sixth Ave;  Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Absent:  Debbie R. Edmonds and William E. James

 

The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Hardy after which roll was called.

 

                                                CORRECTION IN MINUTES

Mrs. Talbert reported an error in the minutes of the previous meeting.  The date of the pre-allocation meeting for the TEA21 grant application should be April 5th .  Mr. Pecht made a motion to accept and approve the corrected minutes and file.  This received a second by Mr. Hardy and voting aye:  Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

A correction was also noted on the agenda, the date for the request by the Lions Club for the Shrimp Festival should be May 3rd not May 23.

 

                                                CODE CODIFICATION

Mayor Clarke stated that the Code of Lawrenceville had not been updated since 1983.  With the additional ordinances adopted since that time, it was time to consider having the code recodified.  Mayor Clarke introduced Faye Creel of the Municipal Code Corporation who gave an overview of the code codification process.  Ms. Creel stated that once the codification has been done, a database is set up and the town would be given a CD and we would be able to update as needed.  The town could also put the code on the Internet at a charge of $300 per year.  Ms. Creel also stated that the cost of the codification could be budgeted to pay over 3 years and she would get the cost figures to Mrs. Talbert.  After a question and answer period, Mayor Clarke thanked Ms. Creel for her presentation.

 

The Housing Code Enforcement Report was handed out to members. 

 

                                                VIEWERS REPORT

The report from the viewers appointed to view the unopened alley between Red & White parking lot and the courthouse parking lot was handed out to Council members.  Mr. Pond stated that it was the unanimous opinion of the appointed viewers that the closing of the alley would not create hardships for the general public and their recommendation was the closing of the alley would be appropriate.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to accept the recommendation of the viewers to close the unopened alley between the east end of the courthouse parking lot and Red & White parking lot.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                BUDGET REQUEST

Mr. Pecht asked that all committees meet and get request to the town office as soon as possible as the budget would have to be presented at the April meeting.  Mr. Pecht also asked that any capital items be itemized.  He also stated that a new model for the financial statement would be presented at the next meeting.

 

                                                FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST

In Mr. James absence, Mr. Pond reported that the fire department would like to install an antenna on the water tank tower on a trial basis at no expense to the Town.  After a discussion, Mr. Pond was asked to check on the insurance liability and to check with B & B Consultants as to what effects the antenna might have with the water plant radio electronics.

 

Mr. Hardy reported that the new police officer was on duty and working with Officer Gibson and Assist. Chief Newcomb.

 

Mr. Hardy stated that the water line project was almost complete, it just needed more testing.  However, there has not been much progress on the water plant due to the weather.  Completion of the water plant had been set for June but has been moved back.

 

Mr. Brockwell stated that town employees had received their flagging certification on March 1, 2000.

 

                                                AIRPORT USE REQUEST

Mr. Pecht stated that a request to use the airport had been received from Brunswick Academy for the Beef and Dairy Festival for May 17 and from the Lions Club for the Shrimp Festival on May 3.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to approve the use of the airport for these two festivals with the same conditions as in the past.  This was seconded by Mr. Pecht and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

Council was presented the list of accounts in the amount of $49,059.80.  A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the amount of $49,059.80 and charge to the proper funds.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                DOG ORDINANCES

Council was given copies of dog ordinances Sec. 3-16(a) Dogs General, Sec. 3-16(b), Sec. 3-16(c) Definitions and Sec. 3-20.  Mr. Moorman questioned the difference in these and what the Town already has.  Mr. Outten explained that 3-16(a) expanded on our old ordinance; 3-16(b) increased the punishments and fines; 3-16(c) definitions were added and 3-20 was what we already had but have not been enforced.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to advertise for a Public Hearing at the next Council meeting to receive public comment on Sec. 3-16(a) Dogs General, Sec 3-16(b), Sec 3-16(c) Definitions and Sec 3-20.  This was seconded by Mr. Pecht. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, and Pecht. Mr. Moorman abstained.   Mr. Outten explained that citizens could come to the Public Hearing and state feelings on the dog ordinances.

 

                                                RELAY FOR LIFE

Mrs. Talbert stated that on May 20 and 21, 2000, the Relay for Life would be held in South Hill for the American Cancer Society.  Mrs. Talbert asked is any members of Council would be interested in forming a team to participate in the Relay.  Any one interested in being on a team or making contributions was asked to let Mrs. Talbert know by Thursday, March 16.

 

                                                EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Clarke stated that there was a need for Executive Session.  Mr. Brockwell made a motion to go to Executive Session for legal, personnel and possible property acquisition.  This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                REGULAR SESSION

After a discussion on the matters before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to return to Regular Session.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                CERTIFICATION

A motion was made by Mr. Moorman to certify that no matters were discussed other than that stated and that no action was taken.  This was seconded by Mr. Pecht.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                          LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DEBBIE EDMONDS                

Mayor Clarke stated that he had received a letter of resignation from Debbie Edmonds, effective February 29, 2000.  A motion was made by Mrs. Bland and seconded by Mr. Hardy to accept the letter of resignation with regrets from Mrs. Edmonds.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mayor Clarke stated that it would be necessary for Council to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

 

                                           ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

______________________MAYOR

 

 

 

_______________________ATEST