September 11, 2001

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on September 11, 2001, with the following present.

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, John J. Miller, Jr., Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Lawrenceville Planning Commission members: Woodrow Packer, Cheryl Robertson, Cynthia Pecht and William Samford; John D. Clary and Melissa Spence from the IDA; Dr. John Waddell, President of Saint Paul’s College; Alice B. Talbert, Clerk; Citizens and the press.

 

Roll was called.

 

                                                SILENT PRAYER

Instead of opening with a prayer, Mayor Clarke asked that everyone observe a moment of silent prayer in memory of the people killed and in honor of those wounded in the terrorist attack in New York and Washington.

 

                        PUBLIC HEARING-REZONING REQUEST

As this time had been advertised for a Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission to receive public comment on the proposed rezoning of 206 Sharpe Street, Mayor Clarke declared the meeting open.  Mr. Dean reported that parking would not be a problem as there are 45 spaces now with 39 more to be added.  As no one asked to speak on the matter, a motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to close the Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Clarke excused the Planning Commission in order for them to discuss the matter and return with a recommendation for Council.

 

                                    RESOLUTION – DERICK THOMAS

Mayor Clarke stated that as Council knew, Derick Thomas’s letter of resignation had been accepted effective July 1. Mayor Clarke read a Resolution that had been prepared.  A motion was made by Mr. James to adopt the Resolution with a copy spread upon the minutes and a copy to be presented to Mr. Thomas at a later date.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    NEW PRESIDENT – ST PAUL’S COLLEGE

Mayor Clarke introduced Dr. John Waddell, the new president of Saint Paul’s College.  Mayor Clarke welcomed Dr. Waddell to Lawrenceville.  Dr. Waddell thanked the Mayor for his kind words.  He gave a brief update on the new administration and the new programs and improvements being offered to students.

 

                                             PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Mr. Bob Walker of Saint Paul’s College gave a brief presentation on the Performing Arts and Conference Center.  Mr. Walker stated that the Center is available free of charge to local governments to use and to civic and other organizations at a small fee.

 

                        RECOMMENDATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission returned and Mr. Dean reported that the Commission had voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning request from M-1 to Business General.

 

Mr. Pecht moved Council adopt the rezoning as recommended by the Planning Commission.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    CODE ENFOREMENT REPORT

Mayor Clarke asked Mr. LeBlanc, Code Enforcer, to clear up some of the misunderstandings concerning condemned and vacant properties. After a discussion, Mr. LeBlanc gave a special report on 12 properties and recommended taking action on the first nine.  Council requested that all letters going out to owners be under the direction of Mr. Dean as Town Manager.  Mr. LeBlanc was requested to include in his report the address of the owners of properties and to use the format of the special report for all his future reports to Council.

 

Mr. Outten stated that there is a provision in the State Code permitting a Town and County, by agreement, to require all personal property taxes due the Town and the County be paid before a decal can be issued.  Both Mrs. Maitland and Mrs. Talbert are in favor of this and Mr. Outten stated he would proceed with the agreement.

 

                                    DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER CONTRACT

Mr. Dean reported that a 7-year contract with Dominion Virginia Power had been prepared by VML.  This contract would be retroactive to July 2000.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the contract as presented.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

              REPRESENTATIVE ON SOUTHSIDE PLANNING BOARD

Mayor Clarke stated Mr. Dean had informed him that the Town did not have a town representative on the Southside Planning District Board.  Of the three counties, Brunswick, Mecklenburg and Halifax, both Mecklenburg and Halifax have a town representative on the Board.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to request a Town representative on the Board.  This was carried by all ayes.

 

The police and fire reports were in the packets.

 

                                                GARBAGE RATE

Mrs. Bland reported that the Streets committee had met and discussed a garbage rate increase.  It was their recommendation to raise the rate of dumpsters for all businesses to $25.00 per month.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to charge all businesses with dumpsters the rate of $25.00 per month to be effective January 1, 2002.  This was seconded by Mrs. Bland. This was carried by the following aye vote: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.   Mr. Moorman stated that we are losing money and asked about a rate increase for residents.  Mrs. Bland stated that the committee had decided to wait until next year’s budget and look at a $1.00 rate increase.  Mr. Dean reported that he had received several request for out of town garbage pickup and the committee would get with Mr. Outten on this matter.

 

                                      CEMETERY ALLEY CLOSING

Mrs. Bland stated that the committee had also received a request to close an alley in the cemetery.  Emory Samford, Williams Funeral Home, had met with Mr. Dean and felt the closing would not cause a problem.  Two of the three trustees had agreed on the closing but the third was not available and Council agreed to wait until she could be contacted.

 

                                                SIDEWALK UPDATE

Mr. Dean reported that work has started on the sidewalk in front of Star Value and expected to be finished shortly.  Three lights have been ordered and will be installed as soon as they arrive.  The Courthouse drawings will be submitted to VDOT for approval next week.

 

Mr. Dean stated that Council members had been given copies of updated reports on water projects and history of waterline replacements.  The Water/Wastewater committee would be meeting soon.

 

Mr. Brockwell asked that a safety report be included in the utility reports in the packets each month.

 

                                                AIRPORT BILLS

Mr. Pecht have an overview of the bills for the airport for last year.  The Town’s share of the operating and capital bills came to $21,184.40.

 

 

                                    PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. James to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper accounts.  This was carried by the following aye vote: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

A thank you note had been received from Sherry Ramsey.

 

                                          BLOCK PARTY REQUEST

A letter from the Lawrenceville Junior Woman’s Club requesting permission to hold a block party on October 26 had been received.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to approve the Lawrenceville Junior Woman’s Club Block Party and to help with entertainment and insurance in the amount not to exceed $1,000.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by the following aye vote: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                HALLOWEEN PARADE

Mrs. Talbert stated that the Chamber and Town would like to host a Halloween Parade the same day as the Block Party.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to help with the Halloween Parade in the amount not to exceed $100.00.  This carried by the following aye vote: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    TASTE OF BRUNSWICK FESTIVAL

Mayor Clarke stated that a letter from the Brunswick County/Lake Gaston Tourism Association had been received requesting permission to hold a parade on October 13 for its annual “Taste of Brunswick” Festival.  Enclosed with the letter was a copy of a letter dated March 9th asking for a sponsorship from the Town in the amount of $1,000.  This letter was never received by the Town.  After a discussion, Council decided to continue with the Town policy not to purchase advertising in programs.

 

                                    FUTURE OF OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mayor Clarke and Mr. Dean met with the Historical Society and citizens as to the future of the old primary school.  Two representatives from the Dept. Of  Historic Resources will be in Town on Friday, September 14th to look at the school and discuss possible grants.  All Council members are invited to attend the meeting that will begin at the Town Office at 10 A.M.

 

                                                ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

 

__________________________Mayor

 

 

 

__________________________Attest