March 12, 2002

Council President, Robert F. Pecht, III called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2002, with the following present:

Council President: Robert F. Pecht, III; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, John J. Miller, Jr., and Michael F. Moorman; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Director of Public Works, Randy Lynch, Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, and the press.

Absent: Mayor Keith W. Clarke

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

Roll was called.

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

PUBLIC HEARING

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the adoption of an ordinance allowing the Town to join with other local governments in the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association, President Pecht declared the Hearing open. As no one asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Hardy to close the Public Hearing. This motion carried by all ayes.

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the ordinance as presented to Council. Mr. Miller seconded this motion and the motion carried by all ayes.

LAWRENCEVILLE MANOR

Mr. Bob Margolis, representing Lawrenceville Manor, gave an overview of projects he is undertaking at Lawrenceville Manor. He stated that he has been managing the apartments for one year and had an option to purchase. He plans to spend approximately $15,000 per apartment in order to fix up and improve the housing. Mr. Margolis stated that he is applying to the Virginia Housing Development Authority for 2002 Low Income Housing Tax Credits and asked the Town for a letter of support, a plan of development certification, a zoning certification and a location certification. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Brockwell made a motion to authorize Town Manager Dean to sign the four letters as presented on behalf of Lawrenceville Manor. Mr. Moorman seconded the motion. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Miller and Moorman;

Abstaining: James

HOUSING CODE REPORT

Mr. Moorman expressed concern that the housing code report was the same each month, it did not seem any progress was being made. Mr. Brockwell asked the press if they would do an article on the demolition of condemned buildings once it is started.

AIRPORT EASEMENT

Mr. Outten stated that the sewer line for Brick & Tile would be going across the airport property. The Town would need a perpetual easement and would need to authorize the Mayor to execute the deed of easement. The sewer line will be 20’ wide and run on the south side of the airport property adjacent to the road. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize the Mayor to execute the deed of easement. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

RESOLUTION TO REIMBURSE

Mr. Dean stated that Council had received copies of a reimbursement resolution. If adopted, the Town will be able to begin work on the proposed water and sewer projects and reimburse itself with the tax-exempt bonds once the VRA bonds are issued. A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Proceeds of a Borrowing. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller and Moorman.

FIRE HYDRANTS AT SCHOOLS

Mr. Brockwell reported that the school board had received a grant to install a fire hydrant at the Senior and Junior High Schools and was authorized to join with the Town in the construction of these two lines.

PROCLAMATION - CLEAN UP WEEK

Mr. Dean reported that the Historic Garden Week in Virginia would be the week of April 20-27, 2002. A letter had been received from Brunswick Garden Club asking that the Town have a clean up week April 15 –19. Mr. Moorman made a motion for the Mayor to sign a proclamation declaring April 15 – 19 as Lawrenceville Clean Up Week. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

CDBG-GOODRICH-DAVENPORT RESOLUTION

Mr. Dean had received a copy of a resolution to apply for a Virginia Community Development Block Grant for the Goodrich-Davenport Neighborhood Project in the amount not to exceed $265,000. Mr. Dean stated that the Town’s share would be $36,500 and would be from the 2003-2004 budget. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize the Town Manager, Mr. Dean, to sign the resolution as presented. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller and Moorman.

HISTORIC RAIL SOCIETY

The Historic Rail Society had been in contact with Mr. Dean concerning the caboose the Town has. Mr. Dean stated that they are interested in repainting the caboose red, white and blue and taking it to Roanoke. They also were interested in a yellow 2-man car the Town owns. After a discussion, Mr. Moorman asked that Mr. Dean investigate the value of these items and report back at the next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Pecht reported that the Finance committee would be meeting to began work on the budget. Mrs. Talbert is to call members and set up a meeting for next week. Mr. Pecht also asked the Personnel committee to give Mrs. Talbert the payroll for the budget.

The fire report was in the packets.

Mr. Miller introduced Mr. Randy Lynch, the new Director of Public Works. Mr. Lynch began work on February 13.

The police report was in the packets.

Mr. Dean stated that the Courthouse Square project should be starting within the next 60 days.

Mr. Hardy reported that the water/wastewater committee had met and discussed the possibility of leachate from the landfill being disposed of at the Lawrenceville wastewater treatment plant and would have a report for the next meeting.

AIRPORT USE FOR FESTIVALS

A request had been received from the Lion’s Club asking permission to use the airport on May 1 for their annual Shrimp Festival. Mr. Pecht stated that a request from Brunswick Academy for use of the airport for their annual Beef and Dairy Festival would also be coming. A motion was made by Mr. Miller to approve the use of the airport, subject to approval from the Airport Commission, for the Shrimp Festival and the Beef & Dairy Festival, both to be held in May. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

Mrs. Talbert stated that the American Cancer Relay for Life would be held on June 21 and 22.

Mrs. Talbert reported that the town would be hosting a blood drive on April 12 from 12 until 5:30 in the fire department and asked that Council members come and give blood.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $25,914.83 and charge to the proper accounts. This received a second by Mr. Moorman and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller and Moorman.

REPORT OF VIEWING COMMITTEE

Mr. Dean reported that a viewing committee had been appointed by Mayor Clarke to view the unopened portion of Grove Ave. and the two unnamed alleys that intersect with Union St. The committee was Mabel Brewer, Mark Cheely and Father Laughton Thomas. The recommendation of the committee was not to close the street and alleys at this time.

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Miller to adopt the recommendation of the viewing committee. This carried by all ayes.

ADJOURNMENT

As there were no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn. This carried by all ayes.

______________________MAYOR

______________________ATTEST