July 9, 2002

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 pm. on July 9, 2002, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke 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; Supt. of Public Works, Randall Lynch; Jenny Brockwell, Town intern; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

Before Council was called to order, V. Earl Stanley, Jr., Clerk of Court, gave the oath of office to the newly re-elected members of Council.  They were: Mayor Keith W. Clarke, Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., William E. James and John J. Miller, Jr.

                                               

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

 

                                                CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Clarke introduced Mr. Steve Fore and Mr. Barry Creasy of Charter Communications.  Mr. Creasy explained the new digital cable being installed for cable customers in Lawrenceville.  Mr. Creasy stated that if a customer did not wish to have the digital cable they may stay with the system they now have at the same cost they are currently paying.  Mr. Creasy asked that any customers having problems with the new digital system to call Charter and a service person would be sent out to help at no cost to the customer.

 

Mr. Dean gave an update on the housing code enforcement report.

 

                                                SURPLUS EQUIPMENT BIDS

Mr. Dean reported that the surplus equipment had been advertised and bids received on seven of the eleven items.  Mr. Brockwell made a motion to accept the high bids as received and to dispose of the items that did not receive a bid as salvage.  Mr. Miller seconded the motion, which carried by all ayes.

 

                                                VDOT STUDY REQUESTED

Mr. Dean had received a letter from Jay Stafford of Benchmark Bank asking for VDOT to be contacted about doing a traffic survey on the intersection of West 5th Avenue and South Hicks Street for a possible traffic light.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell authorizing Mayor Clarke and Mr. Dean to contact VDOT on this matter.  The motion was seconded by Mr. James and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                            FINANCIAL REPORT

As this was the last financial statement for the fiscal year, Mr. Pecht reported that we had finished the year with a $36,000 surplus compared to a $108,000 deficit last year.  73.6% of the total revenue came from the water fund based on the internal financial report.

 

Mr. James stated that the fire report was in the packets.

 

Mr. Miller reported that the Personnel Committee had interviewed six applicants and hope to have the a person for the position of office assistant selected by the end of next week.

 

Mr. Hardy reported that Sgt.Gibson was temporarily working with a new drug dog and that Jake may be retired a year early.  Mr. Hardy also stated that Jake had assisted in a drug seizure in which the Town had received $6,700 from the State.

 

Mr. James stated that on June 22nd a loud party on Maple Street he felt the 6 hours it took to resolve the matter was too long.  Chief Pond stated that he had talked with his officers about the matter.  Chief Pond also stated that the missing noise ordinance sign at the entrance to town on Windsor Ave would be installed soon.

 

Mayor Clarke asked the Property & Equipment Committee to check into what needed to be done at Peebles Park to make the park more usable for the citizens.

 

Mr. Hardy stated that the Water/Wastewater Committee had met with the IDA and discussed projects the IDA has planned.  Mayor Clarke asked the Committee to meet with Mr. Dean and check into having a Comprehensive Study done for the Town as to future growth as it relates to utility needs.

 

Mr. Pecht asked that a report on the airport budget be tabled until after we receive the bills for this fiscal year.  Mr. Moorman asked that a copy of last year’s report be sent out with the copy of the minutes.

 

                                                       MOVIE ON MAIN STREET

Jenny Brockwell gave an update on the “Movie on Main Street” to be held on July 19th at 8:30 p.m.  Miss Brockwell handed out a progress report and stated that flyers had been placed around town and she had received permission to use the Courthouse Sq. on Saturday July 20th as a rain date.  Chief Robert Peebles of the fire department had agreed to putting the tarp up for the movie.  Venders will be on hand to sell drinks, popcorn and cotton candy.  Her budget is $404.75.

 

 

Mrs. Talbert gave a report on the Relay for Life held on June 21st and 22nd.  A special thank you went to Mr. Outten and Mr. Pecht for their sponsorships.

 

Mayor Clarke thanked everyone who helped show the team from Richmond Times Dispatch around and to those who talked with them.  A very good article on Lawrenceville was in the Sunday paper.

 

                                                PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

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

 

                                                JUNION WOMAN’S CLUB REQUEST

Mayor Clarke stated that a letter had been received from the Lawrenceville Junior Woman’s Club requesting the Town’s permission and financial support to have a Celebration of America Block party on September 13th.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to support the Junior Woman’s Club financially at the lesser of 10% more than the actual cost last year or $1,000.  Mr. Miller seconded the motion.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.  Mr. Moorman asked that a record of the attendance be kept for future reference.

 

                                                REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

Mayor Clarke stated that a Special Election Redistricting Committee consisting of Mr. Hardy and Mr. Brockwell had been formed.  As a result of the 2000 census, changes need to be made in our voting districts.  The Committee had recommended a proposal that would meet all the criteria.  The proposal would need to be in ordinance form. If approved by Council, it would be advertised for a Public Hearing and then it would have to go to the Justice Department for approval.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to authorize Mr. Outten to prepare the ordinance for redistricting.  Mr. Brockwell seconded this motion.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                            ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Miller to adjourn.  This was seconded and carried.

 

 

 

______________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

______________________________ATTEST