SEPTEMBER, 2002

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on September 10, 2002, 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; Police Chief, Douglas R. Pond; Office Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

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

 

                                              NEW EMPLOYEE

Mayor Clarke introduced and welcomed Wanda Johnson, our new office assistant.

 

                                                HOUSING CODE

As Mr. LeBlanc had not prepared a Housing Code Report, Mr. Dean stated that one house has been slated for demolition and would be coming down soon.

 

Mr. Pecht asked that the Housing Code Enforcement Committee meet before the next Council meeting concerning code violations.

 

                                                GOODRICH / DAVENPORT

Mr. Dean stated that Council would need to adopt the Goodrich-Davenport Program Design and Expenditure of Grant Monies as presented in the Council packets.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to approve and adopt the Goodrich-Davenport Program Design and the Expenditure of Grant Monies.  Voting aye:  Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht;  voting nay: James.

 

                                                PEEBLES PARK

Mr. Brockwell reported that the Property & Equipment Committee had met and discussed ideas for the Peebles Park.  Council members were given copies of the committee’s  list of actions that could enhance the park.  Mr. Brockwell asked that members rank their top five actions and return the form to the Town Office.  After the committee receives the list back they will meet and present a recommendation to Council at the October meeting.

 

                                                COURTHOUSE SQUARE

Mr. Dean reported that plans for the Courthouse Square project are being picked up and bids are due on the 17th.  Mr. Brockwell stated that he had received several positive comments on the Town’s lights and sidewalks from people visiting from other areas.

 

                                                BRUNSWICK VILLAGE APARTMENT

Mr. Dean stated that the new sewer line at Brunswick Village Apartments had been completed and Council would need to accept it into our system.  The sewer line had been build to Town’s specifications and had been inspected and tested.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to accept the new sewer line at Brunswick Village Apartment into the town’s system.  Voting aye:  Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                            AIRPORT REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that we still had not received the bills for the airport for the last fiscal year.  Mr. Pecht reported that in a normal year our cost at the airport runs about $12,000 - $13,000 per year.  Mr. Pecht stated that timber companies, farmers and the forestry use the airport for spraying of trees and crops.  The airport is used by Med-flight in transporting wreck victims, as it is a perfect place to land.  Mr. Pecht also said that the Civil Air Patrol uses the airport for training pilots for homeland security.  If the airport were ever closed, it would be almost impossible to reopen later.  Mr. Miller stated that if for no other reason than it help our farmers and timber companies it is worth the cost to the Town to keep it open.

 

                                                THANK YOU NOTE

Mrs. Talbert read a note from Jenny Brockwell, thanking Council for the opportunity of working with the Town during the summer and supporting her Movie on Main Street idea.

 

                                                BLOOD DRIVE

Mrs. Talbert informed Council that the Town would be having a blood drive on November 18th.

 

                                                PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

A motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills in the amount of $32,149.92 as presented and charge to the proper accounts.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman, and Pecht.

 

                        POSSIBLE  PRISON CLOSING REPORT

Mayor Clarke reported that a great number of letters have been written concerning keeping the prison open.  Many meetings have been held and a large group of citizens, approximately 300, stormed Richmond to meet with the Governor’s Corrections Facility Task Force. Mr. John Marshal, Secretary of Public Safety, has since visited both Brunswick and Southampton Correctional Centers.  Gerry Vincent, County Administrator asked Mayor Clarke to remind everyone to continue writing letters to the Governor and asked that copies of these letters be given to him.  Mayor Clarke stated that many resolutions have been adopted and sent to the Governor showing the negative side of the prison closing and felt a resolution showing positive or other alternatives to closing.  Mayor Clarke read a resolution he had prepared.  Mr. Moorman stated that he was not in favor of telling them where to get the extra money.  Mr. Brockwell and Mr. Miller stated that the car tax and sales tax was the main place to go for the additional money needed rather than closing prisons.  Mr. Pecht pointed out that it had already been reported that the prison system would be 1,000 beds short by the end of FY2003 even without closing the two prisons.  After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the resolution with the exception of the car tax and sales tax alternatives.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht; Voting nay: James

 

                                                            CODIFICATION

Mr. Outten stated that the codification of the Town Code has been completed and Council would need to adopt an ordinance to adopt the new code.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to advertise for a Public Hearing to be held on October 8th .  

 

 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

_____________________Mayor

 

 

 

_____________________Attest