March 11, 2003

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on March 11, 2003, with the following present:

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, John J. Miller, Jr., Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Office Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

Absent: William E. James, Council member

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

Roll was called.

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

CONCERNED CITIZENS

Ann Williams, a new resident of Lawrenceville, ask to speak to Council. Ms. Williams stated that a petition was being circulated asking that the revenue given to the IDA be given back to the Board of Supervisors. She asked Council to support this petition and stated that the petition will be presented to the Board at their March meeting.

Jerry Marston asked if he could clarify the statement of Ms. Williams. Mr. Marston stated that 50% of the revenue from the landfill goes to the IDA. The Board of Supervisors approved this agreement in 1995. He stated that no other town, city or county has this type of arrangement. The petition request that all revenue go into the general fund of the County. He stated that $720,000 per year goes to the IDA without going into the County general fund. Mr. Marston also stated that the IDA has no budget or accountability for this money. Mr. Marston stated that he felt the Town should stay neutral.

Mr. Miller expressed a concern about tobacco funds and how they are spent. He was concerned about the programs being cut that should be helping tobacco farmers and the money from the Tobacco Funds are going to industry.

WELCOME SIGNS

Mr. Dean reported that he had talked with Mr. Bacote of Saint Paul’s College and they are interested in getting the welcome sign placed on their property at the new student center.

BUDGET WORK

Mr. Dean stated that budget meetings would begin the last week of March.

Mr. Pecht asked that all capital requests be given and all committees need to put in their request. Mr. Pecht also stated that we are will be receiving revenue from the IDA and Brick and Tile to cover some of the high expenses shown on the financial statement.

NEW POLICE OFFICER

Mr. Hardy reported that a new police officer, Tommy Moody has been hired and is on the job. Officer Moody was with the Brunswick Sheriff’s office. Mayor Clarke commended him on checking the downtown businesses and walking the streets.

Mr. Hardy stated that he had received calls from citizens concerned with parking on the streets. He asked if 15 minute parking could be at Clarke-Smith Pharmacy and Sallie and Sonny’s Florist so customers could be able to use the street parking.

COURTHOUSE SQUARE PROJECT

Mr. Dean reported that the sidewalk construction on Court House Square should be completed by the end of April.

GRANNY’S TRAILER PARK

Mr. Dean presented a proposal for extending a line of credit for the owners of Granny’s Trailer Park. Mr. & Mrs. Schutts are extending water and sewer to their property to provide 24 connections at a capital cost of $95,806.71. This extension would also allow for future growth by the town with the town’s share of the cost being only 10%. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to accept the recommendation of Mr. Dean for the town to provide 10% of cost and to issue the line of credit in the amount of $20,362.67. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

THANK YOU NOTES

Mrs. Talbert read thank you notes for donations from the following: John Traylor and the American Cancer Society in memory of Margaret Traylor and from Kenston Forest School in memory of Derick Thomas. A thank you note was read from Lois Wells Drake for flowers in memory of Morris Wells.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills in the amount of $58,697.44 and charge to the proper funds. This carried by all ayes.

GARBAGE PICK UP RATES

Mr. Dean stated that he had been asked to present a plan on the cost of garbage pick up that would allow the town to break even. Mr. Dean’s recommendation was to double the rate for residential (from $5.00 monthly to $10.00 monthly) and for commercial (from $25.00 monthly to $50.00 monthly). Garbage will still be pickup up twice a week and cans will be provided to all intown residents. The garbage truck will be equipped with a lift to use with the new cans. Mr. Dean stated that with the increase in the rates, we are still lower than neighboring towns. A motion was made by Mr. Moorman to accept Mr. Dean’s recommendation to purchase the cans and lift and to charge $10.00 monthly on residential and $50.00 on commercial accounts effect with the June billing. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. This carried by a vote of 5 to 1.

YMCA UPDATE

Mr. Dean reported that a letter had been received from a group of citizens from the Mayfield area interested in helping get the YMCA to come to town. He was getting in touch with the County Administrator and the Towns of Alberta and Brodnax to get their input.

Mr. Brockwell stated that ball season was starting up and encouraged everyone to support the ballpark.

SURPLUS POLICE CAR

Under new business, Mr. Brockwell reported that the sealed bids on the surplus 93 Chevrolet had been received and the high bid was $1,550. Mr. Brockwell made a motion to accept the high bid. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

CONTRACT RENEWAL

Mr. Pecht stated concern with the Lawrenceville Correctional Center’s contract renewal process and asked that Mr. Dean contact the County and see if there is anything the Town and County can do to help keep the prison in the County.

ADJOURNMENT

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

_________________MAYOR ATTEST___________________