April 8, 2003

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on April 8, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, John J. Miller, Jr., Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Coach Martin Astrop and members of the 2003 AA State Champion Basketball Team; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

Absent:  Council member, Joyce D. Bland; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

                                    RESOLUTION – BASKETBALL TEAM

Mayor Clarke stated that on March 15th of this year, he was privileged to be a part of events that began around 5 p.m. and lasted until 11 p.m. when a couple hundred people joined to welcome back the AA State Champion Basketball team.  Mayor Clarke stated that he was moved by remarks made and the pure joy and happiness that night.  Mayor Clarke read a resolution honoring the Brunswick Bulldogs and declaring April 9, 2003, as Bulldog Day in the Town of Lawrenceville.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Pecht to approve the resolution.  This motion carried by all ayes.  Mayor Clarke presented the Resolution to Coach Astrop.

 

Coach Astrop was also congratulated on being named Coach of the Year.

 

Coach Astrop thanked Council and introduced team members and his support staff.  Copies of the Resolution were given to each team member.

 

                        MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING APPROVED

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.

 

                                    FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION

Mr. Dean reported that is would be necessary to adopt a Fair Housing Resolution as is required annually for the CDBG funding.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the Resolution as presented.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

                                    AWARDING OF CONTRACTS

Mr. Dean stated that bids had been received on the elevated storage tank and Route 46 South water transmission main extension.  The low bidder to be Caldwell Tanks, Inc., for the tank and Biggs Construction Company for the water line extension.  Both projects to be funded by the IDA and Tobacco Grant funds.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman to award the contracts as presented and to authorize the Town Manager to sign necessary papers.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                PROPOSED BUDGET

Mr. Pecht stated that copies of the proposed budget were in the packets and reminded everyone that it could be changed any number of ways before the June meeting.  Mr. Pecht stated that the Property and Equipment committee had met and Mr. Dean had some revisions to be made.  Mr. Pecht also stated that salaries might be adjusted.  The proposed budget did not include a tax increase or water rates increase, but assumes additional water customers.  The garbage increase approved at the February meeting was included in the proposed budget as well as paying 100% of the hospitalization for employees.  One new police car was also included.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to advertise the proposed budget for a Public Hearing at the May meeting.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

                                         5 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Mr. Dean will be getting out a 5-year capital improvement plan to members before the May meeting.

 

The Fire, Personnel and Police reports were in the packets.

 

                                        CEMETERY REIMBURSEMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Moorman to reimburse the Town for cutting grass in the cemeteries in the amount of $3,224.62 from the perpetual care funds.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

                                     COURTHOUSE SIDEWALK PROJECT

Mr. Dean reported that 1/3 of the Courthouse sidewalk project had been completed.

 

                                            TREE REMOVAL AT OFFICE

Mr. Dean stated that plans are being worked on to remove large trees and shrubs around the Town Office.  He also stated that he hopes to have the new welcome sign finished in this fiscal year.

 

                                    USE OF AIRPORT APPROVAL   

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the use of the airport on May 7th for the Seafood Feast and on May 21st for the Beef and Dairy Festival.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes.  The airport commission had already given their approval.

 

                                                RELAY FOR LIFE

Mrs. Talbert reminded council of a Relay for Life pancake supper to be held on April 9th at the Lawrenceville Baptist Church.

 

                                        SPRING CLEAN UP WEEKS

Mr. Dean reported that the weeks of April 7th and April 14th will be spring clean up weeks for the Town.

 

                                                ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

_________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

 

_________________________ATTEST