January 12, 2004

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on January 12, 2004 at 7:30 pm 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, Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Supt. Of Public Works, Randy Lynch; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Fire Chief, Robert Peebles; Bill Parrish of the Emergency Services Board; Admin. Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with a prayer.

Roll was called.

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

Mayor Clarke stated that it was his honor and pleasure to present Alice Talbert with a plaque honoring her as Outstanding Clerk from Region XI of the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association in recognition of her dedicated service to the citizens of the Town of Lawrenceville for 2003.

Mr. Bill Parrish from Emergency Services came before Council to ask permission to attach an antenna to the water tank at the prison. Mr. Parrish explained that there was a communication problem with the paging systems at the present time. The antenna placement would be on a temporary basis. Mr. Parrish reported that approval had been received from the FAA that this would be no hazard to aircraft. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to have Mr. Dean and Mr. Outten draw up a memorandum of understanding to allow the placement of the antenna on a temporary basis. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

Mr. Percy Bunch stated that the NAACP and citizens are planning to have the Martin Luther King March again this year. They would like to have the American flags put up this year and each year thereafter. Mr. Dean stated that the new flags had not arrived yet but we have approximately 9 or 10 flags that could be used. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to pick out the good flags and line Main Street this year and to put the flags up on Friday. This motion was seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes. The Downtown Committee will set up a schedule for putting up the flags in the future.

Mr. Dean reported that Council had copies of the new Lake Country magazine that will be distributed in Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties.

Mr. Dean stated that it was time to apply for a T21 grant if the Town wanted to continue the sidewalk improvements or start working on the Rails to Trails program. The deadline for the grant application is March. After a discussion, it was decided that the Town Development Committee would meet and come back to the next meeting with a decision on a plan.

Mr. Pecht reported that the Finance Committee had met with Denise William of Creedle, Jones and Alga before the meeting. Council members were given copies of a breakdown of the audit prepared by Mrs. Williams. Mr. Pecht gave an overview of the report. Mr. Pecht made a motion to approve the audit as presented. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

Mr. Pecht stated that it was necessary to add a Bad Debt line item to the budget. This line item is the final attorney’s fee and the close out on the Extraction Technologies bankruptcy account. This expense in the amount of $12,148.50 would not change the total of the budget. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Moorman. This carried by all ayes.

Mr. Packer reported that the fire department had responded to 21 calls in the month of December and that the entire fire report was in the packets.

Mr. Hardy reported that the new police officer, Jeff Clary, would be starting his 22 weeks of training in Lynchburg on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2004. Mr. Hardy also commended the police department on the great job done during the Christmas parade.

Mrs. Bland stated that the Streets Committee had met before Council to discuss charging customers with dumpsters a penalty for late payment. This penalty would be in line with the penalty applied to residential garbage charges. Mrs. Bland made a motion to begin charging a 5% penalty on all dumpster accounts effective April 1, 2004. This motion was seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes.

Mr. Hardy stated that several streets had been upset with the water/sewer improvements taking place in Town.

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to approve the bills in the amount of $61,994.53 as presented and charge to the proper funds. This carried by all ayes.

Mr. Moorman asked about the color scheme for the new water tank. Mr. Dean stated that sky blue with dark blue letters had been selected. Mr. Moorman stated that this would be a good advertising tool and asked that a color plan be presented at the next meeting.

Mayor Clarke stated that the Towns of Franklin and Farmville, both Charter Communications customers, have Channel 21, Comcast Sports. Lawrenceville does not have Channel 21. After a discussion on possible channels available and what cost is involved with adding channels, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman to request Charter to do a customer survey. This motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

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

_______________________________Mayor

_______________________________Attest