May 11, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on May 11, 2004, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

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

 

Absent:  Council members: Wilbur Hardy and Dean Woodrow Packer.

 

Mrs. Talbert opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

                                                APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

                                  PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED BUDGET

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing to receive comment on the proposed budget for FY 04-05, Mayor Clarke declared the Hearing open.  As no one asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to close the Public Hearing.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

                                    PRESENTATION OF KEY TO TOWN

Mayor Clarke stated that Mr. Mike Harris, our postal carrier, and his wife, Kimberly had been invited to join us tonight as a result of an incident that happened about five days ago.  Mr. Harris and Mr. Herb Jenkins, our UPS carrier, performed first aid and CPR in a heroic effort to save a life in a downtown business.  Mayor Clarke read a letter of appreciation and presented Mr. Harris with a key to the Town.  Mr. Jenkins was not able to attend and Mayor Clarke presented him with a key earlier uptown as he was making his deliveries.  Mr. Harris thanked Council.

 

                                    BRUNSWICK/LAKE GASTON TOURISM

Dorothy Thomas of the Brunswick/Lake Gaston Tourism had asked to be on the agenda.  Mrs. Thomas asked Council for a resolution supporting the Tourism’s efforts to have the portion of State Route 46 (Christanna Highway) that goes through Lawrenceville designated as a “Virginia Byway”.   After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Miller authorizing the Mayor and Mr. Outten to draft and the Mayor to sign a resolution of support for the portion of State Route 46 that goes through Lawrenceville being designated as a “Virginia Byway”.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

                                    TOWN REVITALIZATIO-CITIZEN CONCERNS

Barbara Dale Parrish of 116 Sixth Avenue asked to be on the agenda to discuss citizen concerns about revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville.  She stated that she and a group of citizens have been working toward a process the downtown could begin for revitalization.  They felt the scheduled meeting of May 13th with the Southside Planning District was a little premature.  After a discussion, Mr. Moorman asked if the Downtown Committee could have a copy of her presentation to review and study.

 

Ronald Johnson asked that something be done about the loud music in cars going up and down the roads.

 

                                    CITIZEN CONCERNS ON WINDSOR AVE

Wayne Talbert of 608 Windsor Avenue asked to express concerns on the water/sewer line project on Windsor Ave.  Mr. Talbert was concerned over the length of time it has been since the road was milled and the project is still not complete.  He mentioned the apparent lack of concern from the contractors in leaving mud in the driveways and mud and rocks left in residential yards.  Mr. Talbert stated that every house on Windsor is covered in dust and hopes Council will give consideration to homeowners by addressing all matters with the contractors before they leave. 

 

Mayor Clarke thanked Mr. Talbert and stated that these issues and concerns will be addressed.

           

                                    EMERGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT

Mr. Dean reported that the Property and Equipment Committee would be meeting to work on the emergency services agreement.

           

                        DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INPUT MEETING

Mr. Dean reminded Council of the Downtown Revitalization Input Meeting scheduled for Thursday night at 6 p.m.

 

                                                FAMILY FUN DAY

Family Fun Day is set for June 4, 5 and 6th.  The Town will be having a movie on Main Street on June 4th.

 

                                    REQUEST FOR ALLEY CLOSING

Mr. Dean stated that a motion was needed for a motion to advertise for a Public Hearing on Mr. Pearson’s request to close Taft Street.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to advertise for a Public Hearing to be held on June 8, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. to receive public comment on the request from Mr. Pearson to close Taft Street. This received a second by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Brooks Crossing and Knobs Hill utility lines were tabled until later.

 

 

 

                                    FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

Mr. Pecht stated that the Finance Committee had met earlier today.  Several request had been received since the budget was advertised but due to the cash flow no changes would be made now, amendments could be made later in the year if needed.

 

                        TENTATIVE ADOPTION OF FY04/05 BUDGET

Mr. Pecht made a motion to tentatively adopt the budget as presented.  This received a second by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes.

 

                                    ALBERTA WATER RATE INCREASE

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to increase the water rate for Alberta from $1.50 per 1,000 gallons to $1.75 per 1,000 gallons effective July 1, 2004.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Moorman and voting aye, Bland, Brockwell, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    PROPOSED WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASE

Mr. Pecht reported that the proposed budget includes an 18% enhancement of water and sewer rates.  Mr. Dean has been working on a breakdown of rates and copies are in the packets.  Mayor Clarke was asked to appoint a committee to meet with Mr. Dean and adjourn this meeting until Thursday to authorize for a Public Hearing on the new rates to be held at the June meeting.  Mr. Pecht, Mr. Brockwell and Mr. Moorman were appointed to meet with Mr. Dean.  

 

Mr. Dean reported the new water tank is to be painted sky blue with darker blue lettering. 

 

                                                RELAY FOR LIFE SPONSORS

Mrs. Talbert reported that Mr. Outten, Mr. Pecht and Mayor Clarke are sponsors for this year’s Relay for Life.

 

 

 

 

                                                PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to pay the bills in the amount of $39,242.74 and charge to the proper funds.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mr. Dean reported that Department of Game and Fishery is checking into the request from Dr. Crowder on Meherrin River Fish stocking.  The Department will contact Dr. Crowder.

 

                                    WATER/SEWER PROJECT ON WINDSOR

In response to Mr. Talbert’s concerns with the water and sewer line project on Windsor Avenue, Mr. Pecht asked what we could do to avoid the problems in the future.  Mr. Moorman asked if a study could be done.  Mayor Clarke stated that a study would be done on how to tighten up our contracts and a report on what was done and what we can do to avoid this problem again and this should be done while the details are fresh in everyone mind.

 

                                                ADJOURNED UNTIL MAY 14, 2004

Mayor Clarke declared the meeting adjourned until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2004.

 

 

 

____________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

___________________________ATTEST