June 8, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:35 p.m. on June 8, 2004, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

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

 

Absent:  Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., and Dean Woodrow Packer; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.

 

Mayor Clarke welcomed Mr. Hardy back to Council.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

                                    PUBLIC HEARING – CLOSING STREET

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the closing of an alley beside Pearson’s Funeral Service listed as Taft Street, Mayor Clarke declared the Public Hearing open.  Mr. Richard Pearson, owner of Pearson Funeral Service, stated that he wanted to improve his facility by adding a chapel and parking.  As he owns the property on the north side of the alley, he would be able to expand onto his property.

 

Alfreda Jarrett-Drake, an employee of Pearson’s Funeral Service, stated that the addition was to be a half million-dollar investment and would be an increase to the town tax base.  She asked that Council grant the request to close the alley.

 

Daven Lucy stated that as President of Elm Acres he opposed the closing of the alley.  He said that there are only two streets to Elm Acres,  Taft Street and Raney Street.  If Taft Street was closed and there was a fire at Elm Acres the fire department would have to use Raney Street and there would not be a street for people at  Elm Acres to leave by.  He asked Council to refuse the request to close the alley.

 

Welton Tyler, member of the Board of Supervisors, asked Council to support the closing of the alley.  He stated that this improvement to Pearson’s would be a plus for both the town and the county.

 

Robert Peebles, Chief of the Fire Department stated that growth is great but the safety of the citizens must come first.  The fire department is opposed to the closing.

 

                                                PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

As no one else asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Bland to close the public hearing.  This was carried by all ayes. 

 

                                                APPOINTMENT OF VIEWERS

Mayor Clarke stated that he would appoint three viewers to meet with Mr. Dean and view the property and report back at the July meeting with their recommendation.

 

                                                BRUNSWICK CHAMBER REQUEST

As the time of the next Public Hearing was stated as 8 p.m., Mayor Clarke stated that the next item on the agenda would be a request from Elaine Clary, Executive Secretary of the Brunswick Chamber.  Ms. Clary stated that she is working on the Chamber becoming a State Certified Visitors Center.  A letter listing the criteria that has to be met in order to become certified was included in the packets.  Ms. Clary asked Council for the use of the lobby and bathrooms in the Municipal Building if the Chamber is successful in becoming certified.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Miller to honor the request for the use of the lobby as a State Visitors Center if all criteria is met and pending approval of the police department and the town’s insurers.  Mr. Pecht seconded this motion and it carried by all ayes.

 

                        PUBLIC HEARING – WATER/SEWER RATE CHANGE

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the proposed rate change in the water/sewer ordinance, Mayor Keith W. Clarke declared the meeting open. 

                                               

Ann Williams of 701 Windsor Avenue stated that she did not feel the citizens should be held responsible for loss of revenue due to Saint Paul’s not paying their bill or from the industry in the Industrial Park leaving owing the Town.  Ms. Williams stated that the citizens on Windsor had been damaged from the work on the street from dust and bad water and no one had been compensated.  Mayor Clarke stated that citizens have benefited from the doubling of the water and sewer capacity without the citizens having to pay anything.  He also stated that the recent problem with Saint Paul’s bills did not have anything to do with the proposed raise in rates.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that the Industrial Park business was unfortunate, however the extra volume, even with the bad debt, the Town was better off than if they had not been here.

 

Mr. Moorman stated that he understood her concerns, however the town has not lost income from Saint Paul’s, we have always collected.  The rate increase is not a result of the things Ms. Williams mentioned.

 

Ms. Williams again stated the need for consideration for the residents of Windsor Ave. and stated that she was opposed to the rate increase.

 

                                                PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

As no one else asked to speak on the rate increase, a motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Miller to close the hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

                                                CITIZEN CONCERNS

Mayor Clarke asked if any citizens wished to be heard by Council.  Ann Williams of 701 Windsor Avenue asked to speak.  Ms. Williams stated that she was speaking for the residents of Windsor Avenue and  had several concerns. 

1)      Speeding on Windsor- Ms. Williams said there were a number of small children living on Windsor Avenue.   One advantage to the road being unpaved was the fact that the speeding traffic was halted.  Now that the street has been paved somewhat, speeding has increased.

2)      Saint Paul students- Ms. Williams stated that Saint Paul’s is a neighbor of the community and she feels the caliber of the students is not what it should be.  She asked that Council address this matter with Saint Paul’s in a letter.

3)      Trash and noise- the amount of trash and noise on Windsor Avenue has increased.  Ms. Williams was concerned with the number of people meeting at the corner of Belt and Windsor and using here yard to throw trash and sitting on her wall around her yard.  She stated that she had to call three times for police assistance.  Each time the police left, the people returned.

4)      Leash law- Ms. Williams felt it was time for the town to look into a leash law.  There are a large number of untagged dogs running loose.

5)      Landlords- Ms. Williams felt there are a number of landlords that do not care what type renters they have.

Ms. Williams asked Council for consideration and support. Mayor Clarke asked whom she represented.   She stated that the house at the corner of Windsor with the fence around it have had problems with trash and caps on the fence being knocked off.  She stated that the people renting on Maple and Grove Ave seem to be the ones walking to the Mini Mart and throwing their trash in her yard.  Chief Pond stated that he would sit down with Ms. Williams and the people she represents anytime and place to discuss these concerns.  Mr. Pecht encouraged the meeting with Chief Pond.

 

Chris Stephenson, of Saint Paul’s College,  stated that Saint Paul’s is planning a Community Summit.  He encouraged Ms. Williams and anyone with any issues concerning the students to please come or call Rosemary Lewis and him.  The number to call 848-6413.

 

                                    EMERGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT

Mr. Dean reported that an agreement to allow the Emergency Services to permanently install an antenna on the prison-elevated tank has been drafted with conditions.  Mr. Dean stated that if conditions are met and the town attorney approves, he is comfortable with the agreement.  Mr. Pecht made a motion for the Town of Lawrenceville to allow Brunswick County Emergency Services to permanently install an antenna on the prison tank per approval of Mr. Dean and Mr. Outten.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean presented Council with a report on how to improve future water and sewer projects and a list of recommendations.

 

                                    WATER/SEWER RATE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

Mr. Pecht stated that the proposed water/sewer rate increase would be the first increase in two years.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to amend the water/sewer rate ordinance to reflect the increase as recommended.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman. Voting aye:  Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    FORMAL ADOPTION OF BUDGET FY04/05

A discussion was held on the proposed budget.  Mr. Miller reported that the personnel committee had met and would like to amend the proposed budget to grant a 3% pay  increase to town employees.  Copies of the amended budget were given to Council.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to formally adopt the FY04/05 Budget with the changes as presented.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller.  Voting aye:  Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                $100,000 LOAN APPROVED

Mr. Pecht reported that bids from the three local banks had been received on borrowing $100,000 for the additional cost of the water lines on Windsor Ave.  The finance committee had met before Council and reviewed the bids, all terms and conditions being equal.   Mr. Pecht made a motion to accept the low bid from Benchmark Bank at a tax-exempt interest rate of 2.99% and no fee.  This received a second by Mr. Hardy.  This carried by a roll call vote as follows: voting aye, Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

A discussion was held on the approved water rate increase for Alberta.  Mr. Dean was asked to write Mayor Parrish and offer documentation on the rate increase if they want it.

 

Mayor Clarke reported that Dean Packer is home and improving and hopes to be back with us soon. 

 

The fire report is in the packets.

 

Mr. Hardy reported that Officer Jeff Clary will graduate on June 16th and will be on duty this weekend.

 

                                    DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

Mr. Moorman stated that he felt that Council should approve the application for the planning grant for downtown revitalization.  Mr. Dean was asked to get feed back and meet with the downtown committee.

 

                                                NEW WATER TANK

Mr. Hardy reported that since he had been out, the new water tank had gone up  and painting had started.  Mr. Dean stated that the tank was being primed with brown paint and then several coats of light blue would be applied.  All lines to the new tank have been completed.  

 

                                                “CHIC A QUE FESTIVAL”

Mr. Pecht reported that a letter requesting the use of the airport had been received from Daven Lucy to held a food based festival on September 22.  The “Chic A Que Festival” is a fundraiser for Elm Acres.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to approve the Festival subject to the regular terms and conditions and subject to approval from the Board of Supervisors and the Airport Commission.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                            RELAY FOR LIFE

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council of the Relay for Life to be held June 18th  starting at 7pm and going to 7am on June 19th.

 

                                                            PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Miller to pay the bills in the amount of $31,669.65 as presented and charge to the proper accounts.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried with the following aye vote:  Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Clarke reported that he had received a letter from Charter Communications stating that an all new sports channel was being added at a cost of $4.00 per month.   More information should be coming out shortly.

 

Police Chief Pond stated that once paving on Windsor was completed, stepped up enforcement of speeding would start.

 

                                                $448,190.00 TOBACCO GRANT

Mr. Dean stated that a letter dated June 1, from the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission announcing the grant award in the amount of $448,190 to the Town of Lawrenceville had been received.  This grant is to assist Saint Paul’s College with their sewer project.   A motion was made by Mr. Moorman authorizing Mr. Dean and  Mayor Clarke to sign Letter of Agreement and Grantee Authorization Form upon approval by Town Attorney, Outten.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried with the aye vote:  Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mr. Dean reported that Saint Paul’s wants the Town to be overseer of the project and to take into our system after completion.  Mr. Dean is working with Mr. Moorman, Mr. Outten and Mr. Jolly, of Saint Paul’s , on this matter.

 

                                    APPOINTMENT OF TOWN MANAGER

Mayor Clarke stated that Council needed to appoint a Town Manager for the fiscal year 2004/2005.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Miller to reappoint Mr. C. J. Dean as Town Manager for Fiscal Year 2004/2005.  The term to be from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.  This motion carried by the following aye vote:  Bland, Hardy, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mr. Miller stated that the Town was fortunate to have a young man of Mr. Dean’s caliber.  Mayor Clarke agreed stating that Mr. Dean was the Town’s “ B C Powder in a shirt and a tie”.

 

Mr. Moorman asked Chief Pond to investigate a waste truck coming up Railroad Street in the mornings around 8 to 9 am.  The truck is from N. C.

 

                                                            ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, a motion by Mr. Pecht to adjourn was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

 

____________________________MAYOR

 

 

____________________________ATTEST