September 14, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on September 14, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Keith W. Clarke 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, Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Assistant Town Attorney, Joseph Whitby, Jr.; Police Chief Douglas R. Pond; Public Works Director, Randall Lynch; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson, Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; Dwight Dean, citizens and the press.

 

Absent: W. C. Outten, Jr., Town Attorney

 

Roll was called.

 

PUBLIC HEARING-AMENDMENT TO CURFEW ORDINANCE

As        this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing to receive citizen’s comments on the proposed amendment to the curfew ordinance, Mayor Clarke declared the hearing open.  The only change to the ordinance was changing the time from 11p.m. to 10 p.m.  No one asked to speak on this matter.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Miller to close the Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Moorman questioned the enforcement; he felt the ordinance was too restrictive.  After a discussion, citizens were asked again if anyone would like to comment on the ordinance.  Scott Kelly of Windsor Avenue stated that children played in the streets from after dark until midnight.  Mr. Kelly also stated that he had noticed more activity late at night from students from Saint Paul’s. Percy Bunch of Fourth Avenue stated that the noise ordinance should take care of loud noise.  Mark Tefft of Windsor Avenue asked if warning could be issued before citing anyone.  Mayor Clarke thanked everyone for their comments.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the change in the ordinance.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. The motion carried with 6 ayes and 1-nay votes.

 

THANK YOU FROM CITIZEN

Mark Tefft of 611 Windsor Avenue thanked Council for getting Windsor Avenue marked.  He stated that he had seen police out working on the speeding.  Mr. Tefft asked what the status on the children at play signs and the flashing warning lights.  Mr. Dean stated that the signs would be put up shortly; Chief Pond reported that Mr. Richard Moody of VDOT was working on getting flashing lights and would be in touch with Chief Pond.

 

Mayor Clarke welcomed Mr. Whitby to Council in Mr. Outten’s absence.

 

SPECIAL EXCEPTION PERMIT FOR FLEA MARKET

Dale Temple had requested a Special Exception Permit for a Flea Market.  Mr. Temple stated that he had complied with all the requirements and paid all the fees requested.  Mr. Brockwell, Mr. Miller and Mr. Dean had met before Council and discussed the conditions for the permit.  Mr. Brockwell went over the conditions as follows: 1) the flea market may operate Monday thru Saturday only; and, 2) during the hours of 6a.m. until 7p.m. 3) two abandoned unlicensed vehicles shall be removed from the premises before the special use permit takes affect, and the premises shall be kept free of abandon vehicles; and 4) the special use permit is granted to Edwin Dale Temple only, upon change of ownership, an application for a new special use permit must be submitted for review and consideration.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to approve the conditions as set forth and for the permit to be issued after the conditions are met.  This carried by all ayes.                                                   

 

Mr. Dean stated that he would like to meet with the Mayor and the Water/Sewer Committee immediately after Council.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that we are a little better off than last year at this time.

 

PURCHASE OF 2005 CHEVY IMPALA FOR POLICE DEPT

Mr. Pecht reported that the Finance Committee had met and recommended the purchase of a 2005 Chevy Impala for the police department at a cost of $18,800 off State Contract.  The car will not be available until December.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to amend the budget for police capital to include the amount of $18,800 for the car and $2,500 for equipment.  Mr. Hardy seconded this motion and it carried by all ayes.

 

PROPOSED MEALS TAX TO BE STUDIED

Mr. Pecht also stated that copies of the proposed meals tax was in the packets.  Mr. Pecht asked Council to study the material and be ready for discussion at the October meeting.  The Finance Committee was not ready to recommend advertising for a Public Hearing at this time.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Dean Packer reported that the fire department had answered 15 calls in August, 6 in town and 9 out of town.  Dean Packer gave a break down of the calls.

 

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported that Officer Clary had made three arrests in August and one in September.  Mr. Hardy commended him on a good job.

 

CITIZENS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE FORMED

Mr. Dean stated that the Town Development Committee  had met and recommended sending out letters to start the Citizens Downtown Revitalization Committee and to have them also serve on the Jamestown Committee and asked that they also become a part of the Jamestown 2007.  Mr. Pecht stated that he would like for the Town, Chamber and Tourism to all be a part of the Jamestown 2007.  A meeting is set for September 22 and everyone is encouraged to attend.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to form a joint Citizens Downtown Revitalization and Jamestown 2007 Committee.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the new water tank is full and the State requires two bacteria test.  We have received the first one back and expect the second this week.  After that the tank will be ready for use.

 

Mr. Pecht reminded Council of the first Chick-a-Que to be held at the airport on September 22.

 

A thank you note from Dean Packer was read.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $61,232.24 and charge to the proper accounts.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Miller, Moorman, Packer and Pecht.

 

PEARSON FUNERAL SERVICES

Mr. Dean stated that he had still not received a site plan from Pearson Funeral Services. 

 

FIRE MARSHALL

Mr. Dean reported that Mr. Outten is still reviewing State Code concerning appointment of a fire marshal and hopes to have something at the October meeting.

 

FLU SHOTS

Mrs. Talbert reported that employees, spouses and Council could receive flu shots again this year at a cost of $15.00.  Mr. Miller made a motion to pay for employees and Council.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.  Shots to be given in mid October.  Mrs. Talbert will notify everyone of the date.

 

GREEN ACRES RESOLUTION

A copy of a Resolution between the Town and the County to provide water and sewer services to the Green Acres Community was in the packets.  After a discussion, it was decided to change the last paragraph to read as follows:  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, once all water and sewer improvements have been certified complete and approved by Town Engineer and Mr. Dean, the Town of Lawrenceville hereby agrees to take over and maintain the newly extended water and sewer lines.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the amended Resolution as presented.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

HALLOWEEN-TRICK OR TREAT OCTOBER 31

After a discussion concerning Halloween being on Sunday, a motion was made to declare October 31 as the night for trick or treat and to put a notice in the paper concerning the time and age limit.  This motion was made by Mr. Moorman , seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

TRASH PICKUP OUT OF TOWN

Mr. Dean stated that he had received a request for trash pickup out of town.  Mayor Clarke asked the Streets Committee to meet and come back to the October Meeting with a recommendation.

 

Mayor Clarke declared Master Dwight Dean an honorary member of Council.

 

CLOSED MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussing legal/land acquisition.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to close the meeting and convene again in open session.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

CERTIFICATION

The following resolution was adopted by the Lawrenceville Town Council Members following a closed meeting held September 14, 2004, on a motion of  Mr. Pecht, seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by the following vote: 

            Joyce D. Bland,               aye

     H. B. Brockwell,              aye

    Wilbur Hardy,                   aye

    John J. Miller, Jr.,             aye

    Michael F. Moorman,       aye

    Dean Woodrow Packer    aye

    Robert F. Pecht, III           aye

 

“BE IT RESOLVED to the best of my knowledge (I) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirement, under Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended and (II) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting.”

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion from Mr. Moorman and a second by Mrs. Bland.

 

 

 

 

_____________________MAYOR

 

 

_____________________ATTEST