October 12, 2004

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on October 12, 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, Michael F. Moorman, Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager C. J. Dean; Police Chief Douglas R. Pond; Administrative Assistant Wanda Johnson; citizens and the press.

Absent: John J. Miller, Jr. and Alice Talbert, Clerk.

Roll was called.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

Mayor Clarke stated a closed session will be needed to discuss property acquisition.

CITIZEN CONCERNS

Mayor Clarke recognized Barbara Parrish. Mrs. Parrish spoke about the mold removal project at the Albertis S. Harrison Courthouse and expressed her concern that mold spores may have been released outside of the courthouse. Mayor Clarke thanked her for her comments and stated she had raised questions for investigation.

Mr. Outten stated he had no formal report and other matters may come up under other reports.

RAILS TO TRAILS RESOLUTION

A copy of a Resolution in which the Town of Lawrenceville agrees to act as project sponsor and provide a minimum 20 percent in cash or in-kind contribution for a TEA-21 grant for the Roanoke River Rails to Trails project was in the packet. Mr. Dean stated there would be no direct expense to the Town as donated materials and Town labor would take care of the match. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the resolution as presented in the packet. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. The motion carried with 5 aye votes. Mr. Moorman abstained.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht reported that part of the committee met to discuss the proposed meals tax. The Finance Committee was not ready to recommend advertising for a Public Hearing at this time. The committee is now considering the possibility of a cell phone utility tax and will research this tax further.

Mr. Pecht also stated we are running about even with last year at this point, but it is still tight.

FIRE REPORT

Dean Packer reported that the fire department answered 10 calls in September, 2 in town and 8 out of town. Dean Packer gave a break down of the calls.

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported routine activities in the police report except for the break-in at Hannah’s Feed and Seed on September 27 when 8 handguns were stolen. Six were recovered and a juvenile was arrested due to the good work of the Town and County police officers.

Mayor Clarke commended the Town and County police officers for their quick action.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT REPORT

Mr. Brockwell stated the budget/projects handout follows up issues of property and equipment needs. Mr. Brockwell will meet with Mr. Dean to determine estimated costs and needs to develop a capital improvement plan. Mayor Clarke stated a grave concern to him is a permanent generator to run the water plant. He would like the water demand for the prisons to be determined and the possibility of state assistance for a generator be investigated.

STREET, LIGHTS AND CEMETERY

Mrs. Bland reported that Mr. Dean will talk to the property owner regarding trash pickup for out of town customers.

Mrs. Bland also reported Laura Pinchbeck is requesting the closure of a street in the cemetery. The committee and the cemetery trustees will meet, view the site and make a recommendation at the next council meeting.

SEWER PROJECTS

Mr. Dean noted that because of rainfall events, the sewer plant has exceeded 95% capacity two months in a row.

There was discussion concerning the Rose Creek and St. Paul’s College items listed on the Sewer Projects report. Mr. Dean stated the Town Attorney drew up an agreement which St. Paul’s has forwarded to their buildings and grounds committee for review.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $33,776.10 and charge to the proper accounts. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Moorman, Packer and Pecht.

PEARSON FUNERAL SERVICES

Mr. Dean reported there has been no correspondence from Pearson Funeral Services.

FIRE MARSHAL

Mayor Clarke stated the appointment of a Fire Marshal is mandated by the State. While he would prefer to appoint someone from in-house, there is no one currently certified. George Clore, Brunswick County Building Inspector, is currently credentialed and certified to serve as a fire marshal.

Mayor Clarke appointed George Clore Interim Fire Marshal to serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Town Council.

FLU SHOTS

Mr. Dean reported that flu shots will not be available to the Town due to the vaccine shortage. The Health Department is following CDC guidelines and individuals may contact the Health Department to determine availability.

SPEED LIMIT SIGN

There was discussion about the letter in the packet from VDOT advising that based on an evaluation they cannot recommend the installation of flashing lights on the speed limit sign on Route 46/Windsor Avenue. Mr. Moorman asked that the Town look into the cost of the sign if the Town put one up on its own.

Mr. Dean reported the Children at Play signs have been ordered by the Town.

TOWN OF LA CROSSE RESOLUTION REQUEST

A copy of a request was in the packet from the Town of La Crosse for a resolution and letter of support for their application for a TEA-21 grant for the renovation of the La Crosse Hotel. This would be related to the new Southeast High Speed Railroad and the inclusion of an Amtrak Railroad Station in the hotel. There was discussion concerning showing support for La Crosse when a previous resolution was adopted supporting the location of a Southeast High Speed Rail train station in the Town of Alberta. Both localities will be contacted before the next council meeting.

Mr. Moorman asked if Mayor Clarke could consult with someone on the issues raised by Mrs. Parrish’s comments. He also asked that letters be sent to the Town Council members to help them better understand the situation. Mayor Clarke will contact Mr. Vincent and Mr. LeBlanc.

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 property acquisition. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

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

CERTIFICATION

The following resolution was adopted by the Lawrenceville Town Council Members following a closed meeting held October 12, 2004, on a motion of Mr. Pecht, seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by the following vote:

Joyce D. Bland aye

H. B. Brockwell, Jr. aye

Wilbur Hardy aye

John J. Miller, Jr. absent

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 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. Brockwell and a second by Mrs. Bland.

___________________________MAYOR

__________________________ATTEST