April 12, 2005
The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on April 12, 2005, 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, Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Supt. of Public Works, Randall Lynch; Town Employee, Eddie Hall; Adm. Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice Talbert, citizens and the press.
Roll was called.
As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing to receive comment on a proposed ordinance for a residential inspection program, Mayor Clarke declared the hearing open. Mr. Dean gave an outline of the ordinance, stating that if adopted owners of rental property would have to notify the Town of the properties within 60 days and set up a time for an inspection. The inspection would cost the owner $50.00. If no code violations were found the owner would be given a 4-year permit. Mr. Dean stated that in our current ordinance, the tenants have to notify the Town of code violations before the property can be inspected. Mr. Dean asked landowners to support the Town in this effort.
The following citizens asked to speak: Violet James, Ronald Thornhill, Percy Bunch, Michael Redman, John Goldsberry, Brian Jewett, Ellie Jackson, Ralph Lewis, Leorie Mallory, Shirley Penn, Eddie Bland. All of the citizens stated that they were against the ordinance and felt the ordinance already on the books was all that was needed.
Scott Kelly stated that he lived within the proposed district but was not a landlord of rental property. He would not say if he was in favor or not of the ordinance but stated that the Town should be applauded for their efforts.
As no one else asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to close the Public Hearing. This motion carried by all ayes.
A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Pecht to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as received, suspend the reading and file. This carried by all ayes.
Anna Price of 508 Plank Road asked to address Council concerning a sewer problem she has on her property. Mrs. Price stated that the sewer line on her property also serves her neighbor. She stated that she found out last year that the line served both properties but that she had been paying for all the repairs. Mrs. Price felt the Town should reroute the line at no expense to her even though it was on private property. Mrs. Price asked that Council respond to her in writing as to what can be done to help her. She believes she is living in unsanitary conditions from both her water and sewer. Mayor Clarke referred this matter to the Water/Wastewater Committee. Mrs. Shirley Penn stated that she was the other landowner and had talked with Mrs. Price and was ready to resolve the problem.
Mr. Dean reported that bids had been received and opened by B & B Consultants for the Hwy 46S Sewer Project and it was the recommendation of B & B to award the bid to
Castle Heights Construction at the bid of $117,120.25. A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to award the bid to Castle Heights Construction. This was carried by all ayes.
Mr. Dean stated that copies of a Programmatic Agreement between the US Department of Housing, The Town of Lawrenceville and the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office were in the packets. Mr. Dean requested authorization to sign the agreement. He reported that black and white photos of the properties on High Street would be taken before any demolitions are done and that a written history of the High Street neighborhood will be done. A Saint Paul’s professor and a student of history have volunteered to write the report. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to authorize Mr. Dean to sign the agreement. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.
Mr. Dean reported that a letter from the Town of Appomattox was in the packet inviting Council to a Town Meeting on May 18th concerning protecting community character.
The Southside Planning District Commission had sent out a notice of a Public Hearing to be held on May 10th beginning at 7:00 pm. from the State Water Control Board to receive comment on local and regional water planning regulations.
Mr. Dean also reported that clean up week has been set for April 18-22. The town will not pick up tires, wet paint or hazardous materials.
A Movie on Main Street will be held on April 22 with the movie “Chicken Run” being shown.
The Spring Festival has been set for April 23, with the Brickyard race to begin at 8:30 am.
Mr. Dean reported that D Don’s has fulfilled their obligations and commended them on improving the appearance of the store.
Mr. Pecht reported that the audit for FY 04/05 had been received. After a discussion, Mr. Pecht made a motion to approve the audit on the recommendation of the Finance Committee. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.
The proposed budget for FY 05/06 was in the packets. Mr. Pecht stated that this was still a work in progress and could be changed anytime. The proposed budget did not include any tax or rate increases. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to advertise for a Public Hearing at the May meeting. This received a second by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes.
Dean Packer reported that the fire department had responded to 17 calls in March with 3 being in town and 14 outside of town. Dean Packer gave a break down of the calls.
Mr. Hardy stated the police report was in the packets.
Mr. Dean stated that the next Downtown Revitalization Meeting would be held on May 19th with the Mayor of Boydton coming to report on the progress on their revitalization.
Mr. Dean reported that the Brunswick Tourism Association was requesting the Town to include $500 in our budget to cover expenses of the Town’s events for the Jamestown 2007 Celebration. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the request. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes. The next meeting of the Jamestown 2007 Committee will be held on April 13th at 7 pm.
Mr. Pecht reminded everyone of the two festivals to be held at the airport. The Beef and Dairy Festival will be held on May 18th. The Seafood Festival will be held on May 4th.
A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Miller to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper accounts. This was carried by all ayes.
Mrs. Bland stated that the old learning center was not secure, doors were not locked and it presented a danger to children and citizens. She stated that she understood an organization wanted to purchase the property and she would like the Town to encourage the County to sell the property. Mr. Dean was asked to contact Mr. Vincent concerning the possible sale and to ask that the property be secured.
Mr. Pecht stated that the comments heard on the proposed rental inspection ordinance were very educational and wanted to know what can be done if this ordinance is not the answer. The proposed ordinance will be on the agenda for Council to vote on at the May meeting. Mrs. Bland stated that there was a definite need for something to be done.
A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to move to 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 matters. This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and carried by all ayes.
After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn the closed meeting and convene again in open session. This carried by all ayes.
The following resolution was adopted by the Lawrenceville Town Council Members following a closed meeting held April 12, 2005 on a motion by Mr. Pecht and a second by Mr. Miller and carried by the following vote:
Joyce Bland x
H. B. Brockwell x
Wilbur Hardy x
John Miller x
Michael Moorman x
Dean Packer x
Robert Pecht x
“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.”
As there was no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Bland. This carried by all ayes.
_________________________Mayor
Keith W. Clarke
_________________________Attest
Alice B. Talbert, CMC