October 11, 2005

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the Lawrenceville Town Council to order October 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. with the following present:

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, John J. Miller, Jr. and Woodrow Packer; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Dorothy Thomas and Bobby Conner, Jr., Brunswick County Lake Gaston Tourism; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

Roll was called.

A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to approve the minutes of the last meeting, suspend the reading and file.

RESOLUTION – MICHAEL MOORMAN

Mayor Clarke stated that the next item on the agenda was an enjoyable one. As Mr. Moorman was not with us at the last meeting when his resignation was read, Mayor Clarke repeated the Council’s regret that he was leaving and he would be missed. Mayor Clarke read a Resolution for Mr. Moorman; a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Pecht to adopt the resolution. Mayor Clarke presented the Resolution to Mr. Moorman.

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Mayor Clarke then read a Certificate of Appreciation to Joyce Moorman for all her service and help to the Town. Mayor Clarke presented this to Mr. Moorman and asked that he give to Mrs. Moorman.

Mr. Moorman thanked Council and stated that he had enjoyed working with the Town.

SCENIC RIVER

Bobby Conner, Jr. of the Brunswick County Lake Gaston Tourism asked to speak to Council concerning two projects Tourism is working on. The first project is the designation of the Meherrin River as a Scenic River. Mr. Conner stated that an informative meeting would be held on November 7^th at 7 p.m. Mr. Conner asked for a Letter of Support from the Town. Mayor Clarke asked about the Town’s water intake and if there would be any problems with the Town’s usage. Mayor Clarke asked if a letter from the State could be sent assuring the Town that our water intake would not be harmed. Mr. Conner stated that he did not know if they could do that. After a discussion, Mr. Dean was asked to contact DCR and report back to Council in November. Approval of a Letter of Support was tabled until the November meeting.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER SUPPORT

The second project Mr. Conner stated was for an Entrepreneurship Center. The Center would be located in the old South Brunswick School. This would be a kitchen incubator/woodworking training center. Tourism had applied for a Tobacco Grant for the project. Mr. Conner asked for a Letter of Support from the Town. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht authorizing a Letter of Support for this project. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

LADDER TRUCK QUOTES

Mr. Dean reported that three quotes had been received on the financing of a ladder truck for the fire department. The low bid for the $175,000 loan was from First Citizens Bank for 5 years at 3.5%. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mr. Dean to proceed with the loan from First Citizens Bank. This carried by all ayes.

RAILS TO TRAILS RESOLUTION

Rails to Trails had asked if the Town would be the locality to submit an application for a T21 grant. A copy of a Resolution was in the packets. Mr. Dean stated that the 20 percent match would be in-kind contributions and no out of pocket for the Town. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Resolution as presented. This carried by all ayes.

CABOOSE BID FOR CLEAN UP

Mr. Dean stated that Chief Pond had received a price of $3,252 to clean up, paint and fix the leak on the roof of the caboose. The caboose seems to be in pretty good shape other than the roof. Mr. Dean stated that funding assistance is possible to help with the cost of refurbishing to original and this repair would just preserve the caboose for now and could be used as in-kind for a grant. A motion was made by Mr. Miller to accept the bid from Sopko. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

OPTION TO PURCHASE

Mr. Dean reported that the Town has an option to purchase a parcel pending approval of a grant and he would have more information in December.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SURVEY

Mr. Dean stated that 52 to 53 responses had been received from the telecommunications survey the Town sent out. After a discussion on applying for a grant for a technology study, the matter was tabled until the November meeting.

TTHMS COMPLIANCE

Mr. Dean reported that the Town is now in compliance on the TTHMs. Our average was 63 parts per billion. The modifications made by the water department seem to working. Mr. Dean stated that he hopes to hear from Timmons shortly on other things that can be done.

Minutes of the Revitalization meeting held on Thursday, October 6^th were given to Council.

Mr. Pecht reported that the final payment to Virginia Carolina Paving for the water/sewer project would be paid shortly.

FIRE REPORT

Mr. Packer reported that the fire department had answered 39 calls with 6 in town and 33 out of town and gave a breakdown of the calls. Mr. Packer stated that a membership list was also included in the packets.

HAROLD JONES RESIGNS

Mr. Miller stated that a copy of Harold Jones’ resignation letter was in the packet. His last day is October 12. His letter was accepted with regrets and he is wished the best of luck.

POLICE REPORT

A copy of the police report was in the packets. Mr. Hardy thanked the police department for the nice job done during St. Paul’s homecoming.

A list of department needs was in the packets, Mr. Brockwell stated that he and Mr. Dean would go over the list and report back at a later meeting.

The Safety report was in the packets.

APPROVAL OF AIRPORT BILLS

A list of the bills for the airport for FY04/05 was in the packets. Mr. Pecht made a motion to pay the Town’s share in the amount of $13,806.73; this was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

A letter from Charter Communications was in the packets explaining the new rates. A discussion was held on the different packages available and the service being provided.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills in the amount of $55,693.93 and charge to the proper funds. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

COUNCIL SEAT RECOMMENDATION

Mayor Clarke asked if the Council members from District 2 had a recommendation to fill the remaining Council term of Mr. Moorman. Mr. Miller stated that J. Grady Martin was the recommendation and Mr. Martin had agreed if appointed. After a brief discussion, Mr. Miller made a motion to appoint J. Grady Martin to fill the unexpired Council term. This was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried with a unanimous vote. Term of office to end August 31, 2008.

FLU SHOTS

Mrs. Talbert reported that CMH had called offering to provide flu shots this year at a cost of $25.00 ea. A motion was made by Mr. Miller to pay for the flu shots for employees and Council members at the cost of $25. This was seconded by Mr. Packer and carried by all ayes. Spouses may also receive the shot but will have to pay the $25.

HALLOWEEN PARADE AND MOVIE

Mrs. Talbert stated that the Halloween Parade was scheduled for October 28^th at 5:15 with a movie, Beetlejuice, at 7:30. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to help with the parade in the amount of $100. This received a second by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Mrs. Talbert reported that the Christmas Parade would be held on December 9^th and asked if Council would help with the cost of the bands. Mrs. Talbert also asked permission for Santa to ride on a fire truck in the parade. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to allow Santa to ride on a fire truck in the parade and to help with the cost of the bands in an amount not to exceed $500.00. This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

ADJOURMENT

There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Miller made a motion to adjourn and this was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all.

____________________________MAYOR

____________________________ATTEST