JANUARY 10, 2006

 

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on January 10, 2006 with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members, Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, J. Grady Martin, John J. Miller, Jr., Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Police Chief, Douglas R. Pond; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS TO START AT 8:00 P.M.

Mayor Clarke stated that we had a full agenda with 3 Public Hearings starting at 8:00 p.m. 

 

UPDATE ON PEEBLES BUILDING

Mayor Clarke welcomed Mrs. Fannie McClenny and Mr. Dale Baird to give an update on the Peebles building and answer questions concerning the School Board’s proposed move to the building.  Mr. Baird gave a very informative update on the School Board’s efforts to move the 9th grade to the senior high and move the School Board offices.  Mr. Baird reported that the 9th grade would be moved this summer with classes opening at the senior high in September 2006.  Mr. Baird also stated that the first floor of the Peebles building would be renovated first and would consist of a school board meeting room/conference room, a receptionist, instructional technology department, instructional specialist and teacher’s resource center.  This floor would house 10 persons.  The teacher’s resource has over 100 teachers using it and would bring more traffic into town.  The funding and start date for the second phase would be determined by the Board of Supervisors.  Mr. Baird also stated that it was never the goal to have one building for all offices.  After completion, 41 persons will be housed in the downtown area using the Peebles building and the current school board building.  Mr. Baird also reported that the gift of the Peebles building was used as a match in obtaining an interest free loan, saving over a million dollars.  A meeting is scheduled for February for final approval of the plans after which it will be approximately 9-12 months for completions of the first floor.  Mr. Martin asked if displays could be placed in the windows of the Peebles building.  Mr. Baird stated that he felt the vocational departments would be able to take care of this request.

 

RIBBON CUTTING AT BRUNSWICK SENIOR HIGH

Mr. Baird also reported that a ribbon cutting would be held on January 27th at 2:00 p.m. for the new gym, cafeteria, and library with a game that night and dedication of the gym.  Invitations would be sent out to council.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – TAFT STREET PROPOSED CLOSING

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing, Mayor Clarke opened the Public Hearing on the proposed closing of Taft Street.  Mr. Dean stated that Mr. Pearson of Pearson’s Funeral Service was requesting the closing of Taft Street to build a chapel and a parking lot.  Daven Lucy, president of Elm Acres, stated that the closing would affect Elm Acres, as there will only be one way out in case of a fire.  He stated that he was concerned for the safety of persons using Elm Acres.  Mr. Lucy also stated that he had a plan that he felt would be beneficial to Mr. Pearson, Elm Acres and the Town.  James Nolley of Brodnax stated that he was in favor of the closing and stated that everyone needs to help each other.  As no one else asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Martin to close the Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.  Mayor Clarke stated that viewers would be appointed to meet with Mr. Dean and report back at the February meeting.

 

PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF REAL ESTATE

Mayor Clarke opened the Public Hearing on the proposed disposal of real estate.  Mr. Dean stated that the town had acquired a parcel of land in 1998 during the work on the Railroad Street Project for a drainage easement.  Mr. Dean asked that the property be declared surplus so it can be sold.  The town has no need for the property except for the easement, which will remain.  As no one asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Martin to close the Public Hearing.  This motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to declare the property surplus.  This carried by all ayes.

 

PUBLIC HEARING –PPTRA ORDINANCE

Mayor Clarke opened the Public Hearing on the proposed PPTRA Ordinance.  Mr. Outten explained that the General Assembly had passed a bill changing the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998.  This Ordinance was required to provide for the implementation of the changes.  The Ordinance is the same as the one adopted by the County.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Hardy to adopt the Ordinance as presented.  Voting aye, Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht.

 

Mayor Clarke again thanked Mrs. McClenny and Mr. Baird for their presentation and invited them back after their February meeting with the County.

 

GOODRICH/DAVENPORT PROJECT UPDATE

Mr. Dean gave an update on the Goodrich/Davenport Project.  He reported that he had met with the County, State and Southside Planning and the State did not want the street work to be advertised with the Green Acres Project.  Bids are due in on February 19th for the street project.

 

RESOLUTION – REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN

Council had a copy of a Resolution for the participation in a regional water supply plan for the future.  Mr. Dean explained that the State Water Control Board requires each locality submit a water supply plan or participate in a regional plan.  The Resolution allows the Town to participate in a regional project through Southside Planning District.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Hardy to adopt the Resolution as presented.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR VIRGINIA MAIN STREET

Council members were given a copy of the Executive Summary for the Virginia Main Street.  Mr. Dean stated this was just for information and the entire report was on the Main Street web site listed on the bottom of the Summary.

 

REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE

Mr. Dean also gave out copies of a report of the Revitalization Committee meeting held on Thursday night, January 5th and reminded everyone that the Committee meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm.

 

Copies of The Mecklenburg Sun showing a study comparing water rates of nine localities were given out.

 

Mr. Pecht gave a brief finance report and stated that the Town is a little ahead of last year.

 

FIRE REPORT

Dean Packer stated the fire department had responded to a total of 20 calls in December with 3 being in town and 17 out of town.  Dean Packer gave a breakdown of the calls.

 

Mr. Hardy stated that the police report was in the packets.

 

Mr. Martin reported that he and Mr. Dean had met with the revitalization committee and had received information on parking and having merchandise on the sidewalks.  Mr. Martin stated that most were in favor of the 2-hour parking.  They will be meeting again to discuss the matters more.

 

Mr. Martin stated that a joint meeting on the old primary school property is still being looked into.

 

Mr. Brockwell stated that the safety reports were in the packets.

 

THANK YOU NOTE

Mrs. Talbert read a thank you note from Mayor Clarke for the arrangement and support received at his mother’s death.

 

Mr. Brockwell also thanked Council for the arrangement and support received at his mother’s death.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Dean Packer to pay the bills in the amount of $45,206.23 and charge to the proper funds.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht.

 

CLOSED SESSION

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended for the purpose of discussing land acquisition.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Hardy and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht.

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Miller that the closed meeting be adjourned and the Lawrenceville Town Council convene again in open session.  This carried by all ayes.

 

CERTIFICATION

The following resolution was adopted by the Lawrenceville Town Council following a closed meeting held on January 10, 2006 on motion of Mr. Pecht, seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by the following vote:

                                                AYE                NAY                ABSENT            ABSTAIN

 

Joyce D. Bland             X

H.B. Brockwell, Jr.               X

Wilbur Hardy                           X        

J. Grady Martin                        X

John J. Miller, Jr.                    X

Dean Woodrow Packer X

Robert F. Pecht, III.                     X

“ BE IT RESOLVED to the best of my knowledge (i) only public business matters exempted from open meeting requirement, under Section 2.2-3711 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, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn.  This carried by all ayes.

 

 

_____________________________Mayor

Keith W. Clarke

 

 

_____________________________Attest

Alice B. Talbert