JUNE 13, 2006

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on June 13, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. 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., 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; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

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

 

As this time had been set for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Tax Rate, Mayor Clarke declared the hearing open.  As no citizens asked to be heard on the proposed tax rate, a motion was made by Mr. Miller to close the Public Hearing.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing for the adoption of the Proposed Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance, Mayor Clarke declared the Hearing open.  No citizens asked to be heard on the rate ordinance.  A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Pecht to close the Public Hearing.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Brockwell made a motion to adopt the tax rate as proposed at $.28 per $100 value effective July 1, 2006.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried with the following roll call vote. 

                                                            Aye                              Nay

Joyce D. Bland                                     X

H. B. Brockwell, Jr                               X

Wilbur Hardy                                       X

J. Grady Martin                                    X

John J. Miller, Jr.                                  X

Woodrow Packer                                 X

Robert F. Pecht, III                               X

 

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Pecht  to adopt the water/sewer rate increase of 5% as presented.  This motion carried by the following roll call vote:

                                                            Aye                              Nay

Joyce D. Bland                                     X

H. B. Brockwell, Jr                               X

Wilbur Hardy                                       X

J. Grady Martin                                    X

John J. Miller, Jr.                                  X

Woodrow Packer                                 X

Robert F. Pecht, III                               X

 

Mr. Dean stated that with the new water/sewer rates the charge for bulk water, sprinkler systems and water sold to Alberta would need to be changed.  Mr. Dean’s recommendations were as follows: 1) that the cost of bulk water be changed from $4.00 per 1000 gallons to $5.00; 2) that the rate for sprinkler systems be changed from $5.00 to $10.00 per bimonthly billing; 3) and that the Alberta water charge be changed to $1.95 per 1,000 gallons.  The Town of Alberta was notified in March that the rate would be increased and again in May, Mr. Dean notified the Town of the $1.95 change.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the rates as stated.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reminded Council that on June 25th approximately 2,000 bike riders would be in town.  The bikers would be arriving around 9:30 a.m. and leaving around 1:30 p.m. heading to Emporia.  Lunch will be served and church services are planned.  Mayor Clarke and Chairman Finney of the Board of Supervisors will be welcoming the group.

 

Mr. Dean informed Council that the bid agreement for the sewer replacement project at Saint Paul’s has not been signed by the College as yet. Cost of materials is expected to increase July 1, however Saint Paul’s is responsible for all overage.  Mr. Dean stated that he had applied for an additional grant to help with the cost but would not hear from it until July.

 

The Goodrich/Davenport Project is close to completion .  Virginia Carolina is currently in the home stretch as May 31 was the original date for completion.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the surveys for the Downtown Revitalization Grant had been sent out and approximately 20 have been returned.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the T21 Grant for the Tobacco Heritage Trail had been awarded in the amount of $230,000.  This grant will provide funding for trails in  the  Lawrenceville, LaCrosse and Halifax County areas.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell authorizing Mr. Dean to sign the necessary paper work.  This motion was adopted by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean presented a Retirement Health Benefit Resolution for adoption.  The  Personnel Committee had approved the plan and included the .71% increase in retirement in the budget, however the Resolution would have to be adopted.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Dean Packer to adopt the Resolution .  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that the airport had experienced a sad occurrence in the death of Jimmy Perkins.  Mr. Perkins had been the operator for 14 years, giving 7 days a week coverage.  Mr. Perkins was 80 years old and was a 17-year cancer survivor.  Mr. Perkins will be greatly missed.

 

 

Mr. Pecht reported that the Airport Committee has met with the County Administrator and interviewed applicants for the position.  It was decided that the position needed to be  a full time position with benefits in order to get qualified persons.  Mr. Pecht stated that since the town is responsible for 1/3 of the costs at the airport the budget would need to be amended by $8,000. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the FY06/07 Budget with the change from $11,000 to $19,000 to the airport and to balance with the use of reserve.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by the following roll call vote:

                                                            Aye                              Nay

Joyce D. Bland                                     X

H. B. Brockwell, Jr                               X

Wilbur Hardy                                       X

J. Grady Martin                                    X

John J. Miller, Jr.                                  X

Woodrow Packer                                 X

Robert F. Pecht, III                               X

 

Dean Packer gave the following fire report:  32 calls were answered during the month of May.  4 were in town and 28 out of town.

MVA                              11

EMS                                5

Disregard                         5

Structure Fire                   4

Smoke Scare                    3

Brush Fire                        1

Equipment Fire                1

Power lines down            1

Unfound                           1

This report was submitted by Josh Griffin.

 

Mr. Brockwell reported that the new fence at the Town Shop looks good.

 

Mr. Miller stated that the removal of the house on Court Street was a great improvement.

 

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council of the Relay for Life to be held on June 16 at the Brunswick Sr. High Football Field and asked everyone to come out.

 

A letter from a concerned citizen concerning the condition of the alley and parking lot behind Dollar General was in the packets.  Mr. Martin stated  that something needed be done to help the area before someone fell.  Mr. Dean reported that he is in the process of getting prices on repairs.

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper funds.  This was carried by the following aye vote:

Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht.

 

Mayor Clarke reported that the County Board of Supervisors had approved the Boundary Line Agreement.  Council had held a Public Hearing but withheld adoption until after the County adopted the Agreement.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to formally adopt the Boundary Line Agreement. This received a second by Mr. Brockwell and carried by the following roll call vote:

                                                            Aye                              Nay

Joyce D. Bland                                     X

H. B. Brockwell, Jr                               X

Wilbur Hardy                                       X

J. Grady Martin                                    X

John J. Miller, Jr.                                  X

Woodrow Packer                                 X

Robert F. Pecht, III                               X

 

Mayor Clarke stated that this was the time to appoint the Town Manager and Town Attorney for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to reappoint C. J. Dean as Town Manager for the fiscal year July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Martin to reappoint W. C. Outten, Jr., as Town Attorney for the fiscal year July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reminded Council that the Dixie Youth Major League State All Stars would be here July 28 and asked if the Town wanted to have a movie.  Mr. Dean was asked to check with the Youth League about a possible street festival and movie.

 

There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Dean Packer to adjourn.  This carried by all ayes.