SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on September 12, 2006, by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, Harry S. Holman, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Douglas R. Pond; Supt. Of Public Works, Randall Lynch; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Delegate Roslyn Tyler; Scott Kelly, Town Code Enforcer; Scott Clary of the Lawrenceville Fire Department;  Alice B. Talbert, Clerk; citizens and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, J. Grady Martin

 

Roll was called.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

WELCOME NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Clarke welcomed the two new Council members, Esther Sanderson and Harry Holman to their first meeting.

 

DELEGATE ROSLYN TYLER

Mayor Clarke stated that it was an honor to recognize Delegate Roslyn Tyler and stated that he enjoyed receiving her 2006 Highlights.  Delegate Tyler thanked Mayor Clarke and gave a brief statement.  Delegate Tyler stated that she has an office in Emporia with office hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm.  Delegate Tyler stated she welcomed any concerns or suggestions and her door was always open.  Mayor Clarke thanked her for coming.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST

Scott Clary of the Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department asked to speak to Council and invited Council to the Fire Department Open House on Sunday, October 8th from 1–4 p.m.  Mr. Clary stated that many activities are planned.  Mr. Clary asked permission to allow children to ride on one of the fire trucks around the block.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to allow children to ride around the block on the fire truck and permission for Santa to ride on the fire truck during the Christmas Parade.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.

 

Council member were given a copy of the Virginia Municipal League’s History of Local Governments 1905-2005.

 

RESOLUTION AND LETTER OF SUPPORT

Mr. Dean stated that a Resolution and Letter of Support had been received from the Department of Housing and Community Development concerning a grant application, with no matching funds, to assist in community economic development.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Resolution and Letter of Support.  This carried by all ayes.

 

SAINT PAUL’S SEWER REPLACEMENT UPDATE

Concerning the Sewer Replacement at Saint Paul’s, Mr. Dean reported that Saint Paul’s has the easement agreement and the Town should be receiving it shortly.  After receiving the agreement, the notice of award will be given.

 

GOODRICH/DAVENPORT PROJECT

The Goodrich/Davenport project is almost complete.  Mr. Dean stated that a ribbon cutting will be planned as soon as the punch list is completed. Mr. Dean encouraged Council to check out this area.

 

Mr. Dean will inform Council on the meeting date concerning the Downtown Revitalization grant when it is set.

 

Concerning the TTHM, Mr. Dean stated that he is still waiting on B & B Consultants for equipment cost.

 

WATER TREATMENT PLANT ROOF

Bids for the water treatment plant roof were opened on August 31st.  Only two bids were received with the low bid from L. H. Wingfield Roofing.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to award the bid to L. H. Wingfield Roofing at the low bid of $24,280.00 and authorize Mr. Dean to sign necessary papers.  This carried by all ayes.  Mr. Dean stated that work should start in 6 weeks.

 

MATTERS FOR COUNCIL TO STUDY

Mr. Dean stated that members had before them a copy of a proposed meals tax ordinance.  Mr. Dean asked that Council look over the proposed ordinance for future discussion either in committee or at a Council meeting.

 

A proposed ordinance for Historic District Overlay was presented.  Mr. Dean asked that Council look over this ordinance for discussion at a future meeting.

 

WIRELESS INTERNET CLASSES

Mr. Dean reported that information was in the packets concerning wireless Internet classes being offered October 3 in South Hill and on October 31 in Blackstone.  Any one interested in attending should contact the Town office in order to get registered.

 

Mr. Dean asked to meet with the Water/Sewer Committee after Council tonight.

 

CODE ENFORCER REPORT

Scott Kelly, Town Code Enforcer, presented recommendations for the prevention, reclamation and reuse of vacant and abandoned property in Lawrenceville.  Mr. Kelly went over five approaches and asked Council to look over the report and he would be back at the October meeting to ask for a Public Hearing.

 

PPTRA RESOLUTION

Mr. Pecht stated that due to the new PPTRA regulations, Lawrenceville is required to exhaust the tax relief funds provided by the Commonwealth.  For tax year 2006, Lawrenceville will received $39,560.61.  After the numbers were run by the County Treasurer’s office, the Town will need to change the percent of relief to citizens from 70% to 85%.  Mr. Pecht read a copy of the Resolution.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Resolution providing 85% tax relief as presented.  This was seconded by all ayes.

 

ERRONEOUSLY CHARGED AND UNCOLLECTIBLE TAXES

Mr. Pecht made a motion to relieve Mrs. Talbert, Treasurer, of erroneously charged taxes in the amount of $698.78 and for uncollectible taxes for 1998, 1999 and 2000 in the amount of $7,339.30.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

LINE ITEM AMENDMENT

Mr. Pecht stated that a budget line item needed to be added to the budget.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to amend the budget in the amount of $205,555 to include a line item for Town Improvement Expenses in the Flow Thru section of the 06/07 Budget.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL OF LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT FOR AUDIT

Due to a statute passed by the General Assembly, a limited-scope audit conducted by an independent certified public accounting firm has to be conducted on communications taxes and fees collected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.  Creedle, Jones & Alga had presented a letter of engagement to perform this audit.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to approve the letter of engagement with Creedle, Jones & Alga.  This carried by all ayes.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported that the Lawrenceville Fire Department had answered 25 calls in August.  Seven were in town and 18 outside of town.  Mr. Hardy gave the following break down: ceiling collapse – 1; gasoline leak – 1; haz-mat – 1; brush fire – 1; smoke alarm – 1; fire scare – 1; lightning strike – 2; MVA – 5; disregard – 5; EMS – 7.

 

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Mayor Clarke announced that new committee assignments would be sent out with the minutes and that he was forming 3 new committees.

 

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported that the police report was in the packets but pointed out that Mrs. Mabel Brewer and Chief Pond had filled in two days at the town office for the town staff to attend a software conference.

 

SAFETY REPORT

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

 

AIRPORT

Mr. Pecht reported that the terminal building project had been approved by the Virginia Department of Aviation.

 

RIBBON CUTTING

Mrs. Talbert stated that Council had been invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Brunswick Bus Route on Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 10:30 am at SVCC.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills in the amount of $80,281.79 and charge against the proper funds.  This carried by all ayes.

 

MAYOR’S WISH LIST

Mayor Clarke reminded Council that the new committee assignments would be coming out and he stated that he had a few items he would like for Council to keep in mind during this fiscal year. 1) The Historic District Overlay;  2) January 2007 our new boundary line adjustment will be complete and he would like for everyone to work with the County and the businesses and property owners to make a smooth transition; 3) Save buildings in town, the Old Primary School and the Peebles building, and find good uses for them; 4) The Saint Paul’s Sewer upgrade; 5) wireless internet for the town; 6) uses for town properties such as our parks; 7) cemetery grass cutting; 8) employee benefits; 9) three new committees to be formed.

 

FLU SHOTS

Mrs. Talbert stated that flu shots would be given this year to employees and council members.  Spouses can receive the shot but will have to pay for them.  She asked anyone wanting to receive the flu shot to let her know as they will be given the end of September or early October.

 

HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTMAS PARADE

Mrs. Talbert asked permission to hold the Halloween Parade on October 31st and the Christmas Parade on December 8th and support in the amount not to exceed $100 on the Halloween Parade and $500 on the Christmas Parade.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to allow the Halloween Parade and Christmas Parade to be held and to support in the amounts not to exceed $100 on the Halloween Parade and $500 on the Christmas Parade.  This carried by all ayes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

Keith W. Clarke:  MAYOR     

 

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk : ATTEST