JULY 11, 2006

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on July 11, 2006 by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, J. Grady Martin, John J. Miller, Jr., Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Supt. Of Public Works, Randall Lynch; Town Code Official, Scott Kelly; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, Joyce D. Bland

 

Roll was called.

 

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

 

BIKEVIRGINIA

Mayor Clarke stated that he had received many favorable comments about our town, even from Governor Kaine, from the Bike Virginia riders.  He stated that many organizations had helped to get this together and many people were to be commended for their hard work.  The town street department, the police, Chief Pond and C. J. Dean had worked hard prior to, during and after the event and a special thanks went to them. 

 

CITIZEN APPRECIATION

Chief Pond stated that a citizen had been assigned to the intersection of S. Main Street and Hicks St. to help the bikers but did not show up.  Chief Pond asked James Rice if he would help with the bikers and he volunteered to man the corner.  Chief Pond stated that Mr. Rice worked the entire event. Chief Pond presented Mr. Rice a plaque, prepared by Wanda Johnson, in appreciation for his help.

 

Mr. Outten stated that he was in Newport News and a friend told him that he had participated in the bike ride and that Lawrenceville had a class act.  Mr. Outten stated he was very proud of our town.

 

Mr. Outten reported that there would be need of a closed session to discuss a legal matter.

 

STREET CLOSURE PERMIT

Mr. Dean stated that Council had copies of a Temporary Street Closure/Parade Permit.  Mr. Dean had met with VDOT and they were in agreement with the permit.  After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Temporary Street Closure/Parade Permit as presented.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean thanked Mr. Lynch, the street crew, fire department, police department, IDA, Chamber, Tourism, Wanda Johnson, Elaine Clary and Alice Talbert for helping with the Bike Virginia event on June 25th.

 

SAINT PAUL’S SEWER REPLACEMENT UPDATE

Mr. Dean reported that we still did not have a signed contract with Saint Paul’s College for the sewer replacement project.  He stated that a meeting will be held next week with the Tobacco Commission to approve additional funds and asked any Council member that could to contact Frank Ruff, Tommy Wright or Bryant Stith to ask for their support.  These additional funds would make it possible to do the sewer replacement project.

 

GOODRICH/DAVENPORT UPDATE

Mr. Dean reported that the base coat of asphalt was done today and work should be completed in the next couple weeks on the Goodrich/Davenport Project.  Mr. Dean stated that he would like to have a ribbon cutting when finished to make citizens aware of the work that has been done.

 

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION GRANT UPDATE

Mr. Dean stated that he is still looking for anyone that has not completed a survey to get with him about completing one as he still needs a few more for the Downtown Revitalization Grant.

 

WATER PLANT

Mr. Dean reported that the roof on the water plant was installed in 1965 and is a flat roof in need of repair.  Mr. Dean asked Council for authorization to advertise for bids with a budget figure of $25,000.  After a discussion, Mr. Miller made a motion to authorize Mr. Dean to advertise for bids on replacing the roof at the water treatment plant.  This was seconded by Mr. Packer and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean stated that in 1997-1998 construction plans for the water plant upgrade, a potassium permanganate feed system was included.  This system would help with the TTHM problem.  Mr. Dean has asked VA Dept. of Health for a construction timeline extension so we can use the existing plans. He stated that a verbal permission has been given but is waiting for written permission.

 

EAST CHURCH ST AND MUNICIPAL PARKING PROJECT

Copies of an agreement with B & B Consultants were presented to Council for the design phase for the East Church Street and Municipal Parking Area Improvement Planning Project.  Mr. Dean asked that Council award the Design Phase Agreement to B & B. Consultants as presented.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to award the Design Phase Agreement to B. & B. Consultants as presented.  This carried by all ayes.

 

O & M MANUAL

Mr. Dean stated that a VA Dept. of Health has requested that the town water treatment plant must have an operation and maintenance manual (O & M Manual).  A letter was presented to Council from B & B Consultants stating the scope of services to prepare the O & M Manual for the lump sum of $25,000.  After a discussion on other alternatives, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to accept the agreement from B. & B. Consultants to provide the O & M Manual for the sum of $25,000.  This carried by all ayes.

 

ANNIVERSARY GARDEN

Mr. Dean stated that the recent graduates of the Master Gardeners program and the extension service had talked with him concerning an anniversary garden on town property at Park and Windsor Ave. They would design and plant this fall for the 2007 Jamestown events.  More information will be provided at a later meeting.

 

Mr. Dean asked to meet with the Property and Equipment committee.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that corrected copies of page 6 of the financial statement were before Council.  Mr. Pecht gave a brief overview of the financial statement for the fiscal year 05/06.  Mr. Pecht stated that several capital projects had been completed.

 

FIRE REPORT

Mr. Packer gave the following fire report:  24 calls were made during the month of June with 5 in town and 19 out of town.

Motor vehicle accidents                         9

Smoke alarm or scare                             5

Disregard                                                2

Structure fire                                            2

Lines down                                              2

E.M.S                                                     2

Tree in road                                           1

Hay bales on fire                                   1

Tree fire                                                 1

Landing zone set up                              1

 

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported that the police report was in the packets.  He thanked Chief Pond for his work with Bike Virginia.

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Mr. Brockwell asked that the Property and Equipment Committee meet after Council tonight.  Mr. Brockwell stated that he attended a meeting today on emergency preparedness and that action taken by the town in the past was recognized as the correct steps for being prepared in case of an emergency.

 

Mr. Dean stated that Mr. Lynch had the new ton truck and sewer jetter in the parking lot if Council would like to look it over after the meeting.

 

SAFETY REPORT

Mr. Brockwell encouraged members to look at the topics on the safety reports and let Mr. Dean know if there are other areas that needed to be covered.  Mr. Brockwell stated that he felt we had good documentation on what was being covered.

 

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Mr. Kelly stated that he was looking at older buildings in town that seem to be being neglected.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE UPDATE

Mrs. Talbert stated that a copy of an information sheet showing some of the things the Cancer Society is able to provide because of the support from Relay for Life.  Mrs. Talbert reported that as of tonight, the Brunswick Relay had raised over $109,000 with their goal being $80,000.  Mrs. Talbert thanked all who attended or supported the Relay this year.

 

DIXIE YOUTH MAJOR LEAGUE STATE ALL STARS

Mayor Clarke reminded Council that the Dixie Youth Major League State All Stars would be in town July 28 and asked everyone to come out and support them.  Mrs. Talbert stated that a Movie on Main Street was planned for the 28th after the opening ceremony.  Sarah Abernathy, with the All Stars, had been contacted and was in agreement with having a movie that night.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills in the amount of $55,099.07 as presented and charge to the proper funds.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Re-elected Council members and new members were reminded that they needed to be sworn in by August 31st.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Pecht made a motion 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 a legal matter.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried with the following roll call vote: ayes: Brockwell, Hardy, Martin, Miller, Packer and Pecht. Absent: Bland.

 

CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adjourn the closed meeting and convene again in open session.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

CERTIFICATION

Mr. Pecht made the following motion of certification: 

“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, 1959, 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.”

This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried with the following roll call vote:

                                                          Ayes                           Nay                         Absent

Bland                                                                                                                  x

Brockwell                                             x

Hardy                                                   x

Martin                                                 x

Miller                                                  x

Packer                                                 x

Pecht                                                   x

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

________________________________

Keith W. Clarke, Mayor

 

________________________________Attest

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk