September 11, 2007

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on September 11, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. with the following present:

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, Harry S. Holman, J. Grady Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Jeff Richardson of the Fire Department; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

CITIZEN CONCERNS

Michael Vaughan asked to speak to Council concerning his building at 311 New Street. Mr. Vaughan stated that he is in the process of opening a new laundry on New Street. He stated that the drainage in front of the building is a problem he has been trying to get repaired for two years. Mr. Dean stated that the drainage is a VDOT issue and the Town cannot repair the sidewalks until after VDOT repairs the drainage issue. Mrs. Sanderson stated that VDOT is supposed to have an engineer come in to check the problem. Mrs. Sanderson said she would check back with VDOT and find out what is happening.

Mr. Vaughan also asked if the Town could help with the cost of installing the water line needed for the laundry. Mr. Vaughan stated that he had invested $300,000 in the business and would like help with the hook up cost. He stated that he had received a bill in the amount of $3,690.00. Mr. Martin asked if he qualified for the Enterprise Zone incentives, which would provide tax benefits and additional town benefits. Mayor Clarke asked the Water/Wastewater Committee to look into the matter.

TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT

Mr. Outten stated that a request had been received concerning a mutual aid agreement with Emergency Services. Mr. Outten stated that he is to meet with the County Attorney on this matter and would report back at the next meeting.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Dean reported that he is still working with Saint Paul’s on the High Street project.

Mr. Dean stated that the cost of the lightning damage at the wastewater plant so far is $30,926.16 and we still have some to come in yet. We have submitted to VML part of cost and received reimbursement.

Mr. Martin asked about the signage and crosswalk request from the August meeting. Mr. Dean reported that VDOT is supposed to be sending results of their study concerning both issues.

TREASURER RELIEVED ON UNPAID ACCOUNTS

Mr. Pecht made a motion to relieve the Treasurer of unpaid water bills in the amount of $256.36 and Personal Property Tax for 2001 in the amount of $3,630.89. Mr. Outten explained that this does not relieve the customer of the cost only relieves the Treasurer of the accounting for the unpaid amounts. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

AUDIT REQUIREMENT

Mr. Pecht explained that due to changes in the General Accounting Standards, our auditor has advised that we need to change our monthly internal accounting from cash accounting to accrual and to interface our software. Our annual audit is on the accrual accounting method. The estimated cost from our software vender is $900. Mr. Pecht made a motion to change from cash accounting to accrual and interface our software and expend approximately $900. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

FIRE REPORT

Mrs. Bland stated that the Fire Department had responded to 56 calls in August with 14 in town and 42 out of town. She gave the following fire report breakdown: EMS 25; disregard 11; MVA 7; structure fire 3; brush fire 2; airplane emergency landing 1; car fire 1; L-Z set up 1; water leak 1; lines down 1; traffic control 1; Haz-Mat spill 1; false alarm 1.

NEW EMPLOYEE

Mr. Martin reported that part time employee, Michael Funderburk, had been changed to full time position with benefits to begin on Sept. 13 at the water plant. Mr. Funderburk will be cross-trained to work both at the water plant and wastewater plant.

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy stated that the police report was in the packets. He pointed out that Chief Pond had attended the quarterly meeting of VASAP on August 10^th and a grant training session on August 24^th.

GENERATOR UPDATE

Mr. Brockwell stated that he had met with Mr. Dean concerning the generator for the fire department. Mr. Dean stated that they had checked with Virginia Power and they do not supply generators for commercial or government use. Mr. Brockwell and Mr. Dean had looked at the proposed location of the generator and the back of the building is the location best suited for the generator.

CHURCH WATER LINE

Mr. Dean stated that the Church of Latterday Saints had presented plans for their new church to be built on Hwy 58. Mr. Dean handed out copies of a cost proposal from Biggs Construction to upgrade the 8” pipe they are planning to 12” pipe. This increase will cost the Town $20,000. The Church is funding the project and Mr. Dean recommended the town increase the pipe size at time of construction. This increase will enable water service to be extended in the future. A motion was made by Mr. Martin to accept the recommendation of Mr. Dean to increase the pipe from 8” to 12”. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson. The cost would be charged to water capital.

Mr. Dean stated that there would be need of a short Water/Wastewater Committee meeting after Council.

SAFETY REPORT REQUEST

Mr. Brockwell reported that the safety reports were in the packets. He asked that at the next meeting each department present a list of the safety meetings and the titles held for the last year.

Mr. Dean reported that after bills are approved tonight the Saint Paul’s Project would be paid in full by the Town and Saint Paul’s College.

AIRPORT BILLS APPROVED

Mr. Pecht stated that a copy of the airport bills was in the packets. The town’s 1/3 share of the airport expense was $16,042.39 and the 1/3 share of capital expenses came to $6,051.66 for a total of $22,094.05. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the Town’s 1/3 share in the amount of $22,094.05. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

NEW CABLE

Mayor Clarke thanked Wanda Johnson for the following phone numbers for the new cable company, JetBroadBand. 800-821-7110 and 877-743-8538.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to pay the bills in the amount of $85,529.91 and charge to the proper accounts.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Keith W. Clarke, Mayor

ATTEST : Alice B. Talbert, Clerk