August 10, 2010

 

Mayor Douglas R. Pond called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on August 10, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Dora D. Hardy, Harry S. Holman, Scott E. Martin, Robert Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson.  Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, E. L. Gibson, Jr.; Admin. Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Bill Smith and Tommy Johnson from VDOT;  Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Absent: Council Member, Joyce D. Bland

 

VDOT

Mayor Pond welcomed Bill Smith and Tommy Johnson from VDOT to Council.  Mr. Smith stated that he was the “new” Dale Goodman for VDOT.  Mr. Smith stated that he and Mr. Johnson manage maintenance for VDOT.  He gave a brief overview of work going on at present and what would be coming in the future.  The bridge on 46 North should be completed shortly after the first of September.  The bridge on 46 South, over the Meherrin River, is scheduled to begin construction in 2013.  A new road and bridge will be built to the right of the existing bridge before the old bridge is removed.  Mr. Brockwell asked about having an engineering group from VDOT come in and do a study of the downtown traffic pattern.  Mr. Smith stated that he would forward a request to the proper department for this study.  Mr. Smith thanked Council for inviting him and Mr. Johnson.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Pond stated that National Night Out was great fun; he met lots of people and passed out lots of the new Town brochures.

 

REPORT ON HYDRILLA

Mr. Dean stated that there were two reports in the packets on hydrilla that the County requested.  The County is not going to do anything at present.  Mr. Dean has been in contact with B & B Consultants on what impact the hydrilla has on our water supply.

 

MEHERRIN REGIONAL LIBRARY CONCERNS

Also in the packets was a letter from Sarah A. P. Raible of the Meherrin Regional Library concerning the road and parking behind the library.  Mr. Dean stated that the Downtown Grant should address some of this problem.

 

SHENTEL FRANCHISE

Mr. Dean reported that the cable franchise was sold to Shentel on July 30th and customers should be getting letters soon concerning the new company.  There will be some program changes and other features offered.

VIRGINIA TOURISM ASSESSMENT

Mr. Dean stated that Virginia Tourism will be coming September 8th and 15th to look at what the Town has and help with how to advertise.

 

GASB DRAFT REPORT

A copy of the GASB Study Draft for retirement benefits was in the packets.

 

FARMERS MARKET

Mr. Dean stated that Council needed to adopt two resolutions to be attached to the Rural Development application for funding for a Farmers Market.  The Town will have a 45% match on this application.  Copies of the Resolutions were handed out and Council was asked to study them and action would be taken at the next meeting.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that the Town is about even with last year and reminded Council that we are going against last year before the prison was closed.

 

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Chief Gibson thanked everyone for helping with National Night Out and stated that he is planning on having one each year. 

 

WEB DESIGN APPROVAL

Mrs. Sanderson stated that she had received a cost estimate of $750 to $1,000 to rebuild and design a new web site for the Town.  She stated this was a local person and that they would update at a cost of $250 to $300 per year and if we want them to take more pictures, an additional $100 for that service.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to approve the contract with the new web designer on a year-to-year basis.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Holman.  The cost was discussed and Mr. Brockwell made the following amendment: at a cost not to exceed $2,000.  Mr. Holman seconded the amendment and voting aye:  Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.  Bland – absent.

 

OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mayor Pond stated that he had met with VHDA, a developer and a civil engineer at the old primary school and that the County Administrator had been advised that the developer would be making a request for transfer of ownership to the developer.  A 20-unit apartment complex is being planned.

 

A letter will be mailed to the School Board by the end of the week concerning the old Peebles building.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Mr. Brockwell stated that forming an Economic Development Authority would be in the best interest of the town.  He stated that the only thing the Council needs to do is adopt an ordinance to form an Authority.  Owners of property could give or donate to the authority and they would be able to dispose or give it away where the Town cannot.  Council would need to authorize Mr. Outten to draw up an ordinance.  After a discussion, Mr. Outten stated that he would get the Code Section out with the copy of the minutes to Council to study concerning the creation of an authority.

 

CIVIC GROUP INTEREST IN CABOOSE

Mayor Pond stated that a civic group would be looking at the caboose and what it would take to rehab for use with the Rails to Trails. 

 

ECONOMIC PLANNING SEMINAR

A letter from the Town of Boydton was in the packets concerning a free planning training seminar to be held on September 1, 2010, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Boydton and all Council Members were invited to attend.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Martin to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper accounts.  This carried by all ayes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk