April 8, 2008

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on April 8, 2008.

 

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Harry S. Holman, Vanessa Y. Jones, Scott E. Martin and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney W. C. Outten, Jr., Town Manager C. J. Dean, Police Chief Douglas R. Pond, Administrative Assistant Wanda Johnson, Fire Chief Joel Dodson, Town Clerk Alice B. Talbert, and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, Robert F. Pecht, III

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Mr. Dean stated the proposed Comprehensive Plan has been on review in the Town Office and Bill Turner will be at the office tomorrow, April 9th from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. to receive and answer any questions.  The Planning Commission and Town Council will be holding a Public Hearing on the Plan at a later date.

 

CLEAN-UP WEEK

Mr. Dean reminded everyone that Clean Up Week is April 14 – 18.

 

BRICK ACCENT CROSSWALK

Mr. Dean also stated that work has started on the Brick Accent Crosswalk on Main Street and hopes it will be complete before the Brunswick Spring Festival and 5th Annual Brickyard 5 Miler to be held April 19th.

 

Information on Asset Management for Public Water and Wastewater Utilities was given out and additional information will be attached to the minutes sent out to members.

 

VIRGINIA MAIN STREET TRAINING

Mr. Dean stated that a copy of an email concerning Virginia Main Street training to be held on April 30.  Mr. Dean is planning to attend. Registration fee and deadline information was included in the packet.

 

A letter from Virginia Dept. of Health has been received.  The Town of Lawrenceville Water treatment plant had earned a 2007 Excellence in Granular Media Filter Water Treatment Plant Performance Award.  Mr. Dean stated that he would contact the Dept. of Health and arrange for a presentation of the Award at a Council meeting.

 

LIBRARY THANKS CHIEF POND

Mr. Dean stated that a letter from the library was in the packet thanking Chief Pond for the generous donation of his compiled history of the Lawrenceville Police Department and for making it available to the public.

 

DELINQUENT BUSINESS LICENSE AND TAXES

A list of 11 business owners in the Town that have not purchased their 2008 business licenses was presented to Council.  This matter was turned over to Mr. Outten, Town Attorney.

 

Also a list of delinquent taxpayers was presented.  After a discussion, Mrs. Talbert was asked to get a list of names and property parcel numbers to Mr. Outten for a report next month on possible steps that can be used to get these accounts paid.

 

MOTION TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED BUDGET

Mr. Dean stated that the Finance Committee had met and a draft of the proposed budget for FY08/09 was in the packets.  The proposed budget is in the amount of $3,147,576 and includes an approximate 10 % increase in water/sewer rates.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to advertise the proposed budget for a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. at the May 13th Council Meeting.  This motion was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

 

TOWN DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Sanderson stated that the Town Development Committee was in the process of sending a letter to the IDA and County requesting a meeting with them to make sure everyone is working together. The Town Development and Economic Development Committees are working together and offering assistance to the IDA and County.

 

NEW POLICE OFFICER

Chief Pond introduced the new police officer for the Town, G. W. Zuban.  Officer Zuban was certified law officer before coming to the Town.  Mayor Clarke welcomed Officer Zuban.

 

The Airport Report and Police Report were in the packets.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council of the following activities: ribbon cutting at new Mexican Restaurant on April 11; Seafood Festival on May 7th; Beef and Dairy Festival on May 14.  Mrs. Talbert also stated that the Relay for Life will be held June 27th and handed out luminary forms. Mrs. Talbert also reminded everyone to vote in the Town election on May 5.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills presented in the amount of $39,778.21 and charge to the proper funds.  This carried by all ayes.

 

TTHM/WATER STUDY WITH ALBERTA

Under unfinished business concerning the study by B & B Consultants, Mr. Dean reported that he had talked with the Health Department and they stated that adding ammonia to the water supply should be a last resort.  Alberta is under a consent order from VDH.  After a discussion on possible options and what Alberta has done to help with the problem, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mr. Dean to write a letter to Albert outlining the steps Lawrenceville has taken and request what steps the Town of Alberta has taken with the recommendations presented by the Timmons study.  This motion was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

____________________________MAYOR

 

 

____________________________CLERK