October 14, 2008

 

President of Council, Robert F. Pecht, III, called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on October 14, 2008.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present:  President of Council, Robert F. Pecht, III; 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; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

No citizens asked to speak to Council.

 

RESOLUTION OF TAX RELIEF

Mr. Outten stated that a copy of a Resolution of Tax Relief was before Council for approval.  Mr. Outten explained that this was required by the State for providing relief between the amount paid to the Town for tax relief and the amount the Town provides.  The Town receives  $39,560.61 from the State.  The Resolution provides for tax relief in the amount of 81%; vehicles with an assessed value of $1,000 or less will be provided relief of 100%.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to adopt the Resolution as presented.  This motion was carried by all ayes.

 

TOWN MANAGER REPORT

Mr. Dean handed out copies of the reports provided by DHCD and by Land Planning & Design.  Mr. Dean stated that the report from VCU has not been received as of yet.  These reports were for review only and Mr. Dean asked Council to look over each one.  He stated that if adopted, there might be some codes that will have to be changed.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the High Street project is at a standstill while waiting for the State to decide what can be done on several properties.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the Historic Lawrenceville Revitalization Association had met on October 9th with 8 members attending.  Mr. Dean stated that this organization is important as we move forward with our revitalization plans.  A meeting has been set for October 29th at 5:30 p.m. and Mr. Dean asked that Council Members please attend.  This meeting will be to elect officers and then another meeting will be set to meet with Downtown Consultants.

 

Mr. Dean reported that work is being done on the old firehouse.  Mr. Dean stated that two bays will be used for storage and there would be two meeting rooms.  Mr. Dean said Kenbridge Construction is working on the building and would be happy to show Council around.

 

The last report Mr. Dean had on the wireless tower was that construction should start the first of November.

 

RES0LUTION TO ALLOCATE T21 FUNDS

Mr. Dean stated that a Resolution was in the packets concerning the allocation of funds for the T21 Grant in the amount of $681,352 with a 20% match of $170,338.  Mr. Dean said the match was in the form of right of ways already purchased therefore there would not be any dollars needed.  Mrs. Sanderson made a motion to adopt the Resolution as presented to endorse the project for allocation of funds by VDOT.  This was seconded by Mrs. Jones and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that bids for a generator at the Wastewater Plant would be going out and hoped to have something at the November meeting.

 

Mr. Dean reminded everyone that Saint Paul’s Homecoming Parade would be October 18th and the Town Halloween Parade would be October 31st.

 

FINANCE REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that hopefully the audit would be complete and ready for adoption by the December meeting.

 

FIRE REPORT

Mr. Holman reported that the fire department had answered 32 calls in September and a breakdown was in the packet material given to Council.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT

Mrs. Sanderson stated that the personnel report was in the packets and there were no changes.

 

POLICE REPORT

Mrs. Bland stated that the police report was in the packets.

 

Mrs. Sanderson asked that all members try to attend the HLRA meeting to be held on October 29th.

 

Mr. Brockwell stated that the water/wastewater committee would meet after Council.

 

Mrs. Talbert reported that Chief Pond had a new granddaughter, Daisy and that Michael Funderburk, water plant operator, had a new son Noah.

 

NOVEMBER COUNCIL MEETING

Mrs. Talbert reminded Council that the November meeting would be held on November 18th, as the regular meeting date was Veterans Days.

 

Mrs. Talbert thanked Mr. Pecht and Mr. Martin for the candy they brought for the Halloween Parade and reminded members that there was still time to bring candy to the town office.

 

CLOSED SESSION

The following motion was made by Mr. Brockwell:  “I move the Lawrenceville Town Council 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 personnel matters.”  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

After a discussion, a motion  was made by Mr. Brockwell that the closed meeting be adjourned and the Lawrenceville Town Council convene again in open session.  This was seconded by Mr. Holman  with the following roll call vote: Bland, aye; Brockwell, aye; Holman, aye; Jones, aye, Martin, aye; Pecht, aye; and Sanderson, aye.

 

CERTIFICATION

The following certification was made by Mr. Brockwell: “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, 1950, 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 Mrs. Sanderson and carried by the following aye vote: Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Jones, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to appoint Douglas R. Pond to fill the office of Mayor left vacant by Mayor Clarke’s resignation.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson. Voting aye: Brockwell, Holman, Sanderson, Martin, Pecht. Voting nay: Bland and Jones.  The motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

___________________________PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

 

 

 

___________________________CLERK