August 11, 2009

 

Mayor Douglas R. Pond called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order on August 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Dora D. Hardy, Harry S. Holman, Scott E. Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Lawrenceville Planning Commission members: Cynthia Pecht, Bill Samford and Michael Redman; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Police Chief, Everette L. Gibson, Jr.; Marcus Hargrave, South Hill YMCA CEO; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

As this time had been advertised for a Joint Public Hearing with the Lawrenceville Planning Commission to hear comments on the propose Historic District Ordinance, Mayor Pond declared the hearing open.  Mayor Pond stated that work had been going on for several months on the proposed Overlay of the Business District to secure the historic nature of downtown and to open the upper level of buildings to residential use.  Mayor Pond stated that the Residential rental inspection section would not be considered at this time.

 

Gene Thomas stated that as a business owner he had concerns with the use of apartments on the upper floors, as this would cause overcrowding.  On page 12, it states that all parking shall be located behind the buildings and he needed parking in the front for his customers.  Mr. Thomas stated that the owners and employees need to stop parking in front of the businesses and stated that parking needed to be enforced now.  Mr. Thomas had problems with screening of trash collection areas and signage on buildings.  On page 13 it stated that recycling and waste receptacles would be placed on the streets.  Mr. Thomas felt this would be an invitation for everyone to bring their trash into town.  Also street vending and pull carts could be placed on the sidewalks, Mr. Thomas was not in favor of this option.  He stated that he did not feel owners were going to remodel to make upper floors into apartments. 

 

Beverly Brewer stated that she felt change is needed and welcomes the multi-use downtown.  She stated that the parking behind the businesses should be for tenants and was in favor of streetscape behind the buildings. She stated that owners who are not doing anything to improve their buildings be made to start.

 

Michael Redman stated that customers can park in front and if multi-use is allowed the tenants would have to park in the back or off street.  Mr. Redman wanted to know who would be enforcing the parking and if the parking lots would be improved.  Mr. Redman also wanted to know if tax credits would be available.  Another concern was if the existing businesses would be grandfathered concerning signage.  He also wanted to know if the business could be on the upper level and the apartment in the basement.

 

As no one else asked to speak, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Holman to close the Joint Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Outten stated that the Planning Commission would meet and come back with a recommendation for Council.  Council can then accept the recommendation, reject the recommendation or table the matter for later consideration.

 

Mrs. Pecht with the Lawrenceville Planning Commission stated that the Commission would be meeting and would come back to Council at a later date.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to approve the agenda.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

YMCA

Mayor Pond introduced Marcus Hargrave, CEO of South Hill YMCA.  Mr. Hargrave presented Mayor Pond with a shirt and golf ball bag with the YMCA logo.  Mr. Hargrave gave an overview of his work with the YMCA and would like to have a community assessment to see what the community needs and what the YMCA can offer.  He stated that the YMCA would not come into a community and try to take over activities already in place.  He stated that the YMCA is a strong driver for economic development.  Mr. Hargrave thanked Council and stated that he would be getting with Mayor Pond on setting up meetings.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Pond reported that the Museum was interested in using the old firehouse for art classes.  Mayor Pond will get the request to the Property Committee.

 

A letter from the Virginia Department of Health was in the packets in regard to the July 17th flooding at the water plant.  Mayor Pond read the following: “The Town of Lawrenceville responded to this emergency situation swiftly and diligently.  The writer spoke with Mr. Randy Lynch and Mr. Randy Spence on numerous occasions during this event; at all times both men demonstrated tenacity in dealing with the situation and a desire to work with this Office to protect public health.”  Mayor Pond stated this said a lot about our employees.

 

DEED OF EASEMENT

Mr. Outten stated that he had received a letter from Russell Slayton concerning the sale of the Red & White Super Market Property.  Mr. Outten stated that two additions to the store building

encroach into Cotton Street and Cotton Street is not used by other parties.  Mr. Slayton had requested that the Council authorize a deed of easement be signed.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to authorize Mayor Pond to sign a Deed of Easement.  This motion was carried by all ayes.

 

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Dean stated that information on the proposals for a $400,000.00 loan for the Rose Creek sewer line was in the packets and he asked that the Finance Committee look them over.

 

The Tobacco Heritage Trail is in compliance and moving along.

 

Telpage has equipment installed and are doing site plans.  They are having some problems with reception and hope to have this cleared up shortly.

 

SAFETY PROGRAMS WITH VML

The Safety Committee had reviewed two programs on safety.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adopt VML Hazard Communication Safety Module and VML Lockout/Tagout Safety Module.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.

 

SURPLUS PROPERTY

Mr. Dean stated that a 1996 Chevy Caprice needed to be declared surplus in order to be put up for sealed bids.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to declare the 1996 Chevy Caprice surplus.  This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean handed out copies of the report on the July 17th flooding at the water treatment plant along with a repair list.  Mr. Dean reported that on July 21st all restrictions were lifted and bills for repairs are being turned in to VML.  The deductible is $1,000 with cost expected to be over $100,000.00.

 

Mr. Dean handed out flyers for HLRA’s next meeting to be held on Sept 9, 2009.  Mr. Dean stated that officers would be elected at this meeting and asked everyone to attend.

 

POLICE GRANT RESOLUTION

Mr. Dean stated that the police department has received a grant from Rural Development to purchase police mobile data terminals and radios.  One requirement is the adoption of a resolution that was in the packets.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to adopt the resolution and to authorize Mr. Dean, Town Manager, to sign all forms to move the grant forward.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.

 

Mr. Dean reminded Council that comments or ideas for the town website needed to be submitted.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that work on the audit has started and hopefully be completed early this year.

 

Mr. Holman stated a report on the EMS meeting was in the packets.

POLICE REPORT

Mrs. Bland reported that the police report was in the packets.  Chief Gibson reported that the department had received two more grants besides the one the resolution was adopted for. One for general police use and equipment from JAG Byrne Grant for $3,918.00 and one from DMV in the amount of $12,024.00 for traffic enforcement/equipment.

 

Mrs. Sanderson asked Council to read the report from Admark, Inc.

 

ALBERTA WATER CONTRACT

Mayor Pond, Mr. Dean and Ms. Hardy had met with Town of Albert last Thursday and resolved many issues with the new water contract.  Mr. Outten is working on the new contract.

 

Mr. Pecht asked that signage to welcome St. Paul’s students be put out this year.

 

RELAY UPDATE

Mrs. Talbert reported the final total for Relay for Life was $84,996.53.  Mrs. Talbert presented certificates to Mayor Pond and Chief Gibson in appreciation for their help with security during meetings and at the Relay.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills in the amount of $110,374.05 as presented and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.  Mr. Pecht pointed out that $46,000 of this amount was due to the storm damage.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk