April 21, 2009
Mayor Douglas R. Pond called the adjourned meeting from April 14, 2009, to order on April 21, 2009, at 7:30 pm,
ROLL CALL
Roll was called with the following present: Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Harry S. Holman, Scott E. Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Chief of Police, E. L. Gibson, Jr.; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; Mark Novey of Telpage; citizens and the press.
Absent: Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr. and Council member Vanessa Y. Jones
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to approve the minutes of the three previous meetings, suspend the reading and file. This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and carried by all ayes.
WIRELESS BROADBAND PROJECT
Mayor Pond welcomed Mark Novey, Director of Information Technology for Telpage. Mr. Novey gave an overview of the wireless broadband project coming to Lawrenceville. He stated that the equipment would be installed in May with services to begin in June. Mr. Novey stated that Telpage has three towers in Brunswick that they own. The Town owns the one at the old firehouse. The price for wireless service will be competitive with DSL service but had not been set as yet. The cost will be published in June when service becomes available. There will be no cost for equipment and no cost to customers to come out and see if wireless is available to them. Mr. Novey said they hope to be able to expand to more areas in Brunswick after coming into Lawrenceville. Mr. Novey thanked Council for inviting him to speak.
Mayor Pond stated that a table was set up with pictures and materials from Admark taken to the Spring Festival.
TOBACCO HERITAGE TRAIL AWARD
Mr. Dean stated that the Tobacco Heritage Trail bids had been opened and the low bid was from Keith Barber Construction, Inc. VDOT had looked over this and the bid has been approved by VDOT. After a discussion, Mr. Brockwell made a motion to award the contract to Keith Barber Construction, Inc. with the bid of $759,852 as approved by VDOT. Mr. Pecht seconded the motion. Mr. Holman stated concern with possible issues that may come up. After a discussion, Mayor Pond stated that we have the letter of approval from VDOT and needed to go ahead. The motion was carried with the following roll call vote: voting aye, Brockwell, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson; voting nay: Holman. Abstain: Bland.
CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS
Mr. Dean stated that Council had in their packets conceptual drawings that had been given to SCORE for possible multi use of two buildings. The bottom floor was for retail with the upper floor for residual use. The two buildings were the old Peebles and Sledge and Barkley buildings. The current ordinance would have to be changed in order for multi use to be allowed in Lawrenceville.
FY 09/10 BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS
The next item Mr. Dean presented was the major assumptions on the FY09/10 Budget. Mr. Dean stated that the budget revenue did not include tax or fee increases; no pay or cost of living increases for employees but this will be reviewed in 6 months; the town will pay the increase on health insurance for employees; and did not include an increase in water or sewer rates. The expenses included a major water treatment plant project and major sewer line replacements. Both of these expenses would be in debt service, however grants had been applied for but the Town may have to borrow funds.
APPROVAL OF NEW LETTERHEAD
Examples of the new letterhead design were in the packets. A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson to approve the new letterhead. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT BIDS
Mr. Dean stated that the bids on the surplus equipment had been accepted and opened. A copy of the bids was in the packets. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to accept as received. Mrs. Sanderson seconded this motion. After a discussion, Mr. Brockwell amended his motion to accept the bid for the 1987 GMC Dump Truck from Cana Motors for $476.00 , the 30” Craftsman mower from Kenneth Sadler for $75.00 and the bid for the 38” Craftsman mower from Johnnie Coltrane for $25.00 and to reject the bid from Cana Motors for the 1992 Crown Vic. Mrs. Sanderson seconded the amended motion. This carried by all ayes.
Mr. Dean stated that he had received bids on two vehicles for the Town, a 4-wheel drive pickup and a 4 wheel drive crossover. Owen Ford had the low bid on the pick up at a cost of $21,300. Three bids had been received for the Crossover and one alternate vehicle had also been received. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to accept the low bid for vehicle #1, the 4 wheel drive pick up from Owen Ford and to hold off on the vehicle #2, the 4 wheel drive Crossover, until the May meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell. Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Pecht and Sanderson. Mr. Martin abstained.
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE-CHANGE IN ORDINANCE
Mr. Dean stated that in order to continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program the Town would have to change our ordinance as FEMA has changed maps and language. A copy of a proposed ordinance was in the packets. (1) Section 38-61 (a) would have to change date and language. (2) Lawrenceville Zoning Article 18 FP-1 and FP-2 adding definitions, changing dates and language and adding a section on violations. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to advertise for a Public Hearing on changes for National Flood Plan Ordinance. This was carried by all ayes.
IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM
Mr. Dean stated that Federal Government says any financial institution and creditor has to adopt an Identity Theft Prevention Program. The Town is considered a creditor since we have utility accounts. A copy of a Identity Theft Prevention Program provided by VML was in the packets. Mr. Outten had reviewed the Program. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to adopt the Identity Theft Prevention Program as presented. This carried by all ayes.
A copy of the Downtown Revitalization Plan was in the packets for Council to look at.
REQUEST FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Dean stated he had received a request from J. S. Russell Middle School to allow students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade science classes to do testing at the watershed. 275 students and their teachers would be involved in this project. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Martin to approve the testing at the water shed by the students. This carried by all ayes.
APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED BUDGET
After some discussion on the advertising for a Public Hearing on the proposed budget, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to advertise for a Public Hearing on the Budget at the May 12th meeting if approved by Town Attorney. If not approved, to advertise for the Public Hearing to be held one week later on May 19th. This motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.
RESOLUTION FOR USDA GRANT APPROVED
A copy of a Resolution for a USDA Grant was presented. After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the Resolution to apply for a USDA Grant for $25,000 to purchase radios and mobile data terminals and to authorize the Town Manager, C. J. Dean and Police Chief E. L. Gibson, Jr. to sign grant application. This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.
Mr. Brockwell stated that there would be a short Water/Wastewater Committee meeting after Council.
Mr. Pecht reminded members of the Beef and Dairy Festival and the Seafood Festival to be held at the airport the first two Wednesdays in May.
An invitation to the Fort Christanna Dedication to be held on April 25th at 2:00 p.m. was in the packets.
A thank you note from Mrs. Norborne Doyle for the funeral arrangement for Mr. Doyle was read.
APPPROVAL TO PAY BILLS
A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper accounts; this was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.
COUNCIL MEMBER RESIGNATION
A letter of resignation from Vanessa Y. Jones was in the packets. A motion was made to accept with regrets the resignation by Mrs. Bland and seconded by Mr. Holman. This motion carried by all ayes.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Pecht made a motion to 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 the following roll call vote: Aye, Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mr. Pecht made a motion the closed meeting be adjourned and the Lawrenceville Town Council convene again in open session. This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.
CERTIFICATION
Mr. Pecht made the following motion: “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 Mr. Martin and carried by the following roll call vote: Aye, Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
APPOINTMENT OF DORA HARDY TO COUNCIL
Mrs. Bland made a motion to appoint Dora Hardy to Council to fill the unexpired term of Vanessa Y. Jones. This was seconded by Mr. Holman and carried by a roll call vote as follows: aye: Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
APPOINTMENT OF AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICER
Mr. Brockwell made a motion to appoint Timothy Boyle as an auxiliary police officer. This motion was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Pecht to adjourn. This carried by all ayes.
Douglas R. Pond, Mayor
Alice B. Talbert, Clerk