April 13, 2010
The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on April 13, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Douglas R. Pond.
ROLL CALL
Roll was called; 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 Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Everett L. Gibson, Jr.; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson and visitor, Owen Dean. Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert arrived late.
Absent: Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Martin to approve the minutes of the previous meetings as received, suspend the reading and file. This carried by all ayes.
Mayor Pond stated a closed session will be needed at the end of the agenda to discuss contract issues and property acquisition.
No citizens asked to speak to Council.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Pond reported on several items:
1. Two doctors are coming to Lawrenceville once a week from South Hill; an ENT and an OB-GYN.
2. Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Jim Cheng will be meeting with Brunswick County officials at 2:00 p.m. on Wed., April 14, 2010.
3. Today Mayor Pond signed a Proclamation for the Week of the Young Child at the Country Mouse School.
4. There has been discussion about reorganizing and relocating the farmers’ market.
5. Mayor Pond reminded everyone of the Town Election on May 4, 2010, to be held at the new location, St. Paul’s College Student Center.
6. Mayor Pond is optimistic about the new downtown grant application. A copy of it was delivered today.
Mr. Brockwell commented regarding the week of the young child, that 275 children are playing ball this year and the building set up is beautiful, shaped like a diamond.
VML TOWN SECTION MEETINGS
Mr. Dean reported that VML will hold Town Section Meetings to go over new laws. The closest location will be Farmville on May 7, 2010. Mr. Dean plans to attend. Registration forms are in the packet if council members are interested in attending.
VRA REFINANCING
Mr. Dean reported that Virginia Resources Authority has offered the Town the opportunity to refinance the 2002 loan resulting in estimated annual savings of $4,500. A public hearing will not be required to refinance.
NEW VDOT REGULATIONS
VDOT has implemented new land use permit regulations that will affect street closures for festivals and parades. Mr. Dean reported that VDOT will no longer waive permit fees for the Town. The Town has been charging $25 for street closure/parade permits. Town Council authorized Mr. Dean to change the local policy to charge a fee of $125 for permit applications and forward the $100 fee to VDOT.
TASTE OF BRUNSWICK AD
Mr. Dean reported the Taste of Brunswick Festival committee is selling ads for the festival ad book. Attendance for last year was 7,000. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to maintain the same level of support in the ad book as last year. This motion carried by all ayes.
VIRGINIA TOURISM
Mr. Dean reported Virginia Tourism will conduct an assessment of the town and maybe beyond the town boundaries on September 8 and 15, 2010. A commitment is needed from everyone to attend.
There will be a short water/sewer committee meeting after the town council meeting.
RAILS TO TRAILS RIBBON CUTTING
A ribbon cutting for the Rails to Trails is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2010. The date has been set to accommodate Sen. Mark Warner’s schedule. The Lawrenceville to Brodnax segment should be completed in 2012.
PROPOSED WATER AND SEWER RATES
Mr. Pecht reviewed the proposed water and sewer rate increase. Proposed in-town water rates will be first 4000 gallons, $20.00 minimum charge. Any usage over 4,000 gallons will be charged at $3.40 per 1,000 gallons.
Proposed out of town users will be first 4,000 gallons, $35.00 minimum charge. Any usage over 4,000 gallons will be charged at $5.95 per 1,000 gallons.
The following sewer rates are proposed. In-town users will be first 4,000 gallons $16.00 minimum charge. Any usage over 4,000 gallons will be charged at $3.40 per 1,000.
Proposed out of town users will be first 4,000 gallons, $28.00 minimum charge. Any usage over 4,000 gallons will be charged at $5.95 per 1,000 gallons.
ASSUMPTION ON BUDGET FY10/11
Mr. Pecht also reviewed the budget assumptions. These include a change in the hospital plan coverage, an increase in the hospital premium paid by the Town, no pay increase for employees, no replacement of police car, an increase in retirement paid by the Town, VRA Bond refinancing and changing banks.
PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZATION
A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to authorize the advertisement of a public hearing on the 2010/2011 budget to be held on May 11, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This carried by all ayes.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR RATE INCREASE
A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to authorize the advertisement of a public hearing on the proposed water/sewer rates as presented to be held on May 11, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This carried by all ayes.
FIRE REPORT
Mr. Holman reported the Fire Department had answered 44 calls in March 2010, expending approximately 79.75 man-hours.
TOWN DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Mrs. Sanderson reported a new restaurant plans to open in the Mortay’s location in September.
Mr. Holman reported the new Art Gallery across from the historic court house will hold an open house the first weekend in May.
Mayor Pond reported he had sent a letter to the owner of the old Roy’s Auto building regarding the collapsed roof at the back of the building.
Mr. Holman reported he met with Dr. Satcher who is excited about the community service program that requires juniors and seniors to perform forty hours of community service. One of St. Paul’s students has been volunteering in the town office.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CHAMBER
Mr. Brockwell reported that Wendy Wright will take over as Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce effective May 1, 2010, when Mary Lucy retires.
AIRPORT EVENTS
Mr. Pecht reminded everyone of the events coming up at the airport. The seafood festival will be held May 5, 2010, and the beef and dairy festival will be held May 12, 2010.
The Planning Commission will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the historic district overlay.
SPRING FESTIVE AND BRICKYARD 5 MILER
The Brunswick Spring Festival and the Brickyard 5 Mile run will be held Saturday. A remote broadcast by WTRG will cost $150.00. A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to authorize $150.00 for the remote broadcast at the Spring Festival. This carried by all ayes.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to pay the bills as presented and post to the proper accounts. This carried by all ayes.
HANDICAP PARKING REQUEST
There was discussion concerning a request for additional handicap parking to be spaced out along both sides of the street. Mayor Pond asked Mr. Holman and the Streets, Light and Cemetery committee to review the handicap parking and make a recommendation.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Pecht made the following motion, “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 legal matters and property acquisition.” This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by the following roll call vote: voting aye, Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
After a discussion, Mr. Pecht made the following motion, “I move 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
The following resolution was made by Mr. Pecht, “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. Brockwell and carried by the following roll call vote: voting aye, Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion from Mrs. Sanderson and a second by Mr. Holman. This carried by all ayes.
Douglas R. Pond, Mayor
Alice B. Talbert, Clerk