May 11, 2010

 

Mayor Douglas R. Pond called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 pm. on May 11, 2010.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members: H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Dora D. Hardy, Harry Holman, Scott Martin, Robert Pecht, III and Esther Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Everette Gibson; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; County Supervisor, Barbara Drummond; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, Joyce Bland.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED BUDGET

As this time had been advertised for a Public Hearing on the proposed budget for FY10/11, Mayor Pond declared the Hearing open.  As no one asked to speak on the budget, a motion was made by Mr. Holman and seconded by Mr. Martin to close the Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASE

A second Public Hearing had been advertised for public comment on the proposed water/sewer rate increase.  Mayor Pond declared the Hearing open.  Mr. Dean stated that with the closing of the prison, the town experienced a shortfall and the increase of 13.6% was needed.  Mr. Brockwell stated that the town is still lower and has competitive rates with other localities.  As no one asked to speak on the increase, a motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and seconded by Mr. Holman to close the Public Hearing.  This carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL OF APRIL 13, 2010 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mrs. Sanderson to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2010 meeting, suspend the reading and file.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL OF CALLED MEETING ON MAY 4, 2010

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the minutes of the Called Meeting on May 4, 2010, suspend the reading and file.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Pond reported that he had attended the funeral of a former employee, Randolph Thompson on Saturday, May 8th.

 

Mayor Pond reported that a Public Hearing on the Turntable Park and Outdoor Center Project was held at 7:00 p.m. The Town will apply for a grant in June for this project.

 

Mayor Pond stated that all contracts for the water/sewer for the Regional Jail have now been approved.

 

Mayor Pond stated that it would be necessary for a Closed Session at the end of the meeting for property acquisition.

 

CABLE RESOLUTION

Mr. Outten reported that our cable provider, JetBroadband has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Shentel Cable Company and a copy of a Resolution was in the packets.  Mr. Outten stated that this is a standard resolution and one the town has done in the past.  Mr. Outten recommended approval by Council.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the Resolution of Assignment of the Cable Television Franchise.  This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.  Mr. Brockwell asked Mr. Dean to express concerns to the company on the channels offered.  Mr. Dean stated that he had met with a consultant from Shentel and he stated that they would like to compete with Verizon and offer Internet service.  Mayor Pond was asked to invite

a representative from Shentel to a Council meeting.

 

VRA BOND REFINANCING RESOLUTION

Mr. Dean stated that a copy of a resolution for refinancing of our VRA Bond was in the packet.  Chris Kulp of Hunton Williams was our Bond Council.  Mr. Outten had reviewed the Resolution and he and Mr. Dean recommended this be approved.  Mr. Pecht made a motion to adopt the Resolution for Refinancing of the Bond and the signing of all necessary papers.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Holman.  The following roll call vote was held:  aye: Brockwell, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson. Nay: none; Absent: Bland.

 

VML CONFERENCE – NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mr. Dean stated that VML was holding a conference for newly elected officials or any member of Council could attend.  He asked that if anyone was interested to contact the town office.

 

2010 ANNUAL WORKSHOP

Also in the packets was information on the 2010 Annual Workshop held by the Virginia Downtown Development Association to be held on May 26 and May 27.  Mr. Dean asked any interested members to contact the town office.

 

SCIENCE CLASS AT WATERSHED

Mr. Dean stated that he had received notice that the Middle School and 4-H would be holding a science class at the watershed on June 9.  They would be doing water testing.

 

TENTATIVE ADOPTION OF BUDGET

Mr. Pecht made a motion to tentatively adopt the budget for FY10/11 as presented.  The formal adoption will be in June.  Mr. Pecht stated that the budget can still be changed if needed.  A second to the motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

FINANCE REPORT

Mr. Pecht stated that the cash in the general fund for April 2009 included $140,000 in a flow thru.  Mr. Pecht stated that our revenue was down by $240,000 with expenses down by $100,000.  Although we are holding pretty well, the closing of the prison had affected the town and shows the need for the rate increase.

 

FIRE REPORT

Mr. Holman stated that the fire report was in the packets with 31 calls in April with 98 man-hours expended.  The breakdown of the calls was on the report.

 

PERSONNEL AND POLICE REPORTS

The personnel and police reports were in the packets.

 

HANDICAP-PARKING

Mayor Pond asked Mr. Holman to report on his findings on the handicap-parking request.  Mr. Holman stated that there were handicap access at the stoplight, the old Peebles corner and the alley at Brunswick Ins.  He had talked with merchants and did not feel more were needed at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASES

Mr. Brockwell made a motion to adopt as presented the increased water/sewer rates.  The rates to become effective July 1, 2010.  This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.

 

AIRPORT

Mr. Pecht reported that the Seafood Festival had been held and the Beef  & Dairy was to be held on Wednesday, May 12th. 

 

ELECTION RESULTS

Mayor Pond stated that 10% of the voters in Lawrenceville had turned out to vote.  Copies of the Abstract of Votes are included in the packets.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE

Mrs. Talbert reminded everyone of the Brunswick Relay for Life to be held June 18th and asked everyone to attend.

 

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS

Mr. Pecht made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to charge to the proper accounts.  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

RAILS TO TRAILS

Mr. Martin stated that he had walked the Rails to Trails and was very surprised and pleased with what he saw.  He stated that it was a wonderful experience and felt it would be a good idea to have maps of the Trail that could be left in the town office and around town.  This would be helpful to those using the Trail.

 

Mr. Dean stated that work has started on the section from Lawrenceville to Brodnax.  A $6 million grant had been received and cost have come in under so all work should be completed.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Pecht made the following motion: “Mr. Mayor, 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 property acquisition.” This was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by the following: voting aye: Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson; Voting nay 0. Absent: Bland and Brockwell.

 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

The following motion was made by Mr. Pecht, “Mr. Mayor, I move the closed meeting be adjourned and the Lawrenceville Town Council convene again in open session.”  This was seconded by Mrs. Sanderson and carried by all ayes.

 

CERTIFICATION

Mr. Pecht made the following certification; “BE IT RESOLVED to the best of my knowledge ( i )

only public business natters 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 Ms. Hardy and carried as follows:  Voting aye, Hardy, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.  Voting nay 0; absent: Bland and Brockwell.

 

ADOURNMENT

There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson, seconded by Mr. Martin and carried to adjourn.

 

 

Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk