June 12, 2001
MINUTES OF THE BROOKNEAL TOWN COUNCIL

7:00 P.M. – The regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council

The municipal government of the Town of Brookneal met with the following members present:

Ronald E. Cox, Mayor

Phyllis Campbell, James Nowlin, Jack Woodell, Meg Tibbs and Everett Guill, Councilmembers

Danny Inge, Town Manager

Beth R. Elder, Clerk/Treasurer

Jim Hires, Police Chief

Mike Crews, Public Works Director

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Upon motion by James Nowlin, seconded by Meg Tibbs and unanimously carried, council approved the agenda with the following additions: 1) Flower payment approval.

MINUTES

Upon motion by James Nowlin, seconded by Everett Guill and unanimously carried, the May 8, 2001 minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer’s Report was filed for audit.

PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF BILLS

Be It Resolved that motion was made by Everett Guill, seconded by James Nowlin and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of May 8, 2001 to June 11, 2001 in the amount of $19,620.18

PUBLIC INPUT

Janie Seckman of Carson Street, Brookneal, appeared before council to complain about the pond the Meisenbach’s built across the road from her property.  She stated that after checking into it she discovered that it is legal for anyone to build a pond in the town and suggested that an ordinance be established to avoid ponds being built within the town limits in the future.

Mrs. Seckman pointed out that the fence surrounding the pond is electric and children playing in the area my touch it and be seriously injured.  She also complained that the barn on the Meisenbach’s property was  an  eyesore.  Mrs. Seckman complained that the Meisenbach’s had cut down all the trees but a few.  Jack Woodell said that not from day one have they (the Meisenbach’s) taken into consideration that they are in a town and that only by the grandfather clause were they ever allowed in town to begin with.

Town Manager Danny Inge explained the state guidelines on building a pond on your property.  Mr. Inge stated that there is no zoning law or town ordinance that addresses ponds of any fashion and after checking with Campbell County he found that the only time you run into any regulation on a pond is if you have a pond that has a dam that is 18 –20 feet tall.  The pond on the Meisenbach’s property has a dam that is about 6 feet tall.

Janie Seckman asked if anyone had checked into how many animals per acre you are allowed to have in town and reiterated that an ordinance should be put in place to avoid the building of ponds within the town limits in the future.

BUDGET ADOPTION AND ALLOCATION

Upon motion by Meg Tibbs, seconded by Everett Guill and unanimously carried, Council voted to adopt and allocate the FY 2001/02 budget.

CLOSED MEETING

Upon motion by Meg Tibbs, seconded by Everett Guill and unanimously carried, council went into Closed Meeting for discussion of the potential contracting of the town’s solid waste collection pursuant to VA Code 2.1-344(A)(1).

RETURN FROM CLOSED MEETING

Mayor Cox called for a show of hand vote that all matters discussed were in accordance with VA code Section 2.1-344(A)(1).

All concurred.

PUBLIC HEARING

Upon motion by James Nowlin, seconded by Jack Woodell and unanimously carried, Council moved to advertise a public hearing for the Town Solid Waste Collection.

DISCUSSION OF CLERK/TREASURER REPLACEMENT

Town Manager, Danny Inge, stated that Clerk/Treasurer Beth Elder had resigned effective June 12, 2001.   Mr. Inge noted a job description had been prepared and an advertisement was placed in the Sunday edition of The Lynchburg News and Advance as well as in The Union Star for two weeks consecutive.    It was noted that until Council appoints a Clerk/Treasurer, Laurie Francis would be acting in the capacity of Interim Clerk/Treasurer.  Mayor Cox stated that with council’s approval, he would like to put together a committee to assist in the interview process to consist of Town Manager, Danny Inge, Council Member Phyllis Campbell, someone from the County Clerk/Treasurer’s office, and Mayor Ronny Cox.

FLOWERS

Upon motion by Phyllis Campbell, seconded by Everett Guill, and unanimously carried council approved payment of the flowers place in the front windows of the town office.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

Council awarded a service certificate to Beth R. Elder in recognition of her 9 years of service with the town.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Meg Tibbs, seconded by Everett Guill and unanimously carried, council adjourned.

_____________________________       _______________________________

Danny Inge                                                   Ronald E. Cox,

Town Manager                                             Mayor