APRIL 13, 2004
MINUTES OF THE BROOKNEAL TOWN COUNCIL
7:00 PM – The regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council
The municipal government of the Town of Brookneal met with the following members present:
Phyllis Campbell, Mayor
Jack Woodell, James Nowlin, Meg Tibbs, Lee Booker, Kenneth Jennings and Tracy Meisenbach Council members
Bill Gillespie ,Town Manager
Laurie C. Francis, Clerk/Treasurer
Kurland Roark, Chief of Police
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Jack Woodell, seconded by Kenneth Jennings and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the April 13, 2004 regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council.
MINUTES
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by James Nowlin and unanimously carried, Council approved the budget workshop and regular minutes of March 9, 2004.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was filed for audit.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Kenneth Jennings and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of March 9, 2004 to April 12, 2004 in the amount of $11,788.47.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Clerk/Treasurer, Laurie Francis, introduced the new part-time Office Manager, Bobbie Waller of Nathalie.
Chief of Police, Kurland Roark, introduced the new Police Officer, John Ferguson of Forest.
PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT WATER AND SEWER NEEDS.
Herb White of W/W Associates made a presentation to the Council concerning the projected water and sewer needs of the town. This study was jointly funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the US Department of Agriculture. Mr. White gave Council an overview of the needed improvements and their expected cost.
Council received the following information:
Revenue Analysis Summary
- For the purposes of evaluating the water system needs, the Town was divided into 7 sections. The total estimated cost of the recommended improvements is: $3,019,720.
- Two funding options were evaluated:
Option 1: Town funds entire project thru increased water rates
o Town borrows $3,100,000 with 20-year term.
o The following tiered rate schedule would be required to fund the project:
0-200 gallons/month = $24.00
2001-up gallons/month = $74.50
Additional $0.38 per 100 gallons over 4000 gallons per month.
o Revenue analysis indicates a revenue shortfall of $53,000 over the first 9 years of the 20-year term.
o Total expense over 20-year term = $5,496,501.
Option 2: Town secures 75% grant, remaining 25% funded thru increased water rates
o Town raises water rates to $27.50 for 4000 gallons/month to qualify for grant funding.
o Town borrows $800,000 with 20-year term.
o The following tiered rate schedule would be required to fund the project:
0-2000 gallons/month = $24.00
2001-up gallons/month = $27.50
Additional $0.38 per 100 gallons over 4000 gallons per month.
o Revenue analysis indicates a revenue shortfall of $7,600 over the first 7 years of the 20-year term.
o Total expense over 20-year term = $1,434,789.
o Town saves $4,061,712 over 20-year term.
Jack Woodell made a motion to accept the report from WW Associates and forward it to USDA. The motion received a second from Meg Tibbs and unanimously carried.
REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS ON SMOKE TESTING RESULTS
Public Works Director, Mike Crews informed Council of his observations and the results of recent smoke testing on the sewer system.
According the Mr. Crews, conducting the smoke test enabled us to find out where we were getting large amounts of rainwater, which is considered Infiltratoin/Inflow (I&I) throughout the town. It was discovered that storm drains and roof gutters were connected to the sewer system, which caused us to go over our flows, which are our permits for the lagoons.
SET DATE FOR DAY IN TOWN
Council, by consensus, set the date for the annual Day in the Town for October 16, 2004.
It was suggested that Lee Booker be in charge of the music and marking off the spots for the vendors. Meg Tibbs was asked to head up the event and the front office, with the help of the Mayor, will send out notices and take applications.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET PRESENTATION FY 04/05 AND PROPOSED 5% MEALS TAX.
Staff presented the general fund budget to Council for FY 04/05 totaling $617,039 and included a proposed 5% meals tax.
Meg Tibbs made a motion to have a public hearing on the general fund budget and 5% meals tax at the next regular Council meeting in May. The motion received a second from Kenneth Jennings and was unanimously carried.
UTILITY FUND BUDGET PRESENTATION FY 04/05
Staff presented the utility fund budget to Council for FY 04/05 totaling $326,000.
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Tracy Meisenbach and unanimously carried Council voted to hold a public hearing on the proposed 04/05 utility fund budget at the next regular Council meeting in May.
LETTER FROM WOMEN’S CLUB
Council received a letter from the Brookneal Women’s Club complaining about the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging and their misuse of the Community Building.
Staff informed Council that the matter had already been looked into and staff felt that the situation was under control.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Brookneal Police Officer, Ricky Cousins, appeared before council to request that the Council comprise a proclamation celebrating the World War II Veterans on May 29, 2004.
Motion was made by Lee Booker, seconded by James Nowlin and unanimously carried authorizing Council to comprise a proclamation honoring the World War II Veterans.
Stacey Hailey appeared before Council in reference to a letter he received from the town attorney informing him that he must correct the situation with his wash water before VDOT can correct the drainage problem on his street. The town attorney informed Mr. Hailey that his neighbor, Alan Taylor, had already corrected his wash water problem and if Mr. Hailey fails to correct his situation then Mr. Taylor would possibly have grounds for civil action.
Mayor Campbell reiterated to Mr. Hailey that the Town had done all it could do and it would now be up to him to correct his wash water situation so that VDOT could proceed.
Janie Seckman of Carson Street appeared before Council to complain about Council Member, Tracy Meisenbach. Ms. Seckman alleged that Ms. Meisenbach had abused her Council powers by telephoning the police directly during a neighborhood dispute. Several members of Ms. Seckman's family were in attendance and spoke in support of Ms. Seckman’s allegations.
Council assured Ms. Seckman that the matter would be looked into.
RECESS OF COUNCIL
Motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Jack Woodell and unanimously carried allowing Council to take a five minute recess while determining the legality of going into closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
Upon motion from Kenneth Jennings, seconded by James Nowlin and unanimously carried, Council went into closed session in accordance with Virginia State Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1) the purpose of which was to discuss the disciplining and actions of a public official.
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION
Upon motion by Meg Tibbs, seconded by James Nowlin and unanimously carried Council voted to return from closed session.
CERTIFICATION
Mayor Campbell moved that the Town Council certify that, in the closed meeting just concluded, nothing was discussed except the matters specifically identified in the motion to convene in a closed meeting and lawfully permitted to be so discussed under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act cited in those motions. Voting was as follows:
James Nowlin Aye
Lee Booker Aye
Jack Woodell Aye
Meg Tibbs Aye
Tracy Meisenbach Aye
Kenneth Jennings Aye
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded James Nowlin and unanimously carried, council adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Laurie C. Francis, Phyllis Campbell,
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
