April 11, 2006
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:
James Nowlin, Vice Mayor
Meg Tibbs, Richard Adams, Kenneth Jennings, and Stacey Hailey Council Members
Bill Gillespie, Town Manager
Laurie C. Francis, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Ricky Cousins, Police Chief
Absent: Phyllis Campbell, Mayor
Tracy Meisenbach, Council Member
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Richard Adams and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the April 11, 2006, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council with the following additions: 1) Approve payment of attorney invoice.
MINUTES
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Richard Adams and unanimously carried, Council approved the March 14, 2006 Committee Meeting and Town Council minutes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
There was no Treasurer’s Report available.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by Meg Tibbs, seconded by Richard Adams and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of March 14, 2006 to April 10, 2006 in the amount of $6,817.04.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Edward Pearson, of 106 Ridge Street, appeared before council to express some concerns he had over the budget. Mr. Pearson stated that he had spoken with the town manager and gone over 18 items of concern. Mr. Pearson further expressed a concern about the law enforcement situation in town and suggested that council consider planning for the addition of a fourth officer to the budget in the future. Mr. Pearson stated that he was also concerned about no pay raises being budgeted for town employees and the low moral of the town employees. Mr. Pearson stated that he was concerned about the effect of losing a part time employee in the next budget year adding that he felt it may be done in retribution for a lawsuit. Mr. Pearson continued stating that he felt that the police should be allowed to have take home vehicles adding that it would add to the security and safety of the town. In closing, Mr. Pearson suggested that the council spend some time in the office meeting with the citizens and becoming more familiar with what the employees actually do each day.
Mr. Ken Silby, of Lynchburg Ave, appeared before council to express concerns about the lack of a leash ordinance in town. Mr. Silby stated that he had an incident in front of his house with a dog running loose and getting run over. He called the police and animal control to take care of the situation and put the animal out of its misery. Mr. Silby went on to state that the town needs to have a leash law. Mr. Silby informed council that he has an average of 50 dogs running through his yard every day. Mr. Silby stated that if we had a leash law the dog would not have been run over in the street. Mr. Silby, again, strongly expressed his desire for the town to implement a leash law.
Mr. Silby also offered to paint the lines on the basketball court at the recreation park at no charge to the town. Sherwin Williams has offered to donate the supplies necessary to complete this project. Mr. Silby asked if the town workers could clean the basketball court up beforehand and if someone from the town would meet with him to show him where the lines need to be painted.
PRESENTATION BY DR. DELOISE ROGERS CONCERNING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS OF BROOKNEAL
Dr. Deloise Rogers, Regional Manager for Adult Education, and Mrs. Joanne Helferstay, Assistant Coordinator for Campbell County Adult Education, gave a presentation to council concerning GED and training opportunities for the citizens of the Brookneal area, especially those displaced by recent layoffs at the Dan River facility. Ms. Rogers coordinates GED and other trade act training classes available through state and federal programs throughout Central Virginia and asked for council’s assistance in getting the word out to the citizens of the Brookneal area regarding this training opportunity. Ms. Rogers stated that she had not been able to get any participation in the Brookneal area and wants to raise the awareness of the program.
DRAFT REPORT FROM W.W. ASSOCIATES ON THE WATER PLANT EVALUATION
Mr. Jason Clark, Vice President of W.W. Associates, spoke with Town Council about the results of the evaluation of the water plan. Mr. Clark informed council that the water plant currently in operation by the town is what is known as a conventional process plant. Mr. Clark went on to update council on the specifics of the water plant and what would be required to upgrade it.
A copy of the entire report had been given to the Town Manager and the Public Works Director.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief, Ricky Cousins, brought council up to date on the arrest made within the town during the month of March. Chief Cousins said that there had been 12 arrest in the town during the past month ranging from driving without a license to petit larceny.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT & HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN REPORT
Mike Crews, Public Works Director, reminded council that the maintenance code meeting would be held on April 21st at 10:00 a.m.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
- Mr. Crews went on to state that he had been working with the Regional Commission over the last year to develop a hazard mitigation plan that will be the guide for any natural disasters that may occur in the future. This is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to qualify for federal disaster assistance should a natural disaster occur. Mr. Crews provided a brief overview of the plan and council will advertise for a public hearing at the May meeting.
- Motion was made by Richard Adams to set the public hearing for the Hazard Mitigation Plan for May 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The motion received a second from Kenneth Jennings. With no further discussion Mayor Campbell called for a vote as follows:
Mr. Adams Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye
Mr. Jennings Aye Mr. Hailey Aye
Mr. Nowlin Abstained while serving in the absence of the Mayor
Absent: Ms. Meisenbach
Mayor Campbell
The motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT
Motion was made by Meg Tibbs to hold a public hearing on the Personal Property Tax Relief Act Ordinance on May 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Adams Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye
Mr. Jennings Aye Mr. Hailey Aye
Mr. Nowlin Abstained while serving in the absence of the Mayor
Absent: Ms. Meisenbach
Mayor Campbell
The motion carried.
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR MATTOX/CLAYTOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Bids were received for the CDBG housing project in the Mattox/Claytor Street neighborhoods on April 5, 2006. The low bid was Marshall Construction Company of Danville, Virginia at $416,786. The budget estimate as prepared by WW Associates was $509,186 which means that funding is available to construct the project.
Motion was made by Kenneth Jennings to award the contract for the Mattox/Claytor Street housing projects to Marshall Construction Company of Danville, Virginia. The motion received a second from James Nowlin. Voting was as follows:
Mr. Adams Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye
Mr. Jennings Aye Mr. Hailey Aye
Mr. Nowlin Abstained while serving in the absence of the Mayor
Absent: Ms. Meisenbach
Mayor Campbell
The motion carried.
PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY INVOICE
Motion was made by Richard Adams, to approve payment of an invoice for Overby, Hawkins, Selz & Wright totaling $323.00.
Council member Tibbs questioned why Council member Tracy Meisenbach had two phone calls with the lawyer listed on the bill. Town Manager, Bill Gillespie, explained to Ms. Tibbs that he would be glad to explain outside of the meeting.
With no further discussion Vice Mayor Nowlin called for a vote as follows:
Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Jennings Aye
Mr. Hailey Aye
Ms. Tibbs Nay
Mr. Nowlin Abstained while serving in the absence of the Mayor
Absent: Ms. Meisenbach
Mayor Campbell
The motion carried.
THANK YOU LETTER
Mr. Gillespie read a letter of thanks from Dee Dee Cox thanking the town and its employees for the kindness shown after the death of her husband, former Mayor, Ronny Cox.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Richard Adams to go into closed session under VA Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3) for the purpose of discussing the disposition of real property. The motion received a second from Meg Tibbs. With all in favor, council went into closed session.
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION
Upon motion from Meg Tibbs, the Brookneal Town Council returned from closed session.
CERTIFICATION
Vice Mayor Nowlin called for a vote certifying that only those items allowed under VA Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (3) pertaining to the discussion of the disposition of real property were discussed in the preceding closed session.
Voting was as follows:
Mr. Adams Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye
Mr. Jennings Aye Mr. Hailey Aye
Mr. Nowlin Aye
Absent: Ms. Meisenbach
Mayor Campbell
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Nowlin continued the meeting until April 20, 2006.
___________________________ ____________________________
Laurie C. Francis, James Nowlin, Vice Mayor
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
