March 13, 2007
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
James Nowlin, Vice Mayor
Kenneth Jennings, Tracy Meisenbach, Richard Adams, Stacey Hailey, and Robert Jean, Council Members
Bobbie Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Absent: Ricky Cousins, Chief of Police
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Stacey Hailey and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the March 13, 2007, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council with the following addition: 1) Resolution for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) presented by Scott Smith
MINUTES
Upon motion by Richard Adams, seconded by Stacey Hailey and unanimously carried, Council approved the February 13, 2007, Town Council minutes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mayor Campbell asked that the March 2007 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Richard Adams and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of February 14, 2007, to March 13, 2007, in the amount of $23,106.82.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jennifer England of 1575 McIvor Ferry Road, Gladys, appeared before Council to address some of the things that had been said as of late about her and her group CATS (Citizens Against Toxic Sludge). She said one of the things she wanted to get out in the open was that her husband does not work for a chemical fertilizer company, and that she has no conflict of interest with what she is doing. She asked Mr. Jean that if in the future he had anything to say to her please say it in the building and on the record.
Denise Schneider, presently renting a home on Ridge Street, appeared before the Council concerning two proposed sludge spreading sites that are located near property she and her husband have purchased on Tip Lane in Campbell County. She said she is from New Jersey, and she stated that she had seen what sludge has done to a community there, and does not want to see it ruin the community here.
BRIAN EPPERSON, BROOKNEAL RESCUE SQUAD, USE OF BALL PARK
Mr. Brian Epperson, an EMT instructor, teaching for the Brookneal Rescue Squad, has requested use of the Brookneal Recreation Park to hold a mock disaster training session on March 18, 2007, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. He also wanted permission to light about 50 small firecrackers in a metal drum for sound effects for the event. Interim Town Manager stated that although there is an ordinance preventing firecrackers in the town limits, as long as it was for this event only, and that the local police department was advised of the use of the firecrackers, it would be permissible. Councilperson Adams’ expressed concern for liability of any injuries that might happen during the event since it was on Town property. County Administrator David Laurrell assured Council that the County has a liability policy which covers fire and rescue personnel as well as training events.
Upon motion from Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, Council gave permission for Mr. Epperson to use the Brookneal Recreation Park on Sunday, March 18, 2007, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. to hold the mock disaster training event.
CAMPBELL COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DAVID LAURRELL AND BROOKNEAL DISTRICT SUPERVISOR J. D. PUCKETT
Mr. David Laurrell appeared before Council to see if the Town had any questions concerning events going on in the County. He stressed that the health of the Town affects the health of the County and vice versa and that we are both here to help each other. He discussed the tax assessments that had just been mailed out from the County. He wanted to make everyone aware that the notices that went out calculated a percentage increase over a 4-year period. The last time the County did assessments was in 2003. He explained that the present tax rate in Campbell County for real estate is $.52 per 100 and the rollback rate is $.42 per 100. If the rollback rate is applied to the new assessments, it will generate the same dollars as the current rate. If the board adopts a budget next year with a $.42 tax rate, then the average tax bill would not go up at all. The average assessment increase was 26%. If your assessment went up more than 26%, then your taxes would go up, however, if your assessment was less than 26%, your taxes would actually go down. He also explained that the budget being prepared that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in April most likely will call for a tax rate of $.44 to $.46, with it most likely being $.44.
Mayor Campbell addressed the issue of biosolids with Mr. Laurrell. Mayor Campbell stated that at no time has the Council not been concerned pertaining to the issue of biosolids. She said it was mentioned in the Union Star that Mr. Laurrell would be seeking the cooperation of the townships and towns in order to support the county on this ordinance, and that the reason why maybe the Town Council had not been invited to attend some of these CATS meetings was because of the way we had reacted to the ordinance. She said in checking with other towns in the area, no one else has been approached to proceed with this ordinance. She said she felt that the Town of Brookneal was being labeled as not being supportive of the County and this ordinance. Mr. Laurrell said that the County had not asked anyone to support the ordinance. He was not aware of any meetings that Town Council had not been invited to. He said that the Board of Supervisors did decide after a number of meetings to have staff put together an ordinance. He said that a public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held April 17, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at Rustburg High School provided that the Board decided to go forward with the ordinance after reviewing it at their next meeting on March 19, 2007. He stated that any ordinance the Board of Supervisors adopts will apply countywide. The Town of Brookneal will automatically fall under what the Board of Supervisors does. According to Mr. Laurrell, it would be up to the Town Council to implement anything further.
Mayor Campbell expressed her appreciation to Mr. Laurrell and Mr. Puckett for the coverage that the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department has provided the Town in the absence of Brookneal’s Police Chief, Ricky Cousins.
POLICE REPORT
There was no police report presented.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Mr. Mike Crews informed Council that the Town closed on the grant for the backhoe and heating and air conditioning for the Community Building on February 20, 2007. Moore’s Electric is working on the heating and air conditioning and the backhoe will be delivered in a few weeks. The Town Maintenance department has been working on putting in a temporary new water line on C.F. Gray Street to improve their water pressure. He announced that Ricky Cousins, Police Chief would be out for 4-6 weeks while recovering from back surgery.
Councilperson Meisenbach asked about the issue of the part time police officer that was brought up at the last Council meeting. Mr. Crews stated that he had decided not to pursue the issue of the part time officer, but to utilize the County’s help instead.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
Mr. Scott Smith of the Local Government Council informed Council that the 2nd public hearing for the CDBG grant will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, which will consist of a public informational meeting. Mr. Smith presented the following resolution to the Council for approval concerning the application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG):
Town of Brookneal
Post Office Box 450
Brookneal, Virginia 24528
RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS TO ADDRESS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION NEEDS IN THE TOWN OF BROOKNEAL.
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (VDHCD) has announced available funding for the Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal and the Brookneal CDBG Planning Grant Management Team underwent a thorough planning process to identify and prioritize long-term needs to sustain and strengthen the Town of Brookneal, has identified opportunities for downtown revitalization in the Town, and
WHEREAS, assistance is needed to provide economic and physical improvements to public and privately-owned properties within the proposed project area, and
WHEREAS, approximately $1,248,125 will be expended on this project, with the primary sources being Virginia Community Development Block Grant ($1,000,000), a local government (in-kind) match from the Town of Brookneal ($39,125), and a match from Brookneal Property Owners in relation to the proposed façade improvement matching grant program ($209,000) and it is anticipated that the project will provide streetscape improvements, housing rehabilitation, and building improvements to structures on portions of Main Street, Rush Street, and Lynchburg Avenue, and will help fund a Marketing Campaign for the entire downtown, and
WHEREAS, the Brookneal Town Council will appoint a committee to govern the program development and execution of the downtown revitalization project, and that said committee will consist of representatives of organizations, including, but not limited to Brookneal’s DHCD Commercial District (Main Street) Affiliate Committee, Brookneal Chamber of Commerce, Town of Brookneal, Region 2000 Local Government Council, and property and business owners within the project area, and
WHEREAS, the Brookneal Town Council recognizes the requirement that VCDBG slum and blight removal activities occur in accordance with Title 36, Article 7 of the Code of Virginia and that the locality will, if necessary during implementation, develop a Redevelopment or Conservation Plan and contract with a Virginia Redevelopment and Housing Authority to implement the plan, and
WHEREAS, citizen participation requirements will have been met by holding two public hearings, advertised through the local newspaper and through distributed flyers, on February 13, 2007 and March 21, 2007.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Brookneal wishes to apply for funding in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Virginia Community Development Block Grant program for a Community Improvement Grant to be utilized to conduct downtown revitalization project in the Town of Brookneal. Be it further resolved that Michael Crews, Town Manager, is hereby authorized to sign and submit the appropriate documents for submittal of this Virginia Community Development Block Grant Application.
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Tracy Meisenbach, and unanimously, carried, adopted this 13th day of March, 2007, by the Brookneal Town Council.
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Phyllis Campbell, Mayor
ATTESTED:
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Bobbie A. Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
Mr. Hailey Aye
Mr. Adams Aye
Mr. Jean Aye
Mr. Nowlin Aye
Ms. Meisenbach Aye
Mr. Jennings Aye
PRICING FOR SODIUM FLUORIDE TREATMENT
Mr. Mike Crews announced that the Town would proceed with the grant for the fluoride system to be implemented at the water treatment plant. Pricing was received on the sodium fluoride which will cost the Town approximately $1500.00 per year.
STAUNTON RIVER COMMUNITY CHURCH “FAMILY FUN DAY”
After discussion at the committee meeting prior to the Council meeting, the Council agreed that they were in full support of the Family Fun Day being sponsored by the Staunton River Community Church at the Brookneal Elementary School parking lot on Saturday, March 24, 2007 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
SPRING CLEAN-UP MARCH 26 THROUGH APRIL 6, 2007
The annual spring clean up for the Town will be held for two weeks starting March 26, 2007 and ending on April 6, 2007.
JAMES “MAC” MCDOWELL, BALL PARK FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Mr. James McDowell, of Altavista, requested use of the ball park for National Day of Prayer on May 3, 2007. After discussion in the committee meeting about this issue, the Council decided that since the local churches have National Day of Prayer in the town already, Mr. Crews would suggest to Mr. McDowell that all the churches participate together on this event.
Mr. Kenneth Jennings made a motion that Council, by way of Interim Town Manager Mike Crews, ask Mr. McDowell to coordinate with Rev. Troy Mays of Brookneal Baptist Church, events for National Day of Prayer in Brookneal. The motion was seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried.
COMMUNITY BUILDING USE
Mr. Walter Pillow, commander of American Legion Post 52, requested use of the Community Building for a Memorial Day service that would include Rep. Virgil Goode. They invited Mayor Campbell to the event and asked her to introduce Mr. Goode. Upon motion from Robert Jean, seconded by Tracy Meisenbach, and unanimously carried, Council voted to allow American Legion Post 52 use of the community building at no charge on Monday, May 28, 2007, for the Memorial Day service.
Upon motion from Robert Jean, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, Council voted to allow the Brookneal Rescue Squad use of the community building at no charge to have their annual dinner on Saturday, April 14, 2007.
BANK OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Upon motion by Tracy Meisenbach, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Council voted to have Ms. Bobbie Waller and Mr. Mike Crews added for check signing and for receiving financial information from the Bank of Charlotte County and that Bill Gillespie and Laurie Francis be removed from the approved signers for the Town of Brookneal.
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS
Upon motion from Richard Adams, seconded by Kenneth Jennings, and unanimously carried, Council voted to make the following corrections to the budget:
General Fund
Category ADD New Total
Police-Overtime--01-3101-1002 $10,355.00 $25,355.00
DELETE New Total
Contingency Fund -- 01-8102-7010 $10,355.00 $0.00
To partially cover overtime expenses for the police department.
ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL
Councilperson Jennings and Councilperson Jean expressed their excitement about the Town’s application for the Downtown Revitalization Grant and for the Town’s future. Councilperson Hailey and Councilperson Adams expressed their thanks to County Administrator David Laurrell and Brookneal District Supervisor J. D. Puckett for their continued support and assistance.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion from Stacey Hailey, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, Mayor Campbell announced that the March 13, 2007, Council meeting was adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Bobbie A. Waller, Phyllis Campbell,
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
