February 10, 2009
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, Richard Adams, Tracy Meisenbach, Robert Jean, and Phillip Sheppard, Council Members
Bobbie A. Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director, and Interim Town Manager
Ricky Cousins, Police Chief
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
PUBLIC HEARING FOR GRANT FUNDING WITH USDA IN ACQUIRING A SANITATION VEHICLE
Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear public input on the Town pursuing grant funding with USDA to acquire a sanitation vehicle for the public works department. Mr. Howard Wells of Booker Road said that he heard that the Town really needed a sanitation vehicle. No one else appeared in favor or not in favor of the grant application; therefore, Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the February 10, 2009, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council with the following additions: 1) Transfer of appropriations 2) Resolution for water grant 3) Closed session under VA Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1)—closed meeting for certain limited purposes for discussion of disciplinary action on Employee A.
MINUTES
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Council approved the January 13, 2009, Town Council minutes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Councilperson Richard Adams asked about the certificates of deposit that are maturing on February 15, 2009. Clerk/Treasurer Bobbie Waller said she had checked rates and would continue to check rates to find the best options available. Councilperson Kenneth Jennings asked about the general obligation bond on the community building and the backhoe, and since interest rates are so low, possibly paying off that bond with one of the certificates of deposit that is maturing. Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Richard Adams and unanimously carried, the Council voted to use the maturing certificates of deposit to pay off the obligation bond on the community building and backhoe. Mayor Campbell then asked that the February 2009 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of January 14, 2009, to February 10, 2009, in the amount of $48,588.35.
SCOTT SMITH WITH REGION 2000, SOUTHSIDE OUTREACH CONTRACT, AND PROJECT STATUS REPORT
Scott Smith with Region 2000 said that the downtown revitalization project is finally moving forward. The programmatic agreement between the Town of Brookneal and the Department of Historic Resources was received and signed. On Thursday, February 12, 2009, Louise Brierre with Department of Housing and Community Development will be here to review financial items for the project. On February 24 and 25, 2009, Frazier and Associates will be here to meet with property owners to discuss plans for working on the buildings. There are 15 property owners that have signed on at this point by placing their $500.00 deposits. The Town has also received the phasing plan from WW Associates for the streetscape. Mr. Smith said he felt all was looking good for a spring bid for the buildings. Mr. Smith also said that the contract for Southside Outreach to provide housing rehabilitation services for the downtown grant was presented for approval and will need to be approved at tonight’s meeting. They were the only rehab specialist to respond to the RFP. Mr. Smith said that he needed to know at some point who from the Town Council would be serving on the housing rehab board. Mr. Smith also said that DHCD would like to see some sort of a Main Street organization formed to help guide this project. Brookneal does not qualify to become a designated Main Street community because it does not have enough buildings or enough businesses; therefore, the Town is now considered a Main Street affiliate.
Upon motion from Tracy Meisenbach, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to award the contract for rehab services to Southside Outreach Group, Inc. not to exceed $2,500 per residence.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No one asked to speak during public comment.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Cousins presented a check of $100.00 to the Town on behalf of the American Legion to help with expenses at the community building.
Chief Ricky Cousins reported that from January 13, 2009 to February 10, 2009, the police department wrote tickets for the following:
2 warrants issued for petty larceny
1 warrant issued for attempt to elude a police officer
1 for trespassing
1 for reckless driving
2 for driving on a suspended license
9 for speeding 15-20 miles over the limit
9 for speeding 20-up over the limit
2 for expired inspection
2 for failure to display tag
1 for improper use of farm use tag
1 for no registration card
1 for defective equipment
WAIVING THE WATER BILL FOR CVCC
Upon motion by Tracy Meisenbach, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to charge the inactive fee of $3.00 per month or $30.00 per year to CVCC to keep the water meter at CVCC, but the meter will be inactive.
IDA WIRELESS (PURE INTERNET) USE OF WATER TANK
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, the Council asked that Mr. Mike Crews, Interim Town Manager, personally handle the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) wireless broadband issue as discussed in the committee meeting earlier.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon motion by Tracy Meisenbach, seconded by Phillip Sheppard, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to have Ms. Waller send a response to Mr. Sanfacon, per his request for the Council to look into the issue of his water and sewer usage, with the response dictating that the Council cannot adequately assess the actual water usage of the industrial aspect of his property due to the fact that his residence is tied into the same water system. Until such time that the two are put on separate water meters, there is no way for the Town to determine which direction it needs to go with his water usage. At the time he corrects that issue, he can come back to the Council, request for the Council to review the situation at that point and the Council will do so.
RESOLUTION FOR WATER GRANT
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Phillip Sheppard, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to approve the following resolution to continue with the USDA/EPA grant process to cover the shortfall of construction funds totaling $651,430.00.
TOWN OF BROOKNEAL
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
AND
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
GRANT
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal has applied for funding for various drinking water projects through EPA and USDA in the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Health-Office of Drinking Water will be considering eligible communities for its upcoming DWSRF program; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal’s Town Council has reviewed project planning material and found that the pre-requirements have been met for submitting a funding application.
WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal’s Town Council hereby vote to seek additional funding from the Office of Drinking Water (Virginia Department of Health) for the following project:
Town of Brookneal $651,430.00
Water System Improvements
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor immediately begin to process funding applications for these projects and be authorized to sign any and all documents to accept such funding contingent upon review and concurrence by the Town Attorney.
Motion by: __________________ Seconded by: ____________________
Aye________________ Nay________________ Absent_______________
This 10th day of February 2009
Attest:
______________________
Mayor
Phyllis L. Campbell
TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS
Upon motion by Richard Adams, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to approve the following transfer of appropriation.
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATION
To: Brookneal Town Council
Date: February 10, 2009
The following Appropriation Transfer is requested:
General Fund
Category—Expense ADD New Total
Treasurer—Overtime $1,000.00 $ 2,500.00
Category—Expense DELETE New Total
Insurance—General Liability $1,000.00 $ 6,405.00
To cover overtime for the Clerk/Treasurer through FY09.
General Fund
Category—Expense ADD New Total
Sanitation—Overtime $2,000.00 $ 5,000.00
Category—Expense DELETE New Total
Insurance—General Liability $1,775.00 $ 4,630.00
Category—Expense DELETE New Total
Insurance—Auto $ 225.00 $ 3,555.00
To cover overtime for the Sanitation department through FY09.
Respectfully requested by:
_________________________________
Treasurer
_________________________________
Date
ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL
Councilperson Meisnbach mentioned that there are young kids on the streets at all times of the night, and she would like to see something done about that. Councilperson Jean wanted the search committee for the town manager to have an organizational meeting to get started on their work.
CLOSED SESSION
Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Robert Jean and unanimously carried, the Council voted to go into closed session under VA Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) for the purpose of discussion of disciplinary action against Police Officer A.
A verbal vote was taken as follows:
Mr. Sheppard Aye Mr. Nowlin Aye
Mr. Jean Aye Ms. Meisenbach Aye
Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Jennings Aye
Mayor Campbell Aye
CERTIFICATION
Mayor Campbell called for a vote certifying that only those items were discussed as allowed under VA Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1) for the purpose of discussion of disciplinary action against Police Officer A.
Voting was as follows:
Mr. Sheppard Aye Mr. Jean Aye
Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Jennings Aye
Mr. Nowlin Aye Ms. Meisenbach Aye
Mayor Campbell Aye
The motion carried.
Upon motion by Richard Adams, seconded by Kenneth Jennings, and with a consensus of the personnel committee, the Council voted 4-2 to place Officer Scott Earhart on administrative leave without pay or benefits and authorized the acting town manager to interface with Mr. David Shreve to obtain the proper letters and documentations to be served on Officer Earhart at this time.
A verbal vote was taken as follows:
Mr. Sheppard Nay Mr. Jean Aye
Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Jennings Aye
Mr. Nowlin Aye Ms. Meisenbach Nay
The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion from Robert Jean, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, Mayor Campbell announced that the February 10, 2009, Council meeting was adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Bobbie A. Waller Phyllis L. Campbell
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
