May 10, 2011
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
Richard Adams, Robert Jean, Tracy Meisenbach, Barbara Laprade, and Mark Wilkes, Council Members
Bobbie Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Ricky Baldwin, Chief of Police
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
PUBLIC HEARING—GENERAL FUND BUDGET
7:03 p.m. Mayor Campbell called to order the public hearing to receive comments on the general fund budget. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the general fund budget; therefore, Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing for the general fund budget at 7:04 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING—WATER FUND BUDGET
7:04 p.m. Mayor Campbell called to order the public hearing to receive comments on the water fund budget. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the water fund budget; therefore, Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing for the water fund budget at 7:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING—SEWER FUND BUDGET
7:05 p.m. Mayor Campbell called to order the public hearing to receive comments on the sewer fund budget. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the sewer fund budget; therefore, Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing for the sewer fund budget at 7:06 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (PPTRA) FOR 2011
7:06 p.m. Mayor Campbell called to order the public hearing to receive comments on the personal property tax relief act for 2011. Clerk/Treasurer Bobbie Waller explained a little bit about the PPTRA for 2011. She said there is a 69% discount for 2011 on personal use vehicles with assessed values of $501 to $10,000. After a brief discussion, Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing for the PPTRA for 2011 at 7:06 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SEWER RATE INCREASE
7:06 p.m. Mayor Campbell called to order the public hearing on the sewer rate increase. She said there is a proposed increase in the sewer rates of a flat $2.00 per business and $2.00 per household. Howard Wells of 110 Booker Road said that since his wife lost her job 2 years, $2.00 may not sound like a whole lot, but if it keeps going and going up, then it will be a lot. He asked Bob Jean and Mark Wilkes to do the job they were elected to do. He said times are tight, there are no jobs here in Brookneal, and that he and his wife don't have the money to go to the doctor because he is the only one working. Mayor Campbell then closed the public hearing on the sewer rate increase at 7:08 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the May 10, 2011, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council with the following addition: 1) Transfers of Appropriation
MINUTES
Upon motion by Barbara Laprade, seconded by Mark Wilkes, and unanimously carried, Council approved the April 12, 2011, Town Council meeting minutes.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mayor Campbell asked that the May 2011 treasurer's report be filed for audit.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Baldwin presented the Council with the daily activity sheet for April 2011. Chief Baldwin also reminded the Council of the program on scams that will be presented by the Brookneal Police Department in conjunction with the Campbell County Sheriff's office on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 7 pm at the Brookneal Community Building.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Mark Wilkes, and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of April 13, 2011, to May 10, 2011, in the amount of $20,347.12.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Dixie Youth Girls Request for New Roof on the Concession Stand
Amie Clowis, of Nathalie, appeared before Council on behalf of the Brookneal Dixie Girls to ask for the Town's help with the ball fields. She said Brookneal will be hosting all stars for the boys and girls in 2012. She said a lot of work and materials have been donated including installing roofs and concrete pads in the dugouts. She said the walk path from the parking lot to the top field is going to be redone. She explained some renovations that they are planning for the concession stand. She said there is water damage to the concession stand, and the shingles are broke. She explained that you can stand on the back side of the concession stand and see the sky. She said that they want the Town to help pay for a new roof for the concession stand. She noted that Georgia Pacific and Huber are donating USB board for the project. The estimate she received on the tin roof for the concession stand was $1,000, with the labor being donated to install the roof.
Upon motion by James Nowlin, seconded by Robert Jean and unanimously carried, the Council voted to cover the expense, not to exceed $1,000, to purchase new roofing for the Dixie Youth Girls' concession stand.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Public Works Director Mike Crews said that the water supply plan is moving forward. He said in August there will be a public hearing regarding this plan with Bob White from Region 2000 and Dan from Draper Aden in attendance at that meeting.
Mr. Crews said that the sidewalks curb and gutter and the milling on Main Street will be finished by the end of this month. He said on May 16, Marvin Templeton will be milling all of Main Street.
Mr. Crews said that the water lines have been completed on Main Street, Old Main Street, Smith Street, and Rush Street. He said new water meters have also been put in for all the businesses on Main Street. The water line project is scheduled to be finished by the end of June.
Councilperson Jean asked about the railroad crossing on Main Street. Mayor Campbell said that they were going to repair this crossing, but it would not be replaced. She said the crossing at Burgers, Shakes, & Cream would be replaced.
Mr. Jean asked if new signs were put up at the town reservoir regarding cleaning boats before entering the reservoir. Mr. Crews said that new signs had not been put up yet regarding that. Mr. Crews said that permits were being issued, and the water plant operators were monitoring the people going into the reservoir. Mr. Crews said he had checked on some other reservoirs to see what they allow and do not allow. He said he knew the committee was supposed to do some work on this issue, but he said until they see someone violating anything the operators deem dangerous or could contaminate the water supply for the Town, then they will use their judgment to close the reservoir if deemed necessary for the water supply. Mr. Jean said he had talked to the Game Commission last year, and they had said they would supply signs for the reservoir. He said if not, then signs could be ordered that outlined the rules. Mayor Campbell asked Kevin Williams and Tracy Brightwell to research some information on signs for the reservoir. Councilperson Meisenbach said that some fines were supposed to be implemented and added to the signs. She said Mr. Crews would have the authority to enforce the fines, and he would write up a violation report or ticket for the violations.
RECOMMENDATION TO ADVERTISE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CHANGES TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR ELITE RECYCLING
Planning Commission Member Mark Wilkes distributed a list of conditions recommended by the commission in regards to the Elite Recycling facility on 103 Mattox Street. He asked the Council to review these and add or take away items as they saw fit. The Council decided to review the proposed conditions and make adjustments after the public comment at the next Council meeting in June. Upon motion by James Nowlin, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to advertise for a public hearing regarding the changes to the zoning ordinance for Elite Recycling.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Councilperson Jean said that interviews are being conducted for the position of town manager and will hopefully be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks. Councilperson Adams said that the police chief is looking at a grant that would provide 12 months of funding for another police officer. He is working with the chief to submit this grant application. The deadline for the application is May 24, 2011.
Vice Mayor Nowlin addressed some items that need to be done to the community building.
Mayor Campbell said she had a quote from Mr. Raymond Lane for the sanding and painting of the front doors and railings of the community building. She said the amount will be around $550 for labor and materials. She also said that Mr. Dennis Guill has looked at the floors in the community building auditorium. She said Mr. Guill submitted a bid of $4,000 for this job. Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Tracy Meisenbach, and unanimously carried, the Council voted to move ahead with these bids for the doors, railings, and floors in the community building. Mayor Campbell noted that the floors of the stage area of the auditorium will also be done for this price. Vice Mayor Nowlin asked about the ceiling in the dining room of the community building. Mr. Crews said that he talked with the Mr. Layne about fixing this area, and he was supposed to get back with him. Mr. Crews also said that Rodney Mason was going to look at the dining room ceiling also and give a quote.
Vice Mayor Nowlin also asked about the front doors of the Town office and Council chambers. Mayor Campbell said that she would take care of that issue also. She said she would get bids and call each Council member if necessary to discuss the bids received. Vice Mayor Nowlin said he wanted to see all these projects move forward.
ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL
Mayor Campbell said that since the yards have been mentioned, she wanted to mention that Chief Baldwin has offered to take a look at the ordinances. She said that he said he doesn't mind enforcing the ordinances with a letter and verbal approach. She said that he will be monitoring the areas, especially the yard sales on porches that are ongoing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mayor Campbell thanked Cheryl Parker and her efforts in organizing the National Day of Prayer.
Councilperson Jean mentioned pot holes that still need to be fixed in town.
Vice Mayor Nowlin said that there are problems with individuals trashing the gazebo area.
REQUEST FOR TRANSFERS OF APPROPRIATION
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Tracy Meisenbach, and unanimously carried, the Council approved the following transfers of appropriation:
REQUEST FOR TRANSFERS OF APPROPRIATION
To: Brookneal Town Council
Date: May 10, 2011
The following Appropriation Transfers are requested:
General Fund As of 5/10/11
Category—Expense ADD New Total Balance in Account
Recreation—Repairs and Maint.--01-7104-5407 $5,600.00 $ 11,400.00 $ 8,376.84
Category—Expense DELETE New Total Balance in Account
Police—Salaries—01-3101-1001 $5,600.00 $ 73,034.00 $ 29,591.73
To cover the cost of repairs and maintenance to the community building including floors in the auditorium and stage and painting the front doors and railings.
General Fund As of 5/10/11
Category—Expense ADD New Total Balance in Account
Recreation—Electric--01-7104-5101 $1,200.00 $ 7,200.00 $ 1,274.37
Category—Expense DELETE New Total Balance in Account
Police—Salaries—01-3101-1001 $1,200.00 $ 71,834.00 $ 28,391.73
To cover the cost of the electric bills for the ball park, boat dock and community building for FY11.
Respectfully requested by:
_________________________________
Treasurer
_________________________________
Date
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion from James Nowlin, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Mayor Campbell announced that the May 10, 2011, Council meeting was adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Bobbie A. Waller Phyllis L. Campbell
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
