December 2013

December 10, 2013

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, Barbara Laprade, and Mark Wilkes, Council Members
Russell Thurston, Town Manager
Bobbie Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Richard Baldwin, Chief of Police
Absent:  J. B. David, Jr., Council Member


INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG


APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Upon motion by Richard Adams, seconded by Robert Jean, and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the December 10, 2013, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council.


MINUTES

Upon motion by Mark Wilkes, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Council approved the November 12, 2013, Town Council meeting minutes.  


TREASURER’S REPORT

Mayor Campbell asked that the December 2013 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.


PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES

Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Barbara Laprade, and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of November 13, 2013 to December 10, 2013, in the amount of $13,356.83.


 


GARY CHRISTIE FROM REGION 2000

Gary Christie from Region 2000 appeared before Council.  He presented the annual report for Region 2000 to the Council.  He said one of the things they are working on is an agriculture strategic plan.  He said that for many years agriculture has been a part of this region’s economy.  He said $64 million is generated in agriculture in the 4 counties and Lynchburg.  He said they had some state grant money and hired a firm from Indianapolis to determine what if anything the region or individual counties could do to strengthen the agriculture economy.  He said they are going to have focus groups of 10-15 people from each jurisdiction that will be meeting in January.  e saHe   He said they would be individuals that are knowledgeable about the forestry and agriculture economy.  He said from that will be a larger meeting that will come together and talk and break out into smaller groups in either April or May.

He said the downtown project Phase 3 is about 90% ready to go to bid for construction.  He said they are still developing their commuter service hotline and website to give folks in this area that drive to Lynchburg to work a chance to carpool together.  He said they are starting to get some marketing to let folks know about that.  

Mr. Christie said that every jurisdiction in this area, including Brookneal, contributed to help keep the small business development center operating.  He also said that the economic development side of Region 2000 is being reorganized in December and January.  


PUBLIC COMMENT

No one appeared before Council during public comment.


POLICE REPORT

Chief Ricky Baldwin presented the police report to the Council for November 2013.  He said of the 84 calls for service in October, 73 calls were answered by the Brookneal Police Department.  


PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Public Works Director Mike Crews said that Falling River Baptist Church is looking for a place to store a trailer for the winter.  He said the trailer contains washers and dryers which are used in disaster relief areas.  Mr. Crews referred the issue to the Physical Development Committee to look into.  He said trash pickup for Christmas Eve (24th) will be done the 23rd.  He said the rest of trash pickup will be on schedule.  


TOWN MANAGER REPORT

Town Manager Russell Thurston briefly went over the accomplishments and happenings in Brookneal for 2013.  



    

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

There were no committee recommendations.  


ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL

There were no items from Council.


ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion from Robert Jean, seconded by James Nowlin, and unanimously carried, Mayor Campbell announced that the December 10, 2013, meeting was adjourned.  



___________________________        ____________________________
Bobbie A. Waller                Phyllis L. Campbell
Clerk/Treasurer                Mayor