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

Meg Tibbs, Richard Adams, Stacey Hailey, and Kenneth Jennings, Council Members

Bill Gillespie, Town Manager

Laurie C. Francis, Clerk/Treasurer

Mike Crews, Public Works Director

Ricky Cousins, Police Chief

 

Absent:            Tracy Meisenbach, Council Member

 

 

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Upon motion by Richard Adams, seconded by Meg Tibbs and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the March 14, 2006, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council with the following additions: 1) Set spring clean up date  2) Approve payment of attorney invoice.

 

 

MINUTES

 

Upon motion by Kenneth Jennings, seconded by Stacey Hailey and unanimously carried, Council approved the February 14, 2006 Committee Meeting and Town Council minutes.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Mayor Campbell asked that the February 2006 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.

 

 

PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES

 

Be it resolved that motion was made by James Nowlin, seconded by Meg Tibbs and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of February 14, 2006 to March 13, 2006 in the amount of $11,448.62.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Edward Pearson, of Ridge Street, addressed council saying that he felt it was not acceptable to go down to two positions in the police department.  Council had been discussing cutting the police force and administration positions in the town to balance the budget.  Mr. Pearson went on to say that he felt the council should not cut any positions.

 

Myra Crocker, also of Ridge Street, said she had only been in the area for six months, but she didn’t want to see the town cut any police office positions.  Ms. Crocker stated that she felt even if taxes had to be raised, she would prefer to do that to keep the police officer.

 

Kenneth Silby, of Lynchburg Avenue, express concerns as well stating that he did not want to see any police officers go.  He would like to see the town hire more.  Mr. Silby referred to alleged gang activity he had witnessed outside a local business recently adding that he did not want his children seeing that type of activity.  Silby suggested the more that local officers are seen in the public eye, the less of this activity you will see adding that he, too, would rather pay higher taxes than see the police force cut.

 

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Public Works Director, Mike Crews, requested council set the dates for spring cleanup to be April 4, 2006 through April 14, 2006.  Council by consensus to the dates recommended by Mr. Crews.

 

 

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT – BROOKNEAL/ALTAVISTA BLUEWAY MASTER PLAN

 

Motion was made by James Nowlin to approve a Resolution of Support for the Altavista-Brookneal Blueway Master Plan.  The motion received a second from Richard Adams.  Being no discussion on the matter, Mayor Campbell called for a vote as follows:

 

Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Nowlin Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye

Mr. Hailey Aye Mr. Jennings Aye_

 

Absent: Ms. Meisenbach

 

With all in favor and no one opposed the motion carried to approve the resolution as follows:

 

 

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE

ALTAVISTA-BROOKNEAL BLUEWAY MASTER PLAN

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal is committed to the preservation and enhancement of the historic, cultural and natural resources with the Town, County, and region; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal is committed to increasing the quality of life for the citizens of the Town of Brookneal, Campbell County and the surrounding localities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal is committed to revitalizing the economic vitality of the Town and recognizes its proximity to the Staunton River is a vital economic resource; and

 

WHEREAS, Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan is a long-range plan to protect  natural resources, promote alternate transportation, increase connections to cultural, historical, and natural amenities, and increase quality of life for the Region 2000 area; and

 

WHEREAS the Altavista  - Brookneal Blueway Master Plan will serve as a Phase 1 activity from the Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan  and will serve as an alternate transportation corridor and will provide safe pedestrian access the Stanton River.

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BROOKNEAL TOWN COUNCIL that the Town wholeheartedly supports the application by Virginia’s Region 2000 Partnership – Local Government Council  for a Rural Transportation Planning Grant to develop the Altavista – Brookneal Blueway Master Plan.

 

 

Adopted the 14^th day of March, 2004

 

 

___________________________________

Phyllis L. Campbell, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTESTED:

 

______________________________

C. W. Gillespie, Town Manager

Town of Brookneal

 

 

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS

Motion was made by Meg Tibbs to approve a resolution to apply for community development block grant funds to provide façade improvements to the Town of Brookneal Central Business District.  The motion received a second from Stacy Hailey.  Being no discussion on the matter, Mayor Campbell called for a vote as follows:

 

Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Nowlin Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye

Mr. Hailey Aye Mr. Jennings Aye_

 

Absent: Ms. Meisenbach

 

With all in favor and no one opposed the motion carried to approve the resolution as follows:

 

RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TOWN OF BROOKNEAL CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

 

 

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has announced available funding for the Virginia Community Development Block Grant Program; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal and the Brookneal Downtown Management Team has undertaken a thorough planning process to identify and prioritize improvements necessary within the Town’s Central Business District to sustain economic vitality within the community; and

 

WHEREAS, assistance is needed to remove blight and create a more unified commercial district and community image; and

 

WHEREAS, citizen participation requirements will have been met by holding two public meetings advertised through the local newspaper and through distributed flyers and newspaper articles.

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal is committed to developing a unified design and building standard within the Central Business District and acknowledges that any slum and blight removal activities will occur in accordance with Title 36, Article 7 of the Code of Virginia;

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookneal has committed $886,000 of local funds for improvements to water infrastructure throughout the Town as well as $2.548 million dollars in USDA Rural Development funding for water quality improvements which will enhance the economic vitality of the Town’s Central Business District.

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town Council of Brookneal wishes to apply for $339,450 an Economic Development – Business District Revitalization project from the Virginia Community Block Grant to implement the Brookneal Central Business District Façade Improvement Program to implement exterior restoration to properties within the Central Business District.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town Manager is here by authorized to sign and submit the appropriate documents for submittal of this Virginia Community Development Block Grant Application.

 

Adopted this 14^th day of March, 2006

 

______________________________

Phyllis L. Campbell, Mayor

 

 

ATTESTED:

______________________________

C. W. Gillespie, Town Manager

Town of Brookneal

 

 

 

 

RECIPROCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CHARLOTTE COUNTY

 

Charlotte County has requested that the Town of Brookneal participate with Campbell County in an agreement with Charlotte County that would allow each of the jurisdictions reciprocity to assist in their respective jurisdictions in the event of an emergency.

 

Motion was made by Stacey Hailey to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement between the Town of Brookneal and the County of Charlotte dated December 1, 2005.  The motion received a second from Richard Adams.  With all in favor and no one opposed, the motion carried.

 

COMMUNITY BUILDING GRANT PROJECT

 

Motion was made by Stacey Hailey to approve the following forms and documents to initiate the community building rural development grant:

 

• Establishment of an Automated Clearing House (ACH)
• Resolution of Members
• Form 1942-8
• Form 1942-9
• Form 1942-47

 

The motion received a second from James Nowlin.  Being no discussion on the matter, Mayor Campbell called for a vote as follows:

 

Mr. Adams Aye Mr. Nowlin Aye Ms. Tibbs Aye

Mr. Hailey Aye Mr. Jennings Aye_

 

Absent: Ms. Meisenbach

 

With all in favor and no one opposed the motion carried.

 

 

PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY INVOICE

 

Motion was made by Richard Adams, seconded by Meg Tibbs, and unanimously carried approving payment of an invoice for Overby, Hawkins, Selz & Wright totaling $731.00.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion from Meg Tibbs, Mayor Campbell announced that the March 14, 2006, Council meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

___________________________                  ____________________________

Laurie C. Francis,                                           Phyllis Campbell,

Clerk/Treasurer                                               Mayor