March 14, 2017
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
Richard Adams, Robert Jean, Barbara Laprade, Mark Wilkes, and Joseph B. David, Jr., Council Members
Russell Thurston, Town Manager
Bobbie Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Richard Baldwin, Chief of Police
Absent: James Nowlin, Vice Mayor
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Mark Wilkes, and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the March 14, 2017, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council.
MINUTES
Upon motion by Mark Wilkes, seconded by Joseph David, and unanimously carried, Council approved the minutes for the February 14, 2017, Town Council meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mayor Campbell asked that the March 2017 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by Robert Jean, seconded by Joseph B. David, Jr., and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of
February 15, 2017 to March 14, 2017, in the amount of $18,790.61.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Conner Francis was in attendance at the Council meeting. He announced that he was going to represent the 5th district at the College Republican Federation. He said that included Hampton- Sydney College, Longwood University, UVA, and Liberty University.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Richard Baldwin presented the police report for February 2017. He said of the 97 calls for service, 82 were answered by the Brookneal Police Department. He said that he has ordered the new Tahoe for the police department. He said that he knew there has been a lot of conversation about 214 Old Main Street with all the trash that is at that residence. He said that as of today the tenants have been charged and will have to go to court about the trash at that property. Chief Baldwin said that there a lot of inoperable cars parked around town; he said he and the Town Manager are going to look at the town code, put an article in the Union Star, and see what can be done about these.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Public Works Director Mike Crews said that Elliott Electric has been in Town today working on the new street lights. He said the dam inspection at the Phelps Creek Reservoir is going to be done this week; the permit expires 3/31/17. He said the 2010 Kenworth trash truck is still in the shop; the repair being done now is on an oil leak.
SPRING CLEAN UP WEEK APRIL 3 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2017
Mr. Crews said that spring clean-up week is April 3 through April 14, 2017.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Russell Thurston said some businesses in Town have voiced complaints about the business license fees. He said that he had explained that if this is taken away then it would have to be replaced with something else; the Town depends on those revenues. He said that he does not foresee any changes anytime soon to the business license fees.
He expressed his and the Council’s appreciation for all the volunteers at the Town ball park. He said that a lot of work has been done this season to the road and the parking area. Mr. Thurston said that he has heard that VDOT will be milling and paving Lusardi Drive this year. Mr. Jean also mentioned Bank Street and Main Street problem areas with pavement. Mr. Thurston said he would talk to VDOT about that as well.
Mr. Thurston told the Council about a sticky problem with Norfolk Southern that has come about. He said that there are some water and sewer line easements that run under their railroad tracks. He said over the years they have assessed a small fee to the town for letting the Town use their piece of real estate. Clerk/Treasurer Bobbie Waller said that all total it amounted to $920. Mr. Thurston said that the Town received notification this past week that the rates are going up 5-fold. Ms. Waller said that the $600 fees are going up to $7,200.00.
She said that two of the bills for the other two easements have not been received yet. He said that he is negotiating with the railroad now. He said that nothing has changed; no right of ways or easements have changed. Mr. Jean suggested looking at what the Town could do to bill Norfolk Southern for areas that they cross Town property. Mr. David suggested contacting other localities to see if they are having the same issue and join forces to complain about this increase.
MOTION ON RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY FEES
Upon motion by Joseph David, seconded by Mark Wilkes, and unanimously carried, the Council voted not to pay the invoices for Norfolk Southern right of way fees until the negotiations with the railroad over the hike in these fees is complete.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
There were no committee recommendations. Councilperson David said that concerning the discussions with the fire department about a water source, he had talked with Dean Monroe about using Falling River. He said that Mr. Monroe felt like Falling River would be the best source instead of the pond near Good Times.
ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL
Councilperson David suggested that some of the Council members attend the VML suppers that are coming up as outlined on the flyer they received in the mail.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Robert Jean, seconded by Richard Adams, and unanimously carried, Mayor Campbell announced that the March 14, 2017, Council meeting was adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Bobbie A. Waller Phyllis Campbell
Clerk/Treasurer Mayor
