P.O. Box 450/215 Main Street Brookneal, VA 24528

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