1 Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
At the Workshop Meeting of the Appomattox Town Council held on April 28, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers, Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia, there present were Mayor Paul D. Harvey, presiding and Council members Bryan J. Baine, N. H. “Jimmy” Mayberry, C. Lewis McDearmon, Jr., John T. “Plicky” Williams, Karl E. Carter and Jennifer Jamerson-Scruggs. Also in attendance was Chad Millner, Nina Beasley, Stephanie James, Tom Martin, Sam Carter, Barbara Shelton, Derek Norfield, Cliff Harvey, Mary Lou Spiggle, Bart S. Van Nieuwenhuise, Town Manager, Will Simmons, Director of Tourism, Frank Wright, Town Attorney and Roxanne W. Paulette, Clerk.
Mayor Harvey called the meeting to order.
On a motion by Councilmember Jamerson-Scruggs, seconded by Councilmember Williams and with the members present voting aye, Council voted to amend the workshop agenda by adding items #4 - Pursuant to §2.2-3711(A) 7 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel retained by the Town regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, the subject matter of such meeting being (a) the legal implications of changes requested to the Basic Ordering Agreement by Draper Aden and (b) legal considerations pertaining to having a referendum for a lease law and pursuant to §2.2-3711 (A) 6 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, specifically being the discussion of the proposal submitted by Appomattox County regarding the waterline from Concord to Appomattox and pursuant to §2.2-3711(A) 1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussing a prospective candidate for the position of Town Treasurer with the Town of Appomattox, specifically being prospective Candidate A and item #5 – Open Session discussion and/or action arising from closed session matters.
Tom Martin, KGRL Planning made a presentation to the Town Council regarding the “draft” sign ordinance.
Councilmember Baine acknowledged the great job by Mr. Martin and the committee. The process had a lot of integrity and the business community was included.
Reports/Updates Staff Reports Will Simmons, Director of Tourism
• Several nice articles have appeared recently regarding the Town’s tourism efforts • Appomattox was listed as one of the 5 top destinations • Has conducted two recent interviews with WFLO and the Appomattox News • Advertising efforts include Google Ad words, Preservation magazine, Civil War
Traveler, Direct mailing to Churches, Civic Organizations
• The National Park Service website now has a link to the Town Tourism website. • Facebook has an Appomattox fan club with 380 fans. • Compact fluorescent lights have been installed at the Visitor’s Center.
2 Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Bart S. Van Nieuwenhuise, Town Manager
Mr. Van Nieuwenhuise was introduced by Mr. Williams as the recently hired Town
Manager. Mr. Van Nieuwenhuise thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve.
No other staff reports.
Committee Reports Finance Committee – Mr. McDearmon reported that the FY 2010 Budget for the Town of Appomattox will be ready by the first budget meeting in May 2009.
Fire & Safety Committee – Ms. Jamerson-Scruggs has not met since the last workshop meeting. The committee will be presenting to the entire council approval of a Town Newsletter to be published three (3) times per year.
Ordinance Committee – None, other than the presentation by Tom Martin, KGRL Planning for the Sign Ordinance.
Personnel Committee – Mr. Williams reported that the Personnel Committee has met several times to discuss salaries for the upcoming budget process.
Street & Property Committee – Mr. Baine reported that the Second Annual Town Spring Clean Up was held on May 2, 2009 at Abbitt Park. Lunch was added this year at 11:30 a.m. An Arbor Day Observance was held on April 24, 2009 with the planting of two dogwood trees. The Appomattox Pedestrian Steering Committee held a meeting on May 4, 2009. Sidewalks have been patched on Highland Avenue. The next meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2009 at 10:00 am.
Utility Committee – None.
On a motion by Councilmember McDearmon, seconded by Councilmember Williams, Council voted to convene in Closed Session pursuant to §2.2-3711(A) 7 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel retained by the Town regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, the subject matter of such meeting being (a) the legal implications of changes requested to the Basic Ordering Agreement by Draper Aden and (b) legal considerations pertaining to having a referendum for a leash law and pursuant to §2.2-3711 (A) 6 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, specifically being the discussion of the proposal submitted by Appomattox County regarding the waterline from Concord to Appomattox and pursuant to §2.2- 3711(A) 1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussing a prospective candidate for the position of Town Treasurer with the Town of Appomattox, specifically being prospective Candidate A.
VOTE: Baine – aye, Mayberry – aye, McDearmon – aye, Williams – aye, Carter – aye, Jamerson- Scruggs – aye.
3 Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Appomattox Town Council hereby certifies that to the best of each members knowledge: (1) Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meetings requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certificate resolution applies, and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by this council.
VOTE: Baine – aye, Mayberry – aye, McDearmon – aye, Williams – aye, Carter – aye, Jamerson- Scruggs – aye.
On a recommendation motion by Councilmember Williams, Council voted to extend an offer to Candidate A for the position of Town Treasurer starting May 4, 2009. All voting aye. Motion carried.
Council directed the Town Manager to send a letter to the County acknowledging receipt of their letter April 20, 2009 concerning the Concord Waterline.
On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Ms. Jamerson-Scruggs and with all members present voting “aye”, Council voted to adjourn at 9:15 pm. Motion carried.
Paul D. Harvey, Mayor
Roxanne W. Paulette, Clerk