1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting July 13, 2015
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Harvey presiding.
Members present: Timothy W. Garrett, C. Lewis McDearmon, Jr., Mary Lou Spiggle, M. Erin Finch and Claudia G. Puckette.
Absent: Steven T. Conner
Others present: Daniel Puckette, Times Virginian; Carlton Duck and Brian Moore, Alive Media TV; Nathan Harbin and Clara Aleman, HDLA; Rev. Chris Brooks, Elizabeth Milton, Kristen Harbin, Noah Harris, Jeff Elder, Facilities Director; Stacey Wilkes, Town Treasurer; and Roxanne Casto, Town Clerk.
Mayor Harvey called the meeting to order.
Rev. Chris Brooks, Glory Baptist Church opened the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Hearing: 07132015-01 – Appomattox Town Code Chapter 185-16 Mayor Harvey opened the public hearing to receive public comments concerning adoption of amended and reenacted Town Code Section 185-16 – Failure to pay license fee or personal property tax; registration withholding; violations and penalties.
The amendment is as follows: It shall be unlawful for any owner of a motor vehicle to fail to pay the local license fee or personal property taxes assessed with respect to each motor vehicle after September 30 of each year, and with respect to any fees not paid at that time, a fee of $40 to reimburse the Town of Appomattox for costs associated with administration of the Vehicle Registration Withholding Program with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles shall be assessed.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Harvey closed the public hearing.
Public Hearing: 07132015-02 – USDA Rural Development Mayor Harvey opened the public hearing to comments regarding the Town’s intent to apply for USDA Rural Development funds to assist in the replacement of the town’s 60+ year old Trickling Filter Facility. Comments regarding economic and environmental impacts, service area, alternatives to the project, and other related project issues are encouraged.
There were no public comments.
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting July 13, 2015
Mayor Harvey closed the public hearing.
Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Harvey welcomed Ms. Erin Finch to Council. Ms. Finch was chosen to fill the unexpired term of the late Mr. Mayberry.
Mayor Harvey informed Council they would be receiving an update on upgrades to the Kiddie Park. Jeff Elder, Roxanne Casto and Mayor Harvey met with HDLA the week prior to finalize the concepts in the presentation.
Scheduled Public Appearances – Harvey Design Land Architects – Nathan Harbin and Clara Aleman presented a PowerPoint presentation of the Preliminary Design for the upgrades at the Kiddie Park.
Mrs. Puckette asked that the Town make the park as safe as possible.
Ms. Spiggle added that the kids will love climbing and sitting on all of it. She agrees with the lime color selection.
The recommendation from staff is to ask Council to do a bid package including bathrooms. The Town would have an add-on of the security cameras. The Town could possibly receive the security cameras as a donation.
Construction drawings and the identification of equipment should be completed by August 1, 2015. The project will then be out to bid for 30 days, with bids due in September 2015.
Consent Agenda – On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda with the addition of New Business #4 – Consideration to accept the Finance & Planning Committee recommendation to accept the FY 2014 Annual Audit from Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP and New Business #5 – Consideration to advertise the Kiddie Park upgrades. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business – none
New Business –
Mayor Harvey opened the floor for nominations of Vice-Mayor. Mr. McDearmon nominated Mr. Garrett. There were no other nominations. Mayor Harvey closed the floor.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting July 13, 2015
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mr. McDearmon, Council voted to elect Mr. Timothy W. “Timmy” Garrett as Vice Mayor until the Council term ending June 30, 2015. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Ms. Puckette, Council voted to write off uncollected debts, as presented by Stacey Wilkes, Town Treasurer, that have exceeded the statute of limitations. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to amend and reenact the Appomattox Town Code – Chapter 185, Section 16 – Failure to pay license fee or personal property tax; registration withholding; violations and penalties. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
On a recommendation by Mr. McDearmon, Chairman of the Finance & Planning Committee, Council voted to accept the FY 2014 Annual Audit Report from Brown, Edwards & Company, LLC. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to authorize HDLA to create the bid package and advertise the Kiddie Park project. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
Town Manager’s Report – Mr. Gillespie is on vacation.
Citizen Comment Period – none
Council Concerns – none
4 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting July 13, 2015
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mr. McDearmon, Council voted to adjourn at 8:10. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Conner Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Paul D. Harvey Mayor