1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting September 14, 2015
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Harvey presiding.
Members present: C. Lewis McDearmon, Jr., Mary Lou Spiggle, M. Erin Finch, Steven T. Conner and Claudia G. Puckette.
Absent: Timothy W. Garrett
Others present: Daniel Puckette, Times Virginian; Ashlie Walter, News & Advance; Megan Lucas, CEO, Region 2000 Alliance, Carlton Duck and Brian Moore, Alive Media TV; Stacey Wilkes, Town Treasurer; and C. William Gillespie, Jr., Town Manager, and Roxanne Casto, Town Clerk.
Mayor Harvey called the meeting to order and welcomed all the visitors.
Rev. Brian Moore opened the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Harvey thanked Mr. Gillespie for responding to the letter printed in the Times Virginian that referred to the Town in an unfavorable manner. Mayor Harvey also reminded everyone of the upcoming Railroad Festival, the second weekend in October.
Scheduled Public Appearances: Megan Lucas, CEO, Region 2000 Alliance appeared before Council to advise them of what the Alliance has been working on over the last year.
Council thanked Ms. Lucas for attending and providing them with all the information.
Consent Agenda –
On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for September 14, 2015 with the addition of NB #3 – Consideration to accept the recommendation of the Physical Development Committee to adopt a Policy on Renting, Loaning or Leasing Town Owned Equipment and NB #4 – Consideration to accept the recommendation of the Finance and Planning Committee to write off $298.85 in Real Estate taxes and $360.34 in Penalties and Interest. Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business – none
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting September 14, 2015
New Business –
On a motion by Councilmember Puckette, seconded by Councilmember Finch, Council voted to adopt the Town of Appomattox Comprehensive Plan 2035 based on the recommendation by the Appomattox Town Planning Commission. Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Councilmember Spiggle, seconded by Councilmember Puckette, Council voted to adopt an amendment to the appropriations resolution of the Appomattox Town Council adopting the fiscal year 2015 – 2016 budget for the Town of Appomattox.
AMENDMENT TO THE APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION OF THE APPOMATTOX TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF APPOMATTOX, VA.
Amend Section IV:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 58.1- 3524(C)(2) and Section 58.1-3912(E) of the Code of Virginia, as amended by Chapter 1 of the Acts of Assembly (2004 Special Session 1) and as set forth in Item 503.E (Personal Property Tax Relief Program) of Chapter 951 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly any qualifying vehicle sitused within the Town commencing January 1, 2015, shall receive personal property tax relief in the following manner:
• Personal use vehicles valued at $1,000 or less will be eligible for 100% tax relief; • Personal use vehicles valued at $1,001 to $20,000 will be eligible for 50.65% tax relief; • Personal use vehicles valued at $20,001 or more shall only receive 50.65% tax relief on
the first $20,000 of value; and
• All other vehicles which do not meet the definition of “qualifying” (business use vehicles, farm use vehicles, motor homes, etc.) will not be eligible for any form of tax relief under this program.
Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0. On a recommendation of the Physical Development Committee, Council voted to adopt a Policy on Renting, Loaning or Leasing Town owned Equipment. Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting September 14, 2015
On a recommendation of the Finance & Planning Committee, Council voted to write off $298.85 in Real Estate Taxes and $360.34 in Penalties and Interest. Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0.
Town Manager’s Report - Mr. Gillespie discussed HB 2 with Council. It is a transportation funding mechanism. The town has earned the designation of Urban Development Area (UDA). The Town of Appomattox is the first town in Region 2000 to earn the designation. He has plans for the town to go after funding for projects, specifically the 24 corridor.
Citizen Comment Period – none
Council Concerns – Mrs. Puckette advised Council of the town’s Annual Community Picnic on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Abbitt Memorial Park on Main Street. It will be a great night of food and informative displays of things happening in the Town.
Mr. Conner asked Mr. Gillespie if the Town had been contacted by the schools about combining the internet and phone capabilities. He said yes and he was waiting on more information.
On a motion by Councilmember Puckette, seconded by Councilmember McDearmon, Council voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Vote: McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Absent: Garrett Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Paul D. Harvey Mayor