1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2015
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, December 14, 20156 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, Steven T. Conner and Claudia G. Puckette.
Others present: Daniel Puckette, Times Virginian; Ashlie Walter, News & Advance; Carlton Duck and Brian Moore, Alive Media TV; Members of the Appomattox County High School Football team, coaches, school staff and parents; Jeff Elder, Facilities Director; 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.
Marquis Morgan, Football player gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Harvey reminded Council of the reception for the 3 retiring Board of Supervisors members on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Mayor Harvey also acknowledged the presence of the young men from the Appomattox County High School football team who demonstrated a lot of special athletic ability, personal faith and teamwork and on their accomplishment of winning the 2015 State Championship.
Mayor Harvey presented the players with the following Proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION HONORING
THE APPOMATTOX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2015 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM
WHEREAS, the hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, talent and exceptional team chemistry of the 2015 Appomattox Raiders Football Team has enabled these student athletes to earn a State Championship title; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 Appomattox County High School fielded a true “team” in every sense of the word, with 54 highly skilled and united football players and 13 outstanding coaches; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Appomattox Raiders Football team completed the season with an impressive 15-0 record; and
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2015
WHEREAS, the 2015 Appomattox Raiders Football team made history by winning the first Virginia High School League Group 2A Football Championship in the school’s history with a 42-6 victory over Clarke County; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Doug Smith and the entire coaching staff, team member parents, faculty and student body at Appomattox County High School were integral in guiding the team to victory through their unwavering support during the undefeated season;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Paul D. Harvey, Mayor of the Town of Appomattox along with my fellow Councilmembers, do hereby proclaim December 14, 2015 as “2015 Appomattox Raider Football Team Day – Power of One” in honor of the 2015 State Champion Appomattox County Varsity Football Team’s outstanding accomplishments.
FURTHER, I urge all citizens of Appomattox County to join me in recognizing and celebrating the team’s achievement and wish the members of the team continued success.
Paul D. Harvey, Mayor, Town of Appomattox
There was a brief recess to allow for those who wished to exit the meeting.
Scheduled Public Appearances: None
Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for December 14, 2015 as presented with the addition of New Business #3 – Committee Reports and New Business #4 – Closed Session. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: There was discussion to join the Lynchburg Regional Alliance by Council. Mayor Harvey gave some explanation as to what other localities are planning to do as far as joining in July 2016. Mayor Harvey suggested joining the Alliance for at least a year to see where it goes. The cost would be $2,180.00. The dues would not be payable until July 2016. By consensus, the item was tabled to become part of the budget process.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2015
Commendation Reports/Recommendations: On a committee recommendation, Council voted for staff to proceed with developing the depot by creating a scope to change the current visitor’s center into a community center with a kitchen, restoring the vacant end to that of the time period and then move the visitor’s center to the renovated end. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
On a committee recommendation, Council voted to engage HDLA in a redesign of the Kiddie Park and to obtain the status of the park equipment pricing from the original bid and authorize Timmy Garrett to act on behalf of Council to purchase the park equipment if necessary before December 31, 2015. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Puckette – yes. Conner – no (stating he wants to see the total price; not open ended). Motion carried 5-1.
On a committee recommendation, Council voted to adopt a resolution to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Appomattox and the Town of Pamplin reference contractual services for water and sewer maintenance and repair services and approve the Memorandum of Understanding. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Closed Session: On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Mr. McDearmon, Council voted to convene in Closed Session, Council voted to convene in Closed Session pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) 1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussion of the performance of a specific public appointee of the Town, specifically being Appointee A.
Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette –yes. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting was re-opened to the public.
Ms. Spiggle, made the following motion:
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Appomattox has convened a closed meeting on this date, pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by Town Council that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law;
4 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2015
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.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Conner and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion:
Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette –yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Town Manager’s Report: None
Citizen Comment Period: None
Council Concerns: Mrs. Puckette spoke to her concerns that things are not being discussed during the Council meetings as they were when she first came on Council. So many things are being discussed outside. Everyone is entitled to opinions but no one is entitled to their own facts. Opinions are personal views, Facts are truth (what you personally know), Here say is not something you have personal knowledge of. She hopes Council can get back to the way it used to be where everything was brought to Council. She encouraged the other Council members to read a book by John Maxwell regarding Leadership and Integrity.
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Vote: Garrett – yes, McDearmon – yes, Spiggle – yes, Finch – yes, Conner – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Paul D. Harvey Mayor