1 Appomattox Town Council
Workshop Meeting August 23, 2016
The Appomattox Town Council held a Workshop Council meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 7:00 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, Steven T. Conner, and Claudia G. Puckette.
Others: Jeff Elder, Facilities Director; Ashlie Walter, News and Advance; Daniel Puckette, Times Virginian; Chad Millner, Bonnie Cunningham, George Aznavorian, Philipp Gabathuler, Town Manager and Roxanne W. Casto, Town Clerk.
Mayor Harvey called the Council Workshop meeting to order.
Appearance – Mr. Brett Arbogast, Appomattox County Public Schools appeared before Council to provide an update on the Fiber project. VDOT will be issuing the permit. There will not be a relapse of the last project. Mr. Gabathuler has agreed to write something for any areas that cross private property. 59% of homes do not have internet access. With Jeff Elder’s help they have been able to reroute the path the 128 strands of fiber line will cross. The school will be responsible for obtaining the Land Use Permit and will distribute copies to everyone. JWS Communications was the only bid received for $186,000.
Unfinished Business: On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council recommended Mr. Jonathan Garrett to serve the unexpired term ending July 31, 2019 on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – abstained, Finch – absent. Motion carried 4-0.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to issue a Conditional Use Permit for Latitude 37 Appomattox LLC to add storage units. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – abstained, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 4-0.
New Business: On a motion by Mr. McDearmon, seconded by Mr. Conner, Council voted to recommend no further action regarding the drainage complaint at 203 Sunrise Street, Appomattox, Virginia. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to declare the following items as surplus property: One (1) – Yogi Bear spring seat see saw; One (1) Four way see saw; One (1) sandbox; One (1) Dome shaped monkey bars; One (1) Merry go round; Two (2) Slides; One (1) Set of child swings; One (1) Yellow tubing for crawling thru; One (1) Flag pole. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
2 Appomattox Town Council
Workshop Meeting August 23, 2016
On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Ms. Puckette, Council voted to deny the request for financial assistance to the Town of Pamplin for its annual “Celebrate Pamplin” event on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Ms. Puckette, Council voted to support a resolution assisting the Appomattox County Public School in applying for the $1500.00 grant for a Virginia Tourism Corporation LOVE sign. Vote: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
Standing Committee Updates: None
Council Concerns: Mr. Garrett reported that there were 120 First Responders who attended the dinner.
Staff Member Updates: Mr. Gabathuler reported that smoke testing will begin September 12, 2016 and conclude at the end of the month. A detailed map of the smoke testing area will be posted on the Town’s website, an article placed in the Times Virginian and door hangers will be distributed. Emergency responders will be notified so they do not get overwhelmed by the number of calls.
Mr. Gabathuler reported that a Town Treasurer has been hired and she started yesterday. She is Sharon Layne. She comes from the Town of Keysville with over 20 years of experience as their Clerk/Treasurer.
Progress continues at the Children’s Park. The pavilion, equipment and mulch have been installed. The park will be reseeded. The cost of 6 cameras for surveillance is $5,275.00. There was much discussion regarding cameras. However, the consensus was they are needed along with more police coverage of the park.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mr. McDearmon, 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.
The meeting was re-opened to the public.
Council Member Conner 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
3 Appomattox Town Council
Workshop Meeting August 23, 2016
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;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLOVED 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 Council Member Garrett Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion: McDearmon – aye, Spiggle – aye, Conner – aye, Puckette – aye, Garrett – aye, Finch – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. with no further business. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Paul D. Harvey Mayor