1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting August 14, 2017
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, August 14, 2017, 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: Carlton Duck and Derek Norfield, Alive Media TV; Margaret Camel, News & Advance; Alexa Layne, Times Virginian; Nathan Simpson, Information Technology Technician; Kim Ray, Town Treasurer; Jeff Elder, Facilities Manager; Clarence Monday, Interim Town Manager and Roxanne W. Casto, Clerk of Council.
Mayor Harvey called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors.
Pastor Carlton Duck gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Council participated in a moment of silence recognizing the recent death of Pastor Duck’s wife.
Public Appearances Nathan Simpson, Information Technology Technician for the Town of Appomattox appeared before Council to provide an update on the recreation of the Town’s Tourism website – www.historicappomattox.com. He intends to launch the new site in mid-September.
Mayor’s Comments Mayor Harvey welcomed Mr. Shanaberger to his first Council meeting as the new Town Manager. He also welcomed Mrs. Ray, Town Treasurer. She will give her first update tonight.
Consent Agenda On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Finch, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for August 14, 2017 as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Unfinished Business
Update and discussion of the Aquatic Play Area and Restrooms and Aquatic Play Area Equipment Room.
On a motion by Mr. Conner, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to reject the bids for the Aquatic Play Area and Restrooms and Aquatic Play Area Equipment Room due to budgetary constraints. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Shanaberger, Mr. Elder and Mr. Garrett will work to present a re-bid package at the August 29, 2017 Council Workshop meeting.
Street Light request on North Avenue and Dutch Lane Mr. Elder advised Council that the Town did not request the developer to install street lights or sidewalks when the zoning ordinance was changed.
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting August 14, 2017
Mr. Garrett made a motion to table the request until the August 29, 2017 Council Workshop meeting to determine if there were other areas of Town with lighting deficiencies. Mr. Garrett later rescinded his motion.
Mr. Elder will contact Dominion Virginia Power to obtain pictures and specifications of the street lights quoted.
New Business
Consensus was provided for the Physical Development Committee to discuss the request of a property owner of the Town’s interest in purchasing an adjacent parcel of property to the Town’s Administration building.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Finch, Council voted to rename and repurpose sewer funds identified in the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2018. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Finch, Council voted to approve the request to waive the sewer tap fees at 262 Rose lane, Appomattox, Virginia as a part of the Greater Meadowlark Neighborhood Improvement Project CDBG #15-14. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Finch, Council voted to notify the County of Appomattox of the Town’s intentions to resume its zoning functions. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Harvey advised that Mr. Gillespie is willing to assist Mr. Shanaberger with any zoning questions or concerns.
Citizen Comment period – none
Staff Reports – Mrs. Kimberley Ray, Town Treasurer provided an update of activities since June 2017. The budget for FY 2017 was rolled forward into FY 2018 on June 30, 2017. The inventory count was performed by Brown, Edwards and the Public Works department on June 30, 2017. New procedures for FY 2018 are being implemented as were identified in the audit report, specifically segregation of duties. Progress continues to close out FY 2017. Mrs. Ray is looking forward to providing monthly reports to Council.
Mr. Gary Shanaberger, Town Manager thanked Council for the support shown over the first two weeks. He has attended his first Planning Commission meeting, EDA meeting, Experience Appomattox meeting, and Regional Manager’s meeting and is burying himself in the Town Code, State Code and Town Budget.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting August 14, 2017
Council Concerns: Mrs. Puckette reported that the Town picnic was originally scheduled for Friday, September 22, 2017 and this is an away Varsity Football game and recognizing that lots of our community will likely attend – she requested Council consider changing the date to Thursday, September 21, 2017. Council concurred with the requested change. The annual Town Picnic will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Abbitt Park.
Mr. Conner stated the Council needs to focus on fixing sidewalks, partnering with VDOT if necessary and fixing the depot.
Mayor Harvey reported on the Courtland Festival Park project. Mayor Harvey, Mr. Elder and Ms. Adams will be meeting soon to discuss the maintenance of the property. On August 21, 2017, the Board of Supervisors are expected to approve the Articles of Incorporation for the foundation. Mayor Harvey spoke of a tiered system for rental of the park property. A memorandum of understanding between the Town and County would be needed for maintenance and a rental agreement. Several Council members raised concerns over maintaining property we do not own. Mayor Harvey said he would keep the Council informed of future conversations.
Mayor Harvey reported that the Town has not received any notification regarding the Downtown Revitalization Grant.
Mayor Harvey reported that Appomattox County did receive the Arts Challenge Grant on behalf of Wolfbane Productions. He requested Council consider partnering with Appomattox County on the local fund match.
Mr. Conner stated that he believes the Council should give personally to a 501 (c) 3 organization and not with tax dollars.
There were no further comments.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk of Council
Paul D. Harvey, Mayor