1 Appomattox Town Council
Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
The Appomattox Town Council held a Workshop meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Conner, presiding.
Town Council present: Jonathan D. Garrett, Nathan A. Simpson, Timothy W. Garrett, Paul D. Harvey, Mary Lou Spiggle.
Absent: Claudia G. Puckette.
Town Planning Commission present: Linda Lipscomb, Marvin Mitchell, S. L. Ferguson, and Roger Carson.
Others present: Don Wilk, Christy Torrence, Philipp Gabathuler, Megan Lucas, Michelle Payne, Carlton Duck, Sarah Conner, Kim Ray, Treasurer, Gary Shanaberger, Manager and Roxanne Casto, Clerk.
Mayor Conner called to order the Council Workshop meeting including a public hearing with the Appomattox Town Planning Commission.
Mr. Mitchell called the Planning Commission to order.
Mayor Conner stated the purpose of the public hearing.
The purpose of the joint public hearing is to consider adopting the Town of Appomattox Comprehensive Plan.
The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan shall be “guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the territory which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants” of the Town of Appomattox.
The full Comprehensive Plan may be examined at the Appomattox Municipal Building located at 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia 24522 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any person needing special accommodations should contact the Town Office at 434-352-8268 no later than the close of business the day prior to the public hearing.
Questions may be directed to Gary L. Shanaberger, Town Manager/Zoning Administrator at 434- 352-8268.
Mr. Shanaberger thanked the members of the Planning Commission and Mr. Gabathuler for their hard work on this plan.
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Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
Mr. Gabathuler stated that this process kicked off last summer. In July we started off with the survey process to gain a better understanding from citizens as they saw the Town’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and then used this as a spring board to start the process of this update. The Central Virginia Planning District Commission completed the last comprehensive plan for the Town which was the first written plan for the Town. Prior to that the Town was just included in the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
The purpose of the plan, other than the reason Mayor Conner expressed is, because it is state mandated. There is a very good reason for that. Transportation funding is a huge part of why the plan is maintained. Some of the recommendations of the plan could possibly be funded by one of the state’s sources. The Town is currently applying for Smart Scale funding through the Virginia Department of Transportation for the Lee Grant Avenue widening project.
Mr. Gabathuler thanked the Planning Commission members, Town staff and citizens for all their efforts on the plan. It is just a little later than expected due to COVID-19. Mr. Gabathuler went over the chapters of the plan and took questions at the end.
The Goals and Objectives were updated from 2015. The Future Land Use Map is what the Town is expected to look like in 20 years. The Transportation portion is very important. The Community Facilities and Resources section is also very important. What services are provided for taxes paid.
Councilman Simpson asked if there was any movement in the House on the Trans Dominion Express? Mr. Gabathuler responded that the last he saw there was a map of it, and it is in the works. It depends a lot of how much transient funding is available. There appears to be more focus on bus routes at the state level.
Councilwoman Spiggle stated the community responses were good. Mr. Gabathuler and Mr. Shanaberger were mainly responsible for those. I know you worked hard on it. It is important.
Public Comments:
Don Wilk – 1848 Church Street – My wife and I own the venue at 1848 Church Street. Our company is called Church & Main. We call it a family business ministry restoring to the family the responsibilities God has given us. I just want to make a few comments regarding the plan. Speaking to the purpose, participants, the property, promoting of health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of our town, citizens and families is a good thing. Our belief is that this is primarily the responsibility of the family. So, my focus and my wife’s focus is going to be with families. The participants of the plan, people responded to the survey that they are content and happy here and that’s a good thing. How do we make changes or move forward if the people like it the way it is?
I would encourage everyone here and myself included to work within our families to become more involved in the day to day activities of living here. There is a part in there about the land
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Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
use – We believe the earth is the Lord’s – I would encourage families and Council to work towards no tax on that land and restoring to the family that responsibility. One of the things we really like about this area is the multi-generational aspect of people are still here. They don’t up and leave. Regardless of whether they are out on farmland or in town, they are still here and that’s the way it is supposed to be. That speaks to exercising dominion. Thank you.
There were no other public comments.
Mayor Conner closed the public hearing.
Mr. Mitchell adjourned the Planning Commission meeting.
Councilman Harvey requested the addition of items under the discussion portion of the agenda: 1 – Whether the Appomattox County Chamber of Commerce will be allowed to move into the depot. 2 – A discussion of ideas for the skateboarders.
Discussion Items: Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance: Megan Lucas, CEO, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance appeared before Council to provide an update on the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development office. The Chamber side is an advocacy for business and the Economic Development side is responsible for growing companies and why they should come into the region. The Economic Development side is funded in two keyways – a capital campaign directed to the private sector. At the same time, each year we ally with our municipal partners. These municipalities that want to be a part of this initiative pay $1.25/capita. The Economic Development Director in each locality, which participates, meets monthly and that is the group the alliance works with. Mrs. Lucas explained an overview of the process of how the Business Alliance fulfills requests for proposals for information on property within the locality. The core responsibility of the Alliance is to create jobs for the region.
The Town was a former investor in the former Region 2000 Economic Development organization from 2012-2016. In 2016, the Town chose to no longer be an investor. The fees are based on $1.25/capita. We market and showcase the region, the entire region. The difference between being an investor and a municipality is when we get prospects through VEDP (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) we share them with everyone but when I travel across the country with site consultants, those dollars are sued for that and when we generate interest and leads the people that get those leads are the partners. With that said, if I am meeting with a client and you have what they need, that is not neglected. We realize that the core is jobs and capital investments.
The Town of Amherst, Amherst County, City of Lynchburg, Campbell County, Town of Altavista and Bedford County are members of the Business Alliance.
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Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
Mrs. Lucas explained that the lack of pad ready sites in the region is the biggest hurdle in getting businesses to locate in Central Virginia.
Council thanked Mrs. Lucas for the update.
Appomattox County Chamber of Commerce: Councilman Harvey stated that the Town owes the Chamber of Commerce a response to their request to occupy office space in the Visitor’s Center. After discussion, Mr. Harvey said he would convey the concerns to deny the request to Mr. Redding, President of the Chamber.
Skateboarding Ideas: Councilman Harvey said one idea pitched to him was to allow skateboarding on Harrell Street and Main Street at night. Mr. Harvey agrees this idea needs to go through a committee.
Action Items: Councilman J. Garrett requested staff explore the current FY 2021 budget to fund the Town’s portion of the dues to join the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. Mr. Shanaberger recommended requesting the Town’s EDA to pay the membership dues on behalf of the Town.
On a motion by Mr. J. Garrett, seconded by Mr. T. Garrett, Council voted to instruct the Town EDA to pay the FY 2021 dues to the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. Vote: J. Garrett – yes, N. Simpson – yes, T. Garrett – yes, M. Spiggle – yes, P. Harvey – no. Motion carried 4-1.
On a motion by Mr. T. Garrett, seconded by Mr. N. Simpson, Council voted to advertise for two weeks the Council vacancy being created by Jonathan Garrett’s resignation. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Council Comments: Mrs. Spiggle expressed her condolences to the family of Dr. Larry Smith.
Mayor Conner reported that he has formed a committee to study the skateboarding issue and see what opportunities are available. Members will be Paul Harvey and Nathan Simpson from Council, 2 other community members selected by Mr. Harvey and Mr. Simpson, possibly Laura Dawson and Elizabeth Milton. Richard Conner will serve as an ex-officio member. The purpose of the committee will be exploring solutions to skateboarding in Town.
Mayor Conner will contact the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to see if they have board members willing to serve.
Staff Reports: Mrs. Kim Ray, Treasurer provided the Treasurer’s Report for July 2020. The financial conversion took 60 days for taxes (real estate, personal property) and utility billing. Pre-audit work will begin tomorrow.
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Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
Mr. Shanaberger provided an update on fireworks for July 2021.
On a motion by Mr. T. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to fund fireworks on July 3, 2021 with a budget of $10,000. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
The Smart Scale Grant application has been submitted to VDOT. Council will need to pass a resolution at the September 14, 2020 Council meeting.
COVID-19 training has been completed and staff is making a good faith effort to adhere to the guidelines.
The Virginia Municipal League conference is virtual October 7 and 8, 2020.
Closed Session On a motion by Council Member P. Harvey, seconded by Council Member J. Garrett, Council voted to convene in Closed Session pursuant to §2.2-3711 (A) 6 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, specifically being the discussion of the possible purchase of a small parcel of real property located in the Town of Appomattox.
Vote: J. Garrett – yes, P. Harvey – yes, M. Spiggle – yes, T. Garrett – yes, N. Simpson – yes. Puckette – absent.
The meeting was re-opened to the public.
Council Member 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;
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 Council Member N. Simpson and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion:
6 Appomattox Town Council
Workshop Meeting August 25, 2020
J. Garrett – yes, P. Harvey – yes, M. Spiggle – yes, T. Garrett – yes, N. Simpson – yes. Puckette – absent. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. J. Garrett, seconded by Mr. T. Garrett, Council voted to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto Clerk of Council
Richard C. Conner, Mayor