1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 9, 2020
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Richard Conner, presiding.
Council members present – Aaron Tilton, Nathan A. Simpson, Mary Lou Spiggle, Timothy W. Garrett, and Claudia G. Puckette (via phone).
Staff members present – Gary Shanaberger, Town Manager; Kim Ray, Treasurer; and Roxanne W. Casto, Clerk of Council (via phone), Christy Torrence, Office Manager; Jeff Elder, Facilities Director.
Others present – Carlton Duck and Frank A. Wright, Jr.
Public phone participation through FreeConferenceCall.com was available.
Mayor Conner called the meeting to order.
Rev. Carlton Duck, Pastor of the Gethsemane Baptist Church led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor’s Comments: At this time, I want to formally recognize that we have lost a member of our community and Town Council. Dr. Paul Harvey served as Mayor of the Town for 12 years and was currently serving on the Town Council. This is a gentleman that we will be very hard pressed to fill his shoes. I feel as a team we will try to accomplish many of the goals he was trying to accomplish for the community. We will surely miss him and am not sure what we can do to honor him and bring and the community closer together.
Scheduled Public Appearances: None
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. T. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to accept the adoption of the consent agenda for Monday, November 9, 2020 as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business: Mr. Shanaberger informed the Town Council that the Town Planning Commission met on November 4, 2020 and voted to recommend approval of the rezoning request for 929 Confederate Boulevard. Mr. Shanaberger did bring to the Council’s attention a letter received today from the Virginia Department of Transportation. This has to do with the question received concerning the driveway. Per the letter, VDOT advised the northern driveway is too small. It will need to be upgraded. The southern driveway is sufficient. Ms. McMahan with VDOT requested Brian Goldman provide her sight distance measurements to determine the entrance which should be in the ingress and egress. Other than the upgrading of the entrances, she
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 9, 2020
(McMahan) does not have any other issues at this time. Mr. Shanaberger has spoken with Mr. Wright and this can be built into the motion and these two (2) items need to be addressed before they get an occupancy permit. Mr. Shanaberger advised that Council could vote on this tonight with those conditions. Mr. Shanaberger said he has spoken with Mr. Boone and he is agreeable to the conditions.
On a motion by Mr. Tilton, seconded by Mr. Simpson, Council voted to accept the approval recommendation of the Appomattox Town Planning Commission for the application request to rezone 929 Confederate Boulevard also identified as Tax Map #’s – 64A6 A B 19A, 64A6 1 A 7, 64A6 1 A 6, 64A6 1 A 5, 64A6 1 A 4, 64A6 1 A 3, 64A6 1 A 2 from R-2 (Limited Residential, Village Homes) to R-3 (General Residential) with the conditions of the driveway and sight distance measurements be addressed with the Virginia Department of Transportation before an occupancy permit is issued. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Conner transferred presiding privileges to Vice-Mayor Garrett at this time of the meeting.
On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to accept the recommendation of the Appomattox Town Planning Commission to approve the zoning request to install a cellular tower on Armstrong Lane by United States Cellular. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Vice-Mayor Garrett transferred presiding privileges to Mayor Conner at this time of the meeting.
New Business: On a motion by Mr. T. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to declare the following items from the Public Works Department as surplus and proceed with a seal bid advertisement for disposal: 6” F-250 Pickup Bed; Acr 175 Air Compressor; Sabre 42” Cut 17.5hp Riding Mower; 345 John Deere 54” Cut 20.0 Hp Riding Mower; Case International 595 Tractor With 2255 Loader Pin # JJE0029276; Playground Equipment: 1 6x6 Sand Box All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Shanaberger provided a brief overview of the Hazardous Mitigation Plan. In late November this will go the FEMA office for review. It will come back to the Town around the first of the year for final approval.
Council Standing Committee Reports: None
Citizens Comment Period: None
Town Manager’s Report: Mr. Shanaberger provided the following updates:
➢ Matt Perkins with Central Virginia Planning District Commission will be at November Workshop meeting to provide an update on the closeout of the Meadowlark project.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 9, 2020
➢ The closing process continues regarding the Inflow and Infiltration Sewer Project with
Rural Development.
Council Comments: Mrs. Puckette – none
Mr. Simpson – First, I think it would be good to have either a workshop session or retreat to learn more about the state of utilities. I think it could help us all establish a common language as we move forward. How are our water and sewer systems doing? What is our 10-15-20 year outlook? What stuff is not on the Capital Improvement Plan at this point that we need to start looking at for 10 years from now. Just making sure we have a long-term vision.
Secondly, 2020 has been an insane year and I wanted to see if we could open up a discussion of how to compensate our Town Staff a cost of living adjustments and a one-time bonus would be great thankful to our staff but unsure of where the funds would come from.
Ms. Spiggle – Before COVID hit, that was our plan in our FY 21 budget but after COVID and there was a reduction in revenue then we readjusted the budget to eliminate the cost of living adjustments. In years past, we [Town} has given bonuses, cost of living adjustments – but these are trying times.
Mr. Simpson – I do not think the budget was as doom and gloom as we thought it would be. We are in a spot, better than we thought. We also have good people and want to keep them.
Ms. Spiggle – We do but we also have these projects that we need to complete. I think that is fiscally responsible.
Mr. Simpson – I think it is fiscally irresponsible to ask people to work for less than they did last year.
Mr. T. Garrett – none
Mr. Tilton – none
Ms. Spiggle – none
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto Clerk of Council
Richard C. Conner, Mayor