1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2020
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Richard Conner, presiding.
Council members present – James J. Boyce, 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; and Jeff Elder, Facilities Director.
Others present – Susan Chapman, Brown, Edwards & Company, Carlton Duck, Alive Media, Michelle Murch, Times Virginian newspaper and Christian Raymond.
The meeting was also broadcast Live on the Town of Appomattox Facebook page and 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: May the blessings of a safe holiday season be upon all of you.
Scheduled Public Appearances: Susan Chapman, CPA with Brown Edwards & Company, LLP presented the fiscal year 2020 Annual Audit report for the Town of Appomattox and answered questions of the Town Council.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. T. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to approve the consent agenda for December 14, 2020 with the addition of New Business #3 – Consideration of bonuses for Town funded deputies of the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr. Boyce, Council voted to accept the FY 2020 Annual Audit for the Town of Appomattox from Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr. Boyce, Council voted to adopt the following budget amendment resolutions:
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2020
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. ➢ 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 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
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 14, 2020
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