1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 8, 2021
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, November 8, 2021 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, Timothy W. Garrett, Claudia G. Puckette, Nathan A. Simpson, Mary Lou Spiggle and Aaron M. Tilton.
Others present – Carlton Duck, Alive Media TV; Chad Hodges, Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.; Jeff Westbrook, Gary Shanaberger, Town Manager; Kim Ray, Treasurer; and Roxanne W. Casto, Clerk of Council.
Mayor Conner called the meeting to order and welcomed the visitors.
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: We are almost halfway through the year, and I know this makes our staff very happy. I am very appreciative, and I think the whole Council is of the presentations made at the retreat. I think it was well worth our time and very productive. We have a better look at what the future will bring us, as the Town Council representing the Town of Appomattox.
Scheduled Public Appearances: None
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mr. Boyce, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for Monday, November 8, 2021 as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to revise the Town of Appomattox Water and Sewer Policy, specifically the Connection Charges to add a Companion Water Meter for Irrigation Service. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Council Standing Committee Reports: Mrs. Puckette reported that she and Mr. Garrett plan to meet in the next few weeks to prioritize the list of American Rescue Plan projects.
Mr. Garrett would like to hold a Physical Development Committee meeting before the Workshop meeting on November 23, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 8, 2021
Citizens Comment Period: None
Town Manager Updates – Mr. Shanaberger provided an update on the following activities:
➢ Church Street Waterline – Staff is focusing right now with working with DHCD and Rural Development to allow us to pre-order the materials for the project. We learned today that the lead time on the materials is 24 weeks. We will know more in the next few days. Rural Development is open to us going ahead and ordering the materials.
➢ Met today at the Church Street Sidewalk project with Chad Hodges from Hurt & Proffitt and VDOT. VDOT’s initial response was favorable but needed the needed to run it by the traffic department. Hopefully we will know more in a month or so.
➢ The Town is still accepting recommendations for the Planning Commission and the
Board of Zoning Appeals. Two (2) recommendations have been received.
➢ At the November 23, 2021 Workshop meeting, Robin Snyder will be providing an update on wastewater system project at the National Park. Anthony Revell with VDOT will also provide an updated on the Smart Scale project. The Physical Development Committee will meet prior the workshop meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Council Comments – Mr. Simpson informed the other council members of equipment, less than $900.00 to allow the meetings to be more accessible to the public. It is two (2) small pieces of equipment to increase the volume and picture quality for LIVE streaming of Facebook or YouTube. After much discussion, the item will be added to the Workshop meeting agenda for discussion.
Spiggle – none
Garrett – none
Puckette - none
Tilton – none
Boyce – Hunting season is in and encouraged the Times Virginian newspaper to make a public announcement to wear blaze orange.
Closed Session: On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Mr. Garrett, 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 performance and salaries of a specific public employee of any public body, specifically Employee A. Roll call vote: Boyce – aye, Garrett – aye, Puckette – aye, Simpson – aye, Spiggle – aye, Tilton – aye. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting was reopened to the public.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting November 8, 2021
Ms. 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 Mrs. Puckette, and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion: Roll call vote: Boyce – aye, Garrett – aye, Puckette – aye, Simpson – aye, Spiggle – aye, Tilton – aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to increase the salary of the current Town Manager to $100,000.00 effective November 15, 2021. Roll call vote: Boyce – aye, Garrett – aye, Puckette – aye, Simpson – aye, Spiggle – aye, Tilton – aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Roxanne W. Casto Clerk of Council
Richard C. Conner, Mayor