1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 7:15 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Richard Conner, presiding.
Council members present – Aaron Tilton, James J. Boyce, Sr., Mary Lou Spiggle, Timothy W. Garrett, Nathan A. Simpson, and Claudia G. Puckette.
Others present –Chad Hodges, Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.; Robin Snyder, Superintendent, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park; Jeff Elder, Facilities Director; Kim Ray, Treasurer; and Roxanne W. Casto, Clerk of Council.
Public Hearing: Mayor Conner opened the public hearing and stated the purpose:
The purpose of the public hearing is to hear public comments for proposed changes to the Water and Sewer Policy User Charges (including Water and Sewer Rates), Connection and Availability Fees Administrative Policy with an effective billing date of January 1, 2022.
c)
Proposed Out of Town Water Rates:
January 1, 2022
0 – 2000 gallons $17.40
Charge per 1000 gallons over 2000 $9.60
July 1, 2022
$17.85
$9.90
These rate changes are to be enacted pursuant to Section 15.2-2109 et. seq., with specific reference being made to Sections 15.2-2119 and 15.2-2122, of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended. Documentation, including the complete ordinance and other information concerning the documentation for the proposed fee are available at the Appomattox Town Office, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberley W. Ray, Treasurer or Gary L. Shanaberger, Town Manager at 434-352-8268.
Public Comments – none
On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to refer this item to the December 13, 2021 agenda for consideration. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Conner closed the hearing.
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
Mayor Conner called the regular meeting to order and welcomed the visitors.
Ms. Spiggle led the prayer and Mayor Conner the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Conner welcomed everyone to this festive season.
Scheduled Public Appearances: Robin Snyder, Superintendent of the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park appeared before Council to provide an annual update on activities at the National Park.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for Monday, December 13, 2021, as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to amend the Town of Appomattox Water and Sewer Policy to include User Charges, Connection and Availability Fee, Administrative Policy by increasing the out-of-town water rates with an effective billing date of January 1, 2022, and thereafter with a multiplier factor of 1.5. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to reappoint Marvin H. Mitchell and Jacob Ranson to Town of Appomattox Planning Commission effective January 1, 2022 with a term expiring December 31, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mr. Boyce, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to reappoint Dr. Jeff Garrett to the Economic Development Authority of the Town of Appomattox, Virginia effective January 1, 2022 with a term expiring December 31, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to adopt the following Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute documents to receive the $670,000.00 in funding:
Town of Appomattox Resolution
Approval of Award and Execution of a Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Community Development Block Grant
Whereas, the Town of Appomattox (“Town”) intends to accept that certain Community Development Block Grant 20-20-44 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”) to contribute to the execution of the Church Street Water Line Project (“Project”).
Whereas, Council in the Town has adopted and approved policies and documents under state and
federal policy, to carry out the Project; and
Whereas, Council did adopt and approve project certification documents at its September 13, 2021
meeting.
Be It Resolved by the Town Council of the Town of Appomattox, Virginia, that the follow actions
are hereby authorized and directed:
The Town Manager, or his designee or designees, is authorized and directed to carry out and execute, or cause to be carried out and executed, those tasks and documents required to enter into a contract with DHCD, up to and including contract documents.
The Town hereby appropriates $670,000 in funding awarded to the Town of Appomattox by the VDHCD for the Church Street Water Line Project to the FY 2022 General Fund Budget.
Duly adopted by the Council of the Town of Appomattox at its regular meeting on this 13th day of December 2021.
DATE:
TOWN OF APPOMATTOX
Richard C. Conner, Mayor
ATTEST:
Roxanne Casto, Clerk of Council
All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
4 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
On a motion by Mr. Boyce, seconded by Mr. Garrett, Council voted to adopt the 2022 Town Council meeting schedule. On a secondary motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to amend the primary motion to amend the February 14, 2022 meeting to Monday, February 7, 2022 and noting a discussion in the third (3rd) quarter discussion to plan a Fall 2022 Council Retreat. All members present voting aye to the secondary motion. Motion carried 6-0. All members present voting aye to the primary motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Council Standing Committee Reports: None
Citizens Comment Period: None
Town Manager Updates: Mr. Shanaberger was unable to attend the meeting. Mayor Conner presented the staff findings of the Council’s request for totals of providing a 6% cost of living increase to all Town employees.
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to add to the agenda – Consideration of providing a 6% cost of living increase to all Town employees and adjustments to alleviate compression. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mr. Tilton, Council voted to authorize the 6% cost of living increases and adjustment to alleviate compression for a one-month period January 1, 2022 – January 31, 2022. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to authorize the advertising of a Public Hearing for a budget amendment for the remainder of the FY 2022 (February 2022 – June 2022) for a 6% cost of living increases and adjustment to alleviate compression. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Conner also reported the findings of elected officials and planning commission members annual compensation from neighboring localities. No action was taken at this time but to use this information for a FY 2023 budgeting tool.
Council Comments: Puckette – Rev. Duck needs our prayers. Tilton – none Simpson – Every year or six months there appears an effort by citizens to discuss a Town and County merger of government. The pros vastly outweigh the cons of remaining separate entities. An objective study may be a possibility. Spiggle – Wished Mayor Conner a Happy Birthday. She is glad Mr. Boyce is feeling better. Garrett – none Boyce – none
5 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
Mayor Conner advised that the County of Appomattox Board of Supervisors is requesting a joint meeting. Mr. Simpson requested a copy of the request from the County. Mr. Simpson also suggested the January Regular or Workshop meetings but propose specific agenda items for discussion.
There were no other comments from Council.
Closed Session: On a motion by Council Member Boyce, seconded by Council Member Puckette, Council voted to convene in a Closed Session for the following purposes: (1) Discussion of the potential appointment of a specific public employee of the Town, being Employee A, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) 1 of the Code of Virginia, and (2) Consultation with legal counsel, retained by the Town regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, specifically involving legal issues relating to the hiring of a new Town Manager, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) 8 of the Code of Virginia.
Vote: Boyce – aye, Tilton – aye, Simpson – aye, Spiggle – aye, Garrett – aye, Puckette – aye.
The meeting was re-opened to the public.
Council Member Puckette 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 Tilton and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion:
Vote: Boyce – aye, Tilton – aye, Simpson – aye, Spiggle – aye, Garrett – aye, Puckette – aye.
On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to approve the contract to appoint Roxanne Casto as Interim Town Manager. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
6 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting December 13, 2021
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mr. Simpson, Council voted to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Roxanne W. Casto Clerk of Council
Richard C. Conner, Mayor