1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting February 7, 2022
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Conner presiding.
Members present: James J. Boyce, Sr., Claudia G. Puckette, Nathan A. Simpson, Mary Lou G. Spiggle, Aaron M. Tilton.
Absent: Timothy W. Garrett
Others: Charles Conrad, Times Virginian; Tommy Lawson, Mike Scott, Jeff Elder, Facilities Director; Kim Ray, Town Treasurer; Christy Torrence, Office Manager; and Roxanne W. Casto, Interim Town Manager/Clerk of Council.
Mayor Conner called the meeting to order and welcomed the visitors.
Nathan Simpson led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor’s Comments: The nationwide pandemic is ending. Businesses are opening back up.
Scheduled Public Appearances: Mr. Tommy Lawson and Mr. Mike Scott appeared before Council to request parking spaces on Court Street be marked by the Virginia Department of Transportation or the Town of Appomattox. With the addition of the dentists in the office, there are a lot more people using the parking lot. Mr. Lawson said he knows that parking is allowed now on Court Street, but people do not do it. He believes that marking lines on both sides of the road would help.
Mr. Scott said he has spoken to some of the Council members, Mr. Shanaberger (before he left) and to Mr. Brown at VDOT. Mr. Brown advised that all the streets in Town except for a few are owned and maintained by VDOT. Mr. Brown told him the machines to draw lines is in storage but as soon as the weather breaks, they will get the equipment out and get it done. According to Mr. Scott, the older generation is scared to park on the street without lines. He thinks Court Street is more suitable than Church Street for parking. Mr. Scott said he spoke to about 90% of the people and businesses and they are not opposed to the parking request.
Council thanked them for attending.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, Council voted to adopt the consent agenda for Monday, February 7, 2022 as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business – none
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting February 7, 2022
New Business – Staff was directed to approach the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to acquire more information regarding the request for parking spaces on Court Street.
Council Standing Committee Reports: Finance & Planning Committee – Mrs. Puckette is hoping to have a meeting soon with Mr. Garrett regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding projects. Physical Development Committee - None ARPA Committee - None
Citizen Comment: None
Town Manager’s Report: Mrs. Casto reported on the following item:
Several questions were asked at the last meeting, and I wanted to provide a response to those:
➢ Mr. Boyce asked how many residential customers are affected on average by the
minimum only water bill, i.e. those using 2000 or less gallons per month. According to the 2019 water study performed by Hurt & Proffitt, Inc., of 787 total customers, 271 customers are affected on average.
➢ Mr. Garrett asked what the ongoing maintenance costs were going to be once the Smart Scale project is complete. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provided the handouts located with your agenda material.
➢ Lastly, for the last few months or more, Mr. Shanaberger had been working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) concerning an alternate truck route. The Traffic Engineering Review of an alternate truck route has been conducted to determine if an alternate route for trucks could be established. Traffic Engineering concurs with the Residency recommendation to have trucks use an alternate Truck Route. The route will require the installation of new signs. The signs have been ordered and will be installed upon arrival. A copy of the report is located with your agenda material.
Town Economic Development Authority
➢ Just a reminder of the vacancy on the Town of Appomattox Economic
Development Authority. If you know of anyone who has expressed interest to you, please direct them to the Town’s website or let me know and I can contact them.
➢ The February 2022 meeting was cancelled due to the lack of agenda items.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting February 7, 2022
Planning Commission Will meet tomorrow for a rescheduled meeting, February 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Grants
➢ A meeting of project management team of the Appomattox Downtown
Revitalization Grant is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. – here at the Town Hall.
➢ The Church Street Water Line Replacement Project is moving along. The
materials only portion of the project has been approved by Rural Development. The installation portion of the project is estimated for bid advertising on April 10, 2022, with a pre-mid meeting on April 22, Bid opening on May 6th and Town Council approval on May 9th.
In the meantime, the Town will be working with Rural Development to finalize the closing of the loan.
Virginia Municipal League Local Government Day was last Thursday, February 3, 2022 and was attended by Mayor Conner and Councilmember Spiggle. They may have additional information to share.
Trash Collection Policy Surveys to Town residents/businesses should be arriving this week in the mail concerning additional trash cans.
February Workshop Meeting Council Workshop meeting is Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Council Comment: Tilton – None
Boyce – None
Spiggle – The VML – Local Government Day in Richmond last week was very informative.
Simpson – None
Puckette – Continue to pray for Rev. Carlton Duck as his surgery is scheduled for February 9, 2022.
Closed Session: On a motion by Mrs. Puckette, seconded by Mr. Simpson, Council voted to convene in Closed Session for the purpose of discussion of prospective candidates for employment, specifically being applicants for the position of Town Manager, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) 1 of the Code of Virginia.
4 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting February 7, 2022
Vote: Tilton – yes, Boyce – yes, Spiggle – yes, Simpson – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting as reopened to the public.
Closed Session Certification: 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 Boyce and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion:
Vote: Tilton – yes, Boyce – yes, Spiggle – yes, Simpson – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Conner read the following statement: The Town Council, as authorized by Virginia Code §2.2-3712(B), within fifteen (15) days of said announcement, will be interviewing potential Town Manager candidate(s), in Closed Session, at undisclosed time(s) and location(s). Following such interview(s), the Council will certify the same at its next regular schedule meeting.
Adjournment: On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mr. Simpson, Council voted to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Richard C. Conner Mayor