1 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting January 8, 2024
The Appomattox Town Council held a Regular Council meeting on Monday, January 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Appomattox Municipal Building, 210 Linden Street, Appomattox, Virginia with Mayor Conner, presiding.
Members present: Jane T. Allen, James J. Boyce, Sr., Claudia G. Puckette, Mary Lou G. Spiggle, and Timothy W. Garrett.
Absent: Nathan A. Simpson
Others: Carlton Duck, Alive Media; Kim Ray, Treasurer; R. Terry McGhee, Town Manager; Roxanne W. Casto, Clerk of Council; Jeff Elder, Director of Public Works; Christy Torrence, Office Manager and Charles Conrad
Mayor Conner called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Reverend Duck led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor Conner welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Scheduled Public Appearances: None
Adoption of the Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Ms. Spiggle, the Town Council voted to adopt the consent agenda as presented for January 8, 2024. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: On a motion by Mr. Boyce, seconded by Mr. Garrett, the Council voted to write off FY 2024 uncollected balances, specifically $2591.42 for 2018 Personal Property taxes and $1,158.58 for 2020 Utility bills.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Allen – yes, Boyce – yes, Spiggle – yes, Garrett – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, the Council voted to reappoint Kenny Gobble to the Town of Appomattox Economic Development Authority for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
A discussion was held regarding the vacancies on the Town of Appomattox Economic Development Authority. Mr. McDearmon resigned effective immediately and Mr. Simpson does
2 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting January 8, 2024
not want to serve after his term expires. Mr. McGhee will post the vacancies on the Town website.
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Mr. Garrett, the Council voted to reappoint Steve Conner as a Town Representative on the Joint Board of Zoning Appeals for five (5) year term ending December 31, 2028. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Council Standing Committee Reports:
ARPA: None
Finance and Planning Committee: None
Physical Development Committee: None
Citizen Comment: None
Town Manager’s Report: In addition to his email sent on January 5, 2024, Mr. McGhee mentioned the following:
• The new website has been up since last week. • There will be a public recognition ceremony on Friday, January 12 at 4:00 pm, celebrating Roxanne Casto’s retirement after 30 years of service to the Town.
• An update was given on the waterline project—it is moving along at 80-100 ft per day.
The Cawthorne St issue with the road closure sign and the garbage truck will be addressed.
• Positive feedback was received regarding the Christmas luncheon. • Jeff Elder is back to work. • Nathan Harbin will be at the January workshop meeting. • Dominion 7 Architects Town Hall renovations.
Closed Session: On a motion by Mr. Boyce, seconded by Mrs. Puckette, Council voted to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)1, for the purpose of assignment, appointment, promotion, and performance or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body, specifically being Appointee A and Employee B pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(1).
ROLL CALL VOTE: Allen – yes, Boyce – yes, Spiggle – yes, Garrett – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was re-opened to the public.
3 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting January 8, 2024
Council Member Spiggle made the following motion:
To the best of each member’s knowledge, the only subjects just discussed or considered in the preceding closed meeting were those: (i) lawfully exempted from the FOIA Act’s open-meeting requirements and (ii) properly identified in the motion that convened the closed meeting, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3712(D).
The motion was seconded by Council Member Puckette and Council by the following recorded vote adopted the motion:
ROLL CALL VOTE: Allen – yes, Boyce – yes, Spiggle – yes, Garrett – yes, Puckette – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
ACTION:
On a motion by Ms. Spiggle, seconded by Ms. Puckette, the Council voted to appoint Christy Torrence as Interim Town Clerk beginning January 13, 2024. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Council Comments:
Mr. Boyce: Happy New Year and looking forward to 2024. Mrs. Casto has been a big blessing.
Ms. Allen: Happy New Year!
Mr. Garrett: Thank you to Mrs. Casto for putting up with the Council.
Ms. Spiggle: Thanked Mrs. Casto for doing more than her job description. It has been a wonderful situation.
Ms. Puckette: Thank you to Mrs. Casto.
N. Simpson: absent
Mayor Conner: Thanked Mrs. Casto for all of her assistance.
4 Appomattox Town Council Regular Council Meeting January 8, 2024
Adjournment: On a motion by Mr. Garrett, seconded by Mr. Boyce, the Council voted to adjourn at 7:40 pm. All members present voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Roxanne W. Casto, MMC Clerk
Richard C. Conner Mayor