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Town of Farmville, Virginia |
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Home >> Town Government >> Town Council >> Meeting Minutes March 14, 2007 |
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE FARMVILLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MARCH 14, 2007 At the regular meeting of the Farmville Town Council held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 there present were Mayor S.C. Newman, Jr., presiding and Council members D.E. Whitus, D.L. Hunter, A.H. Nase, H.L. Horton, O.S. Overton, A.D. Reid, and E.I. Gordon. Also in attendance were Town Manager, Gerald Spates and Town Planner, Cindy Morris. Reverend Price opened the meeting with a prayer. On proper motion, duly seconded and carried, the regular order of business was dispensed with to hear from guests. Mrs. Carol Hurley, Town of Farmville Recreation Director, showed a power point presentation on the recent activities offered by the Town’s recreation department. Dr. Mark French, a resident of Farmville and a Board member of the Southside Virginia YMCA addressed Council. Dr. French spoke of the YMCA as a full service community organization that touches all ages. He said he believes it is the governing body’s responsibility to provide more for the citizens of this community then just police, fire and potholes. Dr. French spoke of the Town’s financial support to the airport, golf course and joint town and county community library project. He asked Council members to consider the proposed YMCA facility a community project and help them build now for the future. Mrs. Mickie Carrington, a resident of Farmville addressed Council on the YMCA’s request for financial support from the Town of Farmville. Mrs. Carrington said she is opposed to the Town funding the YMCA. She said she believes funds should be spent on the Town’s recreational program. Mrs. Terri Atkins-Wilson, a resident of Farmville and Realtor for Landon G. Atkins Inc. spoke to Council on the benefits of the YMCA and the positive impact it has on the community and economic development. She said the YMCA represents all levels of the community regardless of your race, religion, and economic status. She asked Council members to support the YMCA with their request for funding. Council member Hunter asked since the new facility is being promoted as a regional YMCA have the adjacent counties been approached requesting their financial support? Mr. Dan Albert, Southside Virginia YMCA Director, responded saying the YMCA has hired a Campaign Counselor and that person has recommended enlisting pledges from the two governing bodies where the facility is located prior to contacting Buckingham, Cumberland, Charlotte and Nottoway Counties. On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Overton and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council approved the minutes of the February 14, 2007 regular Council meeting, as previously presented to each Council member. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Reid and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council approved the minutes of the March 7, 2007 regular work session, as previously presented to each Council member. On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mrs. Nase and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved the Treasurer’s Report. On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved the payment of the following bills: (Bills Printed in Minute Book) ALLEY ABANDONMENT REQUEST – 1500 AND 1600 LEE DRIVE On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council granted a request by Mrs. Jill Dickerson, Attorney for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lash, property owners of 1500 Lee Drive to abandon the twenty foot alleyway running between 1500 and 1600 Lee Drive. Town Manager, Gerald Spates informed Council that all adjacent property owners have signed the petition. COMMITTEE REPORTS Council members received copies of the Finance Committee and Tourism Committee minutes. Council member Horton addressed the minutes of the Finance Committee’s recommendation for funding the YMCA. He said the Finance Committee has made the following recommendation: $50,000 yearly for 5 years, free water and sewer service, free water and sewer taps and the YMCA has agreed to work jointly with the Town Recreation Director and has also agreed to a Farmville Town Council member serving on their Board. Dr. Gordon said this will not be the first time Council has not followed the recommendation of a Committee. PEERY DRIVE On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Overton and with all Council members voting “aye”, this matter was continued. VOLUNTARY BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT REQUEST – PRICE DRIVE On motion by Mr. Horton, seconded by Dr. Gordon and with all Council members voting “aye”, this matter was continued. MUNICIPAL BUILDING OFFICE SPACE Town Manager, Gerald Spates informed Council he will be meeting with the Chamber to discuss their office space needs. REQUEST FOR FUNDING – PRINCE EDWARD – FARMVILLE; YOUTH ASSOCIATION On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Horton and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council agreed to remove this matter from the agenda and discuss the Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association’s request for $50,000 when Council negotiates the 2007-2008 Town of Farmville Budget. REQUEST FOR FUNDING - PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Horton and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council agreed to remove this matter from the agenda and discuss the Prince Edward County Community Center’s request for $50,000 when Council negotiates the 2007-2008 Town of Farmville Budget. PROPERTY INSPECTOR’S REPORT Council members received copies of the February 2007 Property Inspector’s Report. Council member Reid requested the Property Inspector attend Council meetings in order to answer their questions. REQUEST FOR FUNDING – YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CENTER On motion by Mr. Horton, seconded by Mr. Whitus and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council agreed to remove this matter from the agenda and discuss the Youth Empowerment’s request for $10,000 when Council negotiates the 2007-2008 Town of Farmville Budget. FUNDING FOR THE YMCA Council member Horton recommended Council take action to override Mayor Newman’s veto. Prior to proceeding with the motion Council members had many questions and comments regarding the YMCA’s request for funding ranging from bidding of the project, lack of receiving requested audited financial information, not promoting an active membership drive and not contacting adjacent governmental bodies to request financial support when claiming to be a regional YMCA. Council member Gordon spoke of a recent poll he had conducted with his constituents of Ward A saying they are not in support of the Town granting the YMCA’s request for $250,000 over 5 years and $250,000 of in-kind services. Council member Horton said their obligation as a group is to do what is in the best interest of the most number of people in Town of Farmville and in his opinion that would be to grant the YMCA’s request. On motion by Mr. Horton, seconded by Mrs. Nase and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Nase, Horton and Overton voting “aye”, and Council members Hunter, Reid and Gordon voting “nay”, Mr. Horton’s motion to override Mayor Newman’s veto and grant the YMCA funding of $50,000 a year for five (5) years and supply the YMCA with water and sewer taps at no cost along with free water and sewer service to the new facility for a period of five (5) years was denied. Mayor Newman explained to those in attendance it took a vote of 5 to 2 to over ride the veto. Council member Whitus suggested members come to an agreement on what the Town can do to support the Y. Council members Reid, Gordon and Hunter expressed their disagreement. Saying this evening many requests came before Council requesting funding, yet those requests had been removed from the agenda until 2007-2008 budget negotiations. Council member Horton explained the YMCA Board would be addressing the building design later this month and needed to know what the Town’s plans for financial support would be. He continued by saying the Town had made a similar commitment to the Rescue Squad appropriating them $35,000 annually over a number of years. Dr. Gordon said he believes the Rescue Squad provides a life and death service and need to the community. He continued by saying he finds Mr. Horton’s comparison between the rescue squad and the YMCA a hard analogy. Mr. Horton said he considers the YMCA to be about life. Town Manager, Gerald Spates asked Council if they would consider the substitute motion made at the work session - $35,000 now with free water and sewer taps, along with water and sewer service at the new facility at no cost and readdress the donation again next year. Council member Horton said he would like to see the Town make a five (5) year commitment of at least $35,000. Council member Reid said he feels the commitment needs to be addressed on a year to year basis. On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Hunter a motion was made for the Town to fund the YMCA $35,000 this year and to look at an appropriation on a year to year basis along with supplying the YMCA with water and sewer taps at no cost and with free water and sewer service for the new facility also to be considered on a year to year basis. A substitute motion was made by Mr. Horton to fund the YMCA $175,000 with $35,000 to be paid each year for a period of five (5) years along with supplying the YMCA with water and sewer taps at no cost and with free water and sewer service for the new facility also for a period of five (5) years. The substitute motion received no second and Mayor Newman called for a vote on the motion by Council member Reid. Council member Whitus asked Dr. French if he is correct in understanding the YMCA will be taking the pledge cards to the bank and with the current motion the Town’s pledge will be for $35,000. Dr French said that is correct and he continued by saying the YMCA had planned on the Town’s support of $250,000. Mr. Whitus asked Mr. Reid if he would consider amending his motion to say “it is Council’s intent to fund the YMCA a minimum of $35,000 a year for a period of five (5) years”. Council member Reid stated his opposition to committing the Town to a specific number of years. He said he felt it should be addressed by Council each year. Town Manager, Gerald Spates suggested $25,000 a year for a period of five years, with free water and sewer hook ups and look at it next year and possibly increase it next year. Mr. Reid and Mr. Hunter again spoke against a five year commitment. Mayor Newman called for a recorded vote on Mr. Reid’s original motion. On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council agreed to fund the YMCA $35,000 this year and to look at an appropriation on a year to year basis along with supplying the YMCA with water and sewer taps at no cost and with free water and sewer service for the new facility also to be considered on a year to year basis. REQUEST FOR JOINT PUBLIC HEARING Town Manager Gerald Spates addressed Council on a request for a joint public hearing on following three (3) issues involving the proposed INS facility. 1. Rezoning approximately 70 acres of property owned by the Town of Farmville from Residential District R-3 to Business District B-3. The property is located off of Waterworks Road, behind the Farmville Iron and Metal and extends to the Appomattox River. 2. Amend Town Ordinance: Sec. 29-312 Uses: to include (28) Private or public detention or holding facilities for individuals not incarcerated for criminal offenses with a conditional use permit. 3. Consider a request from Mr. Russell B. Harper on behalf of HDC, LLC to construct a private detention and holding facility to house immigration detainees while awaiting processing. No detainees will be housed in this facility that have been picked up on criminal charges. The hearing is to be scheduled on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. Council member Horton expressed strong opposition to the hearing stating he was told and the public expects a public meeting to answer questions on the proposed facility prior to Council being asked to take action. Mr. Horton suggested Council hold the public meeting, gather information and get an understanding of the facility prior to scheduling a hearing. Mr. Spates suggested holding the public meeting and reconvening Council to authorize the Public Hearing. Dr. Gordon and Mr. Hunter disagreed. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, and Council members Nase and Horton voting “nay”, Council agreed to hold a public meeting prior to the Joint Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. REQUEST TO PURCHASE .47 ACRES FROM MR. AND MRS. TOWNSEND On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council authorized the purchase of .47 acres, owned by Danny Lee and Paul A. Townsend, located on East Third Street, across from the Chevron Service Station for $75,000. Mr. Spates informed Council that VDOT will be reimbursing the Town 98% of the cost of the property. He continued by saying the property is needed to relocate the utilities for the Third Street Bridge construction project and will be an asset for the Blueway project. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council authorized a public hearing to be scheduled to amend the Town of Farmville’s Comprehensive Plan to address the need to assess impact fees or cash proffers. ADOPT RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MR. TIMOTHY M. COCRANE On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mrs. Nase and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council adopted the following resolution in honor of Mr. Timothy Michael Cocrane: RESOLUTION FROM THE FARMVILLE TOWN COUNCIL IN RECOGNITION OF TIMOTHY MICHAEL COCRANE
WHEREAS, on the morning of Saturday, March 3, 2007; Longwood University Student, Timothy Michael Cocrane witnessed smoke and fire emanating from the residence of 305 First Avenue, and WHEREAS, Timothy Michael Cocrane raced to enter the burning structure, with only thoughts of those possibly trapped inside, and WHEREAS, he fought his way through heavy smoke and blistering flames to the second floor, sustaining major injuries to himself, and WHEREAS, Mr. Cocrane’s quick actions alerted three people inside the residence, allowing them to escape from a second story window, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Farmville Town Council recognizes his extraordinary acts of bravery and courage and commends him for his heroic deeds, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Town of Farmville, Virginia, a copy be forwarded to his local newspaper and copy published in The Farmville Herald. This resolution was duly passed by the Farmville Town Council on the 14th of March, in the year 2007. _________________________ __________________________ Sydnor C. Newman, Jr., Mayor Lisa M. Hricko, Clerk REQUEST FROM FARMVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Reid and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council granted a request by Ms. Jayne Johnson, on behalf of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity to waive the water and sewer tap fees and the building inspection fees for the Habitat house to be built on Bridge Street (Tax Map #23A8-17-7-3). Council also agreed to repair the drive entrance of the property. AUTHORIZE PAYMENT FROM NARCOTIC’S FUND On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Reid and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council authorized payment of $220.00 from the Narcotic’s Fund to Law Enforcement Associates, Inc. The invoice was for body wire repair. POPLAR HILL UPDATE Dr. Gordon asked the status of the $84,700 owed to the Town by Poplar Hill CDA for water connections. Mr. Spates said this matter had been turned over to Town Attorney, Don Blessing and to date no arrangements for payment have been made. Questions arose on the proposed pending sale of Poplar Hill. Prince Edward County Board of Supervisor Lacy Ward spoke to Council on the recent actions the Board of Supervisors took on tax rebates for the CDA. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hunter a motion was made for Town Attorney, Don Blessing to proceed with legal action against the CDA to collect the money that the Town owed for the water connections. Council member Whitus suggested amending the motion to have the Town Attorney write to Mr. Krueger requesting a reply within ten (10) days. If he does not reply with a suitable answer then proceed with legal action. Dr. Gordon agreed to amend his motion and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Nase, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, and Council member Horton abstaining stating “conflict of interest”, the motion passed. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. __________________________ _________________________ Mayor S.C. Newman, Jr. Lisa M. Hricko, Clerk | ||
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Town of Farmville, 116 North Main Street, Farmville, VA 23901 Telephone: 434.392.5686 |
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