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Town of Farmville, Virginia |
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Home >> Town Government >> Town Council >> Meeting Minutes August 1, 2007 |
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REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE FARMVILLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON AUGUST 1, 2007 At the regular monthly work session of the Farmville Town Council held on August 1, 2007 at 11:00 in the Town Hall, Town Manager’s Conference Room located at 116 North Main Street, there present were Mayor S.C. Newman, Jr. presiding and Council members D.E. Whitus, D.L. Hunter, H.L. Horton, O.S. Overton, A.D. Reid and E.I. Gordon. Also in attendance were Town Manager, Gerald Spates and Town Attorney, Donald Blessing. Mayor Newman called the meeting to order and Town Manager, Gerald Spates welcomed guests: Mrs. Sarah Terry, Chair for the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Ken Copeland, Director of Economic Development with the Longwood Real Estate Foundation. Mrs. Terry announced she will no longer be Chair of the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce and wanted to thank Town Council and the Town Manager for the long working relationship she and the Chamber have experienced. Mr. Ken Copeland presented a conceptual design model for the property the Foundation has purchased on High Street. The Foundation is interested in converting the property into the alumni house for Longwood University, which will also include office space, and a banquet facility for approximately 200 people. Members questioned if the Foundation had any plans to request the Town close Watkins Street. Mr. Spates said the closing of Watkins Street would depend on the agreement of all adjourning property owners. Mr. Copeland also shared the Foundations plans for a pedestrian walkway and vehicle bridge somewhere near Third Street and Buffalo Street to assist Longwood students living in Lancer Village safer access to the University. The Town Manager and Council members discussed the agenda items for the upcoming August 8th regular Council meeting. Council members requested Ms. Toni Russell appear at the August 8th Council meeting and discuss her plans for an in-door flea market. Ms. Russell has applied for a conditional use permit to operate an in-door flea market at 120 East Second Street. The property is zoned Industrial District M1 and this is an allowed use with a conditional use permit. Council members requested Mr. Matt King with Walk2Campus Properties present his plans for the property located at 409 Beech Street. Mr. King has requested a conditional use permit for the property but there are also zoning variance issues that need to be addressed prior to moving forward with the conditional use permit process. Members discussed Longwood University’s recent announcement of their intent to close Johnston Street. Mr. Spates presented documentation he feels substantiates Johnston Street as a Town street and has notified the University that Town Council does not intend to close the street. Members spoke at length of their displeasure with the lack of communication from the University administration on this issue. Council member Horton suggested Town Council create a policy that will address any parking issues along with any possible safety and congestion concerns for Johnston Street – he also recommended that the Town establish a dialog with the University to address their concerns. Council member Gordon said he is in agreement with the dialog but said it is up to the University to approach the Town. Dr. Gordon mentioned Prince Edward County’s lack of cooperation on the Sandy River Pipeline project and the changes to the joint Library project – he spoke of Johnston Street issue and the recent Town/University meeting where the University did not mention their plans – Dr. Gordon said he feels the Town of Farmville is being taken advantage of. Council member Whitus said the Town cannot continue to carry the financial burden for joint projects with the County. Members asked for copies of the minutes from the last joint Library Committee meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Hunter and seconded by Mr. Whitus that the Town Manager write a letter to the County rejecting their proposal on the joint Library. Town Council members feel strongly that the Town retain sole ownership of the building, as was in the original discussions. Dialog continued and members agreed the letter should show support of the library project but reiterate Council’s feeling on retaining ownership of the building. REMOVAL OF PARKING ON GRIFFIN BOULEVARD On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Hunter, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council authorized the Town Manager to remove all parking on Griffin Boulevard from Redford Street to High Street. Mr. Spates spoke of safety concerns with the construction of additional parking on the south side of Griffin Boulevard and Council members agreed. Mr. Spates went on the say that the University charges $300.00 for parking spaces on streets and feels any money collected should go to the town. Council member Gordon informed members that Delegate Abbitt recently contacted him in regards to the CRC’s 2007-2008 request for financial support of $8,500.00 for a lobbyist position. Dr. Gordon said Delegate Abbitt has requested the town fully support the CRC this upcoming 2007-2008 year and reconsider funding the lobbyist position. Dr. Gordon asked Council members to reconsider funding the CRC lobbyist. Council member Horton said at an earlier Council meeting members had relied on Dr. Gordon’s opinion, as he is the Town’s representative on the CRC, when they denied funding the lobbyist position - Mr. Horton asked Dr. Gordon if he had changed his opinion of the CRC effectiveness. Dr. Gordon said he had not but felt the Town should support the CRC for a different reason. Mr. Horton spoke of his support of the CRC and the importance of the Town being connected. CLOSED SESSION On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Hunter and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council went into a Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711.A.7 of the Code of Virginia for consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members, consultants or attorneys, pertaining to actual or probable litigation, or other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING WHEREAS, the Farmville Town Council has convened an 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 the Farmville Town Council that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Farmville Town Council hereby certified that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Farmville Town Council. MOTION: Horton SECOND: Whitus Mayor Newman left the meeting at 12:45 pm. VOTE: 6 “AYES”, 0 “NOES” AYES: Whitus, Hunter, Horton, Overton, Reid and Gordon
NOES: none
ABSENT: Nase
There being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
__________________________
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Mayor S.C. Newman, Jr.
Lisa M. Hricko |
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Town of Farmville, 116 North Main Street, Farmville, VA 23901 Telephone: 434.392.5686 |
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