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Town of Farmville, Virginia |
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Home >> Town Government >> Town Council >> Meeting Minutes October 15, 2008 |
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REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE FARMVILLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON OCTOBER 15, 2008 At the regular monthly meeting of the Farmville Town Council held on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, there present were Mayor S.C. Newman, Jr., presiding and Council members D.E. Whitus, S.B. Thompson, T.B. Pairet, O.S. Overton, A.D. Reid and E.I. Gordon. Also in attendance were Town Manager, Gerald Spates, Chief of Police S.O. Dunnavant, Director of Public Works, Robin Atkins, and Town Treasurer, Carol Anne Seal. Council member Whitus 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. Mr. Jeff Winder with “The People United” addressed Council. Mr. Winder identified the group as an organization speaking out for immigrant rights. He said his group and similar organizations have discovered a pattern of abuse in private run, for profit prisons and asked Town Council to hold a public meeting as a means to present their concerns and for Council to answer questions regarding the proposed detainee facility in the Town of Farmville. Mr. Winder went on to say he had spoken to Town Manager, Mr. Spates who had been helpful but there were additional questions that had not been addressed by Mr. Spates. Mr. Spates addressed Mr. Winder’s comments stating that Town Council held five (5) previous meetings, which had all been open to the public. He said he has spoken with members of The People United and their issues are not with the facility being located in Farmville but with the federal government enforcing the laws regarding illegal entry to the United States. He said the contract for this facility is between to the Town of Farmville and ICE. Town Council will have the oversight of this facility. Discussions continued and Mr. Winder spoke of his frustration in not being able to receive answers to their questions with taxpayers’ money being spent on the facility. Mr. Spates said the contract between the Town and the federal government prohibits the Town from releasing information regarding the facility without clearing it with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs Officer Mr. Richard Rocha. He said there is a meeting with ICE scheduled for tomorrow and he will bring up Mr. Winder’s concerns and have a response by the beginning of next week. Mr. Spates welcomed Longwood University Professor, Theresa Clark and her students majoring in social work. Dr. Clark said her class is studying social policies and the development of social policies to address inadequacies in the system. Members welcomed Dr. Clark and her students. Mr. Spates introduce Farmville’s new Recreation Director, Mr. William Bailey. Mr. Bailey said he was excited about the position and shared his plans for recreational programs and activities. Mayor Newman and Town Council members welcomed Mr. Bailey. PROPOSED FARMVILLE-PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY LIBRARY On motion by Mrs. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Reid and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council agreed to accept the bid by Coleman Adams for the proposed Farmville-Prince Edward County Community Library. Coleman Adams bid was $3,070,000. Mr. Spates spoke of the verbal arrangement between the Town of Farmville and Prince Edward County, whereas the Town would pay one-third of the cost and Prince Edward County would pay two thirds. He reminded members that this was a verbal arrangement. Dr. Gordon questioned total construction costs and asked if there had been any recent conversations with the County in regards to ownership of the building. Mr. Spates said there had been no discussions with the County in regards to the library and if Council agrees to accept the bid of Coleman Adams, they are agreeing to approximately 1.5 million dollars in construction costs but there were still some unresolved issues. He said the land on which the library is to be built belongs to the Town and that cost will have to be considered. He also said the current library building would have to be sold, with those funds helping to offset some of the furniture costs. Mr. Spates said several options with the County have been discussed - one being the Town will own and maintain the building. Dr. Gordon said he had attended the County Board meeting the night before and the Board seemed unsure of the direction they would take. He said during the presentation, Chairman Fore and Vice Chairman Simpson affirmed the one-third Town and two-thirds County agreement but the Board took no action on the proposed library. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Overton and with all Council members voting “aye”, the minutes of the September 10, 2008 Council meeting were approved, as previously presented to each Council member. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Reid and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved the Treasurer’s Report. On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Overton with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved payment of the following bills: (Bills Printed in Minute Book) BUILDING OFFICIAL’S SEPTEMBER 2008 REPORT Members received copies of the September 2008 Building Official’s Report, for their information. PROPERTY INSPECTOR’S SEPTEMBER 2008 REPORT Members received copies of the September 2008 Property Inspector’s Report, for their information. REZONING REQUEST – LONGWOOD REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council agreed to remove Longwood Real Estate Foundation’s rezoning request from the agenda. Mr. Spates provided members with a copy of a letter from Mr. Ken Copeland, Jr., Executive Director of the Foundation. In Mr. Copeland’s letter, he states that the Longwood Real Estate Foundation is withdrawing their request to rezone their property located at 605 and 611 High Street and 606 Chambers Street. Mr. Copeland writes that the Foundation will now consider other alternatives to advance the project. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL IT EQUIPMENT FOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS On motion by Mr. Reid, seconded by Dr. Gordon and with Council members Whitus, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, and Council member Thompson voting “no”, members agreed with the recommendation of the Property Committee and authorized the purchase of additional IT equipment for the Council Chambers. Mr. Spates said this matter came before Town Council at the September meeting and was referred to the Property Committee. Central Virginia Communications submitted a proposal of $16,760.00 for video and IP equipment with two mounted 58” monitors/TVs. The equipment will allow a set of plans to be projected on the screens. Mr. Spates also said the additional 58” flat screens would provide better viewing for the audience and Council members. The Committee met and members Pairet and Reid supported the purchase and Council member Thompson did not. Mr. Spates informed members that Central Virginia Communications contacted him this afternoon and offered the Town a 7 percent savings on the total cost, bringing the proposal to $15,618.30. POLICY ON TEMPORARY SIGNS On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council agreed with the recommendation of the Street Committee and adopted the following policy on temporary signs: · Temporary signs will only be permitted on secondary roads · The property owner will have to grant permission to the realtor or requester - allowing them permission to place the temporary sign on the property owners property - No signs will be permitted on town right of ways · Open house signs are to be put up and taken down on the day of the event · The size of the temporary sign shall not exceed 8” x 24” · Signs will not be permitted on median strips or nailed to poles or posts · Signs are to be placed in a way as NOT to obstruct the field of vision of drivers · No balloons, flags or other materials that could be distracting to drivers will be permitted · No signs will be permitted on right of ways on Route 15 Business and Route 45 within the Town of Farmville. Mr. Spates said by adopting the above policy, the Town of Farmville will be in compliance with the regulations of the Virginia Department of Transportation. He also reminded members that this matter has been before Council for a couple of months and was referred to the Property and Street Committees for their recommendations. TOWN OF FARMVILLE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ACCOUNT On motion by Mr. Pairet, seconded by Dr. Gordon and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council accepted the recommendation of the Trustees of the Farmville Employee Retirement Account and approved moving the retirement funds from Davenport & Company, LLC with ING funds to Edward Jones and The Hartford, effective January 1, 2009. The Trustees reviewed proposals from qualified investment companies interested in providing management services for the employee retirement account. Both companies were similar in their investment options. The Edward Jones proposal offered more educational services for the employee retirement plan. AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT FROM THE NARCOTIC’S FUND On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Pairet and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved payment of $530.15 from the Narcotic’s Fund to Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. The payment is for one case of 9mm simunitian – practice ammo that leaves a color on the skin. On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Pairet and with all Council members voting “aye”, the minutes of the October 1, 2008 work session were approved, as presented to each Council member. AUTHORIZATION TO INSTALL PARKING METERS ON HIGH STREET On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Dr. Gordon and with all Council members voting “aye”, members approved the recommendation of the Town Manager and agreed to install parking meters on High Street to St. George. Mr. Spates said the meters will help turn over parking spaces. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR THE FARMVILLE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with a recorded vote with Council members Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye” and Council member Whitus abstaining stating “potential conflict of interest” members agreed to grant authorization to Calloway, Johnson, Moore and West, P.A. to proceed with the preliminary study of the banquet facility at the Farmville Municipal Golf Course. Council member Whitus stated his reason for abstaining as a potential conflict of interest saying his employer had retained the firm of Calloway, Johnson, Moore and West, P.A. Mr. Spates said Mr. Emmett Wilson with Calloway, Johnson, Moore and West had met with him and Mr. Proctor Harvey from the Harvey Design and Landscape to discuss updates to the banquet facility. Mr. Wilson will provide a preliminary study to define the scope of work required to meet the Town’s expectations. The fee for these services will be $3,750. REQUEST BY MS. MARY JANE IRONS FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Reid and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council referred a request by Ms. Mary Jane Irons for a special use permit to operate a Bed and Breakfast at 313 First Avenue to the Farmville Planning Commission. The property is zoned residential district R-1A and a Bed and Breakfast is not an allowed use in that zone. Mr. Spates informed members in order to proceed with Ms. Iron’s request the Farmville Planning Commission will need to recommend that Town Council amend the uses in an R-1A zone to include Bed and Breakfasts and the required Public Hearings will have to be held. REQUEST FOR TOWN TO ABANDON STREET BY MR. LLOYD MCKAY AND MR. WILLIAM LYNN On motion by Mr. Whitus, seconded by Mr. Reid and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council referred a request by Mr. Lloyd McKay of 610 East Second Street and Mr. William B. Lynn of 700 East Second Street for street abandonment to the Farmville Planning Commission. Mr. Spates shared a letter and plat he received from Mr. McKay and Mr. Lynn requesting the Town abandons the dead end street between their residents. Mr. Spates recommended this matter be referred to the Farmville Planning Commission and that the required public hearings are held. REQUEST FOR JOSHUA BOLT DAY- AUGUST 31, 2008 On motion by Mr. Pairet, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council granted a request by Longwood University student, Miss Anne Whitmore to establish August 31, 2008 as Joshua Bolt Day. In the letter Miss Whitmore provided Town Council, she writes of Mr. Bolt as a seven-year young man who loves life and is struggling with cerebral palsy. Council member Pairet asked members if they had considered his request brought up at the October work session - to change the Council meeting date from the second Wednesday of each month to the second Thursday of the month. Council members Gordon and Reid spoke against moving the day and Mr. Pairet withdrew his request. THE TOWN MANAGER PROVIDED A VERBAL UPDATE TO MEMBERS ON THE FOLLOWING: 1. Spoke on the success of the Downtown Merchant meeting held on October 2 and updated Town Council on the small business merchant symposium hosted by the Longwood University Small Business Development Center. 2. Updated members on the pool renovations for the Farmville Municipal Golf Course. He said Fuqua School has recently gone out on bids for renovations to their pool and due to estimated costs on the golf course pool, he suggested the Town and Fuqua School work together in order to obtain the most economical pricing on renovations. Members supported his suggestion. 3. Provided a verbal update on the Mottley Lake property and the trailers and the Farmville Municipal Golf Course 4. Shared a Weldon Cooper Center survey on council salaries. 5. Updated members on the status of paving throughout Town and traffic citations on issued on First and Second Street 6. Gave a verbal update on Town projects: 599 funding, FIDA transferring land to the ICA-Farmville, LLC and the status of the landfill closing On motion by Dr. Gordon seconded by Mr. Whitus and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council went into closed session meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711.A.3 of the Code of Virginia, for the discussion or consideration of the condition, acquisition or use of real property for public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held property and 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 legal matters regarding issues between the Town of Farmville and the County of Prince Edward and the Town of Farmville and Immigration Centers of America – Farmville, LLC and other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel. On motion by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Pairet and with all Council members voting “aye”, Council returned to the regular order of business. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING WHEREAS, the Farmville Town Council 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 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. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE PROPERTY – 213 NORTH STREET On motion by Mr. Pairet, seconded by Dr. Gordon and with a recorded vote with Council members Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon voting “aye”, Council approved the purchase of the property located at 213 North Street (Tax Map # 023-A4-1-103) for $500,000. The terms are to be $100,000 down and the remaining $400,000 is to be paid at $100,000 per year for a period of four (4) years, with an interest rate of 3.5 percent. Mr. Spates described the property as approximately 0.8 acres with a warehouse currently on the site. He suggested the building be demolished and the site be used for parking. Members supported his recommendation. VOTE: 6 “AYES” MOTION: Dr. Gordon SECOND: Mr. Whitus AYES: Whitus, Thompson, Pairet, Overton, Reid and Gordon NOES: none ABSENT DURING VOTE: Hunter ABSENT DURING MEETING: Hunter ____________________________________ Clerk There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 pm. APPROVED: ATTEST: ________________________ ________________________ 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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