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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-07Minutes of the Council Work Session held December 18, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Train Station meeting room. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Lane R. Penn, Joel B. Burchett, Jr., David L. Clark, Larry G. Clevinger, II Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Barbara Tate, Community Relations Director Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Others: Peter Huber Anthony Akers Shaw Utt Charles R. Bopp Sean O’Neal Melinda Williams Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the minutes of October 16, 2007, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Public Operations. Mr. Hawley advised that Council was to continue the discussion from the previous meeting on the needs of the playing fields at Loving Field. He advised that he invited Peter Huber, and Anthony Akers from the County to participate in the discussion. Extensive discussion ensued regarding the use of the fields, the scope of the work needed on the fields and the potential cost, future maintenance of the fields, the possibility of donating the fields to the County, liability concerns, utility expenses and the intent of the current unsigned contract. The consensus was to ask the Board of Supervisors to discuss the issue at their January 2008 meeting, and for Council to review the current draft contract with the County regarding the use of the land and be prepared for a discussion at the February 5, 2008 Town Council meeting. The next item on the agenda was Youth Center. Mr. Hawley advised that previously, Council had discussed the possibility of opening a Youth Center. He added that he had been involved in other discussion since then and suggested that a youth summit be held to discuss what activities the youth would like to include before further researching the feasibility of a Youth Center. The next item on the agenda was Decals. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had been provided information to read regarding the possibility of eliminating decals, in preparation for discussion. Staff recommendation was to keep the decals advising that it aided in collecting taxes in the Town and also made it easier for enforcement by the Police Department. Mayor Wade advised that there were other ways to ensure the collection of taxes available to the staff. Following extensive discussion, staff was directed to work toward eliminating the decals and to return with information regarding how to eliminate the decals and yet retain the ability to collect taxes. The next item on the agenda was May/November elections. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had provided Council with information regarding changing the Town Council elections from May to November. He asked if Council had any questions or comments. Following discussion, the consensus was to leave the elections in May. Councilman Penn commented that he felt that a lot of staff time had been used in researching this issue. He suggested that in the future, staff ask Council if they want an issue researched before undertaking the research. Next, Sean O’Neal asked to address Council. He reported an overgrown right of way and two abandoned cars. At 6:38 p.m., Councilman Burchett moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Coded 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye At 6:56 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Councilman Penn asked that the Work Sessions no longer be held at the Train Station. The consensus was to hold the meetings in the Council Chambers. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote.