OCTOBER 14, 2008

Virginia: At a regular meeting of the Council for the Town of Chatham, held in the Chatham Fire Station, at 7:00P.M. on September 8, 2008.

Present: Robert B. Thompson, Vice Mayor

Council Members: Roy Byrd, Alvin Crider, C. B. Cundiff, Jim McDole, and Joe Rogers. Absent: Mayor George O. Haley

Attorney: Larry Gott.

Vice Mayor Thompson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Council on motion by Crider and seconded by McDole approved adding to the agenda a Resolution in support of the industrial park for the Town of Gretna and a closed session to discuss a personnel issue.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers, Cundiff, Crider, McDole, and Byrd.

On motion of Byrd seconded by Cundiff approved the agenda.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members: Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, Rogers, Byrd, and McDole.

Jim Little of Cherrystone Road requested relief from a high water bill stating that he has had his home inspected and there are no leaks yet he was billed for 82 thousand gallons of water. His normal usage is less than the minimum charged. Vice Mayor Thompson referred the issue to the Water/Sewer Committee for resolution.

Elise Finkner, Chair of the Planning Commission, reported to Council that the Commission is requesting that two open seats not be filled at present. The Commission is made up of 13 seats and is currently meeting with 9 members, which they agree is more manageable. The Commission asks that Council sanction as few as

7 filled seats.

This request was approved by Council on a motion by Rogers and seconded by Byrd.

The Vote: Aye; Council Members; Rogers, McDole, Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, and Byrd.

Ms. Finkner also reported that public hearings must be held on the updated Comprehensive Plan for the Town prior to submission to Council for approval. Attorney Gott will handle the notices.

Town Manager Mike Jones reported to Council that he is working on the following items: cost saving operating expenditure measures, identification numbers for town vehicles, a $10K donation in equipment from Hardy Security, complaints to the town will have assigned work order numbers, accreditation for the Town police department, and an AED grant from VML. In addition, he is working with the County to settle the issues of the Old Chatham Elementary School and town employee medical insurance. He will report to Council as these items are resolved.

Chief Marvin Wright informed Council that there would be parking amnesty on October 31 to accommodate the County Sheriffs Department Halloween youth program in town.

Council approved the parking amnesty on a motion by Crider seconded by Cundiff.

The Vote: Vote: Council Members; McDole, Byrd, Cundiff, Thompson, Crider, and Rogers.

Council approved the consent agenda including salaries, wages and paid and unpaid bills in the amount of $192,530.52 on a motion by Crider seconded by McDole.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Byrd, Rogers, Thompson, Crider, McDole, and Cundiff.

Councilman Rogers stated that under new regulations the Town must develop a model in the event that Cherrystone Lake Dam breaks. He has contacted Dewberry & Davis, Inc. to develop that model and follow the VA State regulations. The cost will be approximately $52K. This cost is a one-time expenditure.

Councilman Byrd requested contact with the County for help in paying for the model per the Dewberry contract. He said that the economic development office has copies of the old contract agreements with the County concerning Cherrystone and Roaring Fork Lakes.

Mr. Rogers also offered to continue his services, as a licensed engineer, as lake surface inspector at Cherrystone. Council recognizes that his fees are well below market costs.

On a motion by Cundiff seconded by McDole Council approved hiring Joe Rogers as the dam surface inspector. Councilman Byrd said that as a matter of record, Council is aware of Mr. Rogers conflict of interest concerns.

The Vote: Aye; Council Members; Thompson, Crider, Cundiff, Byrd, and McDole. Abstain: Rogers.

Attorney Gott said that he continues to search for the Whitehead Street property owners. He will keep Council informed of progress.

On a motion by Byrd seconded by Rogers Council approved a Resolution honoring Claudia Emerson who was recently named by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, as Poet Laureate of the State of Virginia.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Cundiff, McDole, Thompson, Byrd, Rogers, and Crider.

Councilman Cundiff presented a resolution requesting that Pittsylvania County allow the Town of Chatham to participate in its employee medical insurance plan as is currently being negotiated by TM Mike Jones. The cost savings to the Town would be significant.

Councilman Thompson said that the resolution indicated that the town was not currently receiving proper service from its provider. He stated that this was incorrect and the matter needs additional study and attention.

Councilman Byrd said the town should to put the insurance program up for bids to get comparisons prior to committing to the County.

Councilman Cundiff stated that the cost of a stand-alone plan as in what the town currently has would still be priced far above a large group plan. He reminded council that this change was one of the projects approved in the 2008-09 budget.

On a motion by McDole seconded by Rogers Council agreed to table the resolution and directed Town Manager Mike Jones to continue this negotiation with the County.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, Byrd, Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, and McDole.

On a motion by Byrd seconded by Rogers Council approved a Resolution supporting the Town of Gretna in its efforts seeking additional funding from the County for the Gretna Industrial Park.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; McDole, Rogers, Thompson, Crider, Byrd, and Cundiff.

Councilman McDole stated that the Ordinance Committee will be looking into the Chemical Trespass issue as requested by Mayor Haley.

Councilman Crider said that litter needs to be cleaned up in Chatham, especially on the side streets. He requested that the police monitor traffic on Evergreen Road as construction of the nursing home progresses.

Council on motion of Crider and seconded by Cundiff adjourned to closed session for the purpose of discussion or consideration of or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining or resignation of specific public officers, appointees or employees of any public body, pursuant to §2.2-3711A(1).

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Byrd, Cundiff, McDole, Thompson, Crider, and Rogers.

Council on motion of Byrd and seconded by Cundiff returned to regular session.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers, Cundiff, Crider, McDole, and Byrd.

EXECUTIVE SESSION CERTIFICATION

Whereas, the Town of Chatham has convened an executive 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, §2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Council of the Town of Chatham that such executive meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law;

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chatham hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia Law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Council of the Town of Chatham.

Council on motion of McDole and seconded by Rogers certified the closed session.

The vote: Aye; Council members; Crider, Cundiff, Rogers, Byrd, McDole, and Vice-Mayor Thompson.

Council on motion by Byrd seconded by Rogers approved $.50 per hour pay increases for Jimmy Lee Whitehead, John Paul Moore, and Robert McDaniel.

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole, Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, and Byrd.

Having no further business council was adjourned.

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Vice Mayor

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