Present: George O. Haley, Mayor
Robert Thompson,
Vice Mayor
Council
Members: Roy Byrd, Alvin Crider, C.B. Cundiff, Jim McDole, and Joe Rogers.
Attorney: Larry Gott.
The Pledge
of Allegiance and the Invocation was lead by Mayor Haley.
Council on
motion of Byrd and seconded by McDole approved the Agenda including a
Resolution to the Va. State Retirement
System.
The Vote: Aye; Council Members; Thompson, Rogers,
Cundiff, Crider, McDole, and Byrd.
Town
Manager Mike Jones informed council of the following actions; safety vests have
been purchased for police officers and town crew under a 50% grant from VML; he
recommends to Council that it accept the offer from Pittsylvania County Board
of Supervisors concerning the Old Chatham Elementary School and presented a
position paper on the subject; he presented a position paper and resolution on
the chemical trespass ordinance for their future consideration; he informed
Council that he has requested from the Chair of the VA Coal and Energy
Commission a seat on the uranium study committee for a representative from the
Town; he has contacted VDOT concerning signage and remarking of streets in Town
for additional safety and in hopes of controlling traffic speed; he hosted a
local government meeting on Hargrave Military Academy’s emergency communication
system, there will be quarterly follow up meetings; he has increased the Town’s
participation with the West Piedmont Planning District Commission; and he
discussed with Council the monthly meetings of the Mayors and Managers of the
three towns in the county.
Mayor Haley stated that he wants a crack down on
speeders in town. It is a big problem and he receives many complaints from
citizens. He requested that the police reports in the council packages
highlight the number of speeding citations written.
Mayor Haley said that he is disappointed with
council for not attending the various informational meetings concerning
proposed uranium mining and milling in
Councilman Rogers stated that these meetings are a
matter of perception. They are not impartial and the only manner in which to
truly learn about uranium mining is through an impartial scientific study to
determine site-specific issues. For the community at present it is too highly
emotional.
Councilman Byrd said that he stays informed by
studying various websites, as he does not wish to be entangled in an emotional
fight at these meetings.
Councilman McDole stated that most of us are not
geo-physicists yet we do need to protect our citizens. An impartial and
independent study is needed on uranium mining.
On a
motion by Cundiff seconded by Thompson Council approved the Consent Agenda
including paid and unpaid bills, salaries and wages in the amount of
$117,384.35.
The Vote: Aye; Council Members; Crider, Cundiff,
Thompson, Rogers, Byrd, and McDole.
Attorney Gott informed Council that the Planning Commission Public Hearing on the zoning ordinances did not have a quorum and must be rescheduled at a time for better participation by board members. He will keep council abreast of the situation.
Councilman
Rogers addressed council concerning the purchase of water meters under the EPA
Water Grant. The town advertised for bids but only received one response. He
recommended the town contact the EPA representative and advise them of town
efforts to get full competition but that only got one bid, therefore we
requested to be allowed to proceed with the one firm form whom we received
bids. The town has yet to receive additional bids.
TM Mike
Jones informed council that
Mayor Haley requested that Jones continue his
conversation with County Administrator Dan Sleeper until the issue is settled.
Clerk/Treasurer
Cothran informed council that the long awaited ground breaking on the Chatham
Health and
Council
discussed at length the resolution on the proposed chemical trespass ordinance
aimed at safeguarding
Mayor Haley deferred the issue to the Ordinance
Committee for consideration and requested a report at the next regular meeting
of Council.
TM Jones
spoke with council about his recommendation to accept ownership of the
On a motion by
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole,
Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, and Byrd.
Chatham
Youth League President Ronnie Fowler brought council up to date on youth
activities at the town parks. He said that future plans are to improve drainage
at Crider and Harris Fields, add watering hydrants, add bleachers at Harris
Field and expand parking at Harris Field. The cost for these projects will be
$16k
to $20k. He asked that the council consider as much
financial help as possible.
Councilman Byrd stated that with the possible
creation of a county recreation department that this is an excellent time to
ask the county to share in our parks expenses.
Councilman Crider said that Fowler and the league
perform a great service to the town and youth in our area.
Councilman McDole recommended to Mr. Fowler that he
prioritize the financial needs of the league and report back to council for
inclusion in next years budget.
On a
motion by McDole seconded by Rogers Council approved the Christmas festivities
as planned each year by Chatham First and the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department.
The events will be held
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; McDole, Byrd,
Cundiff, Thompson, Crider, and Rogers.
On a
motion by Byrd seconded by Cundiff Council approved a resolution to the
Virginia Retirement System authorizing pick-up of employees contributions to
the plan under IRS code 414(h).
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Byrd, Rogers,
Thompson, Crider, McDole, and Cundiff.
Having no
further business council was adjourned.
_____________________________
Mayor
_______________________
Attest: