MARCH 9, 2009

Virginia: At a regular meeting of the Council for the Town of Chatham, held in the Chatham Volunteer Fire Station, at 7:00P.M. on March 9, 2009.

Present: George O. Haley, Mayor

Robert Thompson, Vice Mayor

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

Attorney: Larry Gott.

Mayor Haley led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

Council on motion of Byrd and seconded by Cundiff approved the agenda as presented.

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

Town Manager Mike Jones addressed Council concerning application for Stimulus Funding from the State. He said that Congressman Pierrello is advancing the town’s request.

Jones said that the employee health census has been sent to several vendors for their review and return bid as the town health insurance provider. He will keep the Personnel Committee informed of progress.

He informed Council that Harding Security in Northern Virginia has made a substantial donation of equipment to the Chatham Police Department. The donation consists of clothing and weapons.

Main Street will be paved before summer. The work will take place at night with only a short notice to the Town.

VML will be conducting an annual safety audit of all town operations. These audits determine our liability insurance rates.

Jones said that the VA department of Health found a high level of E. Coli in the town watershed. This will require close monitoring and proper use of processing chemicals.

Jones told council that he recommends considerations for a boundary adjustment. Economic development opportunities need to be increased in order to promote revenue growth for a healthy future of the town.

Councilman Byrd requested that Clerk Cothran write a resolution to the Virginia Department of Transportation expressing that the Chatham Resident Office not be closed. The Mayor will sign the resolution.

Mayor Haley asked that TM Jones meet with the county to ask for reimbursement for the recent sewer blockage problem on RT. 57, which are being caused by jail inmates.

Mayor Haley also complimented the town crew for its work during recent water and sewer emergencies.

Clerk/Treasurer Cothran said that work on the 2009/10 budget has begun and asks that council members submit their various committees capital expenditure requests for the next fiscal year. Councilman Cundiff stated that the Finance Committee will begin its deliberations immediately on next years budget.

On motion by Cundiff and seconded by Rogers Council approved the Consent Agenda as well as salaries and bills paid for the month of February in the amount of $131,130.06.

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

Councilman Rogers discussed with council the Indefinite Quantity Contract for technical and engineering studies that will need approval by March 31. He said that proper controls and designs need to be in place in order to qualify for funding under the Federal/State stimulus package. The engineering contract will begin that process for the town.

Rogers said that an RFP has been issued for the Indefinite Quantity Contract. A high priority for an initial design item is back-up generator power at the water plant and capability of portable generator back up at sewer lift stations. He stated further that the cost of the E. Coli testing will be approximately $12k for the year.

The Town will need to proceed with the dam break analyses at Cherrystone and Roaring Fork Dams along with spillway clearing. After the analyses are complete, emergency action plans may need revising.

Bill Black requested that council approve a “Cruise-In” sponsored by Chatham First on Saturday April 25 on Main Street. The event is a fund raiser and require that a portion of Main Street be closed between 5pm and 10pm. The event will feature antique vehicles.

On a motion by Byrd seconded by Thompson Council approved the event pending VDOT approval.

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

Council on a motion by Byrd seconded by Thompson approved full time status for Wayne Martin plus a $.50 hour increase.

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

Mayor Haley asked that Council consider an updated resolution on uranium mining in Pittsylvania County. He said that the resolution approved by council in February 2008 does not address the issue of harm or injury that might arise from the mining process. He further stated that all of the other municipalities in our jurisdiction have addressed that issue in their resolutions.

Councilman Cundiff asked that the Finance Committee meet at 4:30pm on March 12 at Town Hall.

Having no further business council was adjourned.

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Mayor

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