MAY 21, 2009

Virginia: At a special meeting of the Council for the Town of Chatham, held in the Chatham Town Hall, at 6:00P.M. on May 21, 2009.

Present: George O. Haley, Mayor

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

Attorney: Larry Gott.

Mayor Haley led the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Council on motion by Turner and seconded by Cundiff approved the agenda.

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

Council on motion of McDole and seconded by Rogers adjourned to closed session for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the issues and code sections stated below pursuant to §2.2-3711A(1).

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

CLOSED SESSIONS – VIRGINIA 2.2-3711 A(1)

a. DISCUSSION OF PERSONNEL MATTERS OR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

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.

b. CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNCIL AND BRIEFINGS by Staff Members or Consultants Pertaining to Actual or Probable Litigation, Where Such Consultation or Briefing in Open Meeting Would Adversely Affect the Negotiating or Litigating Posture of the Public Body; and Consultation with Legal Counsel Employed or Retained by a Public Body Regarding Specific Legal Matters Requiring the Provision of Legal Advise by Such Counsel. Authority: Section 2.2-3711 (A) (7) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.

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

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole, Crider, Cundiff, 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 these executive meetings 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 Crider and seconded by Byrd certified the closed sessions.

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

Councilman Cundiff presented to council a working draft of the 2009/10 budget. He stated that the general fund is facing a sizeable deficit of expenditures over revenues of approximately $78k. This would be consecutive years of a deficit in the general fund. The general fund needs to generate an additional $31k to cover the annual payment on the fire station. At the same time operating costs have increased while there has been a small decrease in revenues. Water and Sewer will generate a surplus of $95k. Cundiff stated that the prison does not generate the amount of water and sewer revenue as originally projected at the time of development.

Cundiff said that a method for reducing expenses would be to lay off employees.

Councilman Byrd suggested increasing water and sewer fees for all users.

Cundiff stated that the Finance Committee would meet again to make recommendations to council on possible increases in taxes and utility fees at the June meeting.

Mayor Haley reviewed the history of complaints concerning the Carter Bank property on South Main Street formerly Kroger grocery. There are sinkholes in the parking lot and the old building is beginning to collapse in the rear portion. He asked for guidance from council in proceeding to take action to force improvements by the bank.

Attorney Gott said that the property appears to pose a health and liability hazard as well as a public nuisance.

Haley requested that Mr. Gott look into this issue and give advice to council.

Having no further business council was adjourned.

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Mayor

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Attest: