Present: George O. Haley, Mayor
Robert B. Thompson, Vice Mayor
Council Members: Roy Byrd, C.B. Cundiff, Jim McDole,
and Joe Rogers. Absent: Alvin Crider
Attorney: Larry Gott.
Council on
motion by Byrd and seconded by Cundiff approved the agenda.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers,
Cundiff, McDole, and Byrd.
Mayor Haley recognized two Boy Scouts in attendance fulfilling requirements for Life rank merit badges.
Mayor Haley recognized a group of citizens to address Council.
Ben Davenport presented to Council a slide presentation on ‘eyesores’ in the Town. He showed pictures of the north and south entrances as well as various buildings in ill repair. Special attention was paid to the abandoned bank lot and building on South Main St. Overgrown areas and abandoned vehicles were also viewed.
Richard Camp stated that the Town must develop a comprehensive plan to begin the process to rehabilitate these areas in such need within the town limits and the approaches into Town.
John Friend said that eventually these conditions will reduce property values. The town must enforce ordinances to insure that owners keep their properties in proper order.
Mary Lee Black requested
that these matters be taken care of as soon as possible. She suggested fixing
the really noticeable properties first. The organization, Chatham First, does
have a modest amount of funds to begin the process by enhancing the spot at
Betty Camp and Alice Shelton
said that the three garden clubs in
Davenport continued by stating that Va. Tech will send specialists to Chatham to aid in drawing up a plan if requested and approved by Council. He said that he would contact Va. Tech and have an application sent to the Town.
Mike Jones suggested that the Town apply for a PPEA Community Development Block Grant to aid with the cost.
Clerk/Treasurer David Cothran said that past due taxes have risen in the past year. Economic conditions have contributed to the problem. Council should decide on whether to publish the names of those accounts. He is working with the auditors to begin additional collection efforts.
On motion
of and seconded by the consent agenda was approved by Council including
salaries, wages and paid and unpaid bills in the amount of $157,324.02.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Cundiff, Thompson,
Rogers, Byrd, and McDole.
Council
Joe Rogers reported that Mr. Cundiff has completed the clearing of Roaring Fork
Dam. He said that due to deficiencies in the 2008 dam inspections of
Cherrystone and Roaring Fork that an inspection must be performed again in
2009.
On a motion by McDole and seconded by Thompson
council approved hiring Joe Rogers to perform the dam inspections.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; McDole, Cundiff,
Thompson, and Byrd. Abstain:
Mayor
Haley reported that a public hearing was held at
Councilman McDole stated that the changes to the
charter would move town elections from May until November and modify the duties
of the town manager. Code changes primarily concern water and sewer billings.
(See copy attached to these minutes).
McDole said that the
Ordinance Committee recommends to council approval of the changes to the
Charter Section 8 concerning the town manager.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers,
Cundiff, Byrd, and McDole.
McDole stated that the
Ordinance Committee recommends to council the approval of changes to the
Charter Section 4 concerning the date of elections.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole, and
Cundiff.
Nay: Byrd and Thompson.
McDole reported that the
Ordinance Committee recommends to council the approval of changes to the town
Code Section 13.08 concerning landlord notification.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Byrd, Roger,
Thompson, McDole, and Cundiff.
McDole reported that the
Ordinance Committee recommends to council the approval of changes to the town
Code Section 2.08 concerning the duties of the Public Works Director.
The Vote: Aye: Council
Members; Cundiff, McDole, Thompson Byrd, and Rogers.
McDole reported that the
Ordinance Committee recommends to council the approval of changes to the town
Code Section 2.08 concerning the duties of town manager.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, Byrd,
Cundiff, McDole, and Thompson.
Bob Hanson
reported that accepted bids on the excess equipment totaled $1,298.00.
Council on a motion by Thompson seconded by McDole
approved the bids.
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; McDole, Rogers,
Thompson, Byrd, and Cundiff.
Council on motion of Byrd 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, and Rogers.
Council on
motion of
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers,
Cundiff, 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 Thompson certified the closed session.
The vote: Aye; Council members; Cundiff, Thompson,
Rogers, Byrd, McDole, and Mayor Haley.
Councilman
Byrd stated that the Personnel Committee recommends to council the approval of
de-funding the position of Town Manager as of
The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole,
Cundiff, Thompson, and Byrd.
Having no
further business council was adjourned.
_____________________________
Mayor
_______________________
Attest: