Town of Mineral
Post Office Box 316
102 E. First Street
Mineral, VA 23117
540-894-5100
Email: mineral@louisa.net

Minutes of Town of Mineral Council Meeting
May 20, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Invocation was given by by Roy Payne

Public Comments
James Gutekenst came before Council with the request that he be able to work on his Eagle Scout project at Walton Park. He gave Council handouts detailing his proposed project. This will be discussed in more detail later in the meeting during the Walton Park standing committee.

Public hearing for proposed rate increases.

The Mayor opened the public hearing for the proposed rates.

Al Gutekenst St. Frances - he is deeply troubled by the proposed water, sewer, and tax rate increases. With the way the economy is he believes it is the wrong time for Council to raise the rates.

Doswell Pierce - Mr. Pierce feels that the budget is only in need of raising the water to $20.00 and sewer to $25.00, raise minimum from 3000 gallons to 4000 gallons. Then the general fund would have a surplus. He suggests leaving the personal property at $.44 and the real estate at $.25.

Butch Walker- His wife runs a business on Mineral Avenue - the water rates have been $30.75 then $34.50, then $38.00. His was astounded when he read the proposal in the paper.

Oma Jean Fox - Ms. Fox has only lived in Town for 3 years, she enjoys living in the Town. With the rates going up she doesn't know how long she will be able to continue to live in Town. She feels that with the elderly people in town and the way the economy is going, maybe the Town could possibly do something different.

Greg Kurtz - The rate increases will not affect him as bad as it does the elderly and the families. He would like to know what additional services will be provided. He has had three water line patches in his front yard since he moved there.

Hank Staudinger - Would like to know where the additional money will go. The water lines are in need of repair, so if the rates increase then the water lines need to be repaired.

Ronald Payton - He is concerned about the water rate increase. If the bill is not paid on time and cut off then the person is charged $50.00 which he believes to be steep. Not everyone has the funds to pay their bills on time.

Janice Abercrombie - She wanted to thank everyone who came to the meeting tonight. This will affect a lot of people's budget in Town. The real estate tax accessor told Ms. Abercrombie that the assessed value of her home is reduced by 20% only because it is in the Town of Mineral. She feels that the Council was foolish to ever sign a note with the stipulations that were set, when the water budget has always been in a deficit.

Paul Cameron wanted to know how many customers and business were lost to Louisa County Water Authority? He also wanted to know if the trailer park was still supplied by the Town? He also wanted to know if the people on Spring Rd were supplied by the Town? Mayor Keller addressed his concerns.

Paul Swasey - wanted to know if the budget for 07 shows $12,155, then 08 shows $10,000 , then why is the Council wanting to increase personal property taxes.

Tom Simpson's called in comments to the Town Manager will be included in the minutes as he was unable to attend. (Copy attached)

The Mayor closed the public hearing for the proposed rates.

The Mayor opened the public hearing for the proposed budget.

Tex Pierce - The budget shows increases in the water fund only. The general fund shows no increase. The budget shows a surplus without the proposed increases. He does not see the purpose of increasing the budget when the water fund can be balanced.

The Mayor closed the hearing on the proposed 08/09 budget.

Adopt Agenda (add or take away items at this time)
Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of April regular meeting minutes
William Thomas made a motion to adopt all sets of minutes as presented. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of May bills to be paid
William Thomas made a motion for the manager to write a letter to the chamber of commerce asking the chamber to explain the benefits of the chamber, Pam Harlowe seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Pam Harlowe made a motion to accept the bills to be paid as presented with the chamber of commerce renewal removed. Roy McGeHee seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/2 with Roy Payne and William Thomas voting in the negative.

Town manager's report

Town attorney's report

Standing Committee Reports:

Beautification / Anti-Litter Committee: James Gutekenst came before Council stating that he would like to do work at Walton Park to earn his Eagle badge. All costs will be paid by the Eagle Scout. Roy Payne made a motion to approve the plans of James Gutekenst. Bernice Wilson-Kube seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative

Budget & Finance Committee: Mr. Thomas feels that the council has two choices, to implement the rates that the budget and finance committee proposed or come up with a plan that would resolve the problem in two years. Mr. Thomas feels that the Council should get their financial house in order before anything is done, such as a new Town/DMV Office. Mr. Payne asked the Town Manager how much money is taken from the general fund and put towards the water fund. Mr. Harper explained that the proposed 08/09 water fund budget shows a negative of $40???/ and then the auditor has the towns water and sewer depreciation at $60,000. Mrs. Wilson-Kube feels that the increases for the water and sewer need to be done in increments and not done all at once. Mr. Besley stated that Mr. Thomas stated that he would like to see the water and sewer break even in two years. Mr. Besley feels that the Council has been raising the rates too slowly. Mr. Thomas is concerned about the citizens being able to pay their water bills also, but Council needs to have a plan. Mr. Payne encourages the Council to review their copies of the proposed budget and rates and come back to the June meeting with a proposal. Mr. Thomas asked if it would be ok with the Council if Mr. Payne and him come up with a plan that the Council and citizens could live with. Mr. Payne feels that it is the next step for a plan to be formed.

Cemetery Committee: Mr. Besley stated that the concrete around the sign does look nice. Roy Payne made a motion to advertise to get soil scientist to look at the cemetery. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/2 with Pam Harlowe and Roy McGeHee voting in the negative. Mr. Pierce stated that he is on the committee and the committee has never had a meeting. He feels that the single veterans are being discriminated against if they are not married. Mr. Pierce has more issues that he has would like to discuss with the committee. It was asked that Mr. Pierce submit his concerns to Ms. Harlowe and Mr. Besley.

Economic Development Committee: Mr. Thomas and Ms. Wilson-Kube will be presenting the pins to the business owners in the Town.

Personnel Committee: Ms. Harlowe understands that there are applications for the maintenance position. The Mayor asked that Ms. Harlowe get with the Town Manager to review these applications.

Police & Legal Matters Committee: No report

Streets Committee: Ms. Wilson-Kube asked if the farmers' market could possibly use the fairgrounds so the parking would be available to the Total Body Fitness patrons on Wednesdays. The possibility of moving the Farmer's Market to the other side was discussed. The Town Manager was asked to research this matter and see if is possible.

Walton Park Committee: The maintenance hours are being tracked when work is done at Walton Park.

Water & Sewer Committee: No report

New Business:

Honor citizens for beatification efforts - this was done at the beginning of the meeting.

Advertising for DMV select - $5 fee - Beginning July 1st persons visiting a customer service center will be charged for a vehicle renewal. It was suggested that press release be put in the Central Virginian, the Lake Anna Observer, County Observer, and the Town website letting people know the DMV Select in Mineral does not charge the $5.00 fee for renewals.

Old Business:

Appointment to comp plan review committee - Bill Thomas, Brooks Besley, Albert Gutekenst, Ed Kube, and Lewis Keller.

Roy Payne made a motion to go to closed session to discuss personnel pursuant ant to 2.2-37 11 A1. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Motion made by Roy Payne to return to open session, seconded by Brooks Besley. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Certification that what was announced was discussed only
Edwin Keller / yes
Pam Harlowe / yes
Brooks Besley / yes
Roy Payne / yes
Bernice Wilson-Kube /yes
William Thomas / yes
Roy McGehee / yes

Roy Payne made a motion to adjourn. Roy McGeHee seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.