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
June 9, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Invocation was given by by William Thomas

Public comments - there were no comments

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

Approval of May regular meeting minutes
Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of June bills to be paid
Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to approve bills to be paid as presented. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Town manager's report

Town attorney's report

Standing Committee Reports:

Beautification / Anti-Litter Committee: Flower pots have been purchased for in front of the Town office.

Budget & Finance Committee: The budget and finance committee presented the Council with some proposed rate changes, the budget will be voted on later on in the meeting.

Cemetery Committee: No report

Economic Development Committee: The pins were presented to the majority of the local businesses last week.

Personnel Committee: Employee raises were discussed at length. No action was taken.

Police & Legal Matters Committee: No report

Streets Committee: No report

Walton Park Committee: Mr. Besley stated that Walton park was cleaned up nice Sunday after the Poker Run. Bernice Wilson-Kube stated that she was at the Poker Run on Saturday and found that the leaves were very dangerous and needed to be removed.

Water & Sewer Committee: No report

New Business:

Adopt PPTRA - Roy McGeHee made a motion to adopt the PPTRA of 43.21%. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Adopt rates - Ms. Wilson-Kube stated she believed the option was given only to raise the personal property not the real estate tax rate. Mr. Payne stated that was not his understanding. Ms. Wilson-Kube does not believe it is right that the committee be the only ones to work on this and the Council has not had a workshop together. The budget and finance committee proposed a two year plan to increase the rates over a two year period instead of one. Ms. Harlowe asked had the committee thought of raising the minimum water usage. Mr. McGehee stated that he would be more inclined to vote for the 33% if the minimum was increased. Mr. Besley stated that he was inclined to go with the 33% this year and do 33% increase the next year. Roy Payne made a motion to raise the real estate to $.26 and raise the personal property to $.50. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion failed 3/3 with Pam Harlowe, Roy McGeHee and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative. The question was asked if the Vice-Mayor could vote being that she was the acting official. The Town Attorney was asked and Mr. Maus felt in his opinion that Ms. Harlowe could not vote if she was standing in for the Mayor. William Thomas made a motion to raise the personal property to $.60. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. William Thomas made a motion to raise the out town trash rates to $310 then raise it to $520.00 the next year. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. Roy Payne made a motion to raise the water and sewer rates 33.5% for in town and out of town. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 3/2 with Roy McGeHee and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative. The bushhoging rates were discussed. Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the bush hog rates as presented $100.00 for the first hour $50.00 for each hour after, one hour minimum. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 3/2 with Roy McGeHee and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative. Brooks Besley made a motion to adopt the rest of the proposed rates. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/1 with Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative. When the rates are raised the people are already being doubled taxed and then they have to go to the County and get permits from both Louisa County and the Town of Mineral.

Adopt budget 08/09 - Mr. Thomas feels that the Council should give the Town employees raises. Mrs. Wilson-Kube stated that she feels that the Council should have a workshop before the budget is adopted. Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the budget as presented with the exclusion of the salaries until the attorney can get back to the Council with matter of resending the prior motion from last year. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 3/2 with Roy McGeHee and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative.

Dell warranty - DMV computers -Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to buy the warranty for two years. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative.

Louisa County Chamber of Commerce - Deana Meredith - Came before the Council to inform the Town of the benefits associated with being a member of the Chamber. William Thomas made a motion to continue the town's membership with the Chamber of Commerce. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative.

Resolution - VA transportation fund - Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. Roy McGeHee seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative.

Past due tax collection - The firm Taxing Authority Consulting Services, which is working with the County for past due tax collections is willing to work with the Town for persons who owe Louisa County and the Town of Mineral real estate taxes. Roy Payne made a motion to record the lien on the Sacra property, then proceed working with the Taxing Authority Consulting Services on properties that are also being persuade by Louisa County. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. The Town attorney was asked to take care of this.

Cemetery $200.00 refund - DeAnne Henline - This was discussed and asked that Mrs. Henline provide the Town attorney with the necessary information. The Town attorney will look into this matter and bring it back to Council.

Old Business:

Mr. Thomas informed Council that Ms. Gaynelle Whitlock has a nephew who specializes in the type of work concerning the Old Mineral School and would like to help with this type of work at no charge to the town. This is concerning the building that is still standing. It is Council's wish that the Town Attorney contact Ms. GAynelle Whitlock's nephew and bring back the information to Council.

Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to adjourn. Roy McGeHee seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative