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
August 11, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Invocation was given by by Pam Harlowe

Public Comments
Jimmy Gutekenst gave a brief review of his Eagle Scout project at Walton Park and showed pictures.

Albert Gutekenst appreciated Council's support with his son's Eagle Scout project.

Jimmie Dodd thanked Jimmy Gutekenst for his work at Walton Park. Mr. Dodd also thanked Council for the use of Walton Park for the Blue Grass Festival. Mr. Dodd expressed his concern with the Mineral Post Office now sending local mail to Richmond to sort.

Dr. Gaynelle Whitlock came before Council on behalf of Mineral Historic Foundation. Ms. Whitlock invited Council to attend Remembering Mineral that will be held in August and September. Ms. Whitlock spoke pertaining to the historical rating and the available tax credits. The assistance of herself and the Mineral Historic Foundation is offered to the Town citizens.

Tex Pierce said he was at last months meeting and wanted to know what the Attorney General's opnion was concerning the vote of Vice Mayor. Mr. Maus gave his findings of the attorney general. The attorney general's opnion from thirty five years ago was that when the Vice Mayor is acting as Mayor that the Vice Mayor does not have a vote unless it is a tie breaker

Adopt Agenda (add or take away items at this time)
Under new business add proclamation of Environmental Sustainability
Under old business add review of code binders.
Under closed session add litigation.
Remove motel discussion under old business
Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of July regular meeting minutes
Brooks Besley made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Bernice Wilson-Kube seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of August bills to be paid
Roy Payne made a motion to accept the bills to be paid as presented, Roy McGeHee 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: The new banners have arrived and will be installed.

Budget & Finance Committee: The committee met with the Town manager and discussed the water and sewer rates and salary proposals. The committee is proposing that the water and sewer rates be increased over three years. William Thomas made a motion to change the water and sewer rates as presented by committee. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/2 with Roy McGeHee and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative.

The committee also gave their recommendation on personnel salaries. Discussion followed. A 2.9% increase was proposed for all employees expect the two who were authorized last year. Discussion followed. Roy Payne made a motion to approve Ms. Leake, Ms. Hairfield, Ms. Morris, Ms. Williard, and Mr. Harlowe at a 2.9% increase Mr. Lawson's after a six month evaluation. Ms. Downing as approved last year and Mr. Harper not until he gets his class 6 license William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 3/2 with Pam Harlowe and Bernice Wilson-Kube voting in the negative. Mr. McGehee abstained from this motion.

Mr. McGehee left the meeting at 8:13 p.m.

Cemetery Committee: Bishop plaque placement - Discussion followed. The town manager will get proposals for a bracket of some sort to hold the bishop plaque. Committee recommendation is for the cemetery to buy back lots that have been sold at the cemetery's option at 75% of the contract price. Recommendation of committee was accepted 5/0 with None voting in the negative. Discussion of cemetery appraisal. The town manager will discuss this further with the auditor. Committee's recommendation is for the soil consultant M & M to obtain the job. Recommendation of committee passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. Committee's recommendation pertaining to number of bodies per grave is that the current rules be followed which are one body per grave. Recommendation of committee was accepted 5/0 with none voting in the negative.

Economic Development Committee: No report

Personnel Committee: No report

Police & Legal Matters Committee: No report

Streets Committee: There is small soft spot in the road on Mineral Avenue. The VDOT Cuckoo office is trying to find a camera to investigate this soft spot.

Walton Park Committee: No report

Water & Sewer Committee: No report

New Business:

Appropriate the budget - Roy Payne made a motion to confirm appropriation of the 08/09 budget dating back to July 1, 2008. Bernice Wilson-Kube seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative.

Cemetery Committee - items to discuss- This was discussed earlier in the meeting under cemetery committee.

VRS resolution - Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to adopt the resolution. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. This resolution was needed by VRS for record keeping purposes only.

Walton Park application - Mineral Business Association/ Louisa County Parks & Recreation - The application is for a fall festival for November 1, 2008. Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to accept the application as presented. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative.

DMV stops - adopt resolution - Brooks Besley made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. Pam Harlowe seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. This would allow the Town of Mineral to put stops on DMV records for town taxpayers owing personal property taxes.

Environmental Sustainability Proclamation - Roy Payne made a motion to adopt the proclamation as presented. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with None voting in the negative. This proclamation is needed for the Town's participation in the Virginia Go Green program.

Old Business:

BPOL Ordinance - discussion-Jack Maus - Discussion followed. A public hearing for BPOL ordinance will be advertised for next months meeting.

Offering of out of town trash service - extend to Spring Road - Due to the lack of response this service will not be offered.

Code binder - Council's decision is for the binder to read Town of Mineral and no image

Roy Payne made a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel and litigation pursuant to VA Code 2.2 37 11 A1 and VA Code 2.2. 37 11 A7. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0 with none voting in the negative.

Roy Payne made a motion to go return to open session, seconded by Bernice Wilson-Kube. Motion passed 5/0 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

Motion made by Bernice Wilson-Kube to adjourn, seconded by Pam Harlowe. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative