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
7:00 p.m.
September 10, 2007

Roll Call

Invocation was given by William Thomas

Public Comments

David Whitlock was on hand to speak about the Mineral Baptist Church sign. He also thanked the Mineral Town Council on a job well done on the old elementary school and hope the second building could be preserved.

Adopt Agenda (add or take away items at this time)
Move under old business the discussion of the location of a new town hall.
Under new business add historical society meeting

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 August regular meeting minutes
Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Approval of September 2007 bills to be paid
Roy Payne made a motion to approve the bills to be paid. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Standing Committee Reports:

Beautification / Anti-Litter Committee: The beautification committee will began their fall planting at the flower bed at the little league field. The beautification committee will start meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Louisa County library at 7:00p.m.

Budget & Finance Committee: Dr. Thomas has been working with the town manager and town clerk on the financial statements and hopes to bring the revised financial statement to the October council meeting.

Cemetery Committee: The mayor stated that the cemetery looks well.

Economic Development Committee: No report

Personnel Committee: No report

Police & Legal Matters Committee: Mr. McGehee brought a batch of police reports pertaining to the town; he did not have time to compile them, but will get that done for next months meeting.

Streets Committee: No report

Walton Park Committee: The town did receive some concepts from the VA Tech Design Group. In about a week they will contact the town council and set up a meeting with the council. Dr. Thomas feels that at a later date the contract we have for the Bluegrass festival needs to be revised, the town does not receive any compensation for the work they do.

Water & Sewer Committee: No report

New Business:

Meals tax & transient occupancy tax - discussion and direction - The town manager gave a brief description on the meals tax and transient occupancy tax. If the County gets the meals tax passed then the county will collect on the Town of Mineral food. If the town adopts a meals tax then the town will collect the money. A public hearing is needed, as so is an advertisement in the paper. William Thomas made a motion to pursue a meals & transient occupancy tax. Pam Harlowe seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/1 with Roy McGeHee voting in the negative. A public hearing will be set for October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. a tax rate of 5% for both meals and transient occupancy tax.

Cleaning service - The town received two proposal for office cleaning. Due to the volume of the DMV office there is not much chance to clean the office. Roy Payne made a motion to turn it over to the personnel committee and the town manager to make a decision. Roy McGeHee seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Mineral Baptist Church sign - David Whitlock gave a brief description of the proposed sign. The planning commission sent a recommendation of a 36sqft sign, David Whitlock reported that the church council discussed that a 40sqft sign would be a better size due to the driver's ability to read the sign comfortably without distracting the drivers. Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to approve a 5 by 8 total sq 40ft. double sided sign (total of 80sqft) Pam Harlowe seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/2 with Roy Payne and William Thomas voting in the negative.

Increase of tax interest rate to 10% for delinquent accounts. It was recommended that the rate be 10% which is permitted by code, the County also implements the 10% rate. Council by consensus agreed to raise the rate.

Discussion of coalition to formulate recommend actions to the General Assembly for legislative solutions to problems caused by illegal aliens. Table this matter for 30 days.

Proposed new street construction ordinance - direction set the public hearing for October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Bernice Wilson-Kube made a motion to advertise for a public hearing for October 22nd. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

State preservation conference Mrs. Wilson-Kube feels that the Town manager should go. Mr. Harper also feels that the Town clerk should attend this conference, since she does a lot with the grants. Roy Payne made a motion to send Mr. Harper & Mrs. Downing to this workshop. The Mineral Historic society will pay the registration of one attendee. William Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Old Business:

Bishop memorial plaque The church approved the placement of the plaque on the church property as a temporary placement. There is a spot at the historical society. Gaynelle Whitlock believes that it could be placed near the Rowe plaque which would make it more visible to visitors. Roy Payne made a motion to table this matter until the 2nd piece arrives and to have the town manager find out the price to mount this plaque. Brooks Besley seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Location of a new town hall - There has been numerous discussions pertaining to different locations for the new town hall. The Mayor spoke of two pieces of property owned by the Noels, but due to the estate settlement that could take up to a year. Another piece of property was the Johnson property but additional property would have to be purchased and this could become costly. There is also the idea of the town shop location, but that would then result in the town shop being relocated. It was also stated that property may be available in the Sarkis property. This will discussed at a later date.

Closed Session:
Brooks Besley made a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of the acquisition/ disposition of property & personnel pursuant to code 2.2.-37 11 a1 and 2.2-37 11a3. Roy Payne seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

Roy Payne made a motion to return to regular session. Pam Harlowe seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0 with None voting in the negative.

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

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

Adjournment at 9:20p.m.