MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL
BUCHANAN, VA
August 11, 2014
Mayor Hall called the August meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Treasurer Tina Kingery took roll call with
all Council members present. Mayor Hall had an open prayer. Following the prayer a moment of
silence was held and all that were present stated the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first item of business was approval of the minutes for the July 2014 Council meeting.
Councilwoman Della Hylton made a motion of acceptance. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Ardelia Smith. Mayor Hall asked if there was any discussion regarding the minutes
from the July Council meeting. Councilman Ed Tolley stated at the past meeting, he had requested
from Field Manager Heath Brogan with Engineering Concepts Inc a percentage of completion of the
water line distribution upgrade project and he did not see that percentage in the minutes. Treasurer
Tina Kingery made a note of it and would have Clerk Amanda Aaron review the minutes and make
necessary changes to the July Council minutes.
Next, Town resident Wayne Adkins stated the July Council minutes regarding the Gazebo Reward
money were incorrect. Mr. Adkins stated the reward money amount voted on was $1,000.00 and the
July Council minutes stated the reward amount was $500.00. Mayor Hall stated the minutes would be
reviewed and necessary changes would be made to the minutes as well as the reward posters
throughout Town.
Mayor Hall asked Council if all were in favor of approval of the July Council minutes with the
mentioned changes. The motion was passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council members present in
favor of approval of the July Council minutes with the mentioned changes.
The next item of business was approval of the Financial Report for July 2014. Councilwoman Della
Hylton made a motion of acceptance. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Ardelia Smith. The
motion was passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council members present in favor of the Financial
Report for July 2014.
The next item of business was approval of the unpaid bills. A motion of acceptance was made by
Councilwoman Della Hylton. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Ardelia Smith. Mayor Hall
asked if anyone had questions regarding the unpaid bills. Councilman Ed Tolley had a couple of
questions regarding what some of the vendors do including Montvale Construction, USA Bluebook,
and VA Resource Authority. Mayor Hall explained to Councilman Ed Tolley what each vendor does.
The motion was passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council members present in favor of paying the
unpaid bills.
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Next, Field Manager Heath Brogan with Engineering Concepts Inc stated to Councilman Ed Tolley that
he is currently working on his Excel document with a percentage of completion of the water line
upgrade project that he requested at the July Council meeting. Mr. Brogan stated he is working on a
change order for the VDOT line extension. Mr. Brogan stated the change is a $260,000.00 change that
would also require a 60 day change in the schedule as well. Mr. Brogan stated once that is thru VDH
and RD that will allow a better acquisition of time because of the 60 day extension. Mr. Brogan stated
the current pay application is at 48%, and the estimated completion is at 40%. Mr. Brogan gave an
update on the USDA/RD Water Line Distribution Upgrade Project. Mr. Brogan stated there were a
couple of sections of main that required research to get the pressures up to the operating standard on
20th Street and Chenault Street. Mr. Brogan also stated 1 crew scheduled to begin work on Main
street had to be pulled to fix a severe leak on 15th Street. Mr. Brogan stated work continues on Rte. 11
towards VDOT. Mr. Brogan stated that the main on 3rd Street had been laid from Rte. 11 to Fairview
and down Fairview.
Next, Mayor Hall reported on the Southview Lift Station. Mayor Hall stated that completion of the
Southview Lift Station is at about 70%, and should be complete by the end of next week.
Mayor Hall stated the Rte. 43 lift station is completed and up and running well.
Next, Mayor Hall gave an update on the Bray lawsuit. Mayor Hall stated at the July Council meeting
that a court date was scheduled for August 1, 2014 to decide whether the lawsuit would be dismissed
or proceed to trial. Mayor Hall stated on August 1, 2014 Mrs. Bray appeared before the Federal Judge
without legal Council, and argued that she should be allowed to defend herself without having legal
Council. Mayor Hall stated the Federal Judge allowed both sides to present their argument. Mayor
Hall stated the Judge stated that he would let both sides know his decision in 2 weeks as to whether
the case would be dismissed or proceed to trial.
Next, Mayor Hall asked Council to entertain a motion regarding the Ordinance for the election of the
Mayor and Town Council members at the November General Election, the staggering of the terms of
Council members and the reduction in the number of Town Council members to 4 as written.
Councilman Ed Tolley made a motion of acceptance. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Diane DiPalma. Councilwoman Ardelia Smith made a motion for an amendment to the ordinance to
have the number of Council members remain at 6 instead of 4. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Jane Kneisley. Treasurer Tina Kingery took a roll call vote.
Councilwoman Jane Kneisley-yes
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma-no
Councilman Ed Tolley-no
Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett-no
Councilwoman Della Hylton-yes
Councilwoman Ardelia Smith-yes
Mayor Larry Hall-no
The motion for the amendment to remain at 6 Council members instead of 4 was rejected with a vote
of 4-3.
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Next, Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett made a motion for an amendment to the Ordinance to have the terms
of Council members to remain at 2 years. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Della Hylton.
Treasurer Tina Kingery took a roll call vote.
Councilwoman Jane Kneisley-yes
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma-no
Councilman Ed Tolley-no
Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett-yes
Councilwoman Della Hylton-yes
Councilwoman Ardelia Smith-yes
Mayor Larry Hall-no
The motion for the amendment to have the terms of Council members remain at 2 years was passed
with a vote of 4-3.
Next, Town Attorney Joe Obenshain stated that Council needed to vote on the ordinance as amended
and read the amended ordinance to Council to clarify the amendments made to the ordinance. A roll
call vote was taken by Treasurer Tina Kingery to accept the ordinance as amended.
Councilwoman Jane Kneisley-yes
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma-yes
Councilman Ed Tolley-yes
Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett-yes
Councilwoman Della Hylton-no
Councilwoman Ardelia Smith-no
Mayor Larry Hall- yes
The motion to accept the amended Ordinance was passed with a vote of 5-2.
Next, Mayor Hall reported he had received a quote from C&J Heating in the amount of $4,200.00 for
exhaust fans for the warehouse on Lowe Street. Mayor Hall stated the quote consisted of 1 exhaust
fan on one side of the building and a vent on the other side of the building. Mayor Hall stated he
would like to get a few more quotes for the exhaust fans.
Next, Mayor Hall reported that the Town received Governmental pricing for the generator ordered
from Fidelity Power Systems saving the Town about $350. Mayor Hall stated the total cost of the
generator was $30,900.00.
Mayor Hall stated due committee changes, there were no awards to present this month.
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Next, Mayor Hall asked if there were any citizens wishing to comment on any issues not listed on the
agenda. Town resident Eric Falls wished to speak about the Gauge Lock. Mr. Falls asked what the
status of the Gauge Lock was. Mayor Hall stated at this time the Town is trying to receive grants to
restore the Gauge Lock back to the way it was in the 1800’s. Mayor Hall stated the weather and
numerous Town events have prohibited the Town from resuming work on the Gauge Lock. Mayor Hall
stated that the Town has a certain amount of money that is appropriated for the Gauge Lock, and that
digging will resume soon.
Next, Town resident Charlotte Krantz asked Council if a new business comes to Town if it has to be
brought before the Planning Commission Committee. Downtown Revitalization Manager Harry
Gleason stated a new business would only need to go before the Planning Commission Committee if it
did not meet zoning requirements. Mr. Gleason stated the new business would need to go to the
Town Hall and receive a Business License and a New Business Packet.
Next, Mayor Hall stated there was a clerical error on the adopted water rates. Mayor Hall stated
under the funding with USDA, the rate must be corrected, and that a Public Hearing would be held
before the September Council meeting to discuss the water rate.
Next, Downtown Revitalization Manager Harry Gleason reported on past events held in the Town
including Odyssey Adventure Race held on July 18-20, 2014 and an Evening In Buchanan held on
Friday, August 8th. Mr. Gleason reported on the Botetourt County Fair that was held on Friday, August
8, 2014 and Saturday, August 9, 2014. Mr. Gleason announced that the new spindles for the gazebo
have arrived, and unfortunately do not match because the original company was having difficulties
getting the replacement parts, so the Town went with another company.
Next, Councilwoman Ardelia Smith expressed her concern about the appearance of the Town
between Good Times Café coming into Town. Ms. Smith stated she believed should look into having
the area cleaned up. Mayor Hall stated some of the properties in that stretch of Town are private
properties. Mayor Hall stated he would check with Maintenance to see if they could get that part of
Town cleaned up, or could find some volunteers to help with cleaning up that area.
Next, Councilwoman Della Hylton asked when the next Town Clean-Up would be. Downtown
Revitalization Manager Harry Gleason stated the clean-up date would either be the last Saturday of
September or the 2nd Saturday of October.
The next item of business was to hear Committee Reports. The Public Works Committee, Councilman
Ed Tolley asked if anyone has knowledge of a situation involving Public Works, please come talk to
him, or Mayor Hall. Next, the Public Safety Committee, Councilwoman Jane Kneisley reported on the
speed bump placed in the alley between BB&T and Bank of Botetourt Operations Center. Mrs.
Kneisley also reported at the corner of Rte 43 and Rte. 11 being overgrown. Mrs. Kneisley stated there
is poor visibility when pulling off of Rte. 43 onto Rte. 11 due to this. Mrs. Kneisley stated she has
spoken with VDOT, and they have agreed to clean it up. Mrs. Kneisley also reported a tree hanging
down halfway in the road near Rabbit Run. Mrs. Kneisley stated she had spoken with Mike Hatcher of
VDOT, and Mr. Hatcher will check to see if this is something that VDOT needs to take care of. Mrs.
Kneisley also reported on the condition of the sidewalks on Boyd Street. Mrs. Kneisley stated that the
sidewalks are buckled up and a mess and need to be replaced. Next, the Finance Committee,
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma reported the cash audit was performed on Monday, August 11, 2014.
Mrs. DiPalma stated there was a discrepancy with the cash drawer, but the discrepancy was found
and followed up on and taken care of.
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Next, the Planning Commission Committee, Councilwoman Della Hylton stated that in the past
meeting, it was decided to table the vote to elect Mr. Joe Ryder to the Planning Commission
Committee to allow time for any other interested citizens to come forward. Councilwoman Della
Hylton stated no one else had come forward expressing an interest in the Planning Commission
Committee, and wished to nominate Mr. Joe Ryder for the Planning Commission Committee. A
motion of acceptance was made by Councilwoman Della Hylton. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma. The motion was passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council members
present in favor of electing Mr. Joe Ryder to the Planning Commission Committee. Next, the Events
Committee, Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett thanked everyone who came out and supported the Evening In
Buchanan, and the Botetourt County Fair. Vice-Mayor Boblett stated the proposed 2015 date for the
Evening In Buchanan would be August 14, 2015. Vice-Mayor Boblett stated the Events Committee is
continuing to work on the calendar for 2015. Next, the Awards Committee, Councilwoman Ardelia
Smith announced the new Awards Committee members. The Committee will consist of Councilwoman
Ardelia Smith, Mr. Carson Scaggs, Mr. Mike Burton, and Mrs. Jessie Burton. Mrs. Smith asked if
anyone was interested in participating in the Awards Program to please let her know.
Next, Mayor Hall reported the Town had received a request from James River High School asking for
permission to have the JRHS Homecoming Parade on Main Street, on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 5:00
p.m. Mayor Hall stated he would write a letter to VDOT asking permission for the street closure for
the parade.
Next, Councilwoman Diane DiPalma reported on the search for a Town Manager. Mrs. DiPalma stated
the Town had received 24 applications. Mrs. DiPalma stated that the Town Manager Hiring Committee
has had several meetings and have narrowed down the field of applications, and will begin
interviewing chosen applicants this week.
Next, Councilwoman Della Hylton made a motion of acceptance for Council to go into a closed session
at 9:15 p.m. to discuss business and personal matters as per section 2.2-371 Section A1 of the code of
Virginia as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Ardelia Smith. The motion was
passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council members present in favor of a closed session.
Council returned at 10:00 p.m. Mayor Hall asked for a roll call vote that to the best of Council’s
knowledge only public business matters exempt from open meeting requirements and only such
matters as we had identified in the motion to go into closed session were heard or discussed or
considered during closed session. A roll call vote was taken by Treasurer Tina Kingery.
Councilwoman Jane Kneisley-yes
Councilwoman Diane DiPalma-yes
Councilman Ed Tolley-yes
Vice-Mayor Sarah Boblett-yes
Councilwoman Della Hylton-yes
Councilwoman Ardelia Smith-yes
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With no further discussion, Councilwoman Della Hylton motioned for adjournment. The motion was
seconded by Councilwoman Jane Kneisley. The motion was passed with a vote of 7-0 with all Council
members present in favor of adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina M. Kingery, Treasurer
aga
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