Minutes of the Varnville Town Co

Town of Varnville
March 1, 2010
7:00 pm

Present: Mayor Henry Fields Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem Lloyd Tootie Griffith, Council Members Adam Major, Henry Tuten, Ronald Williams and Nat Shaffer.

Mayor Fields called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Pledge of Allegiance was said and Invocation was done by Councilman Tuten.

Mayor Fields thanked all the visitors for coming.

Mayor Fields recognized Amy Roberts. Amy Roberts' concern was the street signs in her neighborhood. Her concern happened at the end of 2009, on 70 Bowers Street where she lives. EMS could not find her house because there were no street signs. General discussion on this matter. It was determined signs would be installed.

The town has to be in compliance with the American Disabilities Act. We have been working on this matter since 2008. Christine Parker, Coordinator of this project introduced Denise Draper from LCOG. She explained to the council a few things we still have to complete to comply. One was the Self-Evaluation questionnaire, a transition plan, grievance procedure and telephone access for the hearing impaired. These have to be adopted tonight. Councilman Shaffer made the motion to adopt and Councilman Griffith seconded. All of these items have been implemented. Draper explained about the needs and assessment for the town and asked the council to give her a prioritized list of three projects for the Community Development Block Grant. Water Looping, Street Scaping and Sewer Expansion was mentioned by Councilman Shaffer. Councilman Griffith mentioned equipment for the fire department. Councilman Williams had questions regarding green space. Denise indicated this would be open areas and parks, a place citizens could go and it would be environmentally sound and clean.

Executive Session: Councilman Shaffer made the motion and was seconded by Major to go into executive session, with former Councilman Frank McClure, to discuss contractual matters.

Councilman Griffith made the motion to come out of executive session and Councilman Shaffer seconded the motion. Mayor Fields stated, "We went into executive session to discuss two contractual matters." Council voted to buy new software from QS1. Councilman Griffith motioned to purchase QS1 and Councilman Major seconded. All in favor. Council Shaffer motioned to give Bill Fleetwood as a second mortgage, $27,000 to move his antique shop and Councilman Griffith seconded. All in favor.

Executive Session: Mayor Fields said we need to go back into executive session to discuss a personnel problem. Motion by Councilman Major and Councilman Tuten seconded. All in favor.

Back in regular session, motion by Councilman Griffith and seconded by Councilman Shaffer. No action was taken.

Financial report: No financial report tonight.

Public Works: Director of Public Works, Bobby Edwards stated he attended an OSHA class on trenching and confined spaces. Also, Wilkins road pipe line has been fixed.

Brian, with Chaos & Speed attended the meeting to get an update about his CDBG loan application. Councilman Shaffer gave an update of our CDBG loan procedure. Mayor Fields thanked him for coming and told Brian to get in touch with Councilman Shaffer or Councilman Williams.

Councilman Shaffer said he had one matter which didn't make it to the agenda. This regards the funds the Town of Varnville will receive, $100,000.00, to improve four homes. “I met with Barbara from LOCOG last week concerning these funds. I would like to go through this quickly and execute. We have to adopt it. We have already discussed it and have been awarded it. What it states is, ‘The Town of Varnville will rehabilitate four owned or un-occupied homes.’ The houses must be located throughout the Town of Varnville. All houses will be brought up to Hampton County Codes.” Councilman Shaffer made a motion to adopt and Councilman Griffith seconded. All in favor.

Councilman Griffith discussed the importance of doing the Census Report and how he's worked very closely with Paul Sheppard on this matter.