Lebanon Town Council Regular Monthly Meeting Town Hall, Lebanon, Virginia Monday,January 9, 2023 6:001 P.M.  Council Members Present:  Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor DeAnna C. Jackson, Vice- Mayor A. Doyle Fields, Council Member Scott. J. Gilmer, Council Member M. Elijah Leonard, Council Member W. Bradley Lambert, Council Member J. Leonard Kegley, Council Member Andrew R. Shortt, Town Manager Kevin D. Tiller, Town Attorney A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council Richard Eric Deskins, ChiefofPolice  Staff Members Present:  I. II. III. IV.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dodi.  Prayer: Shawn Street Pledge of Allegiance Edit for items not on the agenda:  Upon motion made by Ms. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the agenda was unanimously approved. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Edit and approve minutes from the 12/12/22 regular council meeting, 01/03/23 organizational Mr. Fields stated that in the 12/12/22 regular council meeting minutes, item XIX stated that the motion was made by Mr. Leonard and seconded by Mr. Leonard. Ms. Nunley advised that it Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the minutes from the 12/12/22 regular council meeting as amended, 01/03/23 organizational meeting was unanimously approved. The vote was as follows: Ms.. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr.  Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley,Aye.  V.  meeting.  should have stated that Mr. Lambert seconded the motion.  Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  VI. Approve accounts payable and capital assets for the month ofDecember:  Mr. Shortt requested to add A/P Preliminary report B. Mr. Leonard stated that on the credit card ending in 2556. Mr. Shortt stated there was a fraudulent charge to Lowes in the amount of $1,700. He advised that Ms. Halsey tried to get the charges reversed but there was aj personnel change at the credit card company therefore it didn't get resolved within the required time frame.    He: stated that now they are saying we didn'trespond within the time frame. Mr. Shortt stated Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Ms. Jackson, the accounts payable for the month ofDecember with the additional A/P preliminary report B was unanimously approved. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr.  that he will make sure the charges get removed.  Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  VII. Public Request:  Kim Smith-Heart of Appalachia  Ms. Smith presented an updated annual report on the Heart of Appalachia. She thanked the Town ofLebanon for being aj part oft the Heart of Appalachia. She stated that she felt it was her duty to update the Town regarding the success ofi marketing due to their annual donation. She reviewed some highlights in the annual report such as marketing back roads heavily to motorcycle riders through some TV shows and social media sites which increased their website traffic by 21%. She stated that the Heart of Appalachia assisted with some events and festivals throughout the year which they directly distributed and mailed around 80,000 pieces of material. Ms. Smith stated that recently they released ai music venue which highlights the musical heritage oft the region which increased their website traffic by 20% and social media by 22% as ofl last week. She advised that on the last page is a que barcode which you can scan to check out their website. She stated that they recently did an economic impact study with a third party, she stated that the report was pretty astounding it stated that $253 million worth ofb business industry was within the seven-  county region with $31 million being in Russell County alone. Svitlana Boyd-Real Estate Tax ReliefCheck, Viers Court Road  Ms. Boyd along with her son Ted Boyd presented an estimate from Quality Paving to pave the road on Viers Court. They requested the Town Council help fund this project. Mr. Tiller advised that Viers Court is aj private road which must meet VDOT specs in order for the Town to take the road in as a Town Road and maintain it. Mayor Dodi advised Ms. Boyd and her son that the Town Council could not make a decision tonight, but Mr. Shortt will meet with Quality Paving to discuss the details oftheir quote. Mayor Dodi advised that another point ofinformation is that there isi interest in connecting Route 71 to Viers Court because as of now there is only one way in Ms. Boyd questioned why she did not receive a tax reliefcheck. Mayor Dodi advised that in order for citizens to receive the tax reliefrefund they must be in good standing with the Town, no past-due accounts or not in violation with any Town Ordinances. Ms. Boyd stated that she has spoken with some citizens that did: receive the tax reliefrefund and some that did not receive it. Juanita Snead stated that she is Hassel and Betty Kegley' 's daughter. She stated that she was here to talk about the tax relief checks. She questioned why her parents did not receive their tax relief check. She stated that her mother called the Town Hall a couple oft times and finally Mr. Shortt called her back with a response that the reason they didn'treceive! it was because the Town Council told him not to. Mr. Shortt stated that was because oft the Inoperable Vehicle Ordinance. Ms. Snead stated that the business shouldn't have anything to do with their home. Mr. Shortt  and one way out to this area.  She stated that it is not fair.    explained that the motion stated that all properties must bei in compliance before receiving a refund. Ms. Snead requested a copy oft the motion. She stated that she thought it was just businesses that were in violation didn'treceive the refund. Mr. Tiller advised that no Businesses received a tax reliefrefund, just Town Citizens. Mr. Tiller stated that only the Town Citizens that were not in violation ofany Town Ordinances received the refund therefore he stated that there must have been a decision made that they were in violation ofaTown Ordinance. Mr. Leonard advised that there is a complaint on file with Mr. Kegley's property on Route 82. Ms. Snead stated what has that to do with their home. Mr. Leonard stated that the motion stated that you must be in good standing with the Town. Ms. Snead stated that they received a nuisance notice, but they were not going tol be bullied by the Town. Mayor Dodi promised to review this situation.  VIII. New Business  Recommend Board of Zoning Appeals Member  Mr. Tiller advised that the Town Council needed to make recommendations to the Judge concerning adding a member to the Board ofZoning Appeals Board which will replace Judy Lockridge and will serve a five-year term. Mr. Leonard recommended Jerry Stinson. Mayor Dodi recommended Aaron Bostic. Mr. Tiller advised that Mr. Shortt needed to send a letter to  him with these recommendations.  IX. Town Managers Report  Mr. Shortt advised that he spoke with. Joseph Puckett with Point Broadband. He stated that Mr. Puckett is taking a new role with Point Broadband therefore the Town's new point of contact is Randy Hamm. He stated that Point Broadband is still having issues getting permits from Verizon for them to move forward. Mr. Shortt stated that he spoke with Aaron Morrison of Quanta Services, Inc. who Point Broadband has subcontracted for the cable installation. Mr. Morrison stated that Lebanon is a priority which he plans to send several crews to complete this project. Mr. Shortt stated that he received a call from a Town Citizen requesting the Town participate in the Promise Program. He stated that iti isal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program administered by Virginia Department of social Services in partnership with Promise. He advised that the State of Virginia allocate $22 million for water/wastewater bill assistance. Mr. Shortt stated that the Town could enroll in the program which is no fees to the Town, or any strings attached. The Promise program started September 2022 and will run through October 2023 which the program may be extended. Thej program helps qualified candidates, which is anyone who receives any assistance through Social Services. The program will pay a one-time fee of up to $2,500 which would help anyone on the disconnect list. The Town would give them the cut-off list and billing information which then the program will take care oft the rest like audits, marketing and SO forth. In order to get assistance, the citizens must sign up: for this Upon motion made by Ms. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the Town Council unanimously voted to be a part oft the Promise Program to assist Town Citizens with their past due Utility accounts. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr.  program through Social Services.  Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.    Mr. Shortt expressed the need for the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Finance Committee to meet to discuss redoing the Bathrooms, Basketball Court and landscaping at the Town Hall. The Town Councill agreed to set a Parks and Recreation Committee and Finance  Committee meeting for. January 16, 2023, at 5:00 P.M.  X.  ChiefofPolicel Report  ChiefDeskins presented the monthly Police Report. He stated that the shop with a cop program was a success which helped twelve kids. He expressed his appreciation for all donations. ChiefDeskins advised that all the car radios are here but still waiting on the portable radios which  should be here within the next couple ofmonths.  XI.  Town Attorney Report  Mr. Tiller advised that he had nothing to report.  XII.  Committee Reports  Mr. Leonard presented an updated State Street report.  XIII. Enter closed session: 6:48 P.M.  A. Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the Town Council unanimously voted to go into closed session under Code Section 2.2-3711(A)0)(7) for the purpose of discussing personnel issues and legal counseling. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr.  Kegley, Aye.  B. Upon motion made by Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Kegley, the Town Council unanimously voted to return to regular session. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  C. A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council, presented the Roll Call Vote:  Virginia Code, 1950, Section 2.2-3712(D)  Do you certify that to the best of your knowledge, (1) the Town Council in its' closed session; only discussed public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under this Chapter and (2) that only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed, ord considered in the meeting by the Town Council. Any member oft the Town Council who believes that there was a departure from the requirements ofclauses (1) and (2), shall SO state prior to the vote, indicating the substance of the departure that, in their judgment, has The roll call vote was as follows: Mayor Dodi, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye; Mr. Shortt, Aye; Mr.  taken place.  Tiller, Aye.    XIV. XV.  Adjourn closed session: 8:17P.M.  Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the Town Council unanimously voted to promote Richard Nash to Assistant Water/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor at discussed salary. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the Town Council unanimously voted to promote Kevin Stallard to Assistant Street Supervisor at discussed salary. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the Town Council unanimously voted to adjust the pay for Jennifer Woodliefto the discussed amount. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr.  Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  Kegley,Aye. Adjourn: 8:201 P.M.  XVI.  Upon motion made by Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Gilmer, the Town Council unanimously voted to adjourn. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer,  Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye.  Q. Bio A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council  2MCR Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor  Minutes recorded by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council Minutes prepared by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council