Lebanon Town Council Regular Monthly Meeting Town Hall, Lebanon, Virginia Monday, January 11,2021 6:00 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 Mary J. Stanley, Council Member M. Elijah Leonard, Council Member W. Bradley Lambert, Council Member Kevin L. Blankenship, Town Manager A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council Richard Eric Deskins, ChiefofPolice Kevin D. Tiller, Town Attorney  Staff Members Present:  I. II. III. IV.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dodi.  Prayer: Mr. Blankenship Pledge of Allegiance Edit fori items not on the agenda:  Upon motion made by Ms. Stanley, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the agenda was approved. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. unanimously  Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  Gilmer, Aye; Ms.  VI.  Edit and approve minutes from the 12/14/20 regular council meeting.  Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the minutes from the regular council meeting was unanimously approved. The vote was as follows: Ms. 12/14/20 Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Jackson,  Aye.  VII. Approve accounts payable and capital assets for the month of December:  Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Mr. Fields, the accounts  December was unanimously approved. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, payable for the month of Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye. Aye; Mr. Fields,  VIII. New Business  A. Award HVAC Bid for Russell Theater    Mr. Blankenship recommended, based upon his meeting to review the HVAC bids with General Contractor Keith Steffey, to award Starnes, Inc. the bid with the Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Mr. Fields, the Town Council voted to award, to the low bidder, Starnes, Inc. the HVAC Bid on the Russell Theater unanimously amount of$67,000. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. for the Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  choice the at  the lewest bid amount of $67,000.  option one  B. Award Bridge Inspection Proposals  Mr. Blankenship advised that he recommended to award RS&H the Bridge Inspection Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the Town Council unanimously voted to award the Bridge Inspection proposals to RS&H for a The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, three-year term.  proposal, based upon his review oft the proposals.  Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  Aye; Ms. Stanley,  IX. Public Request:  Jess Powers, Emergency Services Director, advised the Town Council that he had never direction from the Emergency Management director toj proceed with the FEMA application. The Town ofLebanon's total claim mount is $78,000.00. Town ofLebanon's advised that he has approached the Russell Board of Supervisors to fund the Town Mr. Powers under FEMA or if possible, utilize the CARES Act Funds. He stated that additional staff or overtime to help him work on FEMA applications responsibilities during this COVID pandemic. So far, he has not been plus cover his some ofhis overtime. Russell County is reimbursed 57% for the administrative hour granted that request for and Levi Horton, the Deputy Coordinator work. Mr. Powers stated that Carl wages Rhea is Mr. Powers Oris Christian, Russell County Supervisor at Large, advised the Town Council that Mr. has worked diligently to take care ofall of Russell Counties COVID issues flood applications with FEMA that the Mr. Rhea will allow him Mayor Dodi expressed his appreciation for Mr. Powers and Mr. Christian  received ofLebanon he has requested  Emergency Management Director.  Powers  plus, help with all the  process.  Council meeting to answer to questions that each Town Council member had. attending the Town  X. Town Managers Report  Mr. Blankenship advised that he attended ai meeting with Debbie Milton with Cumberland Plateau Planning Commission concerning the Downtown Revitalization business has applied for the Micro Loans. The Budget for the Downtown project. Aso oftoday, no has $50,000 set aside for local businesses to receive as ai micro loan. Mr. Revitalization project recommended to revisit the budge to move these funds over for façade Blankenship  Downtown area.  improvements ini the    Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Ms. Stanley the Town Downtown Revitalization project. The vote is as follows: Ms. Jackson, Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Mr. Blankenship advised that Ms. Milton requested the Town ofLebanon  voted to dissolve the micro loans element in thel Downtown Revitalization Council unanimously with Ms. Milton, Administrator, to place the funds in a different element in project the and to work  Town's Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye;  Lambert, Aye.  Income Plan designed in the event that the Town ofLebanon received implement a Program  Downtown Revitalization project.  any revenue in the  Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Mr. Leonard, the Town  voted to approve the Virginia Community Development Block Grant Council unanimously presented and to authorize Mayor Dodi to sign the said document. The Program Income Plan as  Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms.  vote was as follows: Ms.  Lambert, Aye. personnel issues. XI. ChiefofPolicel Report  Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr.  Mr. Blankenship requested to speak with the Town Council in closed session  regarding two  Chief Deskins discussed the police report. Chief Deskins updated the Town the Shop with a Cop back in December 2020. He advised the Police Officers Council regarding twenty kids allowing $250.00 per child. Mayor Dodi commended Chief Deskins shopped with  Officers on the Shop with a Cop program.  and the Polica  XII. Town Attorney Report  Mr. Tiller advised that he had items to discuss in closed session.  XIII. Committee Reports  Mr. Leonard, Street Chairman, advised that the Street Committee met on Town received $944,464.00 in Urban Maintenance Funds.  advised that the Street Committee's main focus was on the State Street funds. January 5, 2021. He $823,000.00 in remaining funds. Mr. Leonard advised that They he now. have al balance ofaround focus on State Street to utilize these funds. He stressed to utilize would the like for Mr. Blankenship 10 when possible to save on the General Fund. Mr. Gilmer advised to review Urban all Maintenance the Town Funds budget and anything that can be used for the Urban Maintenance Funds to make Mr. Gilmer, Financial Chairman, advised that the CD's were coming due advised that he would like for Mr. Blankenship to instruct tor renew until the Finance Committee could check present a recommendation. Mr. Gilmer advised that all fo.r Bond  He stated that the  Street's changes. in February 2021. He  Beverly Stinson not to allow the CD's  rates at other Financial Institutions  and then  requested to eliminate the Escrow. Account for the funds to toward payments the Bond are due. Mr. Gilmer Community Center. Mr. Gilmer requested for Mr. Blankenship to continue payment on the  COVID related expenses.  keep records of    XIV. Other Business  A. Summer Events Discussion  Mayor Dodi advised that Cedar Fest was scheduled for the middle ofJune events scheduled later in the year of2021. The Town Council discussed 2021 plus other the COVID pandemic. The Town Council agreed to maybe just schedule their concerns due to  2021.  one event for Fall  B. Reopening Town Hall & Community Center Discussion  Mayor Dodi advised that the Governor of Virginia's executive order with all limitations January 31, 2021 at 11:59 P.M. The Town Council agreed to keep both offices closed ends  until. January 31, 2021.  at least  XV. Enter closed session: 7:28 P.M.  A. Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Ms. Stanley, the Town Council unanimously voted to go into closed session under Code Section the purpose of personnel recommendation by the Town Manager 2.2-3711(A)C)7). and as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. legal. The vote was  for  Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  Stanley,A Aye; Mr  B. Upon motion made by Mr. Lambert, seconded by Ms. Stanley, the Town Council unanimously voted to return to regular session. The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard,  Mr. Aye;  Lambert, 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 ofy your knowledge, (1) the Town Council in its' closed session; only discussed publ.c business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under this Chapter and (2) that only such public business matters as identified ini the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, were Council who believes that there was a departure from the requirements Any of clauses Town (2), shall SO state prior to the vote, indicating the substance oft the departure The roll call vote was as follows: Mayor Dodi, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye;  discussed, or considered in the meeting by the Town Council.  member oft the  in (1) and that, their  judgment, has taken place.  Aye; Mr. Blankenship, Aye; ChiefDeskins, Aye.  Tiller,  XVI. Adjourn closed session: 9:36P.M.    XVII. Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Gilmer, the Town Council voted to hire Michael Ward for the position of Community Police Officer at the unanimously The vote was as follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Upon motion made by Mr. Fields, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the Town  discussed salary. Aye; Ms. Stanley,  Aye; Mr. Leonard, Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  voted to adjust the pay raise for the Water Plant Employee at the discussed Council unanimously follows: Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, rate. The vote was as Mayor Dodi advised that the Town received 10 applications for the Accounting Assistant position. The Town Council agreed toi interview. Janice Halsey, Derrick  Aye; Mr. Lambert, Aye.  Aye; Mr. Leonard,  and Regina Duty. XVIII. Adjourn: 8:10P.M.  Lester, Jennifer Duty  Upon motion made by Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Fields, the Town  voted to adjourn to reconvene on January 28, 2021 at 4:30P.M. The vote Council was as unanimously Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye; Mr Leonard, follows: Ms.  Lambert, Aye.  Aye; Mr.  X-Bhey Eni OWlane  Melson "Tony" Dodi, Mayor Minutes recorded  A. Diane  Clerk Nunley, of    unloy  by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council  Minutes prepared by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council