Lebanon Town Council Called Meeting Town Hall, Lebanon, VA Monday, March 25, 2020 4:001 P.M.  Council Members Present:  Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor DeAnna C. Jackson, Vice- Mayor J. Hassel Kegley, Council Member A. Doyle Fieids, Council Member Kevin B. Ferguson, Council Member ScottJ J. Gilmer, Council Member Mary J. Stanley, Council Member Mark A. Mitchell, Town ManagerCherorPolice A. Diane Nunley, Clerk ofCouncil Kevin D. Tiller, Town Attorney  StaffN Members Present:  I II. III. IV.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dodi.  Prayer: Mr. Mitchell Pledge of Allegiance Items to Discuss  A. Cancel Reconvened March 30, 2020 Meeting.  Upon motion made by Ms. Jackson, seconded by Ms. Stanley, the Town Council unanimously voted to cancel the March 30, 2020 Reconvened Meeting. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr.  Ferguson, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye.  B.. Discuss fees that customers are charged when using their credit card to pay bills.  The Town Council discussed the 2.75% fee that customers are charged when using a credit card to pay their bill, as ofnow the customer is charged the extra fee which goes to the credit card company. The council agreed for the customer to only be charged their bill amount ifthey used their credit card toj pay online or by phone with the Town paying the 2.75% fee incurred by the credit card company for a 90-day period.  C. Local Business Assistance  Mayor Dodi advised that the IDA of Russell County had $65,000 in funds that was The Town Council discussed the COVID-19 financial impact on the" Town ofLebanon  available to loan the local businesses..  businesses, as well as ways fo assist during this critical period.    Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Ms. Jackson, the Town Council unanimously voted to institute as small business reliefloan funding in partnership with the IDA ofRussell County: Allocating $75,000 for small business relief for Town of Lebanon businesses essential and nonessential that are affected by COVID-19 pandemic through June 30, 2020. Loan funds will be up to $5,000 at a 0% interest rate with a2- year repayment plan starting January 1,2021. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Ferguson, Aye; Ms. The Town Council discussed deferring Business License due date from May 1,2020 until Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Ms. Jackson, the Town Council. unanimously voted to approve for all Town ofLébanon businesses to defer all business license payments due on May 1,2 2020, to August 1, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Ferguson, Aye, Ms.) Stanley, Aye. Ms. Stanley suggested the town print coupon books for the local businesses to encourage  Stanley, Aye: August 1, 2020.  local citizens to shop local. The council agreed. to discuss later..  D. The Town Council discussed Mr. Mitchell's Emergency Employee Plan, they agreed in the event the plan was enacted all employees would be paid until the Town Council was  able to meet. E. Other assistance efforts  The Town Council discussed different avenues to help all town citizens by decreasing their utility bills. Ms. Jackson requested cut each bill by $10. Mr. Mitchell requested to Upon motion made by Mr. Gilmer, seconded by Ms. Stanley, the Town Council voted to provide town citizens immediate reliefon water and sewer utilities by cutting the base rate for residential in town utility customers in half or equivalent for the month of April. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Nay; Mr.  help the town citizens on a as needed basis.  Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Ferguson, Nay; Ms. Stanley, Aye.  The Town Council agreed for the month of April no water cut-offs.  Mr. Gilmer discussed refinancing the Recreation Center Bond $2,500,000, Polycap Bond $1,100.000, Steel Fab Bond $2,344,000 and the Duty Tank Bond $3,100,000. Upon motion made by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Gilmer, the Town Council unanimously voted to cancel all public hearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer,  Aye; Mr. Ferguson, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye.    V.  Adjourn: 6:20 P.M.  Upon motion made by Mr. Kegley, seconded by Mr. Gilmer, the Town Council unanimously voted to adjourn. The vote was as follows: Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms. Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields,  Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Ferguson, Aye; Ms. Stanley, Aye.  Mn-shy 9mi Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor  AMaso A. Diane Nunley, Clerk  Minutes recorded by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council Minutes prepared by: A. Diane Nunley, Clerk of Council  haky