Council Minutes Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. -5 502 Front St. E, Coeburn, VA Attendees: Upon roll call, all members of Council were present. Jimmy Williams - Town Manager, and William Sturgill - Town Attorney, were also present. Cathy Sharpe, Clerk/Treasurer, was absent. Call to Order: Mayor Deventae Mooney called the meeting to order. Reverend Marty Puckett, Mary's Chapel, gave the invocation. The group remained standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Deventae Mooney. Public Expression: Ms. LindaLane, 618 Meadow Street, asked Council to help her understand what is going on in the town. Ms. Lanc asked Council what their vision was for the town when they were running for the town, what has been accomplished regarding those visions, and how does Council have the best interests oft the town at heart? Ms. Lane said she is disgusted by the fact that the town allowed the Kid's Fishing Day to takc place at the creek during the Guest River Rally, when she knows that Flo Hilton has tried for years to do something about the sewage that is going into the creek. Ms. Mr. Reggie Campbell, 612 Meadow Street, askcd Council for copies of bylaws and ordinances of Ms. Bobbie Powers, 5248 Couch Mountain Road, had asked Council at the October 23rd meeting to vote on issues regarding how water disconnections are handled. Ms. Powers informed Council that she had dropped off all the information regarding her water bill and disconnection to the Commonwealth Attorney for review. Ms. Powers said that in order to gain her respect, Council will need to stop treating people in the town like idiots and recognize that a 20-day grace period top pay past due bills is not the same as a disconnect notice. Ms. Powers pointed out that a printed disconnect notice is in the lobby at town hall, but not all citizens pass through there. Ms. Powers said that she was advised that the card stock used to print bills on was too small to allow the addition ofa disconnect notice on the bill, but in speaking with someone who previously worked for the wise water department, she believes it should be able to be on the bill. As another option, Ms. Powers suggested handwriting a disconnect day on the past due bills. Ms. Powers questioned Council'si intelligence and integrity and suggested using a stamp on the bills. Ms. Powers said she still wants to know what happened with the Covid Funding the town received and how Council voted on the issue. Ms. Powers said that she will be following up on the disconnect issuc and thc complacency of the council is why she has gotten the Commonwealth Attorney's office involved. Lane said she may have more to discuss at the next meeting. the town. Town of Coeburn - Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 Page 1of5 Response to Public Expression: There was: no response to prior Public Expression. Mr. William Sturgill and Council will nced to discuss the issue further in Closed Session before a response can be made. Approval of the Agenda: Mr. Mooney made a motion to move the Closed Session to before Reports. Sharon Still seconded Deventae Mooney made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Sharon Still seconded the the motion, which resulted in all Ayes. motion, which resulted in all Ayes. Closed Session: Mayor Deventae Mooney madc a motion to enter into closed session in accordance with Virginia Code $2.2-3711 (A1)to discuss performance of Town ofCoeburn personnel, and Code $2.2-3711 (A8) to discuss with legal counsel pertaining to specific legal matters. Ms. Sharon Still seconded Immediately following closed session, Mr. William Sturgill, Town Attorney, read "Certification of Closed Meeting", which is attached to these minutes and made a part hereof. Aroll call vote certifying that only business matters that were identified in the motion convening were discussed the motion, which resulted in all. Ayes. or considered. The roll call vote resulted as follows: Carles Collins Aye Jcff Kiser Aye Deventae Mooney - Aye Joe Still Aye Sharon Still - Aye Sharon Still made a motion to change the cutoff policy for the Town of Coeburn from 20 days to 60 days with a written notice sent out 10 days prior to cutoffs effective immediately. Deventae Mayor Mooney asked Mr. Williams to post the information about cutoffs in town hall. Mooney seconded the motion, which passed with all Ayes. Reports: Fire Department Logan Jackson, Assistant Chief, gave Council a copy of what Chief Cliff Hawkins had sent to the County. Mr. Jackson advised he was unable to meet with Mr. William Sturgill to work on the Resolution. He said the fire department had to go to Dickenson County to fight a brush fire, and Mr. Jackson was unable to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting. He reported the County has Town of Coeburn - Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 Page 2 of5 passed a Rcsolution on behalf of the fire department and Mr. Jackson will proceed with sending Assistant ChiefJackson gave the monthly activity report for October 2023. There were 56 calls, 457- man hours, 336 personnel responding and 380 training hours. The fire department spoke about fire prevention at the Coeburn Community Library, Mary's Chapel Church, Lowes, and Head Start. The fire department also took part in the homecoming parade, the Trunk or Treat at Chief Cliff Hawkins messaged Mr. Jackson to let him know that the new truck has arrived, and Mr. Jackson informed council that there is a countywide burn ban and if the department is called Mr. Jackson also informed Council that the department needs new AED pads ordered. Town Manager, Jimmy Williams, told him to do a purchase order for that. Mr. Jackson said he would Mr. Jeff Kiser asked Mr. Jackson if the vehicles the fire department has now, plus the new truck, are adequate for use as a non-transport EMS agency and asked ift the department would need an ambulance. Mr. Jackson said they do have the vehicles they need, and in an emergency could transport aj person in the firet truck ifnecessary. Mr. Kiser asked ifthere was grant money available to purchase additional vehicles or ambulances if needed. Mr. Jackson said once the department has an EMS number it will open the department up to additional funding for vehicles, equipment, Sharon Still asked Mr. Jackson how: many oft the department members will be trained as emergency responders. Mr. Jackson said all thirty will be certified as either Emergency Medical Responders Mr. Jimmy Williams reminded Mr. Jackson that there is a serious water shortage situation and Mr. Jackson had reached out to the Postmaster about moving the mailboxes that the department had to move and has not heard back from him. He asked to have the hydrant replaced and moved back five feet from the edge oft the road. Mr. Kiser said iti is probably easier to move the mailboxes than the hydrant. Mr. Jackson asked if the hydrant could be a 5-inch hydrant. Mr. Kiser asked what size water line is running out through Crab Orchard. Mr. JeffLivingston said that is a 6-inch the information to the EMS Council. the Primary School, and the department's gth Annual Spooktacular event. that Council had set aside $27,000.00 for the truck. out, the police will need to write them a ticket. get three quotes and buy in bulk. and supplies. or Emergency Medical Technicians. asked if the department could conserve water if at all possible. water line running out through there. Police Department There was no representative from the Police Department present. Town of Coeburn Regular Meeting - November 13, 2023 - Page 3 of5 Water Plant There was representative from thc water plant present. Town. Manager Mr.Jimmy Williams, Town Manager, stated that Mr. Markham asked him to let the firc department know to minimize the usc of water if possible. Mr. Williams also reported that the generator at Mayor Mooney asked Mr. Williams ifthe town tried to purchase things from local businesses. Mr. Williams said the town purchases from local businesses when possible. Mr. Mooney asked Mr. the water plant will be turned on Thursday. Williams to see that the town purchases from local businesses. Public Works Mr. JeffLivingston, Public Works Superintendent, reported that public works completed 140 work orders. He said public works is in the process of decorating the town for Christmas. Mr. Livingston advised he is going to look at the fire hydrant and see the best way to repair and move it. Lane Group There was no representative ofThe Lane Group present. Treasurer Ms. Cathy Sharpe, Clerk/Treasurer, was absent. No report was given. Attorney Report Mr. William Sturgill, Town Attorney, shared his report during closed session. New Business: A. Resolution 2023-004-The Resolution recognizes that the' TownofCoebum Town Council grants the Coeburn Fire Department the approval to operate as a basic lifesaving, non- transport first responder. Council Comments and Concerns: Carles Collins Mr. Collins had no comments or concerns. JeffKiser. Mr. Kiser: said hei is concerned about the town's financial situation. Mr. Kiser reiterated that purchase orders are to be used, overtime is limited, and that the town needs to conserve every dollar it can. Town of Coeburn - Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 - Page 4 of5 Joe Still - Mr. Still said he appreciates everyone's work and appreciates the Town Council for Sharon Still - Ms. Still said she appreciates everyone that came to the meeting and wants to learn more about what's happening with the town. She said she appreciates everyone that works inside and outside, the fire department and town council. Ms. Still is looking forward to the Christmas Deventae Mooney Mr. Mooney echoed the thoughts of the other Council members and thanked them all. He expressed that times are tough, and everyone is doing the best they can. Mr. Mooney reminded everyone ofthe events coming up and said the next three weekends are great times for working together. Bazaar, the Home for the Holidays event, and the Christmas parade. the community to get together. Adjournment: Mayor Deventae Mooney made a motion to adjourn this meeting. Ms. Sharon Still seconded the motion, which resulted in all Ayes. Respectfully Submitted, Chg Cathy Sharpe, Clerk DINene Deventae Mooney, Attest: lay Town of Coeburn Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 - Page 5 of5