PRESENT: Mayor Marshall Guy; James Gates, Sam Mutter, Mel Leaman, Eugene Hendrick, David Helms, Sam Burkett and Ralph Price Council Members; Town Manager Henry Booker; Police Chief Charles Overbay; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; and Town Attorney Charles Lincoln.

VISITORS: Debbie Overbay, Neal Castrodale.

INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Cecil Hicks and the Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor Guy.

MINUTES: Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Mutter and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting held January 21, 1999, were approved as written and distributed and upon motion of Mr. Helms, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting held January 25, 1999, were approved as written and distributed. Dr. Gates, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Helms and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.

5-K RUN/WALK TO BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Mr. Neal Castrodale stated that Habitat for Humanity plans to have a run/walk on May 8, 1999. The tentative course for the run/walk will be from the Credit Union on North Main Street to Cooks Cleaners turning on to Johnson Road. Mr. Booker and Chief Overbay will discuss this matter and meet with Mr. Castrodale before the next meeting. This item was continued until February 18, 1999 meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING-FIRE DEPARTMENT BONDS: Mr. Lincoln stated that Resolution prepared by Wetherington and Melchionn is in order. The loan will be over a twenty year period and the interest will not exceed 4.875%. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded Mr. Mutter and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES the Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $1,172,400 general obligation public improvement bonds was approved and adopted by Council. Dr. Gates, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Helms and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.

PUBLIC HEARING-CDBG PROJECTS: Scheduled for February 18, 1999.

BID REVIEW FOR BACKFLOW PREVENTION: Mr. Hicks explained that two bids were submitted and that Teaters Trucking had the low bid at $88,250. Mr. Hicks further explained that plans are to replaced 300 meter units in the Highway Sixteen South, Pendleton Street and Spruce Street areas. Mr. Hicks stated that $50,000 is in the 1999 budget for this project and he asks that $50,000 be in the 2000 budget to continue this project. Mr. Hicks also stated that with the new meters, backflow could be tested and that the old meters have been installed for quite some time now, causing efficiency loss on the Town's behalf. Mr. Hendrick suggested, to save on costs, that the Town purchase the meters and have the contractor install them. Mr. Mutter suggested that the Town crew's work overtime and install the meters. After discussion, and upon motion of Mr. Price, seconded by Mr. Mutter, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued. Dr. Gates, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Helms, Mr. Hendrick Mr. Mutter and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.

REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT ON GREER AVENUE-STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE: Dr. Gates reported that the committee cannot justify adding a street light on Greer Avenue. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Mutter and vote of 5 AYES, 1 NOE (Price) and 1 ABSTENTION (Leaman), the request was denied. Dr. Gates, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Helms, Mr. Hendrick and Mr. Burkett voted affirmatively.

CONSIDERATION OF DONATION TO MARION SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR BAND UNIFORMS-FINANCE COMMITTEE: Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Helms and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the Town will donate $5,000 to the Marion Senior High School Band for purchase of new uniforms. This will be included in the 1999-2000 Budget. Dr. Gates, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Helms, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Price and Mr. Hendrick voted affirmatively.

UPDATE OF TOWN OF MARION HEALTH INSURANCE-INSURANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Booker stated that the insurance committee met on January 27, 1999. Ernest Aker presented a summary of the status of the Town's Health Insurance. Mr. Aker reported that the Towns' self-funded plan has performed better than expected. The plans now has a surplus and Mr. Aker suggested that the plan be enhanced; possible suggestions are reduced co-payment or deductible, prescription card, or change the life insurance plan. Mr. Aker also suggested hiring a health claims auditor, provided there is a hold harmless agreement with the auditor. The auditors compensation would be 50% of the amount recovered. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Mutter and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, staff is to report back to Council with information on added expense for prescription card, co-pay to physicians, life insurance coverage and claims audit. Dr. Gates, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Helms, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Leaman and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.

UPDATE ON STATUS OF RESCUE SERVICES-FIRE COMMITTEE: Mr. Booker reported that the Fire Committee met with representatives from the Life Saving Crew and the Volunteer Fire Department to discuss emergency services in Marion. Both services are willing to work together and they expressed a need to have a paid person during normal work hours in the day due to lack of volunteers. They would also like to encourage Police Officers to have additional emergency medical training. The Officers are always out in the community and the extra training could reduce response time.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Mayor Guy stated that the new department should be ready by the end of February. Mr. Lincoln stated that several of the Towns' court cases are in Supreme Court pending decisions.

COMPUTER UPGRADE: Mr. Leaman stated that he and C. T. Eagle have met with Framatone Technology about Y2K and plan to meet with the Software Factory on February 3, 1999. Mr. Leaman further stated that the Commonwealth has a guide and checklist that the Town should comply with to be prepared for the changes. He stated that the Equipment and Finance Committees need to work together immediately so that the Towns' computer system will be ready in 2000.

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER: Mr. Mutter reported that Terry Lee, AreaNet, will set up a computer at the Center and teach the Seniors to use it. The Senior Citizens Center will be another public access website for the Town. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Hendrick and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, Council accepts Mr. Lee's offer to set up a computer and use the Senior Citizens center as an additional website for the Town. Dr. Gates, Mr. Helms, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Leaman and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.

Dr. Gates stated that two new members need to be appointed to the Recreation Committee.

Mr. Hicks stated that the light at the Fire Department is in operation. He also added that a new member needs to be appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.