PRESENT: Mayor Marshall Guy; S. S. Burkett, Sam Mutter, James Gates, Mel Leaman, David Helms, Eugene Hendrick and Ralph Price, Council Members; Town Manager Henry Booker; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Police Chief Fred Catron; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk.
MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Hendrick, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes were approved unanimously. Mr. Price, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Helms and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
VISITORS: Jordan Poe, Rick Meadows
APPOINTMENT TO MARION REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY: Upon motion of Mr. Price, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued.
SKATE PARK: Jordan Poe, of Grace Street, and Rick Meadows, of Chatham Hill Road, requested that Town Council consider establishing a skate park in Marion. Mr. Poe stated that he and Mr. Meadows participate in skate competitions in other localities (Galax, Abingdon, Bristol). Mr. Poe stated that the liability would be minimum. Participants would "skate at their own risk". He noted that regulations concerning helmets, pads, etc. could be posted on site. Mr. Mutter moved that this request be referred to the Recreation Committee for study, possible site, and cost estimate. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leaman and carried by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES.
WATER COMMITTEE - REPORT ON COUNTY WATER CONTRACT: Mr. Booker stated that the Mayor will request that the new Board of Supervisors be contacted and asked to honor the Water Contract signed by Mayor Guy. The previous Board requested changes in the contract after it was signed by Mayor Guy.
STREET COMMITTEE - FOWLER STREET CONNECTOR: Mr. Booker reminded Council that last year, VDOT was prepared to place the Church Street project in abeyance and moved the Fowler Street project to the forefront. They expressed interest in this project. Council elected not to bump the Church Street Project. The Committee recommends that Council consider the priority of the Fowler Street Connector and allow the Town to request this project as part of the State's Six Year Plan ahead of the Church Street Project. Benefits to this request are: 1) It would become a VDOT project with the Town responsible for a smaller portion of the costs. 2) It would open up the area for residential development. 3) It would change the traffic pattern, moving some traffic from Main Street. It was noted that a presentation is scheduled for Marion Planning Commission on January 10, 2000 at the Recreation Building at 5:00 p.m. Property owners/developers will be present to answer questions and explain the proposed development. Dr. Gates moved that Town staff request that the Fowler Street Connector Project be placed on the VDOT Six Year Plan, ahead of the Church Street project, at the annual pre-allocation hearing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hendrick and carried by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES.
BIKE TRAIL: Mr. Leaman stated that there has been a lot of interest concerning a proposed Bike Trail and that the Town has been contacted by citizens in favor of this project. Mr. Booker advised that the proposed trail would be on Town right of way and that no easements would be required.
MAIN STREET MEDIAN: Mr. Booker advised that a proposed divided median on Main Street in front of the Bank of Marion has been discussed with the bank. Mr. Stringer, Mayor Guy and Mr. Booker had viewed the problem, when vehicles make a left turn into the drive-thru. The traffic will back up into the Main Street/Church Street intersection. Mr. Stringer was in agreement with the divided median. Mr. Leaman asked that VDOT be contacted for recommendation. Mr. Price noted that in years past, a "no left turn" sign was visible. No one recalled why the sign had been removed. Discussion ensued. Mr. Booker stated that a "No left Turn" sign will be erected, to determine if the median is necessary.
TRANSDOMINION EXPRESS RAILWAY SERVICE: Mayor Guy announced that he has been appointed to a Steering Committee on Transportation. The proposed rail service would run from Bristol to Richmond and from Richmond to Bristol. Mayor Guy requested that Mr. Leaman and Mr. Hendrick add support of the TransDominion Express Railway Service to the Legislative List.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES 2000-GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Mr. Leaman requested that members of Town Council review the list of Legislative issues and notify him or Mr. Hendrick of changes or additions. Members of Council were reminded that the Legislative Day will be held 2/10/00 at 2 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott, 500 East Broad Street. Anyone attending may contact the Town Clerk for reservations and registration.
FIRE STATION LOAN CLOSING: Mr. Hicks advised that the VRA loan closing for the Fire Station will be conducted 1/11/00 at 10 a.m. at 144 W. Main Street.
MUNICIPAL BUILDING RENOVATION: It was noted that the contractors are now into liquidated damages. There have also been complaints that sub-contractors have not received payment from the General Contractor, even though they have completed their work. Mr. Burkett stated that future billings from the contractor be reviewed very carefully prior to payment.
PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE SECTIONS 2.1-344 (a1/Personnel and a7/ Potential Litigation) and upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Dr. Gates, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, Council entered into Closed Session. Mr. Hendrick moved that Council return to open session and stated that only those matters legally allowed were discussed during the Closed Session, just completed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously. Mr. Mutter, Mr. Price, Mr. Leaman, Mr. Helms, Dr. Gates, Mr. Hendrick, and Mr. Burkett voted affirmatively.
INSURANCE AUDIT: Mr. Hendrick reported that the Insurance Committee has received several complaints concerning Mr. Ron Hayes' conduct in auditing the Town's partially self-funded health insurance claims. He noted that the town is now under a fully funded plan with Trigon and no longer would require Mr. Hayes' services. Mr. Burkett moved that Mr. Hayes be notified that his services on behalf of the Town of Marion will be discontinued and given 30 days to complete those claims already started. The motion was seconded by Mr. Price and carried by a vote of 5 AYES, 1 NOE (Leaman) and 1 ABSTENTION (Gates).
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.