Minutes of a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Marion, Virginia held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on November 6, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; S. S. Burkett, Mel Leaman, Sam Mutter, Eugene Hendrick, Buford Cregger, James Gates, and Ralph Price, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk; Police Chief Michael Roberts.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: The invocation was rendered by Cecil Hicks and the Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor Helms.
MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Dr. Gates, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting held October 16, 2000 were approved as written and distributed. Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Cregger, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Leaman, Dr. Gates and Mr. Price voted affirmatively.
Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Mutter, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the Special Called Meeting held October 26, 2000 were approved as written and distributed.
VISITORS: Paul G. Brown, Alex Rhodes, Debbie Rhodes, Jeb Rhodes, Cutler Glen, Jacob Losse, Jim Losse, Maureen Thompson, Levi Thompson, Adam Sparger, Rebecca Sparger, Nancy Sparger, Amanda Arnold, John Sparger, Brenda Bennett.
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF ATTAINING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT FOR ADAM SPARGER: Mr. Helms read the Resolution recognizing Adam Sparger for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Leaman, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the Resolution was adopted. Mayor Helms presented Mr. Sparger with a copy of the Resolution and extended best wishes from the Town of Marion.
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF ATTAINING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT FOR LEVI THOMPSON: Mr. Helms read the Resolution recognizing Levi Thompson for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Leaman, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOE, the Resolution was adopted. Mayor Helms presented Mr. Thompson with a copy of the Resolution and extended best wishes from the Town of Marion.
RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE NOVEMBER 19-26, 2000 AS NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK: Mayor Helms read the Resolution. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Hendrick, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the Resolution was adopted.
VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM-MARION MIDDLE SCHOOL: Mrs. Rhodes invited Town Council to the 31st Annual Veteran’s Day Program at MMS on Friday, November 10, 2000 at 9:15 a.m. with the programs beginning at 9:45 a.m.
STREET COMMITTEE – FOWLER STREET EXTENSION: Mr. Hicks reported that several options are being considered for this project.
WATER COMMITTEE---WILLIAMS ROAD WATER LINE: Mr. Hicks reported that this project has been completed.
REPORT ON MT. DEW DAY: Mayor Helms reported that Mt. Dew Day was again a success. It included ‘Trick or Treating’ on Main Street, various Hillbilly Games, and music.
VML-ARLINGTON, VA: Mayor Helms reported that he, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Price, Mr. Burkett and Town Attorney Mark Fenyk attended the Annual Conference to share ideas and gain information from other localities.
SMITHFIELD-SISTER CITY: Mr. Helms noted that Marion has been matched with Smithfield as our ‘Sister City’. Mr. Helms stated that the Town hopes to follow up on the Sister City Program.
MARION VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MARION LIFESAVING CREW: Mayor Helms commended these organizations for their efforts during the recent school bus accident near Chilhowie, VA. Over 40 children were injured in this accident.
TOWN MANAGER JOHN E. B. CLARK, JR. INTRODUCED: Mayor Helms introduced new Town Manager John Clark. Mr. Clark became Town Manager on November 1, 2000. Mayor Helms also expressed appreciation to the Town Staff for their work during the period the Town was without a Manager.
APPLICATION FOR USE OF ‘LOANER TRUCK’: Mr. Hicks presented the proposed ‘Application for Use of Loaner Truck’. The application contains pertinent information concerning the name of the applicant, address, telephone number. Included is a list of those items to be separated before disposal at the Smyth County Transfer Station: 1) Tires; 2) Metal or White Goods (refrigerators, stoves, etc.) 3) Brush, Tree Limbs, or Yard Waste. Also included is a list of those items that may not be disposed of at the Transfer Station: 1) Hazardous or Special Waste, as defined by Virginia Solid Waste Regulations; 2) Sludge or Free Liquids; 3) Paint, Stains, etc.; 4) Motors, Transmissions, or any Oily Parts. The applicant must sign off on these regulations prior to issuance of a Truck.
LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD: Mr. Price requested that the fence row at the Little League Baseball Field be cleaned. Dr. Gates reported that the field was built with an agreement between Marion Little League, Inc. and Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute. It is not a facility operated by the Town of Marion. However, Dr. Gates stated that the Recreation Committee will look into the matter.
LEAF PICK-UP: Mr. Price stated that mounds of leaves are piled up in Atkins Woodland. Mr. Hicks advised that leaves are picked up on a route program and areas are served according to the route.
LINCOLN THEATRE: Dr. Gates challenged other elected officials to contribute $1,000 to the Lincoln Theater fundraising effort. A seat at the Theatre may be purchased at $1,000 each. Seats may be purchased in a lump sum or monthly over a five (5) year period. Dr. and Mrs. Gates have agreed to match other contributions up to $1,000 each.
CONSUMER UTILITY TAX: Mr. Hendrick gave an overview of the Consumer Utility Tax adopted recently by Marion Town Council. He requested that news releases be prepared and printed in the Smyth County News and Messenger to explain the tax to the public. This is not a new tax but will now be shown as a line item on billing statements.
HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL: Mr. Hendrick reported that the Town’s health insurance is up for renewal on December 1. Trigon has presented an increase of 5.7%. Mr. Hendrick moved that the renewal be approved, with no change in coverage. The motion was seconded by Mr. Burkett and carried by a vote of 6 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Gates).
Mr. Leaman moved that Town Council pay 100% of the increase in premium. The motion died for the lack of a second.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Gates), this matter was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration on how the increase in insurance premiums will be paid. Dr. Gates, a member of the Finance Committee, asked to be excused on the Committee for this issue. Mayor Helms appointed Mr. Price to the Finance Committee for the purpose of discussion of the rate increase on health insurance.
BRUSH PICKUP: Mr. Mutter expressed concern that brush and leaves are not being picked up efficiently. Mr. Hicks reported that Chatham Hill Road and Commerce Street are the dividing lines for the pickup route. The pick up days have been reduced to 2 days per month on each side. Staff will look at the program and consider any necessary changes.
CIVIL WAR TRAIL PROGRAM: Town Manager Clark stated funds are available in the amount of $2,000 to mark areas of significant Civil War engagements. The Town may be interested in pursuing these funds.
SNIDER BRANCH WATER LINE REPLACEMENT: Mr. Hicks reminded Town Council that the Town offered this line to Smyth County Water and Sewer Authority. He read a letter from County Engineer Jeff Spickard, declining participation in the project. Mr. Hicks advised that the 2,800 feet of water line serves 9 customers. He presented two (2) options for replacement. Option 1 would replace the line with 2” pipe, at a cost of $46,000. Option 2 would replace the line with 6” pipe to the north side of the River, at a cost of $77,000. Option 2 would allow for future growth. Mr. Hicks added that Option 2 would require a railroad permit to bore underneath the railroad. This matter was referred to the Water Committee.
CDBG WORKSHOP/GIS PROGRAM: Mr. Hicks reported that Anderson and Associates has submitted a proposal for funding for GIS from CDBG. He will be attending a meeting in Abingdon concerning this matter.
“HOT” TANK: Mr. Hicks reported that the ‘Hot’ tank renovations are complete. Mayor Helms asked Mr. Hicks to remind the contractor that it is his responsibility to dispose of sand and other materials.
WELCOME TO MARION SIGN: Mr. Hicks stated that the sign is under construction on Route 16 North.
POLICE DEPARTMENT-GRANTS: Chief Roberts reported that MPD has been notified as recipients of two (2) grants, which do not require matching funds. One is for radar and the other is related to safety belts.
Chief Roberts also informed Town Council that two (2) Lieutenant positions have been posted at the MPD. Three officers have applied for the positions. He noted that an oral board would be held on November 14, 2000 and a written test will be administered on December 11.
PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE 2.1-344 (A1,A7 A3), and upon motion of Mr. Hendrick seconded by Mr. Price, Council entered into Closed Session to discuss personnel, litigation and real estate. Mr. Hendrick moved that Council return to Open Session that it be known that only those matters identified in the motion and legally allowed were discussed during Closed Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Price and carried unanimously. Mr. Burkett, Mr. Mutter, Mr. Price, Mr. Hendrick, Mr. Cregger Dr. Gates, and Mr. Leaman voted affirmatively.
LUNCH PERIOD: Town Council recently changed the policy for ½ hour lunch period to 1 hour for those employees receiving only ½ hour, extending their quitting time to 4:30 p.m.. Employees have requested that the ½ hour lunch period be reinstated. Mr. Leaman moved that the request to reinstate the ½ hour lunch period until January 1, 2001. The motion died for the lack of a second. It was the consensus of Town Council that 5 days is not enough time to evaluate the change.
Upon motion, duly seconded, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES,
the meeting was adjourned.