PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Sam mutter, Eugene Hendrick, Buford Cregger, Mel
Leaman, and Ralph Price, Council Members; Town Manager John Clark; Town Attorney Mark
Fenyk; and Police Chief Michael Roberts.

INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: The invocation was rendered by Councilman Ralph
Price and the Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor Helms.

MINUTES:   Mr.  Mutter requested a correction to the Minutes of the meeting of December 18,
2000, be adjusted as follows: “Police Committee-Mr. Mutter reported that it is the
recommendation of the Police Committee that the Marion Police Department have five (5)
Sergeant positions.  The Department has one Sergeant position filled and  Chief Roberts has
agreed to authorize 4 additional Sergeant positions.  The rank of First Sergeant and Corporal will
be dropped.”  With the correction noted, Mr. Mutter moved that the minutes be approved, as
amended.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Hendrick and carried by a vote of 5 AYES and 0
NOES.

VISITORS:   Bob Valentine, Linda Pennington, Larry Bowman.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW/PROMOTED EMPLOYEES: Town Manager John Clark
introduced his new Secretary, Linda Pennington to Council.  Mayor Helms introduced Larry
Bowman, who was promoted to Chief Mechanic and new employee Michael Sage as Pool
Supervisor/Maintenance.

AEP AGREEMENT-TRACY NEVILLE-HERTIG: Mr. Clark advised that the AEP agreement
was negotiated by VACO and VML.  It contains a 4.4% decrease in rates for a 2 year period.  He
further advised that Ms. Hertig was again unable to attend the Council Meeting.  Mr. Clark has
spoken with Sarah H. Findley, the VML attorney that assisted in development of the agreement.
It was requested that Mr. Fenyk contact Ms. Hertig and invite her to the next Council Meeting.
Upon motion of Mr. Price, seconded by Mr. Mutter and vote of 4 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION
(Leaman) this item was continued.

AUDIT PRESENTATION-ALBANO AND ASSOCIATES - PATTY BELCHER: Mayor Helms
advised that Ms. Belcher has been invited to appear at the next Council Meeting to report on the
FY 1999/2000 Audit.

FIRE STATION PROJECT: Mr. Clark advised that Cameron Wolfe, architect for the project,
plans to recommend that Associated Construction be reimbursed retainage of  $10,301.  Mr.
Fenyk stated that their attorney has begun