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 December 17, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor David Helms; Samuel Burkett, Ralph Price, Mel Leaman, Buford Cregger, Eugene Hendrick and Sam Mutter, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Police Chief Michael Roberts; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Cecil Hicks rendered the invocation and Police Officer Alex Cox led the Pledge to the Flag.
MINUTES: Mr. Mutter corrected the minutes that Dr. Gates had not arrived to vote on the Minutes. With the correction noted, upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes were approved. Messrs Burkett, Mutter, Hendrick, Leaman, Cregger, and Price voted affirmatively.
VISITORS: David Paschal, Eric Goddard, Bo Surber, Jim May, Tracy Sledd, Rick Barlow, Greg Arnold, Judy Arnold, Teresa Barlow, Charles Burchett, Tom Russell, Alan Sidell, Bill Carrico, Alex Cox, Keith Clark.
RESOLUTION HONORING 2001 MARION SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM: This item was continued to next regular meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING-CONSIDERATION OF INCREASE IN RATES TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATIONS WHICH REQUIRE PUBLIC HEARINGS ADVERTISEMENT AND ADDITIONAL LAND USE EVALUATIONS-RATE $75: The purpose of this public hearing was to consider an increase in fees to accompany applications which require public hearings. Fees are charged to cover advertising and administrative expenses. No one was present to comment. Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, rates for fee to accompany applications which require public hearings advertisements and additional land use evaluations were adjusted to $75 per request. Messrs Mutter, Leaman, Hendrick, Price, Cregger, and Burkett voted affirmatively.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW/PROMOTED EMPLOYEES: Mr. Clark announced the following promotions: Joel Fry to Equipment Operator I, Rick Barlow to Foreman/Streets; Charles Burchett to Foreman/Water & Sewer, Jeff Richardson to Foreman/Water & Sewer, and Greg Arnold to Foreman/Buildings and Grounds. Chief Roberts introduced new Patrolman, Alex Cox.
PUBLIC WORKS FLOW/RESPONSIBILITY CHART-TOWN MANAGER: Mr. Clark presented the Public Works Flow Chart indicating the chain-of-command and newly promoted foremen. He added that Foreman Handbooks are being prepared which will address the job, safety, attendance and efficiency.
DELEGATE-ELECT-BILL CARRICO: Bill Carrico, Delegate-Elect for the 5th District, introduced himself to Council. He stated that prevention of loss of job is a major issue that he plans to address. Mr. Leaman, Chairman of the Legislative Committee informed Mr. Carrico that the Committee would submit a list of requests for the Town to his office. Mr. Carrico advised that he plans to schedule meetings with his constituents to determine the concerns and issues facing them. He also gave his address and telephone numbers where he may be reached. The mailing address is P. O. Box 188, Independence, Va 24348. Telephone numbers are in Independence, (276)-773-9600 and in Richmond (804)-698-1005, Cell Phone number (276)-233-5931 and Home Phone number (276) 744-7925.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BID SPECIFICATION ISSUES-COUNCILMAN GATES: Council was informed that bid specifications are ready and will be bid by the end of 2001.
MONTE VISTA TRASH-POLICE CHIEF: Chief Roberts stated that he has discussed the problem again with residents and has had no further complaints.
MATSON DRIVE TRASH: Chief Roberts was asked to address a similar trash problem on Matson Drive.
STREET LIGHT SITUATION-POLICE CHIEF: Chief Roberts reported that inoperable streetlights have been repaired by AEP with the exception of those reported after December 5, 2001.
SMYTH COUNTY REQUEST ON WATER: Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued.
ACCOUNTS/INVESTMENTS: Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the accounts were approved in the amount of $480,331.43.
INVESTMENTS: There were no investments for the month of December 2001.
LINCOLN THEATRE LEASE: Mr. Clark informed Council that a lease agreement with the Lincoln Theater Foundation with regard to use of the former Police Station has expired and is currently being used on a month to month basis. Discussion ensued. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Burkett and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Council voted to leave the lease in effect on a month-to-month basis.
RIVERBEND PARK: Mr. Hicks reported that Phase I is in process and going well. He requested a Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting to discuss changes in the issues concerning the picnic shelter and pavement of the section of street from the Country Club Road entrance. Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this matter was referred to the Building and Grounds and Street Committees.
COUNTY REQUEST ON SEWER CONNECTIONS: Mr. Hicks reported that Smyth County is in the process of designing a sewer system for Hall Addition and Cedars. They have projected flows for the project. Mr. Hicks stated that as long as the County adheres to the Inter-Municipal Agreement of 1991, the Town has no problem with adding these flows to the Town's system. Flows will be metered.
PERSONNEL STUDY-PAROPOSALS FROM SESCO AND VIRGINIA TECH: Mr. Clark stated that Proposals for a Personnel Study have been received from SESCO and Virginia Tech. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the proposals were referred to the Personnel Committee for review and recommendation.
STALEY STREET DRAINAGE: Mr. Hicks reported that the Town has continued to negotiate with the alleged contractor and have been unable to resolve the problem. He recommended that Town Council discuss options with the Town Attorney. He added that staff is ready to place the Staley Street Project out for bid.
ROMANS STREET DRAINAGE: It was reported that plans for the project are complete and staff has been waiting for issues with the residents to be resolved. Residents have orally agreed and the project will begin early in 2002.
LEGISLATIVE DAY: Mayor Helms asked that those members planning to attend the 2002 VML-VACo Legislative Day, January 31 in Richmond, submit their name to the Town Clerk so that registration and travel arrangements may be made. Please do this as soon as possible.
VIRGINIA TOWN AND CITY MAGAZINE: Mr. Helms noted that the Town of Marion delegation was pictured in this month's article.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER: Mayor Helms invited Council members to the Town's Annual Christmas Dinner to be held at the Marion Life Saving Crew Building at Noon on Friday, December 21, 2001.
NEW YORK STATE: Mayor Helms advised that he has received letters from New York State acknowledging and thanking the Town of Marion for their support following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the City of New York.
NEW YORK FIRE FIGHTERS: Mayor Helms stated that he was in New York recently and visited several firehouses. He stated that they are still having a tough time. Many of the units continue to search for victims, including friends, family and fire, rescue and police personnel. He noted that the group of fire fighters that passed thru Marion this fall has reached California.
THANK YOU FROM MAYOR HELMS: Mayor Helms thanked the office staff, town crews, various departments and Council for their hard work and cooperation during 2001.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Mr. Clark was asked to check the Christmas light at Happy's on North Main Street to determine why it is not working.
TREE BOARD: Mr. Hendrick presented a listing of the Town of Marion Tree Board. Members of the Board were divided to 1, 2, and 3 year terms with 5 voting members. Other members are participating on an advisory capacity. Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Mutter and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the Tree Board was approved. Messrs Hendrick, Burkett, Mutter, Cregger, Price and Leaman voted affirmatively.
FIRE DEPARTMENT CHRISTMAS PARTY: Members of Council and Town staff thanked the Marion Fire Department for their invitation to their annual Christmas Party.
PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE 2.2-3711 (1) and upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Price, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Council entered into Closed Session to discuss Personnel matters. Mr. Hendrick moved that Council return to Open Session and that it be known that only those matters lawfully exempted from Open Session and identified in the motion were discussed during the Closed Session. Mr. Price seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Burkett, Hendrick, Leaman, Price, Cregger, and Mutter voted affirmatively.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.