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 March 4, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Samuel Burkett, Ralph Price, Mel Leaman, Buford Cregger, Eugene Hendrick, Sam Mutter and Dr. James Gates (arriving late), Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark Jr.; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks and Police Chief Michael Roberts.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Pat Neighbors rendered the invocation and Mayor Helms led the Pledge to the Flag.
MINUTES: The minutes were corrected to state that Mr. Price rendered the invocation. Upon motion of Mr. Price, seconded by Mr. Burkett, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting held 2/21/02 were approved as written and distributed.
VISITORS: Pat Neighbors, Corbin Anderson, Mike Gibbons, Raymond Anderson.
CLASSIFICATION PLAN UPDATE-TOWN MANAGER: Mr. Clark advised that data has been provided to Virginia Tech with regard to the Town of Marion Classification and Pay Plan Update. Wage surveys have been mailed to area localities and have begun to be returned. Each employee, reviewed by the Department Head and/or Town Manager, has completed employee questionnaires.
OPTIONS FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE: Mr. Fenyk stated that the Town had joined the VML group to negotiate electric service rates. He will contact VML staff to determine where they are with negotiations. Mr. Leaman moved that this matter be referred to the Ordinance Committee. Mr. Cregger seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES. Mr. Hendrick expressed concern that the deadline is March 20, 2002. Mr. Fenyk advised that the deadline might be extended 30-60 days.
REQUEST FROM REGENCY, INC. ON PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: Marion Partners Limited Partnership requested support from the Town for allocation of federal housing tax credits for a proposed housing development. Marion Trace is a proposed multi-family development, consisting of 32 two and three bedroom units. Each will consist of a spacious living and dining room, 2 or 3 bedroom, kitchen and bathroom facilities. The exterior of the building will consist of brick and vinyl construction and will be heavily landscaped. The proposed project will contain plenty of green space and a community room.
Corbin Anderson, Raymond Anderson and Mike Gibbons were present representing the development. They stated that there would be no mortgage or rent subsidy. This is not a low-income project. Rent restrictions must be observed. Applications for tax credits are due March 15, 2002. If tax credits are obtained, construction will begin in late fall 2002 or spring 2003. Occupancy is anticipated by late fall 2003. Mr. Anderson stated that Marion was selected as a possible site due to identified need for housing. However, the project hinges on approval of the tax credits. He stated that the Town would not obligate itself to the project by signing the support documents. As Smyth County issues Building Permits, members of Town Council did not feel comfortable signing this document. Mr. Anderson suggested that the Town contact Building Inspector Bud Owens on this matter.
Mr. Price asked if the soil erosion plan has been determined. Mr. Anderson responded that the architects are in the process of developing all plans. An Erosion Control Plan will be included. However, preliminary site plans have been submitted to the Town Engineer and Town Manager. He understood that the Town has had drainage problems in the area and that Regency would assist with plans or financially if needed.
Dr. Gates arrived.
Mr. Anderson informed Council that Regency would build and own the developments and they cannot be sold for 20 years.
Mr. Leaman moved that the Town Attorney review the documents and work with the Town Manager and Town Engineer on the preparation of support documents. The Town Manager is authorized to sign on behalf of the Town and schedule a Special Called Meeting, if necessary. Mr. Mutter seconded the motion. Council approved the same unanimously.
BUDGET REQUEST FROM HIGHLANDS CULTURAL COALITION: The Highland Cultural Coalition is seeking support from each branch of local government in western Virginia for the purpose of enhancement of educational cultural and heritage tourism in western Virginia. They are requesting a one-time contribution of $500 from the Town of Marion. The Highland Cultural Coalition (HCC) has received $100,000 from the Virginia General Assembly. Administered by Floyd County, the HCC region includes 22 Virginia Counties. The HCC will continue to solicit matching funds from local government units. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Dr. Gates this request was referred to the Budget/Finance Committee. Council approved the motion unanimously.
REPORT ON FIRE & RESCUE PERSONNEL-TOWN DECALS: Mr. Clark informed Council that Smyth County Treasurer Tom Burkett and County Administrator Ed Whitmore have advised that the Smyth County Board of Supervisors recently approved free County decals to Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department personnel. Mr. Clark was asked to determine how many of Rescue and Fire Department volunteers live in the Town of Marion. Chief Roberts asked that the volunteer chaplain for the Marion Police Department be considered as well. This item was continued.
REPORT FROM TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE ON COMPUTER LEASE: Members of Council had asked the Technology Committee to review the leases on Town of Marion computers. Mr. Leaman advised that Council made a decision to lease computers as opposed to purchasing them outright. This decision was made due to the "Y2K scare". The Town decided to develop an Information Technology Master Plan. Members requested a complete inventory of the Town’s computer equipment and lease agreements by Technology Coordinator C.T. Eagle. This report will be presented to the Technology Committee.
REPORT ON HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Mr. Price informed Council that 35 decorations have been ordered for Main Street along with 6 additional lights for poles and 2 swags. The Rotary Club will assist with the purchase of these decorations.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Mr. Clark announced that new employee, Pete Combs, has been hired in the Public Works Department.
ELLA MAE SMITH: Mayor Helms expressed the Town’s condolences to the family of Ella Mae Smith. Mrs. Smith was the Director of the W. W. Scott, Jr. Senior Citizen Center from 1980 until her retirement. She was the first Director of the Center and will be missed by the community.
CHANGING FACES OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA: Mayor Helms and other Town representatives attended this seminar at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon and found it very informative.
EMERGENCY PLANNING SEMINAR-VML: Mayor Helms, Police Chief Roberts, and Police Lt. John Testerman attended a seminar on Emergency Planning in Roanoke, Virginia. Chief Roberts noted that there is an Emergency Operations Plan statewide that would allow the Commonwealth to declare a "State of Emergency". He added that Smyth County has an established Emergency Plan and an Emergency Coordinator, Charles Harrington.
BUDGET REQUEST-DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: Town Council received a request for funding for a second phase of the streetscape program. The area would include Main Street from Commerce to Pendleton; Commerce from Cherry to Main; Pendleton from Main to Commerce, and Chestnut from Main to Town. Estimated cost for the project is $170,000. Upon motion of Mr. Mutter, seconded by Mr. Price and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the request was referred to the Budget/Finance Committee.
2002 TOWN DECALS: Ms. Sheets advised that 2002 Town of Marion Auto and Motorcycle Decals are on sale and must be displayed on or before March 31, 2002.
FREE CLINIC: Mr. Mutter stated that he had taken a tour of the Smyth County Free Clinic and was impressed with the professional and well equipped facility. He added that the Clinic will be an asset to the community.
RED BIRD CAB: Mr. Mutter advised Council that he has received numerous positive comments on the new Red Bird Cab business.
BRUSH PICKUP: Mr. Clark informed Council members that after May 1, 2002, brush and yard waste will be collected on a weekly basis on the customer’s garbage day. Currently, brush is being collected the last week of the month on customer’s garbage day.
SMYTH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Mr. Burkett commended Mr. Clark for the letter mailed to Smyth County regarding several services the Town provides to its citizens and to county citizens. Council is particularly concerned about the reimbursement provided by the County compared to the large percentage of county citizens who are utilizing these services. Mr. Clark referenced the Fire Department, Recreation Department, and Senior Citizen’s Center.
ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.