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 July 1, 2002 at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Samuel S. Burkett, Mel Leaman, Eugene Hendrick, Buford Cregger, Mark Warren, and Ken Heath, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk; and Police Chief Michael Roberts.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Mr. Burkett rendered the invocation. Mayor Helms led the Pledge to the Flag.
MINUTES: Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the regular meeting, held June 17, 2002, were approved as written and distributed.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of a Special Called Meeting, held June 24, 2002 to adopt the 2002-2003 Budget were approved as written and distributed.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the Special Called Meeting to close fiscal year 2001-2002 matters, held June 28, 2002, were approved as written and distributed.
VISITORS: Willis Bridgeman, Vicky Bridgeman, Alan Siedel, Liz Larken, James McNeil, Kathryn McNeil, Grae Graham, Mary Briggs Graham
WELCOME TO NEW TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Helms welcomed newly elected Town Council members, Mark Warren and Ken Heath.
APPOINTMENT OF VICE-MAYOR: Upon motion of Mr. Leaman, seconded by Mr. Cregger, and vote of 5 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Burkett), Samuel Burkett was elected Vice-Mayor.
APPOINTMENT OF TOWN COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Mr. Helms presented the list of Council Committee appointments. These appointments are valid until 6/30/2004. Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Heath and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the Committee appointments were approved as written and distributed.
APPONTMENT OF TOWN MANAGER: Upon motion of Mr. Cregger, seconded by Mr. Hendrick and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, John E. B. Clark, Jr. was appointed as Town Manager.
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER/TOWN ENGINEER: Upon motion of Mr. Cregger, seconded by Mr. Hendrick, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Cecil Hicks was reappointed as Assistant Town Manager/Town Engineer.
APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF: Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Warren, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Michael Roberts was reappointed as Police Chief.
APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE: Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Cregger, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Dixie O. Sheets was reappointed Town Clerk/Director of Finance.
APPOINTMENT OF TOWN ATTORNEY: Upon motion of Mr. Cregger, seconded by Mr. Leaman, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Mark Fenyk was reappointed Town Attorney.
SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT-WASSONA CIRCLE-IN CONJUNCTION WITH CURB AND GUTTERING: This matter has been scheduled for Public Hearing on July 15, 2002. Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued.
POTENTIAL TRANSFER/SALE OF LOTS ON IRON STREET TO PROJECT CROSSROADS: Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued to the Public Hearing date of July 15, 2002 to consider these parcels as surplus property.
STATUS OF RIVERBEND PARK AND CALLAN DRIVE POSSIBLE DEDICATION: Mr. Hendrick reported that Riverbend Park has been paved and is open for business. A sign has been erected on the Country Club Road side of the Park and one will be installed on the Baughman Avenue side. A guardrail will be installed at the culvert. Paving contractors will spread the gravel on each side of the pavement.
Callan Drive has been paved and will be striped. The speed limit on the street must be determined and signs erected stating the same. The dedication will be scheduled in the near future. The contractor who installed it will repair the traffic indicator at the intersection of Park Boulevard and Callan Drive.
Mr. Burkett moved that the Street Committee be authorized to set the dedication date. Mr. Heath seconded the motion and Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES.
UPDATE ON PARK BOULEVARD HIKING/BIKING TRAIL AND ASSOCIATED MATERIAL: Mr. Clark reported that a meeting is scheduled at 10 am on July 2, 2002 with VDOT, Justin Franklin and the Street Committee to discuss the Hiking/Biking Trail. All letters, pro and con, concerning the project have been forwarded to Mr. Franklin.
REPORT ON TOWN/COUNTY QUARTERLY MEETING: Mr. Clark reported that 26 local government officials attended the meeting held on June 24, 2002. Andy Hall, of the Peaks of Virginia, was the speaker. The program was well received.
ADOPTION OF CHANGES IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, AS AMENDED, and BY REFERENCE: Upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Town Council adopted the changes in the Code of Virginia, as amended, by reference.
ZONING REQUEST-116 COMMERCE STREET-JOE NAFF: Mr. Clark informed Council members that Mr. Naff has requested a lesser use for the property. The current zoning is Industrial General (IG). He requests the property to be zoned Commercial General. Planning Commission will consider this request on July 8, 2002 and a Joint Public Hearing has been scheduled on July 15, 2002.
NEW HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS OF WATER LOSS: This item was continued due to the absence of Town Engineer Cecil Hicks. Council referred this matter to the Water Committee and Water Treatment Plant superintendent.
DIAMOND CAB PERMIT: Willis and Vicky Bridgeman were present to discuss the relocation of their taxicab business. Mr. & Mrs. Bridgeman were informed last week by their landlord, Joe Naff, that the property at 116 Commerce Street must be vacated. They moved their business to ll5 Chestnut Street. Police Chief Michael Roberts informed them that a new taxicab permit must be obtained for the new location per Town Attorney. The Bridgemans stated that they were unaware of this regulation until informed by Chief Roberts. Mr. Heath asked if a temporary permit could be issued until a public hearing is held to consider the permit. Town Attorney Mark Fenyk stated that the Town couldn’t issue a temporary permit without a public hearing. Mr. Leaman suggested that the Bridgemans meet with the Town Manager and Police Chief concerning the operation of their business. Upon motion of Mr. Cregger, seconded by Mr. Warren and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, a public hearing was scheduled for August 5, 2002 to consider a Taxi Cab Permit at 115 Chestnut Street.
IMAGINATION DESTINATION: Miss Kathryn McNeil, Imagination Destination Team member, thanked Marion Town Council for their support during their recent competition in Knoxville. She advised them that one team came in 5th in the World competition. The other Marion team also did very well in competition. Liz Galliot, a volunteer coach, also thanked Town Council and all team members.
SMYTH COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Chamber Director Alan Siedel welcomed the new Town Council members, Mr. Warren and Mr. Heath. He reminded members of events coming up for the Chamber. Pig Out in the Park is scheduled on July 20. The Chamber is accepting donations to be auctioned at this event. Tickets are available at the Chamber office.
VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR TRAIL: Mr. Heath advised that the Virginia Civil War Trails sign has been erected on North Main Street near King Ford. Directional signs will be erected.
CLASS REUNIONS: The MSHS classes of 1954-1959 will hold a reunion September 28-30, 2002. It is anticipated that approximately 500 people will attend this event. They have requested assistance in coordinating the event by way of advertisement on the Lincoln Theatre and banners to be hung.
VIRGINIA MAIN STREET SIGNS: Mr. Heath stated that Virginia Main Street signs have arrived and are ready for display.
VIRGINIA TARGET INDUSTRIES: Mr. Heath urged Council members to download information concerning Virginia’s Target Industries.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Mayor Helms informed Council that an Independence Day Celebration will be held at the Smyth County Court House at 10 am on July 4, 2002. The DAR and VFW Post 4667 will sponsor the program. The annual fireworks display will be held at MSHS stadium at approximately 9:45 p.m.
COUNTRY CLUB CROSSING APARTMENTS: Mr. Helms advised that an Open House would be held at Country Club Crossing Apartments, formerly Marion Manor Apartments, on July 14, 2002 from 2 pm-5 pm.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: Town Attorney Mark Fenyk asked that a meeting be scheduled with Council members to review the Freedom of Information Act. The meeting was scheduled on July 11, 2002 at 7:30 a.m.
TOWN OF SALTVILLE: the Town of Saltville and Virginia Tech will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, July 5, 2002 in Saltville, VA for expansion of a hatchery and greenhouses at the Southwest Virginia Aquaculture Center at 9:30 a.m. Congressman Rick Boucher will be the featured speaker. Following the ceremony a tour of the facility will be conducted.
HOLLOW ROAD WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Bids were received on June 28, 2002 for the Hollow Road Water Improvement Project. The apparent low-bidder was Meade Contracting of Pulaski, VA in the amount of $74,439. Teaters Trucking, Inc. bid was $79,300. Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Meade Contracting was awarded the project. It was noted that this cost is for labor only. The Town will provide materials. Mr. Cregger suggested that in the future request for bids should be for labor and materials and labor only.
PAVING SCHEDULE: The Paving schedule was presented for approval. W-L Construction and Paving was the only bidder. Mr. Hendrick moved that contract for paving be awarded to W-L Construction and Paving. Mr. Burkett seconded the motion. The same was approved by a vote of 5 AYES and 1 NOE (Leaman).
PAVEMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER AND POLICE DEPARTMENT: Members of Town Council asked that cost estimates be obtained to pave and stripe the Police Department and Senior Citizen Center. It was noted that these projects would not be considered under VDOT maintenance funds.
WATER & SEWER LINES: Mr. Heath asked that the water and sewer lines on West Coyner Avenue be checked.
SUMMER LUNCHEON IS A SUCCESS: Chief Roberts stated that the Annual Summer Luncheon, at which retiring Police Sgt. Roger Bennett was honored, was a success.
POLICE SGT. PROMOTIONS: Chief Roberts advised that an Oral Board of Review has been held and that the written test will be administered at the end of July, 2002.
ADELPHIA MEETING: Mr. Clark and Mayor Helms attended a meeting in Charlottesville, VA concerning the ownership of Adelphia Cable. Mr. Clark reported that in order for the Town to assume ownership of the Cable Company it must be determined that there is no private competition. In the event of no private competition, the Town could purchase the system and have a third party to administer operations.
SGT. ROGER BENNETT/RETIREMENT: Chief Roberts stated that Sgt. Bennett has elected to retain his service revolver, at a purchase of $250. Attorney Fenyk reminded the Chief that ownership of the revolver must be transferred to Mr. Bennett.
CHILI TEAM: Mayor Helms asked members of Council to remain after adjournment to discuss participation in the Annual Chili Cook-Off.
Upon motion, duly seconded, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.