PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Samuel Burkett, Ken Heath, Buford Cregger, Eugene Hendrick, Mark Warren, Mel Leaman, and Dr. James Gates, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk; Police Chief Michael Roberts; and Purchasing Agent B. J. Hamm.
MINUTES: Mr. Hendrick corrected the minutes to state that lots 1-24 of the proposed Hungry Mother Estates Sub-division were approved to be rezoned from R-2 to R-1 and that lots 25, 26, & 27 will remain R-1. With corrections noted Messrs Burkett, Hendrick, Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
VISITORS: Jerry Lewis, D. C. Walker, John H. Tate, Jr., Denton Staley, Ann Whitmore.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION-RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO C. T. EAGLE, SR: Upon motion of Mr. Warren, seconded by Mr. Burkett and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES a Resolution of Appreciation to C. T. Eagle, Sr., Engineer’s Assistant/Technology Coordinator was approved. Mr. Eagle was not in attendance.
VERIFICATION OF ADDRESS CHANGES ON PROSPECT LANE: It was noted that Vernon C. Olinger and Ruth Ernest have agreed to change their address to bring their address into compliance with the Smyth County 911 system. Mr. Hendrick stated that the 911 Coordinator might notify the homeowners of Town Council’s approval of their new address.
2003 CDBG APPLICATION FOR GILMAN STREET/EAST CHILHOWIE STREET: Mr. Clark advised that he received an e-mail from Governor Warner’s office that the project has been funded in the amount of $400,000 for the first year. The project includes a new water line, rehabilitation housing, housing demolition, production and street improvement. Mr. Clark advised that this is a comprehensive project and will take two years to complete. The Town is currently awaiting official notification of the award.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING POSITION AND SELECTION OF DATE OF MEETING OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: Mr. Clark stated that 6 consultants have submitted proposals for the Technology Consulting Position. He requested that the proposals be referred to the Technology Committee for review.
POTENTIAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUNDING FOR GILMAN STREET: Mr. Clark informed Town Council that a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be available to assist with the Gilman Street Water Line in the amount of $25,000. In addition, the project is under review for potential funding through the Virginia Department of Health. Total cost of the water line project is $40,000.
REPORT FROM WATER COMMITTEE ON ADDITIONAL HOOK-UP ON WILLIAMS ROAD: The Town of Marion has received a request for water connection on Williams Road from Robin Porter. It was noted that the Town of Marion and residents of Williams Road put in a new water line and 3,000 gallon storage tank at 50% cost to the residents (approximately $2,800 each). There are 9 connections on the system. The Water Committee recommended that the request for connection be granted and that it be known that this connection will meet the capacity of the system. Additional storage and/or pumps would be required to expand the water service in the area. Mr. Burkett moved that the request for connection be granted and that it be known that this is the final connection of the Williams Road Water line because of capacity. Mr. Hendrick seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES.
TRANQUILITY LANE AGREEMENT: Mr. Fenyk explained a proposed agreement between the Scott families and the Town of Marion. The agreement is to convey an easement twenty (20) feet in width to the Town with the center of the right-of-way being the two (2”) inch water line. The easement is to run from the existing tap at the Town line for a distance of approximately three thousand feet (3,000). A second easement of twenty (20) feet wide and approximately two hundred eighty five (285) feet would be conveyed to the Town to tie over other residents that had been serviced by a water line that crossed the river. The agreement also allows up to eleven (11) free water taps and connections over a period of 50 years and specified to whom they will go. Approval of the agreement would avert the Town crossing the river with a new line. Mr. Hicks was asked to arrange for a survey of the area to be conducted. The Town also agrees to assist in maintaining a fence 50% to 50% with the Scott family. Upon motion of Mr. Burkett, seconded by Mr. Hendrick, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the agreement was approved.
REPORT FROM SEWER COMMITTEE ON DENTON STALEY SEWER CONNECTION ON JOHN STREET: It was explained that Mr. Staley donated land for ½ of a cul-de-sac at the end of John Street in accordance with VDOT specifications. The deed to the Town of Marion was prepared and recorded. At that time, there was a verbal agreement that the Town would extend sewer service to his residential site and Mr. Staley would set his manhole and extend the line to his home. Mr. Staley would be required to extend 250 feet of the line. Council members were concerned that the verbal agreement was with the former Town Manager. Council directed that the Town Attorney draw future agreements. The Total cost to the Town is $2,816.96. Upon motion of Mr. Leaman, seconded by Mr. Warren and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the request was reluctantly approved.
MARION DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION BOARD: Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Heath), Mayor Helms was reappointed to the MDRA Board of Directors.
LINCOLN THEATRE BOARD: Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Burkett and vote of 6 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Dr. Gates), Dr. Gates was reappointed to the Lincoln Theatre Board.
VIRGINIA 2007 JAMESTOWN CELEBRATION: Mr. Heath informed Council that Abingdon has been selected as a Pilot Community during this celebration.
MT. DEW DAYS BAND FESTIVAL: Mr. Heath stated that a Band Festival would be included in the Mt. Dew Days festivities. To date, 15 bands have expressed interest in the festival. Mr. Heath requested permission to close Main Street on Saturday morning of the festival for the parade. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 1 ABSTENTION (Heath), the request was granted and Mr. Heath was instructed to consult with Police Chief Roberts on the details.
LUNCHTIME ON THE LAWN: Mr. Heath advised that Lunchtime on the Lawn will begin on Friday 6/6/03.
WATER CONTROL BOARD: Mr. Burkett stated that water systems through out MRPDC might be eligible for funding from CDBG. The Town currently has a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $17,000 for the Engineering Report on the Water Treatment Plant Project.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION: Mr. Helms read a Thank You letter from Destination Imagination Team members who ranked 10th in the World Competition. Council expressed their pride in the dedication and preparation of the Team.
MRS. TUELL CELEBRATES 101ST BIRTHDAY: Council members were invited to help celebrate Ellen Annabell Jackson Tuell’s 101st Birthday on June 7, 2003 from 2-4 p.m. at Riverbend Park.
BOY SCOUT TROOP 190: Mayor Helms read requests from several members of Boy Scout Troop 190 for proposed upgrades to Town Services. Mayor Helms referred these items to the appropriate departments.
OLDER AMERICAN’S DAY: Mayor Helms stated that Older Americans Day on May 23, 2003 had a great turnout.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS: Mr. Warren asked when Pedestrian Crossing Signs at the Post Office would be installed as approved by Town Council. Mr. Hicks was asked to look into this matter.
REVEREND CHARLES DEHART: Mr. Warren informed Council that Reverend Charles DeHart of Grace United Methodist Church is being relocated, as is the custom in the Methodist Church. He added that Rev. DeHart has regularly conducted devotions for Town Council. Mayor Helms will extend the Town’s appreciation in a letter to Rev. DeHart.
SEWER PROBLEM-JIMMY SHULER: Mr. Jimmy Shuler requested that the Town investigate sewer problems at 208 W. Lee Street. Mayor Helms informed Mr. Shuler that the Town Engineer, Town Manager and Public Works Director will meet with Mr. Shuler to discuss his sewer problem.
PUBLIC HEARING 2003-2004 BUDGET: Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, Council set a Public Hearing on the 2003-2004 Budget for June 23, 2003 at 5 pm in Town Council Chambers.
CLOSED SESSION: Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (7) and 2.2-3711 (3), as amended and upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Burkett, and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, Town Council entered into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing a request from John H. Tate to Vacate a Sub-division and to consider an Option Agreement on the former Heilig-Myers Building. Dr. Gates was excused during the discussion of the Option Agreement on the former Helig-Myers Building. Mr. Hendrick moved that Council return to Open Session and that it be known that only those matters identified and legally exempted from the Open meeting were discussed during the Closed Session. Mr. Heath seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Burkett, Heath, Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Hendrick and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
HUNGRY MOTHER ESTATES SUB-DIVISION: Dr. Gates moved that the request to vacate the proposed sub-division be continued. Mr. Heath seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES. Mr. Burkett stated that he would like to see every effort made to bring this development to fruition.
OPTION ON HEILIG MYERS BUILDING: Mr. Burkett moved that the Town extend the option on Heilig Myers Building for 90 days. Mr. Warren seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 5 AYES and 2 ABSTENTIONS (Gates, Heath).
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.