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 August 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Eugene Hendrick, Buford Cregger, Herbert Clay, Ken Heath, Mel Leaman, Mark Warren, and Dr. James Gates, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Assistant Town Manager/Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Police Chief Michael Roberts; Town Clerk/Director of Finance Dixie Sheets.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Mr. Warren rendered the invocation. Mayor Helms led the Pledge to the Flag.
MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Clay, seconded by Mr. Heath and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting conducted on 8/1/05 were approved as written and distributed.
VISITORS: Jeff Spickard
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO REZONE 211 BROAD STREET FROM CG TO R3 AND 121 PENDLETON STREET FROM IG TO CG: These items were continued to the public hearing date of September 6, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO ENACT ADULT USES: This item was continued to the public hearing date of September 6, 2005.
SITUATION ON LEE STREET HIGHWAY PROJECT: Mr. Clark reported that the Town had secured easements with regard to this project. Atmos Energy, Sprint and Comcast have accepted the easements. However, The project has been delayed several weeks due to the fact that AEP will not accept the existing easement and requires that there be six (6) supplemental easements. Three have already been signed. Once the easements are secured and approved by AEP, the utility poles will be moved.
PAY REQUEST NUMBER 6 ON EAST CHILHOWIE STREET BRIDGE: Payment Request # 6, in the amount of $43,241.50, to Inland Construction, was presented for approval. Mr. Fenyk informed Town Council that he had requested a written statement from the engineer that states that the proposed recommendation that holes be bored into the bridge deck to correct the draining problem will indeed correct the problems and will not affect the integrity of the bridge. This document has not been received. Following a lengthy discussion and upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Warren and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued awaiting receipt of the letter from Thompson & Litton.
PAY REQUEST NUMBER 1 ON CAMPBELL AVENUE SEWER: Payment Request # 1, to Teaters Trucking, on the Campbell Avenue Project was presented in the amount of $38,742.90. Mr. Clark advised that Rural Development would reimburse $19,371.45 of that amount. Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Warren and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, payment of Request # 1 was approved. Messrs Hendrick, Leaman, Cregger, Warren, Clay, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
ENGINEER AND TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION ON LEE STREET WATER LINE: Mr. Clark reported that the Water Committee had requested that he and Mr. Hicks “grade” the bids for engineering services for the Lee Street Water Line. Lane Engineering and Thompson & Litton had submitted bids. Based upon an average of the “grades” of Lane Engineering at 91 and T&L @ 82, Mr. Clark and Mr. Hicks recommended Lane Engineering. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, Lane Engineering was selected as engineer for the 1,200-1,500 foot water line to be installed from North Main Street to Chestnut Street. Messrs Hendrick, Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Clay, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
ACCOUNTS: Mr. Clay moved that the accounts be paid in the amount of $1,155,528,23. Mr. Leaman seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Hendrick, Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Clay, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
INVESTMENTS: Mr. Leaman moved that the Investment Report be approved as presented. Mr. Clay seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Hendrick, Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Clay, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
SET MEETING DATE: Due to Labor Day, the next meeting will be conducted on September 6, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
FINANCE COMMITTEE-4H CENTER REQUEST FOR
FUNDING: The Finance Committee recommended that since the budget is
set, this request be re-introduced for consideration in the next
budget year of 2006-2007.
FINANCE COMMITTEE-PLANS FOR THE PRATER LANE PUMP STATION UPGRADE - $8,450: Dr. Gates moved that the Town continue with plans to upgrade the Prater Lane Pump Station and that $8,450 be approved for payment of those plans. Mr. Leaman seconded the motion and stated that Lane Engineering has stipulated that the plans will belong to the Town of Marion if, for any reason, the project is delayed. Council approved the same unanimously. Messrs Hendrick, Cregger, Leaman, Heath, Clay, Warren and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
WATER COMMITTEE-NEGOTIATIONS FOR COUNTY WATER PURCHASE AGREEMENT: The Water Committee recommended that the Town grant the County request to allow for fourteen (14) 3-year contract terms. The County asked for the change due to requirements from their lending agency. The agreement allows for negotiations at the end of each 3-year period and may be terminated, by mutual agreement, at such time. There was some concern that the Town will be committing to providing more than 40 years water service to the County. Dr. Gates noted that County funding for other large ticket items for the Town is minimal (i.e. Recreation, Fire and Senior Citizens). Some of the items discussed were: 1) Usage minimums; 2) Usage maximums; 3) ability for each party to drop out of the contract at the end of each 3-year period. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Hendrick moved that a letter be mailed to Smyth County that to satisfy Rural Development, that the Town agree to sell them water for another four (4) year period, and continue to do so as long as the town and County mutually agree. The motion died for lack of a second. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Cregger and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this matter was referred to the Water & Finance Committees and Town Attorney for review and draft contract.
SEWER COMMITTEE-SITUATION ON TOWN STREET: Mr. Hicks informed Town Council that a sewer problem has developed on an old line that is located on private property. The Snider House, located at the corner of Cherry and Park Street, the Boatwright House, located at the other corner of Cherry and Park Street and the Blevins house located at the corner of Town and Park Street are on a private line that runs thru the back yards of the property beginning at the Snider house down to Town Street. There is nothing in the Town records that indicates that this is a Town line. In an effort to assist the Boatwrights, the Town has cameraed the line and has determined that the problem is located on their property. The Boatwrights contend that the Town should repair the line. However, the Town has taken all necessary steps to assist the Boatwrights and has done all it can to help alleviate the problem. The Committee noted that resolution of the problem lies between property owners as the line is on private property and that no action is necessary at this time.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE-CARE OF PREMISES: The committee recommended that the Town proceed with the Ordinance as written. “Warrants in Debt” will be secured for those who do not pay for the cleanup when invoiced.
FIRE COMMITTEE-CHARGING FOR SERVICES: Upon motion of Mr. Warren, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this matter was continued.
SHUCK-N-CLUCK: Shuck-N-Cluck will be held on September 3 at Hungry Mother State Park Beach. There will be food, music and dancing at a cost of $25 per ticket.
$10 is the cost for the music and dancing only.
PATRIOTS DAY: Patriot’s Day will be held on September 11 at the Courthouse lawn at 2 PM. Mr. Heath requested that the Town close the street from Church to Sheffey Street from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program will celebrate the heroism of current and past members of the various service areas, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans and emergency service personnel, such as fire, rescue, and law enforcement agencies.
TRAILER ON SPRINKLE AVENUE-BURNED: It
was noted that a burned and abandoned trailer is located on Sprinkle
Avenue and has not been attended to for a number of months. The
property owner has been contacted and has been granted 90 additional
days to address this situation. If the trailer is not removed within
90 days, documents will be filed with the Courts.
SMYTH COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL/SMYTH COUNTY FOUNDATION: Mr. Clay reported that the SCCH Board of Directors chose to dissolve their relationship with Carillon. The Board has moved to seek options in forming a strategic alliance with another healthcare system. Standing alone is still an option, however, not very viable.
The Smyth County Foundation will remain in existence; however, remaining funds will be transferred to pay on the Wellness Center Debt. The Wellness Center will be the main focus of these funds. He added that a press release would be forthcoming.
TRANSIT REPORT: Mayor Helms noted that the Transit system again transported citizens to and from the Arts and Crafts Festival held at Hungry Mother State Park. This is certainly a valuable service to our citizens.
BRIDGE RE-OPENING-EAST CHILHOWIE STREET: Mayor Helms noted that the Chilhowie Street Bridge was re-opened on June 28. A lovely affair was conducted to commiserate this occasion.
BLUE RIDGE JOB CORPS-40TH ANNIVERSARY: Mayor Helms noted that the 40th Anniversary of the BRJC would be held later this week.
TOWN AND COUNTRY BBQ: The Town and
Country BBQ will be held on August 18, 2005.
STREET LIGHT REQUEST-628 BURLINGTON STREET: A second request has been received to consider a street light at 628 Burlington Street. The request was considered previously and Town Council approved an upgrade of an existing light. This matter was referred to the Street Light Committee for study and report.
TV CABLE-TIME WARNER/COMCAST TRANSACTION: Mr. Fenyk reported that he is awaiting a response from the cable companies. Upon motion of Mr. Leaman, seconded by Mr. Heath and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued.
POLICE DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE: Chief Roberts reported that the Police Department Web Page is undergoing improvements.
LARCENIES: Chief Roberts reported that there has been a “rash” of larcenies involving removal of money and electronics from unlocked vehicles in the Fairground Hill area.
WATER TREATMENT UPGRADE: Mr. Clark reported that it is the recommendation of the Water and Finance Committees that the Town proceed with the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, on our own. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 7 AYES and 0 NOES, this item will be added to the next agenda.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of
7 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.