PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Buford Cregger, Herbert Clay, Mel Leaman, Mark Warren, Ken Heath and Dr. James Gates, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Police Chief Michael Roberts; and Town Clerk/Director of Finance Dixie O. 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 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the minutes of the meeting held on December 19, 2005 were approved as written and distributed. Messrs Cregger, Leaman, Warren, Clay, Heath, and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
VISITORS: Police Officer Tom Chapman, Jeff Spickard
INTRODUCTION OF NEW POLICE OFFICER TOM CHAPMAN: Police Chief Michael Roberts introduced Police Officer Tom Chapman. Officer Chapman comes to the Police force with eight (8) years experience and is a Certified Officer. He possesses an Associates Degree from VHCC and is a veteran of the Air Force, serving in Operation Desert Shield.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY-WATER TANK AT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: Town Attorney Mark Fenyk stated that the Town had an agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia-Department of Corrections (DOC) that the Town would operate and maintain the water tank located at the DOC. The agreement included a provision that if the Town no longer uses the tank, the ownership would revert back to the Commonwealth. Mr. Fenyk noted that the Town might convey property to the Commonwealth without entering into the bid process. The Town no longer has need of the water tank. Mayor Helms opened the public hearing to declare the property surplus. There was no public comment. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the water tank property was declared surplus and according to the agreement, ownership will revert to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Messrs Cregger, Leaman, Heath, Clay, Warren and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY-PARCEL OF PROPERTY ON CHILHOWIE STREET: Town Attorney Mark Fenyk informed Council that a governmental agency may convey property to Habitat for Humanity as HH is non-profit and not a religiously affiliated organization. Mayor Helms opened the public hearing to declare the property located on Chilhowie Street as surplus. There was no public comment. Upon motion of Mr. Cregger, seconded by Mr. Heath and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the property was declared surplus and to be deeded to Habitat for Humanity to construct a new home site. Messrs Cregger, Leaman, Clay, Warren, Heath and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.
The 3-lot property was acquired by the Town as part of a rehabilitation project on Gilman and Chilhowie Streets. One home was constructed on one lot as part of the rehabilitation project. The property also contains a lot upon which the house is to be demolished and an additional lot to construct another home. Mr. Fenyk advised that the house on the middle lot is to be demolished and removed as part of the grant. It is still standing and should remain in the Town’s possession, as placement of a home on this parcel is yet to be determined. The Town Manager, along with Brian Reed of MRPDC, will pursue the process for demolition of this house.
REZONING REQUEST FROM DR. K. GANDHI ON FORMER PEPSI BUILDING – NORTH MAIN STREET FROM INDUSTRIAL TO COMMERCIAL: This item will be considered by the Marion Planning Commission on January 9, 2006.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Mr. Hicks advised that the Marion Planning Commission would review the revised Comprehensive Plan. The Plan was revised following comments made at the public hearing.
REPORT ON TOWN SPRING SITUATION: The Town of Marion issued a boil water notice effective 10:45 a.m. on December 29, 2005 for the entire Town of Marion system. This step was taken due to the high turbidity levels (discoloration) recorded at the town springs. The order was suspended at 11:30 a.m. on December 30, 2005. The spring remains off-line and customers were asked to conserve water until the Town Spring was placed back “on-line”. However, according to Town Engineer Cecil Hicks, the turbidity level again spiked and the spring will remain “off-line” until the Town and Department of Health determine that the spring has settled again. The Town staff has cleaned the spring box and hope that this will help the process.
Mr. Hicks gave a brief overview of the history of the spring. The last time the spring turbidity spiked was 1994 and was off line for three (3) months. It was determined that the problem resulted from some geological disturbance. The Water Treatment Plant is currently supplying all of the Town’s water and supplies are ample. The additional running of the plant requires two operators and is being staffed by the water treatment plant employees and other town staff.
Town staff will continue to monitor the water at the spring. The Mayor and Council Members expressed their appreciation to the town staff for their assistance and hard work during this most difficult time.
WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Jeff Spickard, Lane Engineering, informed Council that the bid process is on schedule. He noted that the pre-bid conference was conducted at the end of December with several interested contractors. Bids are due January 12, 2006. Mr. Spickard added that that the Request for Proposals included asbestos abatement. The contractor will assume the responsibility of removal and any asbestos abatement.
GRANT FOR PRATER LANE PUMP STATION: Town Council was reminded that the renovation of the Prater Lane Pump Station was added as a part of the Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project and that funding thru DHCD (Mount Rogers Planning District) in the amount of $188,960. has been awarded to the Town for this purpose.
NIMS: Mr. Heath stated that all elected officials and department heads will be required to take a course in the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
CONFIRMATION ON PPTRA CALCULATIONS-TOWN ATTORNEY: Mr. Fenyk advised that Smyth County Attorney John H. Tate, Jr. is continuing to study this matter.
THE LION, WITCH AND THE WARDROBE: The new film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, is a Walt Disney film which is based upon the first of seven books by the late C. S. Lewis. The first biographer of Mr. Lewis was Chad Walsh, who grew up in Marion. In 1949, Walsh published “C.S. Lewis: Apostle to the Skeptics”. This established Mr. Walsh as the American authority on C. S. Lewis. Don Francis provided this information.
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE-SMYTH COUNTY REBIRTH: On January 3, 2006 an article appeared in the Washington Post. The article discussed how the textile and manufacturing plants were moved oversees, with the County losing over 1,100 jobs. It noted that private business owners, local officials and economic leaders are working together to promote the area thru tourism and retaining the current businesses. This has been accomplished with tax incentives and efforts to improve education for the labor force. The county is taking advantage of a program designed by Gov. Mark Warner to promote tourism in the area. The article presented Marion, Saltville, Chilhowie and Smyth County in a positive way.
PARKING DOWNTOWN: Mr. Heath reported that parking in the downtown area continues to present a problem. With the Lincoln Theatre, Macados and other local businesses, often times there are few parking areas to be found. He cited one area near the post office where 5-6 parking spaces can be established. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Leaman and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this issue was referred to the Street Committee, with power to act.
FORMER MARION LIFESAVING CREW BUILDING: Mr. Cregger noted that the former Marion Lifesaving Crew Building demolition project is complete. He commended Teaters Trucking, Inc. on a job well done.
WATER CONTRACT WITH SMYTH COUNTY: There has been no response from Smyth County regarding the revised Water Contract which was hand delivered to them on 11/21/05.
RIVERWALK OBSERVATION DECK: Mr. Warren stated that he had visited the site of the Observation Deck at the Riverwalk. He asked if the site is safe, with no toxins. Mr. Hicks stated that, to his knowledge, the site is completely safe.
LEE STREET PROJECT: Council members were informed that Ken Construction, Teaters’ Trucking, Inc. and Sprint are currently working on the Lee Street Project.
WATER TREATMENT PLANT INPROVEMENT BOND: Ms. Sheets advised that the Bond Counsel, F. Webster Day, requested that the public hearing be scheduled on February 6, 2006, in the amount of $1,576,700. Upon motion of Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the public hearing was set for February 6, 2006.
CHANGE OF MEETING SCHEDULE: Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, and as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a holiday, the Town Council rescheduled the meeting of January 16, 2006 to January 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
FMLA: Chief Roberts informed Town Council that one of his officers, Kel Lowry, has been on family medical leave and has returned to work.
ROOF ON 144 W. MAIN STREET BUILDING (FORMER POLICE DEPARTMENT): Mr. Clark advised that he had requested that the contractor begin roofing on December 1. This date was not acceptable to the contractor due to prior commitments. The contractor had informed Mr. Clark that he could perform this work during cold weather. A notice to proceed has been issued. Mr. Clark will contact the contractor concerning this matter.
Upon motion, duly seconded and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.