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 May 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Mayor David P. Helms; Eugene Hendrick, Mel Leaman, Ken Heath, Mark Warren, Herbert Clay, and Dr. James Gates, Council Members; Town Manager John E. B. Clark, Jr.; Town Attorney Mark Fenyk; Assistant Town Manager/Town Engineer Cecil Hicks; Police Chief Michael Roberts, Police Officer Adam Bolling; Police Sgt. Andrew Moss; Police Sgt. Steve Hagy and Town Clerk/Director of Finance Dixie Sheets.

INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Rev. Mark Ross rendered the invocation. Mayor Helms led the Pledge to the Flag.

VISITORS: Rev. Mark Ross, Jeff Spickard, Town Council Candidate Bill Weaver.

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 April 21, 2008 were approved as written and distributed. Messrs Hendrick, Clay, Warren, Heath, Leaman, and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.

MARION POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Michael Roberts announced that Sgt. Andrew Moss recently graduated from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy. Sgt. Moss is the first Marion Police Officer to complete this course.

Chief Roberts also announced that Police Officer Adam Bolling recently graduated from the Southwest Virginia Law Enforcement Academy. He added that this is 15 weeks of rigorous training. Now a certified officer, Officer Bolling was awarded the most “physically fit” candidate in the class.

Mayor, Town Council Members, staff and citizens are proud of these individuals and express appreciation for their dedication to duty and service to our community.

RESULTS OF TANK BIDS IN RELATION TO BALANCE OF FUNDS ON WATER TREATMENT PLANT LOAN: Jeff Spickard, Lane Engineering, presented an overview of the bids received for Water Storage Tank Improvements. The Town will utilize the balance of funds ($80,000) from the Water Treatment Plant Project to complete the approved project. Eastern Tank and Vault’s base bid was $44,100. The only other bid received was from Southern Corrosion in the amount of $69,247 for the base bid. The base bid is to perform all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to make the improvements to the tanks. The base bid for the Water Storage Tank Improvements includes both Prater Tanks and the Atkins Tank.

There were two (2) Alternate bid items: Alternate 1 – High Level Tank and Alternate 2- Hot/Cold Tank. Eastern Tank and Vault bid $63,900 and $10,000, respectively. Southern Corrosion, Inc. bid $82,126 on Alternate 1 and $75,818 on Alternate 2.

Mr. Spickard recommended that the Town Council tentatively award the base bid to Eastern Tank & Vault, pending approval from the Virginia Department of Health. Mr. Heath so moved and added that the Town staff negotiate with Eastern Tank & Vault for alternatives 1 & 2. Mr. Clay seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Hendrick, Heath, Leaman, Clay, Warren, and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.

NOTICE ON RESIGNATION OF M. J. HUBBLE FROM THE MARION PLANNING COMMISSION: Town Council was notified of the resignation of M. J. Hubble from the Marion Planning Commission, effective immediately. Upon motion of Mr. Clay, seconded by Mr. Leaman, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Council accepted Mr. Hubble’s resignation. Council members will begin the process to select a replacement for Mr. Hubble.

REQUEST FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT ON SELLING UNIT 16, OLD SUBURBAN: Marion Volunteer Fire Department requested permission to sell the Suburban (Unit 16) on GovDeals.com. The unit was purchased using Fire Department Funds but titled to the Town of Marion. A 1994 Chevrolet Suburban has been purchased from the Ashburn Fire Department and is also titled to the Town of Marion. The proceeds from the sale of Unit 16, if approved, will be used to offset the payment for the replacement vehicle (1994 Chevrolet). Upon motion of Dr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Warren and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Town Council authorized the sale of Unit 16 and proceeds, less any sell expenses, will revert to the MVFD to be used to offset the payment for the replacement vehicle. Messrs Hendrick, Heath, Leaman, Clay, Warren, and Dr. Gates.

Officer Steve Hagy arrived.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AND FINANCE ON UPDATED WEB PAGE: Town Council referred this item to Technology Committee to prepare an RFP to update the web page and bid the same with rights to reject any and all bids. Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES. The Technology Committee recommended that the Town stay with the current internet server.

DEDICATION OF THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT: Congressman Rick Boucher will present the keynote address at the dedication of the upgraded Marion Water Treatment Plant on Monday, May 12, at 10:00 am at the plant on Water Mill Road.

TV CABLE COMMITTEE-COMCAST: Upon motion of Mr. Leaman, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, this item was continued.

MARION DOWNTOWN-STREET CLOSURE REQUESTS: Mr. Heath presented a list of Downtown events that will require street closures on Main Street and some adjoining streets. They are: May 26 Memorial Day Parade 10 am (Close Main Street to Dabney Dr.)

May 30 Senior Day/Riverbend Park 9am-3pm

June Each Friday for Lunchtime on the Lawn

June 7 Schools Out Party 3-9 pm (Close Town St.-Chestnut to Commerce)

July 4 Fireworks at MSHS Stadium (6 pm-midnight)

July 18 Chili Cookoff 6 pm-Midnight (Main from Sheffey to

Commerce)

Sept 11 Patriot’s Day 6-7 pm (Main from Sheffey to Park)

Oct 25 Halloween Madness 11-1 (Main from Sheffey to Commerce)

Nov 23 Christmas Parade 2 pm (Main from Poston to Dabney)

1908 SCHOOLHOUSE: Mr. Heath advised that KW Poore Associates will host a Public Information Workshop on Tuesday, May 13, beginning at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers concerning the prospective best use for the building.

‘ROUND THE MOUNTAIN: Mr. Heath informed Town Council of a “Working Together in Southwest Virginia” Conference to be held in Abingdon on May 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Mayor Helms added that anyone interested in attending should contact Town Manager John Clark prior to registration.

VIRGINIA ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TECHNOLOGY CENTER (VECTEC): Mr. Heath asked that Town Council members review the proposal of VECTEC concerning Business Assistance Grants to the Town of Marion Small Business for E-Commerce.

GO GREEN VIRGINIA CHALLENGE: The Town of Marion will incorporate a plan to “Go Green” with many of the suggestions made recently during a forum on the subject. Mayor Helms urged the Town to review material and strive to be more energy efficient in the future.

GENERAL FRANCIS MARION HOTEL: The General Francis Marion Hotel has been selected by the editors of National Geographic Traveler magazine to be featured in its first-ever, annual “Stay List”.

FARMER’S MARKET: Mr. Heath advised that 10 vendors have registered for the opening day of the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 10.

APPALACHIAN SPIRIT GALLERY: The Appalachian Spirit Gallery will host their grand opening on Friday, May 9^th, between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY WEEK: The week of May 11-May 17 will be recognized as Business & Industry Week.

TOWN SECTION MEETING: The Town Section Meeting will be conducted at the Wytheville Meeting Center on May 29 beginning at 11 am.

FORMER PEPSI BOTTLING FACILITY: Mayor Helms extended an invitation from Dr. Kris Gandhi to tour the renovations to the former Pepsi bottling plant located on North Main Street.

MAGGIE GRAHAM: MSHS Senior Maggie Graham is a finalist in the Bristol Herald Courier Gene “Pappy” Thompson Award. The award is based not only on athletic ability but academics and community involvement.

MARCH OF DIMES: Mayor Helms stated that the March of Dimes raised $20,000 at the event held in Marion on May 3^rd.

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION: Mayor Helms advised that the Arbor Day Celebration was successful.

MUSIC WALK: A “Music Walk” will be held on the fourth (4^th) Saturday of each month.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM AT WASSONA & NORTH MAIN STREET: Mr. Hicks requested a meeting of the Street Committee to discuss the traffic signal at Wassona & North Main Street.

CLOSED SESSION, PURSUANT TO CODE OF VIRGINIA, AS AMENDED, Section 2.2-3711 (A7) and upon motion of Mr. Hendrick, seconded by Mr. Clay and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, Council entered into Closed Session to Receive an Attorney Briefing on Revenue Sharing with regard to Exit 47 and the Revenue Sharing Agreement. Mr. Hendrick moved that Council return to Open Session and that it be known that only those matters identified were discussed during the Closed Session. Mr. Clay seconded the motion. Council approved the same by a vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES. Messrs Hendrick, Heath, Leaman, Clay, Warren, and Dr. Gates voted affirmatively.

REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT/EXIT 47: Dr. James Gates and Mr. Mel Leaman volunteered to serve on a Special Committee to work with Smyth County Committee representatives on resolution of the Revenue Sharing Agreement with regard to Exit 47 and the CDA. Mr. Hicks and Mr. Clark will also serve on the committee.

Upon motion, duly seconded, and vote of 6 AYES and 0 NOES, the meeting was adjourned.

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Mayor Clerk