9-21-89 Minutes

An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, was held in the Council Hall of the Municipal Building at 7:00 p.m., September 21, 1989.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman E. Thomas Messier; and Councilman James A. Vest.

Members absent: Vice Mayor John M. Owen, III; and Councilman Ronnie C. Rice (arrived at 7:05 p.m.).

Staff present: City Manager Jack A. Gross; City Attorney W. W. Berry, IV; and Clerk of the Council Teresa W. Hatcher.

Mayor Shelton stated that the purpose of the meeting was discussion of Grayson Commission proposals; discussion of a presentation to be made at a public hearing on September 25; and consideration of action that came from the Grayson Commission Study Group, made up of localities across Virginia.

City Manager Gross reported on a meeting of officials held on September 15, 1989, in Charlottesville. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to study the most recent proposals of the Grayson Commission and their proposed impact on independent cities. The City Manager stated that he was appointed to a coordinating committee that was directed to lead the study of the impact of the legislation being proposed for this session of the Virginia General Assembly. Mr. Gross said that since the proposals contain an option for consolidation of local governments, services provided to Bedford's citizens such as school boards, constitutional officers, police and health, welfare, and numerous other services would all be impacted. He stated that the other option being presented under the proposed legislation would require the City of Bedford to apply for a change of status to a City of the First Class from the present designation as a City of the Second Class. Mr. Gross stated that such a change would eliminate the City's ability to grow through boundary adjustments. The City Manager reported that because of the far-reaching changes and economic impact of the proposed legislation, the cities have agreed, pending ratification by their various councils, to work together and to jointly fund the cost of a comprehensive study. The City's share for this project is $5,000, based on expected expenditures of approximately $225,000.

On motion by Councilman Messier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried, the following item was added to the agenda: Appropriation for Grayson Commission Study Group.

Councilman Messier moved that Council appropriate $5,000 from the unappropriated surplus to Account No. 0101101101030021 and authorize the City Manager to transfer these funds to the City of Waynesboro, with the City of Waynesboro acting as fiscal agent for the cities who will employ legal and economic consultants to assist them in this study. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vest, voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Messier aye

Vice Mayor Owen absent

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Mayor Shelton and the City Manager reported on a Grayson Commission Public Hearing held in Halifax County on September 18. Members of Council and the staff reviewed a proposed statement that the Mayor will make at the public hearing on September 25 in Roanoke to be held by the Grayson Commission.

Mayor Shelton stated that he will report on the public hearing at the next regular Council meeting.

Discussion ensued regarding Council meeting with the City's legislators, and the City Manager is to schedule these meetings in November or December.

The City Manager reported that the State Water Control Board staff informed his office that they would be presenting the City's application at the Board meeting in September, and that the staff is going to recommend that the City's project be at zero percent interest rate.

Councilman Messier asked for an administrative and/or legal opinion concerning the wells agreement and whether the signed document is consistent with the action taken by Council. The City Manager stated that a report will be made at the next regular Council meeting.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.