10-10-89 Minutes

A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, was held in the Council Hall of the Municipal Building at 7:30 p.m., October 10, 1989.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman E. Thomas Messier; Vice Mayor John M. Owen, III; and Councilman Ronnie C. Rice.

Members absent: Councilman James A. Vest.

Staff present: City Manager Jack A. Gross and Clerk of the Council Teresa W. Hatcher.

Staff absent: City Attorney W. W. Berry, IV.

Mayor Shelton opened the meeting and led all present in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mayor Shelton declared that the minutes of an adjourned meeting held on September 21, 1989, and the minutes of a regular meeting held on September 26, 1989, were approved.

On motion by Councilman Messier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried, the following items were added to the agenda under "New Business":

Request for Funds - Liberty High School Band Boosters and Bedford Middle School Band Boosters

Request to Block Streets - Bedford Shrine Club

City Manager Gross reported he received a telephone call from the Superintendent of Bedford County Schools, who was filling out a report. Mr. Gross stated that the Superintendent asked him if it was Council's intention to expand the capacity at the Middle School so that the sixth grade could attend. Mr. Gross stated that he indicated to the Superintendent that the Middle School was not part of the school contract; that the City had no obligation to expand it; that the fact that the Superintendent chose not to bring the sixth grade over and to make larger numbers in the other grades was an educational decision; and he did not know, and had not heard of Council's intentions to increase the capacity at the Middle School. Mr. Gross stated that he told the Superintendent to put down zero on his report.

Discussion ensued regarding a joint meeting tentatively scheduled to be held on October 30, 1989, with the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.

Items to be discussed at the joint meeting are:

Proposed Resolution of Participation - Virginia Community Certification Program

Joint Dog Pound

Landfill - (The City Manager to provide Council with some alternatives regarding a joint landfill with Bedford County.)

Including a possible report on the Recycling Grant.

Grayson Commission Proposals

Consolidation of the Governments

The item on the consent agenda was as follows: Appointment of Mr. Leonard P. Hudson to a three-year term on the Central Virginia Commission on Aging Advisory Council, said term to expire August 31, 1992.

On motion by Councilman Messier, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried, the consent agenda was accepted.

The City Manager reported that he and the Commissioner of Revenue, Brenda Daniel, have been discussing the proration of personal property taxes. Mrs. Daniel estimated that adoption of this procedure would yield between $25,000 to $30,000 annually. He stated that if Council decides to adopt this proration, it would be necessary to have the State enabling legislation in place.

Discussion ensued, with Council taking no action.

It was the concurrence of Council to take no action on the requests for funds from the Liberty High School and Bedford Middle School Band Boosters Clubs; and that the Clubs come back before Council if their fund raising requirements are not met.

City Manager Gross stated that Council received a copy of a letter from Carl H. Wells, President of the Bedford Shrine Club, requesting permission to close Bedford Avenue between College Street and Mountain Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on November 4, 1989, for the annual Shrine Club parade. The Chief of Police has approved of this street closing, and the Executive Director of the Elks National Home has given his consent.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council grant permission to the Bedford Shrine Club to close Bedford Avenue between College Street and Mountain Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on November 4, 1989. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.