11-28-89 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., November 28, 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; Councilman Ronnie C. Rice; and Councilman James A. Vest.

Members absent: None.

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

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 a regular meeting held on November 14, 1989, were approved as mailed.

Councilwoman Grahame stated that she had received several telephone calls regarding the intersection of Shady Knoll and Longwood Avenue and the need for a stop light. She suggested that a traffic counter be placed at that intersection. The City Manager stated that the traffic will be counted at that intersection.

Councilman Brookshier stated that a community information meeting will be held by the Executive Director of the Patrick Henry Boys Plantation in the Council Chamber on December 5 at 7:30 p.m. regarding a site for a home for girls.

Vice Mayor Owen asked if the leaf collecting machines are out of order. The City Manager stated that the new machine, which was ordered under emergency purchase procedures, arrived today and it should be on the road tomorrow.

The Consent Agenda consisted of the following items:

Appointment of Sergeant Robert L. Bush to fill an unexpired term on the Keep Bedford Beautiful Commission, said term to expire on June 30, 1991.

Appointment of Mr. T. Glynn Bradley and Mr. G. E. Murray, Jr., to four-year terms on the Industrial Development Authority, said terms to expire November 30, 1993.

Councilman Brookshier moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilman Messier, voted upon and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ronald B. Goodman made a presentation regarding the needs of senior citizens in the Bedford area, such as in-home care, meals on wheels, and a life-line phone system.

The City Manager reported that the Director of Parks and Recreation is requesting permission to close East Main Street from Orange Street to Gold Road for the annual Christmas Parade on December 1, 1989, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mr. Gross said that one lane of East Main Street will be kept open for emergency vehicle use, and residents will have ingress and egress to their homes. He further stated that the Parks and Recreation Department will obtain written permission for closing the street from the adjoining property owners. Closing of the street has been reviewed by the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Rescue Squad.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council grant permission to the Parks and Recreation Department to close East Main Street from Orange Avenue to Gold Road on December 1, 1989, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., contingent upon the obtaining of written permission from adjoining property owners. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brookshier, and after a brief discussion, was voted upon and carried unanimously.

City Manager Gross stated that Council had previously received information concerning the City's eligibility to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds for neighborhood rehabilitation. Based on a preliminary review of the City's needs, the City Manager recommended that the City apply for grants totaling $1,000,000 for neighborhood rehabilitation in areas to be defined in both Ward 1 and Ward 2. He stated that specific boundaries will be established after a detailed survey and study is made. In order to increase the City's chances for successful funding, the City Manager further recommended that the City employ consultants to assist in the grant preparation and advise on the grant submission procedure.

Councilman Brookshier moved that Council appropriate $15,000 from the unappropriated surplus to Account No. 0101101101030021 for the preparation and submission of a Community Development Block Grant application totaling $1,000,000, and authorize the City Manager to enter into professional negotiations to employ consultants to assist the City in preparing and submitting the application at a cost not to exceed $15,000. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vest. After discussion the motion was voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Messier aye

Vice Mayor Owen nay

Councilman Rice nay

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

City Council reviewed with Delegate Lacey Putney the City's Legislative Action Program for 1990 which dealt with the following items:

1. Route 122 North/South Connector - Council strongly urging its legislators to support the timely completion of the connector.

2. Unfunded State mandates - The City supports the monitoring of the implementation of all legislation directed at controlling the increasing burden on local government caused by administrative interpretation of the intent of such legislation.

3. The City supports the legislative authority for local governments to manage their own affairs free from federal and state interference and therefore supports rescinding the Dillon Rule.

4. The City Council requests its representatives to support a statewide beverage container act.

5. The City supports "right to work" legislation and opposes collective bargaining and dues check-off for public employees.

6. The City recognizes the need for additional State resources in combatting illegal drugs and drug-related problems and strongly supports legislation to facilitate and implement legislation and programs designed to combat this growing threat to our citizens. The City recommends that its representatives support increased funding at the state level for mental health and social services.

7. The City supports legislation initiatives to improve education.

8. The City commends the State's support of the Main Street Program.

9. The City strongly opposes any legislation which will permit the State Corporation Commission to further regulate rates for utility services it furnishes.

10. The City opposes any legislation which would result in future problems with surface and ground water resources. The City specifically opposes legislation providing for inter-basin transfers of surface water.

11. The City opposes legislation being prepared by the Grayson Commission. The City is supporting the Coalition for Effective Local Government.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 9:26 p.m.