12-20-89 Minutes

An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, from the December 12, 1989, meeting was held at the Bedford Station Restaurant at 6:00 p.m., December 20, 1989.

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

Members absent: Councilman E. Thomas Messier.

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

Mayor Shelton reviewed with Senator Elliot Schewel 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.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.