2-13-90 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., February 13, 1990.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; 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: Councilman Larry D. Brookshier.

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 called Council meeting held on January 6, 1990; a regular meeting held on January 9, 1990; and an adjourned meeting held on January 16, 1990, were approved.

Vice Mayor Owen moved that the agenda be amended to move agenda item "Request for Waiver of Raffle Permit Fee - Friends of the Bedford City/County Museum" to be the first item on the agenda before Old Business. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried.

Mayor Shelton stated that the dates of May 15, 1990, and August 21, 1990, have been scheduled as the next two joint meetings with the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.

City Manager Gross stated that the Friends of the Bedford City-County Museum are requesting that Council waive the $25 application fee for a raffle permit. He stated that the proceeds from the proposed raffle will be used to defray operating expenses of the Museum. He stated that Council has previously waived the application fee for the Friends of the Museum.

Councilman Messier moved that Council approve the request of the Friends of the Bedford City-County Museum for waiver of the $25 application fee for a raffle permit, with the understanding that the proceeds from the raffle will be used to help defray operating expenses of the Museum. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried, five members voting aye, one member voting nay (Vest), and one member absent.

City Manager Gross introduced Dr. Thomas Muller, who has been researching the fiscal consequences of the Grayson Commission's proposals for the Coalition for Effective Local Government.

Dr. Muller made a presentation which outlined some of the major points of the Grayson Commission's proposals, as they are presently drafted in House Bill 550, that would have an economic and fiscal impact on the City of Bedford.

Mrs. Janice Martinez, Chairman of the City School Board, presented to Council a collage in commemoration of the dedication of the new Bedford Elementary School.

City Manager Gross reported on a meeting held on January 11, 1990, with the following school representatives: Janice Martinez, City School Board Chairman; Bill Ludwig, City Council appointee to the County School Board; and John Kent, Superintendent of Schools.

Discussion at the meeting regarded the economical and educational aspects of the request by the County School Board to utilize the yellow stucco building for education purposes, specifically the gymnasium.

At this meeting, Mr. Gross indicated that the City would be willing to lease the entire structure to the Bedford County School Board for the duration of the school contract at no cost, provided that the County School Board pay such capital renovation costs as might be needed to make the structure usable in the educational program. Mr. Gross stated that the Superintendent indicated that the County had no interest in the structure other than using the gymnasium facilities.

Mr. Gross reported that since it was not deemed feasible to use the entire facility, the gymnasium was then discussed for temporary use with the understanding that such use could be discontinued immediately upon notification by the City Manager. It was also stipulated that before the gym could be used for any school activity, all the asbestos must be removed from the areas that would be utilized. The Superintendent agreed to this requirement and also to take such measures as may be necessary to seal the rest of the building so that the students or faculty would not have access to any other portions of the structure, at the County School Board's expense.

The City Manager stated that possibly the gym could be utilized by the City Recreation Department. Discussion ensued.

Vice Mayor Owen moved that Council authorize the City Manager to proceed with making arrangements for use of the gymnasium at the yellow stucco building, such arrangements to not include costs incurred and utilities and maintenance. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vest, voted upon and carried.

City Manager Gross stated that Council had received a letter from Mr. Harold C. Turner, Secretary of the Bedford County Electoral Board, requesting permission to rent the basement of the Community Center Building at Liberty Lake Park as a polling place for the Sign Rock voting precinct for a rental fee payment of $25. The Parks and Recreation Director has no objections to the use of the building for this purpose.

Discussion ensued regarding liability insurance for the facility while it is being used by the Electoral Board.

Councilman Messier moved that Council grant the request made by the Bedford County Electoral Board to rent the basement of the Liberty

Lake Park Community Center Building as a polling place; and that the County obtain a liability rider for this particular use. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rice.

Councilman Messier amended his motion as follows: and that the rental fee payment be $25 for each use. Councilman Rice, who seconded the motion, agreed to the amendment. The motion was then voted upon and carried.

The City Manager stated that on May 9, 1989, City Council approved the submitting of a loan application through the Virginia Revolving Loan Fund for financing of mandated improvements to the wastewater treatment facility. The State Water Control Board has authorized a $3,000,000 loan to the City from the Virginia Revolving Loan Fund at zero percent interest for a term of 20 years. Mr. Gross stated that Council had received a copy of the Commitment Letter which the Fund requires in connection with this loan. This letter states that the City will need to acquire the services of bond counsel to assist with the closing of this loan. Mr. Gross stated that in the past the City has used the services of Hunton & Williams under an arrangement that was negotiated prior to issuing the bonded indebtedness for the Snowden hydroelectric project.

Councilman Messier noted that the City Manager was instrumental in obtaining the zero percent interest loan, and stated that he should be commended for that.

Councilman Messier moved that Council authorize the City Manager to sign the Commitment Letter in connection with the loan from the Virginia Revolving Loan Fund for improvements to the wastewater treatment facility, and authorize the City Manager to employ the firm of Hunton & Williams to act as the City's bond counsel to assist in the preparation of the documents needed to close the loan. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried.

Councilman Vest stated that the Main Street Board is appreciative of the work of Mr. Barry Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.