5-22-90 Minutes

City of Bedford, Virginia - At the Peaks of Perfection!

5-22-90 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., May 22, 1990.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman E. Thomas Messier; III; and Councilman Ronnie C. Rice.

Members absent: Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Vice Mayor John M. Owen, III; and Councilman James A. Vest.

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 Council meeting held on May 8, 1990; and the minutes of an adjourned meeting held on May 15, 1990, were approved.

Councilwoman Grahame reported that the joint committees of the Library Board met on May 21 and are making good progress.

City Manager Gross reported that Council had received copies of a letter from the Commonwealth of Virginia's Auditor of Public Accounts accepting the audited financial statements of the City for the year ended June 30, 1989.

On motion by Councilman Messier, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried, Council accepted the audit report.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed budget ordinances:

ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, that there be, and is hereby levied for the fiscal year 1990-91, a tax of $.71 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable real estate located in the City, the respective levy hereby ordered being also applicable to the real estate and tangible personal property of public service corporations within the limitations specified by Section 58.1-2606 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, based upon the assessment thereof fixed by the State Corporation Commission and duly certified.

ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, hereby directs that the funds as set out in the budget for Fiscal Year 1990-91 for the City of Bedford are appropriated and set aside to the General Fund, to the Water and Sewer Fund, to the Electric Fund, and to the Contingency Fund as shown in said budget, and that the City Manager is authorized to expend the funds in the General Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, and Electric Fund in accordance with said budget and in accordance with prior appropriations.

ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, that there be, and is hereby levied, for the calendar year 1990, a tax of $1.50 per one hundred dollars of one hundred per centum (100%) of assessed value on all taxable tangible personal property, including property separately classified in Section 58.1-3503 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, unless exempted from taxation or subject to a different rate under this ordinance. Household goods and personal effects as classified in Section 58.1-3504 and horses, mules and other kindred animals, hogs, poultry, grains and other feeds used for the nurture of farm animals, grain and tobacco as such items are classified in Section 58.1-3505 are exempted in whole from tangible personal property taxation. The following items are taxed at a levy of $1.30 per one hundred dollars of one hundred per centum (100%) of the assessed valuation: (a) cattle, sheep and goats, and farm machinery and farm implements as separately classified in Section 58.1-3505; and (b) machinery and tools as separately classified in Section 58.1-3507.

Mayor Shelton stated that these ordinances will be on the agenda of the next regular meeting for consideration and adoption.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council adjourned into executive session to consider purchase of property for recreation use by the City of Bedford, pursuant to Section 2.1-344(a)(3), of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilman Messier, voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Messier aye

Vice Mayor Owen absent

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Councilman Brookshier absent

Mayor Shelton aye

Council adjourned into executive session at 7:38 p.m. Non-council members attending were: City Manager Gross, City Attorney Berry, Clerk of the Council Hatcher, and Councilman-elect Peyton Otey.

Council reconvened into open session at 7:48 p.m.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Bedford hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Council.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote, the resolution was approved:

Councilman Messier aye

Vice Mayor Owen absent

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Councilman Brookshier absent

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Mayor Shelton aye

On motion by Councilman Messier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried, the following item was added to the agenda:

Consideration of exercising an option to purchase property adjacent to Liberty Lake Park.

City Manager Gross stated that he and the City Attorney have negotiated with Mr. J. Dillard Powell, acting for Bedford Plumbing and Electric Supply Company, and obtained an option for the purchase of twenty-one acres of property adjacent to Liberty Lake Park at a cost of $950 per acre.

Councilman Rice moved that Council exercise the option to purchase the twenty-one acres of property adjacent to Liberty Lake Park for a total price of $19,950; and to authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney to execute the option. The motion was seconded by Councilman Messier, voted upon and carried.

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