12-11-90 Minutes

A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, was held at the Liberty Lake Park Community Building at 7:30 p.m., December 11, 1990.

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 Payton M. Otey.

Staff present: City Manager Jack A. Gross; 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 November 27, 1990, were approved as presented.

City Manager Gross indicated that the float decorated by City employees for the annual Christmas parade won first prize. City Council viewed a video of the City float. Mrs. Gwen Craig, on behalf of the City employees, presented Council with the trophy awarded to the City.

Mayor Shelton expressed Council's appreciation to those individuals that helped decorate the float.

Councilman Rice stated that there were complaints regarding the sirens that were sounded during the parade. A brief discussion ensued. The City Manager stated that he would follow up on that complaint.

On motion by Councilman Vest, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried, the following item was added to the agenda:

Executive session: Litigation and consultation with staff

regarding; 1. Landura Equities, and 2. Non-tax properties, pursuant to Section 2.1-344(a)(6 & 7) of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.

The consent agenda consisted of the following item:

Appointment of Mr. Garnett E. Coleman and Mr. George W. Griffin to serve on the Industrial Development Authority for four year terms, said terms to expire November 30, 1994.

On motion by Councilman Brookshier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried, the consent agenda was approved.

Vice Mayor Owen, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that the Committee met on December 5 to review the request by the Avenel Foundation for tax exemption. He stated that after discussion and reviewing the Code of Virginia, it was determined that the property would not be eligible for tax exemption. Mr. Owen stated that the Committee is recommending that Council prepare a resolution denying the request for tax exemption.

Mayor Shelton stated that the Committee reviewed Section 58.1-3650 of the State Code and felt that the request did not fall appropriately within that category of designation for tax exemption. Vice Mayor Owen stated that the Committee does want to see the Avenel Foundation succeed in its endeavor to preserve the property.

City Manager Gross stated that the Committee instructed him to prepare a letter to the Chairman of the Foundation explaining what the Committee was going to recommend. He indicated that the letter has been sent.

On motion by Councilwoman Grahame, seconded by Vice Mayor Owen, voted upon and carried, Council directed the City Manager to prepare a resolution denying the request for exemption from the Avenel real estate for taxation in the City of Bedford.

The City Manager stated that Council had received a memorandum from Jimmy English, Director of Community & Economic Development, concerning the need to adopt the Plunkett Street/Greenwood Park Neighborhood Program Design for Housing Rehabilitation. He stated that Council has previously received copies of this Program Design Plan, which was prepared by K. W. Poore & Associates, the City's consultant on the Community Development Block Grant.

Mr. English presented a review of the program design components.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilman Brookshier, voted upon and carried, Council adopted the Plunkett Street/Green-wood Park Neighborhood Program Design for Housing Rehabilitation.

City Manager Gross stated that by ordinance adopted August 14, 1990, City Council authorized the issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds in the maximum amount of $4,000,000 to provide funds to finance improvements to the City's sewer system. He stated that Council had received drafts of a bond resolution, bond form, court order and public notice. Mr. Gross stated that the actual amount of the bonds is $3,775,514, which includes money for infiltration and inflow work.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council waive the reading of the resolution providing for issuance and sale of water and sewer bonds. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brookshier, voted upon and carried.

Councilman Brookshier moved that Council adopt the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey absent

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

The resolution follows as adopted:

On motion by Councilman Vest, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried by a roll call vote, Council adjourned into executive session to discuss:

Litigation and consultation with staff regarding; 1. Landura Equities, and 2. Non-tax properties, pursuant to Section 2.1- 344(a)(6 & 7) of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.

Roll call follows:

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey absent

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Councilman Brookshier aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Council adjourned into executive session at 8:02 p.m. Non-council member attending: City Manager Gross.

Council reconvened into open session at 8:45 p.m.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

Councilman Brookshier moved that the resolution be adopted. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey absent

Mayor Shelton aye

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. until January 8, 1991.