3-12-91 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., March 12, 1991.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman Payton M. Otey; 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 welcomed those in attendance to the first meeting to be held in the Council Hall since the renovation was completed.

The Color Guard was made up of members of Boy Scout Troop 171 who led all present in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Dr. Ron Blankenship, Pastor, Bedford Baptist Church, offered a prayer of rededication.

Cheryl Martin and Barry Thompson performed the song "From a Distance" in support of the troops in Operation Desert Storm.

Mayor Shelton spoke regarding the construction of the Municipal Building, which was completed in May 1968, and the renovation work on the Council Hall that has just been completed which was caused by rain damage that occurred in August 1990. He extended Council's thanks to all those involved in the renovation work.

Mayor Shelton declared that the minutes of a regular Council meeting held on February 26, 1991, were approved as mailed.

Vice Mayor Owen reported that the student government election day will be held on April 23, and asked for suggestions for a topic to be discussed by the students.

The Consent Agenda consisted of the following items:

Councilman Grahame moved that Council adopt the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Otey, voted upon and carried unanimously.

Ms. Renee C. Fisher, Executive Director of the Bedford Sheltered Workshop, appeared before Council requesting level funding for the 1991-92 budget period in the amount of $5,429.

Mr. Bob Dixon, Peaks of Otter Soil and Water Conservation District, indicated that the Board of Directors voted to ask the City for $1,000 for fiscal year 1991-92.

Ms. Abby Endres, Director of the Bedford City/County Museum, stated that the Museum is requesting funding in the amount of $10,000 for FY 1991-92.

Ms. Barbara Ring, Executive Director of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber is requesting $3750 from the City for Fiscal Year 1991-92.

Ms. Cindy Sherman, Chairman of the Citizens for Curbside Recycling Committee, presented short-, intermediate-, and long-term recycling goals which have been developed by the Committee.

Councilman Vest suggested that Council's Solid Waste Committee consider these goals and come back with recommendations. Mayor Shelton asked that this be placed on the agenda when the Solid Waste Committee is ready with recommendations.

City Manger Gross stated that the City has received a check from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services, in the amount of $1,070.25 . He stated that this amount represents the City's portion of the "ONE FOR LIFE" funds.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilman Brookshier, voted upon and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote, Council approved the appropriation of $1,070.25 from revenue account no. 011600160902 to the Lifesaving Crew expenditure account no. 0303203203056042:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

City Manager Gross stated that at the September 25, 1990, Council meeting, a presentation was made to Council for providing a small pump station and the sewer lines to serve six houses in the Elm Street area, which was required as the result of a failed septic tank. Bids were received and opened on March 4 with the low bid of $28,975 submitted by Dixon Contracting, Inc., of Fincastle. He stated that since this is a unit cost bid, a small contingency should be included. Mr. Gross recommended that $30,000 be appropriated with the understanding that any unused funds would be returned to the General Fund.

On motion by Councilman Brookshier, seconded by Councilman Vest, voted upon and carried unanimously by a roll call vote, after a brief discussion, Council awarded the contract for the Elm Street sewer line project to Dixon Contracting, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $30,000; directed the City Manager to prepare and sign the necessary contract documents; and appropriated $30,000 from the unappropriated surplus to Account No. 1800018050070100:

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Councilman Brookshier aye

Mayor Shelton aye

City Manager Gross stated that on February 22 Council received copies of a petition by Otterburn Homes, Inc., a Virginia corporation, seeking the annexation to the City of Bedford of a parcel of land. The 3.998-acre parcel is located in Bedford County adjacent to the City, near Highway 460 at the western corporation limits. The land is undeveloped and wholly owned by the petitioner. The petitioner plans to develop the property for elderly housing. Mr. Gross said that if the area is developed as proposed, it will produce revenues to the City in excess of the cost of services which the City must provide. The Commissioner of Revenue estimates that the annual real estate taxes would be $7,526 and personal property revenues would be $2,000. Mr. Gross indicated that the annual cost of providing services, such as police protection, garbage collection, right of way maintenance, street lighting, and various other municipal services, should not exceed $5,000. He said that it should be noted that both revenues and expenditures at this time are estimates based on a 40-unit project with an assessment of one million dollars. Mr. Gross stated that presently the County real estate tax collected on the actual assessment of four acres of undeveloped land is $124.

Councilwoman Grahame stated that the Finance Committee and City/County Relations Committee have met and recommend the following in the form of a motion: that Council direct the City Attorney to file pleadings that the City will accept the annexation petition subject to reasonable conditions, and the City Attorney will personally represent the City. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brookshier.

Discussion ensued.

The motion was then voted upon and carried, six members voting aye, one member (Rice), voting nay.

The City Attorney is to notify the petitioners of Council's action on this matter.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.