4-23-91 Minutes

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

4-23-91 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., April 23, 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; and Councilman Ronnie C. Rice.

Members absent: 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 April 9, 1991, were approved as mailed.

Mayor Shelton reminded Council of the following upcoming events:

Poplar Park Dedication Ceremony - April 28 at 3:00 p.m.

"DARE" Day - at Liberty Lake Park - April 25 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Elderfest - May 10 at the Moose Lodge from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Mayor Shelton stated that Council had before them a letter that has been drafted in response to the Bedford County Industrial Development Corporation's offer of $20,000 to be used by a proposed "Blue Ribbon Committee" to discuss a joint city/county industrial park. He stated that this letter is a result of a meeting between the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator, and the City Manager and himself.

On motion by the Councilman Brookshier, seconded by Councilman Otey, voted upon and carried, the following was added to the agenda:

Executive Session - pursuant to Section 2.1-344(a)(3), Real Estate, of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, for discussion of the following:

Industrial site on Industrial Avenue; industrial sites along the proposed 122 north/south connector; construction, easement and buffer zone for the Wastewater Treatment Plant modifications; and 13 3/4 acre parcel of land off of Route 43 adjacent to the Jefferson National Forest.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following public hearing notice:

NOTICE

Synopsis of Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 1991 to

June 30, 1992, City of Bedford, Virginia

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council April 23, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Hall of the City Municipal Building in relation to the budget for the City of Bedford for Fiscal Year 1991-92, at which time any citizen of the City shall have the right to attend and state his or her views. Detailed copies of the budget are available for inspection during normal office hours in the Office of the City Manager and the Office of the Clerk of Council.

The City Manager gave an overview of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1991-92.

Barry Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager, reviewed a summary of the proposed budget.

Mayor Shelton opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m.

As there were no comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 8:03 p.m.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Bedford Chapter of the American Red Cross was chartered in 1917; and

WHEREAS, Constance L. Messier has faithfully served as Executive Secretary of the Bedford Chapter since June 1989; and

WHEREAS, the Bedford Chapter has provided vital services to the citizens of this area, including the sponsoring of a blood donation program through the Bloodmobile visits; aid to victims of fires and other natural disasters; the offering of classes in emergency medical techniques such as basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and assistance to military personnel and their families; and

WHEREAS, during her term as Executive Secretary, Mrs. Messier has served far beyond the duties of the position, bringing energy, empathy and insight to her work; and

WHEREAS, during the recent deployment of United States armed forces to the Persian Gulf in Operation Desert Storm, Mrs. Messier was instrumental in the formation of Operation Home Front Support Group which provided assistance, counseling and information to the families and friends of military personnel of this area, and volunteered many hours of her time to this project; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Messier is serving as co-chairman of the celebration being planned for July 3, 1991, in support of the Desert Storm troops and all United States military veterans; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Messier has announced her resignation from the post of Executive Secretary of the Bedford Chapter of the American Red Cross;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bedford hereby expresses its appreciation to Constance L. Messier for her extraordinary service to the community and her lasting contribution to the work of the Bedford Chapter of the American Red Cross.

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

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Mayor Shelton aye

The City Manager stated that Council had received copies of the Audit Report prepared by Firebaugh & Berry, Inc., for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1990. He stated that the audit report has been accepted by the Commonwealth of Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts. Mr. Gross stated that this represents the third year in a row in which no exception letter has been issued by the auditor.

Vice Mayor Owen moved that Council accept the Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1990. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame.

Mayor Shelton expressed Council's appreciation to the City Manager, Assistant to the City Manager, and the City Treasurer for their outstanding work reflected in this audit and previous audits.

Mr. Sidney Berry made several comments regarding the good working relationship between his firm and the city employees.

The motion was then voted upon and carried.

The City Manager stated that as part of the State budget reductions, the Commonwealth is providing an early retirement program for state employees. House Bill 1499 and Senate Bill 671 also provide a local option under which political subdivisions such as the City of Bedford may elect to participate. Mr. Gross explained how the early retirement program is set up.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bedford, Virginia, does hereby elect to provide the Early Retirement Program approved by the 1991 Session of the General Assembly and the Governor to its eligible employees.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the City of Bedford, Virginia, agrees to accept all liability for any current or future additional employer contribution rates resulting from its election to provide the benefits of the Program to its employees.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Bedford, Virginia, elects to allow its eligible employees to apply for benefits under the program between June 1, 1991, through September 1, 1991.

NOW, THEREFORE, G. MICHAEL SHELTON, Mayor of the City of Bedford, Virginia, and TERESA W. HATCHER, Clerk of the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, are hereby authorized and directed in the name of the City of Bedford, Virginia, to execute any required contract in order that said eligible employees of the City of Bedford, Virginia, may participate in the Early Retirement Program as provided for in the Code of Virginia. In execution of any contract which may be required, the seal of the City of Bedford, Virginia, shall be affixed and attested by the Clerk, and said officers of the City of Bedford, Virginia, are authorized and directed to pay over to the Treasurer of Virginia from time to time such sums as are due to be paid by the City of Bedford, Virginia, for this purpose.

Councilman Brookshier moved that the resolution be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Otey. After discussion, the motion was voted upon and carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Councilman Brookshier aye

Mayor Shelton aye

On motion by Councilwoman Grahame, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried by a roll call vote, Council adjourned into executive session for discussion of the following, pursuant to Section 2.1-344(a)(3), Real Estate, of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended:

Roll call vote follows:

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Council adjourned into executive session at 8:30 p.m. Non-council members attending were: City Manager Gross and City Attorney Berry.

Council reconvened into open session at 9:15 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 Brookshier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried by a roll call vote, Council approved the resolution as read. Roll call vote follows:

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest absent

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. until April 30, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. for a work session on the proposed FY 1991-92 budget.