7-9-91 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., July 9, 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 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 June 25, 1991, were approved as mailed.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following Public Hearing Notice:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Ms. Nancy Donahoo, Director of the Bedford Public Library, and Mr. Ed Lazaron of the Design Collaborative presented the Master Plan for a new library facility.

Mayor Shelton opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.

The following individuals spoke during the public hearing:

Mr. Frank Smith, Route 1, Montvale, representing the Bedford Historical Society Board of Directors, stated the Board's support and endorsement of the development of the master plan for the new library based on 26,500 sq. feet of library space, and also endorsement of the proposed site plan.

Ms. Karen Nuzzo, Rt. 5, Bedford, representing the Garden Club of Bedford, stated the Garden Club's favorable response to the architect's initial drawings for the new library, particularly as the plan preserves the Wharton Garden.

Ms. Carol Bolling, 1410 High Acre Road, urged Council to proceed with the new library.

Mr. Ron Ayers, Rt. 1, Moneta, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bedford Public Library, urged Council to adopt the master plan and build a new central library.

Mayor Shelton stated that Council had received a letter from Cindy Viemeister in support of proceeding with the master plan.

Mayor Shelton read aloud the following letter:

Mayor Shelton spoke regarding the need for a library and a community gymnasium complex. The Mayor reviewed major expenditures resulting from capital improvements that have been mandated by the State.

Mayor Shelton closed the public hearing at 8:25 p.m.

Mayor Shelton declared a five minute recess until 8:30 p.m.

The Consent Agenda consisted of the following items: Appointment of Mr. Frank Stinnett to the Central Virginia Economic Development Corporation for a four-year term expiring on June 30, 1995. Appointment of Rosemary Meyers to fill an unexpired term on the Keep Bedford Beautiful Commission, said term expiring June 30, 1993.

Councilman Rice moved that the consent agenda be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried unanimously.

Mr. David Johnson requested permission to hold a GoKart racing event in the Centertown area. Mr. Johnson reviewed two possible courses for the race.

Discussion ensued regarding the logistics of the event. The administration is to report to Council with answers to questions concerning: insurance coverage, contacting other communities that have held similar events of this type, and a recommendation from Bedford Main Street, Inc.

Mr. Steve Preston, Outreach Supervisor of the Bedford Public Library, made a presentation to Council explaining the library's Summer Reading Program.

The City Manager stated that Council had received a memorandum from the Engineering Project Manager concerning the property owned by Ms. Penny Carter at 1007 Lake Drive, together with a plat of the property. He stated that a recent survey shows that Ms. Carter's property on the east side extends approximately six feet into the paved area of Lake Drive. She wishes to straighten the boundary on the south side of her property and is therefore willing to exchange the front portion of her property, Parcel A. on the plat, containing approximately .024 acres, for a triangular piece of property on the rear, Parcel B., containing .028 acres more or less. The exchange of this piece of property for the portion bordering Lake Drive is being recommended, since it would relieve the City from the necessity to establish ownership of this portion of Lake Drive in the future.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council approve the exchange of .028 acres, more or less, of the City's lake property for .024 acres, more or less, of the property owned by Penny Carter on Lake Drive; authorize the City Attorney to prepare the necessary deed; and authorize the Mayor to sign the deed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rice.

The City Manager stated that if it is Council's recommendation to proceed, it will be brought back with a published ordinance. He stated that at this point, Council is giving approval to prepare all the documents and be brought back.

The motion was then voted upon and carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Grahame stated that the City/County Relations Committee has met and considered a list of suggested individuals to serve on a Blue Ribbon Committee to study the joint industrial park concept.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that the following individuals be appointed to the Blue Ribbon Committee:

Charlotte Mason

Mike Reynolds

Tom Messier

Phil Garbarini

The motion was seconded by Councilman Otey, voted upon and carried unanimously.

Mayor Shelton suggested that a meeting be coordinated through the City Manager with the Blue Ribbon Committee to give them the information gathered up until this point; and then he and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors convene a meeting of the full group.

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.