10-22-91 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., October 22, 1991.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; 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: Councilman Larry D. Brookshier.

Staff present: Assistant to the City Manager Barry Thompson; City Attorney W. W. Berry, IV; and Clerk of the Council Teresa W. Hatcher.

Staff absent: City Manager Jack A. Gross.

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 October 8, 1991, were approved as mailed.

Mr. Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager, briefly reported on the level of water in the reservoir, which is four feet below the spillway. He stated that no action is recommended at this time.

Mr. Thompson stated that after the meeting a demonstration of the aerial tele squirt truck will be conducted by the Slagle Fire Equipment Company.

Councilwoman Grahame reported that this week an executive director was hired for the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging.

Mayor Shelton, on behalf of City Council, extended to Bedford County congratulations on the newly remodeled office building that was officially opened on October 20. The Mayor asked that the City Manager's office prepare a letter on behalf of City Council congratulating the County on the success of that project, and for their efforts in blending in with the architectural design downtown.

The Mayor presented Certificates of Retirement and Jefferson Cups to the following city employees upon their retirement from city service:

Buford Parker, Jack Reid, Eugene Harrison, Floyd Porter, and Joyce Hackworth.

Also retiring, but not present, were:

Ed Bell, Nelson Crouch, and Earl Orange

Mr. Thompson stated that Council had received copies of a letter from Keith Fisher, Executive Director of the Bedford Area Family YMCA, requesting permission to conduct the Annual Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic Foot Race on Saturday, December 7, 1991. The YMCA requested that Council approve the closing of the following streets for the foot race from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon: Ashland Avenue from the Primary School to Lake Drive; Lake Drive to Peaks Street, Mountain Avenue and College Street. Mr. Thompson indicated that approval by Council would be contingent upon the YMCA notifying the residents by letter of the street closings.

Councilman Rice moved that Council approve the request of the YMCA. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried.

Chief of Police Milton H. Graham reviewed with Council a draft of a proposed animal ordinance, which was prepared after receiving numerous complaints. Chief Graham also reviewed suggested changes in the draft.

Discussion ensued.

Mayor Shelton suggested that a new draft be prepared reflecting the changes as mentioned by Chief Graham; for the public to be made aware of the draft ordinance being considered; then at a future Council meeting receive public comment regarding the draft ordinance.

The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.