11-236-91 Minutes

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

11-236-91 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., November 26, 1991.

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; 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 November 12, 1991, were approved as mailed.

Councilwoman Grahame stated that she had received a copy of "Notes on Virginia", which is a publication from the Virginia Department of Historical Sources. Mrs. Grahame stated that the publication features an article on the Virginia Main Street Program with a photograph of a group of Bedford citizens.

A brief discussion ensued regarding alternatives for building landfills. The Mayor is to write a letter on behalf of the City to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority requesting that Bedford be considered in the future for the Resource Authority's operation.

Council concurred to hold a Council work session on January 11, 1992. The Mayor stated that this retreat will probably be a budget oriented session.

Mayor Shelton stated that Council wishes to receive public comment on the formulation of an Animal Control Ordinance.

The City Manager and Chief of Police briefly reviewed a draft Animal Control Ordinance.

The following individuals spoke regarding the draft ordinance:

Mr. Wyatt Walton, Old Turnpike Road, spoke regarding livestock being allowed in certain zones in the City. The Chief stated that if the land being used or is to be used for the keeping of livestock is zoned for that use under the Land Development Regulations, then the draft ordinance will allow it.

Dr. David Moore, Veterinarian at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, urged Council not to include language that would preclude the selling of pound animals for research.

Dr. Bruce Fuchs, Professor at the Medical College of Virginia and Executive Director of the Virginia Association for Biomedical Research and Education, spoke regarding the benefits of using animals for research, and asked Council not to put language into the ordinance that would give the appearance that the research might be unacceptable or wrong.

Mr. William Mayhew, heart transplant recipient, spoke in favor of using animals for research.

The City Manager stated that the draft ordinance is silent on research issues and neither endorses nor prohibits such activities.

The following individuals also spoke regarding the draft ordinance:

Ms. Susan Epperly, representing the American Cancer Society, spoke in favor of biomedical research on animals. Ms. Epperly stated that the Cancer Society is asking Council not to shut the door on animal research.

Dr. Susan Gardner, of Huddleston, Virginia, invited Council to visit the animal research colony at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Don Gardner, local veterinarian, urged Council not to include language in the ordinance that would indicate that animal research is bad.

Mr. Wes Crowder, 1428 Minter Street, spoke regarding problems with cats on his street. Mr. Crowder was in favor of the provisions in the draft ordinance that would limit the number of pets that could be kept by individuals.

The Mayor stated that all the comments would be taken under consideration by Council.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Section 11 of the Charter of the City of Bedford requires that Council shall "fix the time and place of its meeting," and

WHEREAS, the City Code requires in Section 2-3 that meetings shall be on "the second and fourth Tuesday of each month," and

WHEREAS, the second regular Council meeting in December is scheduled for December 24, 1991, that date being Christmas Eve;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council meeting scheduled for December 24, 1991, be and the same hereby is cancelled; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council meeting of December 10, 1991, be adjourned to January 14, 1991.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brookshier, 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 Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia has declared Thursday, December 26, 1991, and Friday, December 27, 1991, to be official holidays for all state employees; and

WHEREAS, many other surrounding government jurisdictions are planning to follow this state holiday schedule; and

WHEREAS, Section 7-1 of the City of Bedford Personnel Policy Manual provides that December 24, Christmas Eve Day, shall be observed as a City holiday; and

WHEREAS, the City of Bedford wishes to follow the aforesaid state holiday schedule;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bedford will, for this holiday season only, change the Christmas Eve Day holiday from Tuesday, December 24, 1991, to Thursday, December 26, 1991; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council, in concert with the practice of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hereby declares that Friday, December 27, 1991, be observed as a City holiday.

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