3-10-92 Minutes

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

3-10-92 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 10, 1992.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman Payton M. Otey; Vice Mayor John M. Owen, III (arrived at 7:52 p.m.); 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 February 25, 1992, were approved as mailed.

The City Manager stated that Bedford County is planning to assess a utility tax on county residents. Mr. Gross stated that the method of billing is being reviewed. The City Manager stated that ordinarily the utility tax would be included on the electric utility bill, and the City would collect a small fee for collecting those charges. Mr. Gross indicated the City is going to have to spend a considerable amount of money on software changes in order implement the billing.

The City Manager stated that Bedford County is interested in leveling a tax on city-owned property in the county. Mr. Gross stated that the City would be able to level a tax on county-owned property located in the City. Mr. Gross indicated that the County Administrator is asking the County Attorney to review those statutes.

Councilman Rice spoke regarding complaints he has received regarding the Cable Television service. Mr. Rice asked that a representative of the cable company be invited to meet with Council and that the meeting be publicized.

The Mayor stated that those complaints should be put in writing and sent to the City Manager. Mayor Shelton asked that this be scheduled after the budget process is completed.

Mayor Shelton commented on Bedford County's proposed imposition of a utility tax on the county's customers. The Mayor stated that he felt Council should be supportive of the staff in seeking to recover any administrative costs that the City is going to incur as a result of the collection of this tax, because the City does not impose a utility tax.

Discussion ensued.

The Mayor expressed concern regarding a letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue of Bedford County about the taxation of the City's water system and other public utility systems in Bedford County.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried, the following item was added to the agenda:

Executive Session - pursuant to the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, Section 2.1-344(a)(7), consultation with staff and legal counsel concerning the lawsuit initiated by Bedford County Board of Supervisors against the City of Bedford.

Vice Mayor Owen arrived at 7:52 p.m.

Linda Kochendarfer, Executive Director of Bedford Main Street, Inc., made a presentation regarding Main Street's request for funding for Fiscal Year 1992-93. Ms. Kochendarfer asked Council to sustain funding at the same level as 1991-92.

Mr. David Herrick, President of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, made a presentation regarding the Chamber's request for funding for FY 1992-93, in the amount of $3,750.

A discussion ensued.

The City Manager stated that during the Council meeting of February 11, 1992, Council received a report of a new Virginia Tourism Accreditation Program for which equal funding was requested from the City and Bedford County. Mr. Gross stated that at that time, Council approved the appropriation of $4,000 to be used for the purpose of entering this program. Mr. Gross indicated that one of the requirements of the program is that each governing body adopt a Resolution of Participation.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried unanimously, Council waived the reading of the proposed resolution.

On motion by Vice Mayor Owen, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried unanimously by a roll call vote, Council adopted the resolution. Roll call vote follows:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

The resolution follows as adopted:

Resolution of Participation

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bedford is interested in the economic well-being of its citizenry and the community at large; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is prepared to support appropriate efforts within the community to become totally prepared to promote tourism and related economic development; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Economic Development, through it Tourism Development Group, is offering a program which is specifically designed to assist Virginia communities to become better prepared for tourism and related economic development; and

WHEREAS, this program is entitled the VIRGINIA TOURISM ACCREDITATION PROGRAM;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bedford, that our community wishes to participate in the VIRGINIA TOURISM ACCREDITATION PROGRAM, and that the leadership of this community is fully cognizant that the aforesaid program requires dedicated effort; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that by entering the aforesaid program, we are pledging our best and honest efforts to achieve designation as a Virginia "Accredited" community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforesaid program requires either the existence or formation of a Tourism Promotion Organization which will be charged with the responsibility of completing the requirements of the aforesaid program, and that this governing body hereby designates the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce as representing this community for the purpose of participating in this program.

Nancy Donahoo, Director of the Bedford Public Library, made a presentation regarding the Library's budget request for FY 1992-93.

Discussion ensued.

Police Sgt. Massey gave a report regarding an emergency services exercise being conducted in the City.

The Clerk of Council read aloud two "Test" emergency resolutions that were a part of the emergency services exercise.

On motion by Councilman Rice, seconded by Councilman Otey, voted upon and carried unanimously by a roll call vote, Council adjourned into executive session, pursuant to the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, Section 2.1-344(a)(7), consultation with staff and legal counsel concerning the lawsuit initiated by Bedford County Board of Supervisors against the City of Bedford. Roll call vote follows:

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Councilman Brookshier aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Council adjourned into executive session at 9:05 p.m. Non-council members attending were: City Manager Gross, City Attorney Berry, and Clerk of the Council Hatcher.

Council reconvened into open session at 9:30 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 Rice, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried unanimously, Council approved the resolution. Roll call vote follows:

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Mayor Shelton adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.