5-12-92 Minutes

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

5-12-92 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., May 12, 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; 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 welcomed the student participants in Local Government Day. Members of Council and the staff introduced the students.

Mayor Shelton declared that the minutes of an adjourned Council meeting held on April 28, 1992; and the minutes of a regular Council meeting held on April 28, 1992, were approved as mailed.

Chief of Police Graham invited members of Council to attend the DARE Graduation at the Bedford Elementary School on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Councilman Vest stated that Governor Wilder made an announcement on May 8 that the Bedford area has been accepted into the Tourism Accreditation Program sponsored by the State's Tourism Development Group. Councilman Vest indicated that the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Committee will serve as the coordinating organization for the program.

Vice Mayor Owen stated that the student's Local Government Day will be May 13 with the student's Council meetings being held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Vice Mayor Owen recognized the teacher coordinator Ms. Robin Johnson.

Mayor Shelton congratulated Councilman Rice and Councilwoman Grahame upon their recent reelection to Council. The Mayor also congratulated Mr. W. D. Tharp upon his election to Council and presented Mr. Tharp with a "Key to the City" lapel pin.

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

Appointment of Member - Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council

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

NOTICE

SYNOPSIS OF BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 1992

TO JUNE 30, 1993

CITY OF BEDFORD, VIRGINIA

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council May 12, 1992, 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 1992-93, 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 stated that the draft budget for Fiscal Year 1992-93 proposes balanced revenues and expenditures. Mr. Gross reviewed highlights of the proposed budget.

Mr. Barry Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager, reviewed charts of the proposed budget.

Mayor Shelton opened the public hearing at 8:16 p.m.

Ms. Janice Martinez, Chairman of the City School Board, indicated the Board's support of the school portion of the proposed budget.

As there were no further comments, Mayor Shelton closed the public hearing at 8:18 p.m.

Council will consider adoption of the budget at the next regular Council meeting, following a budget work session.

The Consent Agenda consisted of the following item:

Appointment of Mr. Paul Sherman, 921 Peaksview Street, to fill an unexpired term on the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, said term to expire August 31, 1994.

On motion by Councilman Brookshier, seconded by Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried unanimously, Council approved the Consent Agenda.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the observation of the functions of local government is of primary importance in the study of local government; and

WHEREAS, the seventh grade students of Bedford Middle School have, on May 12, 1992, participated in the local government process by observing these officials in the carrying out of their duties; and

WHEREAS, these students will, on May 13, 1992, conduct Local Government Day activities in the Council Hall of the City of Bedford;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, that May 13, 1992 be, and it hereby is designated as

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DAY

in the City of Bedford.

Vice Mayor Owen moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote:

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Vice Mayor Owen aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Mr. Roger Henderson, Executive Director of Bedford Memorial Foundation, Inc., presented to Council copies of the Foundation's new literature and reviewed a summary of grants. Mr. Henderson stated that Council's support would be appreciated.

Ms. Linda Kochendarfer, Executive Director of Bedford Main Street, Inc., made a presentation regarding tourism and new businesses that will be opening in the City. Ms. Kochendarfer announced that Bedford Main Street and the Bedford Historical Society will be providing funds in the amount of $2,000 for a small facade maintenance program.

Mayor Shelton declared a recess from 8:43 p.m. until 8:50 p.m. as the students left the meeting.

Rev. Ken Burger, Citizens for Responsible Waste Management Advisory Committee, reviewed the following report from the Committee:

It is the recommendation of this committee that the City Council adopt a goal of mandatory city-wide residential curbside recycling to begin in October of 1992. In order to accomplish this objective, the following procedures are also recommended:

1. Purchase 2,000 40-gallon roll-off containers

-After comparing several manufacturer's catalogues and closely examining 4 different containers, this model was selected for a variety of reasons, including: quality workmanship and superior materials (making this item more durable); inclusion of four pods that will allow for future expansion to four recyclable materials and that will provide more efficient labor utilization; and ease of use.

-These will be delivered to each residence in the city, and will replace the existing containers that have been part of the pilot program. The pilot containers will be utilized in apartment complexes, and future expansion to businesses, as described below.

-These will be owned by the City of Bedford, and labeled as such.

-The container is produced by Zarn, Inc., and retails for $36.65 each. This quantity will bring a reduction in price to $33.65 each for a total purchase price of $67,300.00.

2) City employees will be expected to:

-Order, label, and deliver to households

-Collect the containers from the pilot program and re-distribute as appropriate.

Monitor and record the use of these containers by residents

-Draft and adopt enforcement policies

-Enforce mandatory requirements

-Develop a response form for employees, at the time of pick-up to communicate problems with residents

3) We affirm our earlier recommendation to hire a staff person to coordinate these and other city efforts of recycling. There is quite a bit more that could be accomplished, although city employees are currently performing a commendable task!

4) Adopt several policies, including:

-Legislation to mandate curbside recycling. The committee will be prepared to review this prior to implementation.

-A 60- to 90- day grace period between time of implementation and time of enforcement

-Weekly garbage, weekly recycling pick-ups.

-Set policies as appropriate

5) A process of education, utilizing area media, to include:

-Reporting City council action

-Reporting of recycling problems and solutions

-The primary focus will include a brochure that will be developed by the committee, working with staff, and delivered to all residents

-Disposal of materials not recycled curbside

6) Develop a pilot program to begin business recycling: possibilities include

-Utilization of the containers from the pilot program

-Sampling of 10 - 15 different businesses, & evaluation

Rev. Burger stated that it is also suggested that Council consider establishing a new drop-off station for recycling.

Discussion ensued.

Mayor Shelton asked that Council's Solid Waste Committee meet with representatives of the Advisory Committee and City staff to develop and bring back to Council by the first meeting in June, a proposed timetable for planning and implementation for starting such a recycling program.

City Manager Gross stated that Council had received a memorandum from Sam Broesamle, Director of Community Services, requesting that Council consider implementing a $5 per ton fee for mulch at the landfill.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council approve the implementation of a $5 per ton fee for mulch at the landfill. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vest.

Discussion ensued regarding establishing a rate schedule that would be more for out of City buyers of mulch.

Councilwoman Grahame amended her motion by adding: with the sale of that mulch to be restricted to those people who have City stickers on the vehicle, with a differential rate schedule to be brought to Council at the next meeting. Councilman Vest, who seconded the motion, agreed to the amendment. The motion was then voted upon and carried unanimously.

City Manager Gross stated that the City has been requested by the Westgate Shopping Center store managers to consider enforcing the fire lane designations at the shopping center, which have been marked on their property. Mr. Gross indicated that since the shopping center is on private property, a change to the City's ordinance is required in order for the City to enforce these designations. The City Manager stated that the fire lanes are marked for safety purposes and since the shopping center generates a lot of public business, it is appropriate for the City to enforce the fire lane ordinance. Mr. Gross explained that the managers at the shopping center do understand that once the ordinance is passed, the City is going to enforce the ordinance and customers will receive tickets if they are improperly parked.

Discussion ensued.

The City Manager suggested bringing this back to Council at a later date for consideration, and in the meantime letters be sent out informing those businesses that would be affected that a proposed ordinance regarding enforcing fire lane designations will be considered by Council.

Mayor Shelton tabled this item until the City Manager is ready to bring it back to Council for consideration.

On motion by Councilman Brookshier, seconded by Councilwoman Grahame, voted upon and carried unanimously by a roll call vote, Council adjourned into executive session for: evaluation of City Manager and City Attorney, pursuant to Section 2.1-344(a)(1) of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended. 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 10:02 p.m. Non-council member attending was: Council-member elect W. D. Tharp.

Council reconvened into open session at 11:10 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 Councilman Rice, voted upon and carried unanimously, Council approved the resolution as read. 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 11:12 p.m.