7-14-92 Minutes

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

7-14-92 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., July 14, 1992.

Members present: Mayor G. Michael Shelton; Councilman Larry D. Brookshier; Councilwoman Joanne A. Grahame; Councilman Payton M. Otey; Councilman Ronnie C. Rice; Councilman W. D. Tharp; and Vice Mayor 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 23, 1992; the minutes of a called meeting held on June 29, 1992; and the minutes of an adjourned meeting held on July 1, 1992, were approved as mailed.

Mr. David Johnson requested permission to hold a GoKart racing event in the Centertown area in October. Mr. Johnson reviewed information with Council concerning the insurance coverage:

The insurance covers all spectators and City property. The drivers and karts are excluded. The driver will have to sign a waiver that exempts Bedford City, Bedford Main Street, Inc., and David Johnson Racing Promotions from liability. The cost of the insurance is $818.00 for a million dollar coverage. The insurance is through Charles Lunsford Insurance in Roanoke, Virginia.

Mr. Johnson stated that the proposed route would be: West Main Street to Center Street, to Washington Street, to South Street and back to West Main Street, which is the route recommended by the Chief of Police.

Mr. Johnson discussed with Council the rules for the drivers, the requirements for the karts, and the how the race will be handled.

Discussion ensued.

Ms. Linda Kochendarfer, Executive Director, Bedford Main Street, Inc., stated that the Main Street Board does support this event.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that Council authorize the planning process to begin for this Kart Race downtown and request that all the specifics be brought back to City Council no later than the first meeting in September. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Vest, voted upon and carried unanimously.

Ms. Kochendarfer made a presentation to Council regarding a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" party to celebrate the new businesses located in Centertown, which will be held at the Centertown Park July 23, 1992, at 12 Noon.

The City Manager stated that Council had received a letter from Art Buehler, Director of the Division of Planning and Resources, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, concerning a request that Route 43 be considered for designation as a Virginia Byway. He stated that the request has been made by Ms. Kelly Schwartz, Bedford County Litter Control and Recycling Coordinator.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Section 33.1-62 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, authorizes the Commonwealth Transporta-tion Board to designate any highway as a scenic highway or as a Virginia byway; and

WHEREAS, a Virginia byway is defined as a existing road, designated as such by the Commonwealth Transporta-tion Board, having relatively high aesthetic or cultural value, leading to or within areas of historical, natural or recreational significance; and

WHEREAS, Route 43, beginning at Altavista in Campbell County and ending at the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Peaks of Otter in Bedford County, offers views of farms and forest land, the Staunton River (Roanoke River), mountain views and natural wildlife; and

WHEREAS, in the City of Bedford Route 43 becomes a part of the historic district, passing the City/County Museum, the Bedford County Courthouse, and many homes of historic significance; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Planning and Recreation Resources is prepared to report to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that Route 43 from Route 29 in Campbell County to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford County qualifies for inclusion in the Virginia Byway System.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, hereby endorses the designation of Route 43 from Route 29 in Campbell County to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford County as a Virginia byway; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Planning and Recreation Resources.

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

Councilman Brookshier aye

Councilwoman Grahame aye

Councilman Otey aye

Councilman Rice aye

Councilman Tharp aye

Vice Mayor Vest aye

Mayor Shelton aye

Councilwoman Grahame, Chairman of the Library Committee, reported that the Library Committee and the Finance Committee met earlier in the evening to review the library plan and proposed timetable for the new library. Councilwoman Grahame stated that as a result of that meeting a resolution is being submitted for Council's consideration.

Vice Mayor Vest, Chairman of the Finance Committee, stated in order for the City to fund a new library, it will take an additional $200,000 in revenue per year to cover the debt service.

Council scheduled a planning session on November 14, 1992, regarding revenue sources and appropriate budgeting covering the debt service towards this bond issue.

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Councilwoman Grahame, seconded by Vice Mayor Vest, voted upon and carried unanimously, the following item was added to the agenda: Resolution - Bond Issue for Library Improvements.

The Clerk of Council read aloud the following proposed resolution: (The resolution follows as amended and adopted)

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF BEDFORD, VIRGINIA, EVIDENCING ITS INTENT

TO ISSUE ITS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PURPOSES AND ITS INTENT TO

REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES FOR SUCH PURPOSES

WITH PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Bedford, Virginia, (the "City"), intends to issue its Bonds, as hereinafter defined, to finance, in part, the costs of an expansion to the existing Bedford Main Public Library and restoration and improvements to the Wharton Gardens (the "Project"); and

WHEREAS, the City intends to finance a portion of the costs of the Project from a grant of $178,172 from Title II of the federal Library Services and Construction Act Grant Program, administered through the Virginia State Library and Archives (the "Grant"); and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to undertake the Project and to finance it with the proceeds of the Bonds and the proceeds of the Grant; and

WHEREAS, the City intends to pay costs of the Project prior to the issuance of the Bonds and to receive reimbursement for such expenditures from proceeds of the Bonds;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEDFORD, VIRGINIA;

1. The City intends to finance the Project through the issuance of its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 (the "Bonds") and a Grant in the amount of $178,172.

2. The City intends to receive reimbursement from proceeds of the sale of the Bonds for costs of the Project paid by the City prior to the issuance of the Bonds.

3. The City intends that the adoption of this resolution be considered as "official intent" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.103-18 promulgated under the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended.

4. The City Clerk is directed to make a copy of this resolution continuously available for inspection by the general public during normal business hours at the City Clerk's office from the date of adoption hereof to the date of the issuance of the Bonds.

5. The City Manager is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the State Library Board immediately upon its adoption.

Councilwoman Grahame moved that the resolution be adopted as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilman Tharp, voted upon and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote: