Item # 11 – Mayor Lucas and the Town Council Members received a letter from Ian Rudolph informing the Town he resigned as the Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Chief, effective July 1, 2010, due to accepting a paid position with the City of Harrisonburg. The Assistant Chief Lester Hensley will resume all duties until their elections are held in August. Mr. Rudolph noted he has enjoyed working with the volunteer fire company and plans to continue assisting the department in the future.
Item # 12 – Councilman Lowe presented a list of the winners in the recent five (5) Mile Riverfront Run and two (2) Mile Walk. He noted the event was held on Saturday, July 10th. The winner was Carolos Orellana with a time of 29:07 minutes. Aaron Bradner was a close second in a time of 29:33 minutes followed by Nathaniel Huffman with a time of 30:35 minutes. The runners were from seven (7) different states and included local residents as well. There were a total of 50 runners and 10 walkers who participated in the event. He noted plans are underway for next year’s race, which is a fundraiser for the Shenandoah Heritage Center.
Item # 13 – Mayor Lucas noted the Town Council Committees have several vacancies due to the results of the last Town Elections.
Council Members noted they were content with their current Committee appointments. Therefore, Councilman Lowe was appointed to fill the vacant positions as a Member of the following Committees: Police, Safety, and Judicial; Taxation and Finance; Parks and Recreation; and Personnel.
Item # 14 – Following a brief discussion, Vice Mayor William L. Kite was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Shenandoah Wireless Broadband Authority (SWBA). This seat was left vacant due former Councilwoman Switzer not running for re-election to Council. Other members include: Richard Pierce, Chairman; Russell Comer, Jr., Vice Chairman; Keith Sampson, Secretary/Treasurer; and Clinton O. Lucas, Jr., Member.
A SWBA meeting was set for 6:45 p.m. on July 27, 2010, just prior to the regular Town Council meeting at Town Hall.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
WATER & SEWER
(Chairman Kite and Councilpersons Jenkins and Sampson)
Councilman Pierce inquired if the issues with the water and sewer lines were resolved for the James Shifflett property on Ramona Avenue?
Town Manager Dovel stated yes, and noted Mr. Shifflett initially installed three (3) lines in the same ditch, but has vacated several of the lines. He reported Mr. Shifflett then connected them all to a one (1) inch plastic line, which will most likely present water pressure issues at the residences. He explained the developer was able to find a loophole in the ordinances to allow for the homes without having to install the six (6) inch water line that should have been installed when the homes were first being constructed. He explained if there are problems with water pressure, the developer will have to bear the expense of installing a larger water line and he will not be allowed any future development until all Code requirements are met.
Following questions, Town Manager Dovel explained several water leaks have been repaired in the past week, but they have not required the use of the ditch witch machine yet.
STREETS & PUBLIC PROPERTY
(Chairman Kite and Councilpersons Comer and Sampson)
Work Orders were requested for the following: stop sign covered up by a hedge at the intersection of Coverstone Lane and Denver Avenue.
Council discussed the need for regulations for horses leaving droppings on streets and sidewalks. Also, Council discussed the need for reflectors on animals and/or wagons being driven in the streets after dark.
Chief Monteleone reported there is an existing Town Code which prohibits riding horses on the Town sidewalks. He also reported there is an existing state law requiring reflectors. He explained his officers would give notice to the horse riders and write tickets as required for any violations.
Several Council Members felt the Town may still want to consider an ordinance to require horses to have a catch device for droppings if they are going to be ridden on Town streets. However, no action was taken at this time.
Mayor Lucas noted he received a request for a street light near 716 Ninth Street. He noted the area is very dark, but is on the middle of the street where normally lights are not installed. He explained there are some street lights in the center of streets that were installed years ago, and were mainly installed due to the large number of children living in the areas at the time. He requested Council review this matter and determine if a light should be erected in this area.
Following questions, Town Manager Dovel explained the power company is preparing a quote on the cost of street lights and supplies to replace the ones damaged by fire in the 500 block of First Street.
Requested Town Manager Dovel to ask the power company to look at trees on the power line located South of Town.
Council briefly discussed several properties in Town soon to be up for public auction or are being foreclosed on. One of the properties is zoned a combination of R3 and Industrial, while the other is zoned commercial. It was noted the information has been passed on to companies who may be interested in at least one of the properties.
POLICE, SAFETY, & JUDICIAL
(Chairman Kite and Councilpersons Comer and Switzer)
There was nothing further to report during this period.
TAXATION & FINANCE
(Chairman Pierce and Councilpersons Kite and Switzer)
Committee Chairman Pierce noted he did not have anything further to report.
PARKS & RECREATION
(Chairman Sampson and Councilpersons Pierce and Switzer)
Committee Chairman Sampson then reported the following Parks and Recreation News: P&R meeting will be held on July 14, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. 2 picnic tables were purchased and will be placed at the River Park and Big Gem Park. More will be purchased in the future. Town employees and volunteers have watered the flowers and plants twice a day during the heat waves in the area. The Page Valley Community Tennis Association is holding tournaments from August 7 through August 14, 2010. Bradley Williams is in charge of the events and may be contacted at 540-435-4912.
INDUSTRIAL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PROCUREMENT
(Chairman Comer and Councilpersons Jenkins and Pierce)
Committee Chairman Comer presented Council with a list of items for a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). He noted Council should review this document and if there are no other additions to it, this document should be forwarded to the Town Planning Commission for review and prioritizing. He stated once the Planning Commission has submitted a recommendation on the document, they could set a joint meeting to finalize the CIP.
Councilman Sampson inquired if the Town has a list of the undersized lines and their age to be able to list them in a priority order?
Town Manager Dovel stated there is no list containing the age of the lines. He noted there is a list of the undersized lines and which ones should be completed first.
Following a suggestion by Councilman Pierce, Council agreed the Town should begin replacing office computers at least once a year. They requested Councilman Jenkins submit a report at the July 27, 2010 meeting on which computer is needed to be replaced first and the cost of the replacement.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
(Chairman Kite and Councilpersons Jenkins and Pierce)
Mayor Lucas suggested Council look at the Comer house on Fifth Street to determine if it qualifies for a Community Enhancement Award.
PERSONNEL
(Chairman Pierce and Councilpersons Sampson and Switzer)
Councilman Sampson reported there have been issues with male employees in the public works department taking their shirts off during repair work. He noted they should wear their uniforms whenever they are on the job for the Town and should have extra clothing at the shop for the jobs that require them to get muddy or wet.
Town Manager Dovel stated this issue has since been addressed with the employees.
POLICE REPORT
There was nothing further to report during this period.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business to come before Council during this period.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to come before Council during this period.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Town Manager Dovel stated he did not have anything further to report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Lucas noted he did not have anything further to report.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE
Brenda Merica reported the 16 to 18 year old boys division of the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball team won the title for the State of Virginia, beating out Richmond. The boys will now travel to TN to compete on the National level. Monetary donations are being accepted to help support the purchase of uniforms, food, travel, and lodging expenses for the trip to TN next week. Anyone interested in making donations may contact Brenda Merica at 540-652-1102.
ADJOURN
There being no further discussions, a Motion was made by Vice Mayor Kite, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Members Vote was as follows:
YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None.
Councilman Comer
Councilman Lowe
Councilman Pierce
Councilman Sampson
ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas.
ABSENT: Councilman Jenkins.
VOTE: Unanimous in favor of motion.
APPROVED: ATTESTED:
__________________________ _______________________
Clinton O. Lucas, Jr., Mayor Juanita Roudabush, MMC
