1)      Heard tourism updates from Chamber Director Briana Campbell.  Both tourist walk-ins and local walk-ins have increased over the past year with 1,782 local walk-ins and almost 7,000 tourists visiting the chamber welcome center.  They currently have 432 members and have new advertising opportunities available to their members.  Anyone having questions may reach her at 743-3915 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2)      Authorized Treasurer Breeden to temporarily suspend making deposits in the General Fund Capital Improvements Checking account and to double up the deposits in the Utility Fund Capital Improvements Checking account until the balances are even.  After both accounts are equal, splitting the deposits between the two accounts will resume.    

3)      Heard the next cruise in will be held on August 13^th at 6 p.m. on First Street.  Also, heard the Shenandoah Heritage Center already has three (3) sponsors lined up for next year’s cruise ins and if more sponsors are obtained they are considering extending the cruise ins April through October in 2011.

4)      Tabled action on the old Casey Jones building on Virginia Avenue to allow the Council more time to explore the costs involved with purchasing and renovating it to house a Town museum and recreation center. The structure is slated for demolition within the coming weeks if a purchaser cannot be found. 

5)      Heard Governor Bob McDonnell is still gathering comments on job creation and  has scheduled Town Hall meetings.  The closest to our area is on August 26^th at JMU, East Campus Dining Hall, Montpelier Room.  The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

6)      Received the July 2010 Town vehicle gasoline log for review.

7)      Heard Christ United Methodist Church in Shenandoah as agreed to allow use of their fellowship hall as a designated “Red Cross Disaster Shelter” for this area.  Volunteers are needed to be trained to register citizens and to help cook food in the event of a disaster.  Pre-registration for volunteer training is required.  Please call the church office at 652-8764 prior to August 29^th to register for training classes to be held on September 11, 2010 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at CUMC in Shenandoah.

8)      Tabled action on a water and sewer tap for James Shifflett at 1025 Ramona Avenue until more information is received about the size water line needed to allow enough water pressure for the homes in this area.

9)      Approved bid for $1,358 for Charlie’s Backhoe & Construction to remove trees, replace 52 feet of sewer pipe, and grade area off Junior Avenue on Town’s main sewer line.  Also, authorized a set amount over the bid in case more than 52 feet needs to be replaced.

10)  Work Orders:  Water leak at the Shenandoah Baptist Church; water leak on Second Street near the Wheeler property; install barricades or caution tape near the steps at 501 Third Street to alert people of the hazards at this property; ask VDOT to install a stop sign at the intersection of Central Avenue and North Second Street.

11)  Approved the following Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. Officers for 2010-2011:  Chief K. L. Jenkins; Assistant Chief James Williams; Captain Eric Painter; First Lt. Timmy Kite; Second Lt. John Jenkins; Chief Truck Driver Gary Taylor; Chief Engineer Jamie Harris; Chief Electrician Steve Rodgers; Chief Fire Warden Bobby Comer, Jr.; Alternative Wardens Bobby Comer, Sr.; Donnie Sutherland; Billy Foltz; President Gary Taylor; Vice President C. W. Jarrell; Secretary Billy Foltz; Treasurer David Huffman; and Chaplain Timmy Kite.  

12)  Heard Mayor Lucas and several Council Members attended a Board of Supervisors meeting to request the County add Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code for Property Maintenance to their agreement with the Town under Building Inspections and requested the Town be allowed to use the County Board of Appeals.  The Board was supportive of the Council’s request and noted they may just adopt the property maintenance code to include the entire county as they may experience the same problems with certain properties.  The Town hopes to have an answer from the Board prior to the August 24^th Town Council meeting.

13)  Heard Mayor Lucas and Councilman Pierce attended a meeting with the Committee set up by Governor McDonnell to explore ways to create jobs and lessen the number of unemployed in our County.  Council briefly discussed the things learned at this meeting and agreed the Town should adopt a resolution in support of marketing the Town for technology businesses, since the Town has current access to high speed internet service and several office space vacancies.  This resolution will be adopted at the next meeting and either hand delivered or mailed to our legislators, along with information about our Town.

14)  Heard the Genie Plant is struggling again due to low orders, but have stated there is nothing the Town or County can do to assist at this time. 

15)  Authorized issuing a Community Enhancement Award for a property renovated on Fourth Street in Shenandoah.  This award will be presented at the next Council meeting.

16)  Parks and Recreation News:  River Park – They received a bid for a bridge across the creek at the river park to extend the walking track.  The amount of the bid is beyond what was budgeted for the project and they will need to determine how the additional amount could be paid or re-bid.; clean fill dirt is needed for the volleyball courts;  Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be contacted to determine what can be done for the slippery boat ramp which causes vehicles to slide into the river; Big Gem Park – The Christmas tree seems to be dying and will most likely need to be replaced.; Thanks to Town employees Mark Armentrout and Mike Wheeler for removing the fallen tree from the pond.; They will install a sign that no hunting is allowed in the park.  Someone was caught bow fishing, which is not allowed. Tennis – Electric poles were installed at the courts and the association is currently holding a tournament; Basketball – kindergarten and girls basketball signups are underway now; Cannon – a person as been approved to remove the cannon wheels to have them repaired.  This repair will cost approximately $2,500, but the money was put in the budget for this expense. 

17)  Heard Town Hall’s new computer was ordered and will be installed soon and the Town Manager’s computer has been upgraded.