1) Ron Haney requested permission to use Town property to open a bait and tackle shop and sell drinks and hotdogs at the River Park.  His plans include using a portable trailer or vehicle to sell the items from so that it could be moved everyday if needed.  Council agreed to review this matter and let Mr. Haney know what insurance and permits may be required to use this area.   

2) Authorized Gary Patterson to conduct business technology seminars every couple of months, if needed.  The Town will support by providing snacks and advertising the event as much as possible. 

3) Heard the Shenandoah Merchants Association (SMA) would like additional signage at the intersection of 602 and Fourth Street (traffic light area) to direct visitors to the various businesses in Town.  Council requested the SMA provide a design of the type of signage they are requesting so the Town can provide regulations from the various agencies involved with obtaining permits for it.

4) Wilbert King requested maintenance on the undeveloped portion of Trenton Avenue.  Council determined this portion of the street is probably still considered private, but noted they would request VDOT to review the matter and determine if there was anything they could do.   

5) Received a report of the Town accomplishments for 2010, which included upgrading the Town’s water meters, issued 9 community enhancement awards, hosted several seminars for businesses to better utilize technology, upgraded the batting cage building, made upgrades to several parks, including adding the paved walking trail at the River Park, 172 children participated in the Town’s basketball program, continued to offer citizens access to the broadband internet service at our computer center and offered very low cost computer classes, held the 13th Annual Memorial Day Festival and Parade, hosted 4 classic vehicle cruise ins, began work on the new Veteran’s Memorial Park, participated in several cleanups, and welcomed 3 new businesses.  Mayor Lucas and Council Members noted their appreciation for all the volunteers who assist the Town in making many of the programs possible for our community.

6) Authorized holding the annual Town Spring Cleanup on April 11, 2011, through April 21, 2011.  This is a free service offered to the citizens of the Town and they should take advantage of it to remove old furniture, appliances, and other unwanted items from their property by calling (prior to April 20th) Town Hall to schedule a pick up and placing the items at the location of their regular trash pick up site. The Town cannot pick up brush, tires, batteries, chemicals or remodeling debris.

7) Authorized a five (5) percent salary increase for Police Officer William Wheeler for successfully surpassing his six (6) month probationary period, effective with the next payroll. 

8) Authorized Town’s participation in the Reader’s Digest “We Hear You America” grant program, but wanted suggestions for a specific project.

9) Authorized destruction of records as outlined in the State records retention laws, as presented.  The records will be shredded as soon as possible to free up storage space at Town Hall and to comply with records management laws.

10) Received the December 2010 environmental update at the Merck Stonewall Plant in Elkton, VA.

11) Received the December 2010 Town vehicle gasoline log for review.

12) Heard the Page County Chamber of Commerce has the following events scheduled:  Business Networking Breakfast on January 13, 2011, at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamber Boardroom in Luray (previously scheduled for the Mimslyn Inn); Business After Hours on January 17, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., at Luray Fitness Center; and Cabin Capital Open Forum on January 27, 2011, at 4 p.m., at Chamber Boardroom in Luray.

13) Received the December 2010 Town Police Report for review.

14) Reviewed the design for the new police department patches.  The new patches will be ordered soon.

15) Heard the police department received a grant to replace bullet proof vests.  The new vests are $499 each, but half the amount will be covered by the grant.  

16) Received Town Budget Reports through November 2010 for review.  Noted tax collections should show an increase with the December reports.

17) Heard the Town will likely be forced to increase the real estate tax rate to make up the difference in the lower assessment rates.  Council will review the matter in the upcoming months budget work sessions to try and even out the rate versus assessment so citizens are not paying much more, if any, overall than they paid in 2010.

18) Work Orders:  Cut off power at Tennis Courts until spring; water leak in gutter across from telephone company building; water leak on North Fifth Street; fill pothole between the boat landing and the arch on 602.

19) Council agreed to invite Board of Supervisor Member Jeff Vaughan to the next meeting to discuss the property maintenance code issue. 

20) Heard the refuse company is getting Christmas trees, but only have room for so many each week along with the regular trash.
 
21)  Parks and Recreation News:  Big Gem Park  - They will put down more stone to allow for easier walking access toward the future ball field location; wooden structures will be sealed in the spring; will continue to work on the bike trails; River Park – plan to install the small bridge to extend the walking trail; replant 5 trees that were destroyed by the beavers; any wooden structures will be sealed in the spring; Wig-Wam Village Playground – wooden structures will be sealed in the spring; Future Plans – continue grant research to help fund major projects; resurface the tennis courts; electric to light Town entrance signs; pavilion at Big Gem – already received donations toward building this structure; install volleyball courts at River Park; new sign at Scout Park; new concrete floor at batting cage; staircase leading to the restroom building at the River Park.

22) Authorized $904 to order new basketball uniforms.  It was noted P&R Director Mongold does an excellent job of making money through her programs and obtaining donations.  The programs always make more money than is needed to run them and the extra money is used for other parks and recreation programs. 

23) The boy’s basketball program is set to begin very soon.  Council noted their thanks to P&R Director Mongold for the excellent way she runs the basketball programs for both boys and girls.  Also, Council thanked the many volunteers involved in helping these programs.   

24) Heard Shenandoah Recreation League voted 18 to 0 to not put anymore money into the used light poles, but rather put their money into upgrading the existing fields at the ball park.  A meeting is being set up between the Shenandoah Indians and Shenandoah Recreation League Members to discuss this matter further.  

25) Guy Monger, Jr. reported Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) has a great article on the Town walking track in the current issue of the Cooperative magazine.