| Town Council Meeting March 22, 2011 |
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MINUTES MARCH 22, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: The Shenandoah Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr., presiding. ATTENDANCE: Council Members present were: Vice Mayor William Kite; Councilmen Russell Comer, Jr.; I. Michael Lowe; Richard Pierce; and Keith Sampson. Council Members absent were: Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr. and Councilman Charles Jenkins. Citizens present were: None. Media Representatives: None. RECEIVING OF VISITORS Vice Mayor Kite noted Charles Grunewald was signed up to speak regarding refuse service charges, but did not attend the meeting. Town Manager Dovel explained the policy on charging all businesses the commercial refuse rate per business. He noted the rates are charged per business even if they are in the same building. MARCH 8 2011, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Pierce inquired what are the regulations are for minutes of Council meetings in the State of Virginia? Assistant Manager/Clerk Roudabush explained the state law previously only required action minutes showing the actual votes for Council meetings. The law changed a few years ago to require a summary of the meeting along with motions and votes. She indicated it has always been the policy of the Town of Shenandoah to require a summary of the meeting along with any motions and votes. A Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes held on March 8, 2011, as presented. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. A Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Pierce, to approve the March 22, 2011, Treasurer’s report in the amount of $1,275,369.60, as read. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. CORRESPONDENCE Item # 1 – Vice Mayor Kite stated the Town received a special event application from Page Valley Cycling for a bicycle race beginning and ending in the Town of Shenandoah on July 30, 2011. The Council was provided with the proposed route and other information regarding the event. Following a brief discussion, Council agreed they could approve the event if the route begins on Shenandoah Avenue proceeds to a right on Ninth Street, left on Osceola Avenue, left on Tenth Street, and right on Massanutten Avenue onto Back Road and then proceed on with the planned route into the County. It was noted the Virginia Department of Transportation will also have to approve the street closures for the event. Chief Monteleone advised Council he could have traffic control at each intersection within the Town limits, but the race organizers would need to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office for traffic control within the County. Vice Mayor Kite stated the Town would be responsible for clearing away excess gravel and debris from the portion of the race in the Town limits. A Motion was made by Councilman Lowe, seconded by Councilman Comer, to approve the Special Event Permit for Page Valley Cycling to hold a time trial bicycle race on July 30, 2011, beginning at 8 a.m., with the route change as amended above. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. Item # 2 – Vice Mayor Kite read the following Proclamation: PROCLAMATION OF disABILITY AWARENESS WEEK 2011 WHEREAS, the United States Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Virginians with Disabilities Act in 1985 to assure equal opportunity to persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth, and it is the policy of this Commonwealth to encourage and enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of the Commonwealth and to engage in remunerative employment; and WHEREAS, people with disabilities often overcome common misunderstandings about their circumstances and make valuable contributions to their families and communities; and WHEREAS, disability is a natural part of the human experience, and individuals with disabilities deserve the same rights as their peers to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society and participate fully in the American experience; and WHEREAS, family, friends and neighbors play a central role in enhancing the lives of people with disabilities, and people with disabilities benefit from having a network of supportive friends and family, accommodating employers and community leaders who are aware of the needs and abilities of Virginians with disabilities; and WHEREAS, millions of people in the United States have disabilities, and with the increasing age of our population, Virginians and Americans must learn more about the special needs and abilities of this growing population; and WHEREAS, agencies and organizations throughout Virginia participate in disability awareness programs during disAbility Awareness Week to enhance public understanding of and appreciation for the limitations and abilities of people living with disabilities; NOW, THEREFORE, on this 22nd day of March, 2011, We, The Shenandoah Mayor and Town Council, do hereby proclaim the week of APRIL 9-15, 2011 as disABILITY AWARENESS WEEK, and we call this observance to the attention of all our citizens, and we urge all residents to honor this occasion. A Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Comer, to adopt the Proclamation recognizing April 9-15, 2011, as Disability Awareness, to enhance public understanding of and appreciation for the limitations and abilities of people living with disabilities.
YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. Councilman Sampson noted the payment from this invoice can be pulled from reserved for contingency line item of the budget. A Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Lowe, to authorize payment of $2,525 to pay for the repair of the cannon wheels and other wooden parts. Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. Item # 4 – The Town received an invitation to attend a seafood social with Senator Mark Obenshain and guests Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Senator George Allen, and Representative Bob Goodlatte, on April 21, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Item # 5 – Vice Mayor Kite read a letter from Travenor Harlow, Jr. regarding updates on the old lodge building. Mr. Harlow’s letter explained the renovation work will begin on the old lodge building as soon as the closing documents are signed with the new owner on March 31, 2011. The Town also received a thank you card from Judy Campbell for the donation and support of the team, which placed second in the state for the 2010/2011 season. Item # 7 – Vice Mayor Kite noted the Town received information regarding 2011 VML Policy Committee Nominations, which are open to elected or appointed local government officials. Nomination forms are due by April 8th. Item # 8 – Members received the 14th Annual Memorial Day Brochure for events on May 27th and May 28th. The brochure is available at www.TownOfShenandoah.com Item # 9 – The Town received upcoming Chamber meetings as follows: April 14th at 7:30 a.m., Business Networking Breakfast at the Chamber Boardroom in Luray; April 21st at 5:30 p.m., Business After Hours at Outlanders River Camp in Luray; April 27th at 9 a.m. Coffee with the President at the Chamber Boardroom in Luray. Item # 10 – Councilman Sampson reported anyone interested in the litter burning issue that is still being reviewed, should attend the next meeting on Monday, March 28, 2011, at 1 p.m. at the Harrisonburg DEQ Office where public comments will be accepted or contact Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in Harrisonburg for more information. COMMITTEE REPORTS WATER & SEWER Town Manager Dovel reported the sewer line on Fifth Street was videoed and it was completely clear of tree roots. The only residue was a little grease, but other than that, the line was completely clear of roots and did not show any breakage in the pipes. The sewer was flowing normally. He noted the homeowner has insurance coverage and they will be speaking with the Town’s insurance company as well. Councilman Sampson reported Public Works Foreman Mark Armentrout reviewed the complaints from Sue Sherertz regarding the area where the water leak was repaired. He noted they will make a few repairs in the near future. Councilman Pierce stated they are hoping to begin work soon on the Veterans Memorial Park. He noted the Town will need to decide about the repairs to the sidewalk. Following a brief discussion, Council authorized Town Manager Dovel to obtain bids on the replacement of the sidewalk between Second Street and Third Street beside the new Veterans Memorial Park. Town Manager Dovel stated the public works department would do all the labor and just need bids on pouring the concrete. He will obtain prices with regular cement and aggregate for Council to decide upon at an upcoming meeting. Councilman Pierce reported a citizen along Shenandoah Avenue is parking his vehicle on the sidewalk and also, is storing car parts on the sidewalk and drainage ditch area. Chief Monteleone stated the police department will request the owner remove the car parts and the vehicle from the sidewalk. Following questions, Chief Monteleone reported the speed monitoring trailer will be placed along Comer Lane due to reports of speeding vehicles in this area. TAXATION & FINANCE Committee Chairman Pierce stated everyone received the Town budget reports through February 2011 for review. He noted once the Town receives the final assessment figures from the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office, they will be able to better determine what the Town’s tax rate will need to be for the upcoming year. PARKS & RECREATION Committee Chairman Sampson then reported the following Parks and Recreation News: Heard upcoming expenses include: $2,825 to replace the floor of the batting cage; $1,080 to replace the steps, $2,930 to install a 6” water tap off of Tenth Street to serve Big Gem Park; $3,500 for a 2” water line to serve this same area; and $3,500 to $4,000 to finish the green bike trail at Big Gem Park. There was nothing further to report during this period.
A Motion was made by Councilman Lowe, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to nominate David and Lori Trent for a community enhancement award for improvements made to their house recently, which is located at 212 North Fifth Street. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. PERSONNEL There was nothing to report during this period. POLICE REPORT There was nothing further to report during this period. 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 reported the water pressure may be reduced in Town during April 3-8 and April 16-21, 2011, to allow for the Tenth and Twelfth Street water storage tanks to be drained and cleaned out. Town Manager Dovel then reported Carroll Cubbage offered up to $2,000 for half of the Town owned lot adjacent to his property. Vice Mayor Kite and Council Members stated they could not accept that low of an offer for the land. However, Council authorized Carroll Cubbage to repair or remove the retaining wall on Town property, which is adjacent to his property, to take care of drainage issues he is experiencing. Councilman Sampson stated all excess dirt and concrete will be used for the volleyball court area at the River Park. He noted the concrete needs to go on the bottom and then the dirt over top of it. Town Manager Dovel then reported the Town has installed 837 of the electronic read water meters. He noted if 100 more were purchased now and then the remainder purchased out of the next budget year, everyone would have a new meter. A Motion was made by Councilman Comer, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to purchase new water meters in the amount of $8,995. Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite. Councilman Sampson noted the old meters will be sold and used for Town projects. Vice Mayor Kite reminded everyone Grace Fellowship Church will hold their annual Good Friday march from their church to Big Gem Park on April 22, 2011, beginning at 11 a.m. He noted they will hold a short service at the park following the march. Council previously approved this special event on annual basis. FOR THE GOOD OF THE TOWN There was no one present to speak during this period. There being no further discussions, a Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Kite.
APPROVED: ATTESTED:
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