| Town Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2011 |
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MINUTES NOVEMBER 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: The Shenandoah Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr., presiding. ATTENDANCE: Council Members present were: Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr.; Vice Mayor William L. Kite; Councilmen Russell Comer, Jr.; Charles Jenkins; I. Michael Lowe; Richard Pierce; and Keith Sampson. Council Members absent were: None. Citizens present were: Gary Patterson. Media Representatives: None. RECEIVING OF VISITORS Mayor Lucas noted Gary Patterson has requested permission to address Council regarding the recent Business Technology Seminar. Council agreed to allow him to speak during this period. Mr. Patterson presented Council with a written report of the recent seminar. He suggested the name of the seminar be changed in the future to help increase participation. He noted taking out the word technology and replacing it with something more fun sounding may help attendance. He thanked Council for their assistance with the seminar. Mayor Lucas and Council Members thanked Mr. Patterson for his volunteer efforts to help business owners of our community and surrounding areas. OCTOBER 25, 2011, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AND NOVEMBER 2, 2011, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES: A Motion was made by Councilman Lowe, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes held on October 25, 2011, as presented. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. A Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve the Special Meeting Minutes held on November 2, 2011, as presented. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. APPROVAL OF BILLS: There being no questions or comments, a Motion was made by Vice Mayor Kite, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve the bills, dated November 8, 2011, in the Combined Accounts Disbursements Warrants #30098 - #30138 in the amount of $88,910.76. Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Mayor Lucas read the Treasurer’s report, submitted by Treasurer Cindy Breeden, for November 8, 2011. A Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Comer, to approve the November 8, 2011, Treasurer’s report in the amount of $1,222,015.67, as read. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Item # 1 – Mayor Lucas read a memorandum from Personnel Committee Chairman Richard Pierce indicating Alice Pence passed her Waterworks III License, which makes her eligible for a five percent (5%) pay increase. Town Manager Dovel stated she now holds a Class III License in both water and wastewater. He noted she would not be required to obtain a higher class at this time. A Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve a five percent (5%) salary increase for Alice Pence, effective with the next payroll, for successfully passing her Waterworks III License. Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Item # 3 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members read a donation request from Page One to help families of the community who are in need of food and gifts for the holidays. In 2010, they assisted 150 families and will have even more applications for assistance this year. Donations may be mailed or brought to Page One at 600 Comer Lane, Shenandoah. Also, they are accepting pennies for their Annual Penny Drive. Call 540-652-8780 or 652-4482 for more information. The letter also thanked the Town for their previous donation. Item # 4 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received the October 2011 Town Police Report for review. Item # 5 – The Town received an invitation to the Christmas Parade for the Town of Luray on December 10, 2011 at 6 p.m. with lineup beginning at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Lucas noted the Town of Luray is turning 200 years old in 2012, and will be holding other parades and celebrations in the spring. Item # 6 – The Town received an invitation to the Christmas Parade for the Town of Stanley on December 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. with lineup beginning at 6:00 p.m. Item # 7 – Mayor Lucas read a flyer regarding a Corn Hole Tournament on Friday and Saturday, November 18th and 19th at the Shenandoah Recreation Center (Community Center). Friday is a singles tournament and registration begins at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday is a doubles tournament and registration begins at 10:00 a.m. Food and drinks will be available to benefit the Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company. For more information, please call Assistant Chief James Williams at 540-478-2269. Item # 8 – Mayor and Council received an invitation to the Veterans Day Program at the Shenandoah Elementary School on Friday, November 11th at 1 p.m. Mayor Lucas encouraged everyone to honor all veterans at this or other services throughout our community. Item # 9 – The Town received a thank you card from Country Cuts for the dish garden the Town sent to them. They are now open for hair cutting and tanning on First Street in Shenandoah by calling 540-652-6022 or walk-in appointments are available. The salon is owned by Martha Comer; Amanda Hammer; and Ashley Lucas. COMMITTEE REPORTS WATER & SEWER Councilman Sampson inquired about the status of the water line replacement along US Highway 340? Town Manager Dovel stated the Council would need to approve hiring an engineer to design the plans for this project. Following a brief discussion, Council concluded they would like to obtain bid prices from engineering firms to determine if the Town can afford this project at this time. Therefore, a Motion was made by Councilman Jenkins, seconded by Councilman Lowe, to authorize advertising for bids for engineering firms to design the replacement of the water line, sidewalk, curb, and gutter in the 400 block of Fourth Street (US Hwy 340). Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Following questions, Town Manager Dovel explained the sewer line replacement along Osceola Avenue is progressing. He noted the water line in this area had to be replaced as well. It was discussed the police department is investigating several incidents of vandalism, including the theft and destruction of equipment and props used for the Terror Trail at Big Gem Park. Terror Trail benefits the community tennis association and they lost money, due to these incidents. They were not able to operate their trail on Saturday due to the destruction and theft. Also, there is the possibility there was some additional vandalism at Scout Park, which will be investigated as well. Councilman Lowe reported the road is beginning to sink in near the traffic light where large trucks apply their brakes coming down the hill in front of the elementary school. He noted the Virginia Department of Transportation may need to repair this area soon. Councilman Jenkins stated the sink hole is reappearing along Denver Avenue and Seventh Street. He noted this is an area to keep an eye on for future repairs. He stated it appears an underground pipe may have collapsed in this area. Council Members reminded everyone the political signs are required to be removed within seven (7) days following the elections. Committee Chairman Pierce inquired when real estate and personal property tax revenue will be received? Mayor Lucas stated he was sure the County was waiting until after elections to print and mail the bills. The bills are due December 5, 2011. PARKS & RECREATION Committee Chairman Sampson stated the Town received a complaint about the large ruts in the road at Big Gem Park. He noted a new pipe is needed to carry the water along this road. He stated they would like to purchase a 36 inch pipe along with rip rap stone, plus rent a bulldozer to do the work. Therefore, a Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Pierce, to authorize up to $2,000 to repair the road at Big Gem Park. Members Roll Call Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Therefore, a Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Comer, to authorize setting the batting cage hours from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Committee Chairman Sampson then reported the following Parks and Recreation News: Registration for Boys Basketball will end on November 23rd and is $40 each player registered, which includes a tee-shirt and a participation medal. Applications will be available at Town Hall. Call 540-652-0028 for more information.; 3 trees were planted at Scout Park. INDUSTRIAL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PROCUREMENT Committee Chairman Comer stated the owner of the old lodge building is not following through with the repairs he stated he was going to do. He suggested the Council pursue action on this property as the conditions have worsened with the window frames falling out of the second story of this structure. Council agreed the building is dangerous and the sidewalk will be roped off in the front of this building. Councilman Pierce stated the owner of the property at 501 Third Street has not follwed through with the repairs to this house either, and should be included in any action taken. Following a brief discussion, Council agreed to research information to develop a citizens committee to take action on dilapidated or dangerous properties in Town. Council learned in the Town of Bridgewater 5 or more citizens signed a petition and the court required the property owner to take immediate action. There was nothing to report during this period. There was nothing to report during this period. POLICE REPORT There was nothing further to report during this period. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Item #1 - Following questions, Town Manager Dovel stated the retaining wall at Town Hall was built in 1985 and was a FEMA project, as a result of the flooding in that year. Following more discussion, Councilman Jenkins stated research is still being conducted on the best possible solution for the issues with the retaining wall at Town Hall. There is a possibility it may have to be removed and replaced. He noted cost estimates are being obtained too. Item # 2 – Councilman Pierce stated Veterans Park is not quite ready for dedication yet, but the flags will be flying on Veterans Day. He noted they are waiting on the power company to install the lights in order for the flags to be left up day and night. Item # 3 – Council noted the Town has not heard back from Page County regarding the addressing issues in the Comer Lane, Ramona Avenue, and Wahnona Avenue area. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Council during this period. There was nothing further to report during this period.
MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Lucas reported the 7-Eleven is open in Town and seems to be doing well. There was no one present to speak during this period. There being no further discussion, a Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Vice Mayor Kite, to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Members Vote was as follows:
ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas.
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