 |
 |
 |
|
MINUTES JANUARY 10, 2012 CALL TO ORDER: The Shenandoah Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 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; and Keith Sampson. Council Members absent were: Councilmen I. Michael Lowe and Richard Pierce. Citizens present were: Carl Simon; Dick Hostelley; Gary Shirley; High School Government Students – Amber Brown; Megan Good; Hunter Reed; and Dustin Goode. Media Representatives: Rebecca Armstrong, The Page News & Courier. RECEIVING OF VISITORS # 1 – Mayor Lucas presented the December 2011 Community Enhancement Award to Carl Simon for improvements he made to his home at 102 Kenesaw Avenue. Mr. Simon recently installed new siding, windows, and made other renovations to the home, which improved its appearance greatly. Mr. Simon accepted the plaque and thanked the Council for this award. # 2 – Dick Hostelley spoke representing the Potomac Appalachian Trail Committee. He requested Council consider adopting a resolution to support Page County receiving the designation of an Appalachian Trail Community. The resolution is as follows: Appalachian Trail Community Designation January 2012 Whereas, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) traces its roots to the 1920’s and was designated America’s first national scenic trail in 1968; and Whereas, today through the efforts of volunteers, clubs and agency partners, the Appalachian Trail extends more than 2,175 miles from Maine to Georgia within a protected 250,000 acre greenway; and Whereas, towns, counties, and communities along the Trail’s corridor are considered an asset by A.T. hikers and many of these towns act as good friends and neighbors to the Trail; and Whereas, designation as an Appalachian Trail Community and participation in the program is designed to act as a catalyst for enhancing economic development, engaging community citizens as Trail visitors and stewards and helping local community members to see the Trail as an educational and environmental resource and asset; and Whereas, the community’s application to seek this designation has support from the Towns of Luray, Stanley, and Shenandoah, County of Page, the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce and private citizens; and Now Therefore, the Town of Shenandoah, Virginia, does hereby resolve to support the efforts to be designated an Appalachian Trail community, adopted by the Shenandoah Town Council this 10th day of January, 2012. A Motion was made by Councilman Jenkins, seconded by Vice Mayor Kite, to adopt the Resolution to support the Appalachian Trail Community Designation, as presented. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. DECEMBER 13, 2011, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: A Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Vice Mayor Kite, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes held on December 13, 2011, as presented. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. APPROVAL OF BILLS: There being no comments or questions, a Motion was made by Vice Mayor Kite, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to approve the bills, dated January 10, 2012, in the Combined Accounts Disbursements Warrants #30238 - #30304 in the amount of $126,429.90. 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 January 10, 2012. A Motion was made by Councilman Sampson, seconded by Councilman Comer, to approve the January 10, 2012, Treasurer’s report in the amount of $1,333,781.57, as read. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas.
Item # 1 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received notice the County Economic Development Authority (EDA) has one (1) term expiring, which represents Shenandoah. Gary Morris is the person currently serving in this capacity and he is willing to continue to serve, if the Council desires to nominate him for approval by the Page County Board of Supervisors. Mayor Lucas stated it is always good to have volunteers to serve in these very important positions. A Motion was made by Councilman Comer, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to recommend the Board of Supervisors reappoint Gary Morris to the County Economic Development Authority. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Item # 2 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received information regarding the VML sponsored Local Government Day on February 9th in Richmond with the State Legislators. Item # 3 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received the November and December 2011 Town Vehicle Gasoline Logs for review. Item # 4 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received information regarding free GED classes and test at the Shenandoah Community Center. The free classes meet at 9 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday mornings and you may register by attending a class. More information may be obtained by calling 540-843-2823. Item # 5 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received a flyer for the Shenandoah Merchants Association announcing the 2011 Christmas decorating contest winners as follows: First Place, Robert and Gloria Shenk; Second Place, Jill Young/Kevin Olinger, and Third Place, Nancy Karnes. A special mention was awarded to Robbie and Becky Shenk. Visit www.shopshenandoahva.com for more information. Item # 7 – The Town received information from the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, which requested donations to their organization. This organization provides support to community members in need. More information may be obtained by visiting www.shenandoahaaa.com Item # 8 – The Town received information regarding celebrations being planned to commemorate the Town of Luray’s 200th Anniversary. Events begin February 4th from 4 to 8 p.m. in several locations in downtown Luray. The events include fireworks and musical entertainment. More information may be found at www.celebrateluray.com or by calling the Bicentennial hotline at 540-244-8065. Item # 9 – Mayor Lucas and Council Members received the December 2011 Police Report for review. Item # 10 – Council agreed the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial Park should coincide with the annual Memorial Day Festival and the dedication committee could be comprised of 2 members from the Town Council; Library Committee; Auction Committee; Shenandoah VFW; and the DAR. COMMITTEE REPORTS WATER & SEWER Mayor Lucas and Council Members briefly discussed the Town only received one proposal for professional engineering services for the Fourth Street Waterline & Street Improvements project. Gary Shirley of Racey Engineering stated he would answer any questions the Council may have on their bid. He noted the RFP was advertised for design work, but the pre-bid meeting determined the Council would also like to receive a design/build bid as well. Therefore, Racey Engineering prepared a bid for design and a separate one for design/build. He noted it was advertised at 525 feet, but actually would require 660 feet to reach the water line connections in Virginia and Pennsylvania Avenues. He suggested the Town could compare their base engineering fees with other company’s since they did not receive more than one bid. He noted in comparing rates, Council will find Racey Engineering has very competitive prices as most of all the employees live in the County and like to work close to home whenever possible. Mayor Lucas and Council Members thanked Mr. Shirley for the presentation and for bidding on the project. Following a brief discussion, Council determined the project may cost more than originally anticipated due to either cutting the streets or boring under them to make the water connections. Following more discussion, Council decided they may have to consider re-bidding this project to determine if they could obtain a few more bids to compare. Based on the amounts of the bid received, Council agreed the lack of available funding may be an issue. Councilman Jenkins inquired if the recent power outages affected the Town wells? Town Manager Dovel stated no, they did not notice any problems. Regarding water supplies during power outages, Town Manager Dovel explained the Town keeps the water storage tanks full and they hold enough water to last the Town citizens a few days. Councilman Sampson suggested the Town contact Wesley Shifflett to determine the status of the 911 response issues, due to confusing street names, experienced by a residence off Comer Lane. It was noted the issue could potentially be solved with the installation of another sign directing people to this one particular residence. Regarding the replacement of the retaining wall at Town Hall, Councilman Jenkins stated only one (1) written bid has been received. He expects to receive a few more bids, and then the Council will discuss the matter. Council Members then reported several streets are in need of repairs. It was noted J Street; Denver Avenue; and the road in front of the Dollar General Store needs street repairs. Work Orders will be given to public works to determine which areas need to be repaired by the Town and which areas need to be forwarded to VDOT for repair. POLICE, SAFETY, & JUDICIAL Following concerns for safety, Council Members requested police review regulations for people driving lawn tractors after dark and ensure they have the proper safety reflectors and lights. Council briefly discussed the recent break-in at the Shenandoah Pharmacy and noted the business owner or building owner may consider upgrading the security for the building. The police have already made several suggestions of things to enhance the security.
There was nothing to report during this period. PARKS & RECREATION Committee Chairman Sampson reported the following Parks and Recreation News: There are several geocache locations in Town and several more are planned. Many people look for them while on vacation, sign the log, and exchange items located in them.; Big Gem Park pond fountain lights have been repaired; trees will be trimmed or cut at Wig-Wam Village Playground soon. INDUSTRIAL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PROCUREMENT Committee Chairman Comer mentioned the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan needs to be reviewed soon. He suggested the Planning Commission review the Capital Improvement Plan to determine if they have new ideas that may be added. Council Members agreed to forward the Capital Improvement Plan to the Planning Commission for review and determine if they know of other projects that may be added. The Capital Improvements Plan review would need to be completed prior to the March budget workshops. Committee Chairman Comer reported the Genie plant building is for sale, but any new additions to that building would require a gas powered ventilation system under the new addition. He stated there is a company interested in purchasing the building and they are hoping a sale will go through and allow the operations to continue at the plant rather than it sitting vacant. Committee Chairman Comer then reported KVK Precision Specialties is planning to begin work in their new addition by June of 2012 and have invested millions of dollars with the new addition and equipment. A Motion was made by Vice Mayor Kite, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to award Kris and Jennifer Robinson the January 2012 Community Enhancement Award for the many improvements to their mobile home park on Liberty Avenue.
Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas. Vice Mayor Kite stated the mobile homes all have been painted and remodeled within the last month or so. Councilman Sampson stated the mobile homes look so much better than they did before renovations. This award will be presented at the next meeting. There was nothing further to report during this period. POLICE REPORT There was nothing further to report during this period. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to come before the Council during this period. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Council during this period. Town Manager Dovel reported 30 foot of sewer line was replaced on A Street due to roots growing in the lines. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Lucas noted he did not have anything further to report. There was no one present to speak during this period. There being no further discussion, a Motion was made by Vice Mayor Kite, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Members Vote was as follows: YEA: Vice Mayor Kite NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas.
|
