The Minutes from April to October

March 17, 2009

The Tazewell Town Council meets in regular session at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers.

Present:
Mayor Jack Harry Vice-Mayor Charles Grindstaff, Councilmember Chris Blankenship, Councilmember A. D. Buchanan, Jr., Councilmember David Fox, Councilmember Kim Long, Councilmember Danny Willis.

Staff present were Town Manager, Jerry G. Wood; Clerk, Linda S. Griffith; Attorney, Brad Pyott; Police Chief, Brian Hieatt; Public Works Director, Steve Frederick; Recreation Director, Betty Conn and Fire Chief, George Pilkins.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Harry called the March 17, 2009 meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance and invocation by Linda S. Griffith.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Mayor Harry and Councilmember Blankenship honored the Tazewell Junior Varsity Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team for an outstanding 2009 District Honor.

Mayor Harry stated it was a great honor to acknowledge the Tazewell Junior Varsity Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team.

RECOGNITION TAZEWELL POLICE OFFICERS

Chief Hieatt recognized Sam Harmon and Jeff Cole on their graduation from the Police Academy in November 2008.

Chief Hieatt stated that Sam Harmon has (20) years of experience in law enforcement and Jeff Cole has served in the army, EMS and now is currently the Tazewell High School Resource Officer.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff to approve the Council Meeting Minutes and Work Session Minutes of February 10, 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff to approve The financial statements for February 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

OPERATING REPORTS

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Long to approve the operating reports for February 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

RESOLUTION – CDBG

Mayor Harry read the CDBG Resolution directing Manager Wood to file an application to obtain a grant with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for the Business District Revitalization Project.

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Long to direct Manager to proceed with the CDBG application for the Main Street District Revitalization Project. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

WATER LINE REPLACEMENT PHASE II

Manager Wood reported water line replacement phase II is going well and stated the water line on Wilson took extra time due to running into rock.

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Town of Tazewell (hereinafter, the “Town”) and the County of Tazewell (hereinafter, the “County”) have entered into negotiations to relocate the boundary line between them; and

WHEREAS, the Town and the County are now prepared to enter into a Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”) which provides that certain territory of the County will be incorporated into the territory of the Town: and

WHEREAS, Section 15.2-3106, et seq., of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, provides a procedure for the Circuit Court of Tazewell County to accept evidence regarding the relocation and by order to designate and establish the new boundary line;

NOW, THEREFORE, BET RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Tazewell, Virginia, in a meeting assembled on the 17th day of March, 2009;

    l. That the Council of the Town of Tazewell, Virginia, hereby approves the Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto, and hereby authorizes and directs its Mayor to execute the Agreement on the Town’ behalf;
    2. That the Mayor is directed to refer the Agreement, together with all other necessary data and materials, to legal counsel and to instruct legal counsel to petition the Circuit Court of Tazewell County pursuant to Section 15.2-3106, et seq., of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, to order the relocation of the boundary line between the Town and the County as set forth in the Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Council of the Town of Tazewell has caused its resolution to be duly executed on its behalf by its Mayor and attested by its Clerk.

Mayor Jack H. Harry ___________________

ATTEST: Clerk Linda S. Griffith __________

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Long to approve the above resolution. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

VDOT RESOLUTION

Mayor Harry read the following resolution for approval:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) proposes to close the Tazewell County Residency, located in Tazewell, Virginia;

WHEREAS, this area is proposed to be served from Lebanon, Virginia, which is forty (40) miles from Tazewell?

WHEREAS, closing the Tazewell Residency would create gross inefficiencies in servicing the roads in Tazewell, Virginia that are vital to the citizens of the Tazewell Area;

WHEREAS, Tazewell County has more primary roadway miles (l,315) than any other county in VDOT’s Bristol District;

BE IT THEREFORE NOW RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Tazewell oppose the closure of the Tazewell Residency.

Given under my hand this 17th day of March 2009.

Mayor Jack H. Harry ___________________

ATTEST: Town Manager Jerry G. Wood __________

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Councilmember Long to approve the above Resolution. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye

STREET PAVING LIST 2009

Council was presented with a street paving list for Spring 2009

Councilmember Blankenship asked that the Physical Services Committee meet before next Council Meeting to decide on the streets to be paved.

PROCLAMATION – SPRING RIVER CLEAN UP

WHEREAS, Virginia’s rivers contribute to providing the Commonwealth with the basis of her wealth, a high standard of living, and economic growth and stability; and

WHEREAS, preserving the quality and quantity of our valuable clean water resources is of vital importance to the citizens of the Commonwealth and to the future of our state; and

WHEREAS, The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, at the request of the Tazewell Soil & Water Conservation District, has set aside April, 2009 as Rivers Clean Up Month in Tazewell County; and

NOW WHEREAS, I, Jack Harry, Mayor, do hereby recognize April 2009, as Rivers Clean Up Month in the Town of Tazewell and call its significance to the attention of all our citizens.

Mayor Jack H. Harry ___________________

Motion was made by Councilmember Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Fox to proclaim April 2009 as Rivers Clean Up Month. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye

SPRING CLEANUP

Motion was made by Councilmember Fox, seconded by Councilmember Long to proclaim April 15, 2009 – May 15, 2009 as Spring Cleanup. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye and Councilmember Willis, aye.

RECESSED MEETING

With no further business to come before Council, meeting was adjourned until Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 7:30 a.m.

February 10, 2009

The Tazewell Town Council meets in regular session at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers.

Present:
Mayor Jack Harry Vice-Mayor Charles Grindstaff Councilmember Chris Blankenship Councilmember A. D. Buchanan, Jr. Councilmember David Fox Councilmember Kim Long Councilmember Danny Willis

Staff present were Town Manager, Jerry G. Wood; Clerk, Linda S. Griffith; Attorney, Brad Pyott; Police Chief, Brian Hieatt; Public Works Director, Steve Frederick; Recreation Director, Betty Conn and Fire Chief, George Pilkins.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Harry called the February 10, 2009 meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance and invocation by Linda S. Griffith.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Mayor Harry recognized George “Benny” Moore for his years of service on the Planning Commission stating his years of knowledge would be greatly missed.

Mayor Harry commended Leeanne Billings for having a “Good Idea” on compiling a brochure of frequently used numbers to be available for citizens of local businesses and government offices.

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Long to add Leeanne Billings name to the bottom of the brochure. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Councilmember Long, seconded by Councilmember Buchanan to approve the Council Meeting Minutes and Work Session Minutes of January 13, 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Councilmember Long to approve the financial statements for January 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.
Manager Wood stated Council would see a difference in the financial statements on some non- budgeted items that the Auditors recommended the Town to make these adjustments.

CDG GRANTS

Manager Wood advised that (2) two Public Hearings needed to be held on March 3, 2009 and March 17, 2009 to meet obligations for the CDG Grant funding for the Business District Revitalization Planning Project.

WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PHASE II

Manager Wood reported that a new water tap was installed on Wilson Street and progress was going good on the Waterline Replacement Phase II. Completion of the project will depend on the weather.

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT

Council set a joint public hearing with the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors March 3, 2009 at the county office at 7:10 p.m.

COUNCIL MEETING CHANGE

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Councilmember Fox to change Town Council meeting to March 17, 2009. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

BROADBAND MANAGEMENT TEAM

Manager Wood stated the Broadband Management Team met and progress has been made.

STIMULUS FUNDING

Manager Wood advised stimulus money would be available if Council wanted to pursue funding for projects. No action taken.

ABANDONED VEHICLES ORDINANCE

Councilmember Willis asked that Council amend the abandoned vehicle ordinance to include a violation fee.
Motion was made by Councilmember Willis, seconded by Councilmember Fox for the Town Attorney, Brad Pyott to draft an updated abandoned vehicle ordinance. On vote, Councilmember Blankenship, aye; Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

PAVING BIDS

Councilmember Blankenship expressed his concern on getting paving bids soon due to the cost of fuel rising again.
Manager Wood advised the asphalt plants wouldn’t be running until mid-April, but would have the bids together by March 17, 2009.

DISPOSAL OF COUNTY POLICE CARS

Manager Wood stated that Chief Hieatt was requesting the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department to donate (2) two used police cars to the Town.

Councilmember Fox questioned the amount of repairs on the cars.

TAZEWELL POLICE CHIEF

Chief Hieatt advised Council that he has been awarded thru the National Institute of Justice for rural law enforcement agencies with less than 50 employees and all expenses are paid trip to a seminar at no cost to the Town to San Diego, California. Chief Hieatt stated only (3) three people from Virginia were chosen based on their merit and presentation.

RECESS MEETING

Mayor Harry recessed the February 10, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. until, Council meeting until March 3, 2009.

January 13, 2009

The Tazewell Town Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers.
Present:
Mayor Jack Harry Vice-Mayor Charles Grindstaff Councilmember A. D. Buchanan, Jr. Councilmember David Fox Councilmember Kim Long Councilmember Danny Willis
Absent: Chris Blankenship

Staff present were Town Manager, Jerry G. Wood; Clerk, Linda S. Griffith; Attorney, Brad Pyott; Police Chief, Brian Hieatt; Public Works Director, Steve Frederick; Recreation Director, Betty Conn and Fire Chief, George Pilkins.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Harry called the January 13, 2009 meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance and invocation by Linda S. Griffith.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION – CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY

Chief Hieatt gave a power point presentation to Council on the Citizen Police Academy doing their training that was taught by the Tazewell Police employees. Each citizen in the academy was presented a certificate of completion by Chief Hieatt and Mayor Harry.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Councilmember Long, seconded by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff to approve the Council Meeting Minutes and Work Session Minutes of December 9, 2008. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Councilmember Long to approve the financial statement for December 2008. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

OPERATING REPORTS

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Buchanan to approve the operating reports for December 2008. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

WATER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT PHASE II

Manager Wood reported the Water Line Replacement Project Phase II was underway and the Town crews are working on the project as the weather permits. The Town’s goal is to complete the project by the end of summer.

STORMWATER PROJECT

Manager Wood thanked Councilmember Blankenship and Councilmember Willis for their support at the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors meeting when he could get permission to complete the rain gardens on their property. Manager Wood stated he had spoken with Department of Conservation and Resources and everything looked positive and he gave them an itemized budget on the project to be completed by June 2009. However, due to funding there is no guarantee the extension will be granted.

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT

Manager Wood stated a Joint Public Hearing between the Town Council and the Board of Supervisors will be held March 3, 2009 for the boundary adjustment request. Manager Wood recommended to Council that the Town hire David Altizer to do the legal work for the boundary adjustment.
Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Councilmember For to hire Attorney David Altizer to do the legal work for the boundary adjustment. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

CDBG GRANTS

Manager Wood stated that the Town has been approved to receive a $25,000 grant for the Fiber Optic Study and $25,000 for a study of Main Street revitalization. Meetings will be held on January 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. for the broadband study and at 2:00 p.m. on Main Street revitalization.

PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT

Council accepted the resignation of Benny Moore from the Planning Commission. Motion was made by Councilmember Buchanan, seconded by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff to appoint Councilmember Kim Long to the Planning Commission to replace Benny Moore. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

RESOLUTION- SENATE BILL #751

WHEREAS, the Town of Tazewell has obtained information referring to Senate Bill #751 concerning out of Town rates, and
WHEREAS, many municipalities depend on this revenue for bond payments and requirements,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, the Town of Tazewell respectfully requests that you oppose SB751 or any equivalent thereof.

Given under my hand this 13th day of January 2009.

Mayor Jack H. Harry

Town Manager Jerry G. Wood

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Buchanan to approve the resolution opposing Senate Bill #751. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

VDOT STUDY – TAZEWELL AVENUE AND FINCASTLE TURNPIKE

Motion was made by Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, seconded by Councilmember Buchanan for Manager Wood to contact VDOT to do a traffic light study for the intersection of Tazewell Avenue and Fincastle Turnpike. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

COUNCIL RETREAT

Council set their retreat for Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Tazewell Fire Department.

AGENDA – COMMUNITY CHANNEL

Motion was made by Councilmember Fox, seconded by Councilmember Long for the Council Agenda be placed on the Community Channel. On vote, Councilmember Buchanan, aye; Councilmember Fox, aye; Vice-Mayor Grindstaff, aye; Councilmember Long, aye; Councilmember Willis, aye.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before Council, meeting was adjourned until February 10, 2009.