WORKSHOP MEETING
Mayor Morris called the Workshop Meeting of the Grottoes Town Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2008 and welcomed guests. Town Clerk Tara Morris called the roll. Members present were David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling, and Marjorie Funk, with Mayor Joe Morris presiding. Also present were Town Clerk Tara Morris, Operations Manager Charlie Stickley, and Police Chief John Painter.
Mayor Morris asked everyone to look over the minutes and be ready to approve them on Monday night.
FINANCE
Councilman John Funk asked if anyone had any questions on the Treasurer’s report or the bills to be paid. No comments were made.
Councilman John Funk informed the Council that the Finance committee will begin work on the 2008-2009 Budget the end of this month.
ORDINANCE, HEALTH AND PROPERTY
Councilman Berton Austin stated that we have received recommendations from the attorney on the Adult Business Ordinance and will recommend that this go back to the Planning Commission for further review.
Councilman Berton Austin made a motion to accept the ordinance and resolution to set the meeting times for 2008 and the organizational meeting for 2009 as stated. Councilman John Funk seconded the motion. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling, and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
STREETS AND STREET LIGHTS
Councilman David Raynes stated that we are looking at changing the Six-Year Plan. He stated that we are looking to add sidewalks on the Avenues and the Streets. The next project would be to extend Aspen to 21st Street. Mayor Morris informed the Council that VDOT no longer wants us to extend 19th Street to Rt. 340. They want us to move the road north of 21st Street, out in the county, and up to Rt. 340. Mayor Morris stated that he doesn’t feel that this project would be feasible for the citizens of Grottoes.
PARKS, RECREATION, AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
Councilman Mark Sterling made a motion to go forward with painting the bathrooms at a cost of $350.00. Councilman John Funk seconded the motion. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling, and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Councilwoman Marjorie Funk stated that the RML meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2008 and she asked that if you are interested in going please let Tara know tonight or in the morning.
PERSONNEL, FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
Mayor Morris asked the Council to look over the committee assignments and pointed out that Berton will be replacing former Councilman Ed Sterling’s committees assignments. He will also serve as the Chairman over the Ordinance, Health and Property committee and the liaison between the Council and the Planning Commission. Councilman John Funk made a motion to accept the council committee assignments as presented. Councilman Mark Sterling seconded the motion. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Councilwoman Marjorie Funk stated that she would like to tender her resignation from the Planning Commission effective January 10, 2008. Councilman John Funk made a motion to accept Marjorie’s resignation from the Planning Commission. Councilman Mark Sterling seconded the motion. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Councilwoman Marjorie Funk made a motion to appoint Berton Austin as our liaison to the Planning Commission. Councilman John Funk seconded the motion. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling, and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Councilman Jim Justis arrived.
Police Chief John Painter stated that we have two officers that completed the academy at the same time. We only have one Field Training Officer therefore one of the officers has to wait until the other officer completes his field training before he can start. Chief Painter stated that it didn’t seem fair for the officer that has to wait for the field training not to get his raise now. Mayor Morris stated that he doesn’t see how we can raise the salary of the officer that hasn’t been field trained because the raise is an incentive for the officer once he has complete his field training and begins serving the Town. Councilman Mark Sterling asked if the Field Training officer could split the time and train both officers at the same time. Mayor Morris stated that would slow down the training for both officers and stated that he would rather get one done so we would have one of them serving the Town. Councilman Jim Justis asked if the time that the second officer is riding with another officer count toward his field training time. Mayor Morris asked Chief Painter to bring back more options for Monday night’s meeting.
Chief Painter stated that we have had problems with parking at the elementary school. One problem is where the curb was painted; making us think it was a fire lane and come to find out it’s not a fire lane. Since we have found out that the area in front of the school is not a fire lane we have been writing tickets for parking in a no parking zone. Chief Painter stated that he was looking in our new code book and cannot find a code section for parking in a no parking zone. Mayor Morris asked why we are writing tickets for something that we do not have a code on. Chief Painter stated that the parking tickets were made by a group effort between the Council and himself. Mayor Morris stated that the parking tickets were already made and the only thing this Council did was adjust the rates. Town Clerk Tara Morris stated that the parking tickets were made by a prior Chief, Mayor and Council. Councilman Jim Justis asked if there is a state code. Chief Painter stated that he would have to check. Mayor Morris asked about the people that received a ticket and how we will enforce them without the proper section. Mayor Morris stated that the people who received fire lane violations should get a letter explaining what happened and part of their money back. Mayor Morris stated that this should have been caught by the previous Chief, Mayor and Council and doesn’t know what we can do about it except to write to the persons that we have ticketed and refund a portion of their money back to them. Chief Painter stated that we need a no parking ordinance. Mayor Morris asked Chief Painter to talk to Mr. Shifflett, the principal of the school, and explain to him what the situation is and maybe he could talk to Ms. Fenn. Mayor Morris stated that he will be talking with Ms. Fenn in the next week or so and he will bring this issue up to her also.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Councilman Mark Sterling stated that he has talked with the Rockingham County Parks and Recreation Department. Mark stated they have agreed to help the Town with the flag football league as well as the youth soccer league. Councilman Mark Sterling stated that he is now looking for approval from the Council to start advertising. Mayor Morris asked what he found out about the insurance. Mark replied that they have the blanket insurance like every organization has plus they require all players to sign waivers. Mark stated that he was told that our regular park insurance would cover this as well. Councilperson Mark Sterling stated that the overall cost of the flag football, as he estimated, would be less than $300.00. Councilman Berton Austin asked if this league would be associated with the Virginia Flag Football League. Councilman Mark Sterling replied that it would be. Councilman Jim Justis asked if we are trying to form a team or a league. Councilman Mark Sterling replied a league, which will consist of a minimum of four teams. Councilperson Mark Sterling made a motion to advertise for the flag football and soccer league. Councilman Berton Austin seconded the motion. Councilman Mark Sterling amended his motion not to exceed $300.00 at this time. Councilman Berton Austin agreed to the amendment. Council members David Raynes, Berton Austin, John Funk, Mark Sterling, Jim Justis, and Marjorie Funk voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
With no further business to discuss Mayor Morris adjourned the meeting.
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