MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE STRASBURG TOWN HALL.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation was given by Rev. David Howard of the Strasburg Presbyterian Church.
ROLL Called with the following members present: Mayor Crisman, Vice Mayor Taylor and Council Members Le Vine, Mauck, Nicholson, Rinker. Terndrup, Wallace, and Whittle.
Minutes of the December 11, 2007 Town Council meeting were approved as submitted
Mayor Crisman welcomed all in attendance and said all communications had been directed toward the appropriate committees. Council Member Le Vine said the Planning Commission report, included in the Council Packets, was very informative, but he would like to see this be done verbally on a yearly basis. He questioned the enforcement of ordinances issue and wanted some clarification on this. Council Member Terndrup apologized to the Planning Commission on a statement he made at a meeting in regards to the Street’s Committee doing a transportation review of the road system in Strasburg; he said he was referring to the VDOT 20/20 Transportation Plan. Council Member Terndrup reminded all the Comprehensive Plan has to be completed by October, 2008, and there will be some cost involved with that and he hopes all keep this in mind.
Introduction of Visitors and Guests:
Gary Dalton, Strasburg Rescue Squad: Mr. Dalton said the members had read the minutes from the December Council Meeting and, after reading them, decided to have a representative speak before the Council. He read a statement (attached here-to) in regards to this. Council Member Rinker asked if the innuendos, insinuations, and statements he has heard from the County about the Department being uncooperative and not wanting to work with the County, is there any truth to this. Mr. Dalton said the Department went before the Public Safety Committee with one request and that was to take back over 100% responsibilities for a portion of our run response. From that request, everything else has developed. The County stands ready to serve when the Department is not staffed; both sides have lived up to their side of the bargain and they do not feel their relationship with the County is taxed at all. They have served the community for over 40 years. “We own our building and owe on it; we own our trucks and owe on them and that is where our money goes.” Council Member Rinker said then the Department needs all of the money the Town pledged and Mr. Dalton said that is correct. He added the Squad has always had a budget and have stayed within the budget from the money the County and Town provides and that they generate from fundraising activities.
Citizen Comments:
Ronnie Cromer, Strasburg Fire Department: Mr. Cromer said he was in attendance to address the same issue as Mr. Dalton. The Fire Department feels they should not have to pay for the renovations to the fire station and they feel their Department has done the County and Town a favor by putting the ambulance in the Fire Hall. He said they understand the renovations must be done at the Fire Department because of the Fair Labor Standards Act and he explained their understanding of the reasoning behind this. They need the money the Town had pledged as they work on a budget. They have asked for renovations to the building over the years and they were not done, but the building belongs to the Town and if the renovations need to be done, the Town needs to pay for it and it needs to be done ASAP.
Council Member Rinker asked if the department had any outstanding bills they could not pay and Mr. Cromer said they could pay all bills currently. Council Member Rinker asked if it were an inconvenience to have the ambulance in the building and Mr. Cromer said it was not. Council Member Rinker asked about the relationship between the County and the other Public Safety departments and Mr. Cromer said he feels they are all working together fine and added trained members of the fire department have run some squad calls. Everyone seems to be working well together. He would like to see all of the Public Safety departments become one entity. In conclusion, he reiterated he would like the Town to pay for the renovations to the station.
Council Member Nicholson asked what geographical area the County squad can respond to. Mr. Cromer responded it could go wherever a Strasburg squad could go and sometimes the geographical area requires them to go to other jurisdictions and towns to help.
Council Member Mauck asked what the most pressing need at the department was and Mr. Cromer said it was the bunk room and showers.
Vice Mayor Taylor said he will add additional comments on this subject during his Public Safety report.
Non-Action Items:
Polly Stout,77 Sunflower Lane, Strasburg, VA: Mrs. Stout read a letter to Council she had just received over the weekend concerning O & N Minerals quarry off of Green Acres Drive (letter attached here-to). She concluded by saying the license has been issued and work can begin at the quarry.
Janet Heishman, 373 Green Acre Drive, Strasburg, VA: Ms. Heishman read a prepared statement (attached here-to) regarding the opening of the quarry.
Council Member Rinker asked Ms. Heishman what the next step would be and she said the property would have to be re-zoned. Council Member Rinker asked how long she felt the process would take, but she was unsure.
Council Member Mauck said she had heard O-N Minerals parent company had been sold, but Ms. Heishman said this has not happened yet.
Reports and Communications from Town Officers:
Town Attorney Neal: Reported there was a need for an Executive Session regarding the Sonner/ Davison suit. He said Mayor Crisman had signed the ordinances for the North Street vacation and Terry Hamrick is getting the concerned landowners to sign all the proper documentations. The easement with the Shenandoah County School Board has been signed by Mayor Crisman and the Shenandoah County School Board representative, and the Riverview Cemetery Association will sign soon. In conclusion, Town Attorney Neal said he will not be in attendance at next month’s meeting due to family commitments and would be sending a written report. If anything of major importance should come up, he would be available.
Town Manager Fauber: Said he has attached a resolution of support for a development grant from the Community Development Block Grant Program. This will be discussed under “New Business.”
Work has begun on the Safety Needs Assessment Study. Questionnaires have been distributed to the various departments and a meeting will be held on January 17 with Wiley and Wilson to do the space need interviews. On January 18, the engineers will be conducting evaluations of existing facilities. They will be working more with the Public Safety Committee.
Council Member Mauck asked if the Strasburg Fire Department was notified of these meetings and Town Manager Fauber said the engineers only needed access to the buildings and would not really need any personnel.
Director of Finance Mullins: Staff is in the process of collecting business licenses which are due March 1. She is working on closing out payroll for the year and W-2’s. The budget process has begun.
Town Clerk Keller: Reported Staff is working on a way to display the new Town flag in the Council Chambers without hanging it on a flag pole.
Director of Public Utilities Tewalt: Final plans for the Water Plant will go to the Virginia Department of Health on January 15. He has a meeting set for January 10 with R. Stuart Royer & Associates to begin design conversations for the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Director of Public Works Rhodes: Christmas tree pick-up will continue through the week. He also reported the new playground equipment has arrived and they will begin dismantling the old playground.
Police Chief Sutherly: A Senior Citizen Academy will begin January 9 at the Town Hall. Any person 55 or older is invited to attend.
Town Planner Amos: Said she had distributed the preliminary agenda for the Council/Staff Retreat that was created before the last scheduled retreat. If any Council Member would like to add items or change anything, please let her know.
Standing Committee Reports:
Public Safety Committee: Vice Mayor Taylor said the committee did not meet formally, but the needs assessment study has begun. He apologized to the Fire and Rescue Departments if it appears Council is trying to undermine what the departments do for the Town. He said the Town has a good relationship with both groups and it is not because of any fault with the departments as far as the donations being withheld at the last meeting. He said it comes down to dollars and the cost of the renovations started to escalate and that concerned him. Town Manager Fauber is getting cost estimates now and by the end of the week these estimates should be in. He said he was mainly concerned if the Town would be able to pay the donations and also fund the renovations and he took responsibility for not releasing the donations at last month’s meeting. But, “the bottom line is, people, when we approved the budget, we approved that money. The way I see it is you all (Fire and Rescue Departments) getting that money; I just needed to hear that we would be able to give you all money and still have enough money to take care of the things in the Fire Department.” He has talked to Town Manager Fauber and he is confident we will be able to take care of what is needed in the Fire Department. The number one concern is that when someone calls for help, help arrives. Public Safety will be meeting and this will be discussed once the bids are in and hopefully the money will be released before the next Council meeting. He added the Town has asked all parties the Town give donations to, to send in a written report of how the funds are being spent. This is not an audit type report, but just a simple report on how money is used and this is more for informational purposes. He urged the Departments to contact him if they have any questions or concerns.
Council Member Le Vine said he will be discussing during his report on how money is tight and next year will be worse; he is worried about finances. He has encouraged all to be concerned about finances as it will not be an easy year for anyone. He thinks all groups the Town donates to will have to have some sort of accountability of how the money is spent.
Council Member Nicholson asked that if after the next meeting the funds will be given to the departments, then why the money can’t be given now. Vice Mayor Taylor said
Council Member Rinker commented that he hopes the Town is not going to deduct from the $100,000 donations to pay for the renovations. The Fire and Rescue Departments are most important to him. He does not feel right to not give the donations. He will not renege on giving the donations since the budget has been voted on.
Council Member Rinker said he hopes Council is not thinking of deducting from the original donation amounts so as to install the showers, etc. He would not be in favor of that. He knows money is tight, but when it comes to health, welfare, and safety for the community, the Rescue Squad and Fire Department are at the “top of my list.”
Council Member Terndrup asked where the money will come from since it is a non-budgeted item. He would like to know where this money will come from before voting on this because it will impact something. Council Member Rinker said he thinks there are some reserve funds. Council Member Terndrup said he wanted to hear either from the Chairman of the Finance Committee or Town Manager Fauber where the money was coming from before voting on this, but Council Members Rinker and Nicholson said the budget had already been voted on and they should not renege on this spending.
Vice-Mayor Taylor said the intention was not to pull the money from the $100,000, but he just wanted to know the exact cost; he just needed assurance the money was available and it sounds as if the money is there.
Council Member Wallace asked if the Council is only waiting on Town Manager Fauber for the quotes. Vice-Mayor Taylor said Town Manager Fauber is getting two quotes on the cost.
Council Member Mauck said she thought it was decided last month to put this off for one month; Vice Mayor Taylor said he was not sure of the time frame discussed, but Council Member Mauck said she feels the funds need to be released.
Council Member Le Vine said two points are being confused. Commitments made on the budget were made and they should be honored. But, they need to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money and they need to make decisions in prudent ways. The cost of the renovations or $25,000 is not a trivial amount of money to the Town at this time.
Council Member Terndrup said it is not clear to him how the money will be found. If something is not in the budget, it has to come from somewhere. He just wants somebody to tell him where the money will come from. Council Member Nicholson said he sees the point and maybe some of the money can come from the tobacco tax recently enacted.
Mayor Crisman said the funds will be released and then the project will be funded.
Personnel Committee: Council Member Whittle said the committee met on December 19, 2007. Interviews were conducted interviews for an RFP on salary surveys and personnel policies. Two firms were interviewed: GLM Management Consulting Group and Springsted. Council Member Whittle explained the RFP was asking for salary surveys to include surrounding counties and towns. Changes and/or suggestions would be made to the Town’s pay scale; job classifications would also be included in this. Job descriptions for all departments would be created. Current benefits would be reviewed and compared to other government agencies. The current Town Personnel Handbook would be reviewed and recommendations or adjustments would be made. A formal presentation would be given to the Personnel Committee.
Council Member Whittle said GLM’s presentation was done by Mr. Ben Ramsey. He gave a PowerPoint presentation of their proposal which focused on the salary survey and job descriptios. The Personnel Policies and Procedures were not covered in depth and the Job Evaluation and Review process was out of their scope. The company is based out of North Carolina which raised concerns with travel and of building working relationships. The cost would be $22,000.
Mr. John Anzivino, Senior Vice President of Springsted, gave out handouts of their proposal which detailed the salary survey, job descriptions, and personnel policies and procedures. The job evaluation and review process was part of the proposal. The company is looking to build a long term relationship with the Town and they have worked with Shenandoah, Warren, and Page Counties, as well as Winchester, Purcellville, and Culpeper. The cost was $21,550.
Council Member Whittle moved to approve the Springsted contract (included in the Council packet) following the RFP with the final price of the contract proposal being $19,800, plus $1,750 for direct out-of-pocket expenses; second by Council Member Le Vine.
Discussion:
Council Member Rinker asked where the money would come from since it had been asked where the money would come from for the renovations to the Fire Department. He doesn’t think this is high on the ranking of priorities for spending. Council Member Le Vine said this is a good point that Council Member Rinker brought up, but people are important, too. The policies are not in shape and the Town could be open for legalities. We need to retain people and we need to be equitable, etc. The Town needs to act according to the state and federal laws and have some defense if need be. The financial issue is important, but it pertains to the entire Town and can be spread throughout three funds. The general funds are hurting the most and so it can be spread out more over various funds. He added this maybe could be done with the renovations with the Fire Department. We need to look to the future, but also to the present and so these things cannot be neglected. He feels Springsted is an impressive company and this project will make sure all are treated equitably. He added the Town may have to cut other places, but he feels this is as important as the Fire and Rescue Department. We have some excellent people on Staff and he wants to retain them, along with their expertise and motivation.
Council Member Mauck said this has been a painful decision. She said an item she would like to bring up is the Town has “an administration that has been here for many years and I think as an expectation you would feel that the administration would take it upon themselves to do this every few years and update the policy. We expect that; I don’t actually run the town office so I don’t know what it actually entails, but we expect that. For me, this was a very hard decision because I thought we should have a manual that was up-to-date.” She does think the Town does desperately need this and it can only get better.
Council Member Terndrup said there is a “Public Safety RFP, a Personnel RFP, installation of equipment in the Fire Department, a transportation study that needs to be done, park equipment that needs to be replaced; do we need to put these five items together and have appropriate committees look at these and come back with a recommendation next month?” Mayor Crisman said all of these still relate back to the Finance Committee and this would be the appropriate committee to handle this. Council Member Rinker said he agrees with Council Member Terndrup and look at the entire picture to make sure there is enough money. He thinks all of these needs to be looked at. Council Member Nicholson said he realizes $7,000 from each fund isn’t that much and that Council Member Le Vine said the water and sewer funds had plenty of money, but the bills will be coming in for the water and sewer plants and “I would hate to see us robbing that fund every time we want to do something.”
Council Member Le Vine said he did not say there was plenty of money, but had relatively more money.
Council Member Mauck asked for clarification on the five items being considered as she thought the Public Safety RFP had already been approved. Council Member Terndrup said he was looking at the various projects that money had not actually been approved for in the budget.
Council Member Rinker said he would like to delay the vote until it is made sure the funds are available. Council Member Whittle said if it were delayed he would have to work with both the Finance and Personnel Committees and also Staff as multiple projects are being considered. One of the ultimate goals of the Personnel RFP was to move forward with this before the next budget. This is a four month project and his goal would be to have this done before the review process.
Council Member Le Vine said he agrees in looking at things in a broader perspective and so offered a compromise. He would like to pass the vote on this due to the HR portion and then have the Finance Committee take up the other three items and see how much can be done now and how much can be rolled over to next year’s budget; delaying this study may impact the budget that will start in July, 2008.
Mayor Crisman asked if the money for this project could be delayed to next year’s budget, but Town Manager Fauber said it would have to come from this year’s funding.
The vote passed on a roll call vote with the following results:
Council Member Whittle Yes
Council Member Wallace Yes
Council Member Terndrup Yes
Council Member Rinker No
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Council Member Nicholson Yes
Council Member Mauck Yes
Council Member Le Vine Yes
Council Member Le Vine invited Council Members Rinker, Mauck and Vice Mayor Taylor to the next Finance Committee meeting when the other three expenditures will be discussed.
Council Member Whittle said the next meeting will be on January 30 and will be an interview meeting for the BZA and Recreation Advisory Committees.
Public Utilities Committee: Council Member Nicholson said the committee did not meet.
Recreation Committee: Council Member Mauck said the committee did not meet, but reported two units of the playground equipment have been delivered. She will be meeting with the Recreation Advisory Committee on January 10 to work on a plan to get the old equipment removed and the first part of the new equipment installed. The playground will be spread throughout three budget years and also fundraising has begun. Council Member Mauck explained some of the fundraising tactics and said she is hoping the citizens will come together to build the playground for the children.
Finance Committee: Council Member Le Vine said the committee met on January 9 with the following in attendance: Council Member Le Vine (Chair) and Terndrup, Town Manager Fauber, Director of Finance Mullins, Lana Le Vine and Mr. Spriggs. Discussed at the meeting was the structure of the water billing – not the rate, but the structure. Need to re-think how the rates are structured and see if it would be prudent to conduct such a study.
The audit has been completed and the auditors will be reporting to the committee next month.
An RFP has been issued for a 457 retirement plan for employees. All who submitted proposals will be interviewed (Edward Jones, Madison Financial, Nationwide, and First Financial Advisors). This will not cost the Town anything, but will be a benefit to the employees.
Council Member Le Vine said he is worried about the budget for both this year and next. Department Heads will be presenting preliminary budget needs in February for personnel and equipment. Raises will be a big issue in the budget process and difficult choices will need to be made.
Also discussed at the meeting were grants. Ms. Margaret Struder has been writing grants for the Town and has done a wonderful job, but the problem is a good mechanism was not set up on the chain of command. Ms. Struder has gotten requests for grants from different committees. He would like any requests for Ms. Struder’s services “to come to the Chairperson of the Finance Committee; the Chairperson of the Finance Committee talks to the Town Manager to set priorities; and Margaret (Ms. Struder) works for the Town Manager and only the Town Manager; she does not do anything without his permission; she reports directly to him.” This will help with accountability. Ms. Struder is comfortable with this arrangement. This will be brought back up at the February meeting and so Council Member Le Vine would like for Council to think about the proposal.
The next committee meeting will be on February 5, at 7:15, and the agenda will contain the preliminary budget review and the three commitments of funds.
Council Member Rinker wanted to make it clear that if Ms. Struder needed any kind of money for the grants, the request would come back before Council. Council Member Le Vine said the Chairperson of the Finance Committee would be giving Mr. Fauber direction as to what should happen and then Mr. Fauber would implement it.
Council Member Mauck said this will go through the committee and Council Members Wallace and Rinker are both on the committee. She said she also thought the chain-of-command had been going through Town Manager Fauber. Council Member Le Vine said he did not clearly set-up a chain of command for Ms. Struder and so he is trying to correct this so that there is no other misunderstandings.
Ordinance Committee:
Council Member Terndrup said the
committee met on January 2, 2008. In attendance were Council Members Terndrup
(Chair), Le Vine, and Mauck; Mayor Crisman, Town Planner Amos, Planning
Commission Chair Smith, David Edwards from the Department of Historic Resources,
and citizens Mr.Racey, Lana Le Vine, Eunice Terndrup, Michael Terndrup and Liz
Wilkerson from the NVD.
Action Items:
Planning Commission revisions that would simplify the final plat which is
currently cluttered and difficult to read. Designated elements that are
required in the preliminary plat would appear as a reference note on the final
plat.
Council Member Terndrup moved to adopt the subdivision ordinance amendments; second by Vice Mayor Taylor. The motion passed unanimously.
There was a Public Hearing on the Annexation Area Tap Fee Ordinance with no one speaking on the matter.
Council Member Terndrup moved to adopt the Annexation Area Tap Fee Ordinance with the changes given to Council prior to the meeting; second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
A major discussion item at the meeting was the 2004 Historic District Ordinance. Council Member Mauck invited David Edwards from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources who provided a critique on the proposed 2004 ordinance to establish an Architectural Review Board and Historic Districts. He began by stating that local governments must adopt historic preservation ordinances since there are no state regulations. He complimented the purpose and intent of the proposed ordinance because it is essential to gathering public support for preservation efforts. Since Strasburg completed a 1984 inventory of historic homes, we are in a position for a variety of state and federal monies should Strasburg pursue the status of a certified local government. It would also qualify property owners within the historic district for tax credits on eligible projects. He recommended that the Town invest in design guidelines and an updated resurvey; matching funds are available for such a project. Councilman Le Vine spoke to the purpose of this revised ordinance: to protect, preserve and enhance the historic landscape of our Town. Prior objections to the revised ordinance primarily focused on penalties for code violations, private property rights and potential financial burdens on the homeowner. Mayor Crisman spoke to the penalty provision for any violation of ordinance to address any monetary penalty; it was agreed that would suffice. Mr. Edwards spoke to the folly of trying to "legislate taste". He suggested that color not be in question. Mr. Le Vine reiterated the need to balance the legitimate concern for property rights with the public interest in the preservation and protection of scarce historic resources. Mr. Racey spoke about having authentic historical information before deliberations are made. Ms. Le Vine spoke to the past and recent demolition of historic resources - once destroyed, that part of our heritage is forever lost. Chairperson Terndrup authorized the formation of a subcommittee, chaired by Leon Smith. Its tasks are align the Comprehensive Plan so the Town is in a position to move forward with this ordinance if that is the wish of the majority of the Council. This matter will be discussed again in March so as to give the subcommittee time to meet. The topic of the February meeting, to be held on February 4, will be “spot blight.”
Town Manager Fauber said the amendment to the Town Code included in the Council Packets needed to be acted upon.
Vice Mayor Taylor moved to adopt the addition to Section 82-3 of the Town Code:
Pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 1-220, all future amendments to the provisions of the Code of Virginia set forth herein are included by this reference, it being intended that this provision is a declaration of the present meaning of this Ordinance and not a change from any previous meaning.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Terndrup
Discussion:
Council Member Le Vine asked if this was saying that whenever the State passes amendments to the Code, it will automatically be adopted by the Town. Town Attorney Neal said this is correct and it only pertains to traffic and criminal laws.
The motion passed unanimously.
Buildings and Grounds Committee: Council Member Wallace stated the committee did not meet.
Streets Committee: Council Member Rinker said the committee did not meet, but will be meeting on January 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Special Committee Reports:
Strasburg Heritage Association: Council Member Whittle said there will be a Board Meeting on Wednesday, January 16. The annual meeting will be held in February.
Chamber of Commerce: Clerk Keller said the Chamber Board met that morning. Welcomed as new Board Members were Jeff Aimonetti, Rich Orndorff, and Kate Sowers. A fourth person was elected to serve on the Board, but has since resigned. It was decided to ask the person with the next highest number of votes to take this position. There are also two other seats available due to resignations and these will be appointed in the same way. Names will be given after the people have been asked to serve. Much of the meeting was spent discussing how the Chamber can change its perception and let members know what the Chamber does for them. It was decided the Mixers need to be more effective and informative. Also discussed were the various committees of the Chamber and who would chair each.
Hometown Strasburg: Carla Wallen thanked all the businesses who took place in the decorating contest. The winners were:
1st Place The Carver House Bed and Breakfast
2nd Place UAW Building
3rd Place Frye’s Custom Creations
Honorable Mention Shine Trucking
The special license plate deadline has come and gone and only 13 applications were received. Hometown will try to find out what could have been done better or if people just don’t think this project is necessary.
The group will be meeting with Council Member Mauck and Fort Valley Nursery on trees along the Route 11 entrance corridor.
January 19, 2 until 5 p.m., is the date of the Hometown Retreat. There is never enough time to discuss all the many projects the group would like to be involved in so they will be holding this retreat.
A sheet was presented to Council showing the accounting of how Hometown used their funds/donation from the Town during 2007.
Council Member Mauck said she would like Town Planner Amos attend the meeting with Fort Valley Nursery.
Council Member Nicholson asked about smaller flags and Mrs. Wallen said she is in contact with the flag company and a tentative order for 100 flags has been placed.
Mayor Crisman said it is time to prune the Bradford pear trees along King Street and eight trees have been identified to be removed. Mrs. Wallen said the trees will be replaced with flower pots until a decision is made on the type of trees to plant along King Street.
The consensus was to cut the trees before the trees are pruned.
Tourism Committee: Mayor Crisman asked for help from Council Members Le Vine and Mauck to help him form this committee.
Old Business:
New Business:
A Resolution of Support for the Application by the Town of Strasburg to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Community Development Block Grant Program for Funding for a Community Needs Assessment/Economic Assessment Planning Grant
Council Member Le Vine said he has talked to Ms. Struder about this and the grant is for up to $15,000 to plan for future grants. He added the grant application is very good and the resolution is only saying the Council is in support of this.
Council Member Le Vine moved to adopt the resolution as presented in the Council Packet; second by Council Member Mauck. The motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Mauck would like to get information to get information to all Council Members on the Shenandoah Forum. Council Member Le Vine suggested Council Member Mauck bring the amount needed for the Shenandoah Forum to the Finance Committee.
Planning Commission Chairperson Leon Smith has been attending regional Northern Shenandoah Regional Commission meetings. He has agreed to give Council minutes from the meetings. The Commission is made up of about 35 members, but they are looking to reduce the size of the Commission.
Council Member Le Vine said there is a need to find a mechanism of how to get highlights of what is going on that affects the Town out. A citizen asked to speak on this subject and suggested creating a committee to look into this. It was also said a monthly newsletter is being looked at through Hometown Strasburg, but there is a need to discuss other ways to get information out to the public.
Council Member Terndrup asked about an update on the National Park. Council Member Mauck said the Master Plan is being sent to the Department of the Interior and when the document is ready, Council will be given a copy.
Committee Dates:
Public Safety Committee Wednesday, Jan. 23 6:30 p.m.
Personnel Committee Wednesday, Jan. 30 7:30 p.m.
Public Utilities Committee TBA
Recreation Committee Thursday, Jan. 10 6:00 p.m.
Finance Committee Tuesday, Feb. 5 7:15 p.m.
Ordinance Committee Monday, Feb. 4 7:00 p.m.
Streets Committee Wednesday, Jan. 23 7:30 p.m.
Buildings and Grounds Wednesday, Jan. 23 6:30 p.m.
Council/Staff Retreat Saturday, Feb. 9 8:00 a.m.
Hometown Retreat Saturday, Jan. 19 2:00 p.m.
Council Public Forum Monday, Feb. 25 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Mauck moved the Town Council for the Town of Strasburg go into Executive Session pursuant to Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711.A.7, to consult with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation, to-wit the pending suit against the Town brought by Mr. and Mrs. Sonner and Mr. Davison; second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjourned to closed session at 9:38 p.m.
Reconvened at 9:48 p.m.
Mayor Crisman stated , “The Council of the Town of Strasburg hereby certifies by Roll Call vote that to the best of each member’s knowledge (1)only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia Law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies and (2)only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the Council of the Town of Strasburg.” He continued by saying each member should respond “I so certify” by Roll Call vote and the following responses were recorded:
Council Member Le Vine “I so certify”
Council Member Mauck “I so certify”
Council Member Nicholson “I so certify”
Vice Mayor Taylor “I so certify”
Council Member Rinker “I so certify”
Council Member Terndrup “I so certify”
Council Member Wallace “I so certify”
Council Member Whittle “I so certify”
Mayor Crisman “I so certity”
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.