March 21, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -16-  TOWN OF ABINGDON COUNCIL MEETING  THURSDAY, MARCH: 21,2024 -2:30 pm COUNCILCHAMBERS - MUNICIPAL BUILDING  The meeting of the Abingdon Town Council was held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at  2:30 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.  A. WELCOME - Mayor Pillion B. ROLL CALL Members of Council Present:  Donna Quetsch Derek Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion Wayne Austin  Member(s) Absent: C.P PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  D.A APPROVAL OF AGENDA (VIDE09:27-9:56)  On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, approved the agenda as  presented.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion Eddie Copenhaver  Absent Aye Aye Aye Aye  E.P PUBLIC COMMENTS (VIDE09:56-13.15)  F.P PROCLAMATIONS G.P PUBLIC HEARING  H. RESOLUTIONS (VIDEO 13:32-16:29)  1. Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to dispose of certain personal property.  Town Manager Mike Cochran advised Public Works conducted a spring cleaning and discovered some personal property exceeding its life expectancy and beyond repair. He also stated  three chassis were kept for repurpose.    March 21, ,2024 Council meeting minutes  -17-  On motion ofVice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Mr. Webb, approved the Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to dispose of certain personal property as presented.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr.Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor. Pillion  Absent Aye Aye Aye Aye  I. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES J. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES K. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS (VIDEO 16:31-1 19:17)  1. Consideration of bids for annual asphalt paving project for the 2023-2024 fiscal year  Director of Public Works Michael Surrett conveyed one bid was received from W-L Construction in the amount of $160,702.90, stating that not as much paving would be completed due to construction projects. Herecommended the Council accept thel bid from W-L Construction. On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, approved the bid of  $160,702.90 from W-L Construction for annual asphalt paving.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Absent Aye Aye Aye Aye  L. NEW BUSINESS M. OLD BUSINESS  N. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOWN MANAGER 1. Update regarding the Sinking Spring Cemetery Preservation Plan (VIDEO 19:21 -37:13) Senior Planner Gabe Cristofari presented the Sinking Spring Cemetery Preservation Plan. Mr. Cristofari said Noah Halls, and ETSU student, is doing at thesis focusing on1 the identification of graves solely ini the African American section, which included topographic infrared and LiDAR imagery. He discussed the. Adopt-A-Plot program which focuses on the landscape    March 21, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -18-  maintenance oft the enclosed family plots. Mr. Cristofari updated the Council on the African 2. Presentation of Sinking Spring Cemetery Annual Report (VIDEO 37:17-42:22) Chair Donnamarie Emmert provided the Council with the annual report for the Sinking Spring Cemetery, including the mowing conditions, twenty oft the forty Adopt-A-Plot wasa a success, the Preservation Plan grant, and the replacement of the roof on the cabin. She thanked the Council, Mayana Rice, Gabe Cristofari and Mike Cochran for their support. 3. Discussion regarding Virginia Department ofTransportation Project Pipeline Court Street  American Civil Rights Grant program application.  (IDE04222-1853)  Assistant Town Manager and Director of Economic Development Mayana Rice discussed VDOT's Project Pipeline Court Street, specifically Main Street from Walgreens to CVS to study the traffic, beautification, pedestrian safety, etc. She conveyed the project was adequately advertised and several options were available to receive information regarding the project. Mrs. Rice stated a final decision was not made regarding Court Street and ifVDOT continues as proposed and the Town makes any changes, the Town will be responsible for the costs. Mrs. Rice stated that Court Street was turned into a one-way street during the construction phase of the Washington County Courthouse with the street being very cramped and narrow. Once the construction project is completed, it could return to a two-way street, VDOT's proposal ofaj partial one-way or aj partial two-way. She stated most had an interest in  leaving Court Street as one way to add additional parking diagonally. relating to Main and Court Street and site distance was discussed.  Abingdon Police Department ChiefHolbrook provided the Council with crash data  The following addressed the Council regarding Court Street: Tyler Reynolds Taylor, part owner of WolfHills Coffee  Supports one-way and diagonal parking with perhaps curb extension and overhead  flashing light  David Dalton, resident of 108 Court Street strip and the opportunity to have a Social District Nathan Berg, Summers RoofTop and Cellar  Supports one way with diagonal parking on both sides and perhaps a small out for plant  Supports diagonal parkin on both side as itis a critical factor for businesses and once the  Courthouse is completed for the increase pressure for parking    March 21, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -19-  Chad Thomspon, The Book Cellar  Supports one way with diagonal parking stating the sustainability ofa business is attainability; creates safer environment; and the Virginia Tourism Council report ist to expect increase tourism in Virginia, specifically in the southwestern region. Discussion ensued with Mrs. Rice stating that the streets are the Towns, however ifv we  want projects completed, VDOT must approve.  0. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS (VIDEO 1:05:31 -1 1:09:30)  Mr. Webb reminded that April 5i is Arbor Day at Abingdon Elementary School and the online reservations for the tree giveaway will open in a week or sO. Also, the Recreation Advisory Committee discussed rebuilding oft the Coomes Recreation Center playground with Town Council contributing approximately $400,000 and wants to solicit community involvement. Mayor Pillion reminded April 20th is Community Service Day and Earth Day and volunteers are still needed. The day will kick-off at 9:00 am at the Coomes Recreation Center. Mrs. Quetsch attended the Washington County Business Challenge awards this morning and  encouraged everyone to support local business. P. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES  Q. CLOSED SESSION  Mayor Pillion declared the meeting adjourned.  QnudRuas Mayor Amanda Pillion  Kimberly  Meubyy