August 22, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -66-  TOWN OF ABINGDON COUNCIL MEETING  THURSDAY, AUGUST22, 2024-2:30 Pm COUNCILCHAMBERS- MUNICIPAL, BUILDING  The meeting of the Abingdon Town Council was held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at  2:30 pm in the Council Chambers oft the Municipal Building.  A. WELCOME - Mayor Pillion B. ROLL CALL Members ofCouncil Present:  Wayne Austin Donna Quetsch Derek Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Absent:  C.P PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (VIDEO 6:44-7:28)  On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, the agenda was amended toi include consideration ofk bids forl PhaseISewer: System Improvements under  Item K. Consideration of Bids. The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent  E. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None F. PROCLAMATIONS G. PUBLIC HEARINGS  H. RESOLUTIONS (VIDEO 8:24-15:04)  1. Resolution regarding collection oft tobacco products tax.  Town Manager Mike Cochran discussed the Town joining the Mount Rogers Cigarette Tax Board to manage the collection, accounting, distribution, compliance monitoring and enforcement of cigarette taxes assessed for a $2,500 enrollment and 5% yearly fee, effective  October 1, 2024.        August 22, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -67-  Councilmember Webb inquired about the possibility of cancelling the agreement, to which Mr. Cochran responded that it could be terminated with a sixty-day notice. Councilmember Austin asked ift the Town would reçeive data confirming that it was collecting the expected expense of  approximately $11,640, prompting further discussion.  Oni motion ofMr. Austin, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, approved the Resolution to allow the Mount Rogers Cigarette Tax Board to do the cigarette tax stamps and to track those for us on the condition that in one year from now, we have itin our system such that we can make the determination that there is compliance and that we feel it is beneficial to us and the Resolution will take  effect October 1, 2024. The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice MayorAnderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent  I. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES J. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES K. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS (VIDEO 15:15-18:42) 1. Consideration ofbids for Phase I Sewer System Improvements  Matt Lane ofThe Lane Group reported that the scope of the project had expanded since the June Council meeting resulting inl higher bids than initially anticipated. However, additional funding and grant money were secured, allowing the project to proceed with a 40/60 grant/loan structure. He recommended awarding contracts for the three project divisions as follows, Division 1 (Rehabilitation) to Portland Utilities, with a bid of$1,570,473.98 Division 2 (Replacement) to Jones Road & Bridge, with a bid of$3,885,882.00 Division 3 (Town Creek) to Jones Road & Bridge, with a bid of$1,563,700.00  totaling $7,021,055.98:  Councilmember Webb inquired about Mr. Lane's experience with Portland Utilities, and Mr. Lane confirmed they were: reputable. Counsel Cameron Bell added that the company also  works with Bristol Virginia Utilities.        August 22, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -68-  On motion of Mrs. Questch, seconded by Mr. Webb, bids were accepted as presented and authorized the Town Manager to endorse the proper  documentation.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent  L. NEW BUSINESS (VIDEO 18:42--22:30)  1.1 Recognition of Coomes Recreation Center employees, Greyson Williams, Morghan Scales,  and Sadie Long.  Director of Recreation Kyle Pollard recognized Greyson Williams, Morghan Scales, and Sadie Long for their life-saving actions during a medical emergency at the Coomes Recreation Center. He also thanked the Abingdon Police and Fire Departments for their support. Vice Mayor Anderson commended the staff, noting they were ini the right place at the right time. N. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Mike Cochran praised the Town staff for their efforts, particularly in dealing with ai recent heavy rainfall that required significant brush clean-up by Public Works and Parks & Recreation. He also reminded everyone about the "Meet the Falcons" event happening this  M. OLD BUSINESS (VIDEO 22:45-22:50)  evening.  0. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS (VIDE023:50-2414)  Councilmember Quetsch stated that she attended an informative Finance Committee meeting P.A APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (VIDE074:14-39.02)  earlier that morning.  1. Economic Development Authority  Appointment to fill the expired term of Shanna Carrico  keappointment ofCharlie Fugate, who is eligible to serve an additional term  2. Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator        August 22, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -69-  Appointment to fill the expired term of Sylvia Robbins Reappointment of Catherine Mantooth, who is eligible to serve for one year Reappointment ofMike Spiegler, who wishes to be reappointed Reappointment of Kent Peterson, who wishes to be reappointed  Oni motion by Mr. Webb, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, to goi into closed session pursuant to the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of considering applications for appointment for position on the Economic Development  Authority and Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent  On motion by Mr. Webb, seconded by Mr. Austin, to reconvene in open session.  The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Austin Aye Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Absent  Mr. Webb moved that the Town Council certify that, in closed session just concluded, nothing was discussed except the matter or matters (1) specifically identified in the motion to convene in closed session and (2) lawfully permitted to be discussed under the provisions of the Virginia  Freedom ofInformation Act cited in the motion. The certification was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Iso certify Iso certify Iso certify Iso certify Absent        August 22, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -70-  On motion of Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Mr. Webb, appointed Matthew Campbell to fill the expired term of Shanna Carrico and reappointed Charlie Fugate to serve an additional term on the Economic Development Authority; appointed Bob Howard to fill the expired term of Sylvia Robbins, reappointed Catherine Mantooth, Mike Spiegler and Kent Peterson to serve an additional  term on the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent  Q. CLOSED SESSION R. ADJOURNMENT  Amanda Pillion  dss  Mayor  Kimberly Kingsley, Clerk