The regularly scheduled meeting ofthel Norton City Council was held Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., ini the Municipal Council Chambers with Mayor Joseph Fawbush presiding.  Present: Chris Jones, Robert Fultz, Jr., Mark Caruso and Joseph Fawbush  Absent: Stacy Salyers  Also Present: Jeffery A. Shupe, City Manager and Clerk, Stephen C. McElroy, Assistant City Manager and City Engineer, Treavor Calhoun, City Director of] Finance, and Matthew R.  Dotson, City Attorney  The invocation was given by Rev. Gary Hill and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES -. Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Salyers, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt the minutes oft the July 16, 2024, council  led by Norton Police ChiefJames Lane.  meeting as presented.  There was no response during the Mayor's Call for Visitors.  Under Old Business, council consideration was requested for a resolution granting approval for Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport to operate within the City ofNorton. The city manager reminded council that at the last meeting he had discussed Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport's request to the city's Board ofZoning Appeals (BZA) to place a helipad for emergency transport at Norton Community Hospital (NCH). He said council passed a resolution in March 2011 giving permission to Wings Air Rescue, which has since been acquired by Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport, to operate in the City of Norton. Mr. Shupe said after consulting with City Attorney Matthew Dotson, he and the city attorney believed it was best for council to adopt ai resolution with Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport. He noted that the Code of Virginia states that a governing body must give permission for emergency services to operate emergency services in the city. Mayor Fawbush said it was his understanding that the BZA had no issue with this request. The city manager said that was correct, adding that the city was working with them on finding the most viable place toj put their water and sewer connections. He said they were working through their plans with the city building official and things were going very smoothly. Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso, Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- - Salyers, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt a resolution granting approval for Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and' Transport to operate within the City ofNorton. (Insert) Updating council on water storage levels at the city's reservoirs, the city manager said the latest reservoir water level report dated July 31, 2024, showed that the city had 77 million gallons oft total reservoir water storage. He said City ofNorton Water Treatment Superintendent Andrew Greear indicated that based on received precipitation and weather forecasts the city  The mayor asked if there was any discussion from council. Vice Mayor Caruso said it would be good tol have them here.  would begin purchasing water from the PSA tomorrow.    Mr. Shupe said after talking with Mr. Greear today and with precipitation that was received this weekend, runoffs and gains in the upper and lower reservoirs, we are pushing back the purchase date to at least next Wednesday but anticipated that it would be the following week. The city manager advised that the city is in good shape as of the. July 31S1 report which indicated that the city's current water supply was 126 days. He said city water storage level updates would be placed on the council meeting agenda until reservoir levels return to full capacity. Council had been presented with a Resolution Approving the Planning District One (PDI) Community Services Board Performance Contract for FY2024 and FY2025 and a four-page Mr. Shupe said rather than include a copy of the contract in council packets council had been provided ai four-page summary oft the material changes to the PD1 Behavioral Health Services' biennial Performance Contract for FY2024 and FY2025. After noting that the contract was available for council review, he explained that with the biennial adoption oft the budget at the State level there were some funding standards language changes. The city manager said the city attorney had reviewed the changes and the contract was approved by council in June oflast year, otherwise they would have been ini non-compliance. He advised that the only things PD1 is updating are things that were changed during this General Assembly session which were highlighted on pages 16-20 oftheir council packets. Mr. Shupe asked the city attorney to address any conçerns or questions he had during his review of the contract changes. City Attorney Matthew Dotson advised that he did not have any concerns about the contract changes and explained that the reason for the changes was that the General Assembly changed some requirements sO this is being updated to comply with what the General Assembly is  summary of contract changes.  requiring for contracts such as this. Mayor Fawbush asked ifc council had any questions. There were no questions from council.  Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by unanimous vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Salyers, ABSTAIN- -1 None, council moved to adopt a Resolution Approving the Planning District One (PDI)Community Services Board Performance Contract for FY2024 and FY2025. (Insert) Council had been presented in their packets a resolution recognizing the week of August 4- Noting that August 4-10, 2024, is recognized as National Farmers Market Week and that the city had not recognized Norton Friends and Farmers Market during this week in several years, Mr. Shupe said resolution was written in order to recognize the popularity and growth of Norton Friends and Farmers Market which was formed in 2009. The city manager attributed the growth of the market to locating the market in the Norton Expo Center and to city staffand volunteers who assist with the market. The resolution was written to recognize the farmers Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES -. Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- Salyers, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt a resolution recognizing the week of August 4-10, 2024, as National Farmers Market Week in the City of Norton, as presented. Mayor Fawbush asked the city manager to let everyone involved with Norton Friends and  10, 2024, as. National Farmers Market Week in the City ofNorton.  market, the farmers, city staff and volunteers.  (Insert)  Farmers Market know how much council appreciates their hard work.    The city manager requested council authorization to have a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) from 4-9 p.m., Saturday, August 17,2024, for the High Knob Outdoor Fest's downtown celebration and briefly discussed the festival schedule of events. Council had been given in their packets a High Knob Outdoor Fest (HKOF) flyer featuring detailed information about the festival events throughout the week. This year due to Park Avenue being closed from 7th Street to gth Street, relocation ofthe stage to the Municipal Parking Lot and the combination of downtown festival events on Saturday, August 17, Mr. Shupe said city administration'sr recommendation was to have a DORA rather than al beer garden. He said council can designate ai total of 161 DORA events a year and this would be the city's second DORA. The city manager advised that city administration recommended having a Zone 1 DORA (that would include everything from the Southern Craft parking lot/Norton Expo Center area to 7th Street) for the downtown festival celebration. He said he had talked to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority agent and owners of Southern Craft, Lincoln Road Coffee Lounge and Doughmakers Pizza had confirmed they were prepared and wanted to participate in the DORA for the High Knob Upon a motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Caruso, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- Salyers, ABSTAIN- - None, council authorized a Zone 11 DORA from 4-9 p.m., Saturday, August 17,2024, for the High Knob Outdoor Fest downtown celebration. Included in packets for council consideration were two checks, one to Norton Industrial Development Authority (NIDA) in the amount of $100,000 for the city's FY2025 contribution tol NIDA and the otheri in the amount of$133,496.171 to Powell Valley National Bank for annual Upon ai motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Caruso, and passed by the following unanimous roll call vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- Salyers, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to confirm checks to NIDA and Powell Upon ai motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- - Salyers, ABSTAIN- - None, council moved to go into closed meeting to discuss Personnel as  Outdoor Fest.  payments on tax exempt loans.  Valley National Bank, as stated above.  per Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1)ofth the Code of Virginia, as amended. Mayor Fawbush declared council in closed meeting.  Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT  Salyers, ABSTAIN- None, council moved to go back into open meeting. Mayor Fawbush declared council back in open meeting.  Mr. Shupe polled each member of council as to the Certification ofClosed Meeting with each answering yes. He then read A Resolution oft the Certification of Closed Meeting. Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Salyers, ABSTAIN- = None, council moved to adopt Al Resolution of the Certification of Closed  Meeting. (Insert)    Mayor Fawbush opened the floor for nominations to the Black Diamond Rural Conservation Vice Mayor Caruso nominated Mr. Adam Wells to be reappointed to the Black Diamond Rural Conservation Development Council for a two-year term to expire July 1,2026. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote, YES -. Jones, Fultz, Caruso, Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT- Salyers, ABSTAIN - None, council moved that the nominations cease. Mayor Fawbush declared Mr. Adam Wells tol be reappointed to the Black Diamond Rural Conservation Development Council for a two-year term to expire July 1,2026.  Development Council for at two-year term to expire July 1,2026.  Inc comments from the city manager:  Mr. Shupe reminded council that the Splash Pad Grand Opening was scheduled for 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 7,2 2024. He said rather than conducting ai ribbon-cutting ceremony, the mayor would speak and the children would push the button to officially open the city splash The city manager advised that bids for the city street striping contract, which were due last Thursday, were very favorable and city administration had moved forward with advertising for bids for the city's annual paving and milling services. He said the advertisement would be in the paper on Friday and that the city anticipated doing about 3,800 square yards of milling and over 2,000 tons of paving with the streets that have been identified and continue to be identified. Noting that he had placed at council desks a few announcements about ribbon cuttings and grand openings, Mr. Shupe informed council that the ribbon cutting for the new EarthLink facility at Project Intersection was: set for 10 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2024, with breakfast and tours prior to the ribbon cutting. Grand opening for Honey Mae's Appalachian Goods & Crafts at 1253 13th Street, SE, in the Ramsey is planned for Saturday, August 10, 2024, with a ribbon Mr. Shupe said Ballad Health is celebrating Norton Community Hospital's 75th year with a 75th Birthday Celebration scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Under upcoming events, the city manager mentioned that the High Knob Outdoor Festival starts next week, August 10-18, the Norton Friends and Farmers Market was taking place this evening from 4-6] p.m. at the Norton Expo Center, youth football and associated programs for Norton City Schools were underway and the city's Youth Flag Football League will be held from 5-61 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, from August 27 to October 3, 2024.  pad.  Bids for milling and paving are due August 27, 2024.  cutting scheduled for noon.  hospital with more information to come.  Inc comments from the city attorney:  Providing council with an update on property on Park Avenue in downtown Norton, City Attorney Matthew Dotson advised that the property has been boarded up and there may be a possibility that the property has been sold or will be sold in the near future. Hei thanked Norton Code Official and Zoning Administrator Winfred Collins and the city's Public Works The city manager also thanked the Norton Police Department and the City ofNorton Sheriff's  Department for taking care oft this. Office for their assistance with this matter.    The following comments were made by council members:  Councilman Jones asked for city administration to consider paving aj pothole at the intersection of Coeburn Avenue and Market Street in front of Fire Station 2. Councilman Fultz mentioned that it is interesting that the city has two significant but different projects that are being highlighted this week, one being the splash pad tomorrow and the other being EarthLink on Friday. He said while they serve different purposes to the city, they are really good ads for us. Councilman Fultze expressed his appreciation to everyone involved in bringing these two projects to fruition, adding that these were good for the city, our Vice Mayor Caruso asked for an update on city administration efforts ati identifying signs that The city manager said preliminary discussions with Public Works have taken place. Councilman Caruso also inquired about an update on the High Knob Destination Center. City Engineer and Assistant City Manager Stephen McElroy advised the latest schedule we received is September gth for the arrival of the graphics and assembly of the maini items. Mr. Shupe said we also have to schedule the landscaping and installation of the welcome Mr. McElroy said the contractor also has to come back and do some dress-up work. The city manager updated council on the status of the property where the welcome sign will Following inquiry about the: status oft the gate valve replacement at the upper reservoir from Mayor Fawbush, Mr. McElroy advised that the gate valve was supposed to be shipped Thursday to the contractor with receipt expected next week. He said once the contractor receives shipping notification the contractor will schedule his crew to come back and coordinate that with city. The city engineer advised the work should be finished within the next month. Mayor Fawbush said he was looking forward to the grand opening oft the Splash Pad tomorrow. and grand opening ofthe Earth Link building Friday at 10 a.m. He encouraged Following a briefdiscussion about the Virginia Tech Forest Botanicals Living Monument project, the city manager said he believed the installation and the main statue structure were not Noting he attended the Woodbooger Longboard Freeride on Sunday, July 28, the mayor said Following discussion about out-migration from Virginia's metro areas to rural areas like Norton, Mayor Fawbush reminded council that the next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m.,  citizens and the region. need tol be straightened or replaced.  sign. be located.  everyone to attend. ready.  there were 120 participants and the event was suçcessful. Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Municipal Council Chambers.    Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous vote: YES - Jones, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO -None, ABSENT-  Salyers, ABSTAIN- -None, council moved to adjourn the council meeting.  CITY OF NORTON, VIRGINIA CHLR Joseph Fawbush, Mayor    7