Minutes of a regular meeting oft the Town Council of the Town of Marion, Virginia held in the Council PRESENT: Vice-Mayor Dr.. Jim Gates, Tricia Spencer, Suzanne. Jennings, Larry Carter and Avery Cornett Council Members; Town Manager Bill Rush, Assistant' Town Manager Billy Hamm, Town Clerk Cindy Stanley, Town. Attorney Mark Fenyk, Smyth County News Representative Stephanie Porter-Nichols, Police ChiefJohn Clair, Fire EMS Chief Rusty Hamm, Community & Economic Development Director Ken  Chambers of the Municipal Building on October7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.  Heath and Director of ITTodd Long.  ABSENT: None.  VISITORS: Janene Walker, Dr. Charles Wassum, Charles & Nancy Hayden, Jerry Harmon, Joe Naff, Lili Cornett, David Huff, Shawn Cruz, Hunter. Atwell, Todd May, Jim Talley, Roger Bowman, Rebecca Bowman, Gale Atkins, David Fulton, Shelly & Glenn Robinson, Billy Stampera and. Jeff & Anna Leigh INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THEF FLAG: Chief Clair rendered thei invocation. Vice-Mayor Gates led the MINUTES: Uponr motion of Mrs.Jennings, seconded by Mr. Carter and a vote of 5A AYES and ONOES, the minutes of the meeting held September: 16, 2024 were approved as written. Messrs Gates, Spencer, AGENDA: Upon motion of Mrs.Jennings, seconded byl Mr. Cornett and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the PUBLIC COMMENT: Glenn Robinson, 182 Market Street, thanked public service workers for their work during the recent flooding. Mr. Robinson noted there was damage to his property. He is here at the request of Mr. Rush. Mr. Robinson asked for Mr. Rush'sr resignation, noting it was no reflection on his management during the recent crisis. He questioned his priorities due to Highway 16r not being closed South of 81 overpass. Mr. Rush addressed noting the road was not closed and he understood Mr. Billy Stamper, 659 Spruce Street, noted he was a write- in candidate for Town Council. Mr. Stamper questionedwhythere was at facebook post letting citizens know the downtown restaurants were open Charles Hayden, 726S South Church Street, submitted a petition with approximately 700 signatures in supportoft the ParkF Place Drive-In. He suggested $10,000 could fixt the problem with the concrete island. He noted there was no water entering the storm drain inlet in front of the drive-in during the recent flooding. Mr. Haydenr referredt tot the letterregarding committee meetings and her reportedI he contacted the FOIA Council and Mr. Rush had not contacted them in 2023 or 2024. He referred to Mr. Rush stating  DeBord.  Pledge to the Flag.  Jennings, Carterand Cornett voted affirmatively. agenda was approved as distributed.  Robinson's s property was affected by the storm.  during the recent flooding event.  "raise the value of property by 25%" with BAUDI Program.    David Huff submitted af FOIA request fort the addresses of the property cleanups and charges to the citizens andt the town code sectionthat referencesthis. He: submitedaverbalFolArequestforacopy, of the building inspection of the homes replaced by the EDA in the 100year flood plain. He spoke inf favor Gale. Atkins, 531 Catron Street, spoke on behalf of his son. Andrew Atkins, at town employee with the Fire/EMS department. The Sally'sCrying treef fellon his truck and totaledit. He noted insurance covered David Fulton, Pearl Avenue, went toy votet today and citizens commented on his shirt about town council Mrs. Jennings thanked staff for their hard work during the recent flooding event. She noted BAUD Ms. Spencer asked fora ar review for the citizens of how the BAUD program works. Mr. Rush addressed notingi in 2018 there was 250 deficient homes in Marion, 6yearsl later 200 have been cleared away and are to be built back with grant money. These are notl lowi income homes; the program is designed for twoi income families. At the end of the loan 20% is forgivable. This was as successful program to remove blighted properties. Mr. Rush also reviewed the ARS, Atqure/Renovate/sel, program. Mr. Long addressed the previous question regarding building backi in the flood plain, noting if the property is in the 100 year flood plain it has a 25-foot setback, must receive a flood elevation certificate and the  of the Drive-In.  the truck and he would like the town to considerr replacement value fort the truck.  elections.  meetings may address Mr. Hayden's concerns about housing.  finished first floor has to! be 12i inches above that elevation. Mr. Carter reported District III lost 5vehicles in the recent flood.  Mr. Cornett expressed his concern that council decisions aren't being met welli in the community. Mr. Cornett addressed the letterr regarding council committee meetings noting he didn'tremembera vote on it. He asked where the letter came from. Mr. Rush noted about 61 months' ago councili is to begin to call any committee meetings. Mr. Cornett asked where the new guidelines came from. Mr. Rush noted he draftedt the guidelines shimself. Mr. Cornettr noteds since there was no motion to accept the guidelines he is not going to follow them. Mr. Cornett hopes the new homes in the EDA program are in the price Vice-Mayor Gates discussed the employee's vehicles that were damaged byt the Sally's Crying Tree. He notedito difficult to make a choicet to take downt thet tree as it was a symbol ofap past era. Mr. Rush noted limbs wereremovedtogett the adjustorsaccess tot the vehicles. He also reported the tree willl be placed Mr. Fenykreportedthe hearing on Henry Street regarding Danny and Rebecca Parks was last week and ChiefClair reportedthe: acts of heroism performed by Firefighter Brett Miller and others savinga a child's  range the community can afford.  inas secure location untila ap plan is made to move forward.  the judge threw the case out. life during the recent flood event.    Chief Hamm reported there were 20 calls for service Friday until 6:00 pm during the flood event. There were7swift waterrescue teamsi in place the night beforet the storm. Theirservices were utilized: several times during the event. Chief Hamm commended the brave heroics of Firefighter Brett Miller, Deputy Chief Richard Keesling, Police Offers Keith Finney, Jordan Propst and Sargent. Josh Taylor on the rescue ofa a child from the flood waters on Matson Drive. There were 240 calls in Sep ptember. The smoke detectorblitz has been postponed. He alsonoted Town Manager Billl Rush was boots on the ground and helpedo outt that entire weekend. Chief Clair expressed his appreciation of Public' Works employee James Mr. Heath noted shelters have been open since Friday. The next stepi is to help citizens with assistance applications. The Chamber of Commerce Marion Council Forum will be October 16, 2024 at 6:00p pm at Mr. Long reported there will be a. Joint Public Hearing on rezoning at the next council meeting. Storm drains worked great during the flood. There will be mapping of the storm system in thet future. Mr. Rushreportedthet towny wass substantially stabilized Monday afternoon following Hurricane Helene. Town crews were removing fallen trees as others fell, allowing emergency" vehicles through. Saturday following the storm a car and camper were removed from an aerial sewer line. Mr. Heath was assigned to assist Smyth Countywith communications Friday. Mr. Rush thanked. Joe Naff for providing space and equipment to have roomi for more donations. Mr. Rush expressed his appreciation for allt town staff Uponmotion of Mr. Carter, seconded byl Mr. Cornettand a vote of 5A AYES and ONOES, the meeting was  Perkins for his assistance rescuing ai family from their flooding home on Lee Street.  the Lincoln Theatre.  during this crisis. adjourned at 7:22p.m.  Vice-Mayor  Clerk