The regularly scheduled meeting oft the Norton City Council was held Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., in the Municipal Council Chambers with Mayor Joseph Fawbush presiding. Present: Chris Jones, Stacy Salyers, Robert Fultz, Jr., Mark Caruso and Joseph Fawbush 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 Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - None, ABSTAIN - Caruso, council moved to adopt the minutes of the October I, 2024, council  led by Norton Police ChiefJames Lane.  meeting as presented.  There was no response during the Mayor's Call for Visitors.  Updating council on water storage levels at the city reservoirs, the city manager advised council this item would continue to remain on the agenda due to October's dry conditions. Two Mr. Shupe said the latest reservoir water level report dated October 22, 2024, showed the upper reservoir was at full capacity, while the lower reservoir was at 301 million gallons, resulting ini total water storage of 96 million gallons out ofaj possible storage capacity of 124 million gallons. The report listed October rainfall at eight tenths of an inch. He said although October had been dry, Water Treatment Superintendent Andrew Greear said city reservoir levels were well above normal for this time ofyear. Mr. Shupe advised that the city was holding steady with no purchases from Wise County Public Service Authority (PSA) or Big Stone Gap. The city manager said this would remain on the agenda until the reservoirs reach full Mayor Fawbush asked what date the city stopped purchasing water from Wise County PSA. Mr. Shupe said the city stopped purchasing water on Thursday, October 3rd.  additional reservoir water level reports were placed at council desks.  capacity. He offered to answer questions from council. The mayor asked ifc council had any questions. There were no questions from council.  Al Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) between Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force and the City ofNorton Police Department was placed in packets for consideration by council. The city manager reminded council that Norton Police Chief. James Lane is the city's representative on the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force Command Board and asked Chief Lane ifH he wanted to elaborate on the MOU. The city manager said just prior to the meeting he was informed that part ofthe MOU might be tabled and that City Attorney Matthew Dotson The city attorney said Addendum B included in the MOU that had been provided in council packets would be removed from the MOU because administration at the Virginia State Police (VSP) headquarters in Richmond did not want any addendums or attachments to the MOU. He advised that the removal of the addendum did not result in any substantive changes to the MOU  wanted to address this.    and the policy document that was included in council packets should address what Addendum B ChiefLane confirmed this was çorrect, and al brief discussion followed. The city attorney said administration at the VSP state headquarters had informed the command group that all localities were being asked to agree to this MOU without any additions, Council discussion led the city attorney to advise council to table consideration of adopting the MOU between Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force and the City ofl Norton Police Department because the directive that was just received was not in agreement with the MOU that was submitted for council adoption. He apologized for the late timing of the directive correspondence and told council he thought their points were valid and worthy of discussion. The consensus of council was to table consideration of the MOU between Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force and the City ofl Norton Police Department until more information Discussion ofthe relocation of certain city departments was the next item on the agenda. The city manager said city administration had been working for several years on concepts in regard to city departments, particularly the relocation of the Norton Police Department (NPD) and the Norton Department of Social Services (NDSS) into either renovated or new: facilities. Mr. Shupe advised council that their current spaces do not meet their needs as departmental staffing has grown in size and access is very limited. He said council has been very supportive ofcity administration's efforts in determining where those departments might relocate and the manner in which that might take shape. Mr. Shupe said although we would love to build new facilities for these departments we know that early estimates indicate the cost for new facilities could be in the millions of dollars and property on which to locate the facilities would also have The city manager said city administration has had discussions with Norton Industrial Development Authority (NIDA) Executive Director Fred L. Ramey,Jr., about the possibility of moving these departments to 831 Park Avenue, S.W., the former location of the AT&T Relay Center which recently housed some Verizon services. He said this was on the agenda tonight because city administration had asked NIDA to formally begin the process of renovating the facility at 831 Park Avenue, S.W., in order toj place NDSS in the front of the building and Norton Police Department ini the rear oft the building. Mr. Shupe said the vendor NIDA had chosen to use had given city administration firm pricing on the buildout of approximately 6,000 square feet for NDSS based on plans that were developed with city administration and the director of social services. The renovation cost for NDSS will be $493,000 with a roof Mr. Shupe informed council that Assistant City Manager and City Engineer Stephen McElroy and Mr. Ramey approached NIDA ati its October 7th meeting and requested authorization for Mr. Ramey to execute those contracts. They also asked NIDA to allow city administration to continue to work with Mr. Ramey on creating a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) to finalize the projects. He said city administration assured NIDA that it was council's intention to fully financially support all phases oft the project through completion which might require NIDA, the city, or both to obtain some financing to complete the projects. Mr. Shupe said he would be working with Mr. Ramey and the city attorney in the coming weeks on an MOU. The next phase oft the project would be the buildout of the police department which will require considerable funding for security measures. Once numbers are finalized, city  probably intended to address.  alterations or changes.  about the reason for the proposed changes could be obtained.  to be acquired.  replacement of$168,000.    administration would come before council and NIDA with final numbers for the financing The city manager offered to answer questions from council, and a brief discussion followed. Noting council's passion for years about relocating the police department, Councilman Fultz voiced his excitement about the relocation project. He said getting the police department into a larger, more modernized space located in aj prominent place downtown would be great. He pointed out that having NDSS and the police department together at one location was almost like a genius connection particularly for safety concerns and that the relocation would enable the city's social services department to be housed on a single floor resulting in better Mr. McElroy said the vendor was hoping to have NDSS completed within four to five Councilman Fultz voiced his excitement for staff and for the relocation project. He said he thought it was aj positive move and great use ofa downtown space. Mr. Fultz pointed out the next step would be determining what to do with the space currently occupied by the police department. He said the space occupied by social services was in a rented or leased spaçe. Mayor Fawbush said this was great news and good use of the building. Noting that there was an ample power supply at the back oft the building, he said hopefully the city would install a The city manager said this was a project on which the city was currently working and that power crews were installing power poles for the electric car chargers on the side oft the building Mr. Shupe said not at this time but ifspace were available at the project location it could bea  package that would bei included in the MOU.  accessibility for employees and clients needing services. Councilman Fultz inquired about the relocation project timeline.  months.  super charger ini that area for electric cars. by Southern Craft parking lot.  Councilman Jones asked ift the Norton Sheriff's Office would be moving. Mayor Fawbush asked ifo council had comments or questions.  possibility.  There were no questions from council.  The mayor thanked Mr. Shupe for the update on the relocation of the two city departments. Mr. Shupe said city administration would continue moving forward on the relocation project and would keep council apprised as documents are completed and numbers are finalized. Council had been presented in their packets a request to refund erroneously assessed 2024 The city manager said City of Norton Commissioner of the Revenue Judy Miller had determined that the first-half: 2024 real estate public service taxes for Cellco Partnership Doing Business As (DBA) Verizon Wireless had been over assessed and a refund in the amount of $104.42 was due. According to Ms. Miller, the State Corporation Commission did not provide an assessed value prior to the city'sf first-half2024 real estate public service tax billing soa correct assessment could not be determined and a refund of $104.42 was due. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by unanimous roll call vote, council authorized a refund for erroneously assessed 2024 real estate public service taxes to Cellco Partnership DBA Verizon Wireless in the amount of $104.42. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to go into closed meeting to discuss Personnel as per Section  real estate public service taxes.  2.2-3711 (A)(1)ofthe Code of Virginia, as amended. Mayor Fawbush declared council in closed meeting.    Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by  unanimous vote, 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 of Closed 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 unanimous vote, council moved to adopt A Resolution of the Certification of Closed Meeting.  (Insert)  In comments from the city manager:  On behalf of city administration, Mr. Shupe congratulated Norton Police Chief. James Lane for receiving the Quiet Hero Award. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares presented Chief Lane with the award last week at the 4th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Breakfast held Mr. Shupe briefed council on the Virginia Municipal League Conference he and Vice Mayor Caruso attended October 13-15, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and the sessions he attended. The city manager said Wise County/City ofNorton Health Department staff would be at city hall tomorrow at 11 a.m. to administer flu shots to city employees and volunteers. He distributed forms that would have to be completed by those wanting to receive a flu shot. Mr. Shupe mentioned the following upcoming events: Norton's Spooktacular Halloween Bash, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, October 26", at the Norton Expo Center and the municipal parking lot; Norton's Halloween Trick-or-Treat, 5:30-8 p.m., Thursday, October 31s1, Holiday Storefront Decoration Contest, November 1-27, deadline to register is November 27th, a new Downtown Tree Decorating Contest, registration form turned in by November 22nd, with judging taking place December 6th, Group Hike from Legion Park to Flag Rock Overlook, 9a a.m., Saturday, November 2nd, Trash to Treasurers Workshop, 5 p.m., Tuesday, November 12" at the Norton Community Center; and al REMAX Veterans Day Cookout,11 a.m. to 4j p.m., November He reminded council there will be a city council work session Wednesday, October 30th, at 4 City offices will be closed Tuesday, November 5th, and Monday, November 11+, in The city manager noted that city council previously authorized moving the November 5th regularly scheduled meeting to November 12th. The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in council  inl Norton.  gth, at Country Cabin. p.m., in council chambers.  observance of Election Day and Veterans Day holidays.  chambers.  The following comments were made by the city attorney: delinquent tax cases would be held October 30th at city hall. needing rehabilitation or demolition to donate the property to the city.  City Attorney Matthew Dotson advised council that commissioner's hearings on three Councilman Caruso asked the city attorney ift the city could ask the landowner of property The city attorney said that was actually a very good idea, and al briefdiscussion followed. Mr. Dotson said the mayor found out Beattyville, Kentucky, was intending to havea Woodbooger 5K a few weeks ago and came to the conclusion that this was probably an infringement on the city's Woodbooger Service Mark. The city attorney said we did not insist    they shut down the 5K, but that he talked to Beattyville's city attorney about this. Mr. Dotson said Beattyville's city attorney said he would tell organizers to change it and the race would not be called the Woodbooger 5K again. Mr. Dotson said he told Beattyville's city manager that changing the name oft the race was their prerogative and when it was time for the event again next year to feel free to let us know and council could entertain Beattyville'srequest: to use the  Woodbooger Service Mark for the event.  The following comments were: made by council members: Councilman Jones congratulated ChiefLane on his award.  Mr. Jones spoke briefly about his experience working at a vendor booth during the Blue Highway Fest inl Big Stone Gap. He said he was amazed that SO many festival attendees who were not from the area knew about and had visited High Knob Observation Tower. Mr. Jones Councilman Fultz also congratulated ChiefLane for receiving the Quiet Hero Award. Mr. Fultz commended city administration, the police department and social services on the Vice Mayor Caruso inquired about possible briefings from U.S. Forest Service personnel concerning what is happening on forest service property and from Southwest Regional The city manager said SRRA representative Anthony S. "Steve" Pike would be at the Briefing council on the VML Conference which he attended, Mr. Caruso said the conference provided interesting information on grants and housing development and that he would provide The vice mayor said we need al housing summit if we are going to move the city forward. He said the summit needed tol be aj joint effort with Wise County and discussion for scheduling a possible joint housing summit could take place at an upcoming council work session. Mr. Caruso said the school safety committee had some safety concerns and would like to install some fencing and a gate or two at Norton Elementary and Middle School. He said this A brief discussion followed about possible plans to address these safety concerns. Vice Mayor Caruso also mentioned the need to revisit the city's sidewalk plan and rehabilitate and install some new: sidewalks in the city. He said it would be nice to have a sidewalk on East Park Avenue that would extend from the baseball field to at least Colgard. He Commenting about the new Enterprise Zone information that was included in council's additional information packets, Mr. Caruso asked ifcouncil discussed this during his absence at The city manager said paperwork for the Enterprise Zone took a while and that information was now on the Department of Housing and Community Development's website. After inquiry by Vice Mayor Caruso, a discussion about a Laws Program involving handouts sponsored by local businesses took place with ChiefLane speaking briefly about the program. ChiefLane said the program was beneficial in providing information for the school resource officer to distribute to students on a variety oftopics such as drugs, safety and bicycle safety. ChiefLane explained that the police department selects which handouts/brochures would be most beneficial here and the Laws Program personnel would approach local business owners  said the visitors wanted to know more about the area.  departmental relocation plans. Recreation Authority (SRRA). November 12th city council meeting.  council with a conference report at the council work session.  could also be discussed at a council work session.  asked council to think about this as budget season approaches.  the last council meeting.  about sponsoring the informational handouts.    Mayor Fawbush informed council City ofNorton Community Engagement and Tourism Director Katie Dunn received an email on September 4, 2024, from Sadie Pettit with Blue Ridge Public Broadcasting Service about doing a documentary folklore series on the Appalachian Mountains. He said series one had been completed and she was working on series two which she wanted to do on the Woodbooger. The mayor said he met with Ms. Pettit at the Woodbooger statue at Flag Rock, an interview was conducted with him, and he gave her names ofadditional people to interview. He said the documentary was supposed to air in. January 2025, Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by  and she would keep him apprised oft the date.  unanimous vote, council moved to adjourn the council meeting.  CITY OF NORTON, VIRGINIA KLEK Joseph Fawbush, Mayor  ATTEST: 7  A. Shupe, Clerk ofCouncil