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 September 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Heath and Purchasing/Recewving Agent Mandy Wolfe. ABSENT: None. VISITORS: Janene Walker, Dr. Charles Wassum, Jerry Harmon, Joe Naff, CB Gwyn, Lili Cornett, David Fulton, Hunter. Atwell, Amanda Livingston, Roger & Rebecca Bowman, Sarah Taylor, MichaelWatson, Anna Leigh DeBord, Robin Rush, Gale Atkins, Crystal Farley,Jennifer McNew, Susan Tate and Murrel INVOCATION/PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Chief Clair rendered the invocation. Vice-Mayor Gates led the MINUTES: Uponr motion of Mrs.Jennings, seconded by Mr. Carter and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the minutes oft the meeting held September 3, 2024 were approved as written. Messrs Gates, Spencer, AGENDA: Upon motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the Ward. Pledge to the Flag. Jennings, Carterand Cornett voted affirmatively. agenda was approved as distributed. Vice-Mayor Gates read a memoi from the packet regarding civil discourse. PUBLIC PRESENTATION: Amanda Livingston, Tourism Director, gave an update noting a slow rebound post-COVID. The tourism department is marketing aggressively: and looking ahead to boost the future. Thet five Smyth County history museums are meeting monthly. They have received a county wide grant from the Leave No Trace Behind Foundation. There willl be a strategic planning process October 2nd and PUBLIC COMMENT: Annal Leigh DeBord, Royal Oak DAR Chapter, thanked the town for cleaning the Royal Oak Cemetery. Theyhaver recognized. 3Civil War Soldierswith: a monument. Anydonationstohep Jennifer McNew, 321 College Street, spoke on behalf of the neighborhood regarding traffic concerns. The congestion and parking concerns are due to. Job Corps staff and employees parking on the street. Susan Tate also spoke noting she can'tpark ini front of herl house. Mr. Rush reviewed: severalsolutions 3rd. She invited council to attend. with the cost oft the monument is appreciated. and Chief Clair will: speak to the. Job Corps. Ms. Spencer attended the tourism meeting. Mrs.J lenningscongratulated" ChiefClair on beinge elected ast the' Vice-Presidentofthe Virginia Association of Chiefsof Police. Mrs. Jennings read a statement regarding no conflict of interest by voting on Lincoln Theatre items. Vice. Mavor Mr. Cornett noted there are no bathroom facilities at Ogburn Park. 10 Chief Hamm gave staff updates. The new Marion Fire/EMS: sign fori thet front of Station 1 has been installed and work is continuing on the lighting. He noted the department is preparing for upcoming public eventswtnoctoperbeng Fire preventionmonth. The department has received a5 50/50Forestry Grant. Uponi motiono of Mrs.Jennings, seconded by Ms. Spencer and a vote of 5AVESandONOES, Chief Mr. Heath noted the Chamber of Commerce will hold a Countywide candidate forum October 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Lincoln Theatre. The Chili Cook Off willl be moved toi the first Saturdayi in October next Mr. Rush reported for Mr. Longr noting that department is in the process of notifying adjacent property owners fora a rezoning issue. That Public Hearing willl be October 21, 2024. Mr. Rush reviewed Sewer Treatment Projectsr notingthel Bio Mediai installation is underway: and a new: sludge dump station willl be installed. The Lead Service Line Project should be substantially completed before the October16 deadline. Mr. Rush reviewed the South Main Sewer Realignment Project willr require al land purchase to design the end point. South Main paving would needi to be completed after the sewer project. Upon motion ofMs. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, council authorizes the purchase of parcel 209-111-17for: $5,000 contingent upon a permanent drainage easement across parcels 209-11-18 through 231 that includes the ability to remove treesa andu lundergrowthto: allow fort the placementofpermanentd drainage pipes and the partial filling of the lots, at town discretion, tot facilitate Upon motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mrs.. Jennings and a vote of 5AYESa and ONOES, the meeting Hamm is to move forward with the 50/50matching Forestry Grant for $9,859. year. the building up of the purchased lot to facilitate an underground sewer line. was adjourned at 6:50p.m. Vice-Mayor Clerk