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; AsstamtTownMamgeraa, Hamm, Town Clerk Cindy Stanley, Town Attorney Mark Fenyk, Smyth County News Representative Stephanie Porter-Nichols, Police Chief. John Clair, Fire/EMS Chief Rusty Hamm, Fire/EMS Deputy Chief Richard Keesling, Community & Economic Development Director Ken Heath, Director of HR Samantha White and Director of ITTodd Long. Chambers of the Municipal Building on December2, 2024, at! 5:30 p.m. ABSENT: None. VISITORS: Dr. Charles Wassum, Jerry Harmon, Joe Naff, David Fulton, Hunter Atwell, Roger Bowman, Gale Atkins, Charles & Nancy Hayden, Todd May, Janene Walker, Cameron' Wolfe, Delphia Little, Jimmy MVOCATON/PIDGETOTHE: FLAG: Chief Clair rendered the invocation. Vice-Mayor Gates led the MINUTES: Upon motion of Ms. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5A AYES and ONOES, the minutes of the meetingh heldI November18, 2024, were approvedasv written.Messrs Gates, Spencer, AGENDA: Upon motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the PUBLIC HEARING DEQ FUNDING NUMBER C-515815: Ms. Stanley reviewed the authorizing resolution. Vice-Mayor Gates opened the publichearing. Roger Bowman asked about the sewerr near Flowers Bakery on South Main Street. With nof further public comments, Vice-Mayor Gates closed the public hearing. Upon motion of Mrs.. Jennings, seconded by Ms. Spencer and a vote of5 5AYES and ONOES, the Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of a General Obligation and' Watera and Sewer Revenue Bond oft the Town of Marion in an amount not to exceed $997,975 and providing fort the form, details Moss, Jim Talley, Kay Clegg, Jim Barker and Bradley Powers. Pledge to the Flag. Jennings, Carterand Cornett voted affirmatively. agenda was approved as distributed. and payment of the Bond was adopted. The roll call vote was as follows: Dr. Gates Ms. Spencer AYE Mrs.. Jennings AYE Mr. Carter AYE Mr. Cornett AYE AYE PUBLIC HEARING VDHI FUNDING NUMBER' WSL-005-23: Mr. Hamm reviewedt thea authorizingr resolution. Vice-Mayor Gates opened the public hearing. With no public comments, Vice-Mayor Gates closed the public hearing. Upon motion of Ms. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5AYES ando NOES, the Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale ofa a General Obligation and Water: and Sewer Revenue Bond of the Town of Marion in an amount not to exceed $3,164,123: and providing fort the form, details and payment of the Bond was adopted. The roll call vote was as follows: Dr. Gates Ms. Spencer AYE Mrs.. Jennings AYE Mr. Carter AYE Mr. Cornett AYE AYE PUBLIC HEARING TOWN ORDINANCE CHAPTER 701 TAXATION - REAL ESTATE TAXATION EXEMPTION FORS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF PERSON KILLEDI IN THE LINE OF DUTY:Ms. Stanley reviewed the proposed ordinance amendment. Bradley Powers, Smyth County Commissioner of Revenue, spoke on the county process. Vice-Mayor Gates opened the Public Hearing. With no public comments, Vice-Mayor Gates closedt the Public Hearing. Uponmotion of Mrs.. Jennings, seconded by Mr. Cornett and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the amendment to Chapter70of the town code - Taxation, for Real Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Certain Persons Killedi in the Line of Duty was approvede effectively immediately. The roll call vote was as follows: Dr. Gates Ms. Spencer AYE Mrs.. Jennings AYE Mr. Carter AYE Mr. Cornett AYE AYE PUBLIC HEARING CONSIDERATION OF VACATING CEDARSTREET RIGHT OF WAY: Mr. Longr reviewed the request. Staff recommends trading the Cedar Street ROW1 for the newly created ROWt that Mt Rogers Community Service Board will dedicate tot the towni fori ingress/egress that will correcta landlocked piece of property.limmy Moss reported that if approved Mt Rogers will make an 11-million- dollar improvementand double the services provided there now. Vice-Mayor Gates opened the public hearing. With no public comments, Vice-Mayor Gates closed the publicl hearing. Upon motion of Mrs. Jennings, seconded byMs:Spencerandavote: of5 5 AYESand 0 NOES, the requestto vacate Cedar Street PUBLIC PRESENTATION: Mark. Archibald, Tree Commission, noted Tom Howeri is willing to serve on the Tree Commission and this would bringt the commission to 5members. Upon motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, Tom Hower is appointed to the Tree Board/Commission. Mr. Archibald presented at tree planting program and noted the board is trying to Right of Way was approved. raise funds to: sponsor the program. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. Mrs.. Jenningsreviewed December's events for the Lincoln Theatre. Mr. Carter reported District III met Thursday and there willl be an increase on localities' contribution Mr. Cornett noted the Winter Farmer's Market was very cold and Shop Small Business Saturday went Chief Clair reported the department has one recruit graduating from the academy December: 12, 2024. Chief Hamm gave an update on the hiring process, noting the goal is to hire by January 1, 2025 with Smyth County's blessing. There were 193 calls in November. Inspection of the new: ambulance willl be Mr. Heath reported the Christmas tree lighting will be Thursday, December! 5, 2024 at 6:00p.m. The Mr. Long reported he willl bei in Richmond! latert this weekfor: study groups and the Zoning Administrator Mr. Hamm reported the rough grade bid opening for Callan Drive Rec Park was November 26, 2024. A bid tabulation spreadsheet will be presented at the next meeting. Then it willl be submitted to DCR1 for approval andi to back to councili for consideration. The LSL project is 75% complete. The Radio Read CLOSED SESSION: Pursuant to Code of Virginia, as amended, Section 2.2-3711 (A-1, A-3and A-7), upon motion of Mrs.. Jennings, seconded by Ms. Spencer and vote of 5AYES and ONOES, Town Council enteredi into Closed: Sessionforpersonnel realestate: andl legal. Mrs. Jenningsi moved that Town Council returnto Open Session andi identified it be known that only those matters legally exemptedi from Open Sessiona andi identifiedi in the motion were discussed during Closed Session. Thei motion was secondedby Mr. Carter and carried by a vote of 5AYES and ONOES. The Clerk polled the Council Members. Messrs Uponmotionof Mrs.Jennings, seconded by! Ms.S Spencerandavote of 5AYES and ONOES, the town will enterintoacommerial. appraisal contract with GreylockAdvsoryGroupfor52,650 fora townp property. Upon motion of Mr. Cornett, seconded by Ms. Spencer and a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the meeting portions. well. Shop with al Heroi is December21, 2024a at 10:00 a.m. December 20, 2024 in Winter Park, Florida. Christmas Parade will be on Friday, December 6, 2024. exam. meters willl be shipped in. January. Dr. Gates, Spencer, Jennings, Carter and Carter voted affirmatively. was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Vice-Mayor Clerk