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, Town Clerk Cindy Stanley, Town. Attorney Mark Fenyk, Smyth County News Representative Stephanie Porter-Nichols, Police Chief. John Clair, Police Officers Josh Taylor, Keith Finney, Jordon Propst, Fire EMS Chief Rusty Hamm, Fire/EMS Deputy Chief Richard Keesling, Firefighter Brett Miller and Community & Economic Development Director Ken Heath. Chambers of the Municipal Building on November 4, 2024, at 5:30p.m. ABSENT: None. VISITORS: Dr. Charles Wassum, JC: Steinbaugh, Jeremy Phillippi, Jerry Harmon, Joe Naff, Lili Cornett, David Fulton, Hunter Atwell, Gale Atkins, Glen & Shelley Robinson, Charles & Nancy Hayden, Bill Stamper, Danny Parks, Diane Eller, Janene Walker, Todd & Kristy May and April Keesling. MVOCATONPLDGETOTHE: FLAG: Chief Clair rendered the invocation. Vice-Mayor Gates led the MINUTES: Upon motionof Mr. Carter, seconded by Mrs. Jennings and a vote of5AYES and ONOES, the minutes of the meeting held October 21, 2024, were approved as written. Messrs Gates, Spencer, AGENDA: Uponi motion of Mr. Cornett, seconded! by Mrs.J Jennings and a vote of5 5AYES and ONOES, the PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: ChiefHamm reviewedarescue. ofa an 11-year-old child during the recentflood. Chief Hamm read al Resolution in Recognition of thei following individuals: Richard Keesling and Brett Miller, Marion Fire/EMS, Josh Taylor, Jordan Propst and Keith Finney, Marion Police Department,. JC Steinbaugh, Flight Nurse, Jeremy Phillippi, Flight Paramedic, and Keith Bowery, Pilot. Upon motion of Mrs.. Jennings, seconded! byl Ms. Spencerandav vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the Resolution in Recognition Bradley Powers, Smyth County Commissioner of Revenue, reviewed an ordinance adopted by Smyth County proposingreal estatetaxe mpteapARcNNAN certain persons killed in the line of duty. Mr. Powers also noted there are personalp property tax exemptions in place for veterans. Upon motion of Mr. Cornett, seconded! byN Mr. Carterand: a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, ap public hearing will be setfort the first meetingi in Decemberonthe opododhetorcice exemptionsforsurvwrg PUBLIC COMMENT: Danny Parks asked to be reimbursed for handrailing that was removed from his property during town cleanup of his property. Mr. Fenyk said the amount could be applied to his cleanup bill. Mr. Fenyk statedi the town needs to wait until the statute runs outi for an appeal. Bill Stamper, 659 Spruce Street, reviewed: al letter that was posted in the newspaper. He also submitted Pledge to the Flag. Jennings, Carterand Cornett voted affirmatively. agenda was approved as distributed. of Heroism during Hurricane Helene was adopted. spouses of certain persons killedi int the line of duty. averbal FOIA request. Charles' Wassum discussed unconstitutional actions by government agencies during COVID. Charles Hayden, 726 South Church Street, asked about the stream encroachment issue. Mr. Rush noted the original request came inf from Mr. Hayden noting the stream was encroaching near his property. Glen Robinson, 182 Market Street, inquired as to when the repairs on Highway 16f from the flood were going to be completed. Mr. Rush noted the areal had been stabilized. Mr. Robinson inquired as to when the sewer project on Market Street was going to begin. Mr. Rush noted Phase 85 Sewer has 3sections, Mr. Cornett noted Mr. Stamper's FOIA request is extensive and may incur expenses. Mr. Cornett once that phase is complete, work willl begin on Market Street. suggested Mr. Stamper be more specific in his request. Chief Clair thanked Mr. Powers fort the Hunter Reedy Resolution. Chief Hamm reported there were 216 calls in October. He reviewed thet fund-raising process for purchasing new uniforms. He has raised $2,700. Chief Hamm asked to move forward with this project allowing $5,000 in unbudgeted expenses. Uponr motion of Ms. Spencer, seconded by Mrs.. Jennings and avote of 5AYES and ONOES, Chief Hammi is allocated $5,000t to move forward with uniform purchases. Mr. Rush reported the Callan Drive Rec Park rough grading has been advertised for bid. Park Blvd Sidewalk Phase II bids are $400,000 over budget. VDOThas allocated more funds to go to the project. Mr. Rush willa ask VDOTif we can accept the extra money' with a waiver ont the timeframe. Mr. Rush reviewedi thel Lead Service Line project noting approximately 1,700 have been identified: and letters will CLOSED SESSION: Pursuant to Code of Virginia, as amended, Section 2.2-3711 (A-1, A-3, A-6a and A-8), upon motion of Mrs.. Jennings, seconded by Mr. Carterand vote of 5A AYES and ONOES, Town Council enteredinto Closed Sessionforpersonnel,realestate, investment of publici funds and consultation with legal counsel. Mrs.. Jenningsi movedthatTown: Council returnto OpenSessions andi identifiedit be known that only those matters legally exempted from Open Session and identified in the motion were discussed during Closed Session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Spencer and carried bya a vote of5 AYES and ONOES. The Clerk polled the Council Members. Messrs Dr. Gates, Spencer,lennings, Weaver Upon motion of Mrs.J Jennings, seconded by Mr. Carterand a vote of 5AYES and ONOES, the meeting be mailed to the other customers that are noti identified. and Carter voted affirmatively. was adjourned at 8:05, p.m. Vice-Mayor Clerk