The regularly scheduled meeting of the Norton City Council was held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., in the meeting room at the High Knob Destination Center with Mayor 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. Joseph Fawbush presiding. Dotson, City Attorney The invocation was given by Councilman Robert Fultz., Jr., and was followed by the Pledge Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to adopt the minutes ofthe October 22, 2024, council meeting ofA Allegiance led by Norton Police Chief. James Lane. as presented. There was no response during the Mayor's Call for Visitors. Providing an update on city reservoir water storage levels, the city manager said the latest reservoir water level report dated November 6, 2024, showed 87.5 million gallons of water storage which was below the full storage capacity of 124 million gallons. While noting that the city's reservoirs are still below full storage capacity, Mr. Shupe said the new upper reservoir valves were being used to efficiently control the flow of water into the lower reservoir. The city manager said October was very dry with just over an inch of rain and this item would remain on the agenda until the reservoirs reach full pool. He said city administration was not concerned about city reservoir water levels and the city was not purchasing water from Wise County Public Service Authority (PSA) or Big Stone Gap. The mayor asked ifc council had any questions. There were no questions from council. A Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) Between Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force and the City ofNorton Police Department was considered by council after being tabled at the October 22, 2024, council meeting sO additional information could be obtained about the reason for the changes proposed by the Virginia State Police (VSP) in an email prior to the council At the previous meeting, City Attorney Matthew Dotson advised council to table consideration of adopting the MOU because the email that was received was noti in agreement The city manager said the MOU being presented again tonight was the same MOU that was presented to council at the last meeting. He asked City Attorney Matthew Dotson and Norton Police Chief. James Lane, who serves as the city'sI representative on the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force Command Board, to discuss the MOU and address questions. Mr. Dotson recalled that at the last meeting there was some discussion about Addendums A, B and C: attached to the MOU and whether or not the addendums were actually attached to the MOU. He explained that this basically was a communication breakdown and that the addendums in the MOU would be included, but no additional addendums would be allowed. meeting. with the MOU that was submitted for council adoption. Noting that Vice Mayor Caruso had voiced some additional concerns, the city manager asked The vice mayor pointed out three atachment/addendum labeling issues in Section C on page Noting that there was adequate time for council to adopt the MOU since the MOU adoption deadline is March 15, 2025, the city manager recommended tabling council adoption of the Councilman Caruso said ifa addendums are part of the document then the base document Mayor Fawbush pointed out what he considered tol be contradictory statements pertaining to the division offunds from the disposition and sale of vehicles in the last paragraph on page 17 of the MOU (page 30 oft the council packet) and Number 3 ofthe Task Force Operational Policy Following a briefdiscussion, the city manager recommended having the Southwest Virginia Mayor Fawbush asked if council had any additional comments or conçerns pertaining to the After thanking ChiefLane for his work on the MOU and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, the mayor asked for the MOU language corrections to be addressed and the MOU to be Under: new business, Steve Pike, government relations representative with Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA)Spearhead Trails, provided council with an update. After expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to address council, Mr. Pike discussed the history of SRRA, its funding and staffing, the impact Hurricane Helene had on the trail system, The SRRA government relations representative, who has been with SRRA since February of 2023 following his retirement, said when SRRA was created in 2008 the state appropriations SRRA received were only done quarterly, sO from al business standpoint the authority had operated for many years off grants that typically took 90 to 120 days for reimbursement, which Mr. Pike said the special session of the 2023 Virginia General Assembly passed it sO SRRA could: receive all ofi its appropriations in a timelier manner. He said SRRA currently has 400 miles ofr motorzdnon-moorzed trail system within seven counties and a fantastic firearms Updating council about the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session, he said the session resulted in SRRA receiving a $5 million biennium appropriation, $800,000 of which was set aside by Governor Glenn Youngkin to help with repair work at SRRA's headquarters in Coeburn. He explained these funds have allowed SRRA to purchase a lot of new maintenance equipment such as a skid steer with ai mulching system, excavators, pickup trucks and side-by- sides which are very important for trail maintenance. He said part of the additional appropriation allowed SRRA to fill six new maintenance positions and three new trail ranger positions and to hire a new: full-time marketing director. An emergency management position has also been filled and funding was obtained for a full-time environmental engineer. He: said the vice mayor to discuss his concerns with council. 9 oft the MOU which he said he believed needed to be corrected. MOU until the language issues in the MOU are addressed. needed to reference this. found on page 41 oft the council packet. Drug Task Force address this as well. MOU. There were no additional comments or questions from council. brought back before council once those are made. and SRRA's future plans. was aj problem. range/sportsman complex in Clintwood. the environmental engineer position had been advertised. Discussing SRRA'seconomic influence on the area, Mr. Pike said the last economic impact study done in 2019 indicated that Spearhead Trails generated over $16 million in the counties Mr. Pike said SRRA commissioned Virginia Tech this past year to develop a business strategic plan for the authority. He expressed appreciation for the collaboration SRRA/Spearhead Trails has with the localities and business owners. Six recommendations that came out oft this collaboration were enhance and expand the trail network, environment sustainability, marketing, diversified revenue, community engagement and collaboration of partnership. Mr. Pike said SRRA would be actively working on these recommendations as these The SRRA government relations representative spoke briefly about SRRA's $20 three-day permit which was implemented in the summer of 2023 and how hopefully this would lead these Mr. Pike said Hurricane Helene caused al lot of devastation to SRRA's Spearhead Trail System and commended SRRA staff for the work they did to reopen the trails, acknowledging that the timing of the new positions and equipment allowed SRRA to successfully accomplish He said SRRA had acquired a sophisticated Global Positioning System (GPS) to map the trail system and would be using Wayfinding grant funding to replace most of the signage on the trail The SRRA representative also informed council that the Hatfield McCoy Trail System was Following a briefdiscussion, Mayor Fawbush thanked Mr. Pike for the update and his work The next item on the agenda was a Resolution ofthe Governing Body Authorizing a United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDARD)Loan/Grant for the Purchase The city manager said the resolution would authorize the loan/grant portion oft the city's agreement with USDARD sO city administration could move forward with the purchase ofa quick response vehicle and that an updated resolution had been placed at council members' Mr. Shupe said the resolution not only showed council's acceptance oft the 580,000/550,000 loan/grant but also authorized the city manager and director of finance to execute all the A briefo discussion followed about the grant/loan package and what the package entailed. Following a brief discussion, upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following unanimous roll call vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - None, ABSTAIN - None, council made a motion to adopt a Resolution of the Governing Body Authorizing a United State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDARD) Loan/Grant for the Purchase ofa Quick Response Vehicle, as presented, and allow the city manager and the finance director to execute all where the trail system is located. establish ai road map for SRAA to follow through 2030. individuals to become full-time annual permit holders. this. system to include Quick Response (QR) codes. Mr. Pike asked ifcouncil had any questions. getting closer to connecting with the SRRA/Spearhead trail system. with SRRA/Spearhead Trails. ofa Quick Response Vehicle. desks. documents necessary to close the loan/grant. The city manager offered to answer questions from council. Mayor Fawbush asked if council had any additional questions. associated documents. (Insert) Council consideration was also requested for a Resolution oft the Governing Body oft the City Noting that the resolution would be amended to state that city administration accepted a bid for the purchase ofa quick response vehicle on October 29, 2024, rather than October 29, 2023, as stated in the resolution in council packets, the city manager said city administration accepted bids on October 29,2024, for a one-ton, quick response vehicle and this resolution authorizes city administration to award the bid to the lowest and most responsive bidder, which was Explaining that council acceptance ofthe lowest bid being plaçed on record was ai new requirement by United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDARD), Mr. Shupe said that even though council had previously authorized city administration to follow through with the award bid, USDARD: now requires council to accept the bid on record. ofNorton awarding low bid for the purchase of a quick response vehicle. Morgan McClure Chevrolet in Coeburn, Virginia. Mayor Fawbush asked if there was any discussion by council. There was no discussion by council. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following unanimous roll call vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz, Caruso and Fawbush, NO- None, ABSENT- - None, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt al Resolution oft the Governing Body of the City ofNorton authorizing city administration to award the low bid for the purchase a quick response vehicle to Morgan McClure Chevrolet of Coeburn, Virginia. Upon ai motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Caruso, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to go into closed meeting to discuss Personnel as per Section (Insert) 2.2-3711 (A)(1)ofthe Code of Virginia, as amended. Mayor Fawbush declared council in closed meeting. unanimous vote, council moved to go back into open meeting. Mayor Fawbush declared council back in open meeting. Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by 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 Fultz, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to adopt A Resolution ofthe Certification of Closed Meeting. (Insert) In comments from the city manager: Mr. Shupe said the city's Halloween event was a big success again this year and he discussed event highlights with council. Over 80 children participated in the costume contest, there were 12 entries in the pumpkin decorating contest, and one entry for the pumpkin pie contest. Vendors and organizations handing out candy at this year's Halloween event reported that they handed out 400-500 treat bags. He estimated that over 600 children attended the event. The city manager commended Norton Parks and Recreation Rebecca Kilgore and city police, fire and Emergency Medical Services/rescue personnel for their efforts. Informing council that Lonesome Pine Regional Library Director Shannon Steffey was in the audience tonight, he said she would provide council with an update on the regional library system at one oft the December council meetings. The city manager said placed at council desks for council review was ai rendering ofNorton Fire Department's new ladder truck that worked on last week by four NFD members during their trip to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin. A larger drawing was also available for council to view. Mr. Shupe directed council to look at the larger drawing before they left and he said they could call Assistant City Manager and City Engineer Stephen McElroy ift they The city manager had also distributed flyers about an upcoming downtown Pink Friday event involving Norton's downtown small businesses. The event is set for 61 to 8 p.m., November 22, 2024, and Santa Claus is scheduled to visit Vic's Decorating. Mr. Shupe advised council that event organizers had asked city administration to close 7th Street from Park Avenue to Market Mr. Shupe discussed the following upcoming events: Holiday Storefront Decoration Contest, November 1-27, deadline to register is November 27th, the previously planned Downtown Tree Decorating Contest has been postponed to next year because the trees are scheduled for trimming; Group Hike from Legion Park to Flag Rock Overlook, November 23rd, Norton Holiday Market, 4-7 p.m., Saturday, December 7, at the Norton Expo Center with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony taking place at 6 p.m. in the municipal parking lot; and the Norton Christmas Parade, will start at 6 p.m., Sunday, December 8 with parade lineup at John I. Burton High School. Thej parade route will travel Park Avenue and end at Dairy Queen. He reminded council a city council work session on capital improvement projects was scheduled for 4 p.m., Tuesday, November 19th, in the meeting room at the High Knob Mr. Shupe wished everyone happy Thanksgiving and reminded council city offices would be closed starting at noon, Wednesday, November 27th, Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, had questions. Street for food vendors during the event. Destination Center. November 29th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The following comments were made by the city attorney: City Attorney Matthew Dotson said the three Special Commissioner's. Hearings conducted on October 30th went well and he was awaiting the Commissioner's Reports. He said once the reports were issued he would get the court to confirm the reports via an order and then the city Mr. Dotson also informed council that Mr. Shupe, Norton General Registrar Gwyn Carlton and he have been dealing with quite a few Freedom ofl Information Act (FOIA) requests involving the recent presidential election. A brief discussion followed. Following inquiry by Mayor Fawbush about if someone wanted to donate delinquent property to the city, the city attorney said this was definitely something that could be done on a would be able to sell the properties at public auction. case-by-case basis. The following comments were made by council members: Councilman Jones congratulated Vice Mayor Caruso and Councilman Fultz on their re- Councilman Salyers said the paving and striping done throughout the city look wonderful and he also congratulated Vice Mayor Caruso and Councilman Fultz on their re-election to city council. He said he was excited about the next four years and what could be accomplished. Mr. Shupe said city administration did not anticipate the striping company being in Norton election to city council. today, but the striping was finished today. Councilman Fultz congratulated Vice Mayor Caruso on his re-election to council and suggested this would be a good time for official council photos to be taken. He said it was nice Councilman Fultz reported he had 857 trick-or-treaters on Halloween and made positive comments about how nice it was to see families walking the streets and having fun on Vice Mayor Caruso asked ift the city manager had heard from the U.S. Forest Service about Councilman Caruso congratulated Councilman Fultz on his re-election and he thanked the Vice Mayor Caruso recommended that the city purchase an American flag and a Virginia Councilman Caruso inquired ifthe city administration had been ini touch with the Norton school system about al leadership meeting. He said to make sure to find out the safety issues the Outlining some things he would like to see happen in the next four years, Vice Mayor Caruso said he would like to have al housing summit, look at expanding the city'ss smail business Councilman Caruso inquired about the status ofinformation from the safety committee about the Hawthorne guardrails and he said this should be addressed as quickly as we can. He said he would like to move forward with the construction of the Flag Rock pedestrian Vice Mayor Caruso said he would like to see the city's sidewalk renewal plan move forward Assistant City Manager and City Engineer Stephen McElroy said they had started drafting several chapters, they were in town two weeks ago, and they were very pleased with the citizen input with the surveys, which was one of the highest numbers they had seen. He said they reviewed this with city administration and would be moving forward with inputting the survey information. Mr. McElroy said he anticipated they would contact city administration after the Councilman Caruso said he was glad to see that SpearheadSpearhead Trails is doing sO well, Mayor Fawbush congratulated Vice Mayor Caruso and Counçilman Fultz on their re- election. He said council is very fortunate that council members are well informed by the city manager and city attorney ifa anything happens prior to the council meeting. The mayor said he looked forward to the leadership meeting with the school system and the He voiced his pleasure about the Pinkl Friday event and said the event shows the continuation, growth and participation ofNorton's downtown businesses. for council to have matching shirts when representing the city. Halloween. providing a light briefing to council. citizens who voted for him and Councilman Fultz for another four years. flag for the meeting room at the High Knob Destination Center. school system has. The city manager said he would do: SO. incentive program, and add an infrastructure program. bridge and for that bridge to be replaced in 2025. and he asked for an update on the city'sc comprehensive plan. first oft the year to give us an update. pointing out that $5 million in state appropriations is tremendous. meeting should take place before the first of the year. Upon a motion by Councilman Caruso, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to adjourn the council meeting. CITY OF NORTON, VIRGINIA CEK Joseph Fawbush, Mayor ATTEST: of Council