Council for the City of Waynesboro, Virginia, Held a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 10, 2003, at 7:00 P.M
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FIRST DRAFT 03/10/03 Council for the City of Waynesboro, Virginia, held a regular meeting on Monday, March 10, 2003, at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia, with Mayor Charles L. Ricketts III presiding and calling the meeting to order: PRESENT: Council Members: Charles L. Ricketts III, Esq., Mayor R. Jack Higgs, Vice Mayor Nancy M. Dowdy, Councilwoman Reo B. Hatfield, Councilman Thomas W. Reynolds, Councilman Planning Commission Members: Harold B. Stepp, Acting Chairman Harry Colman Pamela E. Reynolds (Reo B. Hatfield, Councilman) Staff: Douglas C. Walker, City Manager Michael G. Hamp II, Assistant City Manager J. B. Yount III, Esq., City Attorney Bonnie S. Hamby, Clerk of Council ********** MAYOR'S OPENING REMARKS: Mayor Ricketts welcomed all in attendance and asked that they stand and join in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Ricketts asked if there were any high school (or other) students present and asked that if there were that they all please stand, give their name and where they go to school. Mayor Ricketts stated that if anyone present had matters to bring to Council that were not items on the agenda, there would be an opportunity for them to do so at item #11 on the agenda. Mayor Ricketts stated that he had received a message from Mr. Hatfield who had been contacted by Scott Rogers of the Waynesboro Post Office who complimented the Department of Public Works for the excellent job of snow removal during the recent storms. He stated that Mr. Rogers is in charge of the letter carriers who deliver door-to-door mail. He commended those involved in the snow removal process and stated how proud Council was of the many compliments received. Mayor Ricketts stated also that a letter of commendation regarding snow removal was also received from Dr. Robin G. Crowder, Assistant Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools. He read that letter aloud as follows: 1 FIRST DRAFT 03/10/03 March 6, 2003 Mr. Charles L. Ricketts Ill, Esquire, Mayor City of Waynesboro P.O. Box 1028 Waynesboro, Virginia 22980 Dear Mayor Ricketts: Over the last several weeks our community has experienced an unusual amount of snowfall. Not only has the snowfall disrupted our community, but also has played havoc on the operations of our schools. I am sure you recognize how complex it can be to determine if we can open our schools and get our buses on the road for the children of Waynesboro. This letter is to acknowledge the wonderful partnership we have developed with the Waynesboro Public Works Department and the Waynesboro Police Department. Over the last several weeks, we have contacted Mr. Pete Fitzgerald and Mr. Terry Ellison in the Public Works Department to share concerns about icy or snowy roads on which our buses have to travel. These two gentlemen have gone beyond the call of duty to be responsive and assist the school division in providing safe passage for our buses throughout the community during this difficult time. I also want to recognize Police Chief Phil Broadfoot and his department for their ongoing support of our students. Chief Broadfoot has provided additional visibility and patrols of our schools throughout this period of inclement weather. The school division works very hard to have schools ready and parking lots cleared, but it is often difficult for us to provide that same support for the route children walk. His staff has provided direction and guidance for our children as they are walking to and from school. The Waynesboro Police Department is to be commended for their help. While trying to make difficult decisions about opening school, the partnership with these two departments certainly adds confidence when we open school. It is with sincere appreciation that we bring to your attention to these individuals for their help and support of the Waynesboro Public Schools. Sincerely, Robin G. Crowder Assistant Superintendent cc: Doug Walker, City Manager School Board Members Mayor Ricketts stated that another letter had been received commending City employee Mr. Bert Smith, husband of School Board Member Lorie Smith, for his efforts in assisting Adelphia Cable with a project in Waynesboro. He read aloud the following letter: 2 FIRST DRAFT 03/10/03 February 21, 2003 City Managers Office P.O. Box 1028 Waynesboro, VA 22980 Mr. Doug Walker: Over the past month, I have had the pleasure of working with one of your employees, Bert Smith. You have a good employee and he was enjoyable to work with. We had to remove street lights on North Delphine Avenue to get our fiber optic cable lines over top of the street lights, and Bert really went all out to help and accommodate us. Thanks very much to the City of Waynesboro and Bert Smith for working with us on this project. Sincerely, Joe A. Minter Lead Tech. Projects Adelphia Council recognized the value Bert Smith adds to the City’s organization and commended him for his dedication to Waynesboro. Mr. Hatfield read aloud the following letter that had been sent to Waynesboro Police Officer Jesse Shaver: March 6, 2003 Officer Jessie H. Shaver Waynesboro Police Department P.O. Box 1028 Waynesboro, VA 22980 Dear Jessie, I want to thank you for taking the time and initiative while teaching the February monthly training to note suggested changes to the five General Orders pertaining to firearms and use of force. Your suggestions, coupled with some changes that Captain Oliver initiated, will certainly improve the quality and clarity of these orders. Ultimately, they will provide the officers with an order that is easier to read and thus creates less doubt when that split-second decision has to be made on the street. I hope everyone can appreciate that the department only improves when we 3 FIRST DRAFT 03/10/03 all work together and that your example of individual effort on behalf of the team is exactly what it takes to find a "better way". Again, thanks and good work. Sincerely yours, Reo B. Hatfield City Councilman cc: Chief Broadfoot Lt. Martin Mr. Hatfield commended the Police Reserve officers and noted the valuable service that they provide to the City. Vice Mayor Higgs stated that he was fortunate to have attended one of the performances of Oliver at Waynesboro High School over the past weekend. He stated the students gave an excellent performance and should be commended for the excellent quality of family entertainment that they provided. He noted also that his grandson, Joshua Osteen, portrayed the part of Oliver. Mr. Reynolds stated that he had been fortunate to attend a band festival with the cadets of Fishburne Military School over the weekend. He stated that the college was short a few band members and he had the opportunity to fill in and play bass in the jazz band. ********** RESOLUTION HONORING EAGLE SCOUT JUSTIN CHARLES TYREE: Mayor Ricketts stated that Council was honored this date to have among them an outstanding young man from Waynesboro who had recently been awarded the prestigious title of Eagle Scout. He read aloud the following resolution: RESOLUTION WHEREAS , Justin Charles Tyree of Waynesboro, Virginia, son of Harold and Glenda Tyree and a senior at Waynesboro High School, has earned the honor of Eagle Scout which will be officially accorded him on Saturday, March 8, 2003, in a ceremony at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Waynesboro; and WHEREAS , in recognition of the special qualities of honor, loyalty, courage, cheer, and service that every Eagle Scout must possess and that are exemplified in this most worthy young man, his City desires to add its tribute to others who are here to laud him for his excellence and accomplishments; and WHEREAS , the Council of the City of Waynesboro, Virginia, desires to express its hearty congratulations, on behalf of all citizens of Waynesboro, to Mr. Tyree, his family, his 4 FIRST DRAFT 03/10/03 scoutmaster, Mr. Tom Teerlink, and his fellow members of Boy Scout Troop #47 and the said sponsoring church; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Waynesboro, Virginia, that Saturday, March 8, 2003, be hereby designated as EAGLE SCOUT JUSTIN CHARLES TYREE DAY IN WAYNESBORO in special individual honor of this outstanding young member of our community as he receives this significant and singular honor. Mr. Reynolds moved adoption of the foregoing resolution. Seconded by Mr. Higgs, the motion carried and the resolution was adopted on the unanimous affirmative votes of Council members Dowdy, Hatfield, Higgs, Reynolds and Ricketts. Mayor Ricketts presented the resolution to Mr. Tyree and he was congratulated by Council and staff. Mayor Ricketts also presented to Mr. Tyree a commendation from Virginia’s Governor Mark Warner on his behalf, noting that it had been signed by Governor Warner and the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Mr. Harry Colman, Planning Commissioner, stated that Mr. Tyree’s Eagle Scout project was planters at the Adult Daily Living Center. He stated that the residents there are enjoying the fruits of Mr. Tyree’s labor. ********** APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Higgs moved that the minutes of Council’s last regular meeting as held on Monday, February 24, 2003, be approved as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hatfield, the motion carried on the unanimous affirmative votes of Council members Dowdy, Hatfield, Higgs, Reynolds and Ricketts. ********** JOINT PUBLIC HEARING/REQUEST OF ARTHUR W. HARRISON, JR., FOR COMMONWEALTH INVESTORS, LC/REZONING: Mayor Ricketts stated that this was the date and time set and advertised to hold a Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission to consider the request of Arthur W.