Council Members Present: Marianna Farmer, Don Morgan, Tom Hayes, Lawrence Lewis and Lannis Greene
Creed Jones, Mayor
Tonya Triplett, Clerk
Thomas Dene, Attorney
Aaron Sizemore

Mayor Jones called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
Mr. Hayes to approve the minutes as written. 2nd by Ms. Farmer. (5-0).

Committee Reports
Street, Lights and Maintenance- Mr. Jones
Mayor Jones suggested using the public works to dig the holes for the geotechnical work at the medical clinic.

Parks and Recreation
The Trail Days Committee will be having a meeting soon to begin work on Trail Days and to get the vendor information out.

Police and Fire Advisory
The police car grant is in process.

Citizens Comments
Joe Brand addressed council about the process on new construction in the town.
James McGlamery questioned who would clean up the mess on town property.

Manager’s Report
Some additional road improvements are scheduled in Mock Hollow.
There will be a meeting with Hill Studio and Parks and Recreation on January 4, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. to review preliminary design.
Mr. Dene revised the small purchase policy for Council consideration.
Mr. Greene motioned to adopt the small purchase policy. 2nd by Mr. Lewis. (5-0).
The sewer repair update discussions with Farmer’s Construction will be conducted to discuss the work schedule for the last bid package.
Council asks Mr. Dene to revise the legal services policy and bring it back to February meeting.
In the clerk’s office there is a Mount Rogers Planning District Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for review.
Mr. Morgan motioned to approve Joe Brand for the Board of Zoning Appeals. 2nd by Mr. Greene (4-1 Ms. Farmer voting no).
Mr. Greene motioned to approve work order #9 an additional $600 fee for ATS. 2nd by Mr. Hayes (5-0).
Ms. Farmer motioned to accept the deed for the medical clinic and to authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of the town. 2nd by Mr. Hayes. (5-0).
Mr. Morgan questioned who wrote the management plan. Mr. Boian stated he had written the plan.
Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the management plan. 2nd by Mr. Greene (2-2-1 with Mr. Lewis abstaining).
Mr. Greene motioned to approve the management plan as amended to reflect Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and Aaron Sizemore the project manager. 2nd by Ms. Farmer. (4-1 Mr. Morgan no.)
Mr. Lewis motioned to approve Aaron Sizemore as the town manager and the zoning administrator. 2nd by Mr. Hayes (5-0).

Attorney’s Report
Mr. Dene has worked up two leases for the medical clinic building. The first is a lease to the Health Center Commission for $1.00 per year.
Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the lease, with the names corrected, to Damascus Health Center Commission. 2nd by Mr. Hayes. 3-0-2 Mr. Morgan and Mr. Greene abstaining).
Ms. Farmer motioned to authorize the commission to sub lease the property to Stone Mountain. 2nd by Mr. Hayes. (3-0-2 Mr. Morgan and Mr. Greene abstaining.)
Mr. Dene has received the last order back from all the parties who had to sign, and this should bring Mr. Dene’s work on the Mock Hollow project to a conclusion.

Consent Agenda
Mr. Lewis motioned to pay the bills. 2nd by Mr. Hayes. (5-0).

Council Members Reports
Mr. Hayes stated the pool needs some lights replace and also need some wiring at the park.
Mr. Morgan motioned to replace nine lights at the pool. 2nd by Mr. Greene. Mr. Hayes will bring light pricing back to council next month.

Mr. Morgan motioned to approve Tom Hayes to serve on the medical management team. 2nd by Mr. Greene. (5-0).

Mayor declared the meeting closed.
Mr. Morgan motioned to adjourn. 2nd by Mr. Hayes. (5-0).

_____________________________ ____________________________
Creed Jones, Mayor Tonya Triplett, Clerk

Special Called Meeting of Damascus Town Council
January 25, 2005 6:00pm at Town Hall

Present: Lawrence Lewis, Tom Hayes, Don Morgan, Lannis Greene, Aaron Sizemore, Town Manager, Tonya Triplett, Clerk, and Thomas Dene, Attorney
Absent: Marianna Farmer and Mayor Creed Jones

Mr. Lewis called the meeting to order.

Mr. Hayes made a motion, seconded by Mr. Morgan to appoint Maurice Parris, a resident of Damascus, to serve the remaining unexpired portion of the term of Chester Gentry on the Town Council. Passed 3-1 Aye- Hayes, Morgan and Lewis
Nay- Greene
Mr. Greene nominated John Henderson.

Mr. Hayes made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Morgan. (4-0)

_____________________________ __________________________________
Lawrence Lewis, Vice Mayor Tonya Triplett, Clerk

DAMASCUS TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2005

Special Called Meeting at 6:00.
Ms. Farmer, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Greene, Mr. Parris, Mayor Jones, Ms. Triplett and Hill Studio were present. Mr. Hill showed council a power point presentation on plans for the campground.

Regular Meeting
Council Members Present: Marianna Farmer, Don Morgan, Maurice Parris, and Lannis Greene. Mr. Lewis attended the first ten minutes of the meeting
Creed Jones, Mayor
Tonya Triplett, Clerk
Thomas Dene, Attorney
Aaron Sizemore

Mayor Jones called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
Mayor Jones questioned approving the minutes of the special meeting and does not want them approved. Mr. Dene explained that minutes are an item on the agenda, and by law, they must be taken up. He also explained approval of the minutes is a council item not an item for the Mayor to decide on.

Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the Jan. 3rd minutes as written. 2nd by Mr. Greene (3-0-1 Mr. Parris abstaining).
Mayor Jones stated that a motion is on the floor for approval of the minutes of the special called meeting of Jan. 25th.
Mr. Greene motioned to approve the minutes for the special called meeting on Jan. 25th. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (2-0-2 Ms. Farmer and Mr. Parris abstaining).

Nancy Lamb requested the council add $2,000.00 per year for the next three years for the Southwest Virginia 4-H Center.
Ms. Farmer motioned to add the $2,000.00 to the budget for the next three years for the Center. 2nd by Mr. Parris. (4-0). Mayor Jones questioned Mr. Parris’s qualification. After much discussion, Mr. Parris was allowed to vote. Mr. Morgan explained the next council might not approve the $2,000 in the future.

James Bishop with Damascus Health Commission gave a financial report for the commission.

Committee Reports

Budget, Administration and Finance- Ms. Farmer
Ms. Farmer stated there would be a budget meeting on the third Wednesday of March at 6:00pm and asks all committee chairs to turn in request by March council meeting.
Ms. Farmer motioned to send the Town Clerk to the Clerk’s Conference in Chesterfield County April 20-22. 2nd by Mr. Morgan. (4-0).

Street, Lights and Maintenance
Nothing to report

Parks and Recreation
Mr. Hayes was not present

Police and Fire Advisory
Ms. Farmer motioned to approve new police uniforms at around $250.00 per officer. 2nd by Mr. Morgan. (4-0).

Special Committees
Mayor suggested the Centennial Committee become the Tourism Committee.
Ms. Farmer motioned the Centennial Committee become the Tourism Committee. Motion fails for lack of second.
Ms. Farmer stated the second video is complete and is for sale.

Citizens Comments
Ms. Grasselli asks council to hire two employees at minimum wage to man the caboose. Mr. Morgan suggested the council hold off on that request as we are going to be $25,000 over budget in salaries already.

Bobby Smith with Damascus Volunteer Fire Department addressed council about the brick on the front of the community center at the Bayer Property.
Mr. Greene motioned the town would pay up to $10,000.00. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (3-0-1 Mr. Parris abstained).

John Henderson asks the mayor to work for unity to come about for us to start working for our projects in a professional manner. It would be advantageous for our town to have a better unity between the mayor and all council members. Mr. Henderson is not in favor of the campground at the Bayer Property and ask council to look past one or two years. What will it do to the budget in the future? How will we patrol it? How will we keep the maintenance up? There are a lot of things not being done already and should not take on more if we can’t take care of what we already have.
Mr. Henderson requested crowd control during Trail Days.

Sharon Arnold of 125 Laurel Avenue spoke of the shady things that went on with the Bayer Property when Mr. Parris was Mayor. She believes the town people spoke when he was voted out. She does not understand why the write in was not considered instead of bringing in someone the town voted out.

Wade Farmer stated the called meeting was a disgrace to Mr. Gentry. Mr. Farmer does not have a problem with Mr. Parris and think he will do a good job but thinks the meeting was a disgrace to council.

Bob Fritz asks how many police officers are working for the town. There was a fender bender at the Baptist Church. No town officer was on duty, they had to wait for a state trooper.
Officer Eades stated we have one officer in training and they are trying to cover the town with three officers.

Manager’s Report
Mr. Sizemore informed council the grading and road work in Mock Hollow is complete and that will end the project for the year.
The master plan for the campground at the Bayer Property is complete and Hill Studio was here earlier in the evening the review the plan.
Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the master plan. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the encroachment of the existing parking lot on the Creeper Trail. 2nd by Mr. Parris. (4-0).
Board of Zoning Appeals will have a public hearing on February 23 to discuss side yard variance, parking variance and Creeper Trial variance.

After much discussion Ms. Farmer motioned to approve the master plan for the campground. Motion failed for lack of a second.

Mr. Sizemore explains you do not have to have a master plan to move forward with the grant.
Ms. Farmer motioned for the town manager to move forward with the grant for the campground. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (3-1 Mr. Greene voting no).

Mr. Sizemore explained the transportation resolution to council.
Mr. Parris motioned to adopt the transportation resolution. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (3-1 Mr. Greene voting no).

Attorney’s Report
Mr. Dene gave council a copy of the legal services and asked them to review it. Mr. Dene requested closed session for discussion of Ralph Smith case.

New Business
Ms. Farmer spoke about the Experience Works Program Senior Workers. They request $300 or more. Mr. Greene motioned to table the request until we have more information. Motion failed for lack of a second.

Ms. Farmer motioned to approve printing more Damascus brochures, for now 2,500 printed and have the intern work on revisions and have the rest printed later. Mr. Parris (4-0).

Consent Agenda
Mr. Parris motioned to pay the bills. 2nd by Ms. Farmer (4-0).

Mayor entertained a motion for closed session for 2.2-3711 A7 to discuss the Ralph Smith Case. 2.2 –3711 A 1 Personnel to discuss police, maintenance and administration.

___________________________________ _____________________________________
Creed Jones, Mayor Tonya Triplett, Clerk

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Parris and 2nd by Mr. Greene to go out of closed session. (4-0).

A motion to certify was made by Mr. Greene and 2nd by Mr. Parris. (4-0).

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Greene and 2nd by Mr. Morgan. (4-0).

DAMASCUS TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES FOR MARCH 7, 2005

Council Members Present: Marianna Farmer, Don Morgan, Tom Hayes, Lawrence Lewis, Maurice Parris and Lannis Greene
Creed Jones, Mayor
Tonya Triplett, Clerk
Thomas Dene, Attorney
Aaron Sizemore, Town Manager

Mayor Jones called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
Mrs. Farmer stated under citizens comments there were several citizens comments and at least two of them are almost word for word. However, the comment by Mrs. Arnold and Mr. Farmer is vaguely stated. She asks the minutes reflect more detail.
Mr. Greene motioned to table the approval of the minutes until next month. 2nd by Mrs. Farmer (5-0-1 Mr. Hayes abstained)

Linda Brown from Damascus Branch of Washington County Library asks council to pass the resolution, supporting the expansion of the Library and to contribute $500 toward the cost of the facility study.
Mr. Lewis motioned to pass the resolution supporting the expansion. 2nd by Mrs. Farmer (6-0)
Mr. Hayes motioned to contribute the $500 to the Damascus Library. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (6-0)

Committee Reports

Budget, Finance and Administration – Mrs. Farmer
Budget meeting scheduled for March 16 at 6:00pm, please submit request by then.
Mrs. Farmer motioned to purchase a DOT Matrix printer for treasurer’s office at a cost of $515 plus setup cost. 2nd by Mr. Parris (6-0)
Mayor suggested changing the locks on the clerk and treasurer offices.
Mrs. Farmer motioned to get a cost estimate on changing the locks and bring it before council. 2n by Mr. Greene (6-0)

Street, Lights and Maintenance- Mr. Parris
Mr. Parris reported three trees on Third Street needs attention. Dale Adams gave an estimate to remove one and other two down. However, if the public works department helps the cost would be less.
Mr. Parris motioned to have Mr. Adams do the work at a cost of $200 to the town, with help from the public works department. 2nd by Mr. Hayes (6-0)
The town is working with VDOT on the water problem on Commerce Street.
Mayor suggested asking the owner to clean up the lot across the street from Backer Park.
Sewer, Water and Sanitation – Mr. Greene
The leak at the Old Mill has been repaired and the plant is monitoring the in flow to the plant and it has reduced tremendously.
Mayor received a complaint about a septic problem on 5th street. The sewer department has looked at it is not hooked to the sewer.

Parks and Recreation
The Trail Days is going good and the information for the brochure has been taken to the printers.
Mr. Hayes motioned to replaced lights, paint and purchase a cleaning system for the pool and to advertise for a pool manager. 2nd by Mr. Parris (6-0)

Police and Fire Advisory
The county gave us a 2000 crown vic. And it is being equipped for a police car. The surplus vehicles are being put out for sealed bids.
Mrs. Farmer motioned to purchase one or two used police edition cars at this time at a cost of $14,000. 2nd by Mr. Parris. (6-0)
The committee suggests hiring another police officer. Mrs. Farmer requested closed session to discuss this.
Mrs. Farmer motioned to adopt the general operating procedures from DCJS. 2nd by Mr. Greene (6-0)
Mrs. Farmer motioned to approve the committee to get pricing for a safe for evidence and firearms storage. 2nd by Mr. Greene (6-0)
Mrs. Farmer motioned to get pricing for new firearm for the police department. 2nd by Mr. Greene (6-0)

Special Committees
Renewal fees for advertising on the website are coming in and the Adam Committee is looking at expanding the website. Possibly doing a web cam.
Mayor Jones has a letter from Joe Johnson and he wants to present us with a resolution about the Christmas tree and centennial.
Mayor Jones went to the ARC meeting and is looking for money for the tele medicine for the clinic.

Citizens Comments
Shirley Brand addressed council on the digging and gravel work on Commerce Street made the problem worse. She stated after the work was done, Friday Night there was water and mud in the road.

Eleanor Grasselli questioned the council’s decision on manning the Caboose. Mrs. Grasselli also stated if parking was permitted along the fence at the Bayer Property at least 50 more cars could park there.

Johnny Blevins asks council to be sterner on resolutions. He is concerned about the town giving the Library money when the Town of Abingdon does not give to the Library in Abingdon. Mr. Blevins questioned the status on the Beaver Dam Creek Trail. He said there has been concrete, and wood being thrown on town property behind the shelter.

Sharon Arnold stated when Bill Harr moved out of town and Mrs. Farmer was the next one in line for in his position. She would like to know why the write in was not considered for the vacant position. She feels as a taxpayer she deserves to know.

Manager’s Report
Mr. Sizemore stated the application for the Creeper Trail Campground tobacco grant did not require a master plan and it has been sent in. If council wants to change the plan they can.
The sewer repair project is almost complete, just some paving and the two river crossings remain.
Board of Zoning Appeals meeting and public hearing was held at 6:30 on February 23 for the medical clinic expansion project. All the variances were passed.
The revised legal services policy was given to council last month for the council to review.
Mr. Greene motioned to approve the legal services policy. 2nd by Mr. Morgan (6-0).
There was a public hearing for the Rural Development grant for police cars and public works garage.
The Mock Hollow Project will close on March 15, 2005.

Attorneys Report – Mr. Dene
Mr. Dene stated the appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals is complete and that should being the board back to full membership.
Mr. Dene has received the final order from the Mock Hollow condemnation cases. Mr. Dene will be closing his file and sending a final report to the Board of Supervisors. There are three cases in which there is money in the clerk’s account, representing the fair market value of the property. The other three did not show up and the money will remain in the clerk’s office for a minimum of two years after that time it will be turned over to the Treasurer of Virginia.

Old Business
Mr. Hayes stated he and Mr. Fritts had been looking at upgrading the electrical at the town park and would be purchasing wire and breakers.

New Business
Mrs. Farmer questioned plans for an Easter Egg Hunt. There is a group who would like to do a egg hunt.
Mrs. Farmer motioned to move ahead with the egg hunt 2nd by Mr. Greene (6-0).
The same group of citizens would like to do some beautification projects in town. The flowerbed at the park and the signs coming into town and the barrels around town are some of the things they want to do. Mr. Greene suggested public works helping with the project.
Mr. Hayes motioned contribute $500 to be taken out of Parks and Recreation for plants or materials 2nd by Mr.Parris (6-0)
This group is also looking at doing some repair work on the engine in the park.
Mayor Jones has attended a meeting and Steve Galyen would like for us to help out with the Jamestown 400th birthday in 2007.

Consent Agenda
Mr. Hayes motioned to pay the bills 2nd by Mr. Lewis. (6-0).

Mrs. Farmer stated there are some good volunteers working on the projects, but if anyone else is interested in joining please do so.

Mrs. Farmer motioned for closed session for 2.2-3711A1 for discussion for Mr. Turner’s assignment and prospective candidates for employment 2nd by Mr. Hayes (6-0)

_____________________________ ____________________________
Creed Jones, Mayor Tonya Triplett, Clerk

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Morgan and 2nd by Mr. Hayes to go out of closed session. (6-0).

A motion to certify was made by Mr. Parris and 2nd by Mr. Morgan. (6-0).

A motion was made by Mrs. Farmer and 2nd by Mr. Parris to hire Steven McVey as a permanent part-time police officer at $7.00 per hour (6-0)

A motion was made by Mrs. Farmer and 2nd by Mr. Parris to hire John Rouse as a part-time police officer at $7.00 per hour (6-0)

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Hayes and 2nd by Mr. Parris. (6-0).