Town of Shenandoah, Virginia 22849

1)      Reviewed Capital Improvement Projects letter from Planning Commission Chairman I. Michael Lowe. Discussed adding several items to list, including the replacement of aging computers at the Computer Center.  Funding of these items will be addressed during the upcoming budget workshops.  Also, discussed retaining the services of a municipal financial planner to develop long-term plan.

2)      Approved $1,100 for Ricoh printer for the Computer Center.  This will replace the Xerox printer that is broken beyond repair.

3)      Tabled a request to purchase flags for Memorial Day.  Would like to see alternatives for the small flags that are handed out during the parade, perhaps the small cloth ones.   

4)      Approved the proclamation request from Access Independence, Inc. to observe “disAbility Awareness Week” April 14 through 20, 2012, pending the correction of the date of the resolution.

5)      Approved a request from Gary Patterson to hold three “Business Internet Workshops” at the Shenandoah Computer Center.  The free seminars will be held 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. on April 14, July 14 and October 20, 2012.  More information may be obtained by calling 540-652-8773. 

6)      Received the January 2012 Town Vehicle Gasoline Log for review. 

7)      Received information from Page Valley Cycling regarding the Shenandoah Time Trial to be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 and will feature Wounded Warriors as well as being designated the Virginia senior state championship.  Town employees and the police department will again be stationed throughout the Town to ensure everyone’s safety. This event was a huge success last year and the Town is pleased to host it again this year.

8)      Received a thank you letter from Page Youth Football League for the Town’s donation and a request for the Town’s support next year.

9)      Received a request from Valley Health to sponsor their annual golf tournament on May 16, 2012.  Council noted this in not in the budget for donations and has not been done in the past. 

10)  Received a letter and information from VHDA regarding tax credits for the owner of Autumn Ridge Apartments. This was an informational letter only and no action is required by the Town.

11)  Received a copy of a hand-out from Shenandoah Baked Goods.  Someone representing the business has been taking the cards and samples of their bread around to local businesses to see if there is enough interest to have the bakery open on a daily basis.  At the present time, most of their bread is being sold at other locations or being shipped overseas.

12)  Received Thank You notes from the family of Mr. Oscar Warren, Page One for the Town’s donation, the Shenandoah Community Library for the Town’s donation and the Shenandoah Lions Club for the Town’s support of their Christmas Cheer boxes.

13)  Received a Thank You from Choices for the Town’s donation as well as an information packet on the support services they provide the community.  A donation to Choices for the next fiscal year.will be considered at the upcoming budget workshops.

14)  Received a Petition signed by six residents regarding three properties in Town in need of repair.  It was noted there were some issues with the petition and it will need to be returned for corrections.  It was also noted the Council is aware of these issues and has been working with the owners for several years to get them resolved.   

15)  Heard the Town public works department repaired several water leaks and had a number of sewer issues in recent weeks, including the replacement of 200 feet of sewer line in Miller addition that turned into a 5-day job, but should resolve issues in that area of Town. It was noted by Town Manager Dovel that the purchase of the Ditch Witch was a wise investment which continues to save the crew time and money on these projects.

16)   Heard the Town will be receiving a request from Kirk Comer from Page Valley Community Tennis Association asking for a concrete pad to be poured for a storage building at the tennis courts.  This is in the budget for maintaining the tennis courts.

17)  Heard there are no issues with VDOT’s right-of way if the batting cage is expanded.

18)  Requested the Police Department monitor an area in Town where excess speed has become an issue, especially during the early morning hours.

19)  Heard several Council members met with a business owner who has been the target of several break-ins recently and reported the owner has no issues with the Town or with the Police protection.  Also heard several residents have asked if Police would go door-to-door to warn residents of recent break-ins.  Council decided the Town newsletter is the best format and requested a reminder to keep doors locked and other safety precautions be included in the next newsletter. 

20)  Authorized a community enhancement award for February 2012, which will be presented at the next Council meeting.  Juanita Roudabush will write a letter to the recipient and draft a memo to Letter Perfect.

21)  Received the December 2011 and January 2012 budgets for review. Councilman Pierce had a question on the Utility Tax line item and will ask the Town treasurer for the reason the actual year to date amount is so much higher than the budgeted amount.

22)   Parks & Recreation News:  Denied request to close the batting cage to the public for use by Shenandoah Rec League for 5 weeks; Heard 22 key cards have been sold for access to batting cage ($660); Approved expansion of the batting cage; Heard three grills have been ordered for use at River Park and Big Gem; Heard the next phase of work to improve drainage in Big Gem will begin as soon as weather permits; Heard both Christmas trees planted by Town have died and a professional landscaper will be used to plant the new trees; Heard Page County high school seniors are volunteering time at Big Gem as a requirement for community service hours needed for graduation; Heard sign at Big Gem is being used to advertise local businesses when it is not in use for Town events.  Will discuss charging for this and use of the gazebo at the upcoming budget workshops.

23)  Requested Town Manager Dovel meet with Mrs. Pierce at the Veterans Memorial Park to stake off the area for the gazebo and have the concrete pad for it poured at the same time the one is poured at the tennis court.

24)  Heard there is a potential buyer for the building where Genie is located.

25)  Heard the Page County transit is no longer in service.

26)  Heard the Town of Stanley is looking into providing garbage collection themselves and eliminating their refuse service.  The Town Council has explored this in the past and it is not cost effective for the Town, with the cost of the truck, maintenance and additional employees that would be needed.

27)  Heard there are issues with well pump at the Twelfth Street well. It is being repaired and should still be under warranty.  If not, it will be turned over to our insurance company.  This is an ongoing issue possibly caused by frequent power surges.  Also heard the parts to possibly repair the actuator at the sewer plant have finally been received and will be installed next week.  If this does not fix the problem the parts can be returned.