Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 28, 1993                   TAG: 9304280343
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

COUNCIL TOUR LOOKS AT ANIMAL-SHELTER NEEDS

But animal-control officers said they expect business to pick up once Radford University classes end and students go their separate ways, sometimes leaving pets behind.

"You'll have cats, dogs, ferrets," said Animal Control Officer Frank Havens, who conducted the guided walk-through.

Havens and Police Chief A. C. Earles pointed out improvements needed at the shelter, which Earles has estimated will cost more than $4,100. The major work involves finishing additional dog runs and completing a cat isolation room. Earles said most of the work was required to meet state regulations.

Later, at their regular meeting, some council members expressed concern about the cost of some items on Earles' list and balked at paying the entire amount.

Councilman David Worrell's proposal to put $2,500 toward required improvements now, with the option of more money later, passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Polly Corn dissenting.

In other business, council agreed unanimously to spend $17,840 to correct storm-water runoff problems in the Allen Avenue and 17th Street area. At the last council meeting, several neighborhood residents complained about the problem in the wake of heavy rainfall.

One of them, David Morton, showed up again Monday. He said he already had complained about the rain-water ponding to Virginia Mountain Housing, which built his house. He said they denied responsibility and told him to go to City Council.

"I'm caught in between," he said.

City Engineer Jim Hurt said the project will correct most, but not all, of the flooding problems. He said some houses in the neighborhood were built on low spots and some lots were poorly graded.

"That's [under] control of the property owner, not city government," he said.

In other business, council:

Gave final approval to the city's $39.1-million budget, tax rates and manpower schedule for the 1993-94 fiscal year.

Approved a $293,900 contract to R. L. Price to expand the Radford Public Library.

Agreed to sell a surplus fire department ladder truck to a collector for $5,000.

Approved spending $1,965 to repair or replace "Welcome to Radford" signs that were vandalized or stolen.

Resolved unanimously to support an extension of Amtrak rail passenger service through Radford, Southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee.

Approved the first reading of an ordinance to lease city property at First Street and Memorial Bridge.

Scheduled a meeting for May 3 at 6 p.m. to consider the second reading of an ordinance to approve and adopt the Virginia 177 Corridor Agreement and petition for court approval.