Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407140071
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By LEIGH ANNE LARANCE CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Council members approved drafting an ordinance to create an advisory group that would manage the annual Cleanin' 'n' Greenin' cleanup and operate year-round to develop and improve waste reduction, recycling and litter control through education and cleanups. The commission also would advise the city on environmental legislation and related issues. Council still must refine the mission of the group and name representatives.
The proposed commission is the outgrowth of the four-member advisory committee that planned the city's most recent Cleanin' 'n' Greenin'.
Council also adopted the city's revised Emergency Operations Plan. City Manager Robert Asbury said this winter's ice storms put the plan to the test. "We realized not everyone had the same cookbook, or realized what others were doing," he said, and revisions were made. More than 50 copies of the plan are distributed to individuals, legislators, city officials and various governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
In other business, council:
Appropriated a $65,854 grant from the Virginia State Library and Archives. The figure marks a $2,375 increase from the previous fiscal year. The library intends to spend $4,800 on computer services, $3,000 on supplies, $12,000 on furniture and other equipment, and $46,054 on books and subscriptions.
Delayed until its July 25 meeting action on a request for $2,920 to cover Local Emergency Planning Committee's operating costs.
Noted that Lynn Chenault, New River Valley Community Services Board executive director, was invited to the July 25 council meeting to answer questions about the board's decision to terminate jobs of 10 disabled workers at the New River Valley Workshop - a decision that has drawn criticism from some workers' parents and others in the community.
Approved 4-1 drafting a $2,090 appropriation request for DiscoveryWorks children's museum. The council this spring pledged $5,000 in matching funds in order for the museum to qualify for a state grant. That grant fell short, and council voted July 3 to appropriate the matching amount but delayed action on the $2,090 difference. Councilman David Worrell opposed the move. "I really have a problem with agreeing to match funds and giving the balance" when the granting agency falls short, he said.
Councilman Bob Nicholson disagreed. "I think we are pinching pennies so much that projects like this get put on the back burner and disappear," he said. "I think we need to go ahead and invest in our communities. Otherwise we'll find ourselves driving to Roanoke, Radford, Richmond, Charlottesville or even Washington for this kind of program."
The council will hold a work session at 6:15 p.m. July 25 to discuss collection of past-due tax bills.
by CNB