Invocation was given by Richard Erskine.
The Pledge of Allegiance
The regular Town Council meeting of Thursday, May 26, 2022 was called to order by Mayor Unroe at 7:02 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Charles W. Unroe; Vice Mayor Council Member Richard Erskine, Council Members Debbie Harris, Jennifer Tyree, Kawahna Persinger, Roberta Paradise, Gary Craig; Town Attorney Jared Jenkins and Town Clerk/Treasurer Wendy Biggs. Also present were Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and his granddaughter Tammy, W.L. Armstrong, Deputy Ricky Bates, Ray Allen with the Virginian Review and Jerry Clark with the Alleghany Journal.
Mayor Unroe opened the Public Hearing for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, which includes a proposed increase in the sewer rates and a proposed increase in the cigarette tax stamp rate. A copy of the proposed budget was given to each Councilmember in their packet. Mayor Unroe stated that as this budget is presented to everyone tonight, he needs to make sure that the residents understand that this is the worst budget that Iron Gate has ever had. The General Fund proposed budget is $136,798.00 and the Utility Fund proposed budget is $270,685.00. The proposed increase in tax for cigarette stamps will be going from $.10 per pack to $.20 per pack, back to what it was a year ago. The proposed sewer rate increase will go up $7.25 more per household per 4,000 gallons. It is important to note that for the third year in a row, our employees are not getting a pay raise and the cost of the health insurance has increased significantly this year- up 11%. Mayor Unroe vehemently explained that the sewer rate increase this year is NO WHERE near a break even number with what our sewer treatment costs are every month. Thus fiscal year, which ends June 30th, we are paying Alleghany County $14,518.13 per month for sewer treatment costs- that is our monthly budgeted amount. The increase for the next fiscal year will go up to $16,813.88, a roughly $2300.00 increase per month. If you do the basic math on that and divide out $2300.00 by the number of sewer customers we have, it comes out to about $19.98 increase per household. We have been able to use some of our water profit over the last several years to help pay for the increase in sewer costs. This IS the LAST year that we can do that; after this year we will have used up all of the profit from the water that we have available. Next year when the budget comes around, residents will likely be facing an increase on both sides- water and sewer. Alleghany County manages the wastewater treatment plant on Fork Farm and they have a contract with ESS Services to manage that plant. Alleghany County pays $1,045,166.47 per year for that contract with ESS and Mayor Unroe has asked the County to really examine that contract and to question why we’re paying that enormous amount of money. Alleghany County has assured Mayor Unroe that they are reviewing this contract and that they will get back to us. Mayor Unroe continued to explain that he wants everyone to understand that we are advocating on their behalf to try and get some relief on these charges. Having said all of that, Mayor Unroe stated that we were ready to present a $13.00 per household increase on the sewer rate and Mrs. Biggs was able to look at the figures again and she found that we were able to raise rates by $7.00 per household just to make ends meet. Once again, Mayor Unroe needs everyone to understand that by no means does this smaller rate increase mean that we are covering all of our sewer treatment costs. We are also facing a contract renewal with Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) for the management of the old Petrus System that they took over in Botetourt County, as well as the sewer conveyance agreement for the sewage that we let me convey through our system from those same customers. We are currently working under a contract that was signed in 1982 and it will come due for renewal shortly. There is no real estate, property tax or water or garbage rate increases this year. Mayor Unroe then asked of anyone on Council would like to make a comment before it was opened to the floor for discussion, comments and questions. Councilperson Tyree commented that enough should be enough, but it doesn’t seem so. She is not satisfied with this budget and nobody else on Council should be satisfied with it, either, and that’s including the citizens. We have one of the highest utility bills in the State of Virginia and it’s outrageous. Councilperson Tyree stated also that our representatives on the Board of Supervisors should be made aware of the situation and what the high sewer rates are doing to Iron Gate. She continued to state that these high rates are a lot for a Town to bear with less than 400 residents, most of whom are on a fixed income. We must not let this challenge overcome and we need to rise to the occasion and find a solution before the Town is no more. Councilperson Harris noted that she agreed with Councilperson Tyree and that these figures are crippling and crushing to a small locality. Councilperson Persinger stated that she saw in the most recent newspaper that the Board of Supervisors will be holding a Public Hearing on June 7th at 7:00pm at the Board Room in the Government Complex. In their Notice to the Public, the County has the rate for Clifton Forge listed at $3.69/1,000 gallons and Iron Gate listed as $16,810.00 per month. Councilperson Persinger believes that there’s a mistake in the figures somewhere to have that much money coming out of a Town as small as Iron Gate, which will not survive those figures forever. Mayor Unroe then noted that Iron Gate’s bulk rate is somewhere around $2.72/1,000 gallons. Councilperson Craig commented that we need to find relief somewhere and that Mayor Unroe and Mrs. Biggs have tried to find a way for several months, but we have to do something. Iron Gate will not survive figures like this, but we can’t stop fighting either. Mayor Unroe reminded everyone that every one of the statements made by Council have also been made to the “powers that be at Alleghany County”. Mayor Unroe has had two (2) meetings with them about the rates and we’re waiting to hear back from T & L about the possibility of using our second stipend of ARPA funds. We’re hoping that by using what we have left over from the first stipend and adding the second stipend to it that we can come up with some matching grant funds to work on some of the worst parts of the sewer system. If we can, that may be enough to bridge the gap and see some reduction in our costs and use those savings to help with future repairs. Currently, the sewer charges are crippling us and when you are hoping to budget for one amount, but end up paying 4 to 5 times the amount for sewer treatment costs as compared to fresh water costs, you are in a bind. We do not qualify for any loans or grants unless we can use some of the ARPA funds to help us out of the situation we’re in. This is the budget as presented and Mayor Unroe then asked of there were any questions from the floor; there were none. Mayor Unroe thanked the Budget/Finance Committee for all of their hard work. With no further questions or comments on the proposed budget for FY 2022-2023 or on any of the proposed increases on the sewer rate or the cigarette tax stamps, Mayor Unroe asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing. Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine made the motion to close the Public Hearing on the proposed budget for FY 2022-2023 and on the proposed increases in the cigarette tax stamps and the sewer rate. Councilperson Craig second the motion. Mayor Unroe then asked for all of those in favor to say “I”; all six (6) Councilmembers stated “I”.
Mayor Unroe, announcing that we would then go into the regularly scheduled meeting for May 26, 2022, asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 and the work session that was held on May 16, 2022. Mayor Unroe asked if there were any corrections to be made; there were none. However, Councilperson Craig questioned why we were paying $75.00 per month for website maintenance when it has not been updated for at least four (4) months. Mrs. Biggs noted that it had been updated with Ordinances recently and Councilperson Craig replied that he did not notice that. It was then explained by Mrs. Biggs and Mayor Unroe that he possibly had the incorrect website. Last year the domain for the original website for the Town of Iron Gate had been closed and a new one had been opened. Councilperson Craig asked what that new website address was and Mrs. Biggs stated that she would get it after the meeting for everyone. Mayor Unroe then asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the meetings as presented. A motion was made by Councilperson Craig to approve those minutes as presented and second by Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine. With no further questions or comments, Mayor Unroe asked for all of those in favor of approving the minutes as recorded to say “I”. All six (6) Councilmembers stated “I”.
Mayor Unroe commented that there was one new bill to be added since the packets were prepared. The bill is to Clifton Tire & Auto for 4 new tires including spin and balancing; a front end alignment; an oil change and state inspection in the amount of $857.30. Mayor Unroe then asked for a motion to approve the receipts, disbursements, payment of the bills. A motion was made by Councilperson Craig to pay the bills as presented and second by Councilperson Persinger. Mayor Unroe then asked if there were any questions or comments about the bills; there were none. A roll call vote was taken:
Debbie Harris- Yes
Jennifer Tyree- Yes
Kawahna Persinger- Yes
Roberta Paradise- Yes
Gary Craig- Yes
Richard Erskine- Yes
The motion was carried and approved.
Mayor’s Report:
While the budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 has been presented, we will continue to work on it throughout the year to try and make things better for the residents.
Mayor Unroe noted that there is a construction barrel at the corner of 8th and Market Avenue. A few weeks ago there was an accident there and the fire hydrant was knocked over and therefore taken out. Mrs. Biggs is in the process of getting the information of who was in the accident so that the responsible party can pay for the new hydrant.
The River Park is now open and we have already had our first problem of the season. According to Mrs. Walker, who Mayor Unroe will meet with later, there were several people who were not staying on the Town portion of the property. It is important that everyone enjoy the resource that we have and we ask that people please stay on Town property and be respectful of those who live out there. The Town has installed signage as to where their boundaries are and we hope that everyone will try their best to stay within those guidelines. We can also see the other side of how those residents feel and how you would feel if you lived over there and there seemed to be no regard for your property. We all need to respect each other and enjoy the beautiful setting we have over there.
Committee Reports:
There were no other reports.
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
Iron Gate Parks & Recreation received their yearly grant funds from Alleghany County about thirty days ago. Each year the Iron Gate Parks & Recreation apply for funding from the County and once we receive the funds, we need to hold them for thirty days. A vote will be taken under New Business for Mrs. Biggs to disburse those funds once that time period is up. Councilperson Persinger questioned when the Parks & Recreation would hold their next meeting and Mayor Unroe asked Mrs. Biggs to schedule a meeting.
With no other Old Business to be discussed, Mayor Unroe moved into New Business.
New Business:
Mayor Unroe stated that since we just discussed the grant funds for the Iron Gate Parks & Recreation, we should go ahead and vote on it. Mayor Unroe then asked for a motion for Mrs. Biggs to disburse the funds for the Iron Gate Parks & Recreation that were received from Alleghany County in the amount of $2,000, once the thirty day period is done. Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine then made a motion for Mrs. Biggs to disburse the $2,000 in grant funds from Alleghany County to the Iron Gate Parks & Recreation once the thirty days expired. Councilperson Persinger second the motion. With no other comments or discussion, a roll call vote was taken:
Debbie Harris- Yes
Jennifer Tyree- Yes
Kawahna Persinger- Yes
Roberta Paradise- Yes
Gary Craig- Yes
Richard Erskine- Yes
The motion was carried and approved unanimously.
There is a request for an extension for a resident who has a current financial hardship to pay their utility bill on or by the close of business on June 6, 2022. Mayor Unroe then asked for a motion to approve the extension as requested. Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine made the motion to approve the extension as requested. Councilperson Craig second the motion. A roll call vote was then taken:
Debbie Harris- Yes
Jennifer Tyree- Yes
Kawahna Persinger- Yes
Roberta Paradise- Yes
Gary Craig- Yes
Richard Erskine- Yes
The motion was carried and approved unanimously.
There is also a request for an adjustment on a utility bill due to a leak in the cutoff valve in the line that goes to the tank. It has now been repaired and the credit would be towards the sewer portion of the bill. Typically a credit is given on the sewer portion of the bill as long as the leak does not go into the sewer system, as the Ordinance states. Mayor Unroe continued to say that this water seems to have gone into the sewer system and then on to the treatment plant. Mrs. Biggs explained that she may have written it wrong, as it was her understanding that it was a supply line going to the tank and the cutoff that was being affected was the supply line carrying water into the tank and could not therefore be cutoff. Mayor Unroe then questioned for verification purposes if the supply line was leaking water before it got to the toilet and Mrs. Biggs replied that her understanding is that it was. Mayor Unroe noted that is a different scenario and Mrs. Biggs apologized, stating she should have wrote it differently. Mayor Unroe replied that it was okay, it just changes the concept of the request. Therefore, it is the understanding that there was a leak in the supply line going to the tank, before the water reached the tank and Mrs. Biggs agreed. Mayor Unroe then asked if there were any other questions. Councilperson Craig asked how many gallons it was and Mayor Unroe replied that that information was not on the request. Mrs. Biggs responded also to explain that the request is a six (6) month average of the sewer portion of the bill, which is the way the credit is given, if there is any. Mayor Unroe explained further that the last 6 months of the sewer portion of the bill is added together and divided by six, which then gives the amount to be credited. With no further questions, Mayor Unroe then asked for a motion to approve the adjustment on the sewer portion of the bill in the amount of $124.41 Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine made the motion to approve the adjustment as requested on the sewer portion of the bill in the amount of $124.41. Councilperson Harris second the motion. Mayor Unroe took a roll call vote:
Debbie Harris- Yes
Jennifer Tyree- Yes
Kawahna Persinger- Yes
Roberta Paradise- Yes
Gary Craig- Yes
Richard Erskine- Yes
The motion was carried and approved unanimously.
Mayor Unroe also commented that Iron Gate offices would be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 30th and would re-open at 9am on Tuesday. Also a note that there are three (3) Council seats and the Mayor’s seat that are up for election this year. The deadline for those interested in staying in their current positions or for anyone looking into getting one of those positions is June 21st at 7:00pm. Councilperson Erskine, Councilperson Harris and Councilperson Persinger all have seats that will expire on December 31, 2022. Councilperson Persinger also reminded everyone that if you do not see a person’s name on the ballot in November, that there is a “write-in” spot.
Councilperson Craig reminded everyone that the Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department will be doing their annual Fund Drive this weekend. In case a resident is not home, a flyer will be placed in their door.
Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine also reminded everyone that on this holiday weekend there will be an 11:00am service on Monday in Clifton Forge at Veterans Park and then another service will be held at 12 non that same day at Sharon Baptist Church. He encouraged people to attend those services.
The next work session will be held on June 13th at 7pm and the next Council Meeting will be on June 30th at 7:00pm. The reason for the change in the work session is due to the Juneteenth holiday on June 20th and a special voting was to take place on June 21st. There being no further new business to be discussed, a motion to adjourn was made by Vice Mayor Councilperson Erskine and second by Councilperson Craig at 7:35pm. Mayor Unroe then asked all of those in favor of the adjournment to say “I”. All six (6) Councilmembers stated “I”.
__________________________ _________________________
Charles W. Unroe, Mayor Wendy S. Biggs, Clerk
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