The Shadow
Covington City Council begrudgingly passed a resolution during their regular April meeting Tuesday night to support the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act which essentially moved the diversion program for at-risk juveniles to Rockbridge County.
Both the Rockbridge County program and the Alleghany Highlands program suffered from deep state budget cuts and the only way for the program to survive was to combine the two localities’ diversion programs.
“This is better than nothing,” said Covington City Councilman Bill Zimmerman who heads the Alleghany Highlands Diversion Program. Zimmerman, who abstained from voting to avoid a conflict of interest, will retire when the local program is consolidated July 1.
“Our program took a 32 percent cut,” Zimmerman added.
“This is better than nothing. I recommend you vote for it,” Zimmerman told members of council.
The initial vote on the program ended with a tie. Covington Vice Mayor Rob Bennett and Councilman Buddy Brown voted for the resolution while Covington Mayor Stephanie Clark and Councilman B.B. Bryant cast the dissenting votes.
Since Zimmerman abstained, the vote was 2-2. Zimmerman stated without an affirmative vote, the program could disappear altogether.
“I’ve got a real problem with the state of Virginia on this one,” Bryant said.
However, in order to salvage part of the program, Bryant utilized a parliamentary procedure to repeat the vote. The second vote passed 3-1-1 with Clark dissenting and Zimmerman abstaining.
“I think we have a capable individual in the community and if it was properly funded, we could have the same program here,” Bryant commented.
In casting her dissenting ballot, Clark said, “I think it’s very important for at-risk youth to have someone in the area.”
“There is going to be a lot of programs that will be lost in this thing,” Zimmerman added.
Covington City Manager John Doane said the loss of a local diversion specialist is yet another tactic by the state to saddle its budget problems on the backs of local taxpayers.
“The state program was cut substantially,” Doane commented.
Regarding the budget, Doane reported that he should have a proposed budget in the hands of council by early May.
Doane said city departments have requested a budget of $18.4 million while projected revenues are estimated at $16.4 million – a funding gap of almost $2 million.
“I have my work cut out for me,” Doane said.
Bennett asked Doane if he could balance the budget without a tax increase.
“I’m not prepared to make any commitments at this time,” Doane replied and added, “I hope to avoid that. There are other tax options available for consideration and discussion.”
“It’s hard to increase taxes in good times … let alone bad times,” Doane added.
However, “We have to do what we have to do to preserve our future,” Doane commented
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Doane again railed against the state’s unfunded mandates. “It’s passing the buck in a way that’s challenging to us.”
In other matters, Frankie Trawick of Marion Avenue asked council if a decision has been made regarding the yellow line painted in front of her residence.
Trawick and her neighbors approached council last week during their work session to complain about her inability to park in front of her residence.
A neighbor across the street from Trawick asked for the line to be painted to enable her to back out of her driveway. She stated she has vision problems.
Clark said a decision has not been made but the city will advise her as soon as a decision is rendered.
Bennett, who last week went into the driveway and backed out, asked if a compromise could be reached and only a small section of the line remain.
He added, “Should this lady have a driver’s license? I don’t know.”
“I think it ought to disappear,” Trawick replied.
“Well, I think we need to give a little bit and take a little bit,” Clark said.
In other action, council:
– tabled an animal impoundment agreement until a representative from the animal shelter can speak to council;
– approved an authorization for Doane to accept the high bid on the mobile classrooms at the former Edgemont Elementary School;
– approved proceeding with the Maple Avenue project to make improvements ending at the corner of Maple and Hawthorne. Bryant asked if the project could be extended to the next block near the depot and the former Hotel Collins. Doane said that can be explored, but additional funding would be needed;
– approved taxi permit renewals for Lloyd Lewis Taxi and Precious Cargo owned by Pete Moore;
– approved a $500 expenditure to the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce for placement of a tourism booth at the Greenbrier Classic Golf Tournament;
– approved a $676,127 appropriation for a school capital reserve debt fund to comply with the Davenport and Company plan to restructure the school debt;
– approved a $471,950 appropriation of grant monies for wastewater improvements including a methane recovery system, I&I improvements and renovations;
– tabled a request to allow a special exemption to operate an automobile rental business at 805 S. Lexington Avenue. At a request by Brown, he suggested to allow the Covington Planning Commission to proceed with changing the zoning from manufacturing to commercial.
Council and the planning commission will meet Monday to have a public hearing and pass the rezoning on first reading in order to expedite the request by Covington businessman Tommy Garten, owner of the property.
Covington Commissioner of the Revenue Kathy Kimberlin said although Enterprise Car Rental is operating without a business license, she will not pursue any sanctions against the company since the company has provided payment for the license and completed all requirements except the appropriate zoning.
Doane reported that he spoke with the owners of the former Town House Motel on Main Street and the business has received a Quality Inn franchise and renovations are planned to be complete by June.
Council met in closed session with Dave Kleppinger of the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation to discuss a prospective business/industry locating in the area. No action was taken following the executive session.
