The Shadow
The Jackson River Sport Complex is getting a driving range.
Covington City Council allocated $12,000 at its regular February meeting Tuesday night for the purpose of developing a driving range at the complex before spring.
“If you think about it, and you’re between the ages of 35 and 95, the sports complex really does not provide adequate recreation for the people that are in that age bracket,” said Covington Mayor Rob Bennett as he pitched the proposal for the range to council.
Last year, council was presented with a petition signed by several citizens requesting that council consider adding a driving range to the complex.
Since then, council has worked with Covington Parks and Recreation Director Allen Dressler to develop a plan for creating the range.
The range would be operated in partenership with a private vendor, much like the concession stand at the complex is currently operated.
Council has already advertised for vendors and has found one individual, who they did not name Tuesday night, that was interested in partnering with the city.
The $12,000 allocated by council will cover the cost of relocating a building, adding a new metal building, concrete hitting pad and purchasing the artificial turf for the pad as well as preparing the approximately eight acres for the site.
The vendor would be responsible for providing the needed equipment and supplies for the range as well as staffing it.
“It’s not going to be a source of revenue for the city, but it would help somewhat. Like most of the recreation we offer there, it’s a community service,” said Bennett.
While its not expected to be a source of income, the driving range provides the city the opportunity to prepare the ground for future development if the driving range would ever cease to be operational.
“If it were not to work, though I can’t hardly believe it wouldn’t, then the biggest thing you’ve got is the concrete sidewalks and the artificial turf pad,” said Covington City Manager Bill Ed Cannon. “I think that’s very reasonable.”
The driving range allocation was not on the published agenda, but was added by a unanimous vote of council in hopes of having the range open by the time warmer weather sets in.
“It would be nice to have this up and going before spring,” said Bennett.
In other business Tuesday, council tabled action on adjusting a water and sewer bill for local attorney Dave Davis after he sprung a leak at his office.
The city has had a policy in place since 2008 that allows the city manager to adjust the bill under certain circumstances.
Cannon, who has only been in office since January and was unfamiliar with the policy, sought the guidance of city attorney Elizabeth Dillon and council before he took action.
Vice Mayor Buddy Brown questioned why the adjustment was being made to the water bill and not the sewer bill.
“I’ve never seen it applied to the water, period.” said Brown.
“The problem I’m having is that if the water doesn’t go into the sewer, then you have no cost involved with treating it,” countered Cannon.
In light of doubt over how the policy was applied in the past, council tabled the matter until Dillon and Cannon could research actions of past city managers in similar situations.
“I’m hoping we find that our policy is consistent,” said Councilman Bill Zimmerman. “If we discover that our policy isn’t consistent, then we’re in a mess.”
Brown said that possible action on a similar leak on Walnut Street would put council in conflict with its own policy.
“If we say we’re doing the one on Walnut Street the same as we’re doing this one tonight, then we’re different,” he said.
“Whatever the policy says, that’s what we need to do,” said Zimmerman. “If we change the policy in midstream then (city hall) is going to be packed.”
Council voted 4-1 to table the matter, with Zimmerman dissenting.
In other action Tuesday, council:
– Approved a monthly car allowance for the city manager in the amount of $500 per month;
– Appointed Cannon and Zimmerman to the Roanoke Valley/Alleghany Regional Commission;
– Approved 3-2, on second reading, amendments to the zoning ordinance as related to parking, accessory buildings, setback regulations and other issues in R-1 Residential areas. Stephanie Clark and Zimmer-man cast the dissenting votes;
– Approved, on second reading, an ordinance regarding issuance of sewer system revenue bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $7.5 million;
– Approved, on second reading, an ordinance regarding sewers and sewage disposal, general standards of use and industrial pretreatment.
