TOWN OF
THOSE PRESENT: TOWN COUNCIL: JOHN H. MILLER, MAYOR; ROBERT ANDREWS, JOHN BRADY, AGNES JOINES, LOIS SHEETS, AND MIKE PARLIER, COUNCILMEMBERS; AND BRYAN EDWARDS, TOWN MANAGER.
OTHERS PRESENT: COBY LARUE, ALLEGHANY NEWS AND SHANE FENDER, CYBER CAMPUS, WILLIAM RING, GRAYSON COUNTY, KENNETH VAUGHT, TOWN OF INDEPENDENCE, PATRICK WOODIE, NEW RIVER COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND LESLIE MOZINGO, THE FERGUSON GROUP.
The Sparta Town
Council and the Alleghany County Commissioners met at the
Town Hall for their informal joint meeting to discuss items of interest to both
First item on
the Agenda for discussion was The Ferguson Group.
passed out a handout of the Alleghany County Economic Development Corporation’s
Federal Agenda (See
Attached). He then introduced Leslie Mozingo, the
Group representative.
Leslie told the members of the
Council that she had already met with some of the staff members of Senator Dole and
Burr in
being requested for each project did not represent the total amount necessary to fully fund
the cost of the project, but the amounts represented what the Ferguson Group felt was an
amount that had a reasonable chance of receiving a favorable review by the appropriation
committee. She explained the different questionnaires required by different committees
and the fact that the Ferguson Group would have the responsibility of insuring that each
committee had the correct information in the correct form. Leslie stressed that there are
no guarantees of funding for any of the projects, and that even the projects that were
funded might not be funded at the requested amount. Initial reaction was good and
contracting with the Ferguson Group was well timed. Ideally you would want to be in
both the House and the Senate appropriation bills simultaneously, but sometimes you
might be in only one. Even after the bills are passed they still have to be signed by the
President and actual funds appropriated would not be available until the next year (Spring
of 2006). Mrs. Mozingo asked for any questions and pointed out that a small local
delegation to
out how important the timing of deadlines were in federal appropriations.
At this time
Alleghany County Economic Development Corporation with the different entities
funding the cost. The Teapot Group has agreed to contribute $30,000, the hospital has
been asked to contribute $20,000, the regional
would be $25,000 each from the Town and the County to fund the annual contract. He
explained that during the joint water project meetings they
had asked the
Attorney General’s office to express an opinion if two Counties, two States, and two
Towns could enter into a joint water authority. The opinion came back in the affirmative
basically giving them a green light to set up such an authority. They have been
discussing guidelines for such an authority with a Roanoke Attorney, Webster Day.
Wednesday, February 2nd, would be the next meeting. All four governments would be
represented equally.
Virginia Board
and would not take away any authority from the
or Town Council. Don also pointed out that this is the first step in creating an authority
and it would be a long process.
already been funded by the Mount Rogers Planning Commission which puts them a year
ahead on the scheduling process. This design phase also shows the appropriations
committee that they are committed and moving ahead with this project. Mayor Miller
stated that down the road the Town would need this window of opportunity.
Mayor Miller was impressed with the success of the meeting they had at the Methodist
Church with Senator Virginia Fox and the business leaders of the community. He
thought it would be a good idea to have such a meeting at least once or twice a year.
Everyone agreed.
Both boards
expressed their appreciation to
Town of
There being no other business the Mayor declared the meeting closed.
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John H. Miller, Mayor
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Kay Cox, Town Clerk