Blue Ridge City Council Talks Water, Memory Care Center

News

The Blue Ridge City Council met on August 4, 2015 for their monthly workshop to discuss updates for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, a water and sewer reservation, revising a water and sewerage surcharge ordinance, and for the approval of city purchases.

The Council began with old business beginning with a discussion regarding updates to the blowers and mixers for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mayor Whitener stated that a short-term fix for blowers would cost the city around $30,000, but the blowers and mixers would still be functional after the updates were completed. She further stated that the EPD will probably require more improvements. These improvements would not be considered a short-term solution. Councilwoman Thomas motioned to table and Councilman Pack seconded the motion. The council decided to table the proposal and wait for further information from James Weaver, the Wastewater Treatment Plant supervisor, who was not in attendance.

The Council moved on to a proposal to extend the sewer reservation for Lindley Development’s upcoming Assisted Living and Memory Care Center. Mayor Whitener invited Gary Keel and Vince Lindley from Lindley Development to speak about the reservation. Keel gave the council a brief update on the progress of the project, stating that they are “waiting on the DOT because they want to take down some trees and grade in the DOT right-of-way.” Mr. Lindley stated that the company has been working with the DOT for approximately nine or ten months.

Mr. Keel then gave a brief overview of other approvals from the state and showed the Council a rendering and footprint of the 55,000 square-foot facility. This facility will be the only one of its kind within a 40-mile radius and will bring 75 full time jobs and 50 part-time jobs to the area.

After being asked by the mayor the difference between memory care and personal care facilities, Mr. Keel described the regulations between memory care and personal care facilities. Whitener commented that nursing homes aren’t taking dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Mr. Keel then briefly described the regulations for housing dementia and Alzheimer’s patients and some of the challenges involved.

Mr. Keel went on to discuss the sewer reservation, which, he noted, “the state requires it. Without the sewer reservation, you cannot build a facility.” Mr. Keel asked for a year-long extension to allow for DOT approval. The Council unanimously approved extending the reservation for Lindley, LLC for a year.

Next, the Council heard from Rebecca Harkins, the utility billing supervisor who proposed correcting a water and sewer surcharge to match how they have always charged customers. The proposal would strike a surcharge based on square footage of buildings, and base the surcharge instead on meter size. Harkins also suggested letting the utility billing supervisor and the finance director purchase meters from the surcharge account without prior approval from the City Council. Councilwoman Thomas made a motion to approve these changes and the motion carried.

The Council then moved on to approving several expenditures. The first was for a 6-month supply for water treatment chemicals. This will give the city a 3-month reserve. Next, an invoice from E. Rene Bidez for the preparation of an audit was approved in the amount of $12,500. Lastly, the Council approved $5,249.93 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to buy a module board kit, lamp sockets, and compression springs to fix a maintenance problem.

Traver Aiken from the Blue Ridge Housing Authority then addressed the Council regarding an outstanding balance to the City of Blue Ridge from the Payment in Lieu of Taxed (PILOT) program. He stated that the Housing Authority owed $7,292.93 to the city from the years 2011, 2012, and 2013. He also gave a revised figure of $6,439.50 derived from the recent audit. Aiken said he would be glad to pay the original figure. Aiken proposed that the Housing Authority pay half of the total balance this year and remit the remainder to the city in payments, staring in 2016.

Aiken also reported that invoices from Tows Septic Company for $4,430 had not been paid. These invoices were for work on the city water lines. The Mayor stated that some of the invoices from Tows had been paid by the Council.

The balance for PILOT 2014 was recently paid by the Housing Authority. The balance was overpaid by $440.54, which Aiken proposed be applied to the Housing Authority’s balance. The Mayor proposed tabling the discussion pending further investigation.

As the last order of business, the Mayor read a letter from the Haymore family, regarding their concerns over the proposed park. The family is concerned over the lack of grassy areas and public use, the bar-b-que grill meeting the needs of the Good Samaritans for their annual cook-out, Committee members being influenced from outside interests that want financial gain, and the Committee not being comprised of a sufficient number of citizen members.

Mayor Whitener called for any further business. There was no further business noted and Councilman Pack called for motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Thomas seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to Top