Agenda 01/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY. January 9, 2001 potential that the closing will place undue hardships on the area. Mr. Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., City Manager stated that if closed, the City will incur additional costs associated with the closing. Council moved upon motion duly seconded, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5)- Crabtree, Teague, Dallas, Ferrill, and Roop; Nays (0)- None, adoption of the Resolution as follows: WHEREAS, the Martinsville City Council realizes the importance of and greatly supports the role that the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SVMHI) plays for the citizens of Martinsville; and WHEREAS, this facility is the primary mental health hospital serving Martinsville and surrounding localities, providing essential mental health treatment opportunities for many of our residents; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is considering a plan that would shut down SVMHI within eighteen months, shiffing short-term care of the mentally ill to private hospitals and local community service proriders; and WHEREAS, SVMHI is a unique community resource, and its closing would create hardships for individuals and families affected by mental illnesses; and WHEREAS, our region is limited in the number of other public and private mental health resources that could reasonably fill the void left by the closing of SVMHI; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, in regular session assembled January 9, 2001, that it does hereby support keeping the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute open, and that any discussions on SVMHI's future include representatives from the affected localities and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Council considered adoption of a Resolution in support of utilizing inmate labor for a roadside project on state route 650. Mr. Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., City Manager, stated that the work is desired to clean-out culverts along the route, and that the Code of Virginia requires a Resolution to grant the request. If approved, the inmates will be a part of a work crew from the Patrick Henry Correctional Unit, Camp 28. The crew would be supervised by State correctional officers. Council Members Dallas and Ferrill expressed concerns over potential security issues of using such labor that may pose a threat to public safety. Council Member Ferrill stated that he wants to know more about the different inmate security levels that may be used in the proposed project and the possibility of utilizing inmates from the local City Farm. Council moved upon motion duly seconded, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5)- Crabtree, Teague, Dallas, Ferrill, and Roop; Nays