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<br />September 23, 2008 <br /> <br />been identified; need to make sure we have right resources in place to address these <br />tasks; several tasks are EDC types of tasks and we need to determine how the EDC <br />will be involved; MURA staffing is largely volunteer; MURA would be facilitator of the <br />plan using resources from all stakeholders; the plan will require some financial <br />support from the city as well as other stakeholders; new City Planner can look for <br />available grants for funding; need to investigate how to make Uptown a Wi-Fi zone <br />with fiber optic availability; Council Member Stroud asked that Leon look into prices <br />for systems to make Uptown wireless; it is important to have a strategy for Uptown; <br />the City is not in a position to fund this entire plan. Mayor Lawson stated <br />consideration of endorsing MURA's plan will be placed on the agenda for the October <br />28 meeting where a decision will be made by Council. <br />Amy Tuttle, Director of Henry-Martinsville Social Services, briefed Council on <br />statistics as far a clients served and caseloads. She pointed out that confidentiality is <br />compromised with the current building conditions and they are desperately in need of <br />adequate space. Board member, Kathy Rogers, made a presentation to Council with <br />the following points made: the Board feels it is imperative to keep this issue before <br />Council; inadequate space issues; parking issues; maintenance issues; water damage; <br />Social Services needs a new facility that provides enough space to insure <br />confidentiality, that provides room for additional employees if funding becomes <br />available, provides adequate parking; provides a safe environment for employees and <br />constituents, and is cost effective with minimal maintenance issues. Board chairman, <br />Ben Meador, urged Council to consider allowing Social Services to move into the <br />former MZM building. Council comments included: Mayor Lawson pointed out that <br />the City Manager and Henry County Administrator are currently working on a solution <br />for space needs of Social Services; there are options to fulfill needs of Social Services; <br />Council Member Teague pointed out he is not in favor of Social Services using the <br />MZM building due to the investment the city has made in that property and we need to <br />let it come to fruition; Council Member Turner stated he is in favor of keeping the MZM <br />building for industrial use. Citizen comments: William D. Price asked that the <br />governing bodies get together and make a decision to do something about the Social <br />Services situation by a set date. John Matthews, a member of Social Services Board <br />asked that Council move forward and make a decision. <br />