Minutes 04/14/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, APRIl, 14, 1998 get a comprehensive report on the status of technology within the City's operations. Under the discussion of the budget for Street Construction, Paving, and Curb and Gutter Work Council Member Dallas noted that he would like to see more funding in the budget for this purpose. Mr. Reynolds responded that the amount provided was quite significant, and that the availability and suitability of private contractors for the City's street paving was a limiting factor on the amount of work that could be done. He stated that paving streets in the City system was a big challenge for many private contractors, who preferred to do new street construction under easier and more profitable conditions. Mr. Reynolds also noted that his goal was to get as much of this type of work done through grant funds as possible. Following completion of Mr. Reynolds review of the proposed budget Council Member Teague asked if the pay raise shown was the 5% discussed with Council earlier, and was told that it was, although the figures for constitutional officers was different due to their State pay raise of 3.67% this year. Mr. Teague then commented that it appeared to be a neat and well balanced budget with something for everyone. He then asked if anything was missing from Council's consideration and was told that the presentation was complete. Council Member Haskell stated that it appeared that the proposed budget answered the community's needs and addressed the School Systems issues as well. The Mayor then commented on the potential positive impact on the local and regional economy from the recent announcement of the planned location of a new Federal Express hub facility at the Greensboro Airport, stating that this facility would replace the loss of Du Pont in terms of gross numbers of jobs. Vice-Mayor Crabtree agreed, noting that the City needed to promote its status as a regional employer. Council Member Haskell agreed with this, and she and Mayor Adams also agreed that it was important to continue to promote and fund education in the community to meet the challenges and opportunities that such events as this announcement represented. Mayor Adams and Vice-Mayor Crabtree agreed that Martinsville and Henry County needed to encompass North Carolina with its demographics and colleges when promoting the area, and Mr. Reynolds characterized the philosophy as "Annexing the Dollars". Council then thanked the City staff for their work on the budget and, by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned.