Minutes 11/24/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3.86 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24. 1998 A regular, semi-monthly meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, with Mayor Mark A. Crabtree presiding, was held Tuesday, November 24, 1998, in the Council Chamber, City Hall, beginning at 7:00 P.M. The following members of Council were present: Dr. Mark A. Crabtree, Mayor; M. Gene Teague, Vice-Mayor; and Council Members Bruce H.T. Dallas, Elizabeth H. Haskell and Terry L. Roop. Following Council Member Dallas' delivery of the Invocation, Mayor Crabtree extended a cordial welcome to all in attendance. Council first considered Business from the Floor. There was none. Council next considered the need to conduct a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering a proposal to expend $33,730 in Local law Enforcement Block Grant Program funds to purchase a Mobile Precinct/Command Center for the Police Department. Chief of Police David J. Edwards was present, and stated that the Public Hearing was necessary to satisfy the requirements of the grant program. He indicated that the total cost of the Mobile Police Precinct to be purchased with the grant funds would be about $75,000, and that Council would be advised of the total cost when the results of a bid for the equipment were received. ChiefEdwards stated that operating costs were not expected to be greatly increased, due to the intent to staff the Mobile Precinct with existing personnel. Council Member Dallas expressed his support for the project, as did Commonwealth' s AttOrney Joan Zi~lar. Three members of the audience present, Mr. J. B. Travis, Mr. Leonard R. Jones, and Mr. Randolph Jones, all expressed their support of the project. Mr. Tony C. Hairston indicated his opposition of the purchase of the Mobile Precinct, on the basis of concerns for invasion of privacy. The Public Heating was closed, and Council approved the expenditure of grant funds for the purchase of a Mobile Police Precinct by the following vote, all members voting: