Minutes 06/22/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1999 Mrs. Thelma Pinkard then asked for clarification of Council's earlier action on the VRS 30/50 Program issue. Vice Mayor Teague explained that Council opted out of this early retirement program due to the unpredictable future cost of the benefit, stating that a similar early retirement program offered in 1991 had cost the taxpayers approximately $1.2 million since its adoption by the City, this in addition to provision of a fringe benefit package for City employees that was well above that typical of the area market. Council Member Roop stated that Council had no definitive information on this matter or numbers to support the conclusion that the 30/50 Program would cost the City more in retirement benefit costs in the future. Mayor Crabtree stated that in the previous fiscal year Council had seen a 25% increase in retirement costs for the retirement package option that had been adopted in 1994. Council next considered authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease with the Martinsville Astros for use of Hooker Field. Council Member Dallas stated that he was pleased with the lease that had been negotiated for the purpose. Vice Mayor Teague expressed his pleasure with the agreement and his compliments to Assistant City Manager Dewey P. Cashwell and Leisure Services and Facilities Manager Anthony Rinaldi for a job well done, and moved approval for the City Manager to execute the lease. Council Member Haskell seconded the motion, contingent upon approval of the terms of the lease by City 'Attorney David Worthy. Mr. Worthy stated that he had reviewed the document and had no problems with the lease. Vice Mayor Teague stated that the presence of professional baseball in Martinsville was a quality of life issue, and demonstrated the health of the community. Mayor Crabtree noted that he did an interact search on the City of Martinsville almost daily, and that the Martinsville Astros had really helped put the City on the map. Council Member Roop complimented Mr. Cashwell and Mr. Rinaldi as well, but stated that he still had concerns that the Hooker Field facility never seems to come into compliance with baseball standards, and each time Council thinks they are approaching compliance the rules seemed to change. Council Member Roop stated that the Houston Astros operated on a higher scale than the City of :~Martinsville, and that although he appreciated the features of the new lease he felt the Astros