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Condemnation of Other Structures Under Consideration in Gate City

From staff reports

It’s been a year since Gate City officials condemned some structures they deemed unsafe. And since that time, some progress has been made in an effort to revitalize and rehabilitate the town.

A year since beginning condemnations of blighted building in Gate City, two structures have been razed, one rehabilitated and two properties are snarled in legal roadblocks. Town officials are also working with the county administrator's office to correct property tax assessments before going forward with several other planned condemnations.

During the public comment portion of the last week’s regular meeting of the Gate City Town Council, Gate City Planning Commission member Richard Hubbard asked council members about the results of their year-long quest to tear down or rehabilitate several blighted properties in the town.

Two trailers on the west end of Gate city have actually been razed by owner, according to town manager Jason Stewart. Town attorney Mike Carrico stated that the owner of one of the structures condemned, the old theater building on West Jackson Street, is currently living in a nursing home.

"There is a criminal charge that has been filed pertaining to that," Carrico explained.

He also reported that the owner’s son had come to his office, and there was some hope of moving toward a resolution on that property.

In regard to another condemned structure, the former Scott Hotel on located U.S. Highway 23, Carrico reported that the property is on the list to be removed by the Virginia Department of Transportation during the later phases of construction of the Moccasin Gap Interchange.

Carrico reported that he had been in contact with VDOT’s attorney as well as the attorney for the owners of the hotel. The problem seemed to be that although the building was scheduled for acquisition, VDOT had no money to complete the move, even though they have already taken in the property behind the hotel.

Gate City Mayor Mark Jenkins stated that the owner of the third property initially condemned by the town "had really put in a lot of hard work" to rehabilitate the property.

"That's what we would rather see," Jenkins said, "is someone taking the initiative to do what needs to be done and save what can be saved."

Some other structures are scheduled to be condemned once the problem with their tax assessments is settled.

"We are in the process of condemning five more residential structures," Stewart added. "The problem is the Commissioner of Revenue's Office has not assessed some of the structures the way our building official feels they should have been assessed. We are working with the county right now to resolve that issue before we move forward."

Local resident Wallace Ross raised the issue of "Welcome to Gate City" signs not being located at the actual border of the town. Ross wondered why some signs relating to the town are not located on town property, the transportation infrastructure and other issues.

After a long and varied discussion, Jenkins assured Ross and other members of the audience that the signs were legally placed, and nothing was improper about them.

He also revealed that the town is working with a town planning firm, Arnett and Muldrow, to develop a marketing strategy for the town, which included branding and changes to signs.

"I want to see a lot more signs saying 'Welcome to Gate City,'" Jenkins said.

He also assured Ross that his input was valuable, as was that of other residents, and invited anyone interested to attend any of the planning meetings with Arnett and Muldrow. The next meeting is slated for November, although a time has not yet been set.

Regarding a need for public transportation, Jenkins said the area was covered by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, who ran extensive line service in the town. He mentioned that the town may need to make more residents aware of the service provided, and that he hoped others would step forward that could possibly fill any voids.

Council member Roger Cassell raised the question of why a non-resident of Gate City was serving on its Sanitation Authority. Cassell said he had obtained a copy of the Sanitation Authority by-laws, which he said plainly stated "the Authority shall consist of five members appointed by the Town Council of Gate City; all members shall be residents of the town of Gate City."

"How can we go against the by-laws, having somebody live outside of town serve on the board?" Cassell asked. "I've been told that Mr. Barker has infinite knowledge, and all this, that, and the other .... But you've got someone living outside of town voting on town business; and 'so what if their rates go up? I don't live in town.'"

Town attorney Carrico suggested that this was a matter for closed session.

"Any time you want to discuss a legal issue or a personnel issue, you should go into closed session,” Carrico informed the council, which then went on to other business.

Cassell also raised the possibility of holding a surplus equipment sale for the town, proceeds of which could be used to purchase other needed equipment. Town department heads will compile a list of surplus equipment, after which an auction date will be set and advertised.

Scott County Cooperative Ministries and the town may enter into a project to help those in need with their water bills. The town has in the past had residents that have had difficulty in maintaining their water bill, and council had asked John Sheppard, then president of Scott County Ministries, if they could assist in this.

Carrico suggested a line item on the water bill that would allow residents to designate an amount that would go into a fund to help others. Council member Frances Perry accepted the assignment to work on out details of a proposal with Sheppard for such a venture and to report back at the next meeting.

The personnel committee will meet regarding changing the way the town pays its employees that work on a holiday. Currently, employees are paid straight time, and get time off later. It has been proposed that a holiday pay rate be used instead.

Diana Ferguson Meredith and Joe Fuller came to discuss plans for the Clinch Mountain Music Festival to be held next year on June 15-17. The proposed traveling festival would be held at Natural Tunnel State Park, in downtown Gate City and end at the Carter Family Fold.

The town council eagerly embraced the idea.

“This fits in with many things we're trying to do,” Jenkins said. “We don't know yet what we can do as far as budget, but as far as closing Jackson Street and anything else we can do to help, we will do."

The Economic Development Authority will be directed to help festival officials.

The Gate City Town Council generally meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall auditorium. All meetings are open to the public.

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