C. F. Town Council Holds Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Session   Clifton Forge, VA (August 11, 2020) - Clifton Forge Town Council adopted several resolutions; heard an update on the CARES Act grant applications, as well as the Armory Committee; learned that two major water leaks have both been successfully repaired; and after much explanation and discussion, decided against considering a land exchange request by a homeowner on Acacia Ave. during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. Council met yet again via teleconference – a procedure they have followed since March - due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Jeff Irvine noted that he has been asked by several citizens when council will return to in-person meetings, but he said he didn’t believe it was the time to do that yet. Alleghany County Supervisors and the school board, the city of Covington and their school board, and Iron Gate town council are all meeting in person in their respective locations, requesting attendees to wear masks and observe social distancing. Town Clerk Angela Carper told the council that work continues on a 3 year audit of the Armory Committee. Delays due to Covid-19 and tax season will mean a couple more weeks will be needed for completion. The Committee's next meeting is August 31st, 6 p.m. The three resolutions Council adopted concerned: a USDA grant application for the A-Street water line replacement project; a new non-discrimination CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) policy for the Roxbury Street project; and an amendment to a taxable loan with BB&T in order to reimburse general funds for capital purchases that occurred in the previous fiscal year, due to a technical issue. Council unanimously decided not to consider a request from Audrey Millard of 813 Acacia Street to exchange a parcel of land that she owns, in exchange for two portions of alleys currently owned by the town, with the stipulation that the town preserve one row of trees located on the parcel directly closest to the adjacent homeowner’s property to honor a promise she made with the adjacent property owner, place an alley on the parcel and allow her to place her fence on the opposite side of that alley. Council members deferred to the recommendation of the Public Works Director that the exchange would have little to no benefit to the town and would require the town to make expenditures for upkeep. Town Clerk Angela Carper also noted that according to the town’s zoning ordinance, the proposed fence location, on town property, wouldn’t be permitted. In other business, Town Manager Reba Mohler encouraged small business affected by COVID-19 to apply for CARES Act funds, which is a reimbursable grant for expenses incurred by the pandemic as of March, 2020. Applications are available at town hall or on the town’s web site. She also said she plans to hand deliver applications to downtown businesses. Mohler, as well as other council members also encouraged everyone to vote – and vote often - for Clifton Forge as the Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Town, a designation that the town has won the last two years. Voting is available on the town’s web site and Facebook page, or may be found at https://BlueRidgeOutdoors.com. Mohler reported that two major leaks at the corner of Main and A Streets and another on Jefferson Ave. had been repaired, and she apologized to any residents who were inconvenienced by an interruption of service. Council members later thanked Mohler and the public works department for their quick action on both matters. Council approved a request from the organizers of the Relay for Life event, a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society which was cancelled this year, to use the 500 block of Church Street to allow for a luminary display on September 20 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. Council learned that the Clifton Forge Shriners had made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Fall Foliage Festival, which takes place in October. During the council comment portion of the meeting: Dr. Ron Goings said that he had been in contact with Kevin Persinger at Sonabank if he would look into restoring the fountain at the intersection Ridgeway and Main Streets. He also asked if anyone knew if the Labor Day Parade in Covington was still being held. Vice Mayor Pam Marshall noted that Clifton Forge probably is one of the few towns whose employees have continued to work and serve the town during the pandemic. Bob Umstead asked who would need to make a decision whether or not to host the Clifton Forge Christmas Parade. Town Clerk Angela Carper said that would be up to Clifton Forge Main Street. Dave Oltjen encouraged everyone to vote for Clifton Forge in the Outdoors contest. Mayor Jeff Irvine thanked the town manager, town clerk and public works director for their hard work in researching the issue on Acacia Ave and for the quick action on the water leaks. Council adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel.

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