Parksley council adopts CDBG plans, removes 'temporary' from pump-and-haul ordinance and approves staffing and purchases

The Parksley Town Council voted unanimously on Nov. 11 to approve a suite of administrative and grant-related items, including plans required for the town's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and several operational measures.

Council adopted a resolution to include the town in the Hampton Roads Sewage District and voted to remove the word "temporary" from the pump-and-haul sewage ordinance, a change the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) had asked the town to make. Council also adopted the Local Business and Employment Plan required for the CDBG, reaffirmed the Town of Parksley Non-Discrimination Policy, approved a Section 504 Evaluation, adopted a Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan and approved the Fair Housing Certification.

Councilman Dan Matthews moved and Councilman Vince Savona seconded the motions on most items; votes were recorded as Ayes — Matthews, Nash, Russell and Savona, with no opposition.

The council approved a $770 bid from Southern Corrosion for a water-tower inspection and authorized the purchase of a smart TV and webcam (cap $200) to enable video conferencing for CDBG meetings. The council also authorized advertising to hire two part-time public works employees at $11 per hour (24 hours/week per person), with the potential to convert them to full time.

Councilman Russell emphasized the importance of moving forward with grant tasks and contractor coordination to avoid losing portions of grant funding. The motions were part of the meeting's new-business block of items that passed without recorded opposition.

The council then entered an executive session for legal and personnel matters and certified the closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act before adjourning at 8:58 p.m.