City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to appropriate $635,969 in insurance proceeds from flood damage that occurred to the hydroelectric generator at the Pinnacles hydroelectric complex. The money would be used to repair and replace damaged components of a flood-damaged generator.
The generator was installed at Talbott Dam in 1990 to provide additional generation from the facility. In September 2015, excessive rains resulted in flooding that damaged the generator and supporting infrastructure. After engineering analysis and negotiations with the insurance provider, a settlement was reached that will allow the City to complete the restoration and repairs needed. The work is expected to take about 12 months to complete.
In other matters last night, City Council voted to:
- change sign regulations that would allow for renovation of the ground sign located at Airside Industrial Park.
- grant a special use permit that would allow a teaching kitchen to be operated at 620 North Main St.. The operation will charge a fee for attendees and therefore required a special use permit.
- rezone property at 498 Arnett Blvd. to allow automobile sales.
- appoint Jessica Buckner and Gladys D. Webb to the Southern Area Agency on Aging.
Also in the business session, Mayor John Gilstrap presented proclamations for “Girl Scout Week – March 12-18. Girl Scout Troop #970 accepted the proclamation.
During last night’s work session, City Council scheduled a vote on March 20 on a proposed change in bid procedures on procurement contracts. The current city code contains a list of 10 special qualifications that may be considered alongside price when awarding a procurement contract subject to competitive bidding. The proposed change would add potential conflicts of interest to the list.
Discussion on modifying the City Council’s meeting schedule was listed for discussion on the work session agenda, but the matter was removed from the agenda due to lack of interest for any change.
City Council also held a closed meeting during the work session as allowed by state law to discuss a prospective business or industry related to economic development.
River City TV airs live all Council business sessions. The first rebroadcast will be at 8 p.m. Thursday. Watch it on cable (Comcast channel 10 and Gamewood channel 122). The taped broadcast is available now on River City TV’s Facebook page. the City’s YouTube channel -- DanvilleVAGov.
River City TV does not air work sessions, but they are open to the public.