City Council last night paved the way for upgrades to the terminal building at Danville Regional Airport. The upgrades will include new carpeting, bathroom renovation and new flooring in the hallway.
In addition, grounds equipment will be replaced.
The upgrades and purchase of equipment will cost an estimated $227,832. To pay the cost, City Council voted Tuesday night to authorize the use of $127,832 in local funds. Council also voted on a budget amendment to provide for state funding – as much as $100,000 – to help with those improvements and other unscheduled repairs. The Virginia Department of Aviation must first approve the airport projects and state funding.
The Virginia Department of Aviation provides airport maintenance funding to assist airports with preserving facilities in a safe and economical operating condition. Maintenance grant funding will allow individual airports to receive up to $100,000 in state aid each year.
In other matters last night, City Council voted to accept state and federal funds and in-kind services for a total of $610,601 to provide public transportation services for senior citizens. Council also voted to cancel its regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 3, in order to allow Council members to attend the Virginia Municipal League’s annual conference. Council voted to meet that week, instead, on Thursday, Oct. 5.
In addition to these votes, City Council held a first reading on three matters:
- acceptance of a state grant in the amount of $16,437 to pay for overtime personnel for enforcement at driving under the influence and license checkpoints and saturation patrols. The grant will also be used to purchase field breath testing units and a radar unit for saturation patrol and checkpoint safety equipment.
- acceptance of a state grant in the amount of $10,939 to provide overtime pay for police officers for the enforcement of speeding ordinances.
- acceptance of a state grant in the amount of $5,760 to provide overtime pay for police officers for the enforcement of safety belt and child safety seat violations.
A first reading is an introductory step required by City Code before certain matters can be voted upon by City Council. This step serves to provide public notice of pending action. Council could not vote last night. The earliest vote that can take place will be the Oct. 5 City Council meeting.
Also in the business session, Mayor John Gilstrap presented proclamations marking Oct. 1 as “Danville Area CROP Hunger Walk Day” and this week as “Constitution Week.” He also presented a certificate of recognition for M&M Furniture’s 71 years of service.
Council's meeting included a business session followed by a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that may be voted upon in future business meetings.
During last night’s work session, City Council reviewed monthly financial statements and scheduled a vote on increasing airport hangar fees for its next business session, which will be held on Oct. 5.
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.
River City TV does not air work sessions, but they are open to the public.