Virginia council approves bids, hires, grants and event permits; tables fire marshal travel

The City of Virginia City Council approved a package of routine measures including construction contracts, several police hires, grant agreements, event permits and a large fund transfer at its April meeting, but tabled a travel request for the city fire marshal for further review.

The council adopted the second reading of an amendment to Chapter 11 (Subdivision 11.5) of the city code to allow the fee schedule to be set by resolution. Council members said the change aligns the code with a revised fee schedule already adopted by the city. "This is for the fees for the permits," a staff member explained during the item. The council voted to adopt the ordinance amendment on second reading.

In personnel actions, the council approved hiring three patrol officers contingent on successful testing and background checks: Alexander Bridal, Sarah Holappa and Samantha Christie. The resolution to hire Sarah Holappa passed by roll call, 6-1; the other hires were approved by voice vote.

The council moved several construction- and infrastructure-related items forwarded from the Committee of the Whole. The council approved awarding the bid for phase 2 of the 2023 street improvement project to KGM for $5,296,442.50 and authorized an agreement with NTS for…