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Vienna council accepts $112,054.93 donation for parks; approves multiple board appointments, tables two utility-board nominees
Summary
The Vienna City Council unanimously accepted a $112,054.93 donation from the estate of Chief James G. Midgibb for park improvements and approved several council appointments to boards and commissions. Two nominees to the Vienna Utility Board were tabled until they can appear in person.
The Vienna City Council unanimously accepted a gift of $112,054.93 from the estate of Chief James G. Midgibb and directed that the funds be assigned to the city’s general fund for Vienna City Park improvements, the council voted on Jan. 13.
Separately, the council approved a slate of council-representative appointments to standing boards and commissions. The meeting record shows unanimous votes by raised hands on the following items:
- Resolution accepting equipment/funds of $112,054.93 from the estate of Chief James G. Midgibb for Vienna City Park improvements; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Resolution appointing Council member (as recorded) Leach as the liaison to the Department of Public Works and, by ordinance, chair of the Vienna Utility Board; outcome: approved unanimously. (Council and staff discussed that the liaison role is distinct from the council representative seat and that related language in the resolution would be corrected if needed.)
- Resolution appointing Tony Morrison as the council representative to the Vienna Board of Parks and Recreation (term as written in ordinance: three years); outcome: approved unanimously. Council asked staff to consider amending the ordinance to make future terms four years.
- Resolution appointing Tammy Rhodes as the council representative to the Vienna Planning Commission; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Resolution appointing Rodney Smith to the Vienna Tree and Beautification Commission (as presented); outcome: approved unanimously.
- Resolution appointing Bobby Marshall as the business representative to the Vienna Planning Commission, with an amended effective start date of March 1, 2025, to coincide with the end of the incumbent’s term; outcome: approved unanimously.
Two resolutions to appoint utility-board members were tabled so the candidates could be present for questions: the appointment of Steve Middleton to fill an unexpired term and then a full term, and the appointment of Michael Simmons to a full term. Both were tabled unanimously; council said it may consider additional nominees at the next meeting.
Why it matters: the donation provides dedicated funds for park improvements. Board appointments set who will advise the council on parks, planning, utilities, and beautification as Vienna moves into several infrastructure and development projects the council discussed at the meeting.
Ending: Council members said they will correct any ordinance-language inconsistencies before bringing amended resolutions back and will request that absent nominees appear at the next meeting before votes on their appointments.
