Votes at a glance: council approves Christmas MOU, water-conservation ordinance, SCADA upgrades and sidewalk replacement offer

The Middleburg Town Council voted on several formal items at its July 24 meeting. Votes listed below reflect motions presented during the meeting and the recorded approvals.

1) Christmas in Middleburg memorandum of understanding — approved Council voted to approve an updated memorandum of understanding with the Christmas in Middleburg organizers to clarify roles, emergency planning, traffic management and communications ahead of the annual December parade. Town staff said the MOU updates clarify expectations between the town, event organizers and the Middleburg Business and Professional Association. Motion: "I move that the town council approve a memorandum of understanding for Christmas in Middleburg." Outcome: approved by voice vote/ayes recorded.

2) Water-conservation ordinance amendment — adopted (ordinance) Council adopted an ordinance rescinding Section 113-8 of the Town Code and replacing it with a new Section 113-8.1 pertaining to water conservation. Staff and council members discussed implementation concerns for larger households and staff said they would examine hardship/variance processes and potential rain-barrel bulk-purchase programs with Soil & Water Conservation. Motion (recorded): "I move that the town council approve an ordinance to rescind section 113-8 of the Middleburg Town Code and adopt a new section 113-8.1 in its stead pertaining to water conservation." Outcome: ordinance adopted (roll-call ayes recorded).

3) SCADA support and hardware upgrades — authorized Council authorized the town manager to enter into a contract with Valley Automation for SCADA support services and approved budgeted capital work to replace the SCADA server and begin PLC upgrades. Motion (recorded): "Authorize the town manager to enter into a contract with Valley Automation... for SCADA support services in the amount of $30,000 for a SCADA server upgrade in the amount of $52,651 and for PLC upgrades in the amount of $47,011.24." Outcome: approved; staff said funds are in the approved budget and work will proceed in phases.

4) Removal of nonstandard flagstones at 17–19 South Madison Street — approved (at proposer’s cost) Council accepted a resident’s offer to remove large, nonstandard flagstones in front of two downtown parcels and to replace the sidewalk with material compatible with the existing South Madison Street sidewalk at the proposer’s cost. Motion (recorded): "I move that we accept the gentleman's proposal for him to remove the antique stones and replace them with a sidewalk compatible to the sidewalk system we currently enjoy on Madison Street (at his cost)." Outcome: approved (ayes recorded).

Meeting context: several items drew substantive staff presentations and public discussion earlier in the meeting, including a presentation by event organizers about a proposed Oct. 18 vintage car rally; the council provided feedback but took no vote on that concept. The meeting also included staff updates on water and wastewater operations and an extended discussion of speed and pedestrian-safety measures.

Quotations - "This MOU really... just lays out our respective expectations... how we best ensure that it's a successful and safe day for everyone coming to town," Town Manager Danny Davis said about the Christmas MOU. - "I move that the town council approve an ordinance to rescind section 113-8... and adopt a new section 113-8.1... pertaining to water conservation," a council member said when introducing the water ordinance motion.

Ending: All four items above were approved; staff indicated budgeted funds will be used for the SCADA and PLC work and that staff will return with implementation details and follow-up reports where appropriate.