Norton council approves minutes, multiple agreements, a water tap and an appointment; certifies closed meeting

Norton City Council on Feb. 17 completed a series of routine and substantive actions by unanimous votes.

Key outcomes: - Approved the minutes of the Feb. 3, 2026 council meeting. - Confirmed a check dated Feb. 6, 2026, payable to Quesenberry’s for $100,936.57. - Adopted a Collaborative Adoption Agreement with DePaul Community Resources and Norton Department of Social Services and authorized NDSS Director Abe Rutherford to execute the agreement. - Adopted resolutions supporting VOAA grant applications for the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board’s ROPES program (including a $5,000 local VOAA commitment) and the Isaiah 117 House program (resolution amended to state the city will consider executing any future operational agreement). - Approved one outside-the-city water tap for Emalee Irene Cooke of 6234 Roosevelt Road with a 180-day application nullification date; staff noted sewer service would require Wise County Public Service Authority involvement. - Moved to closed session to discuss personnel under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1), returned to open session, and unanimously certified the closed meeting; the council then adopted the Certification of Closed Meeting resolution. - Reappointed Andy Belcher to the City of Norton Building Code Board of Appeals for a five-year term ending Feb. 18, 2031.

The council took no public comment during the Mayor’s Call for Visitors and scheduled no additional votes at the meeting’s close.