Town Manager outlines sidewalk clearing, decoration replacements and procurement revisions

Town Manager Andrew Morris briefed the Floyd Town Council on several operational matters at the Feb. 5 meeting, including snow response, downtown holiday decorations and a proposed revision to procurement rules.

Morris said additional personnel joined Public Works for two extended workdays to clear sidewalks after the recent storm and that crews completed clearing affected areas. Town Attorney Janet Murrell noted that snow pushed by VDOT had blocked the crosswalk in front of Angels in the Attic until Town crews cleared it.

Morris also told the council that eleven decorative snowflakes installed on downtown light posts need replacement. He asked whether the council preferred purchasing all replacements at once or phasing them over multiple years; Mayor Will Griffin asked Morris to bring several new design options for council review at the next meeting.

On procurement, Morris explained the difference between competitive negotiations (qualifications-based) and competitive bids (lowest price) and proposed revised wording for Section 10(n) of the Small Purchase Procedures Policy to make that distinction clearer. He recommended the council defer a vote until he presents a final draft on Feb. 19.

In other business, Councilman Chris Bower raised a complaint from a business owner about trash pickup timing; Morris reiterated that trash collection usually makes a second pass and the mayor asked staff to document complaints. Councilman Bruce Turner suggested sending a thank-you note to the Floyd County High School Culinary Arts Class for catering a town luncheon; Mayor Griffin said he had emailed the class instructor, Ms. Knapp, to thank them.

The council did not take final action on procurement policy language or on snowflake purchases; those items are expected back on the agenda Feb. 19, 2026.