ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996 TAG: 9606060068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: Some time ago, Roanoke City Council established a percentage of the budget for a contingency fund. How much money has been taken in, and how has it been spent?
R.E., Roanoke
A: The contingency fund has been used for several years. When this fiscal year began, there was $366,941 in the fund, and $262,735 had been spent in the 10 months through April.
Among the items paid for: $35,000 toward the Williamson Road Corridor Plan, with the Williamson Road Business Association paying another $10,000. A consultant is developing a plan to improve the commercial corridor, with input from the businesses and residents.
Also, $25,000 for Explore Park, which became a contingency matter after the city mailed Explore's application for normal funding to the wrong address.
The biggest item was $81,716 for emergency snow operations in December and January. Another $5,000 was spent to operate an emergency shelter at the civic center during the snowstorm Jan. 7-10.
Other major items: $55,000 in local matching funds for welfare programs, $15,000 for training, development and special events (at least some of which was used for staff training with a management consultant from UVa), and $8,250 to replace signs at Brandon Avenue and Franklin Road.
Also: $2,500 for a brunch at the Salem Civic Center for people associated with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl football game.
As of April 30, $104,000 remained in the contingency fund for this year.
Coins in the fountain
Q: At Valley View Mall, where do the coins go after they've been thrown into the fountain?
M.W., Salem
A: These coins add up to less than $1,000 a year. They become part of Valley View Mall's contributions to Roanoke Valley charities and programs, said Scott Ashcraft, marketing manager.
A short list of recipients includes the United Way, Roanoke Firefighters Association, Festival in the Park, Jaycees, Special Olympics, the Regional Partnership and the American Cancer Society, among others.
Never-ending job
Q: On Garst Mill Road in Roanoke County there has been some kind of construction project involving large green pipe under way for a year or more. What are they doing there?
J.E., Roanoke
A: It has been one of those construction projects that won't go away.
The job is replacement of sewer pipes. The word last summer was: completion expected in the fall.
Fall came and went, but the pipes stayed above ground. Extensions were given on the contract.
Some pipe materials were not available, and then snow got in the way.
Right now, a July finish looks optimistic, a county official said.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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