City could establish Veterans Commission

Washington has its Veterans Memorial Park. It could soon have a Veterans Commission.

During its meeting today, the City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing the city manager to develop a Veterans Commission concept and provide a recommendation for the council to consider at a later date.

"The proposed Veteran Commission is being considered for implementation to recognize the contributions our military personnel has made in serving our city, state, and nation," City Manager Bobby Roberson wrote in a memorandum to the mayor and council members. "The city will also be seeking advice from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Daughters of the American Revolution and other military organization(s) to develop the goals and objectives for the group."

The city is seeking advice on how to further develop Veterans Memorial Park, assist in Memorial Day activities and provide affordable housing for veterans, according to the memorandum.

In other business, the council, according to the tentative agenda for its meeting, is scheduled to discuss modifying the configuration of the intersection of West Main Street and Gladden Street. During a council meeting in August, Councilman Doug Mercer suggested using some of the $94,340 in grant funds earmarked for improving the downtown streetscape to "take out the curve" at the intersection of West Main and Gladden streets, saying such a change would improve traffic flow in that area.

The council is expected to consider authorizing the city manager to negotiate (if necessary) and sign a lease with Metro Aviation concerning use of the corporate hangar at Washington-Warren Airport. Currently, Metro Aviation uses the hangar on an as-needed basis for aircraft storage and weather emergencies. It has been paying a daily rental rate. It seeks a "permanent" lease for the hangar.

Under terms of the proposed lease, Metro Aviation would pay rent in the amount of $1.14 per square foot for a year. The hangar has 5,280 square feet, which, when applying the rental rate, would bring in $6,019.20 annually. The rent would increase 2 percent each time the lease is renewed.

Metro Aviation, which currently leases the hangar next to the corporate hangar, is the largest aviation fuel consumer at the airport, according to a city document.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. today in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St. To view the council's agenda for a specific meeting, visit the city's website at www.washingtonnc.gov, click "City Agendas." Locate the appropriate agenda (by date) under the "Washington City Council" heading, then click on that specific agenda listing.