FRANKLIN—The City of Franklin unanimously approved a resolution to support the Moving Ahead for the 21st Century (MAP 21) grant application, which would be intended for a multi-use path.

The trail would potentially include facilities for bicycles and pedestrians in an ongoing Fairview Drive project. This would help in creating a bike and pedestrian path from The Village at Woods Edge to the YMCA.

City Manager Randy Martin said this resolution would provide the city with funding to do all of the planning and development for a first phase.

In other news, the city unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a VDOT revenue-sharing road improvement project involving the Hunterdale Road improvement project between Clay Street and the Norfolk and Southern Railroad. VDOT has estimated a $111,316 shortfall in funding. The city has applied for revenue-sharing funding in the amount of $55,658, which represents half the shortfall. Once the application has been considered by VDOT, the city manager will request a budget amendment for the amount of the funding shortfall.

The city also unanimously approved the contract renewal update with the Blackwater Regional Library. The first contract update since 2007, this was done to clean up some language and did not significantly alter anything, said Martin.

Vice Mayor and Ward 1 Councilor Barry Cheatham also asked the board to consider funding the library based on a three-year average. The library is currently funded based on a single year, involving data on use and the city’s population. Martin said a three-year average could reduce the variance in the budget.

Following a unanimous vote, the city will negotiate with Utility Services Co. Inc. for water storage tank assessment management and maintenance services. These services would benefit the city by ensuring ongoing quality maintenance of water utility infrastructure, while avoiding major fluctuations in the budget every few years when the city needs a major rehabilitation project.

Cheyenne Banks of Franklin High School was reappointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.

Peggy Kannon of Franklin was appointed to the city’s Beautification Commission.