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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/21/2022 - Work SessionMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN OF VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Liles, Chairman Robert “Bob” Benninger Sarah Reid MEMBERS ABSENT: David “Dave” Jones, Vice Chairman STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director Nathan McClung, Assistant Planning and Zoning Director Fayula Gordon, Associate Planner Julie Tucei, Planning and Zoning Coordinator STAFF ABSENT: Cody Sexton, Assistant Town Manager/Interim Treasurer AGENDA WORK SESSION—6:00 P.M. I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital Improvement Projects Presentation: Richard Peters, Town Manager and Cody Sexton, Assistant Town Manager/Interim Treasurer III. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff IV. Adjournment Chairman Liles welcomed everyone to the work session and called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. He asked Ms. Tucei to call the roll. Ms. Tucei called the roll, and all members, except Vice Chairman Jones, were present. The following members of Town Staff were also present: Richard Peters, Anita McMillan, Nathan McClung, Fayula Gordon, and Julie Tucei. Town Staff Member Cody Sexton was absent. The first item on the work session agenda was the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital Improvement Projects Presentation from Richard Peters, Town Manager. Mr. Peters provided copies of the PowerPoint and a list of the CIP items to each person present. A copy of both will be made a part of the permanent record of this meeting. Mr. Peters explained that we are in the third year of the Council’s strategic plan. He said that anything the Town is receiving new or is maintaining, they must try to fit it within the strategic plan. He briefly mentioned that there were some questions that were asked of community stakeholders to come up with the four themes of the strategic plan including: Economic Development, Infrastructure and Public Works, Efficient and High-Performing Government, and Livability. Mr. Peters also briefly went over the seven strategies of the Town which are included in the PowerPoint that is included as a part of the record of this meeting. Next, he went over the accomplishments/projects from the past year which are included on page 9 of the above-mentioned PowerPoint presentation. He stated that the Town had issued debt, but then the federal government issued ARPA grant funds that could be used for infrastructure. The Utility Fund includes the SCADA system upgrade and water meter upgrades to radio read. Mr. Benninger asked how far along the PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2022 PAGE 2 water meter upgrade project is as of now. Mr. Peters said they are coming along with good percentages of both commercial and residential meters done. He stated that the FY22 Utility Fund also included the renovation of the 3rd Street sewer lift station, as well as the only project not yet started, which is the 1st Street waterline that is an older galvanized pipe. He mentioned that the line will have to be rerouted due to the hotel project that will be going up soon in that area. Therefore, that is a needed project, not only for the hotel project, but also for water quality. Mr. Peters also mentioned the FY22 Capital Projects including: Hardy Road paving from CVS to the Town Limits; Mountain View Road analysis for which the project will be designed soon (by 2025 the project should be substantially complete); Worksite and Work Zone Safety Package/Trailer; Shepherd Stormwater Project and three other parcels near Lotz Funeral Home; History Museum upgrades for electrical, porch repair, basement; Body and in-car cameras for the Police Department; Traffic signal improvements at various intersections including 3rd Street and PFG; Gish Mill Building Delivery; Greenway Phase 2B VDOT match, which is front loaded for next year; Hardy Road Crosswalk match, which is also front loaded for next year; and the Gish Mill Parking and Façade buy down on expenses of site improvements because it is a gateway project. Because the Town had a good year on revenues, Mr. Peters said they are able to use some funding for some current year appropriations including: Purchase of refuse carts to have extras on hand; Additional paving to meet the budget target; Niagara Road and Woodland Place creek bank restoration. He stated that revenue from Rosie’s had provided a lot money to go towards these projects. Mr. Peters said that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is funding the following projects: Additional Police Officer position to include 3 years of salary and benefits; A CIP Project Manager position to include 3 years of salary and benefits plus operating funds; Premium pay and bonuses for employees this year and next year; Garthright Bridge preventative maintenance for which a bid will go out in early May; Additional paving to meet the budget target; PPE supplies; and the Munis Software conversion. The next part of the discussion was the proposed FY23 CIP with Mr. Peters highlighting the items included in it. Mr. Peters noted that it is a very ambitious CIP. He stated that $2.7 million in CIP spending needs have been identified, but in the past, it has been difficult to fund everything. For reference he stated that, on the list that has been provided, the numbers on the left side of the CIP table relate back to the goals mentioned earlier in tonight’s presentation. The task numbers on the right side of the table are the ranking for the projects. Chairman Liles asked about the pool closure and what the Town plans to do with the property. Mr. Peters stated that Mr. Jamie Hurt, the Town’s new Capital Projects Manager, will handle the project. He mentioned that ultimately the Town would like to develop a park at the former pool location that can be used by citizens. He said the Lions Club may build a picnic shelter and maybe either a pickleball court, basketball court, or both there in the future. Another item included in the CIP is the blight acquisition which would include the removal of some homes that cannot be rehabbed. He said that Town Council wants to have a pool of funds available to use to acquire properties, tear down the houses, and return lots back to greenspace or rebuild new houses on the PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2022 PAGE 3 lots. He stated that each tear down and rebuild could provide funding for the next project. Ms. Reid asked if it would be similar to a land bank, and Mr. Peters said it would be like that. The trailer park off Glade Road, which is in the floodway, is one of the potential projects. He stated that the project would be performed with the current residents in mind, and they would attempt to get them into better, more suitable housing. Other projects mentioned by Mr. Peters were the Mountain View Road design project and the 3rd Street geotech and review. With regards to 3rd Street, the road is deteriorating and not in good condition. He stated that some remediation is taking place to take out dips that could be dangerous. The next project he mentioned was the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B gap funding. He stated that he is hopeful that Ms. McMillan can find other funding through grants. He said that this will be the portion from Gearhart Park to Walnut Avenue under the Norfolk Southern Railroad trestle. Also included on the projects list, is the pool closure that was already discussed earlier in the meeting. Next, Mr. Peters said that the Vinton War Memorial is in need of A/V equipment replacements to bring everything there up-to-date. Also, there is a need to replace the holiday décor and banners for the Town entrances on the main roads. Another project is the traffic signal replacements for Niagara, Vinyard, and Bypass/Hardy Roads where most of the existing equipment is 40 years old and barely hanging on. Mr. Peters mentioned that traffic signal synchronization will be possible with the new signal infrastructure that is going in at those locations. Mr. Peters stated that CIP funding will be needed to complete the new downtown parking lot off Walnut Avenue. He said the Town plans to lease the former Cenvar Roofing lot from the property owner, Mr. McClung, with an option to purchase it upon his passing. He said this parking lot will support events and downtown businesses with 90 additional parking spaces. He mentioned that it will be similar in size to the Vinyard Station parking lot which has 84 parking spaces. Mr. Peters stated that Mr. McClung cannot sell the lot now due to financial reasons, but the Town will have the first right to purchase it once he passes. He said that Mr. Hurt will be working on the design for the new parking lot. Chairman Liles asked about the pricing for the property. Mr. Peters said Mr. McClung has agreed to sell the property upon his passing for the tax assessed value, plus an escalation clause that is included in the contract. He mentioned that eventually the Town will also own the building that is on the lot. Chairman Liles recommended that the lot be named for the McClung family. Mr. Benninger asked if the traffic signal replacement will include putting the opticons on the lights to detect emergency responder’s vehicles. Mr. Peters said they would include opticons. Mr. Benninger asked if the Town had checked with the County’s Fire/EMS about getting some funding towards the opticon sensors. Mr. Peters said he would be sure to check on that. Mr. Peters also mentioned several other items listed on the proposed CIP including: additional museum repairs; a new wood chipper; a new mini excavator and trailer; an enclosed firearms qualifications trailer; curb, gutter and sidewalk construction with the Cleveland Avenue sidewalks being the first to be done; PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2022 PAGE 4 Gish Mill incentives and connection fees to buy down the project to get it developed and generate revenue; Hotel site development and additional utility relocations; S. Pollard Street commercial development/ reimbursement of a gateway property for fire suppression and façade work; Replacement of fuel pumps and software at the 3rd Street Public Works building; Generator switchgear for the generator currently at the 3rd street pump station so it can be moved to the Public Works building; Stormwater fund inventory and needs assessment to investigate implementing a stormwater fee; Funding for the private stormwater replacement; Street sign replacement program fund; Additional paving allocation of $1.1 million for paving. With those projects, that makes a total of $2,678,000 for the proposed CIP, which Mr. Peters stated is very ambitious. Next, Mr. Peters showed photos in the PowerPoint of the upcoming projects in the Town. He mentioned that the hotel that is going to be constructed is likely going to be a Wingate by Wyndham and is planned to be a four-story structure. Mr. Peters also showed the rendering for the 107 S. Pollard Street restaurant which will be owned by the current owner of Awful Arthur’s and Cast Plates and Pints. He stated that the Pollard Street location will have a slightly more upscale menu than Awful Arthur’s. He said they plan to have pool and darts inside and might have shuffle board outside, along with outdoor dining and roll up doors. Also mentioned was the proposed blight abatement in the trailer park area. The rendering showed the flood area at that location and one of the existing trailer homes. Mr. Peters next showed them a rendering of the proposed McClung parking lot with trees and additional parking spaces. He stated that the current tenant will still have access to back part of the new parking lot which will be located along the Lee Avenue portion of the property. Finally, Mr. Peters displayed a chart which shows the upcoming paving schedule. Chairman Liles asked about the status of the former Cleveland Mart store. Mr. Peters said there is nothing new yet on it, but some interest has been expressed which has been referred to the owner of the property. Also, as far as the former Altice Upholstery property, Mr. Peters said the plans for it are to become a commercial kitchen. Mr. McClung stated that it would be a bakery and candy and coffee maker that will be using a hemp byproduct as an ingredient in the products. Mr. Peters also discussed the funding availability shown in the PowerPoint that has been included in the permanent record of this meeting. He stated that there is $6.7 million in cash on hand, and there are $8.9 million in CIP requests which are reflected on the worksheet provided. Mr. Peters said he is mindful of the existing projects already in progress, as well as staff capacity for projects. He mentioned that the Town’s debt will be miniscule, especially once the Water Authority takes over the water system. He asked if any commissioners had any questions about the presentation. Ms. Reid said that it looks great overall and that she is glad to see skatepark listed on it. Mr. Peters stated the upcoming projects like that PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2022 PAGE 5 will be more visible projects to the citizens. Ms. McMillan said she is excited to see all the projects that are in the works, some of which she said she has been requesting over many years. Mr. Benninger complimented Mr. Peters on a great job putting the CIP together. He made a recommendation that the Planning Commission should recommend the proposed CIP to Council as presented. Both Ms. Reid and Chairman Liles agreed with his recommendation. Mr. Peters said there will be a work session at the second Town Council meeting in May for CIP, and then the public hearing will likely be held on June 7th, with the adoption taking place by Council on June 28th. The next item on the agenda were the comments of the Planning Commission and Staff. There were no further comments. With there being nothing further to discuss, the work session was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Anita McMillan Planning Commission Secretary