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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/3/2018 - Regular MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7.-00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor Keith N. Liles Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk Susan Waddell, Town Attorney Anne Cantrell, Treasurer/Finance Director Tom Foster, Police Chief Anita McMillan, Planning &Zoning Director Joey Hiner, Public Works Director Donna Collins, Human Resources Director The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, Council Member Scheid, Vice Mayor Hare and Mayor Grose present. Roll call After a Moment of Silence, Pete Middleton and Isabella Middleton, members of the Children of the American Revolution, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Under upcoming community events, Council Member McCarty announced the following: April 18- 11-30 am-Arbor Day-Senior Center; April 6-22-StarCity Playhouse presents Private Lives; April 25-29- Dogwood Festival and Vinyl Sundays-2-6 pm-Twin Creeks Brewery, Chief Foster made brief comments and then read a quote, ""It's easier to build up a child than to repair an adult and we should always choose our words wisely," Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hare and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays, Approved minutes of the Regular (0)— None. Council Meeting of March 20, 2018 The next item on the agenda was the annual update from the Roanoke Regional Partnership. Beth Doughty first expressed appreciation to the Town for their support and partnership. Ms. Doughty next commented on several areas in their annual report. The first area related to asset development and outdoor branding. Asset development started with the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority and the current Wood Haven Project. The Partnership is supervising the master planning of this project and a Coo Virginia grant was received in the amount of $200,000 for utility extension. With regard to outdoor branding, the Blue Ridge Marathon is scheduled for April 21 st, the Go Fest is scheduled for October 2- 4 and the Go {gross is scheduled for Labor Clay weekend. Also; they are assisting with several of the camping vendors for Explore Park and completed a study of end-aver kayak; parks, The next area was targeted business investment and in 2017 they had $ 7 million in expansions and $21 million in new locations with 633 new primary jobs and 1, 0- , 00 secondary jobs. The overall annual economic impact is$378 million,. With regard to leadership and engagement; they filled 406 information requests relating to a need for information for decision making and planning and completed eight research projects that measured economic impact of various projects or events. They also had six successful grant applications. Ms. Doughty next commented they added a talent position to their staff. The ability to attract and retain the talent that fuels our businesses and our economy is really critical because the average age in the Halley is high and the rate of population Growth is slow. Erin Burcham is the Director of Talent Solutions and her first objective is to create a pipeline between the colleges and universities in our region and the business community. She has already met with all of the colleges, scheduled appointments to bring employers to those career centers to establish relationships and will be developing a website and materials that employers can use in their recruiting, The Partnership completed s successful fundraising campaign last year that raised $200,000 in private money without any increase in government funding to enable therm to add this position to their staff. Council Member Scheid asked about the projection of the number of people that the Blue Ridge Marathon would bring in this year, Ms. Doughty said that registrations were ahead, but she did not have the exact information. fast year the economic impact was approximately$30000 for the one dayevent, The next items on the agenda were several Proclamations. The first Proclamation was for Arbor Clay. Anita McMillan commented that the Town will be celebrating the 17th year of Arbor Cray on April 1 to at 11-30 a.m. This will be in conjunction with the Senior Center and the Thrasher Memorial UMC Preschool programs at the Charles R. Hill Senior Center. One white dogwood will be planted at the Senior Center and 10 red maple trees will be planted along Walnut_ Avenue and the glade Creek Greenway. The Mayor commented on the contents of the Proclamation. The next Proclamation was for National Child Abuse Prevention !Month.. Kathryn Sowers with the GFWC Uonan's Club first introduced several members who were present and commented on the pinwheel garden that was planted in front of the Municipal Building with the assistance of the Police Department. Ms. Sowers then made comments regarding the history of the GF C and some statistics relating to child abuse, The !Mayor made comments and then presented the Proclamation. The next Proclamation was for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Aleta Coleman, Chief of Emergency Communications, introduced three of the Communications Officers that were present. Ms. Coleman next commented that this year celebrates 50 years of the first 911 call that was taken on February 16, 1968 in Haleyville, Alabama, The 17 Team of the Year was the B Platoon and the three present wereall a part of that Platoon along with their supervisor, Beth Clemson who was chosen as Supervisor of the Year and the Communications Officer of the Year, Debbie Robertson. The bookie of the Year was Sierra bailey. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Hare and Chief Paster all expressed appreciation to the Communications Officers, The Mayor presented the Proclamation. The next item can the agenda was the presentation of Certificate of Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2017 awarded to the Treasurer/Finance Department. Anne Cantrell commented that this is the second year that the budget document was submitted for consideration and the second award. Ms. Cantrell then commented on the criteria to receive the award and expressed appreciation to Council and Staff for their support in creating the budget document. Under citizens' comments and petitions, Danny Harrison, a resident of Vinton, commented on the safety issues at the intersection of Vinyard and Hardy Road. He asked if the traffic light could be changed to are alternating green light. The Mayor commented that the matter will be referred to the Highway Safety Committee. The Town Manager commented that the matter i already on the Committee's April 1 Uh agenda for consideration. A study has been completed from an engineering firm on this intersection and will be reviewed and a recommendation brought back to Council. The Mayor asked the Town Clerk to send Mr. Harrison a letter with the results of that decision. The next item on the agenda was the consideration of public comments regarding setting of the real estate, personal property and machinery and tools tax rates for calendar year 2018, The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 7: 3 p.m. Public Hearing opened Anne Cantrell first commented that the 2018 real estate assessment was $477,394,800 which is an increase over 2017 of $10,381, 00. After removing new construction, the net increase for the Town i $8,486,500, which is a tax levy of $334,1 6 and a $ `,266 increase over 2017, No change is being recommended in the real estate tax for the current calendar year. Also, the proposal is that the personal property tax rates remain the same. Hearing no public comments, the public Hearing was closed at 7:43 p.m;. Public Hearing closed Council Member Liles made a motion to adopt the Ordinance setting the real estate tax rate for calendar year 2018 as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0, Yeas Adopted ordinance No. 990 setting 5 — Liles, McCarty Scheid, blare, Grose; Nays 0) the real estate tax rate for calendar None. year 201 Council Member Scheid made a motion to adopt the Ordinance setting the personal property tax rate for calendar year 2018 as presented, the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hare and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting; Vote - Adopted Ordinance No, 991 setting 0 Yeas 5 -- Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; bays the personal property tax rate for 0)--None calendar year 2018 The next item n the agenda was a briefingon the renewal of the Town of Vinton Employees' group health insurance with The Local Choice Program for the contract year July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. 4 Donna Collins commented that the Local Choice proposed 12% premium increase in renewal rates is effective on duly 1't This is the largest increase in the lest four years. In order to receive feedback from the employees, five informational meetings were held to provide employees with comparison charts and casts for four possible plans to show how it would impact their take-home pay. Each employee was also given a care to indicate their choice of the four plans which are to be returned to HR by April 23`d. Currently we have the Expanded and the 500 plan. We are asking;employees to choose from the Expanded, the 500, 250 or the 1,000 plan. The difference between the plans is the deductible. The dental and prescription coverage will be the same in all four plans. There will be a slight variance in co-pays for the vision plans depending on what plan is chosen. All the wellness and preventative procedures will continue to be free regardless of the plan that is chosen. To date it appears that the 250 and the 1,000 plan are the top choices. The renewal date is April 3 th. Council Mentzer Scheid asked if other localities are experiencing this increase. Ms. Collins responded that large increases are across the spectrum. When we have an increase in claims over a 12-month period, it impacts our renewal rate. The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution setting the allocation percentage for Personal Property Tax Relief in the Town of Vinton for the 2018 tax year. Anne Cantrell commented on the history of the PPTRA and that Roanoke County Finance staff has calculated the Town's rate for 2018 at 59.10%, which has been verified by theTown's Finance department. This is a decrease from last year's percentage of around % Vice Mayor Hare made a motion to adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Adopted Resolution No. 2241 setting Member Scheid and carried by the following roll call the allocation percentage for vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas ) Personal Property Tax Relief in the Liles, McCarty, Scheid, bare, Crease, bays(g)—None. Town of Vinton for the 2015 tax year The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of an Ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 10, "Animals" of the Vinton Town Code. The Town Manager commented that on February 2&, Theresa Fontana briefed Council on this amendment. Tonight Susan Waddell will comment on the changes and answer any questions. Susan Waddell first commented that most of the changes in this Code Section were made to conform to the amendments in the State Animal Control Code sections and she commented on those changes. The most significant, substantive change is on Pages 7- . The definition of tethering was added on Page 7. There was discussion at the briefing on how to enforce r determine if the animal has been tethered for the period of time for a violation. She reviewed the proposed amendment in Section 10-5 on Wage 5. Also; instead of making the violation a Class 4 misdemeanor, it is now a civil violation subject to a fine of $150. In Section 10-10, the nuisance violation was changed from being a criminal offense to civil offense. In Section 10- 15 on Page 12, the pick-up fees were increased and the language referring to a stray was removed. On Page 14, the language in Section 10-66 was deleted because it was already incorporated elsewhere in the Code. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Hare regarding the definition of"control of an animal" and the Town not having a leash law, the Town Attorney responded it does not have to be can a leash as long it is under control. Vice Mayor bare next asked about animals that are not tethered, but are outside all of the time with no food or water. The Town Attorney responded that Section 1 I- , subsection a would make it unlawful for a companion animal to not be provided with adequate food and water. Chief Pester commented that this violation would be enforced by complaint. Chief Foster next commented that the rebuttal presumption with regard to the tethering was his suggestion. After further discussion, Council Member Scheid made a motion to adopt the Ordinance as presented; the motion was seconded by Council ,adopted Ordinance No. 99 Member- McCarty and carried by the following roll call amending certain sections of Chapter vote, with all members voting; Vote 5-0, Yeas 5j — 10, "Animals" of the Vinton Town Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Flare, Grose; bays(9)—Done. Code The next item was to consider nominations for the 2015 VIVID Policy Committees. After some discussion, Council Member Liles made a motion to accept the same nominations from the 2017 slate as follows — Community & Economic Development Council Member Liles and Richard 11 . Peters; Environmental Quality Council Member Scheid and Anita McMillan; Finance — Vice Mayor Hare and Anne Cantrell, General Laws -- thief Tom Poster and Barry W. Thompson; Human development and Education Mayor Grose and gonna Collins and Transportation Council Member McCarty and Joey liner. The motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas 5 -- Liles, McCarty; Scheid, Hare, Approved nominations for 2018 Grose; Pays g),. VMl_ Policy Committees The Town Manager gave an update from the March CRTC Board meeting that he was not able to attend due to a conflict with his schedule, Nevin Price with Valley Metro indicated that the Board did discuss the STAR- pass; but was still uncomfortable with the 52 ride pass and saw it as a potential revenue loss for CRTC. While it would somewhat address any heavy users of the STAR service, any potential savings would he offset by average STAR service users who might purchase the pass and would continue to use it over a period of time longer than a month. The Board dirt agree to raise the cost of the pass from $96 to $112 to bring it more in line with the Fixed Route monthly pass. Mr. Thompson further commented that we are still in discussion with there on the Ton's fixed routes and we have not been provided any pricing on any route changes. He has requested a meeting with torn. Council Member Scheid asked if there was any explanation of how they made a decision to go from $96 to 112 and Mr. Thompson responded there was not. Council Member Liles and Council Member Scheid asked about RADAR vehicles picking up individuals in Roanoke County and who was paying for those trips. The Town Manager responded that those are not on the Town's bill. Wherever they get on CHAR is where the charge is and they can take you anywhere the Fixed Route can take you. Dice Mayor dare asked if our Roanoke County citizen status would qualify us for Cortran if we dirt not have our own RADAR. The Town Manager commented that might be a discussion to have with Valley Metro. Council Member Scheid commented that the TPO has a request from Roanoke County to do a study on transit service delivery models for seniors and people with disabilities and they are going to look at it valley wide._ The Town Manager further commented that the City of Salem and the Town have expressed that bath localities have a seat on the Board rather than share a seat that rotates every two years. The Mayor commented on what he considers an enhanced duality of life in the Town and the opportunity to celebrate events like Arbor Clay and 7 recognize National Child Abuse Prevention and our Telecommunicators workers. Comments from Council: Council Member Scheid commented that Clean Valley Day is scheduled for this Saturday and suggested that we decide by Thursday based on the weather if we want to reschedule the lifter pickup for April 21st. The Regional Commission is also doing a study on Gus Nicks and Washington Avenue corridor improvements which will be available in 2019 to provide alternatives and cost estimates. Council Member McCarty commented on the success of the Senior Expo. Council Member Liles expressed thanks to Chief Foster for participating with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Digs in Blue Program. He then commented on a suggestion from the organization to have Chief Foster and the Mayor to participate in the go Over the Edge event. Vice Mayor are made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Scheid carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) — None. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Meeting adjourned APPROVED: /7 EST: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor A( Susan N. Johnson, CMt, Town Clerk 8