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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/5/2016 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P 11 ON TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTO MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTO VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor 1. Douglas Adams, Jr. Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Interim Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk Paul Mahoney, Town Attorney Richard W. Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director Anne Whitehurst, Accounting Manager Gary Woodson, Public Works Director Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director Mary Beth Layman, Special Programs Director Mark Vaught, Police Lieutenant Glenn Austin, Police Lieutenant Valerie Cummings, Police Sergeant The Mayor called the Work Session to order to hear the annual update from the Roanoke Valley Regional Partnership. Beth Doughty began her Power Point presentation and first commented that they filled 378 information requests last year which was a 15% over the year before and gave some examples. They continue to raise the visibility of the region by using almost totally social media tied into their work plan. The unique website visitors were up 69% last year. juagea by activity Toes inal are opened and b14 tiles were opened last year which is a 27% increase in activity. The annual economic impact over the past four years amounted to $2.4 billion in 2015 which is calculated each year and builds on itself. In 2015 about 2,700 net new jobs were created despite some high -profile layoffs. The employment rate was 3.8% and it continues to decline. There are about 11,000 unfilled jobs according to the Virginia Employment Commission in the region. Ms. Doughty next commented on the Blue Ridg'_ Marathon that continues to grow and has more tha half a million in economic impact. The one-da event brings attention to our area and last year 31 countries and 40 plus states came to run in the Marathon. Another is the Go Outside Festival which is held in the Fall and there was a 25% increase in attendance for this event last year. Work being done on the Explore Park Master Plan and they have completed a kayak park study with the assistance of a consultant. To create a kayak park, a section of a river is manipulated to increase the water level, enhance the rapids and provide beaches. We looked at four different locations with Explore Park being one that we might be able to - turn into this type of park. Ms. Doughty next commented about the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority and that it is working towards acquiring sites that will create a large parcel of land. We do not currently have anything over 50 acres that is ready to go and easily developable. Council Member Scheid asked if there has ever been an effort to market the Vinton Business Park through the Regional Partnership. Ms. Doughty responded that they do not make the decision on which parcels to show. All requests go to Jill Loope with Roanoke County for her to provide input on what she thinks the best opportunities are and they are presented to the client. Council Member Scheid asked if there is anything that the Town needs to do differently in terms of marketing that property. Ms. Doughty commented that her suggestion would be to look at internal opportunities for the property, businesses within the region. Service providers would be a good market for those sites based on location and their size. Barry Thompson commented that he had a meeting with Ms. Doughty recently and she offered for her staff to come and look over the Town. They would then meet with our staff to do a visioning process on what our image is, what we would like it to be and to work with our Economic Development Committee. He further commented that this has not been done in the past and indicated he would welcome the opportunity. Council Member Scheid commented that Council had a presentation at their last meeting on expanding Valley Metro. One of the points that was made to try and justify the expansion was getting workers out to Botetourt County and she asked Ms. Doughty's opinion. Ms. Doughty responded that 0 she thought it was valid for opportunities for connectedness. The next item was a briefing on the proposed Roanoke County dedication of eighty (80) foot wide greenway easement to the Town for the purpose of completing the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2 Project. Anita McMillan first commented that Roanoke County had the first reading on the easement on March 22 Id and will have the second reading on April 12 th . The design plan of Phase I of the Glade Creek Greenway is currently being reviewed and they hope to have go out to bid the end of April and start construction in June. The engineer feels that the construction will take about five to six months. Last year Council authorized staff to submit a TA grant application for Phase 2 which is from Walnut all the way to Gus Nicks Boulevard. About half of the greenway will be on the Roanoke County -owned former William Byrd High School on the western portion of the property. The easement that we are asking the County to donate to the Town is approximately eighty (80) feet wide and a total of 2.6 acres in area. $417,710 to be funded by the grant and the remaining of $108,500 to be funded by administration of the project, drainage improvements and other volunteer organizations. This donation from Roanoke County will also be an in -kind match. Pathfinders will be building the required shelter when you go under the railroad trestle. The Glade Creek Greenway will be the first pave greenway in the Town and the only connection tha the Town residents can have to the Roanoke Ci Tinker Creek Greenway that will eventually go to th Roanoke River Greenway. We hope to know b November if we are awarded the funding through o it application. I The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Adams, Council Member McCarty, Council Member Scheid, Vice Mayor Hare and Roll call Mayor Grose present. After a Moment of Silence, Council Member Scheid led the Pledge o Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. 9 Under upcoming community events, Council Member McCarty announced the Dogwood Festival that will begin April 27 th and run through May 1't. ® is a 2-® the Candidates Event at the War Memorial on April I I 1h from 6:00 p.m. to 730 p.m. Breakfast Lions Club is selling tickets for ®. Draw Down event on April 1 61h at the Lancer Lot as well as Love tickets with proceeds going to the Lions of Virginia for special projects. The Town will be celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day on April 22 nd at Herman L. Horn Elementary School at 1:15 p.m. Council Member Scheid announced that the Town has a team that will participate in Clean Valley Day on April gth and will meet in © Big Lots Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m. that morning. is data Hare made a motion that ©® Consent Agenda be approved as presented; th motion was seconded by Council Member Adam and carried by »® following vote, with all membe voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, McCarty Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. I The next item on the agenda was the recognition of Jeff Dudley, Interim Police Chief. The Mayor made brief comments and presented Chief Dudley with a shadow box. Comments were then made by other members of Council as well as Chief Dudley. The next item on the agenda was a Proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kathryn Sowers made brief comments regarding the pinwheel garden that was planted in front of the Municipal Building prior to the meeting. Council Member ©» read the Prolazo© and presented it to Ms. Sowers. The next item on the agenda ass Proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. After Council Member Adams read the Proclamation, Bill Hunter, Roanoke County Director of Communications and Information Technology made brief comments and recognized the staff from the Communications Center that were in the audience. The next item on the agenda was a Proclamation for Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service, which was read by the Mayor. Approved minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 2016 11 0 The development of the property is estimated at $9.2 million and at this time they are transferring one parcel which is the one at the top consisting of the main building and the annex building. According to the developer that appears to be all that is needed at this time to accomplish the goals and objectives. However, once they get into the process, they may have to do some re -subdivision and the potential transfer of the maintenance facility down below. They are also not sure what the Department of Historic Resources may require in the redevelopment of this property. For a brief history of the building, Ms. Loop commented that it was built in 1930 and used as a educational and vocational training facility fro 1930 to 2010. The main building consists of 62,76 square feet with the adjoining annex building havin 6,980 square feet. The Board of Supervisors o Roanoke County have been very supportive of thi project and they have adopted a Performanc Agreement to assist the developer in th redevelopment including some tax revenu considerations of reimbursement of taxes over a te year period not to exceed $1 million. There ar 2.,greements in place and the Town will be an activ participant and they will work together in partnershi to make this project happen. She then introduce Dave Mccormack with Waukesaw Development. Mr. Mccormack first commented on the tour prior tC9 the Council meeting in Bedford on a project he i doing there. He then showed a Power Poin presentation and commented that by 2016 hi company will have completed more than $70 millio in historic redevelopment projects in Virginia. H also currently has a project in Wilson, Nort Carolina. All the projects are done under th guidelines of the Department of Historic Resource National Park Service and he does not do project that are low income tax credits or Section 8. 1 The next slide showed a project in downtow Petersburg, the Mayton Transfer Lofts, a $26 millio total investment and they continue to have a 95 occupancy rate. Another example shown was th Southern Express Lofts which is a coffee shop an eight apartments for a $1 million investment. Another slide showed the renovation of the Hen Hotel in Martinsville which went operational i October of 2015. There are 24-studio and one bedroom apartments on the upper floors with fou commercial spaces on the ground floor. N The next slide showed an example of a school the have done in Hopewell. It was formerly the Jame E. Mallonee High School and they made a $ million investment in 50 market rate apartments. I is called Hopewell Lofts and was completed i 2010. He next showed a slide of an old ice hous in Petersburg which will now house Trapeziu Brewing soon. Another slide showed the Hi Dolla Warehouse in Wilson, North Carolina, million investment in 91 apartments and a Whirligi ei Park Vors Center which is the main focus of th trourism. Mr. Mccormack next commented that they plan to do 70 market rate apartments at the old William Byrd school property, but preserve the auditorium as the required public space. The goal is to save all of the historic fabric, Council Member Scheid commented on the tour in Bedford and the synergy that has gone along with his other projects which would be nice to see in Vinton. Mr. Mccormack commented that 13 businesses have been created in the neighborhood surrounding the Mayton Transfer Lofts with the gross income being $10 million a year and tax revenues. be able to know if this piece of property is big enough, Mr. Mccormack responded that from his standpoint, he would prefer that the subdivision stay in place and remain separate from the school. The National Park Service will ultimately dictate some of that. They are going to do some site planning and a parking study and he felt they probably have enough space, but where the subdivision line runs on the land to the back of the building, they may need to do an easement to square it off. The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution authorizing the Interim Town Manager to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the Vinton Town Council for administration of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program (VESCP) and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP). Anita McMillan first made comments regarding the history of the VESCP and VSMP and that in October of 2014, the DEQ changed their requirements to allow Roanoke County to be the Town's administrator of the two programs. 0 The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors approved the Memorandum of Understanding on February 23, 2016. After it is approved by Council, all of the paperwork has to be submitted to the Virginia State Water Control Board for their approval. Once it is approved, it will remain in effect for Roanoke County to continue to be the Town's Erosion and Sediment Control in addition to the VSMP administrator. Council was briefed in a work session on March 1" F on afFo-f-fffe--cTianges to Ine stormwateF-a—nd erosia*.' and sediment ordinances that have been adopted by Roanoke County. The ordinances to amend Town Code and adopt the Roanoke County's ordinances by reference will be presented ti, Council at the March 1 51h meeting for approval. ff em �#. 9 Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hare and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) - Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays None. The next item on the agenda was to conside adoption of a Resolution adopting the County o Roanoke Stormwater Management Design Manua dated March 22, 2016. Anita McMillan asked th Town Attorney that since we have not adopted th Roanoke County ordinance, but Roanoke Count has adopted it along with Manual, can we go ahea with this Resolution prior to adopting the ordinance After further discussion the Town Attorne responded that Council could go ahead and adop the Design Manual by reference. I Ms. McMillan commented that the entire Design - Manual is available through a link on the Town and Roanoke County websites. In response to a comment by Vice Mayor Hare, she commented that the majority of the Design Manual is written to follow the State requirements. Council IT'lember Scheid made a motion to adopt thi� Resolution 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 (5) - Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. Adopted Resolution No. 2135 authorizing the Interim Town Manager to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the Vinton Town Council for administration of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program (VESCP) and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Adopted Resolution No. 2136 adopting the County of Roanoke Stormwater Management Design Manual dated March 22, 2016 T The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution appropriating funds in the amount of $1,600.00 received from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to utilize for the SNAP/EBT program at the Vinton Farmers' Market. Mary Beth Layman commented that this donation will be used for matching funds for SNAP purchases. Also, in addition to this $1,600, we are coming under the LEAP organization and will be receiving an additional $2,500 through a Finney Grant soon, Council Member Adams made a motion to adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Scheid and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. Adopted Resolution No. 2137 appropriating funds in the amount of $1,60U0 received from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to utilize for the SNAP/EBT program at the Vinton Farmers' M,7-riet. The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution appropriating funds in the amount of $4,000.00 received through the VML Insurance Programs Risk Management Safety Grant Program to the Gish Mill budget line item. Pete Peters commented that staff recently completed a project as the Gish Mill to implement safety and security measures recommended by our VML insurance provider. The total project cost was $5,57500. Staff applied for this grant and was awarded the full amount of $4,000,00. Vice Mayor Hare made a motion to adopt the Resolution as Adopted Resolution No. 21 presented; the motion was seconded by Council appropriating funds in the amount Member McCarty and carried by the following roll $4,000.00 received through the V call vote, with all members voting. Vote 5-0; Yeas Insurance Programs Ri (5) — Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays Management Safety Grant Progra (0) - None, to the Gish Mill budget line item The next item on the agenda was to conside adoption of a Resolution awarding a bid an authorizing the Interim Town Manager to execute contract with TBS Construction, LLC in the amoun of $142,498 for the Farmer's Market Stage an Roof Expansion Project as part of the Communit Development Block Grant. Pete Peters commente that the next phase of the Community Developmen Block Grant program was to advertise bids for th renovation and expansion of the Vinton Farmers 01h, 31 Market Stage. On March 3 staff received sealed *ids from three general contractors with all three�, meeting the necessary requirements of the bid. The project included a base component consisting of the main stage, roof expansion and seat wall curb and hardscape redesign and relocation of the A Farmers' Market sign, The complete breakdown fo the three bids was included in the agenda packag as well as a breakdown of the details of th remaining phases of the grant. I There is approximately $149,000 available an-= budgeted for the stage renovation, $74,000 fo fagade improvements, $74,000 in the Revolvin Loan Program and $14,571 for grant administratio and close out by DHCD. In addition the Town als has $35,000 budgeted as part of our required matc to complete the other items that were scope outside the available grant funds. Council will bI given additional updates and seek approval o some of the various design elements that remai such as the paint schemes, park benches, sig options and other landscaping plans. Mr. Peters next commented that after consultatio with Hill Studio and additional review of the proje c,1 with staff, it is believed that much of the desire enhancements that were part of the alternative bid can be accomplished in-house with som modifications. Staff is requesting that Counci .-?,ward the base bid of $142,498 to Construction, LLC that focuses on the stag renovation and to not include the two alternative bid items. Council Member Scheid commented that she is pleased that staff is trying to be conservative with the funds that remain in the grant while still being able to get the essence of the project done. The Mayor asked if there would be a member of staff to oversee the project. Mr. Peters responded that DHCD requires that he do daily inspections. Barry Thompson also responded that Bo Herndon as our Project Manager from the Public Works Department will also be providing oversight during the project. Vice Mayor Hare asked when the $35,000 loca match had to be spent, Mr. Peters responded tha this amount is currently budgeted in this fiscal year r It was originally allocated for some renovation of th former Steve's Garage site behind the Municipa Building. However, with several attempts to bid ou various phases of the project that used up some o our construction funds, a decision was made t allocate some of those funds for the park benches the interior signage and other landscaping needs. and overlap into the next fiscal year. Barry Thompson indicated that these funds will be Of earmarked and accounted for as of June 30t'. Mr. Peters further commented that the largest part of our local match was the contribution to the purchase Adopted Resolution No. 2139 of the property for the Vinton Branch of the library. awarding a bid and authorizing the Interim Town Manager to execute a Council Member Scheid made a motion to adopt the contract with TBS Construction, LLC Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded in the amount of $142,498 for the by Council Member McCarty and carried by the Farmer's Market Stage and Roof following roll call vote, with all members votingpansion Project as part of the Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Community Development Block Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. Grant The Mayor asked Mr. Peters to update Council on the applications that had been received for the Fagade Grant Program. Mr. Peters commented that originally there were 11 properties that were considered in the scope of the CDBG Grant. Through various conversations over the past several months, some of the properties have changed ownership and can no longer proceed with the improvements or are no longer interested, As of today there are seven properties being considered for the program. repel, wirr"W"M Jones property on ee Street and the second for property on Pollard between the Martial Arts Studio and the Post Office. That leaves a balance of approximately $20,000 and two other applicants are interested in that remaining amount. The Mayor then asked if there was an approximate completion date on some of the fagade activity. Mr. Peters responded that it his is goal to have all of the facades and the stage renovations completed by Labor Day. We have committed to the Chamber that our grand re -opening of the stage will take place for the September 17 th Mingle at the Market. The next item on the agenda was to consider nominations for the 2016 VML Policy Committees. After discussion, Council Member Adams made a motion to accept the following nominations: 1. Douglas Adams, Council Member and Richard W. Peters, Assistant Town Ma nager/Di rector of Economic Development to Community & Economic Development; Janet Scheid, Council Member and Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director to Environmental Quality; Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor and Barry W. Thompson, Interim Town Manager, Finance Director/Treasurer to Finance; Thomas L. Foster, Police Chief and Barry W. Thompson, Interim Town Manager, Finance Director/Treasurer to General Laws; Bradley E. Grose, Mayor and Donna Collins, Human Resources Director to Human Development & Education and Sabrina McCarty, Council Member and Joey Hiner, Acting Public Works Director to Transportation. The motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nominated and approved individuals Nays (0) - None. - to the 2016 Policy Committees The Mayor next expressed appreciation to all of the agencies in the Roanoke Valley that assisted with the volatile situation on Pine Street last week in the Town. Comments from Council Members: Council, Member McCarty challenged Council and staff t volunteer for the first Mingle at the Market on Jun 1 1th. She and Council Member Adams als commented on the situation on Pine Street, I Barry Thompson commented he will a judge fo the Gauntlet Event at the HIVE next I Monday 1 an, Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon and 5:00 p.m to 9:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will be Saturday the 23rd. 1 Vice fflayor Hare made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Adams and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote Adams, McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) — None. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. I Meeting adjourned Bradley E. Grose, Mayor A EST: Susan N. Johns ?n, ATown Clerk UN