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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/5/2022 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Sabrina McCarty, Vice Mayor Laurie J. Mullins Michael W. Stovall MEMBERS ABSENT: Keith N. Liles STAFF PRESENT: Pete Peters, Town Manager Cody Sexton, Assistant Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk Mike Lockaby, Town Attorney Fabricio Drumond, Police Chief Tim Lawless, Deputy Police Chief Mike Caldwell, Police Sergeant The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Mullins, Council Member Stovall, Vice Mayor McCarty and Mayor Grose present. Council Member Liles was absent. Roll call After a Moment of Silence, Council Member Stovall led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. announcements, Vice Mayor McCarty announced the following: April 8 - 8:00 p.m. – Band; April 9 - 8:00 p.m. – Jordan Harman; April 15 - 8:00 p.m. – The Frequency; April 16 – 8:00 p.m. – Star City Pianos – all at Rosie’s; Saturdays – 7:30 p.m. – open ice skating – Lancer Lot; Wednesdays – 6:30 p.m. - Thursdays – 6:30 p.m. - Trivia; April 8 - 6:30-9:30 p.m. – music by TJ Ellis; April 15 – 6:30-9:30 p.m. – music by Adam Markham – all at Twin Creeks Brewery and April 9 – 5:00-9:00 p.m. – HeRow Expo Car Show – Downtown Vinton; April 28-May 1 -Dogwood Festival - Carnival at Billy Byrd field, arts and craft show, crowning of the Queen at 12 noon - Municipal Building and the parade at 2:30 p.m. and April 28 – 12-2:00 p.m. – Pizza with the Police – New York Pizza. Se announced the DEA April 30 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Vinton Kroger. Vice Mayor McCarty made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was Meeting of 2 seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Resolution No. 2482 appropriating funds in the amount of $1,307.20 received for scrap metal to the Public Works budget; adopted Resolution No. 2483 appropriating funds in the amount of $1,128,016 from the Capital Outlay Fund to the General Fund Expense accounts for approved A Plan Act (ARPA) Funds projects Resolution No. 2484 appropriating funds in the amount of $54,755.00 from General Fund Revenues to the Expense accounts for personnel adjustments to match the current job market Under awards, introductions, presentations and proclamations, Council Member Mullins read Prevention Month. Kathryn Sowers pinwheel garden that was planted in front of the Municipal Building prior to the meeting assistance of the Police Department. Following additional comments by Ms. Sowers about the GFWC, statistics relating to child abuse and World Autism Awareness Day, the Mayor presented Ms. Sowers with the Proclamation. The next item on the agenda was the public opening of franchise bids for a competitive cable cable service within the territorial limits of the Town of Vinton. The Mayor asked th open and read any bids that have been received for a Competitive Cable Franchise Clerk commented that only one bid was received from Shentel Cable Fiber) fo the sum of $500.00. The Mayor next asked if there were any other persons desiring to submit a bid at this time. There being no further bids, the bidding was closed. The Mayor next commented that l meeting Council will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Ordinance to sell and grant one or more system to provide cable service within the territorial limits of the Town of Vinton, Virginia. Bidding Closed The next item on the agenda was the consideration of public comments regarding 3 2022. The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 6:22 p.m. Cody Sexton first commented that the real estate assessment that occurred this past year showed an 8.55% increase for the Town. After removal of new construction, the increase becomes 8.03%. Pursuant to State Code, the required Public Hearing was advertised on March 3, 2022, which was 30 days prior to the Public Hearing. The current real estate tax rate is $.07 per $100.00 of assessed value and no recommended for calendar year 2022. Mr. Sexton next commented that the current personal property tax rate is $1.00 per $100.00 of the assessed evaluation of all 50% or $.50 per $100.00 of the assessed valuation of one motor vehicle owned and regularly used by a disabled veteran, subject to certain qualifications and no calendar year 2022. Hearing no Public Hearing at 6:24 p.m. Council Member Stovall adopt the Ordinance setting the real estate tax rate for calendar year 2022 as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried by the following roll call vote, members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Vice Mayor McCarty made a motion to adopt the Ordinance setting the personal property and 2022 as presented; the motion was seconded by Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Opened Public Hearing Public Hearing closed Adopted Ordinance No. 1042 setting the real estate tax rate for calendar year 2022 personal property and machinery and tools tax rates for calendar year 2022 The next item on the agenda was the consideration of public comments concerning the proposed issuance of bonds by the Town of Vinton in the estimated maximum amount of the bond is $710,808 to pay 4 plant and costs of issuing the bonds. The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 6:25 p.m. Cody Sexton first commented that Council was briefed on this matter at their improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant owned by the Western Virginia Water Authority and it is contemplated that this loan would transfer to the Wate Town’s utility system on July 1, 2022. Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. Council Member Mullins adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor McCarty and carried by with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Public Hearing Closed Adopted Resolution No. 2485 approving issuance of bonds by the Town of Vinton in the estimated maximum amount of the bond is $710,808 to pay the Town’s share of costs Virginia Water Authority’s regional issuing the bonds The next item on the agenda was the c approving an Ordinance proposing to sell and grant one or more competitive cable franchises to Virginia. The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 6:27 p.m. The Town Attorney first commented that there is one incumbent cable operator (Cox) in the Town limits that has substantially built out their system Other cable providers are allowed to petition Town Council for access to the rights-of-way in order to compete with them, which helps to there is some competition in terms of prices and service. Shentel (dba Glo Fiber) Town and asked us to advertise for bids, which is They submitted a bid that was just opened and the This franchise is substantially similar to the existing federal law. The Mayor commented that although the action to be taken tonight may appear to rather q Public Hearing Opened 5 Hearing no further comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Stovall adopt the Ordinance as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor McCarty and carried by Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Public Hearing Closed Adopted Ordinance No. 1044 selling and granting a competitive cable franchise to Shentel Cable Television, LLC, dba Glo Fiber to operate a cable system to provide cable service within the territorial limits of the Town of Vinton, Virginia The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a percentage for Personal Property Tax Relief (PPTRA) in the Town of Vinton for the 2022 tax year. Cody Sexton commented that the PPTRA vehicles. In 2004 and 2005, the General Assembly receives and the $2 Roanoke County Finance Office, done to determine citizens. This year the rate is 48.42%, which is in line with what we see in a number of other localities and is one percent different from Roanoke County as a whole. Council Member Mullins adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor McCarty and carried by Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. grocery tax being currently debated in Richmond and what effect that could have on localities. Mr. Sexton further commented that the 48.42% is calculate the discount applied to vehicles valued at $20,000 and lower. Adopted Resolution No. 2486 allocation percentage for Personal Property Tax Relief in the Town of Vinton for the 2022 tax year The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution appropriating funds in the amount of $ Signature Public Funding Corp. for the 2019 Ravo 5-iSeries Compact Sweeper. commented that the Master Equipment Lease can 6 recommends paying off this debt in April so the full benefit of the debt payments will be realized on July 1, 2022 at the beginning of FY2023. It also helps to make the budgeting a little cleaner than waiting for until October. This pre-payment will be approximately $38,000 in the budget as on-going operational savings. Council has been provided a revised Resolution reflecting some changes to the debts and credits, but not to the amount. There were comments on the cost of a street sweeper and how it helps on our stormwater management best practices. Council Member Stovall adopt the Resolution as revised; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Adopted Resolution No. appropriating funds in the Signature Public Funding Corp. for the 2019 Ravo 5-iSeries Compact Sweeper The next item on the agenda was to consider Manager to execute Amendments to Memoranda of Understanding with the Town of Vinton for the Gish Mill redevelopment projects Manager commented that Council was briefed on County has already taken formal action. The three MOUs were created developers, the Town and Roanoke assist these three projects with challenges based o Reimbursements are b property values for formulas were originally created, we were unable to determine the timing of the re-assessments after the construction is completed. Sometimes the re- the building permits are fully closed. instance of this was the Vinyard Station project. In January we realized this was the first year that they could request reimbursement. When we did the calculations, the re- the new building valuation. We contacted they amend all three MOUs to delay each of the 7 Agreements are not changed, it is just the mechanism for which we claim the property assessment increases and return that back through the Roanoke County Economic Development Authority to the developer. Council Member Stovall asked about the estimated Attorney responded we are looking at late summer to break ground. Vice Mayor McCarty made a motion to adopt the Resolution as seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. Adopted Resolution No. 2488 authorizing the Town Manager to execute Amendments to Memoranda of Understanding with the Town of Vinton for the Vinton/East County Hotel, redevelopment projects The Town Manager gave Council an update on the utility system transfer with the Western Virginia Water Authority reviewing the Transfer Agreement and public communications will go out in the near future targeting dates in May to start opening some v Vinton system. All of the larger water users in the Town have been contacted so they are aware of the transition. There will be a phase where Water Authority employees will start responding to some of our water calls for breaks to shadow our staff. Also, we are starting to plan some activities for the June. All of the billing has been worked out and we will be communicating that to our customers with an insert in their last two bills from the Town. Sexton Committee met on March 15, 2022. The Committee reviewed the items that were already approved under the Consent Agenda. With regard to the January 2022 Financial Report Summary, the Revenues and Expenditures are still in a very good position. In looking at our two Fund, revenues are coming in higher than where we would expect them to be year-to- expenditures are running lower. All of our major sources of revenue are also running fairly strong at 8 next on April 11th and will review the February financial reports. With seven months of history, we should be projections of where we will end up at year end and determine if we need to do any mid-year appropriations to start targeting those projections. Mr. Sexton next commented that the cash position is materially unchanged from December with $10.1 million cash on hand, $4.6 million restricted and $3.3 million in investments. We would expect those numbers to be roughly unchanged until we start receiving the two largest collections of personal property in May and real estate in June. Vice Mayor McCarty made a motion to approve the January 31, 2022 presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None. Report The Mayor commented on the success of the Senior Expo on March 22nd and the Route 24 Bike/Ped Plan Community meeting held on March 2 success of the Coffee with a Cop held on March 31st at Bojangles. Council Members commented on the YouTube video of the State of the Town Bread, one of our local Vinton restaurants. Vice Mayor McCarty made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) - Liles. The meeting was adjourned at APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Susan N. Johnson, CMC, Town Clerk