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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/16/2011 - RegularIG-01*61= 1 001911 a aj I 112LOSILOWA I a W_ - ___ � __ MEMBERS PRESENT.- Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Robert R. Altice Carolyn D. Fidler Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance STAFF PRESENT: Christopher S. Lawrence, Town Manager Theresa Fontana, Acting Town Attorney Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk Michael Kennedy, Public Works Director Ben Cook, Interim Police Chief Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources/Safety Manager Chris Linkous, Fire Captain Lauren Hodges, Facilities Manager Keith Dalton, Animal Control Officer The Iflayor called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m, The Town Clerk Roll call called the roll with all members present. The Town Manager recognized Lauren Hodges and Keith Dalton, two members of the Employee Advisory Committee, who made a brief presentation to Council on the Committee's recommendation on how to use the $2,800.00 allocated for employment appreciation, Mr. Dalton stated that $1,400.00 will be used to provide a catered picnic for all employees and each department will be asked to bring some of the specialized tools of their trade, The other $1,400.00 will be divided among each department (based on total number of employees) and the individual departments will decide the use of those funds. The Town Manager made further comments and indicated that the Committee will meet again to work out the details and decide the date and time and Council will be notified of the date. The Town Manager recognized Anthony Lizan, the summer intern. Mr. Lizan briefed Council on the final results of the 2011 Vinton Citizen Satisfaction Survey with a Power Point presentation which covered the categories of purpose and goals, methodology, findings and a summary. Mr. Lizan indicated that the purpose of the survey was to measure citizen satisfaction with services, determine overall citizen satisfaction with the Town government, access citizen budget priorities, promote civic engagement and educate the citizens about the Town. Short-term goals were to provide useful information for planning purposes, resource allocation, performance measurement and program and policy analysis. A long-term goal would be to improve services, increase civic engagement and cultivate a stronger public trust with the Town government. Mr. Lizan continued with a brief overview of each of the findings. The only question that received less than a majority of positive answers was the one asking if Vinton does a good job attracting new businesses. In relation to service priority, if you remove the core services relating to public safety and public works, the next service priority would be economic development. In summary, Mr. Lizan indicated that the responses were generally positive, services were generally ranked high, people feel safe, employees are considered top notch, the business climate regarding attracting new companies would be improved and the majority of respondents felt that the Town is moving in the right direction. Mr. Nance asked Mr. Lizan what results he was expecting to get and he said generally positive, Mr. Nance commented on the ranking of the Vinton pool and the Town Manager commented that the ranking of services in this survey was an importance ranking, not a quality of service ranking. After further comments from Council Members, the Town Manager indicated that the next step would be to share the results with staff and celebrate some of the successes and then see what we can learn from this to find ways to improve or focus on certain areas. Mr. Lizan expressed his appreciation to Council for the opportunity to work for the Town this summer. On motion by Mr. Nance, seconded by Mr. Hare, with a vote of 5-0, Council adjourned the work session at 6:42 p.m. Mayor Grose called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hare gave the invocation and Mr. Altice led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S, Flag, Mayor Grose recognized Anthony Lizan, the summer intern, and presented him with a Certificate of Recognition and a key to the Town. Mr, Nance read a letter from Chief Cook naming Detective G. M. Chieppa and Officer M. L. Byrd Christopher Hayes as Police Officers for the Month of July. Chief Cook made brief comments and introduced Officer Brandon B. Hill. Chief Linkous made brief comments and introduced Firefighter/Medic David Rodgers, Michael Kennedy introduced Alison Patient, Director of Corporate Affairs Council gave consensus for Coca Cola Bottling Company, Melissa Blaylock, Manager of Corporate to proceed with the Affairs, and Jennifer Westfall, Communications Specialist. Program. Alison Patient gave a Power Point presentation on a new initiative called the "Recycle and Win" Program which is a collaboration between Kroger and Coca Cola to encourage community residential recycling. N The program started as a pilot program in Charlotte, North Carolina and similar programs are now in Raleigh, North Carolina, Charleston, West Virginia, and Nashville, Tennessee and all have been very successful. Briefly, the program consists of a mailing to all single family curb side recycling households to include explanation of the program, a sticker to place on their recycling bin, information on what items are recyclable and the mechanics of the promotion. Eligible winners will receive a $50.00 Kroger gift card, Coca Cola will drive a Prize Patrol vehicle throughout the area checking bins and writing down the addresses of winning bins. The winners will be notified and their gift card will be awarded through the mail, Ms. Patient indicated that citizens who do not have access to curb side recycling will be eligible to win at a special event held on a Saturday at various drop off sites in the Town. The program will be launched with a Press Conference at a Kroger Store in the area sometime in late October, Ms. Fidler commented that the Town of Vinton is the first municipality in Virginia to enact a mandatory recycling program. Mr. Kennedy stated that the Town already has a 56 percent participation rate. The Town Manager indicated that there may be an agreement that Council will have to approve at their next meeting. However, if Council will give their consensus, staff will proceed with working out the details of the program. Council gave their consensus with the understanding that any formal agreement will be brought back to the next Council meeting for consideration. The Town Manager explained that grant funds in the amount of $4,000,00 Adopted Resolution No. have been received from the Risk Management Safety Grant Program 1932 allocating through the VML Insurance Program. Such funds were used to purchase $4,000.00 from the Risk a four -point rescue jack system. Upon motion by Mr. Nance, seconded by Management Safety Ms. Fidler, with a 5-0 vote, Council adopted Resolution No. 1932 allocating Grant Program to Fire $4,000.00 from the Risk Management Safety Grant Program to the Fire and EMS Budget and EMS Budget Account, Account in FY12 Budget. Fire Captain Linkous reported that the new Medic 22 ambulance would be here within two weeks and the other truck will be auctioned off. The Town Manager also reported that the First Aid Crew was successful in obtaining a hardship grant to assist in the purchase of a new ambulance. The grant required a 20 percent match which the Crew will cover with their funds. The Town Manager advised Council that the storm drain on Pollard has been repaired at a cost of $11,000,00, and the curb cut has been fixed temporarily. We will be getting bids on replacing the curb with brick and will bring that matter back to Council for their consideration. The sewer main in front of the apartments near McDonald's has been repaired. Because of the depth of the main, a contractor was hired for the repair and the repaving was completed today, at a cost of $15,000.00 including the by-pass pumping, 3 The Mayor has received comments from residents after the Gladetown Reunion expressing appreciation for the attendance of Council members. Mayor Grose also commented on a tour he recently took of the old William Byrd High School sponsored by the Lions Club and was surprised at the condition of the building. He reminded Council of two upcoming meetings, one is the combined work session with the Planning Commission to discuss the downtown Code and ordinances on October 25, 2011, and the upcoming Council Retreat on September 15, 2011. The Town Manager requested that Council let him know of any items that they would like to address at the Retreat so he can prepare an agenda and advise any staff who may need to attend. Comments from Council Members: Mr, Hare indicated that the Finance Committee will have a report at the next meeting. Mr. Nance extended condolences to the Barry Fuqua family and the Tony Montori family. Mr. Altice stated that the Gladetown community appreciates what the Town does for them, Ms. Fidler had a question about the notification time of events on the Town website and the Town Manager indicated that adjustments will be made so notifications are at least three days in advance. Ms. Fidler also invited everyone to support the William Byrd High School Band's first fund raiser which is a pancake breakfast at the Bonsack Applebee's this Saturday, August 20, 2011. The Mayor advised that Council needed to go into a Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) of the Code of Virginia, as amended, for discussion of recruitment process for the Police Chief position. On motion by Ms. Fidler, seconded by Mr. Nance, with a vote of 5-0, Council went into Closed Meeting at 8:20 p.m. At 9:10 p.m., the regular meeting reconvened and the Certification that the Closed Meeting was held in accordance with State Code requirements was approved on motion by Mr. Hare, seconded by Ms. Fidler, with a 5-0 vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. APPR9VED: vt "t ex ,43-4dley E. "r, e, MaV6i 7 A EST: 0 6�n Susan N. Johnson own Clerk 51