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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/1/2009 - Regular 1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Robert R. Altice Carolyn D. Fidler William W. Nance MEMBERS ABSENT: William E. Obenchain, Jr. STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lawrence, Town Manager Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Darleen Bailey, Town Clerk Mike Kennedy, Public Works Director Beth Austin, Human Resource/Safety Manager Agenda A. 4:30 P.M. – Joint Work Session with Roanoke County Board of Supervisors at County Administration Building – Communications Department Merger B. 7:00 P.M. – Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum C. INVOCATION D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.S. FLAG E. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of November 3, 2009 2. Recommendation to Re-appoint Frederick Michelsen to Vinton Board of Zoning Appeals – Resolution No. 1848 F. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS 1. Relay for Life – Presentation of Plaque to Town G. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS H. TOWN ATTORNEY I. TOWN MANAGER 1. Highway Safety Commission Recommendations for Pollard Street 2. Request to Table Payout Option for Vacation Leave – Resolution No. 1849 J. MAYOR K. COUNCIL L. ADJOURNMENT WORK SESSION 1. System Development Fees 2. Solicitor’s License Mayor Grose called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following roll call, Carolyn Williams gave the invocation and Ms. Fidler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Roll call, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to U.S. Flag. 2 The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion by Councilman Nance, was seconded by Mr. Altice and approved with all in favor. Don and Carolyn Williams, co-chairs for the 2009 Relay for Life, expressed appreciation to Council for participating in this year’s activity and announced that the goal for 2010 is to raise $85,000. Mr. & Mrs. Williams then presented an Award of Excellence plaque to Mayor Grose. Mayor Grose stated it was an honor to receive this plaque on behalf of the Town and recognized Laura Reilly for her work in organizing the Vinton’s Relay for Life activities and fund drive. Mr. Kennedy reported on the Highway Safety Commissions recommendation for parking on South Pollard Street. He explained traffic congestion issues have occurred during the noon time hour and other times of the day on South Pollard due to parked vehicles on the east side of Lee Avenue to Washington Avenue. He reported that after much discussion, the Highway Safety Commission voted to restrict parking at all times on that side of South Pollard Street. Mr. Nance inquired if the Police Department had any input on this issue and Chief Cooley stated the Police Department concurred with the Highway Safety Commission findings. Mr. Lawrence noted that Cundiff Realty and Vinton Appliance are currently the only two businesses located on that side of the street. He recommended that these businesses be informed of the impending change with plans made to implement the no parking zone during the month of January 2010. Mayor Grose agreed that it was important to talk with the businesses giving the opportunity to voice any concerns before making the change. Human Resources Director, Beth Austin, reported that in December 2008 a vacation payout policy was developed to allow employees with more than 10 years of service to request a payout of accrued leave in lieu of taking annual leave. She noted that with this year’s tight fiscal budget the Town does not have additional funds to support this policy. Ms. Austin requested that Council consider amending the current policy with plans to re-evaluate it in 2010 and 2011. Mr. Lawrence advised the policy be put on hold for now with plans to allocate money in the future if funds for the cash out are available o. He noted that if the budget remains tight after next year, he recommended that the policy be revised. Mrs. Fidler moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 1849. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nance and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Mayor Grose reported that the meeting he and Mr. Lawrence recently attended with local business owners was very organized and congenial. He noted that a discussion took place on the current change of use practices in the Town. Mr. Lawrence explained that the current change-of-use requirements are very restrictive and noted that the Roanoke County staff plans to put together a proposal to send to the Department of Housing and Community Development concerning change of use and building code issues. Mayor Grose reported that the joint work session with Roanoke County detailing the proposed 911 merger was very informative. He commented that he favors the proposal and feels this merger will provide excellent service for the Town’s citizens. Ms. Fidler inquired about the status of the grant to help with implementation costs associated with the merger. Mr. Lawrence stated that although it was not guaranteed Approved Consent Agenda Presentation of Relay for Life Plaque to Mayor Brad Grose Highway Safety Commission Recommendation for Pollard Street Adopted Resolution No. 1849 to Table Payout Option for Vacation Leave Comments from the Mayor and Members of Council 3 he felt the Town was in a very competitive position to receive the grant. He explained that notification would be given in January determining the grants recipient. Mr. Lawrence also explained that he would be making a presentation to the Police Department and interested members of staff to answer any questions concerning the proposed 911 merger. Ms. Fidler reminded everyone that the tree lighting ceremony and Christmas parade would be taking place this Thursday. Mr. Lawrence reminded everyone that the Joint Planning Commission meeting for the Vinton Area Corridor study was being held on December 7th at the War Memorial. There was no further business and Mayor Grose adjourned the regular meeting at 7:46 p.m. Adjournment WORK SESSION 1. System Development Fees Mr. Kennedy gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Fees and Charges for Water and Wastewater Service. He advised Council that fees and charges were last revised in 2008. Mr. Kennedy explained that it was important to review the fees and charges schedule annually to avoid financial loss and to avoid large increases in later years. He proposed a slight increase in new residential and commercial water and sewer development fees, meter setting fees and certain water inspection charges. Mr. Kennedy explained that the larger the meter size the higher the system development fee would be. He noted that in 2009, only five service connections were made. Mr. Kennedy recommended that Council adopt the new fees and charges. He advised that if Council concurs, a public hearing would take place at the next council meeting on Dec 15th with fees being implemented on January 1. Mayor Grose thanked to Mr. Kennedy for his presentation. After additional discussion it was decided by Council to place the Fees and Charges for Water and Wastewater on the next agenda. 2. Solicitor’s License Note: The Solicitor’s License portion of this work session will be will be presented at a later date due to several items that need to be reviewed by Town Attorney, Elizabeth Dillon. The work session was adjourned. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk