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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/7/2010 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010, 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 Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lawrence, Town Manager Susan Waddell, Acting Town Attorney Darleen Bailey, Town Clerk Michael Kennedy, Public Works Director Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director Karla Turman, Planning Associate Steve Doyle, Vinton Police Department Agenda A. 7:00 P.M. –Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum B. INVOCATION C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U. S. FLAG D. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Request to Approve Minutes for Regular Meetings of November 2, 2010 and November 16, 2010 2. Re-appoint Robert (Bob) Patterson to Vinton Planning Commission – Resolution No. 1894 ACTION: Adopt Resolution 3. Recommend Re-Appointment of Allen Kasey to Vinton Board of Zoning Appeals Resolution No. 1895 ACTION: Adopt Resolution 4. Recommend Re-appointment of Craig Sheets as Alternate Member of the Vinton Board of Zoning Appeals – Resolution No. 1896 ACTION: Adopt Resolution 5. Request to Re-appoint Dave Jones to the Vinton Planning Commission – Resolution No. 1897 ACTION: Adopt Resolution 6. Request to Adopt Industrial Pretreatment Program – Resolution No. 1898 ACTION: Adopt Resolution E. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation by Don and Carolyn Williams – Relay for Life Leadership Conference 2. Present Certificate of Recognition to Shirley Patsel for Monetary Donations to Police Department 2 3. Presentation by Gary Dillon, Accreditation Director for DCJS - Vinton Police Department’s Re-accreditation by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. 4. Introduction of Two New Police Officers 5. Introduction of New War Memorial Facilities Manager 6. Announce Employee Service Awards 7. Present ICMA Service Award to Chris Lawrence, Town Manager and Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer F. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS -This Section is reserved for comments and questions for issues not listed on the agenda G. TOWN ATTORNEY H. TOWN MANAGER I. MAYOR J. COUNCIL K. ADJOURNMENT WORK SESSION 1. Discussion - Amtrak Connector Service - Carl Painter, Greater Roanoke Transit Company 2. Discussion – Home Buyer Initiative 3. Discussion – Greenway Trail in Glade Town Mayor Grose called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Hare gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Fidler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Roll call, invocation and Pledge of Alle- giance to U.S. Flag. The Consent Agenda was approved on motion by Mr. Nance and seconded by Ms. Fidler. The motion passed with all in favor. Kristen Lukas with the American Cancer Society gave a presentation on several awards won by this year’s Vinton Relay for Life at their National Conference. She noted that this year, Vinton Relay for Life surpassed their goal by $20,000 for a total of $85,052. She noted that Dr. Richard Turner, Principal of William Byrd High School was designated as Principal of the Year and presented him with an award. Ms. Lukas reported that Vinton Relay for Life won an award for the highest per capita donation of $11.07for all Relays in the State of Virginia and reported that the Vinton Relay for Life was No. 2 in the South Atlantic Region. Carolyn Williams pointed out that Vinton Relay for Life was able to collect the $85,052 total after only three years in existence. Don Williams thanked the Town of Vinton and the Roanoke County Schools for helping to make the Vinton Relay for Life a success. Mayor Grose presented a Certificate of Recognition to Shirley Patsel for her support and monetary donations to the Vinton Police Department’s Police Academy. 3 Police Chief Cooley introduced Gary Dillon, Program Director for DCJS who presented the Vinton Police Department with a Certificate of Accreditation for successfully completing Virginia’s Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. He noted that the program is completely voluntary and distinguishes the Department for their commitment to professionalism and their willingness to be measured by and compared to the best in the profession. He advised that there are 417 eligible law enforcement agencies in the State and only 82 are accredited agencies. Mr. Dillon congratulated the entire Police Department and Town Council. Following the presentation, each Council member expressed appreciation to the Police Department for their commitment to excellence and stated that they were proud to have a very professional Department who provides excellent service to Vinton’s citizens. Mr. Lawrence stated that the commitment to excellence is important and that all the Town’s employees are committed to providing the citizens of the Town with excellent service. Chief Cooley introduced two new Police Officers, Timothy Lawless from Bedford who is a certified field officer and Michael Byrd from Roanoke City’s Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Lawrence explained that he had planned to introduce the new War Memorial Facilities Manager but shehad to leave early due to illness. The Town Manager announced the following employee years of service awards: Mark Atkins – 5 years – Public Works Department Todd Bailey – 5 years – Police Department Kevin Falls – 5 years – Public Works Department Mike Faw – 5 years – Public Works Department John Foutz – 5 years – Fire & EMS Monica McCullough – 5 years – Police Department Kevin Orange – 5 years – Public Works Department James Testerman – 5 years – Police Department Lydia Verdillo – 5 years – Finance Department Herb Cooley – 10 years – Police Department Greg Jones – 10 years – Police Department Chris Linkous – 15 years – Fire and EMS Anita McMillan – 15 years – Planning Department Steve Doyle – 17 years – Police Department Darleen Bailey – 25 years – Administration 4 Gary Hodges – 30 years – Public Works Department He noted that the employees would receive a certificate and a monetary award at the annual Employee Christmas Luncheon. The Town Manager, Chris Lawrence, and the Finance Director/Treasurer, Barry Thompson, were recognized by the Mayor for their years of service in the ICMA (International City Managers Association) and presented them with a Certificate of Recognition. Mr. Lawrence has served for 10 years in local government and Mr. Thompson has 20 years of service in local government. The Town Manager and the Mayor welcomed a new business,Phoenix Communications that had just opened in Town. Mayor Grose commented on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor that took place on December 7, 1941. He also commented on the Christmas Parade that had taken place during the previous week and thanked Barry Thompson for his efforts in making it a success. Mr. Nance echoed the Mayor’s comments regarding the Christmas Parade and congratulated the owners of Phoenix Communications on their new business. Mr. Altice thanked the employees for the work they do every day. Ms. Fidler pointed out that Vinton is a great place to live and raise children. The Mayor welcomed Mark McKaskill from the Regional Commission and thanked him for attending. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. WORK SESSION 1. Discussion – Amtrak Connector Service The Town Manager welcomed Mr. Carl Palmer from the Greater Roanoke Transit System who gave a presentation on a proposed Valley Metro connector service from Roanoke to the Lynchburg Amtrak Train Station. He noted that the development of this connector service would be an interim step toward actual rail service and would also encourage the Department of Rail and Transportation to fund the development of a station in this area. He went on to say that the Departmentof Rail and Transportation has stated that bringing passenger rail transportation to the area is a definite possibility. Mr. Palmer noted the possibility for the Greater Roanoke Transportation System to receive a grant from the Department of Rail and Transportation for the connector service and 5 reported that local governments in the area will be approached to participate as local funding partnersfor this venture to cover the operating costs. He discussed four service options that were being considered and the cost for each option. He noted that he would be reporting back to Council at a later time as the process develops. Mr. Lawrence reported that Consuella Caudill is now serving on the newly created Board of Directors for Valley Metro and will represent the Town’s interests on the Board. 2. Discussion – Home Buyers Initiative Ms. Caudill reported that she had been working on a home buyers initiative for several months as a part of an economic development strategy to develop strong neighborhoods and a strong labor base that would attract new businesses to the Town. She went on to say that in order to have a stable employment base requires good stable communities, neighborhoods and home buyers.Ms. Caudill pointed out that this initiative would support Council’s vision for vibrant neighborhoods. She reported that she had spoken with a majority of the Town’s financial institutions as well as T.A.P. and the Roanoke Redevelopment Housing Authority which resulted in a concept which would involve a series of seminars that would be presented by businesses who would partner with the Town, the financial institutions, Tap and other interested parties. Ms. Caudill displayed a Power Point presentation demonstrating how the initiative would work and the education that prospective first time home buyers would need. Ms. Caudill advised that, initially, the proposed home-buyers initiative would not require any new money if Council would agree to divert $5,000 from the Façade Grant Program to the pilot program. She stressed that there would be income limits for the home buyers as required by H.U.D. for approved T.A.P. programs. Following her report, Ms. Caudill pointed out that encouraging home buyers would create long-term residents for the Town. Mr. Hare asked if a recipient would be required to return the $1,000 if they live in the house for 30 years and Ms. Caudill replied that typically, after ten or twenty years, the requirement to pay back the $1,000 grant amount would be forgiven. She went on to say that if the homeowner sells the house, moves out of the house or gets a new loan before that time, they would be required to repay the money. She asked that Council consider this proposal and reported that the financial partners are excited about the program and are ready to get started. Ms. Caudill briefly reported on a future program that would allow anyone renting a Section 8 eligible home to be able to receive a Mortgage Credit Certificate allowing a portion of theirrent to go toward a mortgage. 6 Mr. Nance inquired as to whether taking money out of the Façade Grant Fund for the Home Buyers Initiative would affect a proposal to expand the boundaries of Façade Grant Program. Ms. Caudill responded that it would depend where the expanded boundaries are as some areas would qualify for larger grant amounts than others. Mayor Grose complimented Ms. Caudill for her innovative plan and for thinking “outside the box” and noted that the plan would be a huge step forward for the Town as it would help individuals and improve the Town’s housing stock. He added that he wanted to hear comments from the entire Council on this issue. Mr. Lawrence reported on a grant received by Roanoke County some of which will be used for hearing, air conditioning, water, weatherization, etc., for homeowners in the Midway area. 3. Discussion – Greenway Trail in Glade Town Ms. McMillan reported that a small portion of property in the Glade Town area that is to be part of a proposed greenwayarea,actually belongs to Tommy and Karen Woods. She further reported that the Woods have advised her they are willing to donate that portion of the greenway property to the Town at no cost. Following further discussion of the issue, Mr. Lawrence noted that he wanted to get this request processed before the first of the calendar year so that Mr. and Mrs. Woods would not have to pay 2011 real estate taxes for that portion of the property they are donating to the Town. He further noted that if everyone is in agreement,an ordinance accepting the property from Mr. and Mrs. Woods would be placed on the December 21st Council agenda. Mayor Grose stated that the Woods familycontinues to be great citizens. The work session adjourned at 9:00 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk