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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/21/2010 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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 Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Darleen Bailey, Town Clerk Michael Kennedy, Public Works Director Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources Manager Anita McMillan, Planning Director Herb Cooley, Police Chief Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director Karla Turman, Planning Associate Steve Doyle, Vinton Police Department Tim Lawless, Police Officer 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 Joint Work Session on November 30, 2010 E. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction – New Human Resources Manager, Stephanie Dearing 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 1. Request to Accept Greenway Trail Property I. MAYOR J. COUNCIL K. ADJOURNMENT WORK SESSION 1. Discussion – Urban Chicken Ordinance 2 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. Hare and seconded by Ms. Fidler. The motion passed with all in favor. Mayor Grose introduced Stephanie Dearing, the Town’s new Human Resources Manager, and welcomed her to Vinton. The Town Attorney, Elizabeth Dillon, reported on a request for the Town to accept a portion of greenway loop trail property that is owned by Tommy and Karen Woods. She explained that Mr. and Ms. Wood have agreed to donate this 0.217 acre portion of the greenway trail loop that adjoins Town property as described in proposed Resolution No. 1899. Ms. Dillon asked Council to adopt proposed Resolution No. 1899 authorizing the Town Manager and the Town Clerk to execute any documents related to the donation of the property, including the deed. At the conclusion of Ms. McMillan report and comments, Mr. Lawrence advised that that a survey of the property in question had been completed and had been appraised at approximately $4,300. Ms. Fidler moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 1899 accepting Mr. and Mrs. Woods’ property into the Town to be a part of the greenway loop trail. The motion was seconded by Mr. Altice and unanimously approved on a roll call vote. Mr. Lawrence asked the Police Chief to report on what could be done to improve safety at Council meetings. Chief Cooley replied that he had discussed the issue with Captain Cook and they were working to determine what safety measures need to be put in place to assure everyone’s safety. Mayor Grose and all Council members wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked staff for their efforts this year to make the Town a great place to live and work. Mr. Nance thanked Anita McMillan for her efforts in sorting out the greenway trail property ownership issue and Tommy and Karen Woods for donating their property to the Town. Council members expressed their appreciation to Public Works for keeping the Town streets clear during and after the recent snow fall. 3 Mr. Hare offered condolences to Mary Beth Layman and her family on the loss of her brother and her aunt. As there was no further business, Mayor Grose adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. WORK SESSION 1. Discussion – Urban Chicken Ordinance Ms. McMillan reviewed a proposed ordinance that would allow Town residents to keep chickens on property that is zoned Residential. She reported on a collaboration of comments and recommendations from the Town Manager’s Office, the Police Department, the Public Works Department, other localities and Dan Miles from the Resource Authority with regard to the disposal of chicken litter wastes, dead chickens and other issues. She briefly reviewed regulations from other localities that allow the keeping of chickens in residential areas. Ms. McMillan pointed out recommended conditions to be included in an urban chicken ordinance if adopted by Town Council. She responded to questions from Council on what the approval process would be for anyone applying for a permit to keep chickens in a residential district. Mayor Grose asked how the ordinance would be enforced and was advised by the Town Attorney that anyone found guilty of violating the ordinance can be prosecuted as a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first violation and as a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent violations. She added that the Town could also hold a hearing to revoke a permit to keep chickens if conditions are not met. In response to a question from Mr. Hare, Ms. Dillon explained the consequences of being convicted of a class 3 misdemeanor. Mr. Nance pointed out that aclass 2 misdemeanor conviction could mean six months of jail time. There was considerable discussion regarding the disposal of chicken litter.Mr. Hare noted that Item 10 of the proposed ordinance would be appropriate and questioned whether it should apply to other animals as well. Mayor Grose questioned whether a 100 foot setback would be enough to protect other near-by residents from odors that would arise from the keeping of chickens. Ms. McMillan replied that Roanoke City requirements provide for a setback of 50 feeton a 20,000 square foot lot and allows residents to keep up to 10 chickens on their property. The amount of the permit fee was discussed. It was noted by the Town Manager that the fee would be the same as for a zoning permit which is $25.00, because the permit process for keeping chickens would be similar to that for a zoning permit. 4 Following further discussion, Ms. McMillan advised that the issue would be referred to the Planning Commission’s January work session for their comments and recommendation. The work session adjourned at 8:05 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk