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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2024 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Michael W. Stovall, Vice Mayor Sabrina McCarty Laurie J. Mullins MEMBERS ABSENT: Keith N. Liles STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk/Administrative Manager Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Timothy Lawless, Deputy Police Chief Donna Collins, Human Resources/Risk Management Mayor Grose called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Mayor Stovall, and Mayor Grose present, and Council Member Liles absent. After a Moment of Silence, Vice Mayor Stovall led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. announcements, and Council Activities, Council Member McCarty announced that the Town offices will be closed on February 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Council Member McCarty encouraged everyone to visit the many restaurants and entertainment venues in the community and to more information. Council Member Mullins announced the following Council activities: January 25 – Memorial; January 25 – attended the Planning Organization meeting; January 31 – Mayor Grose and Town Manager Peters met with February 1 – Council Member Mullins attended the Roanoke Valley TV Committee meeting. Vice Mayor Stovall made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried January 16, 2024 2 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) – Liles. Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Mayor Grose proclamation in recognition of the 2023 season. Mayor Grose appreciation and pride work and contributions to the community. Council expressed their congratulations to the team. Coach Brad Lutz expressed Council and the Town for their support. Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Jeff Ramsey, a Vinton resident recognized the police department for a small veteran ceremony they held for his father. Mr. Ramsey is a resident at 201 Raleigh Avenue. Mr. Ramsey commented that his father was a veteran and passed before he could meet him. His mom had held on to his father's funeral flag and obituary, and his wife had given a display case for the flag to him as a gift. He wanted to display it but noticed the flag was not folded properly. He l someone who knew how to fold it properly. Chief Drumond commented that he could handle that. On December 11, 2023, the Police Department and his family watched Chief Drumond and Lieutenant Caldwell fold the flag properly, and Chief Drumond read the obituary. Mr. Ramsey expressed appreciation for their time and for doing what they did. Council expressed their appreciation to the Police Department and gave special recognition Ramsey’s father. Lieutenant Caldwell commented that it was an honor to be a part of the ceremony. Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Donna Collins recognized the 2023 Employees of the Year. Donna commented that they expanded the Employee of the Year into three awards: Police Department, General Administration, and Public Works. For General Administration, Employee of the Year was given to Tobbie Russeau, with the runner-up being Tiffany Stewart. For Public Works, the Employee of the Year was given to PC Crimmins, with the runner- up being William Banks Bradford Sr. For the Police Department, the employee of the year was given to Brandon Alterio, with the runner-up being Scott 3 Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Dogwood Festival President, the Dogwood Festival Parade. Mr. Teass commented that they are making changes to the parade, taking the parade off Washington Street and turning the parade into downtown. The plan is to pull small smaller vehicles like golf carts and small tractors. Under citizens’ comments and petitions, Mayor Speedway property. commented that 7/11 purchased without looking at it. Their head corporation is in Texas, but there is a real estate contact near Town who is handling what to do with the property. Under briefings, Deputy Chief Lawless gave the annual Police D 2023. Deputy Chief Lawless PowerPoint Presentation, that will be available at the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. Deputy Chief Lawless commented that the Police Department is fully staffed with 25 sworn-in officers and 2 civilian staff. The police department received its first accreditation in 2002 and its next reaccreditation is in 2026. 2023. Council expressed their appreciation for their department’s presentation. Under reports from committees, Town Manager Peters reported on the December 14, 2023, Community Development Committee meeting. Mr. Peters commented that the Committee discussed the Gish Mill closing and the next steps. There is a work session coming up with the design team. The Town will get to see visuals of what the space will look like. The Town is using the EPA Brownfields grant to work on the fire properties downtown. The idea is to fix the space up enough to take away the parking lot on Walnut Avenue is ready for asphalt when asphalt becomes available in the spring. For the open position in the Community Programs Department, there have been about 82 applicants. The Town will be submitting an RFP for a proposal to help with this project. Mayor Grose commented on citizens being able to 4 Under reports from committees, Cody Sexton reported on the January 10, 2024, Committee meeting. Mr. Sexton commen they discussed the new street signs started to be installed in Town. Public Works staff are taking down the old signs and readjusting or replacing poles. Paving for fall wrapped up. Clearview Drive and Niagara Road are what is left to be completed this spring. The contractors will return around March when asphalt plants open again. On April 15, the contractors will be paving 8th Street from Walnut Avenue to the Town line. Public Works is in the process of planning out the fall paving schedule for 2024. On 1st Street and Cleveland Avenue, there was a large sinkhole that opened. Public Works staff have been working on that issue for the past couple of weeks. Public Works Director Bo Herndon made a pros and cons list regarding the purchase of a one- armed bandit truck. After reviewing the list, Public Works has decided to stay with their current trash truck. Under reports from committees, Cody Sexton reported on the December 11, 2023, and January 8, 2024, Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Sexton commented that looking at the general fund revenues and expenditures, revenues are running a little higher than expected. Some major projects were due and that did take a chunk of money. One of the things to note, the Town was still utilizing the utility fund in October. In November, the cash flow slowed down a bit collections in the spring. The Town is also waiting investments that the Town does puts the Town in a good place with projects. Council Member Mullins approve the Financial Statements for October 31, 2023, and November 30, 2023 seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) – Liles. Approved the Financial Statements for October 31, 2023, and November 30, 2023. Mayor Grose and Council Members expressed appreciation to Council Member Mullins for hockey tickets to see the Rail Yard Dawgs together. Council also expressed their appreciation for having so many people at the meeting tonight. 5 Council Member Mullins made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays APPROVED: _________________________________ Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk