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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/1/2011 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2011, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Carolyn D. Fidler Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert R. Altice STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lawrence, Town Manager Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Gloria Morgan, Acting Town Clerk Michael Kennedy, Public Works Director Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources Manager Herb Cooley, Police Chief Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director 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 January 4, 2011 Regular Meeting 2. Request to Re-Appoint Carolyn Fidler to Highway Safety Commission – Resolution No. 1904 3. Request to Re-Appoint Roy McCarty to Highway Safety Commission – Resolution No. 1905 E. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS F. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS - This section is reserved for comments andquestions for issues not listed on the agenda G. TOWN ATTORNEY H. TOWN MANAGER 1. Request Re-appropriation of Funds for Encumbrances from June 30, 2010 – Resolution No. 1902 2. Report on Real Estate Assessment I. MAYOR J. COUNCIL K. CLOSED MEETING 1. Request to Convene in Closed Meeting, Pursuant to § 2.2-3711 A (1) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as Amended, for Discussion or Consideration of Personnel Matters 2. Request to Convene in a Closed MeetingPursuant to §2.2-3711 (A) 3 – Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose or of the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body 2 L. RECONVENE AND ADOPT CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING M. ADJOURNMENT 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 Allegiance to U.S. Flag. The Consent Agenda was approved on motion by Mr. Nance and seconded by Mr. Hare. The motion passed with all in favor. Approved Consent Agenda Mr. Nance read a letter from Lieutenant John Hobbs of the Vinton Fire and EMS to Police Lieutenant Glenn Austin recognizing Sergeant Anna Wooten for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide C.P.R. and mouth to mouth respiration on a 13 month old infant. Mr. Nance commended Sergeant Wooten for her efforts. Dan Vance officially presented the first issue of Phoenix Magazine to Council and thanked them for their support. Ms. Dillon introduced Theresa Fontana, a new attorney with her firm. Mr. Lawrence reported on a request to re-appropriate funding for June 30, 2010 encumbrances. He noted that the request was previously discussed at Council’s January 18th meeting. He also reported that all items listed were approved in last year’s budget but were not completed by the end of the budget year. Mr. Lawrence advised thatpurchase orders for these projects were carried over to the current budget year and that most of them have been completed. He briefly reviewed the list and reported on the status of the items that remain on the list. Mayor Grose and Mr. Nance expressed their appreciation to staff for going through the list of encumbered items and removing those that can be delayed. Ms. Fidler moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 1902 re-appropriating funds for encumbrances from June 30, 2010. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and passed unanimously by the four members present. Adopted Resolution No. 1902 appropriating funds for June 30, 2010 encumbrances Mr. Lawrence gave a report on the 2011 real estate assessment for the Town. He reported that the total assessed values for real estate located within the Town is $469.8 million and pointed out that each $.01 of the Town’s tax rate equates to $46,985. He noted that the Town’s real estate tax rate is set at $.03 per $100 of assessed values and will bring in a total of $140,954 in real estate taxes. He also noted that this year’sassessment increased by $413 over last year. Mr. Lawrence advised that that the Town’s real estate tax base is stable for both residential and commercial property. He noted that some areas of Roanoke County did have some real estate value reductions. Mr. Lawrence warned that commercial real estate could possibly drop in Report on 2011 real estate assessment 3 the near future as assessmentsare based on property’s income potential and since office space is being leased for much less than it was three years ago, assessments on these buildings will probably decrease. He noted that that this year’s percentage of increase in real estate assessments is .29%. He went on to say that if the rate of increase is 5% or more, Council is required to advertise and hold a public hearing. Mr. Lawrence reported that even though the effective tax rate is below 5% this year, a public hearing will be advertised and scheduled for March. Mr. Lawrence reported on a pipeline crossing agreement with Norfolk Southern. He noted that the Town needs to replace a sewer line that runs underneath Norfolk Southern railroad tracks before construction begins on the Walnut Avenue Bridge replacement. He reported that the cost of the agreement is $6,000 which covers liability insurance and occupancy fees as well as an annual fee of $225. He also reported that the Town has paid Norfolk Southern $13,500 to date for permission to cross their property. Report on pipe line crossing agreement with Norfolk Southern Mr. Lawrence reported that staff has received complaints regarding a large flock of vultures that are roosting in the area of the old William Byrd High School. Lieutenant Mark Vaught advised that staff is aware of the problem and are presently trying to address the issue. He described some recommended methods that staff is utilizing to scare the vultures away. The Mayor reported on a meeting that he and the Town Manager had attended earlier in the day to discuss issues of interest to the business community. Mayor Grose distributed copies of a draft letter inviting area clergy to volunteer to lead the invocation at future Town Council meetings. He asked Councilmembers to review it and if they are in agreement, Council members will be asked to sign it. He noted that the letter would be sent out to clergy in the Town and in the surrounding communities. Mr. Hare reported on a walk/run–a-thon scheduled for May 14thsponsored by Manna Ministries that would begin at Fallon Park and continue through the Town of Vinton. He noted that Manna Ministrieshas requested the Town’s financial or in-kind support for event. Mr. Lawrence pointed out that Manna Ministries will need to obtain street closing permits from the Town and Roanoke County before the event can take place. Ms. Fidler announced that Judy Cunningham has been hired by Explore Park to serve as Board Secretary. In a related issue, Mr. Lawrence noted that Fred Anderson had recently appeared before the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and provided them with a report on a connection between the film industry and Explore Park. It was noted that this connection has brought in more than $3,000,000 to the local economy. 4 Ms. Filer reported that the Explore Board is now exploring a proposal to locate a greenway in the Park. At 7:53 p.m., Ms. Fidler made a motion to convene into closed meeting pursuant to § 2.2-3711 A (1) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, for discussion or consideration of personnel matters and pursuant to § 2.2- 3711 A (3) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended for discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nance and passed unanimously by the four members present. At 10:25 p.m., the regular meeting reconvened and the Certification that the closed meeting was held in conformance with State Code requirements, was read and adopted on motion by Mr. Hare. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nance and passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk