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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/21/2023 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023, 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: Pete Peters, Town Manager/Town Clerk Antonia Arias-Magallon, Administrative Manager Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Fabricio Drumond, Police Chief Andrew Keen, Finance Director Nathan McClung, Assistant Planning and Zoning Director The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Administrative Manager with Council Member McCarty, Mullins, Vice Mayor Stovall present. Council Member Liles absent. After a Moment of Silence, Council Member Mullins, led the Flag. announcements, Council Member McCarty announced the following: February 24 – Phlegar Hill; February 25 – Low Low Chariot; March 3 – The Oddfellows and March 4 – Stevie Nicks – all at 8 p.m. at Rosie’s; Theater on Ice every Saturday – 10:45 a.m. – 12 Noon and Open Skate weekdays – 1 p.m. – 3 :30 p.m. – Lancerlot; every Wednesday – 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Bingo; every Thursday – 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Trivia; every Friday and Saturday night – Live Music; February 26 – Baby goat snuggle – 2 – 4 p.m. all at the Twin Creeks Brewery; Tuesday and Thursday is $2.00 per game and Friday and Saturday is $15.00 for unlimited games at Vinton Bowling. Under requests to postpone, add to or change the order of agenda items, Andrew Keen, Finance Director requested to add item 2 under Section G, Consent Agenda, to consider adoption o Memorial Operating Supplies Account. 2 Council Member McCarty made a motion to approve the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) – Liles. Meeting of February 7, 2023 Resolution No. 2533 appropriating funds in Operating Supplies Account. Mayor Grose questioned the history of AMVETS information at a later time when the allocation of the funds is decided. Under awards, introductions, presentations and proclamations, Valuation Director, Ken Fay, gave a briefing on the 2023 Roanoke County Real Estate Reassessment. Mr. Fay reviewed a PowerPoint presentation, which will be on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. Mr. properties located in the County are assessed every year by January. The Code of Virginia requires Real Estate to be assessed at 100 percent of fair market value. Appraisal staff works in identifying, locating, and estimating the value of all properties in the county for tax purposes. Real estate values for Residential and Commercial significantly. Most of the increase is due to market values in the residential sector. From 2015 to 2019, the inflation rate stayed at a steady rate. The inflation has increased the past couple of years. The median sale prices for single family residential homes have increased in the past couple years for Roanoke County and Vinton. There has been a decrease in the number of total sales and foreclosures. For next year, the Federal Reserve continues interest rates. Real estate markets are slowing as a result of these increased rates. Assessment notices were mailed in January. The final deadline to apply for an appeal is September 8, 2023. Council Member Mullins questioned if the tax freeze option is still available to residents commented that it is and to call to the Commissioner of Revenue for any questions. commented on the increase of value and taxes for property owned in Vinton. Mr. Fay commented that the Board of Supervisors will be meeting at the end of March or beginning of April to set the rate for this year. The next item on the agenda was the Annual Update from the Roanoke Regional Partnership by 3 presentation, which will be on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. Regional Partnership covers and the five-year raised $4 million dollars for the next five years and has matched every public dollar. The four strategic talent attraction and wo expanded, bringing a lot of businesses to the region. Regional Partnership is working with businesses, digital advertising, leaders, and others to bring more to the region. There is over $150 million dollars being invested in the next two years. throughout the region. Partnership will be launching a new site study soon to identify additional regional collaboration. A new job board will be available on Get2KnowNoke. An early next year. Marathon’s reputation is spreading and this past race brought $1.2 million in economic impact. Mr. Hull expressed appreciation towards the Vinton law enforcement officers for their support. Virginia’s Blue States Cyclocross race series in 2022. This attracted a new audience of cyclocross racers. with an expanded footpri new attractions. It was another successful year with a 12 percent increase in attendance. Economic Impact for 2022, with just events was $3.7 million. Cross. invested. There have been a good mix of projects, expressed appreciation for the research staff. Mayor Grose expressed commented on how well of a job the region is doing. Under reports from Council Committees, Keen commented that 4 collection is at 59%. Food and Beverage tax collection is at 43%. The occupancy taxes for short term rentals is at 88%. Cigarette stamp sales are at 66% of budgeted revenue. Real Estate tax revenue generation was at a 44% collection rate for the fiscal year. Mr. Keen commented that many residents pay their taxes during the first billing in May, causing the previous fiscal year. Mr. Keen commented that the cash and financial health remain strong at $ investments and operational cash. The Grant Fund payment to the Western Virginia Water Authority. $2 million was moved from the utility fund to an investment fund. The Town o account with Bank of Botetourt to house repurposed ARPA funds which is fully insured by the FDIC. Mr. Keen commented that AMVETS, which supports the nation’s 20 million veterans, donated $500.00 to the Vinton War Memorial. Mr. Keen commented on the Town is awaiting final numbers from VDOT for the Mountain View Road project. There is approximately $600,000 of Town money and $500,000 of VDOT money on the project. The Town has plans to put another $500,000 of local dollars on the project from future Water Authority revenues in fiscal year 2024. The total of the project is estimated by VDOT to be $1.6 million. The use of local Town money will help expedite the project, whereas going to more revenue sharing project. The project that VDOT has put forward will help the Town receive some savings. Mr. Keen commented that Ms. Collins stopped by to discuss a possible change in the classification of a full-time employee to be decreased from 40 hours to 30 hours per week, which is more in work 30 hours per week would receive the same full- time benefits as those working 40 hours a week. Ms. Collins next com whom are paid the same whether they work 40 or more hours per week and discretionary time. The new policy would not require exempt employees to fill out their timesheets unless they use PTO. The current PTO policy proposes that 5 policy would not allow employees to accrue any PTO during any unpaid leave of greater than 40 hours or during any type of unpaid leave. The current policy for holiday pay allows full time employees receive a full day of 8 hours pay. The new policy would allow depending on their hours. Ms. Keen next commented on Ms. Collins’ proposal on the Police Department Contract which proposes that recruits who are not certified would be required years after training. If the recruits resign prior to the number of years required by contract, they would not receive the PTO payout made up of the time accrued during their dates of employment. They will also be required to reimburse the Town $400 for the cost of a vest fitted specifically to the individual. Mr. McClung presentation, which will be on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. Mr. McClung commented on the Downtown Fire Block Demolition and Re-Design project. Hill Studio of Roanoke has provided the Town with the design concepts and the demolition permits have been pu contractors. A early phases with options of havin stories. Mr. McClung next commented on the Vinton History Museum. There are n triggers. Hill Studio designed an elevator/lift to match the museum infrastructure. The Town allocated $25,000.00 last year. T allocating new funds this year due to there being funds not utilized. Mr. McClung next commented on the Cleveland Mart D provided three different first scenario included a multi-use of apartments and office, which is preferred by the Town. There are two alternative scenarios overall investment is $1.1 million based on the developer’s budget. The goal is to create more use for the town. Mr. McClung next commented that Marshall Stanley, Economic Development Specialist, gave an update 6 and its outreach. The partnership with RVTV has also created more engagement with residents. There will be an upcoming e-newsletter Council is signed up. Mr. McClung next commented the General Capital Project’s update. The Town has been working to fix the posts in the basement of the War Memorial building humidity levels and the goal is to have it fixed by the summer. Mr. McClung next commented on t Parking Lot project. The goal is to have the construction of the lot out to bid by this month. The engineer internal to the Hu Firm, left to work with another firm in the middle of the project. The Principal of the Hu Associates Firm stepped in and started working on the project. In the transition, there have been some delays. Mr. McClung next commented on Council visiting the Annex before the meeting. The Annex project has been going through a lot of in-house work. Currently, the Annex is going through data wiring and interior infrastructure. The Annex will be a secure space that will not have a reception area and will be by appointment only. Mr. McClung next Farmers Market water damage where busted in the bathroom. house work, saving the Town money. Council Member Mullins questioned how the pipes burst, and Mr. McClung volunteer that turned off the electric, which turned off the heaters in place. Mr. McClung next commented on the Tree Inventory Grant that will provide a list of all of the trees on the Town’s public land and any trees that are in the right of way that can be a p information on the trees will help identify if there are any diseased trees. The Town is currently looking for a tree company to execute the grant. The goal is to have the inventory completed by the end of the year. Mr. McClung two of the Virginia Housing Study. Phase one of the Housing Study received from Virginia Housing was 7 Phases two and three focus on the shopping center itself. Phase two of t development to turn the shopping center into a multi- use town center. The last phase will be the feasibility study to see if it will be affordable and practical for the future developers. Mr. McClung announced the following: March 24 – Council Retreat; April 1 – Clean Valley Day; April 6 – State of the Town and April 28 – Arbor Day Event. Vice Mayor Stovall commented on the Demolition. Mayor Grose commented on utilizing in house staff for the repair for the Farmers Market. Council Members commented on Pancakes with Police, that happened earlier in the morning. Council Member Mullins Town performing in house work on a lot of projects. Mayor Grose expressed appreciation for service that staff has provided for decades on the water system. Mayor Grose commented on the Water Authority working on Cleveland Avenue. McCarty commented on a local networking event at the Twin Creeks Brewery on February 28 from 5 to 7 pm that the Chamber will be hosting. Mayor Grose expressed appreciation to the staff for continuing to do a great job and appreciation to AMVETS for their donation three years Mayor Grose expressed appreciation to Marshall Stanley for the Town videos, publicity for the town, and the communication with citizens. adjourn the meeting; Council Member McCarty following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) – McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None; Absent (1) – Liles. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Richard W. Peters Jr., Town Clerk