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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/1/2014 - Regular- I a a a a 10010i Intl I Ores W-91M.11 1121OX.11 TAWA 220�� (7771M, 1. Douglas Adams Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance Sabrina M. Weeks STAFF PRESENT: Christopher S. Lawrence, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Ryan Spitzer, Assistant Town Manager Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer Gary Woodson, Public Works Director Ben Cook, Police Chief Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director Chris Linkous, Fire & EMS Captain Karla Turman, Associate Planner/Code Enforcement Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director The Mayor welcomed everyone in attendance and Roll Call called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m, The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Adams, Council Member Hare, Council Member Nance, Council Member Weeks, and Mayor Grose present. After a Moment of Silence, Mr. Adams led the Pledg,,-, of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. The Mayor introduced Susan Johnson, the Town Clerk who conducted the Investiture Service. Ms. Johnson then proceeded to administer the Oath of Office to Sabrina M. Weeks and Matthew S. Hare. After taking their Oath of Office and receiving an official framed Certificate from the Commonwealth, each made brief comments. The Mayor next called for nominations for the office of Vice Mayor. Mr. Nance made a motion to elect Matthew S. Hare as Vice Mayor, The Mayor closed the floor for nominations. The motion was carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0-1; Yeas (4) — Adams, Nance, Weeks, Grose; Nays. (0) — None; Abstain Ms. Johnson then administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Hare for the office of Vice Mayor, Mr. Adams made a motion to approve the regular meeting schedule for the first and third Tuesday of each month; the motion was seconded by Mr. Nance and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, Nance, Weeks, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) — Noite, Approved regular meeting schedule for the first and third Tuesday of each month Vice Mayor Hare made a motion to approve oog oooo.pp thl,_ fllwinnminatins fr the three Cuncil-ointe Committees: Finance — Hare, Nance, Public Safety — Han Adams and Public Works — Weeks, Grose. The motio -was seconded by Mr. Adams and carried by the followin. vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0, Yeas (5) — Adam Nance, Weeks, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. I Mr. Nance made a motion to re -appoint Christopher Lawrence as Town Manager; Susan N. Johnson as To Clerk; Barry W. Thompson as Finance Director/Treasure Benjamin L. Cook as Chief of Police, and Elizabeth Dillon as Town Attorney. The motion was seconded by M Weeks and carried by the following vote, with all membe voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, Nance, Weeks, Ha Grose; Nays (0) — None. I The Mayor asked if the appointment to the VML Policy Committee could be tabled for consideration during the Closed Session portion of the meeting. Mr. Nance made a rwa r. Adams and carried by the following vote, with all members voting. Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, Nance, Weeks, Hare, Grose; Nays (0) - None. Under upcoming community events/announcements, the Mayor reminded everyone of the July 4 Ih event with fireworks at the War Memorial. Mr. Nance also reminded everyone of the next Mingle at the Market on July 12 th aj the Farmers' Market. Approved appointments to Counc ;,.ppointed Committees Re -appointed the five Council- 1, 11 Closed Session Vice Mayor Hare made a motion to adopt the Consent Approved minutes of Council Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Mr. regular meeting of June 3, 2014 Nance and carried by the following vote, with all members ' and regular meeting of June 17, voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, Nance, Weeks, Hare, 2014 Grose; Nays (0) - None. Under citizens' comments, Donnie Bush, a czen on West Cleveland Avenue, requested that Council consider an amendment to the Town Code relating to how the Town Gan enforce overgrowth on a piece of property that cannot be seen from the road. The Mayor referred the matter to staff for review and Mr. Bush gave the address in question as being 209 West Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Nance asked for the Town Manager to give them an update on this matter at the next meeting under old business. The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of an Ordinance to enact Article V, Spot Blight Abatement, of Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, of the Vinton Town Code. Ms. Turman began by commenting that in October of 2013 during a joint work session of the Planning Commission and Town Council, the idea of spot blighti abatement was discussed as a way that the Town can deal with blighted properties. Roanoke County has adopted a spot blight abatement policy and recommended that we do the same. At the October work session, Council gave direction that they were ready for staff to move forward with putting such a policy together. An initial draft was prepared and after review by the Town • it was recommended that we do an Ordinance instead of a Resolution and make the policy part of the Town Code. A separate policy has also been drafted to follow the Town Code and also to provide other documentation that will assist in determining if a certain property is blighted. The State Code gives us the ability imp V ow Oil [IM11114MI IM t Q 0 9 30 days to respond with a plan, If there is no response to any notification, the Town Manager can ask Council to request that the Planning Commission hold a Public Hearing to determine if the property is blighted. After that Public Hearing, a recommendation will be made to Council for them to either approve or deny the repair or demo. If approved, the work will be done by a contractor and a lien put on the property. If it is not approved, then the only recourse would be legal action against the property owner. If the property owner responds with an abatement plan, the Team and the Building Official will have to approve the plan and will give the owner 90 days to complete the work. However, if the owner shows an effort towards completing the work, the Town can require a performance bond for an extension. If the work is completed by a contractor, then a lien will be placed on the property as stated before. Tice Mayor Hare asked what happens if the property owner wants to dispute our decision about the property being blighted. Ms. Turman responded that in talking with someone in Fredericksburg who managed their program, he indicated that they can do the notification, repair and the acquiring of the property or go straight to demolition if it is in bad shape. He indicated they chose to do the demolition, Ms. Turman further commented that this is a last resort to deal with certain properties that the Town has not been able to get property owners to respond and we have no other recourse. If we can deal with an issue or violation using our existing Code, then we will do that. The Spot Blight Assessment form will be given to each Team member for their assessment of the property and then they will meet to determine what factors are consistent on each assessment. Mr. Nance asked what would be the cut-off for the accumulation points and Ms. Turman indicated that they need some direction from Council. For example, a property can score a possible 400 points on the current form and the property at 123 Gus Nicks Boulevard scored 220. Slides were then shown of this property. Mr. Adams then commented that there has to be some standard level of points to determine if the property is blighted and Ms. Turman responded that she has not been able to find any other locality that uses a checklist to make that determination, 2