HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/18/2017 - Regular MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT TOO P.M.
ON TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2017, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON,
VIRGINIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor
Keith N. Liles
Sabrina McCarty
Janet Scheid
STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager
Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk
Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Di rector of Economic
Development
Theresa Fontana, Town Attorney
Tom Foster, Police Chief
Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director
Joey Hiner, Public Works Director
The Mayor called the regular meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with
Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty,
Council Member Scheid, Vice Mayor Hare and
Mayor Grose present, Roll call
era Moment of Silence, Klayton Akers,
grandson of the Town Clerk, led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the U.S. Flag,
Under upcoming community events, Council
Member McCarty announced the following events:
July 20-Ribbon Cuffing-Roland E. Cook at 12
Noon; August I-National Night Out-Vinton War
Memorial; August 5-Glade Town Reunion; August
19-Creekfest-Vinton Farmer's Market from 5-10
p.m.; passenger rail service returns to Roanoke on
Halloween; September 1-17-Enemy of the People
will be playing at the Star City Playhouse and July
28-Party in the Park. The last Mingle at the Market
was very successful.
Pete Peters announced that a rescheduled Party in
the Park is this Saturday, July 22, with the Legacy
Band,
Under requests to postpone, add or to change
the order of agenda items, the Town Manager
requested to add a Closed Meeting, pursuant to §
2.2-3711 (A) (29) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as
amended, for discussion of the award of a public
contract involving the expenditure of public funds,
including interviews of bidders or offerors, and
discussion of the terms or scope of such contract,
where discussion in an open session would
adversely affect the bargaining position or
negotiating strategy of the public body.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to add the
additional item of a closed session to the agenda,
the motion was seconded by Council Member Liles
and carried by the following roll call vote, with all
members voting: Vote -0; Yeas (5) — Liles, Approved adding additional item of a
McCarty, Scheid, Hare, Grose; Nays(0)—None. closed session to the agenda
The next item on the agenda was the recognition
f Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk., for completing all
of the requirements to become a Certified Municipal
Clerk. The Mayor read a brief bier and made
comments before presenting M . Johnson with her
Certification plaque; Her family was in attendance
and recognized and she was also congratulated by
the other members of Council;
Chief Tom Foster introduced Samuel Mitchell, a
new Officer in his department. Chief Foster next
read his Memo selecting Officer Andrew DiCarlo as
Officer of the Month for June, who was present of
the meeting.
The next item on the agenda was a report on
the Minton Volunteer First Aid Grew for June 2017
and Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Chief Wayne Guffey
reported for June that the truck lours were 441 o
456 possible hours for 7%; there were two trucks
in service for 46 hours with 242 total'calls-- ?6 by
the career staff`and 136 during volunteer time. The;
medic truck was marked up 83% and a BLS Unit
17%; they responded to 113 out of 136 calls at
83% and handled 168 out of 136 calls. The
Fractile Response time was 8.67 with 1,956 man
hours for the month.
They currently have 54 members on roll and took
in three new members last week--Ethan Sweeney,
Alex Bradford and Brandi Guilliams. Two members
have passed their FLIT certification--Chas;
Caldwell and Andrew Kelley.
With regard to the 016- 017 Fiscal Year Report,
the volunteer truck hours were 5,532 out of 5,628
for 98%; two trucks were in service 584 hours for
98% with the ALS unit marked in service 84% and
the BLS unit 6%. The station had a total of 2,637
calls with 1,455 during volunteer lours. The
volunteers responded to 1,11 of those calls and
handled 1,00. The Fractile Response time for the
year was 8.72 with total man hours of 22,576,
They added 21 new members for the year, had
nine to leave, but still had a net gain of 1
members.
Chief Guffey also commented that at the awards
banquet, Debbie Adams was made an honorary
member.
Vice Mayor Hare commented that one of the
graphs showed calls dispatched are up 1 % over
last year and nearly 19% responses are up over
last year and asked Chief Guffey what contributed
to the increase. Chief Guffey responded that the
Town is having more events and calls for
overdoses have increased considerably. They are
also being dispatched more to Bedford and other
areas of the County.
Chief Guffey announced that the new career truck
is now in service.
Under citizens' comments and petitions, Tova
Yampolsky introduced herself as the campaign
manager for fjuan Osborne, who is running for the
Virginia House of Delegates for the 17'" District.
Greg Leslie, Scout faster of Troop 235 at Thrasher
Memorial united Methodist Church, commented that
members of his Troop were at the meeting to work
on their merit badges, Mr. Leslie next commented
on accidents that have happened at the intersection
of Mountain View and Washington Avenue and
asked-about the blinking traffic signal that use to be
there. Joey diner responded that the blinking
signal is no longer VDtT approved and it was
removed. He does not know if there is another
option, but he will research the matter.
The Town Attorney commented that the chase
session subject matter would be to discuss contract
negotiations with Roanoke County.
The next item on the agenda was to consider
adoption of a Resolution authorizing the Town
Manager to approve intradepartmental and
interdepartmental transfers in an amount not to
exceed $10,000 per occurrence once approved b
the Finance Committee., Council Member Scheid
commented that the Finance Committee had Adopted Resolution No. 220
discussed this item at their last meeting and fully authorizing the Town Manager to
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supports it. She then made a motion to adopt the approve intradepartmental and
Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded interdepartmental transfers in an
by Vice Mayor bare and carried by the following roll amount not to exceed $10,000 per
call vote, with all members voting. Vote -0 Yeas occurrence once approved by the
)--Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Aare, Grose; bays f j Finance Committee
None..
The next item on the agenda was to consider
adoption of a resolution authorizing the Town
Manager to execute a Real Property Option and
Parking Lot Lease for the Former Vinton Motors;
Property. Pete Peters first commented that under
the direction and in consultation with the Council
Economic Development Committee, staff has been
working with Mr. Silly Vinyard over a year on various
solutions regarding the possible redevelopment of
the former Vinton Motors property:.
Staff worked with two firms to perform separate but
comparable Commercial Appraisals for the property
in order to solidify a realistic selling price that would
bath be acceptable to Mr. Vinyard as well as being
attractive to potential developers.. Mr. Vinyard
recently agreed to a listing price and staff, in
consultation with the Town Attorney, drafted the
Purchase Option in order for the Town to be able to
market the property on the owner's behalf through a
Request for Proposal(RFP .
The RFP process will allow staff to solicit interest on
the Town's "option to purchase" by receiving
redevelopment proposals submitted by the private
sector. This will also position the Town to work in
conjunction with our local FCA to facilitate an
eventual purchase and with the implementation of
the development proposal should an offer be
accepted by Mr. Vinyard and compatible with the
Town's desired redevelopment gods for the
property. This same process was used recently for
the redevelopment within the Town to include
Roland P Cook and the fold WBHS for apartments
and the told Library (soon to be Macado's .
Staff was also able to negotiate terms for a
associated lease on the parking lot that will assist
with the Town's perceived deficit of downtown
parking options for local merchants and patrons of
the many various town festivals and events.
Mr. Peters also commented on six of the General
Terms of the Purchase Option and Parking Lot
Lease.
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Vice Mayor Flare asked if the Town would exercise
the option to buy the property and then turn around
and sell it to someone else or would they assume it.
Mr. Peters responded that gives us the option to
back out or to buy the property and also provides us
some assurances that we:can have some say-so in
the property and market it initially on his behalf. The
Town Attorney commented that the Town has to
have some interest in the property because we are
not in the business of marketing property for private
individuals;. The money involved is to lease the
parking lot.
Vice Mayor Flare next asked why the real property
caption and the parking tot lease were not two
separate actions. Mr. Peters responded the lease
would provide some parking to our downtown
patrons for the summer months and we would not be
at risk to lose the rental of the parking lot as the
process plays out, Vice Mayor Hare then asked if
the rental agreement would be assignable and Mr.
Peters responded that there was no provision for it to
he assigned. The Town would forfeit that right
should the development move forward and
construction be under way. The Mayor commented
that this does not obligate us, but gives us first
refusal and the opportunity to be involved.
Vide Mayor Flare asked how the $5,000 will be paid
out of the budget and Mr. Peters responded it was
included in the FY2017-2018 Economic
Development budget under Special Projects.
Council !"Member Scheid asked if we have a right to
put signage up so that patrons know the parking lot
is available and Mr. Peters responded he has placed
an carder for sandwich boards that will be set up for
broth downtown shopping and events.
Vice Mayor Flare next asked why this matter was not
on the agenda as a briefing, but as an action item.
The Mayor responded that this piece of property has
been discussed many times, but acknowledged that
Mice Mayor Hare was right about not fallowing the
normal process, Vice Mayor Flare next asked if a
decision to exercise the option would have to come
back to Council and the Town Attorney responded
there would be a purchase agreement that would
have to be approved by Council.
There was further discussion regarding the use o
the parking lot by other groups such as the
Chamber. Mr. Peters commented that it would be
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no different than the Farmers' Market being used for
public parkins and it being blocked off for a special'
event. If the Chamber wanted to use part of the lot
during Fall Festival, then, with Mr. Vinyard°s
approval, we would block off an area within the
parking lot and allow them to use it. We are only
personally leasing it for parking.
Council Member ,Liles made a motion to attest the
Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded Adopted Resolution No. 2208
by Council Member McCarty and carried by the authorizing the Town Manager to
following roll call vote, with all members voting: execute a Peal Property Option and
Vote -1; Yeas -- Liles, McCarty, Schein, Cruse, Parking Lest Lease for the Former
Nays 1 j—bare. Vinton Motors Property
e next item on the agenda was a briefing on
Performance Agreement to accept a $50,000 grant
from the VEDPIDEQ Virginia rownfield's
Assistance Fund (VBAF : Fete Peters commented
that that Council recently authorized staff to pursue
the development of a Feasibility Study for Gish Dill
to identify the redevelopment possibilities for the
property. While establishing the Scope of Work with
Hill Studio, staff determined that the Environmental
Phase I & 11 portion of the study could possibly be
provided for through a Brownfield's Grant known a
the VAF administered by VEDP and VA DEQ,
Staff consulted with Draper Aden and Associates
(who is on our on-call list for A&E) to draft the grant
application on the Tow 's behalf, which was
submitted in early June. Staff has been advised that
we were awarded $50,000 towards the
Environmental Phase I & ll of the Dish Mill project,
with additional assessment funds- available if
needed. This dogs require a 'local 0% match,
however, our purchase of the property will more than
cover our portion. Also, if environmental concerns
such as lead paint or asbestos are indeed found to
be present after the assessments are concluded, we ,
are essentially assured of additional grant funds to
mitigate cleanup through the VBAF program.
In order to accept the Grant Funds, Council must
authorize a Performance Agreement with
t ED /DEQ and agree to effectively monitor the
grants outcomes towards reaching our project goals,
We are currently working with legal counsel and
VEDP staff to draft terms of the Performance
Agreement and anticipate presenting the agreement
for Council's authorization at the August 1 th
meeting.
Mr. Peters expressed thanks to Anita McMillan for
identifying this grant opportunity and her assistance
in working with Draper Aden to complete the
application. Draper Aden is awaiting approval to
begin the assessment upon completion of the
Performance Agreement and we anticipate the
assessment to be concluded in early 2018.
Council Member Scheid asked if there is a limit to
the number of times the Town can use our purchase
of property as the match. Mr. Peters responded until
we over-extend the actual purchase price and if we
were awarded mitigation funds„ we can use the
remaining balance of our purchase price. They did
confirm that we can also use our local match of an
associated grant, the CDBG Grant, because it is an
adjoining revitalization effort.
The Town Manager commented on the
information received from FERIA regarding the
skateboard park. Staff has reached out to VDEM
because it appeared from the emails received from
Congressman Goodlatte and Senator Caine that
the decision was based on the information that was
submitted in February: We had submitted an
appeal in May and we do not believe that had been
taken into consideration. There seems to be a
disconnect between VDEM and FFMA and we
want to make sure they understand what our
project really is about because we submitted a
drawing of the park with our last appeal in May.
The next item on the agenda was a report from
the Public Works Committee. Council Member
McCarty commented that their lest meeting was on
,tune 27th. The Committee discussed the milling
and paving that had been completed on By-Pass
Road (west-bound; whole length , Jefferson
Avenue (whole length), Madison Avenue (from
Washington Avenue to Poplar Street), Jackson
Avenue West tin front of the Fire House) and
College Street to Walnut Avenue.:
Hurt and Proffitt has been contracted to assess the
intersection of Walnut Avenue and 81h Street for
improvements of markings and signals to increase
understanding and visibility realignment. They will
also be assessing the intersection of Hardy Road
and Vinyard Road for improvements to the flow of
safety and traffic there.
With regard to street markings and stripings, By-
Pass Road has been stripped 'after paving and
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Hardy load will be,remarked the whole length from
Chestnut Street to the County line to include bike,
and turning lanes.
Other items discussed were the SCADS, system for
the water and wastewater systems. Some sites
received new radio equipment; three regulator'
stations were added and re-mapping of
communication paths were funded from the
operations budget through the Sunapsys
maintenance contract.
Thompson and Litton has been contacted to submit
a proposal for reviewing the entire Public Works
department for a void in positions and personnel
and to look at ways of improving the operation,
With regard to lacado's, the pre-construction
meeting has been helot and the project is ready to
move forward.
Mice Mayor Hare asked if any of the upgrades to
the SCACA system would give a better notification
when there is a problem. Joey Hiner responded
that some of the sites have their own power unit,
but if there is no power at Public Works, they would
not see it and if there is no power at the sites, the
pumps will not rung In this upgrade, they added
three regulator stations which previously were not
monitored at all and have added improved radios
to some of the other sites.
The Mayor commented on the success of the
ribbon cutting for the glade Greek Greenway and
new business in Town, the Country Garner.
Under comments by Council` Vice Mayor Hare
commented on the amount of traffic: that cuts
through on Almond give to avoid the traffic signal
and asked about a targeted enforcement period.
Chief Foster responded that the avoidance of a
traffic signal only pertains to driving across public
or private parking lots. He would work with Mr.
Diner to see if there could be some additional
signage put in place such a "No Through Traffic".
Council Member Liles commented on the
excessive speeding from Almond to Broad Hill.
Chief Faster commented that they can do some
speed enforcement and also post the radar speed
limit signs in that area:
Mice Mayor Hare next commented that the Finance
Committee met this afternoon and reviewed the
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additional Valley Metro ridership information
showing hourly by stop along with a map showing
the impact on RADAR if the route was adjusted.
The new budget assumes that we would have
made a route change by September and after that
there will no longer be a budget to fund the part of
the route that we had discussed eliminating.
Council Member Scheid commented that we need
to find out what we are legally required to do and
chat is our responsibility and the responsibility of the GTC Board with regard to holding a Public
Hearing. One option to communicate with the
riders would be to put signs at the bus stops on the
effected route and have an open house at the War'
Memorial. The Town Manager commented that:
he would be contacting Valley Metro to see what
the next step would be in the process.
Council Member Scheid commented on the
success of the {Made Creek Greenway ribbon
cutting: Council Member Scheid asked for an
update on Dr. Jesup's office that is still vacant,
Mr. Peters responded that they had moved out
temporarily to repair some foundation problems
and while starting to move back in had discovered
some additional concerns:: It is his understanding
that they have full intentions of moving back to their
Vinton location, Council Member Scheid next
asked about the request from Dr. Law to remove
the "No U-turn" sign by his office that was referred
to the Highway Safety Commission. Jody Hine
responded that he had met with VDC T and wanted
to meet with the Highway Safety Commission to
pass on than information. The Town Manager
commented that we will go ahead and schedule the
meeting.
Council Member McCarty asked for an update on
the deer population in the Town. Chief Foster
reviewed the three options briefly..—the Urban
Archery Program, hiring of a private contractor and
hiring police officers to shoot the deer: Based on
the costs involved with each of these options, it
was recommended that the matter be tabled until
more complaints were received or it becomes a
public safety issue'.
Council Member McCarty also commented on the
leadership of our Police Department and
mentioned the tragic accident that took the life of
Bethany Franklin in a tragic accident; who was a
member of the Bedford County Fire and Fescue.
Council Member Liles commented on Dr. Law's
new dental office and that he had witnessed
someone coming into Town can Virginia Avenue
trying to do a U-turn at PFG and backing up traffic.
At one time there was a "No U-turn" Sign there, but
Mr. Ebner responded the sign had been removed.
The react item that was added to the agenda was
a request to convene in Closed Meeting, pursuant to
2.2-3711 (A) (29)-of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as
amended, for discussion of the award of a public
contract involving the expenditure of public funds,
including interviews of bidders or offerors, and
discussion of the terms or scope of such contract;
where discussion in an open session would
adversely affect the bargaining position or
negotiating strategy of the public beady. The subject
matter would be to discuss contract negotiations with
Roanoke County.- Council Member Scheid made a
motion to convene in Closed Session; the motion
was seconded by Council Member McCarty and
carried by the following vote; with all members
voting: Vote -Cl, Yeas (5)— Liles, McCarty, Scheid,
Flare, Grose; Nays (0) None. Council went into
Closed Session at 8.49 pm.
t 9:30 p.m., the regular meeting reconvened and
the Certification that the Closed fleeting was held i
accordance with State Code requirements was
approved on motion by Vice Mayor Flare; seconded
by Council Member Liles and carried by the following
roll call vote, with all members'voting: Vote 5-0
Yeas (5) — Liles, McCarty, Scheid, Flare, Grose, Certification of Closed Meeting
Nays(0)--None.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to
adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by
Council Member Liles carried by the following vote„
with all members voting: Vote 5-0, Yeas (5)— Liles,
McCarty, Scheid, Dare; Grose; Nays (n) -- None.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Meeting adjourned
APPROVED:
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
A FST;
Susan N. Johnson; C C,Town Clerk
AT A CLOSED MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TIDES AV,
JULY 18, 2017 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILDING,311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET,VINTON, VIRGINIA.
CERTIFICATION THAT A CLOSED MEETING WAS HELD
IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Vinton, Virginia has convened a closed meeting
on this date, pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the
provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and,
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Vinton
Town Council that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with
Virginia Law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vinton Town Council hereby certifies that
to the best of each member's knowledge:
I Only public business matters lawfully exempted from opening meeting
requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this
certification applies; and
2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the
closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Town Council.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Hare, and seconded by Council Member Liles with all in favor.
crn
Clerl Council