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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/2/2010 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Robert R. Altice Carolyn D. Fidler Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lawrence, Town Manager Darleen Bailey, Town Clerk Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney 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 Regular Meetings of January 5 and January 19, 2010 2. Request to Recommend Appointment of Don Altice as an Alternate Member of the Vinton Board of Zoning Appeals – Resolution No. 1858 ACTION: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 1858 E. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS 1. William Byrd Middle School Youth Presentation F. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS G. TOWN ATTORNEY H. TOWN MANAGER I. MAYOR 1. Request to Allocate Funding for “Rebuild Together” Program – Resolution No. 1859 J. COUNCIL K. CLOSED MEETING 1. Request to Convene in a Closed Meeting Pursuant 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 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, William Booth gave the invocation and Mr. Altice led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Roll call, invocation and Pledge of Alle- giance to U.S. Flag . The Consent Agenda was approved on motion by Mr. Nance and seconded by Ms. Fidler, with all in favor. Mr. Lawrence introduced Tammy Goode, Sherese Thompson from William Byrd Middle and Justin Mills from William Byrd High School, who gave a presentation on a project they are working on with the Prevention Council of the Roanoke Valley to get funding for the Rachel’s Challenge program at William Byrd to teach students the fundamentals of choosing not to take part in risky behaviors. Sherese Thompson noted that the program was founded as a memorial to Rachel Joyce Scott who was the first person shot in the Columbine shooting in 1999. Following a very moving video on the Rachel’s Challenge program, the three students pointed out that the Vinton community can help support “Rachel’s Challenge” by encouraging local businesses and citizens to support the cause by donating to the Rachel’s Challenge fund through the Prevention Council of Roanoke County and to support and follow Rachel’s Challenge principles in their own lives. Mayor Grose thanked the students for coming and commented that their presentation was impressive, shocking and disturbing. He made a personal pledge to do what he could to increase awareness of the program in the Vinton community. Mr. Nance stated that the presentation was powerful and very well presented. The other Council members concurred with the Mayor’s and Mr. Nance’s comments. Ms. Dillon updated Council on the Lewis vs. the Town of Vinton court case that came about after Mr. Lewis fell into a manhole. She advised that a “Demur” was filed on the Town’s behalf and was upheld by the judge who found in favor of the Town. She advised that the case will be dismissed. Mr. Lawrence reported that Mr. Lewis, who was a Roanoke County Firefighter stationed at the Vinton Firehouse, was forced to retire after the injury. The Mayor asked the Town Attorney if the Town has a say as to whether or not a claim is paid or whether it’s taken to court, and Ms. Dillon replied that generally, the insurance company will determine whether they need to fight the claim or to settle it. She went on to say that the insurance company would probably ask whether the local government wants to settle or go to trial. 2 Mr. Lawrence reported that the Town officials have had meetings with a group of business owners in the Town over the past year to discuss complaints, perceptions, problems and difficulties, especially with change of use restrictions as well as the extra costs they incur as a result. He pointed out that some of the restrictions and problems they incur are due to State statutes over which the Town has no control. The Town Manager advised that, less than a month ago, the Mayor, Ms. Caudill and he had met with Mr. Goodman and Mr. Altizer from Roanoke County a few weeks ago to discuss the concept of a grant program to assist with change of use costs. He stated that the purpose of the grant would be to acknowledge and off-set increased costs for change of use that involve structural issues, fire code issues, ADA and accessibility issues. He further stated that the grant program would be comparable to the façade grant program where the business owner would apply for a grant that would cover a percentage of the change of use costs. The grant would be shared by the Town and Roanoke County on a 50/50 basis. He added that staff had met once to discuss the issue and would be meeting again the following week. During the discussion, Mr. Lawrence advised that businesses would be required to have a minimum investment of $10,000 and will have to be in business for at least a year to qualify for a grant. He also pointed out that the more money the business spent, the more willing the Town would be to invest. Mr. Lawrence reported that Roanoke County had developed a Change of Use brochure and that Town staff will be working with the County to develop a brochure for the Town containing information on requirements for change of use. The Mayor stressed that this is proposal is very preliminary and that there would be several steps to complete before the grant would become a reality. He stated that the program would be a low cost program that would be available to not more than one or two businesses a year. Mayor Grose stated that a major point of the program would be education so that prospective business owners have information they need at the beginning of the process rather than after they have gotten fully involved. Ms. Fidler asked if the information would be posted on the Town’s website and Mr. Lawrence replied that the change of use information would be posted on line after the form has been developed. Mayor 3 Grose recommended that prospective business owners be given information when they first come into the office that gives step by step guidelines on what they need to do when opening a new business. Mr. Hare questioned whether the Town needs to do something to attract contractors to the Town and Mr. Lawrence replied that there are already many contractors who have businesses in the Town. Mr. Lawrence reported that the kick-off Downtown meeting has been scheduled for March 25th, at the War Memorial from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. He went on say that there would be a design charrette at the War Memorial in April. He explained that the charrette would be a three day intensive design program where designers will be present to try to pull ideas from citizens for the downtown area. The Town Manager reported that a survey had been developed that will be available on Survey Monkey; a zip code survey will be done by some businesses in Town to see where people who shop in Vinton are from, why they are coming and what they spend. Mr. Lawrence advised that he had forwarded an email he had received from Mr. Janney at Vinton Appliance who stated that he was not very happy with the Town’s decision to put up the “No Parking” signs on South Pollard Street. The Town Manager stated that he believes there needs to be some “re-learning” by the public on parking in that area. He noted that some people are parking in the Post Office’s lot and along Lee Avenue. He noted that he felt the downtown business people need to park at the Farmers Market which is in the next block and has lots of parking space. Ms. Fidler commented that the traffic flow is much improved now. Mr. Lawrence advised that he would make a point to talk to the business owners that have been affected by the removal of the parking spaces to let them know why the Town made the decision to remove the parking spaces and to advise them of other options they may have for free parking. Mayor Grose reported on a request from Roanoke City’s Mayor Bowers for a contribution in support of the “Rebuild Together” program. The Mayor noted that the issue had been discussed at a previous meeting with a consensus of Council agreeing to fund the request. He reported that the Town Manager had advised him that there were unspent funds in the current budget that could be used for the requested contribution. Mr. Lawrence explained that the funds would come from the War Memorial Grant Account which is used to pay for staff’s use of the War Memorial for meetings and for other Adopted Resolution No. 1859 approving funding for “Rebuilding Together” 4 Town sponsored events. He explained that the account currently has a balance of $4,000, most of which will probably not be needed before the end of the current budget year. Ms. Fidler moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. 1859 authorizing the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with “Rebuilding Together” to become a sponsor for the 2010 program. The motion was seconded by Mr. Altice and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Mr. Lawrence reported that the program does accept referrals for anyone needing assistance in making needed home repairs. Mr. Lawrence reported on a request by a homeowner who has difficulties with his septic system and cannot afford to hook up to the Town’s sewer system. He noted that connection costs to the Town’s water or sewer system has to be paid before the connection is made. Mr. Lawrence stated that it would cost the homeowner $6,300 to connect to the Town’s sewer system, and pointed out that the Town does not have a policy for hardship cases. He added that he has asked the homeowner to submit his request in writing. In further discussion, the Town Manager expressed misgivings regarding a suggestion to allow the homeowner to make installment payments or for the Town to loan them the funds as he felt that either of these options would be too risky due to the limited availability of Town funds. He went on to say that it would have to be up to Council to set a policy to allow the Town to extend credit if they wish to do that. Mr. Lawrence commented that he felt an obligation to pursue all options to try to help the homeowner solve his sewer problem. Mayor Grose stressed that he did not feel comfortable making loans with Town money but if the Town is forced to consider it, the Town should insist that the homeowner provide proof that they had tried to get financing for the sewer connection from other sources. Mr. Hare asked if the Town could provide any in-kind services to make the connection and Mr. La wrence replied that $2,600 of the $6,300 would be system development fees and does not cover any of the actual labor costs. The Town Manager reported that he understood the Health Department would not allow the homeowner to put in a new septic system because there is not enough land available and/or the soils do not “percolate”. After further discussion, it was the consensus of Council that the Town cannot afford to offer a loan to the homeowner to connect to the Town’s sewer system. Discussed issue re- garding a connection to Town’s sewer system by a home owner who’s septic system is failing. 5 Mayor Grose expressed his appreciation to Council for passing Resolution No. 1859 regarding the Rebuilding Together program. Ms. Fidler updated Council on a meeting she attended with the Explore Park Consortium and the Virginia Recreation Authority that took place last week. She advised that a professor from Virginia Tech was in attendance at the meeting and conducted a presentation on several options for Explore Park. Ms. Fidler briefly discussed some of the options that the Professor presented. Mr. Lawrence added that the landscape architect professor would be helping the consortium get their ideas down on paper. Mr. Nance expressed his appreciation to Officer Harris of the Vinton Police Department for handling an issue for his wife very professionally earlier in the week. Mr. Nance pointed out that Council has yet to have a formal tribute to Vice Mayor Billy Obenchain, who passed away in December, felt they needed to do so in the very near future. Following a discussion as to what the tribute should be, Mayor Grose reported that the Chamber of Commerce has plans to dedicate their first event at the Farmers Market this summer to the late Vice Mayor with some of the proceeds from that event possibly being donated for cancer treatments. Mr. Altice suggested that the Town purchase one of the columns at the Veterans Monument that would be dedicated in honor of Mr. Obenchain. It was the consensus of Council that they look into buying a bench, a column, etc. to dedicate to Mr. Obenchain. A brief discussion took place regarding the earlier presentation by the William Byrd Middle and High School Students and what the Town might do in support of “Rachel’s Challenge”. Ms. Fidler moved to convene in a closed meeting pursuant to Section2.2-3711 (A) (3) of the Code of Virginia, as amended, for discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or 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. The motion was seconded by Mr. Altice and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. At 10:03 p.m., the regular meeting was reconvened and the Certification that the meeting was held in conformity with State law Town Manager read and approved on a motion by Mr. Nance, that was seconded by Ms. Fidler and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Reconvened regular meeting and adopted Certification 6 7 Mayor Grose adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk