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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/17/2009 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009 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 William W. Nance William E. Obenchain, Jr. STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lawrence, Town Manager Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Darleen Bailey, Town Clerk Ben Cook, Police Lieutenant Mary Beth Layman, Special Programs Coordinator Agenda A. 7:00 P.M. – Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum B. INVOCATION – Amanda Overfelt C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U. S. FLAG D. READING OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS E. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes: March 3, 2009 2. Quarterly Financial Report – December, 2008 APPROVAL F. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS G. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS H. TOWN ATTORNEY I. TOWN MANAGER 1. Vinton Vision Statement J. MAYOR K. COUNCIL L. ADJOURNMENT WORK SESSION 1. Vinton Dogwood Festival Committee Request Mayor Grose called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following roll call, Amanda Overfelt gave the invocation and the Parkway Wesleyan Church 4-year old Preschool class led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Roll call, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to U.S. Flag. Former Virginia State Delegate and former Town Attorney, C. Richard Cranwell spoke on the history of the Town and extended his best wishes to the Town in honor of Vinton’s 125th Anniversary. The Mayor, Council members and Town Manager read a collection of historical Town ordinances, resolutions and minutes in honor of the Town’s anniversary. It was noted that some of the documents dated back to the early 1900’s. The Mayor thanked staff for organizing the celebration events that had taken place earlier in the day. He recognized Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Stanley for their support of the Town and for attending Council meetings on a regular basis. He also acknowledged several members of the Dogwood Festival Committee that were present and commented on their many hours of work to put on the Dogwood Festival each year. He thanked his family for their support. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion by the Vice Mayor, Billy Obenchain that was seconded by Councilman Wes Nance and approved with all in favor. Approved Consent Agenda Mr. Nance read a letter from Police Chief Cooley naming Valerie Cummings, Detective Sergeant, and Monica McCullough, Detective, as Officers of the Month for the month of February, 2009. Mr. Lawrence reported on the proposed Vinton Vision Statement that was a result of the Council retreat that had been held in January. He commented that work had been ongoing for a couple of months to develop a vision for the Town and to determine where Council wants the Town to be in 20 years. He stressed that the Vision Statement was Council’s vision for the community. He acknowledged that the statement is the first step in the Town’s planning efforts to ascertain whether the vision statement corresponds with the vision held by the Town citizens. He added that Council would re-visit the vision statement after the planning process to ensure the Town remains on the right path. The Town Manager listed the six unifying principles contained in the Vision Statement and gave a brief explanation of each: 1. Neighborhood Vibrancy 2. Downtown Reinvented 3. Destination and a Gateway 4. Talk of the Town of Vinton 5. Vinton’s Community Spirit Shines 6. Best Managed Town Approved Vinton Vision Statement 2 Mr. Lawrence pointed out that the vision statement will be a guide as to where the Town focuses its resources. Mr. Nance stated that their vision statement is a good road map for this Council and for future Councils. He went on to say that he did not believe there are drastic changes that need to be made but he knew Council would like to see a more vibrant business community as there are too many empty buildings in the downtown area. He added that he was confident the Town would make it through this “rough patch” just fine. Mayor Grose thanked everyone for working on the vision statement and added that another important segment of this process would begin soon when the public meetings are held to get citizen input. The Town of Vinton Vision Statement was approved by a consensus of Council. Mr. Nance and Mr. Altice reiterated the Mayor’s comments in thanking the staff for their efforts to organize the Town’s anniversary celebration and welcomed Mike Kennedy who had returned from sick leave. Ms. Fidler stated she was really impressed with the celebration activities earlier in the day as well as the wonderful video done by Cox Communications that would begin airing the next day on Channel 9. She appreciated the staff’s efforts in organizing the reception and for dressing in period attire for the day. Comments from the Mayor and Council Mayor Gross adjourned the regular meeting at 7:45 p.m. WORK SESSSION 1. Announce Public Hearing on Effective Tax Rate Mr. Lawrence added an item to the work session to advise Council, as part of the budget process, that the Town has to establish the “Effective Tax Rate” for this tax year. He reported that the Code of Virginia requires that notices be published and a public hearing held when the annual real estate assessment results in an increase of 1% or more of the total real estate tax levy. He further reported that, this year, the Town of Vinton’s real estate tax levy has increased by approximately 3.37% or $4,526.00 for the calendar year 2009. Mr. Lawrence advised that the Town’s Real Estate Tax rate would remain at $.03 per $100 of assessed value. He further advised that the public hearing would be held during the Council’s regular meeting on April 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. 3 2. Vinton Dogwood Festival Committee Request Mr. Lawrence advised that board members from the Vinton Dogwood Festival Committee were present to report to Council on their plans for a Dogwood Festival event was being planned for the Vinton Farmers Market on the evening of Saturday, April 25th where alcoholic beverages would be served. Bill Tyree, a Dogwood Festival Committee Board member, introduced the other members of the Board that were present (Janet Tyree, Mary Beth Layman, Todd Bailey, Penny Gross and Joey Nicely). Joey Nicely reported on the Festival Committee’s decision to move the Festival’s Saturday evening music event from their usual location at the Roanoke County Career Center to the Farmers Market to allow alcohol beverages to be purchased and consumed. He noted that this would bring in much need funding for the Dogwood Festival. He also reviewed their plans to contain the event to the location of the market area which would be roped of to prevent anyone from leaving the area with a alcoholic beverage. He advised that the Dogwood Festival Committee had successfully put on events in the past that served alcoholic beverages and were aware of ABC requirements. Mr. Lawrence advised that if the event is to go forward, he felt that staff would need to develop some type of administrative check list/sign-off or Public Gathering Permit that would be signed by the Town Manager and the Police Chief so staff would know what the Town’s obligations were, to make sure the applicant has insurance in place and the applicant has their ABC License. He assured Council that this type of event is done successfully on a frequent basis throughout the Valley. Mayor Grose pointed out that this request does not require a formal decision by Council at a regular Council meeting and that this work session item was scheduled to notify Council that the event is being planned, Mr. Lawrence stressed that this event would not open the door to numerous other requests if a permit is developed and put in place before the next festival makes this request.. Also, since the Town owns the property, the Town can limit who is allowed to hold an event there. Mayor Grose asked about the number of monitors for the event and was advised that there would be six monitors as well as police officers. Ms. Fidler asked who the monitors would be and Ms. Layman replied that there would be 25 to 30 volunteers and that one of them would be Debbie Pitts who has had Tips training (knowing how to recognize and handle those who are consuming alcohol). Mrs. Layman stated that the Virginia Defense Force has also been asked to help during the festival on Friday and Saturday. Mr. Obenchain stated that he wanted the Town to be able to address this type of request in the future as there are some events that he would not support. Mr. Lawrence replied that staff would develop a policy that would allow the Town to be able to have some control over this type of event. Mr. Tyree stated that would be supplying the beverages are highly responsible and will cart the open containers away. The Mayor asked if non-alcoholic beverages would also be 4 5 served and Mr. Nicely replied there would be. He advised that the Committee would be glad to come back to Council to give them an “after-event” report. Mary Beth Layman thanked everyone for taking part in the 125th Anniversary earlier in the day and advised that there would be other events throughout the year with this theme. The work session adjourned at 8:28 p.m. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Darleen R. Bailey, Town Clerk