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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/19/2019 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P ON TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINT MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTO VIRGINIA I Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid Michael W. Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Joey Hiner, Public Works Director Thomas Foster, Police Chief Anne Cantrell, Finance Director/Treasurer Chasity Barbour, Community Programs/Facilities Director Lydia Verdillo, Senior Financial Analyst The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7.00 p,m. In the absence of the Town Clerk, Pete Peters called the roll with Council Member McCarty, Council Member Scheid, Council Member Stovall and Mayor Grose present, Vice Mayor Liles was I absent Roll call After a Moment of Silence, Council Membell Stovall led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S Flag. Under upcoming community events, Council Member McCarty announced the following: March 26 - Senior Expo - Vinton War Memorial. Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty .2.,nd carried by the following vote, with all members Approved thr voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) - McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Called Work Grose, Nays (0) - None; Absent (1) - Liles. 2019 Chief Foster made comments and then read a quote from Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, "The enemy is to our left, they're to our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us-- there is no way they will get away from us this time". Under awards, introductions, presentations, the first item was a request for funding presentation from the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department. Chief -minutes of the Special Session of February 25, is requesting $13,000 for the upcoming fiscal yearwi The breakdown was $4,400 for contractual service for Chief's pay; $3,000 for training such as th Chief's Conference; $600 for active 9-1-1 dues an $5,000 toward continued recruitment. I The next request for funding presentation was from the Dogwood Festival Committee. Mary Beth Layman first commented that the Committee is requesting financial support of $2,500 for the upcoming fiscal year. Ms. Layman expressed thanks to Council for their support over the past years as well as Public Works, Police, Fire and Rescue. This will be the 64 Ih anniversary of the Festival with over 100 vendors and she commented on the different aspects of the Festival. The Mayor and Members of Council expressed thanks to the Committee and the direction that they are going this year with the Festival. The next item on the agenda was the presentatio of Certificate of Distinguished Budget Presentatio Award for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 201 awarded to the Treasurer/Finance Department, Anne Cantrell expressed thanks to everyone wh assisted with the budget and commented that las year they scored 8 out of 12 and this year it was 11 out of 12. She also commented that Brandon Gan of her department, who has been involved with th budget process this year, stated it is like opening up 120 piece jigsaw puzzle and finding out you have 12 pieces. Council Member Scheid commented abou serving on the Finance Committee with the Mayo and all the hard work that Ms. Cantrell and her tea Obes. The Mayor then congratulated Ms. Cantrel Q.nd Lydia Verdillo, the Senior Financial Analyst, wh was present at the meeting. Under citizens' comments and petitions, George Baldwin, a resident of Montgomery Village, requested that Council consider a dog park in the Town limits. He commented on the dog park at Thrasher Park and that one was needed in a better area. Jim Bown of 1030 Howell Drive, also spoke in favor of a dog park. Mr. Baldwin made additional comments on the possibility of Powell's fencing cutting a deal on fencing. The Mayor commented he has been approached b several citizens about a dog park and he thought i was something that should be looked at. Council Member Stovall commented that it was a great ide and thought it should be a community activity and i community dog park where we Gould solic] 0 donations as much as possible to build the park. After further discussion about the possibility of the property on Td Street as a location, which the Town owns, the Mayor requested the Town Manager to took into the matter further. Bob Steel of 850 Olney Road first commented Gw the condition of Mountain View Road and on certain such as the one by the Farmers' Market as you come around the curve, Mr. Steel next commented about the letter received concerning the changes in the trash collection and asked what is considered bulk services. Joey Hiner responded that refers to bulk and brush. Brush is like tree limbs, branches and yard waste. Bulk items are furniture and light items such as appliances, washers and dryers. Recycling, refuse, bulk and brush are collected on the same day with recycling being every other week, Mr. Steel asked what someone would do if the have more garbage than would go in the containe and you get another one, but it still not enough. A additional cart is $5.00 per month and is ther another option such as buying one from the City He sees other people that have those type that the use and look similar, but he is assumes they will no have their garbage picked up. )I Mr. Steel next asked if cardboard boxes needed to be placed in a bag to put into the trash container oind would they be considered bulk; if extra service for the elderly was still available and if the Code Enforcement Officer is a new hire for the Town. In response to a question regarding the type of refuse truck, Mr. Hiner commented it is a rear loader truck with flippers that will still have a refuse crew. Mr. Steel commented that the refuse employees give great customer service and he hoped it would continue. Council Member Scheid commented that for at least the past 10-15 years, it has not been legal to put bags out without being in a can. Residents have been doing that, but we have never enforced it. The new ordinance does require that the trash be bagged and the bags be put in the town issued trash cart. If a resident cannot maneuver the large - can, they can request a smaller one. Also, if one of the 96-gallon cans is not enough, they can be issued another can at a monthly rental of $500. The Town does not recycle cardboard, but there are other places in area that do. Council Member Scheid next commented that the Town would still provide service to those who are elderly or physically challenged. They can call Public Works and request a form that must be filled out and returned along with a statement from their ,*'octor. With regard to the question regarding the Code Enforcement Officer, we have always had that position on Town staff; however, the position is now 2, part of the Police Department and enforcement of the refuse ordinance would be one of the duties of ffiat Officer. Council ITlember Stovall commented that he lives on Mountain View Road and Council Member McCarty lives in the Meadows and they are both aware of the condition of Mountain View Road. At the last Council meeting there was discussion about the cut in the road which was done by a contractor with the Rwl< • Mr. Hiner commented cardboard boxes can be broken down and flattened out and placed in the carts. They do not have to be in a bag. Any type of bag that can be tied up can be used in the carts. The Town Attorney commented on th possibility of the Town participating in some of th multi -claimant opioid litigation that is going o around the state. Some claims are being brough in State Court for a variety of reasons by a lot oi Virginia jurisdictions, cities and counties primarily There are larger federal claims going on in Ohio thzr some Virginia jurisdictions have joined in and would be an option for Vinton. The decision t• participate would be based on the amount of th damages and towns in particular do not have a many damages as cities or counties. For example we do not have a school system and most of th larger jurisdictions are able to point to increase• expenses or costs with regard to their schools social services, regional jail or jail expenses, whic] we do not have in Vinton. The areas we could loo at would be increased calls for Police services, EMS] responses and the use of Narcan. Some smalle jurisdictions have found that their damages did no justify the burden of going forward and he was no aware of any towns that have joined in. If the Tow decided to join in with one of the multi-claiman litigation groups, legal counsel representing thos, grounds is not charging a fee, but will receive percentage of any recovery. The burden would b] 0 9 everything that is important to the Town, specifically looking at our current bi-monthly collection v( monthly collection so we can analyze cash flow. They will also look at our infrastructure and different ways to fund it, whether with debt or cash and variable rate versus fixed rate. Council Member Scheid commented that the Committee would ask for approval by Council at the next meeting. The Mayor commented on the success of the at the Rosie's Gaming Emporium, Comments from Council: Council Member Scheid thanked Chief Foster for the update on Lake Drive Plaza and reminded the Town Manager that a Public Works Committee meeting needs to be scheduled soon. Council Member McCarty asked Pete Peters about scheduling a tour of the Billy Byrd apartments again and Rosie's. Pete Peters responded that the open house for the apartments is set for May 70' and he is working with the management of Rosie's for their open house, but he would be happy to coordinate a tour. Council Member McCarty next commented that when the Valley Metro bus stops at McDonalds, it is causing traffic to back up across the intersection. The Town Manager commented that he noticed it today as well and that Nathan McClung is working on scheduling a ride on the bus leaving from the library and riding the reciprocating route to see exactly the dynamics. Council indicated they would like to be included in that bus ride. Council Member Stovall introduced Brian Holohan, who is running for Roanoke County Commonwealth's Attorney. U*,#nUW-tTFe(TT#eI ITKAd�,Lj- W-W—UU, e, t 'ji: vote, with all members voting: Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) — None, Absent (1) — Liles. The meeting was adjoumed at. 8:25 p.m. FUNWIZOINA Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Susan N. Johnson, CMC, Town Clerk 0