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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/7/2019 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P. ON TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTO MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTO VIRGINIA I MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Keith N. Liles, Vice Mayor Janet Scheid Michael W. Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant[Town Clerk Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Thomas Foster, Police Chief Anne Cantrell, Finance Director/Treasurer Joey Hiner, Public Works Director Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Fabricio Drumond, Police Captain The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m, The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Scheid, Council Member Stovall, Vice Mayor Liles and Mayor Grose present. Council Member McCarty was absent. Roll call era Moment of Silence, Vice Mayor Liles led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Council Member Stovall made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Liles and carried by the following vote, with all members voting. Vote 4-0; Approved minutes of the Joint Meeting Yeas (4) — Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — with Roanoke County Board of None; Absent (1) — McCarty, Supervisors on April 9, 2019 Under awards, introductions, presentations, the first item was the Police Department 2018 awards. Chief Foster made brief comments before each award and then the following were presented with the assistance of Captain Drumond: Traffic Safety Award —Officer Jeremy Shrewsbury; DUI Award — Officer Matthew Stafford, Drug Enforcement Award — Officer Kris Moore; Leadership Award —Sergeant Tim Lawless and Officer of the Year —Officer Kris Moore. Chief Foster and the Mayor made closing comments. The next items on the agenda were severa Proclamations. The first Proclamation was fo National Police Week. After brief comments Council Member Stovall read the Proclamation an] REWN-44100-A The second Proclamation was for GBS/CIDP Awareness Month. Rick Forney, the liaison for the local chapter, made brief comments on the purpose and goals of the Foundation. The Mayor made comments and presented the Proclamation. The next item on the agenda was a quarterly report from the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Oakes reviewed his 3rd quarter report, which was a part of the agenda package and is on file in the Town Clerk's Office as a part of the permanent record. Chief Oakes further commented that they Dave picked up two more prospects since his last report and expressed thanks to the Town for the gift of the vehicle vouchers. Vice Mayor Liles asked the current number of volunteers and Chief Oakes responded approximately 18-20, but only 5-6 that are currently active. The next item on the agenda was the consideration of public comments regarding the proposed FY 2019-2020 Town of Vinton Budget, The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 7-34 p.m. Public Hearing opened The Town Manager began by reading the Opening, Revenues, Expenditures, Personnel, Community & Economic Development, Water and Sewer Fund, Stormwater Fund and Conclusion sections of the Proposed Budget Transmittal Letter. He then turned the meeting over to Anne Cantrell for a more detailed presentation of the FY 2020 Budget. Ms. Cantrell reviewed a PowerPoint presentation, which was a part of the agenda package and is on file in the Town Clerk's Office as a part of the permanent record. mr-Im Council Member Scheid asked Ms. Cantrell t comment on the decrease in the State Sales Tax i terms of the General Fund Revenues. Ms. Cantrel� WQoc* #• Agreement with Roanoke County, the Town wa receiving 11.77%. Under the new MOU with th State Code with the revenue estimated to be $1 million next year, which is a decrease of $360,000. Vice Mayor Liles asked about the estimated revenu from Rosie's that was included in the budget. Ms Cantrell responded that the report staff had beer reviewing was Rosie's revenue report and did no)], PA IWILVIdtO Mal TIR"1771,17 Men ITIrne ecTnuall but in order to continue that growth we are going to have to invest in the Town and get caught up. We have identified $2.2 million worth of capital improvement items as of today, but there will be more that will be identified in the future. Hearing no further comments, the Mayor closed Public Hearing at 7:59 p.m. Public Hearing closed The Mayor commented that Council would takel action on the adoption of the proposed FY2019-202 budget on May 21 ". I 0 The next to on the agenda was the consideration of public comments regarding the proposed meals tax increase effective August 1, 2019, The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 8:01 p.m. Public Hearing opened Anne Cantrell commented that the current meals tax rate is five percent and the proposal is to increase the tax to six percent. The impact to the citizens would be approximately a five cent increase on a $5 meal and a twenty cent increase on a $20 meal. The proposed effective date is August 1, 2019, so the increase this fiscal year would not be the total $260,000, but approximately $240-243,000. The full impact would not until next fiscal year if Council votes to adopt the increase. The proposed increase could fund computers, salt spreaders, zero turn lawnmowers and trailer, gateway entrance signs and Garthright bridge maintenance, With regard to the list of current meals tax rates in neighboring localities, counties were not included because they are capped at four percent by the General Assembly. Ms. Cantrell next commented that Bob Lewis from the Vinton McDonald's could not attend the meeting, but wanted to be on the record that he is not in favor of the meals tax increase on behalf of his customers. Jason Bishop, one of the owners of Twin Creeks Brewing Company, first expressed appreciation to the Town for all of the assistance with their business and Af of the people that have been supportive. He then made comments against the proposed increase in the meals tax and how it would impact small businesses. Vice Mayor Liles expressed thanks for the comments from Mr. Bishop and Mr. Lewis and that they would be taken into consideration, The Mayor commented that Council does appreciate the Twin Creeks Brewery. He does not believe the one percent increase would affect people's decision on where they would go to eat, but the condition of the Town could affect it, These funds would be used to invest in the Town and will benefit not only the citizens but businesses as well. The Mayor then commented that he supported the tax increase, Council Member Stovall commented that in order for the town to prosper, we need the one percent increase to meet the capital improvement needs of the Town. If we do not vote it in, then we have to look at other ways to stay ahead of the curve with our capital improvements, He then thanked Mr. Bishop for his comments. Council Member Scheid also expressed appreciation to Mr. Bishop for his IV. comments and that Council would seriously listen to his concerns. Fiearing no further comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 8:10 p.m, Public Hearing closed The Mayor commented action would be taken on the The next item on the agenda was a briefing on dog parks. The Town Manager made opening comments and then turned the meeting over to Pete Peters for a more detailed presentation. Mr. Peters reviewed a PowerPoint presentation, which will be on file in the Town Clerk's Office as a part of the permanent record. George Baldwin of Montgomery Village made comments on the benefits of having a dog and a dog park in a community and requested that Council consider building one in the Town. Jim Bown also of Montgomery Village made comments in favor of a dog park in the Town and requested that Council consider Council Member Scheid commented that because the Thrasher Dog Park was so close to the Town it would not be a good use of money to build another dog park when there is one less than a mile from Town. Council Member Stovall commented that he is a dog owner, thought it was an excellent idea and that communities need dog parks. Some things to consider is that the Salem dog park was built by private funds and there are ongoing maintenance costs. He had some additional information that he would be willing to share about different approaches that might be taken. Vice Mayor Liles commented that he was also a dog owner and liked the idea. There are a lot of business owners in the community that are dog owners and perhaps they would consider sponsoring a park. OWN the opportunity to wos come up with a solutioni The Town Manager reminded Council of the 2019 Law Enforcement Memorial Service on May 16th at 4:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church and the ribbon cutting for Rosie's Gaming Emporium on May 91h. W The Mayor commented on the Virginia Municipa Clerk's Association session that he recentl attended with the Town Clerk, ribbon cutting for Th Hockey Store, celebration for the Air Force Junio ROTC and the Relay for Life Survivor's Dinner. H )I 71so commented on the success of the Dogwoo Festival and the Queen's Luncheon. Comments from Council: Vice Mayor Liles commented that with regard to his work schedule, he should be able to attend all of the future Council meetings. Council Member Stovall commented on the success of the Dogwood Committee and suggested recognizing them at a future Council meeting. The Mayor commented an invitation has been extended to them and they are going to try to attend a meeting. Council Member Stovall also gave an update as Chairman of the CEDS Committee and commented there are funds that the CEDS can go after for such projects as Mountain View Road. Vice Mayor Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Stovall and carried by the following vote, with all members voting, Vote 4-0; Yeas (4) — Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — None; Absent McCarty. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. A4TEST: Susan N. C M Johnson, , Town Clerk MC APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor 0