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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/7/2024 - Regular1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Michael W. Stovall, Vice Mayor Keith N. Liles Sabrina M. McCarty Laurie J. Mullins STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk/Administrative Manager Andrew Keen, Finance Director/Treasurer Donna Collins, Human Resources/Risk Management Director Marshall Stanley, Economic Development Specialist Fabricio Drumond, Police Chief Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Mayor Grose called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, Council Member Mullins, Vice Mayor Stovall, and Mayor Grose present. After a Moment of Silence, Council Member Liles led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Under upcoming community events/ announcements, and Council Activities, Council Member McCarty announced the following: May 27 – Town offices will be Memorial Day; Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their Mingles at the Market Saturday of each month; June 1 – Community Ice Cream Social at the Vinton History Museum; June 19 – Town offices will be closed in observance of Juneteenth; and July 4 – closed in observance of Independence Day. There Memorial in the morning and a Fireworks display Memorial beginning later that night at 6 p.m. Council Member McCarty encouraged everyone to visit the entertainment venues social media and website for more information. Council Member Mullins announced the following Council activities: April 20 – 2 22 – Mayor Grose, Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, and Council Member Mullins attended the Mural Unveiling at the Annex building; April 24 – Council Member McCarty attended the Meeting; April 25 – Council Member McCarty, and attended the Arbor Day Celebration; April 26 and 27 – Mayor Grose, Vice Mayor Stovall, Council attended the Dogwood Festival; April 30 – Mayor Member Mullins attended the Safe Streets 4 All Open House Public Meeting; May 2 – Mayor Grose, Council Members Mullins and Council Member McCarty attended the game with staff; and May 6 and 7 – Mayor Grose, McCarty attended the CPR training at the Annex. Council Member Liles made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Stovall and voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; and Nays (0) – None. April 16, 2024. Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Vice Mayor Stovall presented the National Police Officers Week Proclamation. Council expressed appreciation towards the Vinton Police Department for their hard work. Under awards, introductions, presentations, and proclamations, Deputy Town Manager Sexton presented the Certificate of Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year 2023 – 2024 which was awarded Department. This is the eighth year that the Town has received the award. budget. Under briefings, Mr. Stanley gave an the Economic Development Department projects that are currently taking place in the Town Stanley commented on the Gish Mill property. The contractors plan to be on the property this July. This construction should last about 15 months. Mr. Stanl hotel project. The Town is currently working with different investors. Mr. Stanley 3 and the hotel project sparked their interest. The Town plans to meet with them again later this month. Mr. Stanley next commented on the performance agreement with Cleveland Mart. Cleveland Mart owners are currently working to get the plumbing completed. The first payment of the performance agreement has been processed. Mr. Stanley commented that T progress and has some plumbing issues that the owner is working on. South Pollard Street from tomorrow morning starting at 9 a.m. to work on the sewer. Mr. Stanley commented that Marcos Pizza is working with the Regional Chamber and Vinton Chamber on their ribbon cutting that will be held on May 22 at Noon. Marcos Pizza is officially open to the public. Living Services will have a ribbon cutting on May 29 at 9 a.m. Impact Living Services will also work with the Regional Chamber and the Vinton Chamber on their ribbon cutting. commented that DownHome Pharmacy is currently open and will be scheduling a ribbon cutting. Mr. Stanley commented that the Town is working with prospects interested in bringing their business to Vinton. Brownfield Grant that the Town was awarded for $500,000.00. The Town is currently using the grant on three different properties. Mr. Stanley next commented that CodeR gained over 200 subscribers and the e-newsletter over 400 subscribers. Mr. Stanley commented that the Gauntlet celebrated its 10th anniversary Stanley has been a part of the Gauntlet’s business plan and pitch judging. that the Town hosted their 3rd group, the Harvest Foundation, for a tour of the Town which went well. Mr. Stanley commented that a lot is going on in Vinton. The Town is working hard to bring in more businesses to the area. Mayor Grose commented on the EPA grant and expressed his appreciation to Town staff for getting the grant. Under briefings, Town Manager Peters gave an overview of the recommended fiscal year 2024 – 2025 budget. Mr. Peters reviewed the PowerPoint that will be at the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. there is no tax rate increase for the 2024 calendar 4 $14,879,829, a 4.19% increase from the FY24 budget of $14,282,116. For expenditures, the FY25 proposed budget amount is $13,610,991, an 8.60% increase variance from the FY24 budget of $12,532,963. expects the full- personnel. The total proposed capital fund amount is expected to be $660,000. There will be a public hearing regarding the FY25 proposed budget at the May 21, 2024, Council m adoption is scheduled to take place at the June 4, 2024, Council meeting. Council expressed appreciation for budget is doing. Under items requiring action under the agenda, there was a motion to consider the adoption of a Resolution approving the Employee Handbook changes. Donna Collins commented on the changes to the changes were discussed last year, but the changes to the Handbook were delayed. commented that the employee classification was changed. The Town currently has a full-time The change to the Handbook would make it a minimum of 30 hours for full-time employees. By doing that full-time employees would be 30 hours or more and part-time employees would be less than 30 hours. Ms. Collins commented that exempt employees will no longer be required to fill out a timesheet. Instead, exempt employees will submit a PTO usage sheet. Ms. Collins next commented that discretionary employees can discretionary time in one 8-hour workday, but no more than those 8 hours back-to-back. Ms. Collins commented on the current PTO policy, employees cannot accrue PTO while suspended or on administrative leave. The new policy would add two additional occurrences. These changes would not allow employees to accrue any PTO during any unpaid leave greater than 40 hours per biweekly pay period, including absences for FMLA reasons or retirement date. Ms the holiday pay, in which full- receive a full day of 8 hours of pay. The new policy would also allow part-time employees to receive a half day's pay depending on their hours. 5 Council Member Liles asked about how the holiday pay would work. Vice Mayor Stovall asked about the employee classification. Council Member McCarty approve the Resolution approving the Vinton Employee Handbook changes; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins, carried voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None. Approved Resolution No. 2594 approving the Town of Vinton Employee Handbook changes. Town Manager Peters commented that West Lee Avenue and West Jackson Avenue were paved today and almost finished. delay yesterday because of the weather. 8th Street and 4th Street are next for paving. A portion of 8th Street will be done on Saturday. Crosswalks at Gus Nicks Boulevard are underway today. Public Works will work on the Gus Nicks’ crosswalk for about a month, working on a single lane at a time. Hardy Road crosswalk Mountain View Road is scheduled to start in June for the full-depth reclamation project. The Thrasher United Methodist Church stormwater project is still in progress and easements. The Comprehensive P has officially begun. The Town had a booth at the Dogwood Festival, which many people stopped by. The Town sent a letter to request a waiver from the Virginia Pharmacy Board drug signs on buildings that do not sell drugs. The Town received notice that it was waived, and the Cundiff’s Drugs sign will be placed on its original building at 116 South Pollard Street. home park demolition will begin on May 28. This was delayed due to utility disconnects. The Police Department is making periodic stops to check on the buildings. The Town has also been working on Bowman Street, project for stormwater. Mayor Grose and Council Members commented on the Dogwood Parade, ribbon cuttings, CPR training, Salem Red Sox game, Vinton History Museum, and the Comprehensive Plan. Vice Mayor Stovall Road. Mr. Peters confirmed that a letter was sent out to all utilities to do work before the construction began. 6 Council Member Mullins made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; APPROVED: _________________________________ Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk