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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/15/2012 - RegularMINUTES OF A WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2012, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Carolyn D. Fidler, Vice Mayor Robert R. Altice Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance STAFF PRESENT: Christopher S. Lawrence, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk Elizabeth Dillon, Town Attorney Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources Director Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer Gary Woodson, Public Works Director Ben Cook, Police Chief Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director I III P I III I I III. !IIIIII The first item related to amendments to Chapter 94- Utilities of the Town Code. Barry Thompson reviewed with Council a Memorandum from the Town's Attorney summarizing the proposed amendments. He first commented that the Town has experienced some difficulty in collecting water and sewer fees from tenants, especially the final bill for services once the tenant has moved. The proposed amendments will update the Code with recent changes by the General Assembly and add language regarding the collection of deposits. Mr. Thompson began summarizing the section changew Mr. Hare asked if "delinquent" in Section 94-6 is defin only if greater than $10 and we have no recourse if th owe us $9.53. Mr. Thompson said it is delinquent at a dollar amount. Mr. Nance commented it means purposes of discontinuance of services and does not defi delinquency for the entire article, only for that provisio Mr. Thompson would have the right to cut off servi under the Code, but Mr. Thompson indicated he does n cut off services for an amount that small. Mr. Hare asked if the date in Section 94-4 would limit our ability to change our payment frequency and Mr. Thompson's response was no. However, we may have to amend the Code at that point, RAI The Town had this policy in place several years ago, but decided to do away with it because the deposits were in an interest -bearing account and the Town had to pay interest back to the customer. All deposits received under this new policy will be kept in a non -interest bearing account. Section 94-14 was reviewed concerning placing a lien against the property for any unpaid water and sewer charges, including penalties and interest. The Mayor asked if he is renting to someone and they skip out, is he responsible for their bill and Mr. Thompson responded, yes, up to three months. Mr. Hare commented that a new tenant will have a deposit to cover the balance under this policy. Mr. Hare indicated that the Finance Committee supports this policy. Mr. Nance indicated he is in support of the policy, but expressed concern about placing the lien and Mr, Thompson indicated it would be used as a last resort. Mr. Nance asked if Section 94-14 could be left out. Mr. Thompson indicated that the landlords will be aware of thE changes made by the General Assembly. The Mayor indicated he had concerns with this Section as well. After further discussion concerning Section 94-14, Council took no action. Mr. Hare asked if Council could be furnished with a copy of the Water Authority's policy for comparison, The next item in the work session related to the purchase of a six-inch mobile sanitary sewer trash pump. Gary Woodson briefed Council on the need for the purchase of the pump based on historical demand, cost, and time elapse for emergency response actions. When the Town has to rent a pump, there is approximately 8 to 10 hours of down time and the last pump had to be brought in from the Tidewater area, There will be other uses for the pump other than by-pass pumping. Mr. Nance asked the life expectancy of one of these pumps and Mr. Woodson responded it is based on hours of usage and he would estimate between five and ten years. Vice Mayor Fidler arrived at the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Mr. Nance asked if this would be considered the number one priority for the Public Works Department and Mr. Woodson responded yes. He indicated it is being very proactive and he wants to do everything possible to stay in good standing with the State regulatory agencies. Three quotes were solicited and Godwin gave the lowest price for the pump at $35,339.50. 0 The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 i Roll Call p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Altice, Council Member Hare, Council Member Nance, Vice Mayor Fidler, and Mayor Grose present. The Mayor welcomed those in attendance. After a Moment of Silence, Vice Mayor Fidler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Mr. Nance made a motion to approve the consent Approved minutes of May 1, agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice 2012 Council meeting and Mayor Fidler and carried by the following vote, with all Resolution No. 1963 re- members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) - Altice, Hare, Nance, appointing Paul R. Mason to the Fidler, Grose; Nays (0) - None, Vinton Planning Commission Mr. Nance read a letter from Chief Cook naming Detective Paul Matt Harris as Officer of the month for April. The Mayor next made brief comments on three Proclamations - May 13-19 as National Police Week; May 21-June 3 as Click It or Ticket Mobilization; and May 20-26 as Public Works Week. The Mayor read a Proclamation recognizing Sergeant Gregory Chieppa of the Police Department for his service to the Town upon his resignation to become a member of the United States Border Patrol. Sgt. Chieppa and his family were present to accept the Proclamation. i Mr. Nance made comments on how many different ways he has had the opportunity to see Sgt. Chieppa and in every instance he always reflected a level of excellence for the town of Vinton and the Police Department. The next item on the agenda was the Public Hearing on the proposed FY2012-2013 Budget. The Town Manager began with a Power Point overview of the major components of the budget. The priorities were maintaining core serv►ces, no new or increase in taxes, evaluating fees for services and pay increases for employees, restructuring operations in the Police and Public Works Departments and maintaining focus on economic development. The total proposed budget is $7,396,898 in the General Fund and $3,100,365 in the Water and Sewer Fund, for a total budget of $10,497,263. He continued with comments on revenue sources and expenditures and the personnel changes. The Town Manager commented on the $137,200 CIP fund, Comments were made on the Utility Fund and it was indicated there is no funding for capital improvements in the Utility Fund, 0 Mr. Thompson then presented a budget summary and list of proposed changes to the budget. Based on the proposed changes, the new General Fund Revenue amount is $7,398,223 and the Expenditure amount is $7,356,840 with a savings of $41,383.00. In the Utility Fund, the Revenue amount will be $3,100,515 and the Expenditure amount is $3,078,541, for a savings of $21,974.00. He then read the list of 16 changes to the budget, which is attached to the minutes and made a part hereof. The Town Manager reiterated his suggestion that the savings in both accounts be set aside. After his report, the Mayor opened the Public Hearing at Public Hearing opened, hearins 7:40 p.m. Hearing no comments, the Public Hearing was no comments, Public Hearing closed at 7:41 p.m. was closed Mr. Hare commented that he felt comfortable with the budget and the suggested changes and commended staff for their work on the budget. He is glad that after four Vears Council is able to give a raise to the staff; however it comes at a cost of an additional work load with less -Aeople. He suggested taking the utility fund savings and #ut it toward a CIP fund. The Mayor commented that the CIP still remains a concern of his and would like to see a revenue stream to fund the CIP in the future. He commended the Finance Committee and staff for the work on the budget all year long. Council will consider final action on the budget at the June 5, 2012 meeting. The next item on the agenda was consideration of adoption of a Resolution relating to irrevocable election not to participate in Line of Duty Act Fund with the Virginia Retirement System. Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources Director, made comments that our cost for the Line of Duty Act with VRS is going to increase greatly and once Council opts out from VRS, we will purchase the same insurance from VML for approximately half the cost. The Town Attorney indicated that if we do not opt out, we will be paying toward the Line of Duty costs for larger localities. Also, the State will still continue to administer the benefits and make eligibility determinations. The Town Manager commented that this includes our career Fire and Police Staff. The volunteers are covered under Roanoke County to which the Town does contribute. Mr. Hare made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Mr. Altice and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) - Altice, Hare, Nance, Fidler, Grose; Nays (0) - None. Approved Resolution No. 1964 making irrevocable election not 4, Aze5it;iXete ii-i Lind #f Pvty Act Fund with the Virginia Retirement System 01 replaceThe next item was to consider adoption of a Resolution appropriating $4,492.00 received from Byrne Justice Assistance Grant. Chief Cook made comments that this grant, which required a $499.00 match, will be used to computers#Department. meetingTown Manager indicated that Council had asked in an earlier about a schedulefor # inventoryJulie Tucei has an of # # Town and maintains a replacement schedule. Mr. Altice made a motionto approve the Resolution as presented; Grose;motion was seconded by Mr. Nance and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) - Altice, Hare, Nance, Fidler, { None. The next item was to consider adoption of a Resolution appropriating $35,339.50 to purchase the Godwin Six - Mobile Sanitary Sewer Trash Pump. After brief comments from Gary Woodson ! the TownManager, Nance indicated that this seems to be an issue of spending and with the recommendation of Mr. Woodson # the Town.#' # of purchase. Nance made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Fidler i' carried by i # # roll call vote,members voting: Vote Yeas aFidler, Grose;None. actionThe final • consider adoptionof Resolution t• allow CountyDirector to write off outstanding tax accounts on two parcels on Chestnut Street were sold by Roanoke # # commented that Town.these two pieces of property were sold, but the proceeds were not enough to cover outstanding taxes to Roanoke County and there were no funds available to pay the past we have shared attorneys for and had an understanding that the proceeds would be pro -rated. was not the case this time and he wantsIts the liens. Mr. Nance asked about the oversight of the agreement in place and Mr. Thompson responded that there was merely an understanding between the two localities and no written agreement. x Town Attorney is proposing that a reciprocal agreement be written relating to future tax sales to be adopted by Roanoke County Town.# `# for the record that there was no fault of ! the collection of # Adopted Resolution N# 1965 Byrneappropriating $4,492.00 from the Assistance Grant and the Town's required match of $499 for replacemen) of computers! Department Adopted Resolution No. 1966 purchase of ## Mobile Trash • 101