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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/6/2012 - Regular MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor William W. Nance, Vice Mayor 1. Douglas Adams, Jr. Robert R. Altice Matthew S. Hare 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 Anita McMillan, Planning&Zoning Director Ryan Spitzer,Assistant to the Town Manager Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 Roll Call p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Adams, Council Member Altice, Council Member Hare, Vice Mayor Nance, and Mayor Grose present. After a Moment of Silence, Mr. Altie led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Vice Mayor Nance made a motion to approve the Approved minutes of Council in the consent agenda as presented; the motion was seconded Neighborhood meeting of October by Mr. Hare and carried by the following vote, with all 16, 2012 and minutes for the members voting: Vote -Cl5 ; Yeas(5)—Adams, Altice, Hare, Council Retreat of October 28-29, Nance, Grose; Nays(0)-None. 2012 The next item on the agenda was citizens' comments and petitions. Barney Arthur of 204 Minnie Bell Lane addressed Council concerning the safety hazard of South Preston Road. Just today he was proceeding down South Preston and met the street sweeper and felt it was unsafe to pass it because of the width of the road. He asked Council to consider doing something about the issue when it comes up later on the agenda under the Highway Safety Commission report. Mr. Arthur next addressed Council concerning the issue of prayer at open government meetings. He commented on the issue currently being considered at Roanoke County and then read two verses of scripture. Mr. Arthur then commented on Council's change to a moment of silence. He also commented that prior to this meeting he submitted a policy and letter to the Town Manager and Council. He would like Council to reconsider and change their policy from the moment of silence back to a prayer, The Mayor commented that they would follow up on the two issues Mr. Arthur presented and would get a response back to him. Next, Roger Overstreet of 709 South Pollard Street addressed Council and indicated that since he came before Council at their October 2 d meeting, someone had made a complaint to Code Enforcement about his wrecker being parked on Pollard Street last Saturday. The Officer commented to him that he could park around back and there should be no problem. Mr. Overstreet then commented that about two years ago when he had property at 725 South Pollard, Karla Turman told him there is a 25 foot setback from the edge of an alley to your property and he asked aboutWood's Towing. Ms. Turman indicated there is no setback on a public street. Mr. Overstreet stated he has parked there numerous ether times with no problem. He also mentioned Scorpion Towing and the vehicle that has been in front of that business for four years with no tag on it. He also wants to know what grandfatheed means to a piece of property because other businesses are interpreting it different ways. The Mayor responded to Mr, Overstreet that he will refer the matter to Town staff to address his questions. Mr. Overstreet would also like to have some feedback on the ether issues he brought tip at the October 2nd meeting. The Mayor then requested Mr.. Overstreet to make a list of the questions that he needs answered and the lice Mayor asked if this item can be placed on the agenda for an upcoming meeting so everyone will have the opportunity to prepare for and respond to his questions and issues. After further comments, Mr. Overstreet indicated he would have a list of questions to the Town Manager by the end of the week and the Town Manager responded that staff can be ready for the November 2 th Council meeting and the item will be listed as a work session item. e next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of an Ordinance repealing_Article 11, Fair Housing, Division t, Generally, sections 50-21 through 50- 5, and Division 2; Fair Housing Board, sections 6- 6 through 0- 2, of Chapter 50, Human Relations, of the Minton Town Code. Elizabeth Dillon, the Town Attorney commented that this Ordinance will remove the Fair dousing Board as well as the Fair Housing law from the Town Code, There have not been any Fair Housing complaints to the Town in a long time and if there are any fixture complaints, they would be referred to the State. In response to a question by Mr. Hare, lbs. Dillon commented that none of the other localities she works with have had a Fair Housing complaint 2 since shehas been working with them. Mr. Hare asked if we had to have a Public Fearing to amend this part of the Adopted Ordinance No; 926 Code and Ms.Dillon responded no, repealing Article 11, Fair Housing, Division 1, Generally, sections 50- l r. Hare made a motion to adopt the Ordinance as 21 through 50- 5, and Division 2, presented, the motion was seconded by dice Mayor Nance- Fair Housing Board, sections 50-46 and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members through 50-62, of Chapter 5t , voting: Vote 5-0, Peas 5) -- Adams, Altice, Aare, Nance, Human Relations, of the Vinton ( rose, lays t)—None. Town Code The next item on the agenda(was to consider adoption of a Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to file a application for allocation of VDOT Fiscal Year 2013-14 Revenue Sharing Program funds and to execute and submit all appropriate information necessary to constitute a proposal for the use of VDOT funds. Anita McMillan made brief comments that the total cast estimate for the Glade Creek"Greenway will be$162,000. The Town has received $5 t,000 from Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. and will be required to match $31,000 if the VDOT funds are awarded. Mr. Hare asked if we would need to reappropriate the funds if they are received and the response was yes: Ms, Adopted Resolution No. 1992 McMillan indicated that the funds are on a reimbursement authorizing the Town Manager to basis and we would know by the end of this fiscal year; file an application for allocation of The match can be incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2014 VDOT Fiscal Year 2 13-1 budget. Mr. Hare made a motion to adopt the Resolution Revenue Sharing Program funds s presented; the motion was seconded by Mr. Altice and and to execute and submit all carried by the following roll call vote, with all members appropriate information necessary voting: Vote 5-6; Yeas (5) Adams, Altice, Hare, dance, to constitute a proposal for the use Grose, bays 6)—None, of VDOT funds The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution authorizing the Town Manager t execute an Agreement with VDOT for a temporary easement relating to the Walnut Avenue Project. Ms, McMillan made comments that since most of the work will be doge on Town 'property, this temporary easement will give them the right to do the work and them VDOT will transfer it back to the Town after the project is completed. Adopted Resolution No: 1993 Mr. Adams made a motion to adopt the Resolution as authorizing the Town Manager to presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Dance execute an Agreement with VDOT and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members for a temporary easement relating voting:. Vote 5-0, Yeas 5) — Adams, Altice, Hare, Nance, to the Mate Highway Route Walnut Grose; flays 0)—None. Avenue Project The Town Manager formally introduced Ryan Spitzer, the new Assistant to the Town Manager and Mr. Spitzer expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Town staff and Council. The Town Manager gage Council an update regarding the REAP and SPCA recent press release. At that time it was formally announced that there will be movement toward separating the two entities. The attorneys for the four localities are working on essential documents and hope to have something ready to present to the various governing bodies in December for their consideration. Thera are three major parts--the property where both buildings are located, the operational side of the two entities; and the animal care component. The animal control officers of each locality are also involved in the process.. The Mayor thanked the Town Manager for the update and indicated that this is an important issue in the Roanoke Valley. Vice Mayor Nance asked if there will be any budgetary impact this year and the response was no. However; it is expected to be fully operational as two separate entities by July 1, 2012. The Mayor commented on how productive the Council Retreat was and he appreciated how it was handled. He reminded everyone of the Chamber Membership Meeting/State of the Town scheduled for November 1 `. r. Hare commented on the September 2012 financial report. The revenues are about $140 000 off their target which is a timing issue of when certain funds are received. The general fund expenses are running under the forecast. Because of four open vacancies in the Police Department, the payroll is favorable at this time. Four other vacant positions have now been filled.. Overtime pay is about $13,000 favorable and the Utility side is very close to its target. Based on discussion during the Council Retreat, the Finance Committee discussed doing some more in-depth reviews of the War Memorial financials to see some treading data. Kevin Kipp, the liar Memorial Manager, will be attending the Finance Committee meetings to discuss and assist with gathering and reviewing of this information. The Finance Committee discussed updating the Town Code for increase the NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee from $35 to $ 0, which the State now allows. Our cost to the Bank is currently $3 . We will be bringing this up for consideration at a future meeting. Also, some restricted funds from the 2007 bond issuance need to be moved out of cash into the expense line item for the Walnut Avenue project at a future Council meeting. Mr. Hare mane a motion to accept the September 2012 Accepted the September 2012 financial report as presented, the motion was seconded by financial report as presented Vice Mayor Nance and carried by the following vote,with all members voting. Vote -0 Yeas —Adams,Altice Hare; Nance, Grose; Nays 0 —None. 4 Mr. Altice commented on the Highway Safety Commission meeting. He mentioned the issue of safety concerns on Preston Road and after discussion it was reported that the Police Department will get a sampling of vehicle speeds and numbers of cars passing through at different times and report back. Police Chief Cook also mentioned a suggestion of adding a stop sign at the intersection of Fairmont and Preston or to lower the speed limit to 20 mph and post signs accordingly. Chief Cook then commented on other items discussed at the meeting which were reported in the Commission's minutes provided to Council. Two other items that staff will give further review is to install a no left turn sign at the intersection of Glade and West Virginia Avenue and to change the turn lanes on Vinyard at its intersection with Hardy Road. Staff will report their findings to Council at a later meeting. Comments by Council Members: Mr. Adams commented on the Council retreat and the wealth of information he received, Mr. Altice said he had heard a lot of positive comments about the Downtown Trick or Treat; Vice Mayor Nance mentioned that he received a couple of complaints about smoking during the event and would there be any way to promote it as a "smoke-free event" and expressed his appreciation for the successful Council retreat. All Council Members commented on the long lines for the election and the great turnout shown in the Town. The Town Manager reminded everyone of the Pre- Negotiation meeting with the State for the CDBG Downtown Business grant on November 8th at 11-30 am at the War Memorial. He also expressed thanks to staff for pulling the DMV2Go vehicle, the Red Cross and the Fire Department together at the War Memorial today and offering free hotdogs and lemonade and tours of the War Memorial. Mr. are moved that the meeting be adjourned, the motion was seconded by Mr. Adams and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — Adams, Altice, Hare, Nance, Grose; Nays (0) — None. The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm. APPROVED- Iey E. Mor A T:,7S 'A 1� M Aj L Susan N. Johnson, To n ACIerk