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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2011 - Regular MINUTES OF A COUNCIL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011, AT THE LIVING WATER BAPTIST CHURCH OF VINTON LOCATED AT 627 VALE AVENUE, VINTON, VIRGINIA. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Robert R. Altice Carolyn D. Fidler Matthew S. Hare William W. Nance STAFF PRESENT: Christopher S. Lawrence, Town Manager Michael Kennedy, Public Works Director Ben Cook, Police Chief Mark Vaught, Police Lieutenant Christopher Linkous, Fire/EMS Captain Stephanie Dearing, Human Resources Director, Acting Town Clerk Lauren Hodges, Facilities Manager Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer Mary Beth Layman, Special Program Coordinator Consuella Caudill, Assistant Town Manager/Economic Development Manager The Town Manager opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. and welcomed everyone in attendance. He commented on the walk through the neighborhood prior to the meeting and that the goal is to have an open meeting to listen to the concerns and questions from citizens. Council members and staff introduced themselves The Town Manager commented on the riparian buffer project that was done along Glade Creek with grant funds and with the assistance of several citizens in the neighborhood. Two guests, Rick Sheets and Alfred Chevalier with TAP were introduced. Mr. Sheets made brief comments about the SERC (Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers) Program for a targeted neighborhood in Vinton and Roanoke City and then referred to Mr. Chevalier, who is the Project Manager, for further comments. Mr. Chevalier indicated that 49 clients in the neighborhood were identified to be eligible for the Program and 12 actually qualified. Out of the projects to date they have weatherized seven of those homes and have started the replacement of three roofs and there are three geothermal projects that should be started within a week. He indicated they would like to have more participants in the Program. After the Program started, Appalachian Power Company (AEP) offered assistance for homes to be weatherized, allowing them to replace refrigerators, heat pumps or air condensers that are old and not energy efficient. Rick Sheets explained that geothermal heat pump installation costs around $20,000 and is a very valuable asset for a home. Energy costs are reduced immediately and the replacement of refrigerators and hot water heaters will make a difference in utility costs. Two basic requirements for the Program are income level and home structure that will allow such improvements, The Program ends in March and he encouraged other property owners in the neighborhood to contact them for more information.. The Town Manager recognized Chief Ben Cook, Lieutenant Mark Vaught, and Master Police Officer Fabricio 1. rumond. He there opened the meeting for questions and comments from citizens indicating that all questions may not be answered at the meeting, but Staff will follow up on each issue and report back. Mike Dishon, of 210 gth Street, commented on the type of asphalt used to repair the alley at 8-1/2 Street that has chunks of glass mixed in with it. The repair was done over a week ago,, but as people drive up and down the alley, this asphalt is not going to last, He suggested that if it was tarred; it would last longer. He also indicated that the overgrowth on the sides narrow the street, especially on 10th Street, and it is hard for two cars to go through at the same time. Another citizen commented about the same alley that when it rains water runs from the garage above and makes a pulley which they have to cross to get to their house. It was promised that the next time it would be hard topped. Mike Kennedy, Public Works Director, commented that at the present time he does not have the people nor the money to do what has to be done. There are limited funds to maintain the streets and they do the best they can to maintain the alleys. This particular alley needs a surface treatment but the big issue is the resources: Mr. Dishon did indicate that after he reported the problem, it only took a week for the Town to at least attempt the repair, Chris Elliott; of 108 7th Street, thanked the Town for the quick response to repair a hole in one day and for cleaning up across the street from her house. Mr; Altice asked if the hole was on the street or in an alley and she indicated on the street. Mr. Altice then commented that we get funds from the State for street repairs, but not for alleys. Ms. Elliott also commented about the trees at the apartments that need to be cut back which recently took down an electrical wire. She asked why the Town cannot force the owner of the apartments to trim the trees. The Town Manager indicated he would refer the matter to Code Enforcement. She also wanted to thank the Town for notifying Norfolk Southern to keep the trestle clean. 2 Another citizen mentioned the tracks along 8th Strut and Mike Kennedy said that it is in Norfolk Southern's land term plan to replace. The intersection will have to close for five days when the project is started. Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director, commented to M . Elliott that when a tree is on private property they can send a courtesy letter to the property owner to advise them of passible damage or a safety issue. However, the Town Manager said as long as the tree is standing, it is not in violation even though it poses a risk. There is no current code to enforce it. A question was asked about the rumor that the Vinton Swimming Pool was going to be shut dowry, The Town Manager explained that two years ago, based on his recommendation that the pool was costing the Town more than reasonable and the pool being 60 years old, that it be closets. Council took action and voted to close the pool at that time. That decision prompted some community members at Thrasher to approach the Town and offer assistance in keeping the pool open, Mary Beth Layman and her staff have overseen the operation of the pool while Thrasher, Vinton Baptist and Vinton Wesleyan have helped with programs, advertising and sponsoring swimming lessons, This community assistance has turned a negative into a positive and even though the Town is still subsidizing the operating expenses, the amount has gone from $50,000 to almost 5,000. At this point the Town intends to keep it open next year, but the age of the pool does create a long term issue that the Town will have to address. A citizen commented on the trees planted on Tinker Avenue and the growth of tall weeds. The Town Manager explained that a contractor was hired to do weed control and a lot of the weeds have been spot treated. Mike Kennedy confirmed that weed control was done in April of Last year to try and contain the Johnson grass and overgrown weeds:- She also indicated that some of the trees do not look healthy. Ms. Elliott asked if planting the trees would help to reduce the cost of flood insurance: The Town Manager answered that it does not affect flood insurance costs, only helps to address water quality. The properties are still in a flood plain and that does not change, but the risk of flooding may be a little less. Anita McMillan said that the reason flood insurance holders in the Town of Vinton pay the premium is because the "Gown has not participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CR ) program.The Town and City of Salem are the two localities in Roanoke Valley that are still at Level 10, therefore the flood insurance policy holders are paying the premium. City of Roanoke is at Level 7 and Roanoke County is at Level 8 for the CRS classification, therefore their flood insurance policy holders receive a 10 to 15 percent reduction; 3 The Town has not be able to participate in the CRS program due to limited funding and staff to undertake the; required CRS activities, which are divided into four series; Public Information; Mapping and Regulations, Damage Reduction, and Flood Preparedness, Additionally, within each series, there are three to six activities, and within each activity, there are one or more elements. These requirements have to be re-certified on an annual basis. A citizen expressed thanks to Council and Staff for having the meeting in the Midway area and showing their concern for the citizens of that community A citizen commented on the amount of trucks traveling back and forth through the neighborhood from Southern States evert though there is a designated truck route. Approximately 15 go in and come back out in a day "which amounts to 30 trips through the neighborhood. The Town Manager commented that sign there is a posted sign for a truck route, there is an enforcement piece to this situation and that the Plant Manager, Gave Jones, can also be contacted to make,sure the drivers know the truck routes. He has also been made aware of trees that are causing issues for the truck drivers and ethers on Virginia Avenue next to Wells Fargo that need to be addressed. citizen commented that there is a sink hole that is beginning to get larger near the SPCA which is in the City. The Town Manager does not know if the City knows about this or not, but he can pass the information along to City staff, With no further citizen comments, the Town Manager invited everyone to stay for the regular meeting to follow or to attend any Council meeting at the Municipal Building. A citizen also thanked Mayor Cruse and Mr. Altice for working with Norfolk Southern about the train whistles. Mr. Hare asked if the Midway community has a Neighborhood Watch Group and a citizen indicated that there was one sponsored by the prior owner of the apartment complex and with the change of owners and tenants, it is no longer in existence. The Town Manager mentioned that if there is an interest in starting one up again, lieutenant Vaught would he the contact person. A citizen commented that a police car was traveling fast about two weeks up by the apartments on 8 th street where a lot of kids cross the street and it poses a danger for them to travel through without lights or sirens. Thanks were expressed to the police for checking the apartments at all times of the day and night. r. Nance commented that it is evident from the meeting tonight that Town staff is dedicated, love this Town and give their heart 4 and soul to it. Even though the budget over the last three years has shrunk over 1 million, the reason many issues are still addressed is because of the dedicated staff`who do listen to the citizens. He appreciates those that expressed their concerns tonight; The Mayor also expressed his appreciation for the citizens who attended, those who made comments, both positive and negative; and also thanks to the staff. Mike Kennedy indicated that he placed some educational materials in the back relating to refuse and recycling, water and wastewater, stormwater, and some back flow preventers that attach to your outside water hose. The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 744 p.m, The Town Manager called the roll with Council Member Altice Council Member Fidler, Council Member Hare, Council Member Nance and Mayor Grose present. The Mayor introduced the Moment of Silence and Mr. Altice led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Under consent agenda, upon motion by Mr. Hare, seconded by Approved minutes of October 4, Mr. Nance; with a -0 vote, Council approved the minutes as 2011 presented. Mr. Dance read a letter from Chief Coop naming Detective Sergeant Cummings as Police {officer for the month of September. A citizen commented on the Fire and EMS volunteers in the Town and that it is encouraging to see so-many volunteers. The Mayor thanked staff for their support of the activities at the Fall Festival. He again thanked staff for being a part of this effort and Council's effort to try and establish as much communication with the communities as possible. He hopes that the neighborhoods as well as Council and staff will benefit from these meetings Comments from Council -- Mr. Nance thanked staff for help with Fall Festival and also for Chamber of Commerce. Mr, Altice did a ride along with the police the other night and encouraged all Council members to do the same. Ms Fidler commented on her attendance at the VML annual meeting the first of October and that she will be getting together information to pass on to Council. She attended conferences concerning blight and use of goats to help take care of overgrowth of weeds as well as others.. A citizen thanked the police for a noticeable drop in drug activity in the Midway community. The Mayor thanked Living Water Baptist Church for hosting the meeting and appreciation of their hospitality. A citizen commented about expression of conference for the community 5 and appreciation for continuing to have the Pledge to the United States flag. Ms. Fidler made further comments about the SERC program and getting the word out to other neighbors Mary Beth Layman mentioned a Craft Show on Saturday at the Farmer's Market and the Trick or Treating downtown on October 31 s'. Upon motion by Mr. Nance, seconded by Ms. Fidler, with a 5-0 vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. APPR, OVED- radleytt�se; Mayo�---/ ATTEST: iY If Stephanie bearing,ActingTown Clerk\