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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/1/2020 - Regular1 AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020, AT 7:00 P.M. BY ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15.2-1413, CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED, AND ORDINANCE NO. 1016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Sabrina McCarty, Vice Mayor Keith N. Liles Laurie J. Mullins Michael W. Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Pete Peters, Acting Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Anne Cantrell, Finance Director/Treasurer Fabricio Drumond, Interim Police Chief Donna Collins, Human Resources Director/Risk Manager Joey Hiner, Public Works Director Chasity Barbour, Community Programs & Facilities Director The Vinton Town Council meeting was held via Virginia Government Facebook Page. The Mayor The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member Mullins Member Stovall, Vice Mayor McCarty Grose present announced the names of staff and others present, 2020 Reconvened Session of the Virginia General participating by electronic means. Roll call After a Moment of Silence, Council Member Liles led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Under upcoming community events/ announcements, Vice Mayor McCarty announced the following: September 12 – 7-10:00 p.m. – Mingle at the Market with Harddrive Crew – Farmers’ Market; September 17 – Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament – Botetourt Golf & Swim; September 26 - 7-10:00 p.m. – 2 p.m.- Fall Festival; October 6 – 6-8:00 p.m. – National Night Out – Center and October 10 – Mingle at the Market with The Oddfellows Band – 7-10:00 p.m. – Farmers’ Market. commented that the Chamber prepared 600 goodie bags for the teachers; updated the Menu book and distributed 200 and has commissioned a Vinton print with Red Bubble for items that be purchased directly on the website. Ms. Chewning Virginia’s Blue Ridge that they would stay in compliance with the CDC guidelines. the Chamber is offering all downtown businesses a free spot in front of their business and there has to participate. Ms. Barbour then gave an update the CDC guidelines during the Festival. With regard to the Christmas Parade, Ms. Vintage Vinton, a unique drive-through Christmas Parade. All parade entries will be stationary along the parade route and vehicles will similar to the Elks Home in Bedford. Food trucks will be at the line-up stations on Highland and the ballfield behind Billy Byrd Apartments. Individuals will also be asked to decorate their vehicles and they will be judged as well as the floats. Vinton Baptist Church will be decorating the storefronts prior to the parade. 2021. Under awards, introductions, presentations and proclamations, Anne Cantrell commented that the Town has received the Reporting for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019 for the 24th year. The next item on the agenda was a briefing on the National League of Cities Residential Water and 3 Sewer Service Line Warranty and Water Loss Protection Program. Anne Cantrell first commented that the Virginia Municipal League had reached out to the Town at the beginning of the year regarding localities. She then turned the meeting over to Jim Golden and Jenna Hazelet and they PowerPoint presentation, which was agenda package and will be on Clerk’s Office as a part of the permanent record. The Mayor asked if the $2,500 mentioned referred to an adjustment in the water bill and responded that was correct. The Mayor next asked if there would be a waiting period once the program is implemented. Mr. Golden responded there is a 30- signs up to prevent someone from signing up to just go in and repair The Mayor next commented that would sign up for the program, the property owner or the tenant and who would benefit from it. Mr. Golden respo protection program, it would usually be the homeowner that would ultimately, they will be paying the bill. With regard to the water loss program, Ms. Hazelet responded that the individual whose name is on the water bill participate or not. The Mayor then asked how would the billing be handled and responded that marketing and billing for the service line Ms. Hazelet responded that the water loss program would be billed each month on the water bill. Each individual can opt out of the program at any time and come back at any time with a 30-day waiting period. Council Member Stovall commented this is a great program and opportunity because it is a sticker shock when you find out that you have a break. Also, most individuals just want the leak fixed program that repair the whole line. Council Member sewer and internal plumbing it would be 4 Council Member Liles commented that the program wo the education piece and reiterated Council Member shock. programs are very intriguing to her and should speak to first- wished she would have had it when she purchased her first home several years ago in Vinton and the Town definitely needs to offer it to our citizens. Mr. Peters commented that Ms. Cantrell will provide some additional information to Council on the rate structure of the programs that were presented this evening. The next item on the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution adopting the new Town of Vinton Purchasing Policy. reviewed the key components of the Policy. Council Member Stovall made a motion to adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Liles Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None. Adopted Resolution No. 2375 adopting the new Town of Vinton Purchasing Policy The next item on the agenda was to consider Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for Munis Software. Anne Cantrell commented that they currently have this software in a limited capacity for taxes and cashiering relating to that system and that it is During the time period of Finance Department was fully teleworking, there were instances where we were not able to get utility bill account balances for weeks go fully remote because our current software does not have an option for employees to log in and get their pay stubs and leave balances. allow a portal for employees where they can log in and get that information. It will also cover utility billing, enhance some of the different billing options that we can provide and will allow citizens to pay all 5 of their bills at one counter instead of having to separate. Because the full conversion will take approximately 18-20 months, we will not be able to accomplish the full software conversion by December 30; however, we have worked with the company to do a lot of the billing by December 30. Approximately $115- 150,000 of the cost will be covered by the CARES Act, which will leave us with approximately $150,000 for the Town to cover. Council know that the balance will be a part of the CIP budget for FY2022. Mr. Peters commented this is on which will expedite the procurement process. Vice Mayor McCarty Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mullins Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None. Mr. Peters expressed appreciation to Council for their approval of this purchase. It became apparent during the COVID-19 Pandemic that o financial software package is quite antiquated and the software will make th more efficient and probably expand their abilities in ways we are not even sure yet that exist. Adopted Resolution No. 2376 authorizing and Services Technologies, Inc. for Munis Software The next item on the agenda was to consider funds and Gratitude Bonus from the General Fund up to the Fund up to the amount of $15,377.80 and from the Stormwater Fund up to the amount of $5,958.43. breakdown of the hazard pay and gratitude bonus by groups of employees, sources. With regard to the awarded leave, Ms. Collins commented that the amount of funds to work with for the gratitude bonus for employees. In order to equal out what we were able to do under the CARES Act for t safety officers, it was awarded leave would be given to those employees to be used through December of 2021. This covers th th 6 this year. If there were any employees that did not work that entire time period, then an adjustment will be made to allocate that accordingly. employees for all of the hard work they have done, especially during this time and that it is great for the sacrifices and adjustments that each of them have had to make personally and professionally. Vice Mayor McCarty Ordinance as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Liles Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None. Mr. Peters expressed appreciation on behalf of the Adopted Ordinance No. 1021 authorizing Hazard Pay up to the amount of $48,443.00 amount of $24,025.00, from the Utility Fund up to the amount of $15,377.80 and from the Stormwater Fund up to the amount of $5,958.43 The Acting Town Manager next commented that at the September 15th funding from the CARES Act, which will Town’s total up to $1.4 million. With regard to the Housing Rehab Grant that we were not successful DHCD and we learned some valuable information and realize that we are not very far off from getting funding. We are going to polish up our application and resubmit in late October. If we are successful in this second application cycle, we could be able to get underway in early Spring. With regard to the extension construction, this portion wi fields and will mea Greenway and terminate at the park. Phase IIB will that is already completed. Mr. Peters next commented that the crosswalks at completed 7 within the next 30 days those two intersections will become active. Roanoke County and Health are coordinating some public COVID testing dates to be held in Vinton with more details to come. The first tentative date is September 21st take place as a drive through testing location at the Vinton War Memorial. Mr. Peters expressed appreciation to Public Works for their work on Walnut Avenue on some stormwater infrastructur potential for high water this past weekend. In closing, Mr. Peters commented that staff in several bills that are potential concerns for the Town particularly with Public Safety and will provide updates to Council. The Mayor commented that this month on the inside cover of the Virginia Town and City Committee that won the Management Leadership Award. conducted in compliance with the restrictions and regulations of the CDC. Also, the CA funding that the Town has received cannot be spent to pay off debt. T economy during this difficult time and that is what it is doing by having those funds flow through the Town to other businesses and contractors. Comments from Council Members: Vice Mayor McCarty expressed appreciation to Angie Chewning and Chasity Barbour place in the community in the upcoming months; and commented on the Mayor’s update provided by Mr. Peters that was very informative. Council Member Liles again expressed appreciation to staff for all they have done during the COVID pandemic. Stovall expressed appreciation for those who worked on bonus for staff and adding the weeks’ vacation to show how much we appreciate our employees. All 8 her team and the Safety Committee on their awards. Council Member Mullins made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Stovall following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, Mullins, Stovall, McCarty, Grose; Nays (0) – None Regular Meeting adjourned APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Susan N. Johnson, CMC, Town Clerk