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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/18/2018 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Keith N. Liles, Vice Mayor Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid Michael W, Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk Susan Waddell, Town Attorney Anne Cantrell, Treasurer/Finance Director Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Joey Hiner, Public Works Director Tom Foster, Police Chief Christopher Linkous, Deputy Chief-Fire/EMS Nathan McClung, Principal Planner The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member McCarty, Council Member Scheid, Council Member Stovall, Vice Mayor Liles and Mayor Grose present. Roll call After a Moment of Silence, Deputy Chief Chris Linkous led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Under upcoming community events, Council Member McCarty announced the following: September 21 - Feeding America Food Truck Festival - Farmer's Market; September 21-22 - 7:00 p.m. each night - Virginia Tech hockey - Lancerlot and September 27 - 12:05 p.m. - Munchtime Theater - Star City Playhouse. Under requests to postpone, add to or change the order of agenda items, the Town Manager requested to add under Section K (2), a Resolution regarding the State of Emergency that was declared on September 15, 2018. Approved minutes of the Regular Council Member Scheid made a motion to Council meetings of August 21, 2018 approve the Consent Agenda as presented; the and September 4, 2018 and motion was seconded by Council Member Stovall Resolution No. 2260 appropriating and carried by the following vote, with all members funds in the amount of $156,804 for voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) - McCarty, Scheid, the receipt of bond proceeds for the Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) - None. purchase of a Knuckle boom Truck approved in the FY20182019 CIP Budget The next item on the agenda was consideration of public comments on the proposal to grant a ten year renewal of the cable television franchise held by CoxCom, LLC, d/b/a/ Cox Communications Roanoke ("Cox") to succeed and replace the franchise currently held by Cox, which will expire on October 31, 2018, The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. Public Hearing openei The Town Attorney introduced Barrett Stork, Director of Government Affairs for Cox Communications, Mr. Barrett commented that the proposed franchise agreement is non-exclusive, which means that any company that offers cable television services could come to the Town and offer to provide those services. This is a 1 0-year agreement. Mr. Stork next commented on the terms of the franchise and that an identical ♦# went before Roanoke City last night and will be going before Roanoke County next week, The agreement has nothing to do with internet service and is strictly video service, It is not a service agreement, • a document that allows Cox to operate within the Town. Also, there are no rate regulations within the franchise due to the fact that several years ago the FCC classified most of the United States as having effective competition. It is up to the market to decide how rates would fluctuate and their rates are pretty much identical across the entire Virginia footprint. The Town Attorney commented that when she briefed Council on the Agreement at the last meeting there was discussion about the definition of Itcommittee", It was intended that "committee" refer to the Roanoke Valley Regional Cable Television i • and this has been added to the agreement. There are no #• in terms of how this affects the Town and we should continue to receive the same fees that we are getting now. Council Member Scheid asked where the modification was in terms of the committee and the Town Attorney responded in Section 5.6. The Mayor ?.sked if that the rates the citizens pay in the Town ,.,,re exactly the same as in Roanoke City or Roanoke County. Hearing no comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:14 p.m, Public Hearing closed Vice Mayor Liles made a motion to adopt the Adopted Ordinance No. 997 to grant a Ordinance as presented; the motion was seconded ten year renewal of the cable by Council Member McCarty and carried by the television franchise held by CoxCom, following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote I LLC, d/b/a/ Cox Communications N 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) — None. 9 Roanoke ("Cox") to succeed and Cox, which will expire on October 31, 2018 The next item on the agenda was consideration of public comments on the local community development and housing needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a project in our community, The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Pete Peters first commented that the Town intends to partner with The Advancement Foundations (TAF) to apply for $200,000 Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA) Grant funds through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This program is designed to provide eligible participants of low to moderate income with matching funds to assist with saving for a down payment on a home or starting a business. Participants must complete an education curriculum and training program that will be provided by TAF and must also achieve their own fiscal match through a personal savings account. The participants will be eligible for $8 in matching funds for every $1 they save up to a $4,000 capIf awarded to the Town, the VIDA grant will be available for three years and will be administered through TAF with the Town acting as the fiscal agent for funds received by reimbursement from DHCD. In addition to this Public Hearing, a second Public Hearing will be held on October 2, 2018. Council will be requested to consider adoption of a Resolution to authorize staff to apply for the funds on October 16, 2018. Mr. Peters next invited Annette Patterson with TAF and Jeff Sadler with DHCD to make comments. Annette Patterson commented that a year and a half ago, TAF administered the VIDA program with 42 people starting the program and 37 completing the program and awarded the additional $4,000 after they saved $500.00. Of those, 25 were starting P businesses, six used the funding for education and six purchased homes. Mr. Sadler commented this program not only strengthens the regional and local economy as a whole, but also improves stability in life so individuals are able to participate in long-range planning for their future and their childrens' future. This program was previously funded through the Assets for Independence Grant program which was part of 0 Health and Human Services in the federal government. In the budget that was passed those funds were cut, but the community development block grant funds were increased. DHCD feels this is a very important program to achieve their mission of improving people's lives through strengthening communities and they are fortunate to have TAF as a very trusted and successful partner. Council Member Scheid asked if this grant included education like the earlier grant. Ms. Patterson responded it does not, but will be focused on business development and home ownership. Council Member Scheid next asked if it was only eligible to Town residents and Ms. Patterson responded that it is open to the region and they will be providing services through the Gauntlet Program, the Excel coaching program through Magnets USA and Lawrence Trucking and the financial management program, 'Nith regard to the earlier grant, Council Member Scheid aske Ms. Patterson is they had any follow up] statistics on the 37 people who made it through the program. Patterson responded that she did not, but she knew some of the people personally that bought homes or started businesses that are very successful. Council Member Scheid next asked what were the income requirements and Ms. Patterson responded it is 200% of the poverty level which for a family of four would be around $46,000. There was also discussion regarding problems in the Town with home maintenance and upkeep and Council Member Scheid encouraged TAF and DHCD to think of programs that could be utilized to help with that. The Mayor further commented on the successes of TAF and what a great partner they have been for the Town, businesses and citizens in our 9-re,2. 1.1earing no comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:27 p.m. 1U1J7!Rr17T#TYTJ, - T - It t #I .. T- to join their firm, Mark Popovich, who came from th - Isle of Wight County where he served as the Count Attorney for 14 years. The next item on the agenda was a briefing on changes to the Valley Metro bus routes in the Town of Vinton, The Town Manager first commented that the FAI W on September 17, 2018 and this presentation was given to our Finance Committee on September 10, 2018. We will be having a Public Information Meeting on September 27, 2018 at the War Memorial. We are planning to schedule a Public Hearing on October 2, 2018 and Council will be asked to take action at their October 16, 2018 meeting. Nathan McClung next reviewed the PowerPoint presentation, which was part of the agenda package. (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's Office and will be made a part of the permanent record.) With regard to a question about the proposed stop near Dunkin Donuts, Mr. McClung commented that the bus operator recommended this stop because of the stop light being there and they could utilize the time waiting for the light to get people on and off the bus at that location, They can also stay in the right lane and go down By -Pass Road, Vice Mayor Liles next commented that having a stop in front of the fueling station at Kroger and this second stop would hold up traffic twice and asked if the one by Dunkin Donuts could be eliminated. Pete Peters further commented that Valley Metro staff made that recommendation, but we can eliminate that stop if Council's preference is we not influence traffic negatively. The reason why we are out of both River Park and Lake Drive Plazas is because Valley Metro has somewhat adopted the policy of not taking buses on private property where possible. The Town' Manager commented there is also one on Vinyard Road. With regard to the stop at Clearview, Council Member Scheid commented that stop was discussed in the Finance Committee and is in the private apartment complex. Mr. Peters responded that stop was discussed at length with Valley Metro staff, but there is not another appropriate place to make the turn around. There was further discussion about perhaps adding another stop near the Lancerlot. The Town Manager commented that as we move forward in working with Valley Metro and it is determine there is a need for additional stops or to eliminate stops, we have the flexibility to do that. As Mr. McClung pointed out this proposed route will transport our customers around the Town and out of Town back to the Campbell Station, Mr. McClung further commented that the cost , 0 • is based on the route itself and not alTected by the amount of bus stops. Mr. Peters further commented that through the research with the ridership, it pointed out that while there are residents and points of origin within the Town, a lot f th 01 riders are using the bus service to get to their plac: of employment, With the proposed future economic development projects in the Town, that need stands to increase in trying to fill those new employee needs for the new • The Mayor commented that one of the important things to keep in mind is the fact that this route provides a localized service by citizens being able to use the same route to move around Town. Council Member Scheid next commented that the map points to a need to improve the .• of our community. Mr, McClung further commented that after 1992 any new bus stop that was not pre- existing has to have a plan in place to make it ADA compliant. The next item that was added to the agenda was to consider adoption of a Resolution confirming and rescinding Declaration of Local Emergency. The Town Manager commented that last week in dealing with Hurricane #:• a Declaration of Emergency was declared on September 15, 201& As of tonight we have rescinded our Declaration of •• The Town Manager then turned the meeting over to Deputy Chief Linkous, our Emergency Services Coordinator, to provide a brief update to Council. Deputy Chief Linkous next brought Council up to date on the steps taken by the Town's #• services team to prepare for potential flooding due to the projected rainfall amount in the area. On Saturday, a decision was made to declare a state of emergency to enable the Town to request state and local resources should they be needed. On Monday morning a damage assessment was done and since there was very minimal damage, a decision was made to rescind the declaration. The Town Manager commented that the team pulled together and expressed appreciation to Deputy Chief Linkous for his leadership during this event. The Town Manager next recognized members of Town staff and members of the Volunteer Fire and First Aid Crews that assisted during the weather event. Council Member Stovall made a motion to adopt the Resolution as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried no by the following roll call vote, with all members Adopted Resolution No. 2261 voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, confirming and rescinding Declaration Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — None. of Local Emergency The next item on the agenda was appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees, The Mayor first commented that Council had received an email advising that Doug Adams has resigned from the Highway Safety Committee because he no longer lives in Town and that Henry Cantrell had submitted an application to be appointed to complete Mr. Adams' term, Council Member Scheid made a motion to appoint Henry Cantrell to the Highway Safety Committee for an unexpired three-year term beginning September 18, 2018 and ending March 5, Appointed Henry Cantrell to 2021; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Liles Highway Safety Committee for ar and carried by the following roll call vote, with all unexpired three-year term beginning members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, September 18, 2018 and ending Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; NaysNone. March 5, 2021 Under reports from Council Committees, Anne Cantrell first commented that the Finance Committee met on September 10, 2018, Ms. Cantrell next reviewed a PowerPoint presentation covering the items discussed at that meeting. (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's Office and will be made a part of the permanent record.) Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the mid -year bonus to employees as recommended by the Finance Committee; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members Approved the mid -year bonus to voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, employees as recommended by the Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — None, Finance Committee Vice Mayor Liles made a motion to approve the July 2018 Financial Report as presented; the motion was seconded by Council Member Stovall and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays. (0) The Mayor expressed appreciation to the ,mergency operations team and commented on the success of the recent Mingle at the Market and the Patriot Day Celebration. Approved the July 2018 Financial Report N The next item on the agenda was a request to convene in Closed Meeting, pursuant to § 2.2-3711 (A) (29) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, for discussion of contract negotiations with Roanoke County, namely the Gain Sharing Agreement. Council Member Scheid made a motion to convene in Closed Session; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Liles and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — None. Council went into Closed Session at 8:37 p.m. At 9:55 p.m., the regular meeting reconvened and the Certification that the Closed Meeting was held in accordance with State Code requirements was approved on motion by Vice Mayor Liles; seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following roll call vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) - Certification of Closed Meeting None. Following the Closed Session, Council had discussion in open meeting regarding the upcoming Council Retreat scheduled for October 19-20, 2018. After comments by the Mayor, Council agreed to postpone the Retreat to a later date after the Gain Sharing Agreement is finalized. Vice Mayor Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose,- Nays (0) — None. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p,m. Meeting adjourned TEST: Susan N. Johnso4MC, Town Clerk APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor E-01 WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Vinton, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on this date, pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the • of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and, WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Vinton Town Council that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia Law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vinton Town Council hereby certifies that to the • of each member's • I Only public business matters lawfully exempted from opening meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applies; and I Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the • meeting were heard, discussed or ► by the Town Council. Motion made by Vice Mayor Liles and seconded by Council Member McCarty with all in favor. Clerk c uncil