HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/5/2013 - Regular1
Vinton Town Council
Regular Meeting
Council Chambers
311 South Pollard Street
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
AGENDA
Consideration of:
A. 6:00 p.m. - WORK SESSION
1. Briefing on petition of Williams Mullen, Authorized Agent for Clearview
Manor Acquisition, LLC, for Rezoning from GB General Business District to
R-3 Residential District and a Special Use Permit (SUP) for Clearview
Manor Apartments, 1150 Vinyard Road.
B. 6:30 p.m. - ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM
C. CLOSED MEETING
1. Request to Convene in Closed Meeting, Pursuant to § 2.2-3711 A (1) of the
1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, for discussion or consideration of
personnel matters relating to review of employment agreement for the Chief
of Police.
D. 7:00 p.m. - RECONVENE AND ADOPT CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED
MEETING
E. MOMENT OF SILENCE
F. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U. S. FLAG
G. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consider approval of minutes for the Council in the Neighborhood meeting
of January 15, 2013.
H. AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS
I. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND PETITIONS - This section is reserved for comments
and questions for issues not listed on the agenda.
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
William “Wes” Nance, Vice Mayor
I. Douglas Adams, Jr., Council Member
Robert R. Altice, Council Member
Matthew S. Hare, Council Member
Vinton Municipal Building
311 South Pollard Street
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 983-0607
2
J. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Consideration of public comments regarding a $700,000 Community
Development and Block grant to revitalize the downtown business district.
a. Report from Staff
b. Open Public Hearing
• Receive public comments
• Close Public Hearing
c. Council discussion and questions
K. TOWN ATTORNEY
L. TOWN MANAGER
ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION
1. Consider adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Administration,
Article V, Finance, Section 2-156 with regard to the fee charged for checks
that are returned for insufficient funds or because there is no account.
2. Consider adoption of a Resolution allowing the Town Treasurer/Finance
Director to remove outstanding Personal Property delinquent taxes over five
years old from the active records to a permanent file.
3. Consider adoption of a Resolution allowing the Town Treasurer/Finance
Director to remove outstanding Water and Sewer delinquent bills over five
years old from the active records to a permanent file.
BRIEFINGS
1. Update on water/sewer bond issuance options for water/sewer infrastructure
projects.
M. MAYOR
N. COUNCIL
1. Financial Report for December 2012
O. ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMPLY WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. Reasonable efforts will be
made to provide assistance or special arrangements to qualified individuals with disabilities in order to participate in or
attend Town Council meetings. Please call (540) 983-0607 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date so that proper
arrangements may be made.
NEXT TOWN COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEETINGS:
• February 4, 2013 – 5:30 p.m. – Finance Committee - Finance Conference Room
• February 19, 2013 – 7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting – Council Chambers
1
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Planning and Zoning
Issue
Briefing on petition of Williams Mullen, Authorized Agent for Clearview Manor
Acquisition, LLC, for Rezoning from GB General Business District to R-3 Residential
District and a Special Use Permit (SUP) for Clearview Manor Apartments, 1150 Vinyard
Road.
Summary
Staff was contacted in May 2012 for zoning verification of 1150 Vinyard Road,
Clearview Manor Apartments. Rezoning and SUP applications were received on
December 4, 2012 from Mr. T. Preston Lloyd, Jr. on behalf of Williams Mullen, an
authorized agent for Clearview Manor Acquisition, LLC, the owner of the Property.
On July 5, 1977, the property was rezoned from B-2 to R-2, which allowed multi-family
dwellings to be constructed. Clearview Manor Apartments were built in 1978. Based on
the official zoning map adopted on February 15, 1983, the zoning of the Property as
shown on the map was B-G Business General. On December 19, 1995, the Town
amended the zoning map and ordinance, and B-G District classification was amended to
GB General Business District. Under the current GB zoning district, multi-family
dwelling units are not permitted. Multi-family dwellings are only allowed in the R-3
District, and are subject to the approval of a special use permit.
The Property is classified as a legal nonconforming use due to its GB zoning. The
zoning ordinance states that, “no building or portion of a building devoted to a
nonconforming use shall be enlarged, extended, structurally altered, reconstructed or
moved, unless such building or portion of a building is thereafter devoted to a use which
conforms with the use regulations.” If the apartments were to be damaged or destroyed
beyond fifty (50) percent of their assessed value, they could not be rebuilt without a
special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Town Council
Agenda Summary
2
According to the Petitioner, the nonconformity status of the property is not acceptable to
the Lender. The Lender has required that the owner of the Property use its best efforts to
bring the Property into legal conformance, so that in the event of casualty, the facility
could be rebuilt as a matter of right with the same number of units in order to adequately
service the debt.
The rezoning and SUP requests will require public hearings of the Planning Commission
and Town Council. The Planning Commission will hold its work session and public
hearing meetings on February 7, 2013 to receive public comments on the requests and
make a recommendation to the Town Council. The Town Council will consider the
Planning Commission’s recommendations, receive public comments, and make a final
decision to either approve or deny the rezoning and SUP requests on February 19, 2013.
Attachments
1. Staff report
2. Current zoning and aerial maps of the Property and the adjoining properties
3. Williams Mullen rezoning and SUP applications with supporting materials
4. Property owners notified for Clearview Manor Apartments rezoning and SUP
requests
5. Electronic email received from Walter “Ray” Sandifer, 912 Colbourne Avenue,
adjacent property owner regarding the rezoning and SUP requests.
Recommendations
No action required
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Council
Issue
Request to Convene in Closed Meeting, Pursuant to § 2.2-3711 A (1) of the 1950 Code of
Virginia, as amended, for discussion or consideration of personnel matters relating to review of
employment agreement for the Chief of Police.
Summary
Council will review the employment agreement for the Chief of Police.
Attachments
Certification of Closed Meeting
Recommendations
Reconvene and adopt Certification of Closed Meeting
Town Council
Agenda Summary
AT A CLOSED MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 2013, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILIDNG, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA.
CERTIFICATION THAT A CLOSED MEETING WAS HELD
IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
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
provisions 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 best of each member's knowledge:
1. 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
2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion
convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the
Town Council.
Motion made by Council Member ________________ and seconded by Council Member
______________, with all in favor.
___________________________________
Clerk of Council
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Town Clerk
Issue
Consider approval of minutes for the Council in the Neighborhood Meeting of January 15, 2013
Summary
None
Attachments
January 15, 2013 minutes
Recommendations
Motion to approve minutes
Town Council
Agenda Summary
1
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013, AT THE CAMPBELL MEMORIAL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LOCATED AT 1130 HARDY ROAD, VINTON, VIRGINIA.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
William W. Nance, Vice Mayor
I. Douglas Adams, Jr.
Robert R. Altice
Matthew S. Hare
STAFF PRESENT: Christopher S. Lawrence, Town Manager
Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant/Town Clerk
Ryan Spitzer, Assistant to the Town Manager
Ben Cook, Police Chief
Mark Vaught, Police Lieutenant
Robert Eakin, Police Officer
Christopher Linkous, Fire/EMS Captain
Chad Helms, Fire Lieutenant
Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer
Gary Woodson, Public Works Director
Joey Hiner, Assistant Public Works Director
Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director
Mary Beth Layman, Special Programs Director
Kevin Kipp, War Memorial Facility Manager
The Mayor opened the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Reverend James
Smith welcomed everyone in attendance and led in prayer.
Lynn Andrews of 208 Minnie Bell Lane asked what is
happening with Preston Road. Ben Cook, Police Chief,
commented that a proposal will be discussed at the upcoming
Highway Safety Commission meeting on January 24th. The
proposal is to put a stop sign at the intersection of Fairmont and
Preston and to lower the speed limit to 15 mph. Ms. Andrews
commented that the stop sign is not the problem and Mr. Cook
responded that the speed limit should help a lot and that Public
Works had also moved some mailboxes back from the road.
The Town Manager commented that one proposal was to
actually close Preston, but staff did not recommend that action.
Mr. Altice indicated that any recommendation from the
Commission will have to be brought to Council.
The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
The Town Manager called the roll with Council Member Adams,
Council Member Altice, Council Member Hare, Vice Mayor Nance
and Mayor Grose present.
The Mayor introduced the Moment of Silence and Mr. Hare
led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
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Mr. Adams made a motion to approve the consent agenda as
presented; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Nance and
carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0;
Yeas (5) – Adams, Altice, Hare, Nance, Grose; Nays (0) - None.
Approved minutes of Council
meeting of January 2, 2013
Vice Mayor Nance read a letter from Chief Cook naming
Master Police Officer Scott Hurt as Police Officer for the month of
December 2012.
The Town Manager commented on the debt that the town is
obligated to for the Glade-Tinker Creek Project and our part of the
sewer plant improvements through the Western Virginia Water
Authority in an approximate amount of $1.5 million. Staff is in the
process of obtaining some proposals from the Virginia Municipal
League and the Virginia Resource Authority and those proposals
will be brought back to Council at a future meeting for
consideration and approval.
The Mayor expressed thanks to the Church for hosting the
meeting and thanked staff for their attendance. He also
commented on the recent award ceremony where Southern
States was presented the 2012 Feed Mill of the Year Award by
the American Feed Industry Association.
Mr. Hare made brief comments on the financial reports for
October and November 2013. The Finance Committee met on
Monday and reviewed the reports and received an update from
Kevin Kipp on the War Memorial. The events at the War
Memorial have been steadily increasing and there is almost
$30,000 booked for the rest of the fiscal year.
Mr. Hare next commented on the November financial report which
shows revenues in the General Fund are slightly above the
projection at this point. Expenses are below the projection which
is due in part to a number of open positions and the timing of
some expenses. The Utility Fund is also in line with the projection.
Vice Mayor Nance commented that the trends are consistent in
comparing where we are now with last year. Mr. Hare moved
that Council approve the October and November 2012 financial
reports, the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Nance. Mr.
Thompson commented that Council will be asked to approve the
write-off of personal property taxes and the delinquent
water/sewer bills at their next meeting. He also stated that the
implementation on November 1st of the new deposit policy for
residential renters has gone well and 20 deposits have been
collected. The motion was carried by the following vote, with all
members voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Adams, Altice, Hare,
Nance, Grose; Nays (0) – None.
Approved the October and
November 2012 financial reports
Comments from Council Members: Vice Mayor Nance
expressed thanks to the Church for hosting the meeting and for
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staff that was in attendance. Mr. Altice commented that the rain
is an inconvenience, but it does contribute to our water system.
Mr. Adams expressed thanks to the Fire and EMS Department
for the service they provided to his family recently and
commented on the quick response by staff to citizens’ requests.
Also, he recently attended the Newly Elected Officials
conference, which was very informative and after hearing
comments from other officials, it made him very proud of the
town and how we do business.
Vice Mayor Nance moved that the regular meeting be
adjourned, the motion was seconded by Mr. Altice 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 7:11 p.m.
The Town Manager commented that the Planning & Zoning
Department renovation has been completed which will improve
serving the customers as well as provide a better level of
security for staff. The Montgomery village pressure reducing
valve replacement has been completed along with the
replacement of the HVAC and garage lights at the Public Works
facility.
The work session began at 7:30 p.m. with an update on the
$700,000 CDBG Downtown and Economic Revitalization Grant.
Ryan Spitzer, Assistant to the Town Manager, began with
comments that the second required Public Hearing will be at the
February 5, 2013 Council meeting and later in February or early
March, Council will need to approve the actual grant contract.
He next began a review of a Power Point presentation that he
gave to the Project Management Team on January 10th.
The four main items covered were an overview of the project
area, the management plan, the budget and the five key areas
relating to streetscaping, gateway improvements, the Farmer’s
Market, facades and business development.
Under the area of streetscaping, discussion was had regarding
the value of street lights and the focus area for the lights. Mr.
Spitzer commented that the Project Management Team will
make a final recommendation to Council in this regard. The
Project Management Team will be meeting the second Tuesday
of each month at 9:00 am at the War Memorial. The Team’s
function will be to decide how the funds are paid, that the Town
reaches all of their benchmarks, what the design characteristics
will be, the type of landscaping to be used, etc. The draft Plan
and Administrative Program Manual furnished with the agenda
will be the guidebook for this Team. Also, a group of affected
business owners will meet every other month to share their input
on the project.
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The overall budget for the project is $2,161,311. This is made
up of $700,000 from the grant; $1,255,000 for the library, which
consist of funds from the Town and Roanoke County; and
$176,772 in façade funds from the Town, Roanoke County and
participating businesses. The grant allows a total of $40,000 in
administration costs. In response to a question from Mr. Hare,
this amount can be used for engineering services and
reimbursement of staff time, but we do not have to use the total
allowed.
Mr. Spitzer continued with the presentation stating the
streetscaping budget is $269,010. The Town has already
contributed $20,000 in the demolition of the former Steve’s
garage. Discussion was had regarding the value of street
lights in a downtown area and what benefit are they to
revitalization other than aesthetics. Comments were made that
just putting street lights will not be the answer. We will have to
look at the whole Main street approach. We will have to involve
business owners and will have to plan how we will keep this
momentum going after the project is completed. Other parts of
the streetscaping will include wayfinding signs, plantings and
rehabilitation of the former Steve’s garage site.
The gateway improvements budget is $69,136 for the
Washington/Pollard and Virginia/Pollard intersections. The
Farmer’s Market budget is $119,016 and will consist of
landscaping, lighting and parking areas.
The façade budget is $208,809 of which $87,838 is from the
grant and $101,372 is other funds from the town and the
County. The plan is to improve 11 storefronts and three have
already been completed. If we do not have businesses
interested in the program, we can allocate that money to
another project in the downtown area or leave until the end of
the project to see if a business owner would like to piggyback on
those funds. The basic guidelines that are already in place will
be followed with some modifications. The design has to be
approved by the Project Team and by Council and the business
cannot use their own contractor. It has to be a contractor
approved by the Town for this project. If they do choose to use
their own contractor, the Town must approve and they must
meet the specifications of the grant.
In business development, there is a budget of $124,600 which
will cover branding, a revolving loan program and a downtown
guide. A draft of the Revolving Loan Program was part of the
agenda package. There will be a separate Revolving Loan
subcommittee with five members and the loan will be
administered by the town. For every $25,000 loaned, a
business must create one lower to moderate income job for the
duration of the grant program. A business has to put down 10%
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toward any loan amount and the interest rate will be set by the
subcommittee according to the prime rate.
Mr. Spitzer then commented that as of February 8th, our 90-day
deadline, we will have all the requirements complete except for
the receipt of the environmental study. However DHCD has
indicated that the delay in the study will not be a problem.
The work session was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Administration
Issue
Conduct a Public Hearing to consider public comments regarding a $700,000 Community
Development and Block grant to revitalize the downtown business district
Summary
DHCD requires two Public Hearings to take place for citizens to provide their comments on the
project, how it will potentially affect them and its desired outcomes. This is due to the fact that
public dollars are being used to fund the project. Council will also be briefed on what actions
have been taken to date with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
as well as what actions still need to be undertaken.
Council will also be able to ask any questions that they have that may have come up about the
project since the last Council Meeting.
The next Project Management Team Meeting will be February 12th, 2013 at 9am to discuss the
Façade Program, Management Team Plan and Revolving Loan Program.
Attachments
None
Recommendations
Conduct Public Hearing—no action required
Town Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Finance/Treasurer
Issue
Consider adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article V, Finance,
Section 2-156 with regard to the fee charged for checks that are returned for insufficient funds or
because there is no account.
Summary
The NSF check fee has been $35.00 since January 2005. At the November 5, 2012 Finance
Committee Meeting, it was discussed by the Treasurer as to the need to raise this fee to the
amount allowed in State Code which is $50.00. Currently the Treasurer’s office processes
approximately 5-6 of these type transactions per month. The bank charges the Town $35.00 for
a transaction when it is returned. Raising this fee to $50.00 will help recover some
administrative cost in handling these type of transactions.
Attachments
Ordinance
Recommendations
Motion to adopt Ordinance
Town Council
Agenda Summary
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AT A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013 at
7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING
LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA 24179
AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article V, Finance, Section 2-
156 with regard to the fee charged for checks that are returned for insufficient funds or because
there is no account.
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-614.1 of the Code of Virginia allows the Town to charge a fee
of $50.00, or the amount of the costs, whichever is greater, in the event that a check made
payable to the Town is returned for insufficient funds; and
WHEREAS, Council desires to increase the fee to the full amount allowed by statute to
offset the costs incurred by the Town for returned or worthless checks;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that Section 2-156 of Article V, Chapter 2
of the Code of the Town of Vinton is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2-156. Fee for returned checks.
A fee of $35.00 $50.00 will be assessed for the uttering, publishing or passing of any check or
draft for payment of taxes or any other sums due to the town treasurer or any other agent of the
town, which is subsequently returned for insufficient funds or because there is no account or the
account has been closed.
This ordinance adopted on motion made by Councilman ___________and seconded by
Councilman __________, with the following votes recorded:
AYES:
NAYS:
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________
Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Finance/Treasurer
Issue
Consider adoption of a Resolution allowing the Town Treasurer/Finance Director to remove
outstanding Personal Property delinquent taxes over five years old from the active records to a
permanent file.
Summary
According to State Code Section 58.1-3940, property taxes over five years old are not
collectible. Also, according to State Code, these taxes may not be written off until after
December 31st of the year for which such taxes were assessed. All efforts were made to collect
the taxes including reporting them to the State Debt Set-Off Program.
Attachments
Resolution
Recommendations
Motion to adopt Resolution
Town Council
Agenda Summary
RESOLUTION NO.
AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 2013 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Town of Vinton is maintaining records of outstanding Personal Property
delinquent taxes for 2007 in the amount of $2,630.73; and
WHEREAS, the personal property taxes are over five years old and not collectible as prescribed
by Section 58.1-3940, of the 1950 Code of Virginia as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Finance Department has made all efforts to collect on these balances and has
turned them over to collections and the State of Virginia Debt Set-Off Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vinton Town Council does hereby direct the
Town Treasurer/Finance Director to have the outstanding accounts removed from the active records
and placed in a permanent file where, if the opportunity arises, the accounts may be collected.
This Resolution adopted on motion made by Council Member , seconded by
Council Member , with the following votes recorded:
AYES:
NAYS:
APPROVED:
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Finance/Treasurer
Issue
Consider adoption of a Resolution allowing the Town Treasurer/Finance Director to remove
outstanding Water and Sewer delinquent bills over five years old from the active records to a
permanent file.
Summary
As of June 30, 2012, the water and sewer accounts over five years old and inactive have been
deemed uncollectible in the amount of $21,660.97. These accounts and amounts are from the
following years as follows:
2002 in the amount of $ 200.95
2003 in the amount of $3,488.58
2004 in the amount of $2,662.18
2005 in the amount of $5,241.64
2006 in the amount of $4,542.68
2007 in the amount of $5,524.94
All efforts have been made to collect the delinquent water and sewer bills. The Delinquent listings
are available in the Treasurer’s office and will be maintained in the event that an opportunity should
arise to collect one of these outstanding bills.
Attachments
Resolution
Recommendations
Motion to adopt Resolution
Town Council
Agenda Summary
RESOLUTION NO.
AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 2013 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Town of Vinton is maintaining records of outstanding water and sewer accounts;
and
WHEREAS, as of June 30, 2012 the water and sewer accounts over five years old and inactive
have been deemed uncollectible in the amount of $ 21,660.97; and
WHEREAS, these accounts and amounts are from the following years as follows: 2002 in the
amount of $200.95, 2003 in the amount of $3,488.58, 2004 in the amount of
$2,662.18, 2005 in the amount of $5,241.64, 2006 in the amount of $4,542.68, and
2007 in the amount of $5,524.94; and
WHEREAS, the Finance Department has made all possible efforts to collect on these outstanding
balances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Vinton Town Council does hereby direct the
Town Treasurer/Finance Director to have the outstanding amounts removed from the active records
and placed in a permanent file where, if the opportunity arises, the accounts may be collected.
This Resolution adopted on motion made by Council Member , seconded by
Council Member __________________, with the following votes recorded:
AYES:
NAYS:
APPROVED:
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
Susan N. Johnson, Town Clerk
1
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Finance/Treasurer
Issue
The Western Virginia Water Authority has begun its Peak Flow Enhancement Project at the
Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant for a project cost of $17,087,000. The Town’s share of
this project is 5.5% or $939,785. Additional Cost may occur and the Western Virginia Water
Authority has allotted 3% additional money and Botetourt County has allotted 5% additional
money for legal services and contingency items. If the Town allows for a 5% contingency
($46,989) this would bring our total project cost to $986,774. The project is expected to begin in
February and we will need to make payments beginning in July 2013.
The Town also has the $500,000 bridge loan on the Glade-Tinker Creek Wastewater Interceptor
Replacement-Phase 2 Project. This financing allowed us to proceed with this project until the
Town was ready to go out for long-term financing. The pay-off on this loan was established for
18-months and we have made two interest payments at a cost of $1,266.30 for the two months.
The payoff of this loan would be included in this long-term financing.
The third component is being analyzed by Gary Woodson, Public Works Director and Chris
Lawrence, Town Manager. If we were to allocate another $500,000 for identified projects in the
Town, that would give the biggest bang for the money spent. It needs to be determined whether
the money needs to be used on Water, Sewer, or Inflow and Infiltration Projects. Over the years
there have been projects that have been identified in the Town’s CIP Listing so the question is
prioritizing and utilizing the funding on the Water/Sewer system in the best manner.
Summary
There are two sources of funding-- the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) and the Virginia
Local Finance (VML/VACo). The application process is similar through both organizations. The
deadline for application submission with VRA is February 8, 2013 for a Spring Financing.
Closing with VRA would be in the later part of May 2013 time frame. VML/VACo does not
have a deadline and can close within 60-90 days after application approval. I have discussed our
Town Council
Agenda Summary
2
needs with both and either organization is willing to work the Town. Our next step in the
process would be to submit an application.
A $2 million bond issue with VRA and VML/VACo including all estimated issuance cost has an
all-in-true interest cost estimated at 2.50 to 2.51% for 20 years. This equates to an average
annual debt service of $127,331 on a level debt service schedule or $144,292 maximum to
$102,812 lowest on a level principal schedule. Based on audited wastewater service charges of
$1,460,204 in FY 2012 to generate an additional $144,292 would require an increase of 9.88% in
the wastewater rates.
In working through VRA, there is a possible refunding opportunity related to the Town’s Series
2004B VRA loan (Fire & EMS Building) which could be included with the new money loan
request. Based on market rates as of January 18, 2013, $550,000 in principal from the Town’s
Series 2004B loan (2016-2024) maturities are showing estimated net present value savings of
$32,766 (5.958% NPV savings a percentage of refunded par). We would want to put in our
resolution to obtain at least 5% in order to make the deal beneficial to the Town. These savings
do not include local bond counsel cost but if we were looking to do the transaction anyway,
including this refunding should not add substantially to our closing cost.
Attachments
None
Recommendations
Authorize Town Manager and Town Treasurer to proceed with Loan Application with Virginia
Resource Authority.
Meeting Date
February 5, 2013
Department
Finance/Treasurer
Issue
Financial Report for December 2012
Summary
The Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2012 has been placed in the Town’s
Dropbox.
The Finance Committee is meeting on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm to discuss the
report and will make a presentation of the report to Council during the Council Comment Section
of the Regular Meeting on February 5, 2013.
Attachments
Report in Financial folder in Dropbox
November 5, 2012 - Finance Committee Minutes
December 3, 2012 – Finance Committee Minutes
Recommendations
Motion to approve the Financial Report
Town Council
Agenda Summary
Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
Monday, November 5, 2012
At 5:35PM., Barry Thompson called the meeting to order in the Finance Office Conference
Room. The members present for the meeting were Vice Mayor Wes Nance and Council Member
Matt Hare, Town Manager, Chris Lawrence, Accounting Manager, Lijah Robinson and
Treasurer/Finance Director, Barry Thompson.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
Minutes of the Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Finance Committee Meeting were approved as
presented.
Item One - Financial Report September 30, 2012 – Barry Thompson opened the discussion by
explaining that the reporting period ending September 30, 2012 looked very favorable. The
revenues for the General Fund adjusted Revenues were $1,302,170 or 90% and the Expenditures
were $1,614,192 or 79%. Discussion evolved regarding the accrued revenues which were
primarily made up of Sales Tax, Meals Tax, and Consumer Utility Tax.
The Utility Fund Revenues reflect a level of $652,927 or 111% with Expenditures of $614,271
or 76%. The unaudited Utility Fund Revenues over/(under) Expenditures was $38,656.
The Financial Report for September 30, 2012 was accepted by the Committee and will be placed
on the agenda of the regular Town Council Meeting for November 6, 2012 where Council
members Nance and Hare will report to Town Council.
Item 2: War Memorial Monthly Review: Lijah Robinson presented the committee with a report
on the Financials through September on the War Memorial. There was a much discussion and it
was decided to invite Kevin Kipp, Facility Manager at the War Memorial to participate in future
Finance Committee Meetings to present the War Memorial Financials from an Events
Perspective.
Item 3: discussion of Reporting from ACS: Mr. Hare indicated that he would like to be able to
get the reports in an EXCEL format. He also indicated he would like to see an ACS monthly
report. The Finance team will begin working on this request.
Item 4: NSF Fee: Mr. Thompson reported to the committee that the Town currently charges
$35.00 for a NSF Fee and that in doing research Lijah had determined that this fee could be
raised to $50.00. The bank now charges the town $35.00 for returned items and so this is just a
pass through for customers that have returned items. The recommendation would be to raise the
fee to $50.00. The treasurer’s office receives about 5 to 6 returned items per month. The
committee agreed to bring this to Council in their report during the Council Meeting and get a
Consensus. Then an Ordinance would be presented to Council for adoption.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05PM.
Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
Monday, December 3, 2012
At 5:30PM., Barry Thompson called the meeting to order in the Finance Office Conference
Room. The members present for the meeting were Vice Mayor Wes Nance and Council Member
Matt Hare, Accounting Manager, Lijah Robinson and Treasurer/Finance Director, Barry
Thompson. Absent was Town Manager, Chris Lawrence. Staff members present were Assistant
to the Town Manager, Ryan Spitzer and War Memorial Facility Manager, Kevin Kipp.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
The Minutes of the November 5, 2012 meeting were not ready for approval.
Item III– Reporting from ACS. It was briefly discussed that ACS was working on a monthly
report. Mr. Thompson had shown a sample of the report to Mr. Hare before the meeting but it
was in a rough state and there was still work to be done.
IV(a) CAFR for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2012. John Aldridge and Travis Gilmore with
Brown Edwards, Inc LLC presented to the Finance Committee an in-depth review of the
financial position of the Town at June 30, 2012. Mr. Aldridge covered the Report on Comments
and Suggestions and Required Communications. He indicated that there were two areas under
segregation of duties that needed to be addressed. One area had already been taken care of
regarding Utility Account Adjustments. The other involved input of new employees/benefits by
the Human Resources area rather than the Finance Department Staff. Mr. Hare and Mr. Nance
agreed that this was an issue and wanted this addressed. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Spitzer
indicated that the recommendation would be discussed with the Town Manager and measures
would be taken to segregate the duties. The other major area is the need for an accounting
procedures manual and this has been noted for several audits. The Finance team has been
charged with developing an accounting manual for its accounting system. Ten items from
previous audits were cleared.
Mr. Aldridge reviewed the Financial Analysis and the CAFR document. For the year ended June
30, 2012, the government’s total unrestricted net assets approximated $2.0 million or 24.5% of
annual total revenues. The months in General Fund – Unassigned Fund Balance is 4.48 months
up from 2011 of 1.99 months. For the Water and Sewer Fund BTA Self-Sufficiency Percentage
of BTA Expenses Covered by BTA Revenues is 100%. The self- sufficiency ratio indicates the
level at which business-type activities covered their current costs with current year revenues,
without having to rely on subsidies or use of prior year reserves. Sales Tax growth is a measure
of the state of the local economy by comparing revenue collected in the prior year to the current
year. Sales Tax for 2011 was $1,172,000, 2012 was $1,248,000 which equates to an increase of
$75,976 or 6.48%.
Discussion regarding the financial report took place with questions from both Mr. Hare and Vice
Mayor Nance. Mr. Aldridge addressed those questions. After the discussion, Mr. Hare and Vice
Mayor Nance moved that the report be taken to Council for acceptance at the December 4, 2012
Council Meeting. They both thanked staff for their efforts. Mr. Thompson pointed out that Mr.
Robinson had been the key liaison with Brown Edwards this year. He had prepared all the work
papers for the Town and had prepared the Town’s transmittals to the State. This has resulted in a
reduction of our audit cost.
IV (b) War Memorial Monthly Review – Kevin Kipp – The War Memorial Facility Manager,
Kevin Kipp presented to the Finance Committee a detailed review of the War Memorial as to
where it has been and to where it is going. Mr. Kipp explained to the finance committee that he
is getting a handle on the software and being able to get better information out as to what kind of
events we are having and the revenue generated by the events. There is still work to be done but
he will be making a presentation to Council in the near future to explain more of his marketing
strategy and what he feels needs to take place in order to make the War Memorial more
successful.
IV (c) October 2012 Financial Report – Tabled until next meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.