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Home My WebLink About7/5/2011 - RegularBradley E. Grose, Mayor Robert R. Altice, Councilmember Carolyn D. Fidler, Vice Mayor Matthew S. Hare, Councilmember William "Wes" Nance, Councilmember Vinton Town Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 5, 2011 AGENDA Consideration of: C. 7:00 P.M. — Reconvene and Adopt Certification of Closed Meeting D. INVOCATION 3 1 1 South Pollard Stre - Vinton, VA 24 1 79 (540) 83_0607 1, Request to Approve Minutes for June 1, 2011 Work Session and Special Called Meeting 1�211 AM. 111400011TITI-M 2, Recognize Chad Helms on Promotion to Fire EMS Lieutenant H. CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND PETITIONS - This section is reserved for comments and questions for issues not listed on the agenda 1. TOWN ATTORAET JTOWN MANAGER TNMMMVI * 1, Consider Appointment of Interim Police Chief July 19, 2011 "0 WT a 9 no a 9 law IMAI Ivi 1:4 1014 W-11HAVIII I Il so i W WTI N."MAI" -as Tic 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 ?.rrangements may be made. N AT A CLOSED MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011, AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILIDNG, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. �10 ST&TAY V V ag 0 V I 1100111 Ott] AN I W" 191 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 22-3712 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 Tov*rn Council hereby certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge: 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 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 Hare, and seconded by Vice Mayor Fidler, with all in favor, Clerk of Council MINUTES OF A BUDGET WORK SESSIORIAND A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AELD ON JUNE 1, 2011, AT 4:30 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E,Grose, Mayor Robert R.Abice Carolyn D.Fidler, Vice Mayor Matthew S, Hare VV.Wesley Nance Mr. Lawrence advised that during the work session, he would summarize all changes resulting from Council direction,staff/council discussions and staff solutions as well as to provide additional information regarding the Police Department's budget and savings they have identified. Barry Thompson, Finance Director/Treasurer, reported on manager recommended budget totals for the General Fund and the Utility Fund. During his report, Mr. Thompson pointed out that inthe past, the Public Works Director had included a portion of street paving costs in the Utility Fund. He noted that this year, he chose to cover the expense of paving entirely out of the General Fund. Mr. Lawrence reported toCouncil that HVACimprovements costing $5,0X]Oneeded atthe Public Works building had been included inthe proposed budget. Mc Nance questioned when work to replace two pressure reducing valves would be done. He was advised that the work would be delayed until the third quarter to assure there would be enough money left inthe budget topay for it. During a discussion regarding street paving costs K4c Nance recommended putting approximately $25,000 in the Utility Fund to help with paving costs and about $40000 from contingency reserves in the General Fund to pay for additional paving. This vvmu|d give the Town approximately $185,O0]for paving next year. Mr. Hare recommended increasing funding for paving to $200,000. He also recommended using some of the contingency funds to provide more employee recognition. Mr. Nance agreed with Mr. Hare's recommendation but felt it would be wise to wait until the middle of the budget year to see if it's going to be possible to provide employee bonuses or to move to 24 hour Fire and EMS coverage. Mr. Lawrence advocated taking the issue to the Employee Advisory Group for their recommendations. The Mayor stated that he feels employees should be paid a substantial bonus if at all possible. He went on to say that if something is not done for them, the Town will lose good employees when the economy picks up. In adiscuosioo regarding personnel changes inthe Finance Department, Mr. Hare questioned whether costs for all the changes had been included in the proposed budget. Mr. Thompson replied affirrnahve|y. Mc Hare pointed out that when the last water and sewer rate increase was under discussion, a couple of citizens questioned the wisdom of not having any buffer in the Utility Fund. Herecommended that Council provide a buffer for the Utility Fund. He also acknowledged that the Utility Fund should be responsible for repairing roads that are damaged due to water and sewer line repairs but felt all other paving costs should come out of the General Fund. Following further discussion, Council agreed to I] allocate a combined total of$l85l0O from both the General Fund and the Utility Fund for paving and $2,811 for employee appreciation. Mr. Hare commented that he could support a raise for employees at the end of the fiscal year if there is abudget surplus. Hewent ontosay that ifthere bnobudget surplus, hecould not recommend araise for employees, He encouraged Departments to work band to create a surplus the way the Police Department did by deciding what was important and what was not. He went on to say that if employees are able tocreate asurplus, they should be able toshare |nthe savings. Mr. Nance agreed that Council should wait until at least the middle of the fiscal year before making any decisions regarding employee supplemental pay. Mr. Hare stated that hedid not see how there would befunds enough to give employee raises next year or the year after unless Ozund| reduces services or reduces the number ofemployees. Mayor Grose agreed with this cnnnnnenL. He advised that if Vinton is to continue to provide services it is now providing, the Town is going to have togrow. He felt their only answer would be to invest in economic development. The Mayor stated that he was comfortable with taking funds for the employee supplement from the both contingency funds. K4c Lawrence reported on a nnerno he had received from Captain Cook asking Council to consider allowing the Police Department to cud certain line items that would allow funding for both part-time positions, for the purchase of additional ammunition and to continue their current car -washing contract. Henoted that the changes would he"budget neutra|". Captain Cook outlined the benefits of being able to retain the three budget items noted above which are very important tothe Police Department staff. He reviewed items they were willing to nut and the cost savings they would provide. Mr. Nance questioned the wisdom ofcutting out the Police Awards Banquet and recommended they take money from the Contingency Fund to cover that cost The Mayor supported Mc Nance's recommendation. There was a consensus of Council to take funds from the Contingency to insure the Police Awards Banquet can continue. Captain Cook briefly discussed a recommendation to privatize animal control for wild animals as this task takes upmost ofthe Animal Control Officer's time. Hanoted that privatizing animal control for wild animals would allow the Animal Control Officer to help cover calls when needed. Council and Captain Cook discussed the Police Department's plans to cover current vacant positions. At7:OO the work session was adjourned and roll was called for aSpecial Called Meeting. |nresponseto a request for a ,notion to go into a closed meeting, Vice Mayor Fidler moved to go into dosed meeting pursuant toSection J.2-3711(A)(9)ufthe Code ofVirginia, ms amended, for discussion orconsideration ufthe acquisition ofreal property for apublic purpose. The motion was seconded byCouncilman Hare with all in favor. Following the closed meeting, the special called meeting reconvened and Councilman Nance moved to adopt the certification that the closed meeting was held in accordance with Virginia State Code requirements. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Fidler and passed unanimously on a nd| call vote. The Special Called meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.rn, Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Emu -as