HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/5/2025 - Special
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MINUTES OF RETREAT OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 8:00 A.M. ON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025, AT CARVIN’S COVE CABIN LOCATED AT 9590
RESERVOIR ROAD, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
Laurie J. Mullins, Vice Mayor
Keith N. Liles
Sabrina McCarty
Michael W. Stovall
STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager
Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager
Megan Lawless, Town Clerk/Administrative Operations Manager
Andrew Keen, Town Treasurer/Director of Finance
Tiffany Stewart, Assistant Director of Finance
Mandy Adkins, Director of Cultural Placemaking and Events
Jamie Hurt, Director of Capital Projects
Anita McMillin, Director of Planning and Zoning
Nathan McClung, Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning
William Herndon, Director of Public Works
Jill Acker, Assistant Director of Public Works
Jill Loope, Special Projects Assistant to the Town Manager
The Council Retreat began on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 8:15 a.m. The Town Manager
opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Next, consultants from 3TP Ventures introduced
themselves, Mike Callahan and Vlad Gavrilovic. Mr. Callahan then reviewed the agenda with
everyone.
The first item on the agenda was a presentation on accomplishments regarding the 2020
Strategic Plan presented by the Town Manager. This presentation is on file in the Town Clerk’s
Office as part of the permanent record.
The next item on the agenda was the State of the Town 2025 presented by the Town Manager.
This presentation was about current projects, operating and capital initiatives and trends, staffing
levels, organization, and capacity. This presentation is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as part
of the permanent record.
The next item on the agenda was Looking Ahead at Vinton’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Consultants from 3TP Ventures reviewed a presentation on the key themes and initiatives of the
Town’s Comprehensive Plan. This presentation is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as a part of
the permanent record
The next item on the agenda was Discussion. This time was spent reflecting on past, current,
and future trends and initiatives.
Mayor Grose complimented the last 8-10 years for development in the Town.
Council Member Stovall shared that it is important to be optimistic for economic development.
Council Member McCarty acknowledged how safe the Town of Vinton is and the quality of our
policing.
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Council Member Liles commented on the engaging aspect of the Town and shared that we
should work towards getting ahead of negative impacts and being more engaged.
Mayor Grose shared his thoughts on stability and relationships and how important those two
things are.
Vice Mayor Mullins reflected on our events when she pondered on engaging community.
Council and staff took a break at 9:24 a.m., and the Retreat reconvened at 9:37 a.m.
Following the break, Mr. Callahan started the 2025-2030 Priorities Discussion and reviewed the
results of the pre-retreat “homework”, which is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as a part of the
permanent record.
The next item on the agenda was Resource Allocation Activity and Discussion by Mr. Callahan.
This was an activity for council members to prioritize resources across the initial draft list of 5-
year priorities. This presentation is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office as a part of the permanent
record.
The priorities included turning ideas into work plans while acknowledging that we do not want to
stop doing what we are already doing, rather build upon those things. It was acknowledged that
housing development is low due to low yields and redevelopment is not happening much without
incentives. The future vitality of the downtown area is housing.
Operations-related actions included staffing retention with viable salaries and benefits and
enhanced public communications, especially with social media and regular communication with
downtown businesses.
Council expressed that we need to connect funding to the Town’s needs to support quality of
life.
Council and staff took a break at 11:22 a.m., and the Retreat reconvened at 11:35 a.m.
Following the break, Mr. Gavrilovic made the closing remarks and summarized the top priorities
for the Town, which include an update to zoning, provide housing incentives, buy property for
economic development, add connectivity to and around downtown, improve old housing, and
add better communication. Top funding priorities included increasing meals tax, pursuit of
grants, and special purpose tax/fees.
Mr. Callahan’s closing comments involved a discussion on the need for staff to conduct more
research to address each priority, upfront communication when starting new projects, leverage
partnerships with the region, and the need for River Park and new development to be
interconnected to enhance the Town. As the session wrapped up, it was noted that future
revenue will rely more on visitors than residents.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the form of a work session.
After closing comments, Council Member Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the
motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty. The meeting was adjourned at 11:59 a.m.
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APPROVED:
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Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Megan Lawless, Town Clerk