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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/18/2026 - Work Session 1 Vinton Town Council Work Session Council Chambers 311 South Pollard Street Tuesday, August 18, 2026 AGENDA Consideration of: A. 4:00 p.m. - ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM AND CITIZEN GUIDELINES B. WORK SESSION – TOWN CHARTER UPDATES C. DISCUSSION/COMMENTS D. REFRESHMENTS E. 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. Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Laurie J. Mullins, Vice Mayor Keith N. Liles, Council Member Sabrina M. McCarty, Council Member Michael W. Stovall, Council Member Vinton Municipal Building 311 South Pollard Street Vinton, VA 24179 (540) 983-0607 Meeting Date August 18, 2026 Department Town Attorney Issue Consideration of updates to the Town Charter Attachments Draft of the Resolution Recommendations No action will be taken at the Work Session. The draft Resolution is provided for review. Formal action will be taken at the advertised Public Hearing on September 1, 2026. Town Council Agenda Summary 1 RESOLUTION ______ AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL, HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA. A RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE § 15.2-202 REQUESTING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF VINTON TO REMOVE AND/OR RESOLVE INCONSISTENT, OUTDATED, AND/OR UNNECESSARY LANGUAGE, TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE REGARDING THE TOWN MANAGER’S AUTHORITY, AND TO INCORPROATE OTHER LANGUAGE REQUESTED BY TOWN COUNCIL. WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Vinton has directed the Town Manager and Town Attorney to review the Town Charter and propose changes that would remove and/or resolve inconsistent, outdated, and/or unnecessary language, clarify language regarding the town manager’s authority, and incorporate language requested by Town Council; and WHEREAS, Town Council has reviewed the Town Manager’s and Town Attorney’s recommended changes to the Town Charter and has determined that the amendments reflected in this Resolution are in the best interests of the Town and its residents; and WHEREAS, Town Council has provided notice of a public hearing to be held in accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-202; and WHEREAS, Town Council has conducted such public hearing on September 1, 2026; and WHEREAS, Town Council desires that the sections of the Town Charter referenced in this Resolution be amended as reflected herein, and that all other sections of the Town Charter remain in full force and effect in their current form without amendment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Vinton, Virginia, as follows: 1. Town Council requests that the General Assembly amend and reenact Chapter 618 of the Acts of Assembly with the following revisions: Vinton, Town of County of Roanoke * * * Chapter 2. Powers. 2 * * * § 2.2. Adoption of certain sections of the Code of Virginia. The powers granted in § 2.1 of this charter include specifically, but are not limited to, all powers set forth in Chapters 9 (§§ 15.2-900 through 15.2-988) and 11 (§§ 15.2-1100 through 15.2-1133) of Title 15.2 §§ 15.1-837 through 15.1-907, inclusive, of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and all acts in furtherance thereof and supplemental thereto. (1981, c. 618) § 2.3. Eminent domain. The powers of eminent domain as set forth in Title 15.21 and Title 25.1 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, are hereby conferred upon the town of Vinton. (1981, c. 618) * * * Chapter 3. Council. § 3.1. Election, qualification and term of office for mayor and councilmen. The town of Vinton shall be governed by a town council composed of a mayor and four councilmembersn, all of whom shall be qualified voters of the town, to be elected from the town at large. Any person qualified to vote in the town shall be eligible for the office of mayor or councilmemberan. The mayor and the councilmembersn in office at the time of the adoption of this charter shall continue in office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. An election for two councilmembersn shall be held on the first Tuesday in NovemberMay, 20261982, and on the first Tuesday in NovemberMay of every second year thereafter. A mayor shall be elected on the first Tuesday in May, 20281984, and every four years thereafter unless a vacancy in office occurs, in which case the provisions of § 3.5 of this charter shall control. The mayor and councilmembersn shall enter upon their duties, after qualifying, on the first day of Januarly next succeeding their election, and shall each serve for a term of four years or until their successors have qualified. (1981, c. 618; 1982, c. 86; 1998, c. 249) § 3.1.1. Holding other office. Except as otherwise authorized by law, the mayor or a councilmemberan shall not be eligible during his or her term of office, or for one year thereafter, for any compensated town employment. If appointed by the council to a board or commission, the councilmember may be compensated as a member of such board or commission. (2003, c. 199) * * * § 3.4. Mayor and vice-mayor. The mayor shall preside over the meetings of the council, have the same right to speak therein as other members and shall have a vote but no veto. ThHe mayor shall be recognized as the head of the town government for all ceremonial purposes, the purposes of military law, and the service of civil process, and shall authenticate by his or her signature, such documents or instruments as the council, this charter, or the laws of the Commonwealth shall require. At its first meeting in January following a councilmember election, the council shall choose by a majority vote of all 3 the members thereof one of their number to be vice-mayor for the ensuing two years. The vice- mayor shall in the absence or disability of the mayor perform the duties of the mayor. In the absence or disability of both mayor and vice-mayor the council, by majority vote of those present, shall choose one of their number as acting mayor. (1981, c. 618) § 3.5. Vacancy in office of mayor. A vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled within forty-fivethirty days of when the vacancy occurs, for the unexpired portion of the term, by a majority vote of council. The person appointed by council shall hold the office of mayor until the qualified voters fill the vacancy by special election pursuant to Article 6 (§§ 24.2-225 through 24.2-229.1) of Chapter 2 of Title 24.2 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and the person so elected has qualifiedIf, however, the unexpired portion of the term is more than two years, the person appointed by council shall serve only until the next regular councilmanic election. At such election, the vacancy shall be filled by the electorate for a four-year term beginning on July 1 of the year of the election. Succeeding mayoral elections shall be every four years after the election at which the vacancy was filled. (1981, c. 618; 1992, c. 272; 1998, c. 249) * * * § 3.7. Powers of council. In addition to exercising the powers of the town specified in Chapter 2 of this charter, including without limitation those powers incorporated from Chapters 9 (§§ 15.2-900 through 15.2-988) and 11 (§§ 15.2-1100 through 15.2-1133) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, the council shall have the power to make such rules as are necessary for the orderly conduct of its business and for the administration of the town government not inconsistent with the laws of Virginia. (1981, c. 618) § 3.7.1. Council not to interfere with appointments or removals. Neither the council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the town manager or any of the manager’s subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative services of the town. Except for the purpose of conducting administrative inquiries and hearings by the council or a committee thereof, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the town manager, and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the town manager, either publicly or privately. § 3.8. Salaries and expenses. The council by ordinance may establish the salary of the mayor and members of council as provided for in §§ 15.21-1414.7827 and 15.1-827.1 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, or other applicable law. The council and may also authorize monthly expense allotments or expense accounts for the mayor and members of council. However, all claims for expenses shall be for reasonable expenses to the extent permitted by law incurred in the conduct of official town business and shall be itemized and documented by stamped paid receipts to the extent feasible. (1985, c. 14) Chapter 4. Appointive Officers. 4 § 4.1. Appointments. At the first meeting in Januarly following each councilmemberanic election, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the council shall appoint the following officers: town manager, town treasurer, town clerk, and town attorney. (1981, c. 618) § 4.2. Town manager. TheA town manager who shall be the chief administrative officer and executive head of the municipal government. ThHe town manager shall be chosen by the council without regard to political beliefs and solely upon the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications. The town manager shall be responsible to council for the proper management of all the affairs of the town which council has authority to control. No member of council may be appointed as town manager during the term for which the councilmember shall have been elected nor within one year after the expiration of the councilmember’s term. The town manager shall receive such compensation as the council shall fix from time to time. The town council may remove the town manager at any time, with or without cause, by a majority vote of its members. (1981, c. 618) § 4.2.1. Powers and duties of town manager. The town manager shall have those powers and duties prescribed in § 15.2-1541 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. Without limiting the foregoing, the town manager shall have the following powers and duties: (a) The town manager shall direct, supervise, and provide oversight for all town personnel. The town manager shall appoint and suspend or remove all town officers and employees, except as otherwise provided by law, this charter, or personnel rules or policies adopted by council. The town manager may designate officers and employees to perform administrative duties and to exercise administrative powers as provided in § 15.2-1501 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. The town manager may appoint deputies and assistants to aid him in carrying out his powers and duties as provided in § 15.2-1502 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. The town manager may authorize any administrative officer subject to the town manager’s direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer’s department, office, or agency. (b) The town manager shall direct and supervise and exercise control over the administration of all town departments, offices, and agencies. The town manager may reorganize departmental and staff responsibilities as needed, except as otherwise provided by law, this charter, or policies adopted by council. The town manager will receive reports from, and give directions to, the heads of all town departments, offices, and agencies. (c) The town manager will attend all town council meetings unless excused by counsel. The town manager may take part in discussions during all meetings that are open to the public but shall not have a vote. Unless excluded from a closed meeting by council, the town manager may take part in discussions during all meetings that are closed to the public 5 under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Chapter 37 (§§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2- 3715) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. (d) The town manager shall see that all ordinances, resolutions, directives, orders, and other acts of council, all provisions of this charter, and all laws of the Commonwealth subject to enforcement by the town manager or by officers subject to the town manager's direction and supervision are faithfully executed. (e) The town manager shall prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the town council and implement the final budget adopted by council. The town manager may undertake any acts he or she reasonably believes to be necessary to implement the final budget adopted by council, including without limitation entering into contracts, in the manner provided by law, for the procurement of goods and services from nongovernmental sources. (f) The town manager shall keep council fully advised of the town’s financial condition and its future financial needs. The town manager shall submit to town council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the town as of the end of each fiscal year. (g) The town manager shall keep the council advised as to the present and future needs of the town and as to all operations of its government. The town manager shall make such reports to council from time to time as may be required or as the town manager may deem to be advisable concerning the operations and other affairs of the town under the town manager’s control and supervision. (h) The town manager shall make recommendations to town council concerning the operations and other affairs of the town and facilitate the work of the town council in developing policies for the town. The town manager will recommend to council for adoption such measures as he or she may deem necessary or desirable. (i) The town manger will assist council in developing long-term goals for the town and strategies to implement those goals. (j) The town manager shall oversee all procurement activities for the town. (k) The town manager shall execute contracts on behalf of the town. (l) The town manager will encourage and provide staff support for regional and intergovernmental cooperation. (m) The town manager will promote partnerships among council, staff, and citizens in developing public policy and building a sense of community. (n) The town manager shall provide staff support services for the mayor and council members. 6 (o) The town manager shall perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed in this charter or required by town council. § 4.3. Town treasurer. TheA town treasurer shall have t, whose duties shall be as prescribed by the council. The town treasurer also shall serve as the town financial officer as required under § 15.2-1537 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. (1981, c. 618) § 4.4. Town clerk. TheA town clerk, who also may be the town manager, and/or the town treasurer, shall have twhose duties shall be as prescribed by council. The town clerk shall serve as the clerk of council as required under § 15.2-1538 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and perform those duties required under § 15.2-1539 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. (1981, c. 618) § 4.5. Town attorney. TheA town attorney, who shall be an attorney-at-law licensed to practice under the laws of the Commonwealth. The town attorney He shall receive such compensation and fees as shall be provided by the council by ordinance or resolution. The town attorney’s His duties shall be as prescribed by the council. The town attorney may appoint such deputies and assistants as he or she deems necessary. (1981, c. 618; 1992, c. 272) § 4.6. Public safetyolice and fire department officers. The functions of public safety shall be performed by the police department and such other bureaus, divisions and units as may be provided by ordinance or by orders of the town manager consistent therewith. The council, in its discretion, may provide a chief of police and a fire chief whose duties shall be as prescribed by council. In accordance with the provisions of § 15.1-796 of the Code of Virginia, there shall not be created in the town the office of town sergeant. (1981, c. 618) § 4.6.1. Police Department. The police department shall be under the supervision of the town manager and consist of the chief of police and such other officers and employees of such ranks and grades as may be established by council. The police department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, and enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth, the ordinances of the town and all rules and regulations made in accordance therewith. The chief of police and the other members of the police force of the town shall have all the powers and duties of police officers as provided by the general laws of the Commonwealth. § 4.6.2. Chief of Police. The head of the police department shall be the chief of police who shall be appointed by the town manager. The chief of police shall appoint all members of the department and assign all members of the department to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties. The chief of police may appoint a deputy chief of police. The chief of police shall, with the approval of the town manager, make rules and regulations in conformity with the general laws of the Commonwealth, 7 this charter, and the ordinances of the town concerning the operation of the police department, the conduct of the officers and employees thereof, their uniforms, arms and other equipment, their training, and the penalties to be imposed for infractions of such rules and regulations. The chief of police shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the police department. Orders of the town manager relating to the police department shall be transmitted in all cases through the chief of police or, in his or her absence from the town or incapacity, through the deputy chief of police or, if there is no deputy chief of police, through an officer of the police department designated as the acting chief of police by the town manager. * * * § 4.9. Term of office. All appointments of officers hereunder shall be without definite term. Appointees hereunder shall serve at all times at the pleasure of the council and may be dismissed at any time by the council. (1981, c. 618) * * * § 4.13. Boards and commissions. The council, in its discretion, may appoint such boards, and commissions, and committees as it deems necessary. (1981, c. 618) * * * Chapter 7. Miscellaneous. * * * § 7.6. Legislative procedure. Unless otherwise required by lawExcept in dealing with parliamentary procedure, the council shall may act only by ordinance, or resolution, or motion, and with the exception of ordinances making appropriations, or authorizing the contracting of indebtedness, any such ordinance, resolution, or motion shall be confined to one general subject. (1981, c. 618) § 7.7. Water and sewer service charges. In operating public water and sewer services, the town may charge a different rate for any such services furnished to customers without the corporate limits from the rates charged for similar services to customers within the corporate limits. The town may provide by ordinance that all such unpaid charges and interest thereon shall constitute a lien on the real estate served by such water line or sewer. (1981, c. 618) * * * 2. Town Council requests that the General Assembly reenact, without amendment, those sections of Chapter 618 of the Acts of Assembly, as amended, that are unaffected by this 8 Resolution, and that those unmodified sections of the Vinton Town Charter remain in full force and effect in their current form. 3. The Mayor, Vice Mayor, Town Manager, and Town Attorney, acting individually or collectively, are authorized and directed to take any and all actions on behalf of Town Council in conjunction with the proposed Charter amendments as may be required by applicable law or as may be reasonable and necessary to effectuate the Charter amendments. 4. The recitals to this Resolution are incorporated herein and declared to be the findings of Town Council in support of this action. 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. This Resolution was adopted the 1st day of September, 2026, on motion made by ___________________, seconded by_______________, with the following votes recorded: AYES: NAYS: APPROVED: _____________________________ Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Megan Lawless, Town Clerk