Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/18/2026 - Work Session 1 MINUTES OF A WORK SESSION OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 4:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Laurie J. Mullins, Vice Mayor Keith N. Liles Sabrina M. McCarty Michael W. Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager Megan Lawless, Town Clerk Jeremy Carroll, Town Attorney Anita McMillan, Director of Planning and Zoning Nathan McClung, Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning Mayor Grose called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. The Town Clerk called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, Council Member Stovall, Vice Mayor Mullins, and Mayor Grose present. Under Work Session – Town Charter Updates, Mr. Carroll reviewed proposed changes to the Town Charter. Changes to the charter were posted on the Town’s website and were provided at the meeting via a PowerPoint presentation. This presentation is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office as part of the permanent record. Updates include: Chapter 2 - Powers 2.2. Adoption of certain sections of the Code of Virginia – this section received new Code of Virginia references. The previous codes are no longer valid. 2.3. Eminent domain – this section received new Code of Virginia references. The previous codes are no longer valid. Chapter 3 – Council 3.1. Election, qualification and term of office for mayor and councilmen – this section received updates on gender neutral verbiage; the months of which elections take place from May to November; vacancies, when to enter upon duties. Roll call 2 3.1.1 Holding other office – received an update on gender neutral verbiage and verbiage was added to defined compensation as a member of such board or commission. 3.4. Mayor and vice mayor – continued with gender neutral verbiage and the month of which council shall choose a vice mayor. 3.5. Vacancy in office of mayor – the time of which a mayor vacancy can be filled changed from thirty days to forty-five days along with additional explanation of the term. 3.7. Powers of council – verbiage was added to include without limitations the powers incorporated from Chapters 9 and 11 of the Code of Virginia. 3.7.1. Council not to interfere with appointments or removals – this section was added to define that 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, etc. 3.8. Salaries and expenses – the provision was updated to reflect current state code. Chapter 4 4.1. Appointments – this section was updated to reflect the appointment of the town manager, town treasurer, town clerk, and town attorney at the first meeting in January following each council member election. Mayor Grose clarified that the only change in this section is the elimination of the chief of police being an appointment position. Mr. Sexton added that this section was also updated to remove the appointment of the deputies. Council Member Liles commented that it includes assistants as well. There was a brief discussion on the role of the town clerk who may serve as the town manager and treasurer. Mr. Carroll shared that Virgina Code Section 15.2-1536 states that every locality shall appoint or designate a clerk for the governing body while leaving the appointment of a chief 3 administrative officer and an attorney to the localities discretion. Mr. Peters shared that on several occasions when there has been a vacancy in the clerk position, the town manager has been appointed as the clerk. Mr. Carroll continued by explaining that Virginia Code Section 15.2-1537 speaks to the appointment of a financial officer, which is why he wanted to keep the town treasurer as an appointed position. 4.2. Town manager – this section was updated to reflect the specific responsibilities of the town manager. The current Town Charter does not specify that the town manager has to live within the town limits. It is Mr. Carroll’s recommendation not to limit the candidate list with this requirement. He suggested that if this is something that is needed, it could be done so in the form of an employment contract. 4.2.1. Powers and duties of the town manager – section (a) – (o) were added to show the powers and duties of the town manager to direct, supervise, and provide oversight for all town personnel; supervise and exercise control over the administration of all town departments; attendance at all town council meetings unless excused by counsel; oversight on ordinances, resolutions, directives, orders, and other acts of council; preparation and submittal of the annual budget; duty to keep council fully advised of the town’s financial condition and future needs; advise council on the present and future needs of the town; provide recommendations to town council concerning operations and develop policies; assist council in developing long-term goals; oversee procurement activities; execute contracts; encourage and provide staff support for regional and intergovernmental cooperation; promote partnerships; provide staff support services for the mayor and council members; perform all other duties and functions prescribed in the charter and by town council. Mr. Carroll noted that section (k) may need to be updated to include the mayor aligning with Town Code or it can read contracts, deeds, and other instruments. 4 It was also noted that Town Code requires Council meetings to be at 7:00 p.m. This will need to be removed as this is not necessary. There was a brief discussion on how Town Charters are reviewed by the General Assembly. 4.3. Town treasurer – state code requires the appointment of a financial officer. This section was updated to reflect the Code of Virginia. 4.4. Town clerk – this section outlines the statutory guidelines set for a clerk. 4.5. Town attorney – the verbiage was updated to allow the town attorney to appoint such deputies and assistants as he or she deems necessary. Mr. Sexton asked if the town treasurer and town clerk need to have the authority to appoint deputies like the town attorney. Mr. Carroll explained that his position reports to council, so he has the authority to appoint his deputy. He went on to say this could be changed to reflect the treasurer and clerk appointing deputies. Mr. Peters shared that he likes how the appointment of deputies is drafted as he wants to have oversight over deputies to achieve mutual agreeance and avoid potential conflict. Mayor Grose agreed with Mr. Peters. 4.6. Public safety – this chapter name was updated. The council appointment of the chief of police was removed and added verbiage defining the functions of the police department by orders of the town manager. Mr. Carroll shared that this chapter provision has been taken directly from the City of Lexington with a few edits. This system works well for the City of Lexington. Another option for this chapter is to include verbiage to say the town manager can hire the chief of police with approval of town council; this option would serve as a function of advice and consent. There were no comments or questions regarding the additional option. 5 4.6.1. Police Department – this section defines that the supervision of the police department to be under the town manager and that the chief of police and the other members of the police department shall have the power and duties of police officers as provided by the laws of the Commonwealth. Mayor Grose clarified that Council determines the number of police officers through the budgeting process. There were no other comments regarding the options for 4.6. – Public safety. 4.6.2. Chief of Police – this section defines the functions this role. Mr. Carroll called attention to the sentence that says the chief of police may appoint a deputy chief of police. There was a brief discussion on how the chief of police shall appoint all members of the department and assign all members. Mr. Peters shared that he does not get involved in the assignments of police officers. He continued by saying the highest rank outside of the chief is captain who also serves as the deputy chief. He would prefer to keep all deputies consistent, and he provides oversight into the appointment of the deputy chief. Council Member Liles noted that Mr. Peters does not have the capacity to handle hiring all positions such as public works staff, police department, etc. This would make him a hiring manager. Mr. Peters continued by explaining that the appointment of the deputy or the assistant is to serve in the absence of the department head, so in that case it may not be the rank; there could be a scenario where the captain would not be the deputy chief. While this is rare, it is possible. Mr. Sexton provided another scenario for having two captains where one is the deputy chief and one is not. Mr. Peters believes it is not automatically assumed in that scenario and there should be some consultation with the chief of police. 6 Mr. Carroll advised the change could be to remove the appointment of the deputy from the chief of police and added that the town manager can authorize the chief of police to make the deputy appointment after consultation. Mr. Peters agreed. Mr. Sexton said that revised verbiage aligns with the last sentence in Chapter 4.6.2 where in the absence of a deputy chief, the town manager also appoints an acting chief of police. 4.9. Term of office – this covers the term for all appointed officers. 4.13. Boards and commissions – this section was updated to reflect committees as well. Chapter 7 7.6. Legislative procedure – this section was updated to reflect motions to allow for appropriations or authorizing the contracting of indebtedness rather than just by ordinance or resolution. 7.7. Water and sewer service charges – this entire section was removed since the Town no longer owns water and sewer services. Mr. Peters advised that providing there are no substantial changes necessary from the proposed edits, the next step will be to have a public hearing on September 1, 2026. Action does not have to be taken at the public hearing if a lot of feedback is received concerning the edits; however, action will be listed on the agenda. Upon approval of the resolution, a letter will be drafted with the resolution to the legislative representatives asking them to prefile. There was a brief discussion on the importance of the updates. There were no questions. The charter discussion ended at 5:03 p.m. and refreshments were served. Following refreshments and no further discussion on the charter, Council Member Liles made a 7 motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member McCarty. ATTEST: _______________________________ Megan Lawless, Town Clerk Meeting Adjourned at 5:56 p.m. APPROVED: _______________________________ Bradley E. Grose, Mayor