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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-16Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor: Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, James A. Radcliffe, Lane R. Penn Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Rebecca Reece, Acting Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Anthony Meredith, Captain Robbie Kiser, Fire Chief Others: Spencer Rygas David Morris Nick Glenn Joseph K. Goodman Matt Claus Pat O'Berry Miles Bates, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Radcliffe led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell welcomed the public to the meeting. The first item on the agenda was the Public Comment Period. Mayor Worrell called on Patricia O'Berry. Ms. O'Berry addressed Council regarding a zoning matter regarding chickens. She advised that she had received a zoning violation letter regarding the chickens in her yard as well as goats. She added that a copy of the letter had been sent to an address in Richmond where she had lived fifteen years ago. She felt the charges in the letter were incorrect and that the letter should not have been sent to Richmond for others to review. She added that she attempted to research the zoning regulations and none of the electronic methods she looked at were in date. She advised that she had discussed the ducks with Ms. Hair and was given an extension for which she was grateful. However, she added that Ms. Hair also reminded her in a threatening tone that if she did not meet the specified deadline, she could be jailed or fined. She suggested that staff pay more attention to detail when sending the violation letters and use a conciliatory tone rather than a chiding tone. She also asked Council to change the zoning to include chickens. Mayor Worrell thanked Ms. O'Berry for her comments and advised that once staff reviewed this information, they would get in touch with her. The next item on the agenda was consideration of the March 1, 2016, Council minutes. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Council minutes of the March 1, 2016 meeting as written. Councilman Penn seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Page 1 of 4/April 5, 2016 Mayor Worrell moved on to Project Update and the Project Review Chart. Mr. Utt reviewed the Project Review Chart including that the contract for the Direct Injection PER for the James Hardie sewer connection had been signed and sent to Rural Development, the funding agency, for their signatures. He continued that Michael Hurt of the Engineering Department had drawn up a design for wayfinding signage for Council's review at the next meeting; that he anticipated that one round of paving in the Town would begin in April, with the remaining paving completed in late June, early July; that paving of Pinehurst Cemetery would be done in April along with other town wide paving; that most of the vultures had moved on from the Cemetery/Prospect Avenue area. In response to a question from Councilman East, he advised that staff would watch to see if the vultures returned and report back to Council if that occurred. Mr. Utt continued that the 2016 Community Business Launch program had begun and that the next step would be an expo on May 4; that Shah Development planned on closing on the Dalton building on April 15 and that the Senior Center renovations were steadily progressing. He added that once the Senior Center was complete, staff would begin work on the Council Chambers. Councilman East inquired into the status of the furniture for the Senior Center? Mr. Utt responded that new furniture would be purchased, but no choices had been made. The next item on the agenda was Old Business and James Hardie land transfer. Mr. Utt advised that as part of the expansion at James Hardie announced in 2014, the Town agreed to provide the remaining 19 acres to James Hardie for their future expansion capabilities. He added that they had reached their projected additional investment and employment levels, so it was time to schedule a public hearing prior to the actual transfer of the property. Councilman Clark moved to schedule a Public Hearing regarding the James Hardie land transfer for the April 19, 2016 meeting. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item was appointment of Property Maintenance Official. Mr. Utt advised that the next step in properly providing code enforcement was to appoint a Property Maintenance Official. He added that since the Building Code also includes a Property Maintenance component, he wished to recommend the appointment of Jason Paljug as the Town's Property Maintenance Official, in addition to his duties as Building Official. He noted that Mr. Paljug had already taken classes toward receiving this certification in the Property Maintenance Code. Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance appointing Jason Paljug as Property Maintenance Official. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item for consideration was VDH Planning Grant to assist with Brookmont water system. Mr. Utt advised that the water system that serves the Brookmont area is actually a county owned system. Page 2 of 4/April 5, 2016 The Town serves them with Town water. He continued that the County's portion of the system was having trouble with some of the required tests due to the fact that the water does not recirculate quickly enough. He added that the Town qualifies for planning funding to evaluate alternative measures/improvements to the Town's water system, which could assist in remedying the higher levels that the Public Service Authority was experiencing. He advised that staff was proposing that the grant be used to perform the evaluation, provide recommended improvements and prepare the necessary plans/specifications/calculations necessary to implement the recommendations. He added that the planning grant application of $47,000 would require a $7,500 match. He noted that the match was expected to be split 50/50 with the Public Service Authority. Mr. Pedigo explained the problem that PSA was having with some of the required tests and responded to questions from Council. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2016-10, Approving A Virginia Department Of Health Planning Grant Application For An Amount of $47,500 to assist with the Brookmont Water System as written. Councilman Penn seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item on the agenda was Town trolley proposal. Mr. Utt advised that the Town's trolley "Lady Rebecca" was in serious need of repairs. He continued that the Town had been approached by the Friends of Calfee Park to make use of the trolley during the season to drive between all of their 13 parking lots spread around Calfee Park. He added that they requested permission to take the trolley to the Shelor dealership to get a full estimate on repairs needed to bring it back to full usability. He noted that in addition to replacing the brake system, full drive -train rebuild and replacing a majority of the wooden decoration, they were proposing to wrap it to help advertise several things around Town. He advised that they proposed buying the trolley for the same price the Town pad ($500), making all necessary repairs (estimated between $12,000 and $15,000) and formalizing an agreement with the Town to allow the Town to use it throughout the year as well. He noted that the family who donated the $500 to the Town to originally purchase the trolley from the City of Staunton had been contacted and they are in agreement with the proposal as long as the Town continues to have the ability to use it in the future. Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to surplus the trolley to Friends of Calfee. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2016-11, Declaring May as Business Appreciation Month. Mr. Utt advised that the Virginia Economic Development Partnership along with the Governor's office were encouraging localities around the Commonwealth to designate the month of May as Business Appreciation Month. He encouraged Council to adopt Resolution 2016-11 and he proposed partnering with the County, their Industrial Development Authority, New River Valley Economic Development Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce to help commemorate the month and work to hold special events around the community. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2016-11, Proclaiming the Month of May as Virginia Business Appreciation Month. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Page 3 of 4/April 5, 2016 Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 7:40 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), discussion for consideration of the disposition or acquisition of publicly held property regarding Washington Avenue properties; (A-5), discussion concerning a prospective business or industry, or the expansion of an existing business and industry, where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community regarding Project Corn and (A-7), consultation with legal counsels and briefing by staff for discussion of specific legal matters and matters subject to probable litigation regarding former Draper Mountain landfill. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 8:10 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, Council adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilwoman Steele and so carried. Approved: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Page 4 of 4/April 5, 2016