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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-17 Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW. There were present: Mayor: Robert N. Glenn Council: James A. Radcliffe, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, Lane R. Penn Absent: Joseph K. Goodman Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Spencer Rygas, Town Attorney John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Robbie Kiser, Fire Chief Rebecca M. Reece, Finance Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Clark Payne Brooke Wood, Press Mike Williams, Press At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Glenn called the meeting to order. Councilman Kidd led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman East gave the Invocation. Councilman Clark moved to add item 13c, Performance Agreement for Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund program. Councilman Penn seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Mayor Glenn advised that the first item on the agenda was a presentation regarding Downtown Revitalization grant request—CDBG funding. Ms. Hair reminded Council that the Town had been the recipient of a CDBG Downtown Planning Grant and would be applying for a grant in the amount $700,000 to do downtown business district revitalization. She continued that the key outcome of the planning grant was an economic restructuring plan, being handled by the New River Valley Regional Commission. She provided a summary of the overall project which included a facade program, streetscape improvements, development of a pocket park, alley improvements/lighting, bridge beautification efforts and administrative costs. She advised that a Resolution had been included in the packet to move forward with the grant application. Following discussion, Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2017-05, Authorizing the Preparation and Filing of an Application for Community Improvement Grant Funds Through the Community Development Block Grant Program. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Page 1 of 5/March 7, 2017 Mayor Glenn moved on to Public Comment Period. Clark Payne addressed Council advising that he had noticed that houses in surrounding areas tended to be 130% to 150% more expensive than houses in the Town for similar properties. He asked what the Town had done to ensure the property values in Pulaski increase in a similar manner as our surrounding communities. He encouraged Council to pro-actively address declining property values. Mr. Utt responded that the last re-assessment lowered property values town-wide by at least 4.5% to 5% on average. He continued that some areas were lowered more than that. He added that when that assessment came out, it stimulated an increase in effort for property maintenance code enforcement efforts. He continued that those efforts were bearing fruit now. Mayor Glenn commiserated with Mr. Payne, but pointed out that property maintenance code enforcement is a detailed, time consuming, expensive project. He added that it took time, but he felt the Town was making progress. Councilman East agreed that it was a slow process but he felt the Town was making progress. Councilman Clark commented that he felt the Town had been making definite strides forward in the last few years. There being no further comments, Mayor Glenn moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the February 7, 2017 Town Council Minutes as written. Councilman Penn seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. Mr. Utt summarized the Project Review Chart, including that the draft Brookmont PER had been completed and submitted to the Health Department. He added that this would entail work at the Treatment Plant and some work at one of the water tanks. He continued that the goal would be to improve the quality of water that gets into the County's system in Brookmont. Mr. Utt advised that depending on Council's actions at this meeting, the downtown branding would begin on the Wayfinding signage. He advised that the bids that came back for the four houses on the Kersey Bottom/Case Knife Road CDBG housing grant were well over budget. He added that staff was going to ask the state for a budget modification to help with tear down/rebuilds. He advised that the landscaping company that would provide the trees for the cemeteries were scheduled to visit that Friday to see what type trees were needed and provide a drawing of the plans. He added that they would also visit Jackson Park to suggest what type trees to be planted there and provide a drawing of the plans. He advised that the computer software update for the Finance Department was complete. Regarding delinquent real estate taxes, he advised that notifications had been mailed twice. He added that he wanted to partner with the County and Mr. Campbell on a delinquent tax collection plan/partnership to try to get the Town of Pulaski's delinquent taxes to be more of a priority. He noted that the Town decals were on sale and were due April 1. Mr. Utt advised that the budget process would begin the next week and that the first Finance Committee meeting was scheduled for March 14. He commented that the agreement with the USDA for vulture disposition/relocation had been renewed and their personnel had begun to target the problem areas. Councilman Radcliffe asked for the delinquent tax amount currently due. Mr. Utt estimated the amount to be approximately one million dollars. Ms. Reece interjected that approximately $400,000 of that figure was likely to be penalty and interest. Page 2 of 5/March 7, 2017 Mr. Utt continued that the County had received the recommendation from the Fire Protection Committee to purchase a fire truck rescue engine for the Town Fire Department. He added that it was hoped that the request would be included in the County's final budget. He noted that no response had been received on the FEMA grant request for an aerial truck. He advised that the Town was awarded a $240,000 grant from the Virginia Brownfields fund for the General Chemical site on First St., so staff would be moving forward with that project. He advised that the contract for the West Main Development construction was ready to be executed and staff would be moving forward. He advised of the receipt of 5 applications for the revolving loan fund for downtown roofs. He added that staff would be submitting a CIP request for design of the water treatment system at Gatewood. He continued that the Public Works crew was about 85% complete with the grading renovations and other improvements in the Gatewood campground. He added that the campground opens for 7 days a week April 1. Mr. Utt advised that staff had priced out the remaining renovations for the kitchen area of the Senior Center including cabinets, flooring and drywall and that amount would be included in the CIP requests for the FY 2018 budget. He continued that the landscaping vendor would be meeting with staff to prepare for the trees to be installed in Jackson Park and to identify any trees that would need to be removed. Councilman East inquired whether the Peak Creek Promenade plan would be included during budget discussions. Mr. Utt responded in the affirmative. There being no further questions, Mayor Glenn moved on to Department update. Mr. Utt advised that for the department update, staff would focus on the branding efforts being worked on through the Downtown Planning Grants. He reviewed the proposed logo information and the PowerPoint presentation slides for Council. Following discussion, there was a consensus among Town Council members for staff to move forward with the proposed branding efforts. Mayor Glenn moved on to Old Business. Mr. Utt advised that following the discussion of the proposed amendments to the UDAG program guidelines, the following draft revised criteria for a "Line of Credit" was prepared: 1. Not to exceed $15,000. 2. Loan to be repaid within 24 months. 3. Interest rate based on prime, but no less than 3%. 4. Funds may not be used for operating capital. 5. Town will use funds to pay approved vendors directly. 6. Eligibility would include a minimum of 5 years of continuous operations in the Town of Pulaski. 7. Applicant should not be delinquent for any fees or taxes owed to the Town at the time of loan award. 8. In addition to collateralization of a minimum of 75% of the line of credit, a personal guarantee of the borrower(s) is required. He asked for Council's input. Mayor Glenn advised that he had been contacted by Beans and Rice, and they wished to make a presentation explaining what their projects were and how their projects could mesh with this project because they had funding mechanisms that were possible alternatives that might be helpful. Page 3 of 5/March 7, 2017 Mr. Utt recommended that in item 6, the words "in the Town of Pulaski", not be included and that any motion be adopted as revised. Councilman East moved to authorize staff to make the UDAG program guideline amendments as written with the exception of the change to item 6 deleting the words "in the Town of Pulaski". Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Mayor Glenn moved on to New Business. The first item was Local Government Education Week. Mr. Utt advised as had been done in the past, a Resolution recognizing the first week of April as "Local Government Education Week" had been included in the packet for Council's review. He added that staff would be planning to coordinate various partnerships with the school system to help increase civic awareness and activities in the school. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2017-06, Resolution Proclaiming the Week of April 1-7, 2017 as Local Government Education Week. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye The next item for Council's consideration was USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant Application. Mr. Utt reminded Council that in 2014, the Chamber of Commerce had been awarded an advertising grant through the USDA Farmers Market program. He continued that those funds were opening up again. He added that the County could not apply again according to the rules, however, the Town could apply for the same project. He noted that in 2014, the Chamber was awarded $57,000 and there were no match requirements. He added that the plan this year was to apply for$75,000. He advised that the funds were used for advertising. He asked for Council's consideration to authorize the application for the USDA Farmers Market program and authorize the Town Manager to execute the documents. Councilman Clark moved to authorize the application for the USDA Farmers Market program in the amount of $75,000 and for the Town Manager to execute the documents. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Mayor Glenn moved on to Performance Agreement for Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund program. Mr. Utt advised that during the Project Review chart, he had discussed the fact that the Town was awarded $240,000 from the Brownfields Site Remediation program. He continued that a draft Performance Agreement had been placed at their dais. He added that Mr. Rygas had reviewed the Agreement and he requested authorization for the Town Manager to execute the Performance Agreement. He noted that the deadline to Page 4 of 5/March 7, 2017 complete the work was by April 1, 2018 and after speaking with all agents, there did not appear to be an issue with that deadline. He added that in case of a problem, staff could request an extension of about 15 months. He noted there were also some previsions to provide additional funding up to 10% if needed. Councilman Clark moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the Performance Agreement. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye At 8:09 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-1), discussion for consideration of employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of public officers, appointees or employees regarding Code Enforcement Officer position and (A-3), discussion for consideration of the disposition or acquisition of publicly held property regarding West Main Street Properties. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye At 8:55 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman East and adopted on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman East and so carried. Approved: tia4 dir Rob:rt N. Glen , Mayor Page 5 of 5/March 7, 2017