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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-24Town Council Minutes February 20, 2024 1. Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Aye 2. The Mayor asked for a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss the following items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (2 items)- Consultation with legal counsel i. Deed of Trust Review- Tilley Building ii. Deed of Trust Review- Renfro b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (3 items)- Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, or appointment. i. Town Attorney The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Clontz. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Aye Mr. Dawson joined Closed Session at 5:04 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Open Session 3. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion to certify that only the following items were discussed in Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (2 items)- Consultation with legal counsel i. Deed of Trust Review- Tilley Building ii. Deed of Trust Review- Renfro b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (3 items)- Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, or appointment. i. Town Attorney The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Dawson. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz-Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Page 1 of 6/� „ v� 2_0, 20'114 .•m" 4. Mr. Clark lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance 5. Mr. Dawson gave the invocation. 6. Guests and Visitors- The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. 7. Modification to Public Session- No modifications was made. 8. Public Hearing- Joint Hearing with Planning Commission a. Case Number 2024-CPA-01 Amending the 2023 Town of Pulaski, Virginia Comprehensive Plan. Ordinance 2024-05 Kevin Meyer, Chairman of the Town of Pulaski Planning Commission, called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Dustin Davis- Aye Terry Hale- Aye Anthony Schrantz- Aye Van Taylor- Aye Kevin Meyer- Aye Rachel Arthur- Absent Summer Bork, Town Planner, reported every Comprehensive Plan adopted within the state of Virginia is required to be sent to VDOT to ensure that its transportation section is consistent with the Commonwealth Transportation Board's Statewide Transportation Plan. The recommended changes from VDOT have been made to the Comprehensive Plan which included the Town to be designated as a VDOT Urban Development Area (UDA). The designation enables the Town to be eligible for more VDOT funding opportunities for transportation related improvement projects. The Vice Chair -man recessed the Planning Commission's meeting from February 12, 2024 to the Town Council meeting on February 20, 2024 due to not having a quorum. Chairman Meyer opened the Public Hearing for the Planning Commission. Mayor Collins opened the Public Hearing for the Town Council. Chairman Meyer closed the Public Hearing for the Planning Commission. Mayor Collins closed the Public Hearing for the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recessed their meeting for discussion. The Mayor continued to move forward with the agenda for the Town Council Meeting. Page 2 of 6/ 1 1 9. Presentations a. Brian Wishneff & Associates- Adam Markwood Mr. Markwood, Director of Investments with Brian Wishneff & Associates presented to the Council the Historic Tax Credits incentive program for Calfee Community and Cultural Center. The program is targeted for historic buildings to raise income for improvements and secure a bridge loan, which is needed to start construction on the center. Mr. Markwood stated the bridge loan would be needed as the historic tax credit equity wouldn't be available until the construction is complete, an up -front cash source would be needed to pay for construction costs until the historic tax credit is received. He stated the liability to the Town was minimal if all goes according to plan. However, worse -case scenario would be the project will not be approved due to renovations not meeting compliance based on agreed upon design. The Mayor paused the presentation as the Planning Commission returned from discussion. The motion was made by Mr. Hale and seconded by Mr. Davis to reconvene the Planning Commission meeting. Dustin Davis- Aye Anthony Schrantz- Aye Kevin Meyer- Aye Terry Hale- Aye Van Taylor- Aye Rachel Arthur- Absent Ms. Bork reported in Open Session that the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the advised changes to the Comprehensive Plan to the Town Council. The motion was made by Mr. Taylor and seconded by Mr. Schrantz to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting. Dustin Davis- Aye Anthony Schrantz- Aye Kevin Meyer- Aye Terry Hale- Aye Van Taylor- Aye Rachel Arthur- Absent The motion was made by Mr. Reis and seconded by Mr. Clark to adopt Ordinance 2024- 05. Gregory C. East- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Aye G. Tyler Clontz-Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye The Mayor asked Mr. Markwood to return to his presentation and asked councilmembers if there were any questions for Mr. Markwood or Ms. Williams. Page 3 of 6/ P& m " 26 I 7.p24 Jill Williams, Co -Executive Director for CCCC, stated the original plan was for the project to be completed all at once but the cost of construction went up significantly. b. T.G. Howard Community Center- Guy Smith Guy Smith, Executive Director for the T.G. Howard Community Center presented to Council the history of the center and the recent renovations the center underwent and how the center is involved in the community. He stated the center was able to secure grant money to renovate the building and hosts various community needs including work with senior citizens, children with AIDS, breast cancer victims, their annual back to school bookbag give -a -way, and recently offering the building to be rented for parties. Mr. Smith thanked the Town and the community for their support. 10. Resolution 2024-13 Appointing Todd Day to the New River Valley Passenger Rail Authority The motion was made by Mr. Reis and seconded by Mr. Dawson to adopt Resolution 2024-13. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 11. Public Comment Period a. Tyler Altizer of Madison Ave stated he is in the middle of marathon training and he has noticed a number of individuals walking on the trails with their animals without a leash. He asked Council for additional signage to be posted of the leash ordinance along the trails and parks through the Town. b. Stephen Simon of Linden Circle addressed Council with his concerns of a human waste in the creek in his backyard. Mr. Simon stated he is trying to make people aware of the problem to ensure it is handled appropriately and asked Council what is going to be done to fix the problem. Mr. Reis asked what the name of the creek he was referring to. Mr. Simon stated it's the creek behind Poor Boys. He also stated he is aware that the Town does not have the equipment to clean the creek but stated the Town needs to be aware of the problem and have it fixed. Mr. Day, Town Manager, stated he has met with Mr. Simon and the Town will take all appropriate action along with DEQ to correct the problem. Page 4 of 6/ Ft� vtn ojn l 20, 2024 12. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of February 8, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Mr. Dawson and seconded by Mr. Clark to adopt the minutes. Gregory C. East- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye 13. Council Comments James A. Radcliffe- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Michael P. Reis -Aye Mr. Dawson asked about UDA benefits from the changes to the Comprehensive Plan, if those funding benefits would be something we could apply for or if the Town will receive because of the changes. Darlene Burcham stated the UDA will open doors for the Town to apply for funds that we have not applied for. Mr. Radcliffe stated the lobby at the Post Office is now closed in the evenings and weekends and stated it would hinder the residents and small businesses who need to access their boxes after hours. Mr. Radcliffe asked if Mr. Day could reach out and ask why the lobby has been closed. Mr. Reis asked if a sidewalk could be added to Route 11 from Walgreens down toward the hospital. He also thanked Public Works for fixing the valve on Washington and 6t' Street. Mr. Reis also stated "pursuant to VA Code 2.2-3114 (F) the transaction of the request presentation earlier from Mr. Markwood that I am the registered agent for both the Calfee Community & Cultural Center Incorporated and the Calfee CCC LLC which is the entity that will be used for the real estate tax credits, there are more people like me who provide services like that to those entities, though I am able to participate in the transaction fairly, objectively, and in the public interest, I will choose to abstain from doing so." Mayor Collins thanked Ms. Burcham for her time as Mr. Day transitions into the Town Manager. 14. Manager's Report Mr. Day stated the Calfee Community & Cultural Center project is complex and he's impressed with how Ms. Burcham handles that with grace and tactic. He stated he received a request from Jill Williams and asked her to speak to Council. Ms. Williams stated the Calfee Community & Cultural Center has been invited to apply for additional ARC funds to revise and add to the ARC grant specifically for the Page 5 of 6i V&i0wtaN U, 2D2.� expansion of the kitchen. Ms. Williams stated they are asking for permission to submit the request under the Town's header in hopes to get the additional funding. Mr. Day asked if the addition has the same criteria and guidelines as the original ARC guidelines just additional funding. Ms. Williams stated it is the same thing that CCCC has requested. Mr. Day asked when is the las opportunity for the Council to respond to CCCC regarding the historical tax credit. Ms. Williams stated there is no application process but CCCC would like to close the tax credit by August, they would need an answer by May 1, 2024 or earlier. Mr. Day then thanked Ms. Burcham for her assistance and patience with him during the transition period of him coming in as the Town Manager. 15. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. March 5, 2024 Closed Session 5:30 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 16. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Clerk of Council 1 TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Page 6 of 6iTo: 202A