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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-24Town Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 16, 2024 1. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent 2. Case Number 24-ZA-1 and 24-ZA-2 Amending Section 11.2 Town's Definition of Hospital and Remove "Hospital or Health Center" as a use from sections 4.1.2-2, 4.2.2-2, 4.3.2-2, 4.4.2-2, 4.10.2-2. The motion was made by Councilman East and seconded by Councilman Clark to un- table Case Number 24-ZA-1 and 24-ZA-2. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent Summer Bork, Planning Administrator, reported the amendment to the hospital definition in the zoning ordinance to simplify the language and also add `substance abuse disorder' into a place for zoning. The addition to the definition would be an acceptable accessory use for hospitals and would give the Town some legal cover. The changes to the zoning would allow the Town to evaluate where additional services could be located within the amendments to the zoning regulations. She stated there are seven allowable areas where a `hospital' could locate except for industrial zones and changing the zoning would lower that to three because of road arterial, road access, and keeping infectious diseases, such as a major health crisis like COVID-19, out of residential areas. The motion was made by Councilman Clontz and seconded by Councilman Clark to move Case Number 24-ZA-1 and 24-ZA-2 to a Public Hearing on August 6tn Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent 3. Case Number 24-5E-002 Special Exception for 929 Newbern Road Ms. Bork reported the Planning Commission received an application for a Special Exception for 929 Newbern Road for a rentable event space in a small area of B1, which is limited business zoning, surrounded by a high -density residential area. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, such as the hours of operation being limited from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., no amplification of sound outside the structure, and no strobe like, flashing lights outside. Page 1 of 51 July 16, 2024 The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Clontz to move Case Number 24-5E-002 to a Public Hearing on August 6I'. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent 4. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the Work Session at 6:30 p.m. Open Session 1. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. The Mayor asked for a moment of silence in the memory of Scott Aust, Engineering Manager for the Town who passed away Tuesday morning. 3. Councilman Clark lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Councilman East gave the invocation. 5. The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. P-^ 6. Modification to Public Session- No modifications were made. 7. Public Comment Period a. Hazel Wines of Cardinal Drive in Dublin addressed Council with her concerns with the unhoused community, specifically the clearing of an encampment. Ms. Wines asked Council to find a way to put a minimum of a six-month moratorium on clearing encampments to give the Town time to get a committee together to come up with better solutions. She stated in the leu of that six-month time, she would like to see trash services and other sanitary means for the communities to be clean and safe. b. Eden Bowman of Cardinal Drive in Pulaski read an excerpt from the New York University website titled 12 Biggest Myths about Homelessness in America. After reading the article, Ms. Bowman asked Council to think about the information that she provided and how the Town could help these individuals, that are in our community, and have an easier time getting out of this struggle. c. Ashley Bowman, of Cardinal Drive in Pulaski, is a founding member of the Pulaski County Free Store, she also asked Council for a six-month moratorium on clearing encampments, allowing trash services and help individuals get out of the homeless situation. Page 2 of 51 July 16, 2024 Councilman East thanked the public speakers and asked about the private rights of the property owners where these encampments are located. Ms. Wines returned to the podium to address Councilman East's question. She stated she understands private property rights but also reminded Council of their decision to not allow homeless people to sleep in their vehicles within Town, and while it's not ideal, public property could be used for these individuals to use. Councilman East spoke about a personal situation that happened in Town with him, a resident, and a homeless individual and stated as a community, the Town has an obligation to protect our community, while there are a lot of resources in Pulaski, people have to choose to accept those resources. He stated if people choose not accept those resources, the Town has an obligation to the citizens of the community to maintain a healthy residence and we can't ignore the rights of private citizens. Councilman East then asked Ms. Wines what about the children exploring the woods and they encounter needles and unsafe conditions in the encampments. Ms. Wines stated that's what she and others are asking for, trash services, safe sharps boxes, and to work with Council on systemic change and a place where children stay, graduate high school, and raise their grandchildren. !10 Councilman East thanked Ms. Wines for the conversation and stated he appreciated everyone's input. 8. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of July 2, 2024 Town Council minutes. The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman East to approve the minutes as written. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent 9. Council Comments- No Comments were made. 10. Manager's Report Manager Day reminded Council and listeners of the Chrome in the Valley Cruise -In on Saturday, July 20th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jackson Park. He also reported a grant that has been rewarded to the Town from the Congressional Directed Spending of $500,000 for the remodel of the Fire Department. 11. Reminder of Future Council Meetings Page 3 of 51 July 16, 2024 1 a. August 6, 2024 Work Session 6:00 p.m., Open Session 7:00 p.m., Closed Session following Open Session. 7:23 p.m. 12. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session to discuss the following items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 29 (1 item)- Award of a Public Contract Involving the Expenditure of Public Funds i. Great Wilderness Brewery The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman East. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent The following councilmembers and staff entered into Closed Session: Councilman East, Councilman Clark, Councilman Clontz, Mayor Collins, Todd Day, Town Manager, and Olivia Hale, Clerk of Council. 7:49 p.m. Open Session 1. 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) 29 (1 item)- Award of a Public Contract Involving the Expenditure of Public Funds i. Great Wilderness Brewery The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Clontz. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Absent Michael P. Reis- Absent 2. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m. Page 4 of 5/ July 16, 2024 1 ATTEST 01 rl _ _ O tivia C. Hale Clerk of Council 1 TOWN of PULASKI, VIRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 5 of 51 July 16, 2024