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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-24Town Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Work Session 1. The Mayor called the Work Session meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. and asked for a roll call for Town Council. Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Absent Michael P. Reis- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye 2. The Mayor asked for a roll call for the Economic Development Authority Ron Hall- Absent Roger Bell- Absent Robert Huttick- Aye Peter Huber- Aye Collette Hash- Absent Jeffrey Worrell- Aye 3. Economic Development Authority Bylaws Discussion Manager Day began the Work Session by giving a brief history of the EDA and why the EDA was recreated for the Town and their powers legislatively. Scot Farthing, Town Attorney stated the goal of the EDA is to help existing businesses grow or have a business that's interested in coming to the Town, establish here and offer incentives. The Town Council decides how much funding to invest, and the EDA funnels the money to the company or investor to get them to establish a business in Town, along with grants. Councilman Reis questioned an article in the EDA bylaws which would require the EDA to have approval from Town Council to appropriate available funds. Manager Day stated if Town Council has obligated funds to the EDA without restrictions, they could appropriate funds without Town Council approval, although it's not very healthy. Mr. Huber asked if Article 10 in the bylaws could be stricken stating the EDA has the authority to manage the accounts and the disbursement of funds up to $1,500 and anything exceeding that amount requires Town Council's written approval and replace it with an annual meeting with Town Council to discuss how the Council wants to see the Town develop economically. With the EDA not having a quorum, there was no action taken on the amendments to the bylaws. 4. With no further discussion, the Mayor adjourned the Work Session at 7:19 p.m. Page 1 of 51 September 3, 2024 Open Session 5. The Mayor called the meeting to Order at 7:23 p.m. 6. Councilman Reis lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 7. Councilman East gave the invocation. 8. The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. 9. Modification to Public Session- No modifications were made. 10. Presentations a. Rhythm by the Rails John Ross, President of the Board of Directors for the New River Valley Fine Arts Center thanked Town Council for their support and funding for the Rhythm by the Rails festival that was held in Jackson Park in August. b. GIS Update Austin Painter, Project Manager for the Engineering Department reported the Town has a new GIS program which is available on the Town's website. The new GIS program has a map of the Town's Utility System, which we did not have previously, that includes each manhole and water meter in the Town. The new software also includes overlay of the flood zones, historical districts, Enterprise Zones, revitalization areas, opportunity zones, and zoning maps. Each district/zone has a color -coded map with different viewing options. Councilman East, Councilman Dawson, and Councilman Reis all commented on how great the new software looked and thanked Mr. Painter for his work. 11. Resolution 2024-41 Appointment to the Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority (Voting) Manager Day reported the Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, has a vacancy for an alternative position and this resolution would appoint him as an alternative to the board. The motion was made by Councilman East and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt Resolution 2024-41. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Absent Page 2 of 51 September 3, 2024 Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye 12. Public Comment Period- No speakers were present. 13. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of August 20, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Dawson to adopt the minutes. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Absent Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye 14. Council Comments Councilman Clark asked for a section of road on the corner Newbern Rd and MacGill St. to be paved or packed with more gravel from a water line break that was fixed. Councilman Dawson asked if future projects, such as grass cutting or cosmetic projects, could be contracted out to relieve the work and stress Public Works employees and for them to be able to focus more on critical projects. Councilman Radcliffe asked for the Christmas lights in Jackson Park be untangled and straighten up in the trees. Councilman Reis suggested a notification alert system for citizens to sign up for to better communicate what's going on in the Town to the residents. Mayor Collins asked for an update on the streetscape project for Main Street. Manager Day stated bidding for the construction was open today and hopefully the announcement will be made later in the week. 15. Manager's Report Manager Day thanked staff in the various departments for their continuous hard work and stepping up to the challenges each day. He also reminded listeners of Coffee with Chief on September 11t' from 9-11 a.m. at Starbucks in Food City. 16. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. September 17.2024 Closed Session 6:00 p.m., Open Session 7:00 p.m. Page 3 of 51 September 3, 2024 1 Closed Session 17. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session at 7:55 p.m. to discuss the following items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matter i. Fire Department b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 3 (1 item)- Acquisition/Disposition of Real Property i. Hogans Dam c. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Specific Legal Matters i. Collection System Agreement The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Dawson. Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Mayor Collins James A. Radcliffe- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Absent Michael P. Reis- Aye The following councilmembers and staff entered into Closed Session: Councilman East, Councilman Clark, Councilman Dawson, Councilman Radcliffe, Councilman Reis, Mayor Collins, Town Manager, Todd Day, Town Attorney, Scot Farthing, and Clerk of Council, Ms. Hale. Open Session 18. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion that only the following items were discussed in Closed Session. a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matter i. Fire Department b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 3 (1 item)- Acquisition/Disposition of Real Property i. Hogans Dam c. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Specific Legal Matters i. Collection System Agreement The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Dawson. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Aye Page 4 of 5/ September 3, 2024