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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-191 Minutes of the called meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the Council Chambers of the Town Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W In attendance were: Mayor: David L. Clark, presiding Councilmen Present: Brooks R. Dawson; Gregory C. East; Joseph K. Goodman; Lane R. Penn; James A. Radcliffe Councilmen Absent: G. Tyler Clontz Administration: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole L. Hair, Deputy Town Manager Legal Counsel: Spencer A. Rygas, Town Attorney Staff David Quesenberry, Clerk of Council Rebecca Reece, Finance Director Others Present: April Bennett 1. Call to Order Mayor Clark called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Following the Call to Order, the roll of Council was taken. Present were Mayor Clark, Mr. Dawson, Mr. East, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Penn and Mr. Radcliffe. Absent from Roll Call was Mr. Clontz. Since a majority of members were in attendance, a quorum of Council was present to conduct business. 3. Modification of the Agenda Mayor Clark then requested a motion to add one item to the Closed Session under Va. Code 2.2-3711 A (8) consultation with legal counsel or briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation regarding a zoning application. Mr. Goodman moved to modify the agenda as stated. The motion was seconded by Mr. East and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Absent James A. Radcliffe -Aye Page 1 of 6/February 27, 2019 4. Consideration of a Department of Criminal Justice Services (DWS) Grant Application for a Forensic Nurse Facility Council next considered the DCJS grant application for a forensic nurse facility. Mr. Utt suggested that Mayor Clark give Council an update on the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Monday evening. Mayor Clark reported that the Board of Supervisors, after hearing the presentation, gave County Administrator Jonathan Sweet the ability to work with the Town on the project. The fact that there was time before the money was needed gave Mr. Sweet the opportunity to look for and find money, resources, etc. for what they wished to do on the project. Mayor Clark also reported on a meeting with the Lewis-Gale Pulaski Hospital CEO earlier in the day, who seemed interested in the program. The hospital could not give cash donations, but were interested and willing to do some in-kind donations of furnishings, etc. for the office when it opened. Documentation was being prepared by the hospital, indicating their willingness to participate in the project. Mr. Utt proposed, since the two meetings had taken place and the comfort level was much higher, that the Town would be able to come up with $100,000 in seventeen months. Due to a leak in the roof of the building at 72 East Main Street, Mr. Utt said the Town would have to go ahead and replace the roof. Mr. Utt said he and Mayor Clark would be meeting with Mr. Sweet the following day and would ask him for inmate labor to clean the property up. He said that the Town had to wait for a period of time before anything could be used as a match. However, if the value of the building could be increased (roof repair) it could be donated to the project for the match. He added that he felt more confident about the project. Mr. Radcliffe asked if the house (former Safe Haven) on Third Street, N.W. would be a better fit or not. Mr. Utt replied that he asked Mr. Sweet about it and thought that the County had a long-term use in mind for the property that involved the library. Mr. Radcliffe added he talked with the Sheriff and the Commonwealth Attorney. The Commonwealth Attorney emphasized that he saw a need for the project. After these conversations, Mr. Radcliffe said he felt better in that it was time for this project. Mayor Clark said he discussed the matter with Social Services, who told him that a child traumatized by an incident would be further traumatized by a hospital visit and that this discrete approach was better. Mr. Dawson asked if $100,000 was needed. Mr. Utt explained the two year grant required $200,000 a year match which would be covered by Giles Co. the first year. In year two, the Town would come up with $100,000 and Giles Co. $100,000. Ms. Bennett said that the Town's part would come into play on July 1, 2021. Page 2 of 6/February 27, 2019 Mr. Dawson asked about the value of the building. Mr. Utt replied it had a tax value of $35,000. He ventured that a new roof and some redevelopment could increase the value to $50,000. Mr. Dawson asked about the cost of the roof to which Ms. Hair said would be form $18,000 to $25,000. Mr. Utt suggested that the roof should be repaired in any event. Mr. Goodman added that he felt the property should also be appraised. Mr. Radcliffe asked who the organization would answer to. Ms. Bennett said that Giles Co. would take the lead. Mr. Penn asked if the facility would be staffed 24 hrs. a day. Ms. Bennett replied that someone would be on call 24 hrs. Mr. East asked if the Town felt that the building would be more than sufficient for the match requirement including what the County and the hospital might do. Mr. Utt said he had committed to working out $50,000 of the $100,000 as the Town's portion and challenged others to come up with the other $50,000. The County he continued, had 1 E months, two budget processes and a sizeable contingency, which would make procuring the funds would be easier for them. Mr. Utt said he felt much more comfortable after hearing the results of the Board of Supervisors and hospital CEO meetings. Mr. Dawson noted that the Town would spend $20,000 as a cash investment and asked if that would be the end of the Town's contribution. Mr. Utt responded that even if the grant was not funded, the Town should still spend the money ($20,000) on the roof (72 East Main Street). Mr. Dawson asked if the grant continued, would there need to be an additional $100,000 for the following two years. Ms. Bennett responded that following this two year grant, the grant would have to be reapplied for again assuming the money was available. If the money was not available, she added that there was other grant funding obtainable. An additional grant under this program would be for $750,000. If the funding was not available, other approaches could be used to keep the program going. Mr. Goodman said that if the program could not be grant funded or "fund raised", the Town would have to come up with a quarter of that. Mr. Utt said the other option was for the program to cease. He added he had committed the Town to the initial grant portion, but if the Town looked at commitments beyond that, there would have to be additional conversations. Mr. Goodman suggested that if this grant went through, searches should begin immediately for additional grants, fundraising, etc. Ms. Bennett said at this point with this grant, the patient could not be billed. If we did not get the grant, the insurances could be billed with copays from the patient written off so they would not have to pay. Insurances could be billed to have some income coming in. Mr. Dawson said if the Town approved being in on the grant, then there would be an additional expense to the budget on an annual or biennial basis. Ms. Bennett said that the uncertainty of funding was a problem with grants. She said that usually if you get the initial grant, you are more likely to get funded again after that. Mr. Utt added that there Page 3 of 6/February 27, 2019 were other grants the facility was eligible for and that they should be looked at, once the facility was operational. Mr. East asked how many forensic nurses would there be initially. Ms. Bennett replied that there would be seven total with one as a medical director and one on flex -time working one shift a week. Mr. East observed that there should be some kind of resource sharing arrangement with local hospitals. It seemed to him that this was a need in the community but nobody wanted to "step up to the plate". Ms. Bennett responded that it had been that way for years. She related that working on a regional level, along with other arrangements including sharing ER nurses, simply did not work. Mr. Dawson asked if there had been any conversations with Mr. Sweet, after he was given approval by the Supervisors and was there any idea as to what his thoughts were. Mr. Utt reported that he had talked with Mr. Sweet, who said he would carry through what the Board told him to do. He wanted to get some input from tonight's Council meeting and an idea of what the next steps were. The County Mr. Utt continued, did not have to come up with any funds anytime soon, while the Town had the problem of coming up with money for the building. Mr. East observed that the Town had that problem even without the grant. Mr. East stated that the Town was committed to cover the entire $100,000. Mr. Utt said the Town was committed to collecting the $100,000. Pulaski County was going to sign on as a partner with the Town, who in turn signed on as a partner with Giles County. Technically though he added, the Town agreed to contribute $100,000. Mr. East asked as the grant went forward, would it have the Town's name. Mr. Utt replied Giles Co. would sign on as the applicant and the Town would be signed -on one step away as co - applicant. Mr. East noted the Town was committing to come up with the $100,000 while looking at a good faith situation with the County and the hospital. Mr. Goodman asked if the Supervisors took a vote or nodded their heads. Ms. Bennett said they all said yes to which Mr. Goodman said he felt that indicated a firmer commitment to the Town. Mr. Utt said Mr. Sweet stated he was directed by the Board to make it work. Mayor Clark noted the hospital was in the process of making a written commitment. Mr. Utt added that the Town would have all commitments in writing. Mr. Rygas said one issue Council would have to think on their evaluation, was that it may be unlikely to transfer the property. He did not know if there would be a stand-alone entity involved. If the building was given in order to minimize the cash input, he questioned what would happen if the funds dry up. Then the entity would have the building and not the Town. The question was, he said, even if there was a give -back or buy-back provision, did that minimize the Town's cost or what the Town was allowed to count as a match. He said that Council had to think it through if they were relying wholly on the structure (as a match). The facility he continued, could be rented before the two years resulting in an accumulation of rent. He cited the uncertainties for grant funding after year two, which Page 4 of 6/February 27, 2019 1 1 had been clearly stated. When there was a funding situation heavily reliant upon the applicant standing alone, at some point someone would ask for an accounting of services rendered given the number of staff. Depending upon the scope of the region served, the issue would be if it made sense concerning amount of money involved. He felt in was something to consider if it impacts the decision to donate or lease the structure. Mr. Utt felt that if the structure were given, there would definitely be a claw -back provision if it ceased to be a forensic nursing facility. Mr. Goodman suggested an agreement setting the rent, possibly covering the utilities, for $2,500 per month. He ventured that the building would be $50,000 in value, with the Town still the owner so there would be no need for a claw -back. If the program continued, that value could be used or increased which could help the Town with a long-term commitment to the program. Mr. East felt the suggestion was logical and Ms. Bennett said she liked it. Mr. Goodman asked about the square footage of the structure. Mr. Utt estimated about 2,000 sq. ft. Mr. Goodman said one owner downtown was getting $1,500 per month for a similar amount of square footage. Mr. Dawson asked where the $20,000 to repair the roof would come from. Mr. Utt replied that he expected that there would be enough money in contingency to cover that cost. Mr. Goodman thought that there may be money left over in this fiscal year's budget. Mr. Utt suggested partnering with the Dr. Southern on her adjacent roof project to get some savings. He also added that the Contingency Fund was budgeted at $65,000 but only $7,000 had been used. After a discussion of other funding/grant sources and communications with the County, Mr. East said that action was still needed. Mr. Utt said the action needed was to authorize a partnership with Giles Co. for the grant and to authorize the Town Manager to sign any forms needed on the Town's behalf. Mr. Goodman made the motion which was seconded by Mr. Radcliffe and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Council next went into Closed Session. Joseph K. Goodman -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Absent James A. Radcliffe -Aye 5. Closed Session Mayor Clark then asked for a motion to enter Closed Session for one item under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A) 7 -consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual or probable litigation regarding a zoning application. Page 5 of 6/February 27, 2019 Mr. Goodman moved to enter Closed Session for the referenced item. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dawson and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Council entered Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. and returned from Closed Session at 7:18 p.m. Mayor Clark asked for a motion that Council only discussed the single matter for which it went into Closed Session regarding Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A) 7 -consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual or threatened litigation regarding a zoning application. Mr. Goodman moved to certify the Closed Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye 6. Reminder of Future Council Meetings There were no announcements concerning future meetings. 7. Adjournment Mayor Clark then called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Goodman made the motion which was seconded by Mr. Dawson and approved by unanimous voice vote of the Council at 7:20 p.m. ATTEST: David N. Quesenb ry Clerk of Council 1 Page 6 of 6/February 27, 2019 Mayor L. Clark