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Home My WebLink About11-16-211 Town Council Meeting Wednesday November 16, 2021 1. Mayor called the Meeting to Order at 5:02 p.m. and asked for a roll call Lane Penn Aye Books R. Dawson Aye Gregory C. East Aye James A. Radcliffe Aye G. Tylor Clontz Aye Michael P. Reis Aye Also present were Darlene Burcham, Town Manager and Spencer Rygas, Town Attorney. 2. Modify Closed Session Agenda if Necessary 3. Mayor asked for a motion to go into closed session for the following items: VA Code 2.2-3711(A) 5 Discussion of a prospective businesses or industry where no previous announcement has been made. VA Code 2.2-37ll (A) 2 - Consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matter requiring legal advice by such counsel. VA Code 2.2 - 3711(A) 2- acquisition or disposition of publicly held real property. VA Code 2.2 - 3711(A)1 - Appointments Motion was made by Mr. Clontz, seconded by Mr. Penn Lane Penn Aye James A. Radcliffe Aye Books R. Dawson Aye G. Tylor Clontz Aye Gregory C. East Aye Michael P. Reis Aye 6:30 p.m. Public Session 4. Certification of closed session. Certification motion was made by Mr. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Penn The motion was approved on the following roll call vote. Lane Penn Aye James A. Radcliffe Aye Books R. Dawson Aye G. Tylor Clontz Aye Gregory C. East Aye Michael P. Reis Aye 5. Mayor Welcomed Guest and Visitors. 6. Consent Agenda Page 1 of 4 / November 16, 2021 1 1 1 Motion was made by Mr. Clontz, seconded by Mr. Dawson to approve the minutes of November 3, 2021. Lane Penn Aye Books R. Dawson Aye Gregory C. East Aye James A. Radcliffe Aye G. Tylor Clontz Aye Michael P. Reis Aye 7. Public Hearing Appropriating grant / loan funds. Mayor opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor closed the public hearing. Mrs. Burcham noted that the resolution had an incorrect amount for the VDOT funds. She requested on opportunity to correct the amount before council acted. 8. Presentation a. Chris Conner representing Pulaski on Main, asked for Council's support, primarily in-kind staff services, to hold the Music and Merchants Festival on May 21, 2022. Council members expressed their support for the event and encouraged the Town Manager to make the necessary resources available. b. Mr. Pedigo shared information on the VDOT grants which will redo the curb, gutter, sidewalks and paved surfaces of W. Main St by November 2024. This work will commence upon completion of water line upgrades in the street, upgrading water lines needed for sprinkler systems. The water line improvements are being funded with ARPA funds and a request for proposals from consultants should be issued by the end of the month. Mr. Pedigo then introduced David Patton, Chief Filtration Plant Supervisor regarding recent test results requiring lead notification to our residents. Mr. Patton said there will be an information letter with all the language required by the Health Department in the next water bill. This letter will be explaining what to check for and how to get your water tested. It also states that there is nothing wrong with the water but lead in some service lines at some homes. Mr. Pedigo stated that the newly passed Infrastructure bill may allow the Town to address some of these issues and have the lead pipes replaced. Mrs. Burcham stated that there will be a PSA video on the Town website and Facebook page to educate citizens and avoid misunderstandings of the issue. c. Chef Neice reported that the department has had five promotions since June 111, 2021 and ten promotions since October of 2020. Two of the newly hired officers have completed the field training program, another two officers have just graduated the Basic Academy. The newly hired Community Resource Specialist has been doing a fantastic job with all social media. Juneau, the department's new K9 Officer, will go to school in January for Narcotic Certification and Tracking school in March. The Department just finished their Corporal promotion process, so there will be two more officers promoted. Chef Neice closed her personnel update stating she hopes to hire two new officers from the pool of applicants, and to get them started in the academy in January 2022. Page 2 of 4 / November 16, 2021 Changes are being made to increase the departments foot patrol and engagements with the public. Chef Neice expressed gratitude to all the businesses that have been sponsoring the Police Department in various ways. The equipment update involved a UTV purchase with ARPA funding, unfortunately a trailer is still needed. Upgraded equipment was purchased with ARPA funds for Program Lifesaver, which is dedicated to an at -risk population, that if they wander off and get lost, we will have a better chance at them being located. Program Lifesaver training will begin in January 2022 along with assistance from the Fire Department. Incoming calls are hoped to improve with efficiency and time with the new phone system. Once fully staffed the Chef is wanting to reinvigorate the department's Bike Patrol. The Department has been reviewing the idea of bringing back the Citizens Academy, which would give citizens a better idea on how the Police Department operates, and then provide input from the citizen's perspective to improve the community. Talks have begun with the surrounding communities for a regional firearms training facility. 9. Resolution - 2021-51 Appropriating Grant / Loan Funds Motion was made by Mr. Reis to open a Public Hearing to note the corrections to Resolution - 2021-51 Appropriating Grant / Loan Funds, seconded by Mr. Dawson Mayor Collins opened the Public Hearing with the corrected VDOT amount of $368,841.00 not $68,841.00. There were no comments from the public. The public hearing was closed. Mr. Dawson made the motion to approved the corrected Resolution, seconded by Mr. Penn Lane Penn Aye James A. Radcliffe Aye Books R. Dawson Aye G. Tylor Clontz Aye Gregory C. East Aye Michael P. Reis Aye 10. Council Comments. Mr. Penn brought up the numerous complaints from the smell on Dora Highway and asked if there was anything that could be done. Mrs. Burcham reported that James Hardie has been testing the last 5 days a new chemical to try and mitigate that issue. By the end of the five days, the smell had been significantly reduced. Mr. Pedigo has a meeting with James Hardie owners to talk about the problem. Mr. Dawson thanked the Pulaski Theatre for the new marquee and noticed how much the lighting has made a difference to the look and feel of Main Street. He also asked for clarification on the renovations for Main Street, if they were tearing up the sidewalks and everything there and does this include the trees. Mrs. Burcham said they will try and save all that they can, but it really depends on the root systems. Mr. East asked if there was a plan for what the new Main Street will look like. Mrs. Burcham said that Mr. Pedigo has some ideas for possible reconstruction but it will depend on the consultant's work. Mr. Dawson had another question in regards to the new phone system and the Police Page 3 of 4 / November 16, 2021 I - Department, asking if it changes our relationship or need for dispatch. Mrs. Burcham replied that she had intended in her report to update the Council on our move of our phone and internet service to the County, which will save us a considerable amount of money and have those responsible for maintaining the system local. Mrs. Burcham noted that we now have a way to direct dial individuals and provide after-hours contact information. Mr. Radcliffe stated that the trash piles from two houses on Washington Ave. need to be taken care of, they have been there for 4 weeks. Mrs. Burcham informed the council that our Code Enforcement Officer has been working on this with the County and Mrs. Burcham stated that if it was still there she will be calling the County. Mr. Reis stated that he noticed a lot of lights out through the town and is glad it is being addressed. 11. Manager's Report. Mrs. Burcham reminded Council that there will not be another meeting before the Christmas Parade on December the 2111' at 7pm. She would also like Council to consider canceling the January 411 meeting, as it is two days after the new year and many people take off during that time. Mrs. Burcham asked if Council had received the Chamber's request for any legislative issues that they would want to be advanced by the Chamber to our representatives. 12. Reminder of Future Council Meeting and Adjournment. a. Council Meeting; December 7th, 2021, Closed Session 5:30 p.m.; Public Session 7:00 p.m. b. Council Work Session; December 21, 2021 Closed Session, 5:00 p.m.; Public Session 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Attest: Clerk of Council Approved: W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 4 of 4 / November 16, 2021