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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-23Town Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Open Session 1. Mayor called the Meeting to Order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 2. Mr. Clark led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance 3. Mr. East gave the invocation Mayor Collins- Aye 4. Guests and Visitors- The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and viewing online 5. Modification to Public Session- No modifications were made. 6. Public Hearings a. FY 2023-2024 General Fund The Town Manager reported on the revenues noting the uncertainty of the State budget for FY 2023-2024, inflation, the competitive job market, and efforts to stabilize infrastructure. The Water and Sewer Fund were studied several years ago and recommended for annual increases. An increase of 6% in water rates and 7% in sewer rates is proposed which allows the town to continue a capital reserve and set aside funds for future debt. The increase in sewer rates includes an increase in the Pepper's Ferry budget, increased cost in chemicals, and pretreatment costs. The Solid Waste Fund includes monthly payments to GFL that started in January of 2023. She reported the insurance rates for employee's health insurance did not increase which helped make the necessary adjustments in the town's budget. Mr. East asked what caused the increase to the Regional Authority contribution. The Town Manager stated the increases went to capital improvement items, the amount of flow; and their normal operating expenses. Mr. East stated his concerns of the amount of treated water going to the Authority and the I&I study that was suppose to reduce the amount of flow and asked if that would help in the long term. The Town Manager stated that in the long term the town should be able to reduce the amount of flow unless there are additional customers. She stated there are monitors being placed around the town which would help identify where the Page 1 of 5/ May 16, 2023 largest contributors of I&I were, which would allow us to know where to make repairs first. Mr. Dawson stated the I&I was funded in the Capital Budget this year with ARPA funds and that the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan doesn't have anything for I&I. The Town Manager stated there ARPA are funds remaining that will carry the town through the current year. Mr. Reis asked about the Airport Commission contribution. The Town Manager stated this Is an annual contribution. This year there is an additional amount funded with ARPA funds to prepare an area at the airport for an additional hanger. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. b. FY 2023-2024 General Fund Capital Improvement The Town Manager reported the DJCS is making funds available to law enforcement agencies and our allocation will be used to purchase four police vehicles. The allocation of funds for this purpose in the Capital Improvement Fund will be moved from Police Vehicles replacement to the construction of a K- 9 and training building over two years. Mr. Dawson asked about the monies slated for the Fire Station addition. The Town Manager stated these funds will be used for the design of an addition to the existing station. Mr. Reis asked about the funds for water meter replacement. The Town Manager stated this was planned to take place over five years and will replace all water meters and as well as new antenna for meters not functioning during the replacement schedule. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. c. FY 2023-2024 Water Rates The Town Manager reported an increase of 6% to provide a capital reserve as well as operating expenses. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. d. FY 2023-2024 Water Fund Page 2 of 51 May 16, 2023 The Town Manger reported water funds not only are used for maintenance of water distribution lines and also the operation of the filter plant. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. e. FY 2023-2024 Water Fund Capital Improvement The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. f. FY 2023-2024 Sewer Rates The Town Manager noted the 8% recommended. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. g. FY 2023-2024 Sewer Fund The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. h. FY 2023-2024 Solid Waste Fund The Town Manager reported this is a new fund that began January 2023 with the town entering into a contract with GFL for waste collection. This fund records the expense of the collection of trash as well as the Convenience Center. There is no increase in the monthly rate for the town's customers. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Terri Sternberg with the Fine Arts Center thanked the Town Manager for the placement of the dumpsters for the businesses on West Main Street and asked how businesses that generate larger amounts of trash will be billed in the future. The Town Nianager stated that businesses that will generate a large amount of waste will have to make other arrangements. The Mayor closed the public hearing. i. Appropriating Solid Waste Funds for FY2022-2023- Resolution 2013-17 The Town Manager reported on the planned expenditures for the Solid Waste Fund for the current year. The Mayor opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers. The motion was made by Mr. Dawson and seconded by Mr. Clark to approve Resolution 2023-17. Page 3 of 5/ May 16, 2023 Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye 7. Presentations James A. Radcliffe- Absent G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye a. Outdoor Facilities Update- Nate Repass Nate Repass provided updates on the playgrounds around town, as well as the skate park, bike park, draper mountain trails, and the proposed splash pad. He showed the signage under consideration to highlight the parks around town as well as the use of phone apps that provide trail information. Mr. Repass elaborated on the plans for the splash pad including the infrastruture that is already in place to access water, the restroom area that would be remodeled, and access to the surrounding trails in the area. He also reminded council of a number of events that will be going on in the parks during the warmer months. 8. Resolution 2023-18 Appropriating Funds from Debt Set -Off The Town Manager stated the Finance Department is now using additional tools to collect debt owed to the town. The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Reis to approve the resolution. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 9. Public Comment Period a. Janet Brennend of Third Street thanked the Public Works Department for their assistance in removing a tree that had fallen down, blocking the alleyway at her residence. b. Terrie Sternberg of North Washington Ave thanked council for allowing the Together We Rise ladder sculpture to be placed in Jackson Park. 10. Consent Agenda- Consideration of May 2, 2023 Minutes The motion was made ay Mr. East and seconded by Mr. Clark to approve the minutes. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 11. Council Comments Page 4 of -5 / May 16, 2023 Mr. East asked if the fountain in Jackson Park could be put on a cleaning schedule. Mr. Dawson asked if more promotion and marketing for the Marketplace could occur. Mr. Reis commended the Public Works Department with their response and assistance. He also asked what ways the town could use to encourage land owners to comply with code enforcement. The Mayor asked if CFL could offer reduced trashed rates for customers who were low volume users in the past with PSA and also reminded guests and attendees of the Music and Merchants Festival on Saturday. 12. Manager's Report The Town Manager reported a special event coordinated by Mike Haskins, at the Music and Merchants Festival, a fire truck pull. She reminded council of the billboard on Rt 99 that can be used in promoting the town and also reminded them of the joint public hearing on Friday, May 19th with the Planning Commission. She noted changes to the Y - Intersection; the stop sign on East Main Street will be removed and the painted stop bar on East Main turning left onto Duncan will also be eliminated with a dashed yellow line painted to indicate through traffic. Mr. Reis reminded listeners and attendees that West Main Street will be paved once the streetscapes project is completed. 13. Reminder of suture Council Meeting a. June 6, 2023, Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 14. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m. ATT,ST O i 'ia C. Hale Clerk of Council TOWN OF PULASKI, VJRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 5 of 51 May 16, 2023