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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-231 1 1 Town Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 18, 2023 1. Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Absent Mayor Collins- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye ,Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 2. The Mayor asked for a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss the following items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 5 (1 item)- Discussion concerning a prospective business/ industry where no previous announcement has been made. b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (2 items)- Appointments: Town Manager and Appointments to Boards. The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Dawson. Gregory C. East- Absent James A. Radcliffe- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 7:00 p.m. Open Session 3. 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) 5 (1 item)- Discussion concerning a prospective business/industry where no previous announcement has been made. b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (2 items)- Appointments: Town Manager and Appointments to Boards. The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Dawson. Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 4. Mr. Clark lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 5. Mr. East gave the invocation. 6. Guests and Visitors- The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. 7. Modification to Public Session Page 1 of 51 July 18, 2023 Mr. Reis made a motion to add two resolutions to the agenda following the Public Comment Period. Mr. Dawson seconded the motion. Gregory C. East- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 8. Presentations a. US Army's Freedom Award- Ofc. A. Doney Officer Doney presented the US Army's Freedom Award to Sergeant Dickerson to recognize his support while Ofc. Doney continues service in the Army Reserves. Chief Neice reported an incident that happened between a police officer and a suspect at Gatewood Park. She recognized and thanked three employees, Scott Saunders, Kevin Johnson, and Nicholas Edwards, of the Pulaski County's PSA, and Steven Malloy, a Gatewood employee who helped Officer Stone in controlling the suspect until backup arrived. b. Pulaski Area Transit- Monica Musick Ms. Musick reported on continued efforts to market transit and the success of the golf tournament that was held in May. She reported on the FY 2024 DRPT grants awarded to the transit to include purchasing of three vehicles with a local match. Jennifer Viers broke down the expenditure report for FY 2023. Mr. Dawson asked if the $70,000 that was approved in the town's FY 23-24 budget included the additional funds for the replacement of three vehicles. Ms. Viers stated the approved budget from the town did not include the replacement vehicles and asked for an additional $46,000 for them and asked for a decision by October 1 as to what the town would provide as match. Mr. East asked for a report on the number of buses and the mileage before deciding on the request. c. Streetscape Update- Scott Aust Mr. Aust reported the continued communication with VDOT to approve plans to complete West Main Street. Mr. Aust stated sidewalks will be evaluated this week on how to improve foot traffic while the sidewalks are awaiting replacement. He anticipates bidding for the streetscape project in the fall. He presented the current and proposed layout of the trees, lampposts, and bio beds on Main Street, noting the four top -rated trees from an arborist that are used by municipalities, and explained the pros and cons for each species. He also presented three options for potential lamp styles and their height, light projection, and technical aspects. Page 2 of 51 July 18, 2023 9. Public Comment Period a. Gregory DeHart, a town employee, stated his concerns for not having an HR Department. He stated per the employee handbook he is to bring his situation to Town Council. Mr. Reis asked Mr. Rygas to review the employee handbook and communicate with Mr. DeHart on behalf of the town. b. Sarah Gray from Newbern Road asked for an update on her request for the town to participate in the Low -Income Household Water Assistance Program. The Town Manager explained the Finance Director investigated the program and in order for there to be participation, all delinquent clients and their personal information would have to be shared and the town is hesitant to share that information to the third -party agency. Mr. Dawson asked if the program could be handled on an individual basis instead of submitting the list of all delinquent accounts. Mr. Reis stated per the website the town would need to submit information on all the delinquent accounts and he did not see the problem with doing this. Ms. Gray stated she was waiting on a response from Pulaski County and Town of Dublin regarding their participation in the program. The program is set to end on September 1 or when funding runs out. 10. Resolution 2023-36 Re -Appointing a Representative to the New River Valley ASAP Policy Board The motion was made by Mr. Dawson and seconded by Mr. Clontz to approve the resolution. Gregory C. East- Aye Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye James A. Radcliffe- Absent G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Michael P. Reis- Aye 11. Resolution 2023-37 Appointment to the Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority The motion was made by Mr. Clontz and seconded by Mr. Clark 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 12. Consent Agenda Page 3 of 51 July 18, 2023 a. Consideration of June 20, 2023 Town Council Minutes The motion was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Dawson 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 13. Council Comments Mr. East stated the bike park looks nice with the greenery shaped up and cut back. Mr. Dawson also complimented the appearance of the bike park and the new striping at the Train Station. Mr. Clontz asked if it would be appropriate to have an acting HR Manager rather then the Town Manager handling in the as interim. The Town Manager stated the payroll responsibility has been assigned to the Finance Department. The Town Manager also stated the position will be posted on the town's Facebook page as well as advertised on the town's website and in newspapers. The Town Manager stated Mr. Rygas has been involved with HR decisions the last two years and suggested the council seek his guidance. Mr. Clark asked if would be a conflict of interest if a staff member had a concern to come to the Town Manager in the HR role. The Town Manager stated if it was an HR concern they would come to her as the HR person. Mr. Clark stated he felt like that was a conflict of interest since she is their supervisor as well. Mr. Rygas stated no other staff member has HR experience and ideally there would be a HR staffer. Mr. Reis commended staff for their rapid response to requests. He also asked if the Town wanted to reach out to the PSA employees who helped Ofc. Stone and invite them to a meeting for recognition or write a letter thanking them. The Town Manager stated she called the PSA director and thanked him for the service of his employees, and that the Police Chief would be writing a letter of commendation. Mayor Collins stated residents are still commenting on the removal of the red lights and asked if a more distinctive sign could be placed to grab the attention of drivers, such as `stop ahead'. 14. Manager's Report The Town Manager reported the delivery of a sickle bar that made it possible to trim the waters edge on Rt. 11. She also reported that a representative from Congressman Griffith's office contacted her and that the town made the list for funding that is being Page 4 of 5/ July 18, 2023 1 forwarded from the House of Appropriations Committee to the Senate Appropriations Committee. She reported the Pickle Ball Court and Basketball Court are now striped and a ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, July 21 at the new Pickle Ball Courts at 11:30 am. 15. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. August 1, 2023, Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 16. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m. A s O ' a C. Hale Clerk of Council THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 5 of 51 July 18, 2023