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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-25 Town Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 2025 1. Mayor Collins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson-Aye Brooks R. Dawson-Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 2. Councilman Burchett lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Councilman Clark gave the invocation. 4. Mayor Collins welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. 5. Modification to Public Session- Mayor Collins asked to remove the following items from the agenda: a. Remove Discussion item B, Home Consortium Cooperation Agreement b. Remove the February 19, 2025 Budget Work Session from Reminder of Future Council Meeting c. Add Closed Session before Adjournment under VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters, Town Manager The motion was made by Councilman Clontz and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to approve the modifications. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins-Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson-Aye Brooks R. Dawson-Aye Joel B. Burchett-Aye 6. Presentations a. Fine Arts Center Supplemental Funding- John Ross Mr. Ross reported the Fine Arts Center is celebrating their 47th year in Pulaski, they are the oldest, longest continuous running business in the historic Main Street district. The Fine Arts Center offers education programs, art and music classes,provide a variety of concerts throughout the year, and support local artist through art shows and their gift shop. Along with showcasing local artists, the Fine Arts Center holds annual events such as the Scholastic Art Awards. This year will be the 102nd year for the awards, and the teens that are showcased in the event are from all over southwest Virginia win awards and qualify for$1,750 in scholarships that is funded by a private donor. Another large event for the center is the Rhythm by the Rails summer concert series. Mr. Ross reported along with Page 1 of 7/February 18, 2025 the increasing attendance, the cost has also increased. The event in 2024 brought in 600 people to the town and cost $8,803 for food trucks and bands. The center applies for funding for the town and county through the VCAA Challenge Grants, they are trying to locate corporate sponsors, and additional grants, but he is requesting an additional $3,000 from both the town and county to supplement their funds for the Rhythm by the Rails event. Vice-Mayor Dawson asked if there was anything the town could do, coordination wise, that would benefit the budget with the event. Mr. Ross stated the town already sets up the stage, and the perimeter,the center has to pay for a sound and lighting person and the biggest expense is the bands. Councilman Burchett asked what type of fundraisers the center has. Mr. Ross stated they do a variety of thigs such as their gift shop and exhibits are all local artists which brings in several thousand dollars a year, they apply for multiple grants, and he hopes that working with the entrepreneurial program with the Innovation Center,they may find a different form of funding that's not just arts related. Vice-Mayor Dawson stated he recently read an article that the state of Virginia had created funding for outdoor tourism and the whole purpose of the funding was to try and put money from the state level into events like Rhythm by the Rails. Mr. Ross stated he had spoken with Ms. Tolbert from Pulaski Tourism and the smallest event that the grant would go to would have to have a minimum attendance of 2,000 people and you have to show a consistent attendance of 2,000 or more over multiple years. Councilman Erickson asked if any programs from the high school or New River Community College that would help with the sound and other factors. Mr. Ross stated he wasn't sure and since the event is in the summer,the kids aren't in school. Mayor Collins stated the Council would vote on the requesting $3,000 at the following meeting on March 4tn b. Police Department Update- Chief S. Shumate Chief Shumate reported the Police Department has generated 2,313 incident numbers, they completed 1,057 business checks, 3 trespass arrests, and 30 trespass notifications issued. With the cold weather spells,the officers are working very hard, stated Chief Shumate, and if the officer see someone walking Page 2 of 7/ February 18, 2025 when it's cold, they will take them to the warming station, they are continuously asking individuals if they need additional resources and trying to provide those resources. The cold weather has also brought issues with vehicles, most of the police vehicles are front-wheel drive which causes officers to shuffle vehicles between the shifts and Chief Shumate stated he has enjoyed seeing the officers work together to ensure each officer is well equipped. Chief Shumate reported on personnel updates stating that Lieutenant Dickerson has been released from a worker's compensation claim and Sergeant Croteau, while not back on the road, has been learning the investigations unit. He reported Officer Minor and Officer Saunders are the two newest officers that graduated the academy in December and they are half way through their FTO process and Officer Nash is currently in the academy. Councilman Burchett asked what FTO stood for. Chief Shumate stated FTO stands for Field Training Officer, the state requires 150-minimum hours of training but the Pulaski Police Department requires over 300 hours to make sure each officer is prepared before they are in the field on their own. Chief Shumate stated Pulaski Police is a great department and it's an honor and a privilege to be the chief here,he couldn't ask for a better department. Vice-Mayor Dawson asked if there was an opportunity that the town needs to looks at, the style of vehicle, in some way different from what maybe we've had previously,to position ourselves with the right style of fleet. Chief Shumate stated when the Chargers were released, everyone wanted them but he believed they were going to stop making them and move to police SUVs, and the Durangos are much better suited for our environment, which is what the department will be moving towards. Vice-Mayor Dawson-asked if there was a cost difference between the Charger and Durango. Chief Shumate stated he believed the Durangos were cheaper than Chargers. Councilman Burchett asked how many vehicles the department had. Chief Shumate stated they have roughly 35 vehicles. Councilwoman Cope asked how many of those vehicles are all-wheel-drive. Chief Shumate stated most of them are all-wheel-drive except the Chargers, which there are roughly a dozen of those and Manager Day is setting them up on a Page 3 of 7/February 18, 2025 routine rotation for new vehicles every year and start phasing out the older ones or ones that need continuous repairs. Councilman Burchett asked out of the 35 vehicles, how many are they functional. Chief Shumate reported there were two that are down due to fuel issues from the recent flooding, and there's always something minor with the vehicles but the town shop is very good about getting the cars back on the road as quick as they can. Councilman Erickson asked that the council receive an invite to Officer Nash's graduation from the academy. Chief Shumate stated he would send out that information when it is provided and he planned to have Mayor Collins swear in the new officers and meet the Council, which will be scheduled at a different meeting. Chief Shumate announced that Mike Albert has been hired as the new Community Resource Officer and he'll be a great resource to the agency and the community. Mayor Collins reported Chief Shumate was awarded the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Executive Certificate. Since February 2023 the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police has only awarded 40 chief executive certificates. 7. Resolution 2025-08 Appointing Brooks Dawson to the New River Valley Regional Commission The motion was made by Councilman Clontz and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt Resolution 2025-08 as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz-Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Abstained Joel B. Burchett- Aye 8. Resolution 2025-09 Appointing Members to the Virginia's First Regional Industrial Authority The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice-Mayor Dawson to adopt Resolution 2025-09 as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Abstained Steven W. Erickson- Abstained Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 9. Discussion(s) Page 4 of 7/February 18, 2025 a. Vegg Inc. Grant Application The motion was made by Vice-Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope for Vegg Inc. to proceed with their grant application for DHCD as presented on February 4tn Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Mayor Collins-Aye Sunshine N. Cope-Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye Councilman Clontz abstained for possible due to a potential conflict of interest. 10. Public Comment Period-No speakers were present. 11. Consent Agenda The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice-Mayor Dawson to adopt the December 17, 2024 Town Council minutes as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Abstained Steven W. Erickson- Abstained Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Abstained The motion was made by Vice-Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to adopt the February 4, 2025 Town Council minutes as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson-Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 12. Council Comments & Board Updates Councilman Clark thanked town staff that have been involved with the weather, water breaks, snow, and ice. Councilman Cope agreed with Councilman Clark and stated they have been doing a fantastic job. Vice-Mayor Dawson also agreed with Councilman Clark and stated he knows it's been a ridiculously hard time for an awful lot of folks and it's impossible for anyone to know what each individual had to put in to accomplish that. Councilman Erickson stated he and Councilwoman Cope attended the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and came back with nice ideas to bring to the town and also thanked 0 town staff. Page 5 of 7/February 18, 2025 Mayor Collins asked listeners to remember the family of Officer Andy Anderson, who passed away over the past weekend. 13. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. March 4, 2025- Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 14. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session at 7:36 p.m. to discuss the following item(s): a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Town Manager The motion was made by Councilwoman Cope and seconded by Councilman Clark. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz-Aye Mayor Collins-Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson-Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye The following council members and staff entered into Closed Session: Councilman Clark, Councilwoman Cope, Vice-Mayor Dawson, Councilman Clontz, Councilman Erickson, Councilman Burchett, Mayor Collins, and Town Attorney, Scot Farthing. 15. Certification of Closed Session The Mayor asked for a motion to certify that only the following item(s) were discussed in Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Town Manager The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice- Mayor Dawson. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 16. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Page 6 of 7/February 18, 2025