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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-06-25F Town Council Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 1. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 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. Modification to Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion to add an item under VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1- Personnel Matters, Appointments to Boards. The motion was made by Councilman Clontz 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 3. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session to discuss the following items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (2 items)- Personnel i. Town Manager ii. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel i. SHAH Development The motion was made by Councilman Erickson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope. 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, Town Manager, Todd Day, Town Attorney, Scot Farthing, and Clerk of Council, Ms. Hale. Councilman Clontz exited Closed Session before the discussion regarding SHAH Development and rejoined Closed Session for the discussion of Personnel Matters, Town Manager. Clerk of Council Ms. Hale exited Closed Session before the discussion of Personnel Matters, Town Manager. Page 1 of 8/ May 6, 2025 7:11 p.m. Open Session 4. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion that only the following items were discussed in Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (2 items)- Personnel i. Town Manager ii. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel i. SHAH Development The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice -Mayor Dawson. 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 5. Councilwoman Cope led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 6. Councilman Clark gave the invocation. 7. Mayor Collins welcomed all in attendance and viewing online. 8. Modification to Public Session- The Mayor asked for a motion to add Resolution 2025- 17, Resolution Reappointing Candidates to the Town of Pulaski, Virginia Building Code Technical Review Board, after Resolution 2025-16. The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to add Resolution 2025-17 to the agenda. 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 9. Public Hearing a. Land Transfer to SHAH Development- Mayor Collins Mayor Collins read the Public Hearing ad that was advertised in The Patriot on April 25, 2025 and May 2, 2025. Manager Day stated this Public Hearing is a protocol from the State of Virginia and there are other concessions, and other agreements that SHAH Development LLC and the Town of Pulaski have been reviewing with the attorneys on both sides for a number of months. Page 2 of 8/ May 6, 2025 The Mayor opened the Public Hearing. Kevin Hill stated he was excited about the development and asked if there would be a presentation in the future with conceptual information published, and how it would affect the residents, as an example, he asked about the traffic and the road conditions on Pepper's Ferry Road. He stated he would like to see public information, a public presentation, and conceptual information available before contracts are signed, and then asked what the projected timeline was for the development. Manager Day responded that there will be bigger presentations and more communication for the public when it comes to water, storm water, and roads. The entire project has to be run by VDOT and meet their specifications, which include traffic counts. The Health Department will be communicating when it comes to water and sewer once those designs take place. DEQ will be involved; this is simply the beginning of a long process, and the surrounding neighbors will receive certified letters regarding lot lines, and the development will happen in several of different phases. The Mayor closed the Public Hearing and stated that the voting on the ordinance would take place on May 20, 2025. AM" 10. Presentations a. Pulaski Area Transit Update- Monica Musick Ms. Musick stated by introducing Ray Clark, Pulaski Area Transit's new Executive Director. She highlighted updates including new QR codes that have been placed on all the bus stops, on the vans, and some businesses around town, events that are scheduled, the golf tournament on May 21 ", and a paint night on July 29th and funds from both events will go back into the local matching funds. She reported that they participated in the Family Fun Festival to market the transit and that ridership continues to increase. She reminded Council and listeners that there will no longer be a stop at the Kroger and Rural King shopping plaza as of May 9t", as a request from the property owner, and they are working on revamping stops in the town to include additional pickups. DRPT suggested PAT apply for grants as presented without the local match, and they would work with staff to see what changes need to be made, they also stated they'd be happy to come present or do a virtual presentation to talk about the long-term ramifications of not having all the local funding that is requested. She also reported that to save on expenses, they have moved their dispatch office to their office and moved a full-time employee to part-time. Councilman Erickson asked if making the full-time into a part-time position was at the employee's request or if it had to be done to save money. Jennifer Viers stated it had to be done to save money. Page 3 of 8/ May 6, 2025 Vice -Mayor Dawson asked how much savings were due to moving the dispatch location and if it caused any negative impacts. Ms. Viers stated it wasn't a huge amount, roughly $300, and it's been working better, having everyone in the same office. Mayor Collins asked if there was an additional stop added since the Kroger location was removed. Ms. Musick stated that the whole Dublin route is in the process of undergoing several changes, and she has been working with Radford Transit to ensure their schedules match up. Councilman Erickson asked if stops could be relocated for persons who are not allowed on Wal-Mart's property, who would have been going to Kroger, but now that that location has been removed, they will not have transportation at all. Ms. Musick stated that anyone can call and say they would be at a different location, and they would be picked up. Councilwoman Cope asked if PAT chooses the stops. Ms. Musick stated locations are based on how many stops they make and she will reach out to the property owners to make sure they can up their bus stop sign there. Councilman Erickson asked how many people were using the Kroger stop for shopping. Ms. Musick stated it wasn't a huge amount, and she had checked the numbers first when the request came in to stop that location. Ms. Musick asked to do another update at the second meeting in October. 11. Discussions a. YMCA Funding Request The motion was made by Councilman Burchett and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to approve the $500 funding request for the YMCA gala and the $2,000 request for the Carl E. Hanks Memorial Fund. 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 Page 4 of 8/ May 6, 2025 b. NRV Home Consortium Agreement- Shannon Ainsley Ms. Ainsley reported that the board consists of localities in the New River Valley that work together to receive and distribute HUD funding. The vote tonight will authorize the Town Manager to sign the amended Home Corporation agreement. Vice -Mayor Dawson asked if there was any change in expected funding for the consortium. Ms. Ainsley stated that there were no changes and the projects are awarded on a scheduled basis, and that Claremont was the first one funded and awarded. The organization focuses on creating and preserving affordable housing for the homebuyer, the rental programs are focusing on 80% AMI, the term is three years, it will renew in 2027, and we as a locality do not contribute any financial contribution to the group, the locality can contribute land or give tax breaks but there is no membership fee. Councilman Clark asked what other projects we have that would qualify for this in the town and how does it benefit the town. Ms. Ainsley stated that since Claremont just received funding, we're a few years about to be able to receive funding again, and that this is county -wide, not just the town, and the town has benefited from the Claremont project, with the need in the town being housing. Councilman Erickson asked if the agreement was signed in 2024, what is being signed now. Ms. Ainsley stated that this is an amendment from 2024, but it is needed for some of the funding applications. Councilman Burchett stated this consortium does not control all the HUD money coming into the locality, that individuals can go out and apply for HUD money, and that the town has nothing to do with it. The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilman Clark to authorize the Town Manager to execute the amendment. 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 c. FY 25-26 Budget- Manager Day Page 5 of 8/ May 6, 2025 Manager Day reported by state code, we are required to have a public hearing on the budget and we have a solid balanced budget in the water, sewer, and general fund. Councilman Erickson asked if there was a way to change items within our budget, seeing as the PAT transit has cut costs and had to change an employee status. Manager Day stated absolutely that those changes are made every day throughout the fiscal year, and it doesn't change the overall budget. The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to move the FY 25-26 budget to a public hearing on May 20, 2025. 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 12. Resolution 2025-15 Appointing Nathan Smythers as the Town of Pulaski Certified Building Official Manager Day stated Mr. Smythers has accomplished passing all three exams which gave him the benefit of obtaining an official state recognized building official license. The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice -Mayor Dawson to adopt the resolution. 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 13. Resolution 2025-16 Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia Expressing Official Support for the Pulaski County Sports Complex Manager Day commented that he was in full support of the sportsplex and looked forward to what it could bring to the town. Councilman Erickson stated the support for the complex does not change our support for the YMCA and asked if there was a way to extend Wurno Road to the sportsplex for better access. Manager Day stated he has not spoken to anyone at the county regarding road development to better the town, but he will be. The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt the resolution. Page 6 of 8/ May 6, 2025 Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye Mayor Collins read the resolution. Mayor Collins- Aye 14. Resolution 2025-17 Resolution Reappointing Candidates to the Town of Pulaski, Virginia Building Code Technical Review Board The motion was made by Councilwoman Cope and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt the resolution. 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 15. Public Comment Period- No speakers were present. 16. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of March 27, 2025 Town Council Budget Work Session Minutes The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice -Mayor Dawson to adopt the minutes as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Abstained Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye b. Consideration of April 15, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Councilwoman Cope and seconded by Councilman Erickson to adopt the minutes as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Abstained G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Abstained Joel B. Burchett- Aye 17. Council Comments & Board Updates Vice -Mayor Dawson stated his appreciation for the Fire Department and the first responders for their work in the apartment complex fire over the weekend. Councilman Erickson stated they were heroes for their actions in rescuing someone from the third floor. Councilman Burchett stated he was impressed with their response time. Page 7 of 8/ May 6, 2025 Councilman Erickson reported a pothole on Warden Court by the DMV to be filled, and commented that the second community meeting that was held that morning went well, and he looked forward to having expert opinions come in with scientific data. He also commented that the PAT employee who lost his benefits by having to fall back from full- time to part-time bothers him. 18. Manager's Report Manager Day reported the town had their second Project Recovery meeting that morning, and it was again, very positive. He read through the statistics of the apartment complex with the amount of equipment that was used, personnel who responded, and all the agencies that were involved and stated he appreciated every one of them and he would be writing a letter to each jurisdiction thanking them for their response to the town and their assistance. 19. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. May 20, 2025; Closed Session 6:00 p.m., Open Session 7:00 p.m. 20. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m. 1 AT ST tu a od0j, Oli is-C. Hale Clerk of Council 1 TOWN of PULASKI, VIRGINIA � � /,Z <____ � ��� W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 8 of 8/ May 6, 2025