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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-25 Town Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 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. Modifications to Closed Session-No modifications were made. 3. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session to discuss the following: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Town Manager b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (2 items)- Consult with Legal Counsel i. Fire Department ii. VuhVanagon The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Clontz. 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. 7:00 p.m. Open Session 4. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion that only the following was discussed in Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Town Manager b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (2 items)- Consult with Legal Counsel i. Fire Department ii. VuhVanagon The motion was made by Vice-Mayor Dawson 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 5. Councilman Burchett led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 6. Councilman Clark gave the invocation. 7. Mayor Collins welcomed all in attendance and those viewing online. 8. Modification to Public Session-No modifications were made. 9. Presentations a. NRV Regional Commission Hazard Mitigation Plan- Christy Straight Ms. Straight introduced the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, a required five-year regional plan now approved by FEMA. The purpose of the plan is to identify and implement sustainable actions that reduce long-term risks from natural hazards and mitigation was clarified as being distinct from emergency response and recovery, focusing on resilience and long-term prevention. FEMA funding eligibility is contingent upon having a current, approved mitigation plan. The process fosters collaboration between towns, counties, local universities, and state and federal agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Weather Service. She reported that hazards are ranked using both objective and subjective criteria. High-risk hazards include severe winter weather, high winds, and flooding. Medium-risk hazards include wildfire and drought, and low-risk hazards include karst,tornado, landslides, and earthquakes. The town has completed five mitigation projects which include flood warning and evacuation tools, active and text 911 systems, and integrated reverse 911 early warning notification. Three properties in town were identified as FEMA's `repetitive loss' properties and acquisition and mitigation efforts for these properties are supported by federal funding, sixteen properties are in the National Flood Insurance Program,NFIP, 6 of those lie within the 100-year floodplain new Route 11. Councilman Erickson asked what happens if a property owner does not want their property to be acquired. Ms. Straight stated that it is completely voluntary and there is no mandatory participation in the projects. Vice-Mayor Dawson stated he was curious about the community rating system that we are actively engaged in which would benefit flood premiums. Ms. Straight stated she's not sure of the progress involvement of the program because there are steps to apply and become a participating locality and additional steps to gain the certification. Manager Day stated there was an area in town, that was started on by previous management that went dormant for a while but the town is concentrating on that which is a direct reflection of past federal declarations. i. Resolution 2025-27 Resolution Adopting the 2025 New River Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice-Mayor Dawson to adopt the resolution as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collin-Aye Sunshine N. Cope-Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson-Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye b. Organization Contributions (Organizations that have requested contributions for FY 25-26) i. NRV Airport Commission- Aaron Brummitt Airport Manager, Mr. Brummitt began his presentation describing the facility. The New River Airport has a 6,201-foot runway, making it the largest in Virginia out of sixty-five airports. It has advanced equipment for precision approaches and allows operations in poor weather which includes two full-service maintenance shops and a flight school that offers training from entry-level to licensure. Mr. Brummitt emphasized the airport's role in economic development. For many businesses considering local investment, the airport is the first point of contact with the community. Emergency response is another major component of the airport's utility. Recently a specialized firefighting helicopter was deployed during the Gatewood fires. Other routine activities include medical flights and powerline inspection, and also events that are held to engage the youth and the community. The airport is recognized as an air cargo and customs service, it is an official U.S. port of entry, allowing direct international freight from Canada and Mexico, Volvo accounts for 90% of traffic but local industries also benefit. He reported the airport spans 464 acres, with 35 acres of paved surfaces which require constant upkeep and 120 acres of grassland that must be trimmed to FAA standards and there's a rehabilitation project, estimated at $4 million, of the Taxiway Alpha, and part of the funding sources come from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Virginia Department of Aviation, 90%of the funding is federal, 8% from the state, and 2% from local funds. The airport is supported by the Town of Pulaski, Pulaski County, Giles County, Montgomery County, the City of Radford, the Town of Dublin, and the Town of Christiansburg. The airport has requested$16,500, which has stayed consistent since before COVID and they have kept all the locality funding levels the same amount since 2021. Vice-Mayor thanked Mr. Brummitt and staff for what they do. ii. Friends of Peak Creek- Cathy Hanks Ms. Hanks reported on the organization's activities from July 1, 2024 to June 2025. The organization held clean-up events reaching ten streams, removing 16,620 pounds, or eight tons of trash and 490 tires from the watersheds. They have been able to expand their testing sites from five to six locations for water monitoring, which tests for E. Coli,turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH, following the New River Conservancy Water Watcher protocols. They also perform quarterly `critter counts' creating a reliable baseline for identifying environmental anomalies and focus on streambank habitat restoration, which includes two pollinator gardens and a monarch waystation at Heritage Park, Bluebird Trail on Dora Highway, Purple Martin birdhouses at Gatewood and removing invasive plants at Valley Branch to protect streambank integrity and prevent erosion. She reported that educational output has been very successful with the hiring of an Operations Manager, April Mark, and with a grant from the C.E. Richardson Benevolent Foundation, they were able to purchase an EnviroScape model and other materials, which helped over eighty middle school students about watershed systems. A documentary, "Hidden Rivers" about Appalachian waterways was shown at the Ratcliffe Museum, a summer nature series was held at the Marketplace, and they awarded their fifth annual scholarship to a local high school senior. They offer Peak Creek History Tours, in partnership with the Wilderness Road Regional Museum, and work directly with schools to facilitate hands-on stream experiences for children. Based on the numerous activities, events, cleanups, and educational outreach, the organization has brought in 355 community visitors,these do not include the number of volunteers. They have also gained national recognition, Virginia Tech nominated them for a study by Ohio State University on"Appalachian Bright Spots"which highlights communities effectively responding to climate-related challenges. Councilman Burchett stated he was appreciative of what the organization does and has done and stated he was impressed by their website and encouraged others to look at it. Manager Day asked Ms. Hanks to elaborate on the trees that have grown in Peak Creek, especially under Duncan Bridge. Ms. Hanks reported those `islands' have now turned into wetlands because they have trees that they've grown to a certain height, and you cannot destroy wetlands, they are legally protected, you can trim them to a certain point but you cannot take those trees out or destroy the trees. c. AFID Grant- Shannon Ainsley, Economic Developer Ms. Ainsley reported that the town has been awarded a$50,000 Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development, AFID, grant from Governor Glenn Youngkin. The funds will be used to build a permanent open-air structure for the town's farmers market, historically held at the train station. The new facility will be located on Main Street near the pedestrian bridge. The space will centralize and formalize the marketplace, and the site is adjacent to numerous development efforts, including new apartments, a brewery, and recreational spaces. It is expected to strengthen downtown economic activity and community engagement. Councilman Burchett asked for more clarification of the location. Ms. Ainsley stated it will be located on East Main Street, at the end of Madison, beside the old Sheriffs Office. Councilman Burchett asked when they will be able to see conceptual drawings. Ms. Ainsley stated that we are in the very early stages, they have submitted plans on paper but not actual plans, and hopefully, within the next three months, we will be able to share visuals. Vice-Mayor Dawson commented, "One comment I would make with that project is, as we think about it, as we move forward with it, obviously those plans will design that parcel itself with parking and the structures for the farmer's market, but that activity on that lot is going to draw traffic, whether parking-wise or people-wise, off that lot. Obviously, there's a lot of activity on the 1st Street side, but on the East Main Street side, there's street parking, but that's really the end of public parking access from the standpoint of that particular lot. Just looking at what is going to be the parking availability and is there any additional need within the scope of that, obviously I'm talking about looking a little further out into the future of it being a vibrant, active location and what would be needed if it was as vibrant a location as we wanted it to be." 10. Discussion(s) a. First Street NE Upgrades- Manager Day/Doug Phillippi Manager Day discussed parking upgrades on 1st Street NE, particularly to support the brewery and other growing businesses. He mentioned contacting the landowner about potential property use east of the pedestrian bridge and presented various conceptual maps which showed multiple options for additional parking configurations. Vice-Mayor Brooks shared his appreciation for the effort and reiterated the importance of planning for growing demand. He pointed to the surge in downtown activity and stressed that accommodating this growth was essential for maintaining momentum. The discussion set the stage for future deliberations on specific design and investment strategies. Discussion continued regarding the strain on parking near the new brewery, apartments, and recreational areas like the skate park and basketball courts. While the area is not yet operating at full capacity, concerns were raised about current issues such as cars parking on grass or inappropriately due to limited space. These challenges are expected to worsen with increased activity, particularly in summer. A solution was proposed involving the use of a nearby lot for additional parking. This would also improve connectivity with the farmer's market via a proposed pedestrian access over the creek. Further benefits were discussed, including aesthetic improvements along the roadway through the addition of new sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, which would make the area more attractive and inviting. The town has received support from the Great Wilderness Brewing Company, which agreed to contribute a few feet of land to support the planned walkway and parking expansion. If additional land can be acquired, costs would again double. Still, the initiative is in early development, with the town aiming to leverage its Public Works department to complete much of the labor internally and reduce expenses. It was clarified that much of the proposed sidewalk running parallel to the brewery would be entirely new and set back from the asphalt for safety and aesthetic reasons. Some existing walkways connecting to the brewery would remain intact. Manager Day stated it would be a continuous discussion and there would not be any purchase of property without updating the Council. b. DeHart Litigation- Scot Farthing The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to approve the confidential settlement with Gregory DeHart and authorize the Town Manager to execute the agreement. 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 11. Public Comment Period Antario Lewis of Jefferson Ave expressed a desire to become more involved and informed. Mr. Lewis voiced concerns about the long-standing decline in the town and the lack of youth activities, which he sees as crucial for keeping the youth out of trouble. He asked for more programs, more diversity, and expressed hope for improvement through community engagement. 12. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of June 17, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilman Clontz to approve the minutes 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 13. Council Comments&Board Updates Councilman Clark expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing process of Main Street and his appreciation to the staff and the construction workers. Councilman Cope attended the New River Valley Academy graduation and celebrated the graduation of Officer Nash. She congratulated the department on this accomplishment. Vice-Mayor Dawson reported that at the most recent New River Valley Regional Commission meeting there was a lot of good information shared and a lot of potential grant opportunities out there to take advantage of. He also wished everyone listening a Happy Independence Day. Councilman Erickson addressed a previous misunderstanding regarding town support for certain events, he acknowledged his earlier comments were made in ignorance and apologized to town staff. He encouraged community involvement, emphasizing that diversity and representation on the Councils stem from participation, and thanked Mr. Lewis for speaking. Councilman Burchett shared his excitement about several developments coming to completion and stated his appreciation for the town staff and optimism for Pulaski's progress. Mayor Collins thanked Manager Day and town staff for their continued work to improve Pulaski. 14. Manager's Report Manager Day gave several updates: • July 4th celebrations which include a Veterans' Remembrance Ceremony at noon on the Courthouse Lawn, the parade at 3 p.m., family fun activities in Jackson Park at 4 p.m., and fireworks following the River Turtles game at 7 p.m. • The new town website is up and running though it will continue to be refined over time. • He thanked Ms. Ainsley for her work on the grants and reported that the Police Department won the `Battle of the Badges' blood drive again this year. • The most recent cruise-in was a success and the next event is scheduled for July 19th • Bike racks and trash cans have been ordered, and regarding Councilman Erickson's comment from the previous council meeting regarding shade at the splash pad,he reported that town staff will be meeting with playground specialists to plan improvement. Councilman Erickson asked for an update on the Community Walking Tour. Ms. Ainsley provided a recap of the recent Community Walking Tour event hosted in partnership with Virginia Main Street and Southwest Virginia. She reported that participants had sticky notes to suggest ideas for vacant buildings, and the input included both expected and creative new ideas. The group noted that Pulaski is well-positioned for growth but currently loses significant business to neighboring areas and the goal is to find strategies to retain economic activity. The key takeaway from the initiative; past failures of certain businesses or ideas shouldn't discourage future attempts. Collaborative efforts and increased community support can change outcomes. 15. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. July 15, 2025; Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 16. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m.