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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-251 Town Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 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- Absent 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 items: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711(A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel i. Public Works The motion was made by Councilman Burchett and seconded by Councilman Clontz. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Absent Joel B. Burchett- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye The following council members and staff entered into Closed Session: Councilman Clark, Councilwoman Cope, Vice -Mayor Dawson, Councilman Clontz, Councilman Burchett, Town Manager, Todd Day, and Clerk of Council, Ms. Hale. Councilman Erickson joined the Closed Session at 6:04 p.m. Councilwoman Cope left the meeting before the Open Session. 7:00 p.m. Open Session 4. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion that only the following items were discussed during Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item)- Personnel Matters i. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 (1 item)- Consultation with Legal Counsel i. Public Works The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice -Mayor Dawson. Page 1 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Brooks R. Dawson- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye 5. Councilman Clontz led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 6. Councilman Clark gave the invocation. 7. The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and those viewing online. Modification to Public Session- Mayor Collins asked for a motion to add an item under agenda item #9, Discussions, to set a public hearing date on September 16, 2025 in regards to the sale of the land to property owners adjacent to the 176-acreage development project. The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice -Mayor Dawson. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Brooks R. Dawson- Aye 9. Presentations G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye a. AMVETS Certificate of Appreciation- Chief M. Parmelee Police Chief Parmelee presented a Certificate of Appreciation to AMVETS Post 50 in Pulaski. AMVETS had donated a drone valued at nearly $20,000 to the Pulaski Police Department. Detective McMillan will serve as the department's drone operator. Chief Parmelee explained that the drone will be used for police operations such as surveillance, search and rescue, Project Lifesaver, and fugitive tracking. Manager Day added remarks, describing the drone's advanced capabilities, including night vision, thermal imaging, and tracking technology. He praised AMVETS' contribution as an "incredible" gift to the town. b. DRPT Update- Aaron Clark, Transit Programs Manager Aaron Clark, Transit Program Manager with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), provided an update on the impact of local contributions. He explained DRPT's role as a statewide agency managing transit and freight rail programs, while also overseeing the distribution of state and federal funding to local transit providers like Pulaski Area Transit (PAT). Page 2 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Mr. Clark discussed the broader return on investment of public transit, noting that every dollar invested generates $2.86 in economic activity statewide, with slightly lower but still positive returns in rural areas. He then reviewed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on ridership and service levels, explaining how metrics such as passenger trips, revenue hours, and vehicle miles dipped significantly in 2020-2021 and have only slowly recovered since. However, costs have risen much faster than ridership recovery. Operational expenses for rural transit providers have increased by 45% since 2020, outpacing general inflation by 104%. This surge is attributed to higher salaries needed to retain drivers, increased fringe benefits, fuel prices, and general maintenance needs. Federal and state relief funds, CARES, ARPA, and a state initiative, temporarily stabilized services, but ongoing local contributions remain critical. Mr. Clark then reviewed Pulaski Area Transit's funding breakdown. On the operating side, federal contributions cover 48%, state funds 21%, and localities, town and county combined, 31 %. On the capital side, federal funding accounts for 83%, state 14%, and local only 3%. This means large purchases, such as $100,000 buses, are heavily subsidized and much less burdensome locally. Historically, Pulaski County and the Town of Pulaski have evenly split the required local match. Typically, this covers 20-30% of annual operating costs and 2- 4% of capital costs, with farebox revenue filling the rest. However, this year the Town pledged only $75,000, about 26% less than the requested amount. As a result, the combined shortfall between town and county contributions will total approximately $52,417, larger than initially expected due to how the state's funding formula was calculated. Mr. Clark emphasized that PAT's budget requests are not for service expansions but rather to sustain existing operations amid rising costs. He credited Monica and Jennifer for their resourceful management on a tight budget but warned that the funding gap remains a serious challenge. Mr. Clark clarified that the funding shortfall for PAT was larger than initially stated. Although he had earlier estimated a $52,000 gap, he explained that because the federal government only reimburses 50% of operating expenses, the actual shortfall would be about $80,000, or 9% of projected total expenses. With a projected local contribution of $170,000 and a state grant of $182,624, the maximum federal match available is $374,000, leaving the deficit to be filled by efficiencies or reductions. Mr. Clark outlined possible cost -saving measures under discussion with PAT's leadership, Jennifer, Casey, and Monica, including reducing "deadhead" or non - Page 3 of 14/ August 19, 2025 revenue hours, eliminating underutilized stops, shortening service hours, and employing more part-time workers. However, he stressed that these cuts come with consequences: reducing service lowers ridership and vehicle hours, which are critical factors in the state's funding formula. This, in turn, reduces the amount of state and federal money available in future years, creating a negative feedback loop where service cuts lead to declining revenues, further cuts, and reduced rider satisfaction. He emphasized that his role was not to dictate how Pulaski should allocate its funds, but to make council members aware of the downstream effects of underfunding transit. He noted that money is tight everywhere, particularly in Southwest Virginia, and that DRPT will continue to support PAT in its mission to provide accessible transportation. Nonetheless, he warned that if local contributions decline, the service will continue but with reduced effectiveness and at the cost of future funding potential. Councilman Burchett raised concerns about communications costs, which had risen over 20% since 2019, and asked for a brief insight has to why costs have increased. Mr. Clark explained that the figures came from aggregated data across 53 rural agencies statewide, each categorizing expenses differently; some agencies may have lumped costs such as radios, dispatch software, or computers into "communications." He added that increasing reliance on cloud -based systems and licensing fees may also explain the spike, but promised to investigate further. Vice -Mayor Dawson questioned how much of the $80,000 shortfall could realistically be covered through efficiencies. Mr. Clark responded that while certain adjustments, like shifting services to Radford's express line or eliminating unnecessary stops, might help, but it was impossible to predict savings until changes were implemented. He acknowledged that $80,000 was a significant amount and doubted it could be fully offset by efficiency measures alone. Vice -Mayor Dawson asked whether there was a concrete list of proposed cost - saving measures. Mr. Clark stated that he and PAT staff have been working on new routes, rider surveys, and the required Transit Development Plan (TDP). Community feedback showed some routes were no longer needed, while others were requested. Councilman Dawson clarified that his questions were the council's need to understand the impact of service reductions. He and others acknowledged the reality of limited budgets and competing priorities but expressed respect for the importance of transit services. Page 4 of 14/ August 19, 2025 10. Organization Contributions Budgeted for FY 2025-2026 a. NRV Housing Trust Fund- Jennifer Wilsie Jennifer Wilsie, Director of Housing for the New River Valley Regional Commission, introduced the initiative. She explained that the fund was established in recent years as a regional approach to supporting affordable housing. Ms. Wilsie began by clarifying what "affordable housing" means in Pulaski. For extremely low-income households, the threshold is about $25,700 for a family of four. For households earning up to 80% of the area median income, the cap is just under $69,000. Thus, affordable housing covers a broad spectrum, not just Section 8 or housing voucher recipients, but also working families earning below regional averages. She illustrated the issue using occupational wages. Common jobs in the region, many of which residents rely on daily, often do not pay enough to afford market - rate housing. Occupations earning "red" wages cannot rent or buy a home; those in the "yellow" category can afford to rent but not purchase; only those in "green" occupations can both rent and buy. Ms. Wilsie emphasized that rising housing costs, limited inventory, and location challenges affect nearly everyone, making housing affordability a widespread regional concern. Ms. Wilsie outlined the historical context of affordable housing efforts in the New River Valley. Since 2007, the region has participated in federally funded initiatives through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, funds were rotated among localities, enabling investment in new construction, homeowner rehabilitation, and rental housing. Pulaski has seen multiple projects supported through this process, with work continuing into the present. In 2021, the Regional Commission partnered with Virginia Tech to conduct a comprehensive regional housing study. The study gathered both qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, and consultations with local governments. The final report identified multiple strategies, one of which was the creation of a regional housing trust fund, a collective financial pool to preserve and develop affordable housing units across the region. The proposed housing trust fund functions as a joint account where pooled regional dollars are dedicated solely to housing preservation or new development. Contributions would come from across the New River Valley, with allocations distributed on a scheduled basis to ensure each locality has access over time. Page 5 of 14/ August 19.2025 The rationale behind this model lies in the region's collaborative history, its shared staffing and financial constraints, and the reality that residents are not bound by strict geographic borders in their housing needs. Additionally, rising costs since 2020 have amplified the need for new financial resources. The trust fund would allow localities to retain decision -making authority over how to spend their allocations while leveraging greater collective investment. The ultimate measure of success would be the creation of housing units across all participating communities. Before seeking local investment, the region piloted the trust fund model using a $2 million grant from Virginia Housing (VHDA). This allowed leaders to develop rules and processes without burdening local governments. Two projects were funded in the pilot phase: the redevelopment of the old Claremont School in Pulaski, which received $850,000, and a rental construction project in Blacksburg. Collectively, these investments supported 106 new housing units in the region. The success of this trial demonstrated the viability of the model and set the stage for local contributions. The program formally launched in fiscal year 2024-2025, with each locality contributing based on population, approximately $1.75 per capita. Importantly, the model was designed to include not only local governments but also private and institutional partners such as Virginia Tech, Carilion Clinic, LewisGale Hospital, and Radford University. By broadening participation beyond government, the initiative aimed to maximize resources and ensure more significant returns for each community. Pulaski's annual investment of roughly $58,000, for example, is projected to yield over $850,000 in returns, thanks to pooled contributions. In the first year, the region reached $300,000 in local government investments, with additional private -sector partners beginning to participate. The initial local investment, totaling $376,000, was recently awarded to a Montgomery County housing project. Looking ahead, the Regional Commission plans to create a 501 c3 nonprofit arm to oversee the trust fund. This will centralize oversight, provide accountability through a board of financial partners, and offer a safer avenue for private and institutional donors to contribute. The long-term vision is to expand both funding and participation while maintaining a clear, equitable system for distribution. Vice -Mayor Dawson questioned if there was a process in which it was a project - to -project basis of what's next available or if there is a system used to sharing funds through the region. Page 6 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Ms. Wilsie clarified that fund allocation follows a set rotation schedule, allowing localities to plan projects years in advance. This predictability is critical given the long lead times for housing development. However, flexibility exists: if a locality is not ready when its turn arrives, it may swap with another that is prepared. This cooperative model, based on years of experience with the HUD -funded home consortium, has fostered mutual trust among participating localities. Councilman Erickson asked when Pulaski would receive their funding. Ms. Wilsie stated that Pulaski was the first to benefit, with the Claremont redevelopment largely funded through its initial allocation. In future years, allocations could be spread across multiple projects rather than concentrated on a single development. Larger localities like Montgomery may receive funding more frequently to ensure equitable distribution relative to population size. Councilman Burchett raised concern about the large portion of residents unable to afford housing, either rental or purchase. Ms. Wilsie acknowledged that many families in this situation are forced to "double up" with others or move into housing that exceeds affordable cost thresholds. Instead of spending the recommended 30% of income on housing, many households are now paying 50% or more of their take-home pay toward rent. While they remain housed, the financial strain is significant, underscoring the urgency of expanding affordable housing efforts. b. Literacy Volunteers- Ginny Ayers Ginny Ayers, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers, introduced herself along with her colleague, Brittany Hash, who serves as Volunteer Coordinator and is also a Pulaski resident. Ayers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet in person and share information about their work supporting literacy in the community. Ms. Ayers transitioned to their funding request by first thanking the council for their past investment in Literacy NRV's work. Over the past three years, the town has contributed $1,000, $800, and $880, respectively. For the coming year, Literacy NRV is requesting $968, which represents a 10% increase from the prior year. This funding, they explained, will help expand services to meet growing community needs. She described their core mission as a community -based adult literacy organization, offering instruction not only in reading, writing, and math, but also in English as a Second Language (ESL), GED, and citizenship exam preparation, computer skills, job readiness, resume writing, and even driver's license test preparation. All services, including GED exams when taken through them, are provided free of charge. Their service area extends beyond Pulaski to include Page 7 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, and the City of Radford, making them a resource for the entire New River Valley. The organization's approach is designed to meet learners where they are. Beyond one-on-one tutoring, they run group classes, GED study halls, and online options to accommodate varied work schedules. Literacy NRV began as a chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America but became an independent 501c3 nonprofit when the national organization dissolved its chapter system roughly two decades ago. They remain affiliated with ProLiteracy, which provides training, research, and professional development. This independence gives Literacy NRV the agility to tailor programs to the unique needs of the New River Valley's diverse communities. Ms. Ayers stressed the importance of this autonomy, highlighting that their work is locally driven and responsive, rather than dictated by a national office. Operating on an annual budget of about $250,000, the organization functions with minimal staff: one full-time employee and five part-time employees. The real backbone of the work is its 180 active volunteers, many of whom come from Pulaski. The town's support is critical, they noted, because Literacy NRV does not receive direct state or federal funding for adult education —those resources flow through the community college system. Instead, the organization relies on grants, private foundations, local governments, and individual donors. Collectively, local governments provide just over 10% of the budget, but that support is symbolically and practically significant. It affirms to students and partners alike that their communities value adult literacy. They cited troubling statistics to underscore the need: 8,000 adults in the New River Valley lack a GED or high school diploma, and an estimated 24,000 adults read at or below a third -grade level. Such barriers limit access to employment, healthcare, and civic participation. Ms. Hash emphasized that literacy is not just about reading —it impacts families, healthcare access, workforce development, and the local economy. Adults with higher literacy can better support their children in school, manage medical care, and secure better jobs. Ms. Hash presented data from the past year, calling attention to record -setting growth. Literacy NRV served 448 students, over 100 more than the previous year, which itself was a record. Of these, 294 were ESL learners, while 40 were preparing for the GED. Altogether, students achieved 1,074 goals, which included securing jobs, earning pay raises, passing GED sections, or qualifying for college. Volunteers played a major role in these achievements, donating more than 6,000 hours. Many are retired teachers or working professionals who volunteer after hours, with a significant number coming from Pulaski. Ms. Hash underscored that Page 8 of 14/ August 19, 2025 . the organization's passion is matched by the dedication of its volunteers, without whom the work would not be possible. Several programs specific to Pulaski were highlighted; Be Well Pulaski, a health literacy class helping students understand patient rights, practice doctor -patient conversations, and navigate medical paperwork and online health systems. Family Reads, this program provided meals and childcare during literacy instruction, reducing barriers such as transportation, food insecurity, and lack of childcare. It partnered with the Pulaski Library and other organizations. Pulaski Community Youth Center partnership provided classroom space for 12 learners and six Pulaski volunteers, addressing the challenge of finding affordable instructional space and Library Partnerships hosted well -attended basic computer skills classes, with demand so strong that more sessions have been requested. Many learners start with little or no experience with computers. Additionally, they announced that beginning September 15, Literacy NRV will offer weekly English classes at the Pulaski Library. Outreach has also been supported by local partners, including newsletters in Pulaski County utility bills and event opportunities through Rob Graham's support. Importantly, they clarified that GED testing costs are covered for learners, even for retakes, provided they remain active in the program. Ms. Ainsley concluded by clarifying how town funding is used. While they previously provided stipends for instructors, budget constraints prevent that this year. Instead, funds from Pulaski will support staff salaries, volunteer training, learning materials, technology, and classroom resources. She reassured the council that every dollar is tracked, with clear accountability for how local contributions are used. She stressed that even small investments have large, multiplying effects, given the scale of impact their volunteers and programs achieve across the community. Ms. Ainsley highlighted the range of funding sources that support their work, including local foundations such as the C.E. Richardson and Jesse B. Beosang foundations, in addition to the Town of Pulaski itself. She emphasized that funding provided by the town is multiplied in impact, allowing them to better serve local residents. Looking ahead, their goals include expanding outreach efforts, increasing community awareness, and strengthening partnerships with local employers to provide workplace literacy programs. These programs address needs such as GED preparation, basic computer skills, and English language learning. The services are offered at no cost to learners, which makes accessibility a priority. H. Councilman Erickson questioned how they calculated this year's request of $968. Page 9 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Ms. Ayers explained it was a 10% increase from the prior year's amount, consistent with requests made to other local governments. Councilman Erickson commented that, given the importance of their work, they should feel encouraged to request more substantial funding in the future. He compared the modest sum to the much larger allocations made to museums, stating that investing more in literacy would be worthwhile for the community. Ms. Ayers noted that Pulaski is represented on their board by two members: Patrick Ford, the former editor of the Southwest Times, and Sally Warburton, who is being succeeded by Christine Saunders, the youth librarian at the local library. Ms. Hash further explained how funding is applied, highlighting that just in the past month, three new Pulaski students began pursuing GEDs. Each GED completion costs roughly $350 if passed on the first attempt, without the need for remediation or retesting. Funding from the town directly supports such learners, demonstrating its direct community impact. Vice -Mayor Dawson questioned about their office location. Ms. Ayers responded that their office is located in downtown Christiansburg in a space provided by the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church at reduced rent. However, they noted that the office is small and not ideal for serving the entire New River Valley. Partnerships in Pulaski, such as the local library and Presbyterian Church, provide meeting spaces for tutors and students. Although past partnerships with the community youth center were helpful, they were not centrally located. The speaker encouraged suggestions for additional locations within Pulaski that might be more accessible. Vice -Mayor Dawson questioned how a Pulaski resident would pursue services if traveling to Christiansburg posed difficulties. Ms. Ayers assured them that outreach and flexible arrangements eliminate transportation barriers. Tutoring always takes place in public spaces, with flexible scheduling to accommodate work commitments. Staff members live across the New River Valley, allowing them to meet students where needed, including at the Pulaski Library. Additional supports such as laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots are provided when necessary, ensuring no one is prevented from learning due to lack of resources. Emergency Needs Task Force- Vera Carter Vice President, Connie Patterson, introduced the organization, explaining that it was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit serving Pulaski County residents in financial Page 10 of 14/ August 19, 2025 crisis. ENTF provides emergency assistance for essential needs including rent, mortgage, utilities, heating fuel, and food. Funding comes from local government, charitable foundations, churches, organizations, and private citizens, while operations are supported by a partnership with New River Community Action. This partnership enables them to function with minimal overhead, as NRCA employs service workers and provides supplies. Applicants for assistance must demonstrate that they are experiencing a crisis beyond their control and that they have exhausted all other available resources, including social services or crisis programs. Household income must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty line. Documentation required includes an application, photo identification, Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of crisis (such as bills), and income verification through pay stubs, employer statements, or tax forms. Ms. Carter emphasized the ongoing need for such assistance within Pulaski. Rising costs of living disproportionately affect low-income families, destabilizing both households and the broader community. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 14.6% of Pulaski County residents live below the poverty line, a figure higher than Virginia's state average. In the town of Pulaski, that number rises to 24%, exceeding the national average. Particularly troubling are statistics on children under 18, as poverty among youth directly threatens future community well-being. Ms. Carter stressed that providing temporary emergency financial assistance for basic needs such as housing, utilities, and food has significant long-term benefits. By preventing families from slipping deeper into crisis, the organization not only improves individual well-being but also strengthens community stability. Ms. Carter asked to pause the presentation, out of respect for the presenters, the town council agreed to pause and return to her portion of the presentation once she returned. The town council proceeded with other agenda items while waiting. 11. Voting Items a. Resolution 2025-29 Resolution for Re -Appropriation, Carry Forward Accounts for FY 2025-2026 Manager Day reported that at the previous council meeting on August 5`h, a public hearing was held to move appropriations out of the last fiscal year into the new 20256-2026 fiscal year, totaling $5,523,500.65. The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt the resolution as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye Page 11 of 14/ August 19, 2025 b. Resolution 2025-30 Appointing Town of Pulaski Town Manager, Todd Day to the New River Valley Agency on Aging Board of Directors The motion was made by Councilman Clontz and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt the resolution as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 12. Presentations (continued) Ms. Carter reported that from January 2024 through December 2024, the ENTF served 1,440 clients across 700 households, providing over $92,000 in financial assistance. Between January and June 2025, 660 clients in 381 households were served. She emphasized that emergency financial assistance not only addresses immediate needs such as food, rent, and utilities but also promotes children's development, reduces family stress, improves mental and emotional well-being, and prevents homelessness by ensuring housing stability. She also reviewed federal poverty guidelines used to determine eligibility. For example, a family of four earning up to $64,300 annually, 200% of the federal poverty level, is eligible for assistance, as is a single individual earning $31,300 annually. The ENTF's 2024 financial breakdown showed $24,000 spent on rent, $250 on mortgage, and $36,489 on electricity bills. Importantly, the "Neighbor -to - Neighbor" program covered over $34,000 in electric bills, enabling ENTF to allocate funds to other areas. Administrative costs were described as "extremely low" relative to the services delivered. Ms. Carter stressed that ENTF is a vital community organization and expressed appreciation for the town's continued contributions, requesting consideration of an increased allocation in the future due to rising demand. Jeff Worrell, a volunteer with ENTF, shared his personal perspective, noting the heartbreaking but eye-opening level of need in the community. He praised the organization as vibrant and deserving of continued support. Vice -Mayor Dawson asked about funding sources; the town has been consistent with contributing $10,000, but questioned where the additional funding comes from. Page 12 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Ms. Carter confirmed that the Town of Pulaski contributes $10,000 annually, with other support coming from the county. Ms. Carter reiterated that increased funding would be welcomed due to growing economic challenges. 13. Discussion a. Public Hearing Date- September 16, 2025 Manager Day reported that there are six parcels that have conflicts adjoining the 177 acres, which include rigid structures. The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilman Clark to set the public hearing date on September 16, 2025 for the sale of public land. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 14. Public Comment Period- No speakers were present 15. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of August 5, 2025 Town Council minutes The motion was made by Councilman Clontz and seconded by Councilman Clark to adopt the minutes as written. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Aye Mayor Collins- Aye Sunshine N. Cope- Absent Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 16. Council Comments & Board Updates Vice -Mayor Dawson thanked town staff for their quick work on the First Street improvements, including new sidewalks, parking, and recreational upgrades. Councilman Erickson raised two issues: with increased construction, the need to a designated area for pets, a dog park was discussed at their meeting with the county and the speed limit on Route 99. He suggested raising the recently lowered limit, describing it as `painfully slow'. He noted prior conversations with Councilman Clontz about safety concerns near the bike park. He also asked about the Main Street streetlights, which Manager Day confirmed should be installed within three weeks. Page 13 of 14/ August 19, 2025 Councilman Burchett clarified that the newly scheduled public hearing for the land sale is simply to clean up property lines where residents slightly overlap onto town -owned land near the development project. Vice -Mayor Dawson commented on Councilman Erickson's concerns about the speed limit on Route 99, stating that there was a traffic study done, but it would be worth bringing the study back before the town goes through the expense of another study. 17. Manager's Report Manager Day reported that he personally opposes raising limits due to serious safety concerns, with records of vehicles exceeding 60 mph near the bike park and past accident data on Route 11 and Route 99. He stated his duty is to provide the council with all relevant data and police input so they can make an informed decision. He also reminded the council about the September 8, 2025 joint meeting with the Planning Commission, describing it as a "monumental evening" with a vote expected to shape the town's economy and potentially reduce reliance on tax and fee increases. 18. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. September 2, 2025; Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.ni. 19. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. ATT ST Olivia C. Hale Clerk of Council TOWN of PULASKI, VIRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 14 of 14/ August 19, 2025