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Home My WebLink About08-05-25 Town Council Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 1. The Mayor 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. Vice-Mayor Dawson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Councilman Clark gave the invocation. 4. The Mayor welcomed all in attendance and those viewing online. 5. Modification to Public Session- The Mayor asked for a motion to remove item#8, a presentation by Pinnacle Treatment Centers, and to remove both items under agenda item #10, discussions on Over-the-Road Trucking Exemption and PD/Fire License Fee Exemption. The motion was made by Vice-Mayor Dawson 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 6. Public Hearing a. Regarding Budget: Carry Forward Accounts The Mayor read the Public Hearing advertisement that ran in the Patriot on July 25, 2025, and August 1, 2025. Town Manager Day reported the budget amendment primarily involves carrying forward grant funds that were received but not spent during the prior fiscal year, totaling $5,107,394.67, and various checking accounts and nuisance abatements carried forward. The total amount of all three funding categories is $5,523,500.65 Councilman Burchett questioned why $43,000 allocated for nuisance abatement was not used, asking if staffing or time limitations were the issue. Manager Day reported he would report back with that information. Councilman Erickson questioned what the Commerce Street Bridge Project was. Page 1 of 6/August 5, 2025 Manager Day reported that the Town has received VDOT funds for various bridges in the town, and the bridge on Commerce Street was included in that list for engineering work; those funds just have to be carried forward. The Mayor opened and closed the Public Hearing, as there were no speakers, and voting will take place on August 19, 2025. 7. Organization Contributions Budgeted for FY 25-26 a. Onward New River Valley- Katie Boswell Ms. Boswell began by thanking the Town for its continued support and introduced Onward NRV as a regional economic development organization formed in 1990. The organization represents four counties, one city, and ten towns in the NRV. The nonprofit is public-private funded with 117 investor organizations and a 31-member board, with five staff members. Their work includes close collaboration with state-level entities, like the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, as well as local economic developers. Ms. Boswell reported that the goal of Onward NRV is to attract and retain world- class jobs, investment, and talent. Their strategy involves regional marketing and building collaborative partnerships to boost economic vitality. Onward NRV is supported by public entities, local governments, and universities, and over 100 private businesses. Over the past two years, Onward NRV has added 152 new jobs, had $37 million in capital investment, and was involved in the expansion of Patton Logistics in the Commerce Park. Their five-year plan includes attracting and retaining talent, supporting and growing businesses, marketing the NRV as a competitive destination for talent and companies, and strengthening the connectedness of the region. Ms. Boswell concluded her presentation by highlighting marketing initiatives by Onward NRV, notably the Metallica concert at Virginia Tech, which targeted Northern Virginia residents, leveraging their visit to promote the region not just as a tourist destination but as a place to live. She noted the award-winning efforts recognized by the International Economic Development Council over the past seven years. b. Raymond Ratcliffe Museum- Jeffrey Worrell Mr. Worrell, president of the Friends of the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Transportation Museum, discussed the museum's history and activities, noting the origins to 1988 when it was housed in the basement of the Municipal Building, later moved to the train station in 1994, and finally to the purpose-built facility in 2013. A central feature within the museum is the Brockmeyer train set, an intricate model Page 2 of 6/August 5, 2025 created over a lifetime by Dr. Brockmeyer, who wanted to share it with the public. The museum emphasizes community engagement, hosting tours and lecture series, and developing relationship with the Norfolk Southern Historical Society, which recently discovered the museum and was impressed with its exhibits. The society brought its annual conference to the region, which drew visitors from Ohio,New York, and Roanoke. Mr. Worrell reported the museum actively fundraises and doesn't rely solely on town funding. Efforts include the brick garden, where donors can honor individuals with engraved bricks, an annual golf tournament, and hosting many Pulaski High School reunions. April Martin reported that the museum welcomed over 3,000 guests in 2024, and to date, 1,763 in 2025, with expectations to exceed the previous year's total. Ms. Martin also highlighted growing partnerships with organizations across the region, such as Friends of Peak Creek and other county museums, bus tours from Montgomery County, Blacksburg Parks and Rec, Virginia Tech Lifetime learning, regional trails and parks, and ties to Virginia Tech's history department, Radford University, and the NRCC ACCE program. Mr. Worrell reported that while working with the Norfolk Southern Historical Association, the museum rediscovered a set of architectural drawings donated by Dr. Brockmeyer. Among the documents was a hand-drawn scale plan of Dr. Brockmeyer's train set, believed to have been drafted by the doctor himself The drawing shows the layout of the model railway but also architectural details from his basement, including stairs, a furnace, and a water heater. The museum plans to preserve and display the artifact within the museum using a 'float frame' so visitors can view both sides. Vice-Mayor Dawson asked if the town's financial contribution has remained the same over the last two years, and asked how the museum is doing financially. Mr. Worrell reported that the town's contribution has remained the same, and the museum is in a strong position. 8. Public Comment Period William Paine reminded the Town Council and listeners of the Rhythm by the Rails event on Saturday, August 9' from 3 p.m. -9 p.m. in Jackson Park. The event will feature performances from the Greater Pulaski Junior Appalachian Musicians, the Draper Lion Band, Noah Spencer, a contestant from The Voice, and Mike Mitchell, a nationally recognized bluegrass artist. Artistic programming will include needle felting,plein air Page 3 of 6/August 5, 2025 painting with Roanoke Times photographer Matt Gentry,pottery, loom weaving, and nature-based art. He then thanked the Town Council for their financial support for the festival. 9. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of July 15, 2025 Town Council Minutes The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to adopt the 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 10. Council Comments Councilwoman Cope reported that National Night Out was great and looked like a good time for kids. Vice-Mayor Dawson reported that the marketplace was nice as well as National Night Out, and that it was a great evening to be downtown. Councilman Erickson stated that National Night Out was a great success and that there were over 40 bookbags that were given out to kids, which was more important to him, to see families provided for, and thanked all the sponsors for that event. He also stated that he participated in the summertime point-in-time count, which counts the questioning for the statistics for the homeless in the town. He reported that he reached out to 18 people who are living on the streets; others were squatting in homes with families, which doesn't count towards the statistic. He also thanked the town staff for the business license reports that he received. Councilman Burchett also thanked the town staff for the school supplies donations that helped with the bookbag giveaway and for the new business reports that were sent out. Mayor Collins reported that National Night Out was a really good event; there were a lot of kids. 11. Manager's Report Manager Day reported that several council members recently toured the Pepper's Ferry facility, and additional town facilities will be toured by the council. He thanked Jackie Reid and Sonia Ramsey for their participation in the National Night Out and school supplies drive events. He reported that paving on Main Street would begin on Wednesday, and weather permitting, Main Street will be open on Saturday, and new street lights will be installed within two or three weeks. Page 4 of 6/August 5, 2025 Vice-Mayor Dawson commented that there was a school supplies donation from GFL. Manager Day reported that GFL matched everything that was donated, dollar-wise, and thanked Jared McFarland and the GFL team for that donation, and plans for next year's drive have already begun. Mayor Collins announced the Chrome in the Valley Cruise-In on August 16th in Jackson Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 12. Reminder of Future Council Minutes a. August 11, 2025; 6:00 p.m.- Joint Planning Commission& Town Council Meeting b. August 19, 2025; Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. Closed Session 13. Modification to Closed Session-No modifications were made. 14. The Mayor asked for a motion to enter into Closed Session at 7:42 p.m. 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. SHAH Development 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 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, 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. Page 5 of 6/August 5, 2025 Open Session 15. 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. SHAH Development The motion was made by Councilwoman Cope and seconded by Councilman Clark. Jeremy L. Clark- Aye G. Tyler Clontz- Abstained Mayor Collins- A .e 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 8:48 p.m. TOWN of PULASKI, VIRGINIA h/4 W. Shannon Collins Mayor ATTEST Olivia C. Hale Clerk of Council Page 6 of 6/August 5, 2025