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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-261 1 Town Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2026 1. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and asked for a roll call. 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- Aye 2. Modification of 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 i. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 29 (1 item): Contract Negotiations i. Instill Mindfulness The motion was made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope. 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- 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, Andrew McBride, and Clerk of Council Ms. Hale. 7:00 p.m. Open Session 4. Certification of Closed Session- The Mayor asked for a motion to certify that only the following items were discussed during Closed Session: a. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1 (1 item): Personnel i. Appointments to Boards b. VA Code 2.2-3711 (A) 29 (1 item): Contract Negotiations i. Instill Mindfulness 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 5. Councilman Burchett led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 6. Councilwoman Cope gave the invocation. 7. Mayor Collins welcomed all in attendance and those viewing online. Modification to Public Session- No modifications were made. 9. Voting Items a. Resolution 2026-16 Recognizing Small Business Week in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia Mayor Collins read the resolution. The motion was made by Councilman Clark and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to adopt Resolution 2026.16. 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 Shannon Ainsley, Economic Developer, recognized Meredith McGrady of Gem City Market, Eric Gress of 40 Acres Properties, Mayor Collins representing Poor Boys Produce, and Sunshine Cope of Southwest Calibration. The town presented each business owner with a small token of appreciation and informed them that copies of the resolution would be provided afterward. 10. Presentations a. Pepper's Ferry Update- Jeffrey Worrell, Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority Board of Directors Mr. Worrell explained that both Mr. Penn, who was also in attendance, and he had served as Pulaski's representatives on the authority for approximately twenty years, having been appointed around 2006. He also noted that he had served as chairman of the authority since September 2022. Mr. Worrell provided a historical overview of the authority. Peppers Ferry was incorporated in 1979, though Pulaski was not originally part of the project because the town had been pursuing its own wastewater treatment facility that would discharge into Claytor Lake. However, permitting agencies eventually indicated that Peppers Ferry was the preferred approach, leading Pulaski to join . the authority. He noted that early legal documents did not include Pulaski because of this initial separation. The current Peppers Ferry facility began operation in 1987. Mr. Worrell recalled attending the ribbon -cutting ceremony, which featured then -Governor Gerald Baliles, describing it as a major regional event. He explained that the authority now serves approximately 55,000 people through partnerships involving the City of Radford, the Towns of Dublin and Pulaski, Pulaski County PSA, Montgomery County PSA, and the Fairlawn Sewer Authority, as well as commercial and industrial wastewater users throughout the region. Although Montgomery County PSA is a member of the authority, he clarified that only portions of Montgomery County are actually served. Mr. Worrell reported that the authority is currently permitted to discharge an average of nine million gallons of treated wastewater per day and stated that operations are performing exceptionally well. He proudly announced that the facility had achieved 174 consecutive months, approximately fourteen and a half years, without a single effluent violation. He explained that effluent refers to treated wastewater released back into the environment after processing. He also discussed recent revisions to the authority's rules and regulations, which were adopted in April 2026 and submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for the required 30-day public notice period. The revisions were largely administrative and clerical, intended to remove redundancy, modernize outdated terminology, and streamline the document after years of incremental additions. Mr. Worrell then reviewed financial information for the authority. The current fiscal year budget totaled approximately $6.94 million, with billing to all member entities standing at nearly $2.98 million to date. Pulaski's portion of the budget totaled approximately $2.96 million, with about $2.08 million billed so far. He reported that the authority had treated 395 million gallons from Pulaski against a projected annual total of 704 million gallons, noting that the dry conditions may have affected projections. The adopted budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 totals approximately $7.46 million, representing a 3.3% increase over the previous year. Pulaski's projected share for the upcoming year will be approximately $2.97 million, reflecting only a modest increase of about 0.64%. Mr. Worrell then discussed the significant impacts of Hurricane Helene on the authority's infrastructure. He stated that the New River and Radford pump stations were submerged during the flooding, creating a dangerous and uncertain situation in which periods occurred where untreated flow entering the facility was being discharged directly into the New River. He described the event as frightening but praised the authority's employees and the longstanding maintenance practices that allowed the damaged pump stations to return online much sooner than anticipated. The authority is now engaged in the process of recovering disaster -related costs through FEMA. Mr. Worrell described FEMA reimbursement as a difficult and bureaucratic process, explaining that the authority had hired a consultant with prior FEMA experience to help navigate the paperwork and requirements. At the time of the report, the authority had recovered approximately $220,397.76 and was seeking an additional $9.26 million in reimbursements. He explained that the recovery costs include not only repairs but also "betterment" improvements designed to make the facilities more resilient in future flooding events. These improvements include replacing equipment with submersible systems and relocating controls and other components out of flood - prone areas wherever possible. Mr. Worrell stated that the authority remained optimistic that FEMA would reimburse those eligible costs. Finally, Mr. Worrell praised Executive Director Ryan Hendrix for his leadership, professionalism, and strong relationships with the participating governmental entities. He also recognized former Executive Director Clark Waltrax, who had served the authority for many years before retiring to Florida. Mr. Worrell sadly informed the council that Waltrax had passed away the previous month. Following Jeffrey Worrell's presentation on the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, council members asked several questions regarding the authority's financial status and budget increases. Councilman Burchett noted that the authority had only spent approximately 71.7% of its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget with only two months remaining in the fiscal year and questioned why the next year's budget still reflected a 3.3% increase. Mr. Worrell clarified that the percentage referenced applied to the authority's entire budget and explained that the increase was driven largely by capital expenditures and rising operational costs, similar to those facing local governments elsewhere. He emphasized that Pulaski's individual share of the increase would only be approximately 0.64%, a much smaller increase than the overall authority budget adjustment. He also stressed the authority's commitment to maintaining strong staffing levels by offering competitive pay and benefits to employees. Mr. Worrell stated that the authority was currently fully staffed, which he said was uncommon among similar organizations. He expressed pride in the authority's ability to retain employees and maintain operational stability. b. Claytor Lake Sponsorship- Robbie Morris, Claytor Lake Festival Committee Mr. Morris explained that he was serving again as co-chair of the festival and announced that the 2026 festival would take place on June 13, continuing the tradition of being held on the second Saturday in June. He noted that this would mark the festival's 27th year. Mr. Morris first thanked the Town of Pulaski for its continued support of the festival and specifically recognized the town's participation the previous year through the operation of a booth at the event. He said the committee appreciated the town's presence and hoped the partnership would continue. He also acknowledged the support traditionally provided by Pulaski County and the Town of Dublin, emphasizing that all three local governments have consistently contributed to the success of the event. He explained that the festival's operating budget for 2026 totaled $49,280 and emphasized that the event is entirely volunteer -driven, with no committee members receiving compensation. According to Mr. Morris, organizers work year-round planning and coordinating the festival. He noted that if the town provided sponsorship support similar to the previous year, Pulaski would again be able to operate a booth at the festival and display promotional signage along the entrance to the event. Mr. Morris then reviewed tourism data included in the council's information packet. He stated that Virginia experienced a record -breaking $35.1 billion in tourism spending during 2024, with updated 2025 figures expected later in the year. In Southwest Virginia alone, tourism spending reached approximately $1.38 billion, driven largely by natural attractions, outdoor recreation, and regional partnerships. Mr. Morris said these figures demonstrated that tourism throughout Virginia and Southwest Virginia continues to grow steadily. He highlighted attendance figures from the previous year's festival, noting that Pulaski County tourism officials had contracted with a company that measured cell phone presence at the event. According to those numbers, approximately 15,000 people attended the festival at Claytor Lake State Park. Mr. Morris remarked that this likely made the festival one of the largest annual events in the county. Additional statistics from the 2025 festival included nine food vendors, forty-two arts and crafts vendors, eight nonprofit organizations, and one church participating in the event. He explained that nonprofits were encouraged not only to promote their organizations but also to provide children's activities to enhance family entertainment. The event also featured two wineries and a wine tasting tent that hosted more than 300 participants. Mr. Morris described other major attractions, including the annual car show and motorcycle show, which featured sixty-two registered cars and five motorcycles. Kings Tire in Pulaski was recognized for donating prizes and helping manage the car show portion of the festival. He also reported that local Boy Scout troops collected and distributed approximately 2,300 pounds of food for Daily Bread in Pulaski during the event. Entertainment remained a major focus of the festival. Mr. Morris said the event included children's entertainment such as Chuckles the Clown, live music performances throughout the day, and a firework show at the end of the evening. The 2025 festival recorded 1,043 paid vehicle entries into the park, and Mr. Morris noted that admission fees had remained unchanged for several years and would continue at the same rate for 2026. He also referenced additional information included in the packet regarding volunteerism and attendance at Claytor Lake State Park itself. Looking ahead to the 2026 festival, Mr. Morris announced that the Wohlfahrt House would return as part of the entertainment lineup after being absent in recent years. He also announced that Back Alley II would perform and that the featured beach music act for the year would be Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, encouraging the council members and the public to look them up online. The fireworks display was scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. After the presentation, Vice -Mayor Dawson praised the festival committee for the amount of volunteer work required to organize such a large event. He noted that although the festival takes place outside the town limits, the large crowds have a positive economic impact on Pulaski by increasing traffic to local restaurants and businesses. Mr. Morris thanked the council again for its continued support. c. Caboose Update- Nate Repass, Town of Pulaski Parks & Trails Manager Mr. Repass recalled that early estimates from the Norfolk and Western Historical Society had initially produced a very high projected cost because the work assumed fully contracted labor. Since then, staff have spent considerable time consulting with experts, gathering opinions, and developing a more cost-effective approach that would still properly restore the caboose while staying within a reasonable budget. Mr. Repass outlined what he described as the "what, why, when, how, and how much" of the project. One of the most significant decisions involved selecting a red, white, and blue paint scheme for the caboose. He explained that the color scheme ties into the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in July 2026 and highlights Virginia's historical importance in the nation's founding. According to Mr. Repass, additional research suggested that Pulaski's caboose would become the only full-size caboose in existence painted in this specific scheme, making it a unique tourist attraction. He displayed historical photographs and explained that the original caboose associated with the color scheme had reportedly burned years ago, leaving only photographs, toys, and model train replicas as references. Mr. Repass said the multicolor design would not significantly increase costs compared to a single - color restoration, allowing the town to pursue the more distinctive appearance without major additional expense. He also suggested that the unique design could help attract tourists and railroad enthusiasts during the nation's semi -quinquennial celebrations. An edited image was shown to the council illustrating how the restored caboose could appear once completed at the depot site. Mr. Repass stated that the town hoped to complete the restoration by July 4, 2026. Paint orders were expected to be placed immediately following the meeting, with surface preparation and restoration work potentially beginning shortly after the Music and Merchants event in mid -May. He acknowledged that weather conditions could complicate the schedule because the project depended heavily on proper painting and preparation conditions. Mr. Repass then described the technical aspects of the restoration process in detail. The town had consulted with several organizations, including Sherwin- Williams and local environmental groups, to determine the best methods and materials for cleaning and repainting the caboose. Because the caboose sits in a park near Peak Creek, environmental considerations were especially important. The initial cleaning would involve biodegradable cleaning products similar to Simple Green to remove dirt and surface contaminants. The restoration would also require sandblasting and surface preparation, though Mr. Repass emphasized that the crew would not strip the caboose down to bare metal. Doing so would require far more aggressive blasting materials and would create large amounts of hazardous paint debris. Instead, the town planned to use walnut shell blasting media, a biodegradable material that would roughen the existing paint surface enough for new primers and paint to adhere properly. Temporary containment structures using tents, tarps, and barriers would be erected around the caboose during blasting to limit the spread of dust and debris. Mr. Repass explained that because the project would only abrade the surface rather than fully remove paint, the amount of paint waste generated would be greatly reduced. He continued outlining the technical details of the caboose restoration project, explaining that after the surface preparation and walnut shell blasting process, staff hoped to apply primer the same day. Working with Sherwin-Williams, the town selected a Kern Chromik single -component primer to coat the entire caboose before allowing it to cure for several days. For the finish coats, Sherwin-Williams recommended an Acrolon polyester epoxy paint system, a heavy-duty industrial coating commonly used on bridges, boats, train cars, and shipping containers. Mr. Repass explained that the town planned to apply two coats of each color in order to create a durable, glossy finish capable of withstanding weather exposure for many years. The glossy finish would also make future maintenance easier because the caboose could periodically be cleaned with a soft wash and brushes by volunteers to preserve the vibrant red, white, and blue appearance. Some portions of the project would require hand -painting rather than spraying. Mr. Repass hoped to invite council members to assist with painting yellow safety rails and smaller detailed areas around the caboose. These hand -painted surfaces would use an acrylic paint system that could more easily be touched up over time, especially in areas subject to frequent contact by visitors. He also discussed the decision not to sandblast the caboose's wheel assemblies and trucks underneath the structure. Because these components still contain grease systems, aggressive blasting could contaminate or damage them and potentially prevent the caboose from being movable in the future if relocation ever became necessary. Instead, staff planned to clean and repaint those areas more conservatively since they were already in better condition due to reduced sun exposure. Mr. Repass then addressed the lettering and numbering that would appear on the caboose exterior. Working with the Norfolk and Western Historical Society, the town planned to use decals rather than painted stencils. He explained that decals would provide sharper, cleaner lines while also reducing labor time and avoiding paint ridges that could eventually allow moisture intrusion beneath the surface. Although decals may not last quite as long as painted markings, they would be significantly easier and less expensive to replace periodically as part of ongoing maintenance. The restoration project also includes replacing many of the caboose windows with shatter -resistant polycarbonate material. Mr. Repass explained that numerous original glass windows had been broken over the years, either by vandalism or by rocks thrown from lawn maintenance equipment operating nearby. Replacing the windows would allow the town to better seal the structure and protect the interior from weather exposure. He stated that the caboose remained in relatively good structural condition overall, though some localized areas had experienced water intrusion and interior rusting. Those areas would require additional treatment using power tools, primers, fillers, and stabilization techniques to prevent further deterioration. Mr. Repass noted that much of the interior contains plywood that is already in poor condition, but because the caboose would not regularly be open to the public, the immediate priority was sealing it from moisture. Interior renovation could potentially become a future project once the exterior is secured. The project would also include historical signage explaining the caboose's history and significance. Mr. Repass displayed an example sign design modeled after signage at the Ratcliffe Transportation Museum. The signs would provide historical information while also connecting the caboose to regional cycling tourism initiatives. Turning to the financial aspects of the project, Mr. Repass reminded the council members that the original estimate from the Norfolk and Western Historical Society had approached $40,000 because it assumed extensive contracted labor. Through in-house planning and partnerships, however, the town had reduced the estimated total project cost to approximately $9,300. That budget included all materials, paint systems, blasting media, surface preparation supplies, personal protective equipment, labor and overtime costs, signage, and replacement windows. Mr. Repass explained that approximately $2,800 of the total would go toward paint products alone, while another $1,800 would cover the walnut shell blasting media. Additional costs involved tarps, containment materials, safety equipment, and overtime labor because much of the painting work would need to occur during evenings or early mornings to avoid conflicts with caboose rentals and to accommodate drying schedules. Mr. Repass then highlighted the substantial community support that had helped reduce the town's share of the project costs. Representatives from the local Moose Lodge attended the meeting and announced that the organization would fully fund all paint consumables for the project, contributing approximately $2,800. Mr. Repass publicly thanked the organization for its immediate willingness to support the restoration effort after being approached. Ms. Sonia Ramsey introduced the Moose Lodge representatives as Lodge President Eric McGrady, Administrator James West, and Past President Bo Howe. A ceremonial check presentation followed, with the Mayor and town staff participating in photographs to recognize the contribution. Manager Day also acknowledged Jackie Reid for her involvement in coordinating support. Additional support came through a grant secured by April Martin and the Ratcliffe Transportation Museum. Although Ms. Martin could not attend the meeting, Mr. Repass explained that she had obtained funding, believed to be through a Virginia 250-related program, that would cover all historical signage and the installation of a bicycle repair station near the caboose. Because the caboose is located near the New River Trail and Route 76 bicycle corridor, the signage would also include information welcoming cyclists and promoting regional trail tourism. The bicycle repair stand would likely be installed beside the restroom building near an existing bike rack, giving trail users a place to park bicycles and perform minor repairs while visiting the caboose site. Mr. Repass estimated that the signage and bicycle station represented approximately $1,500 to $1,600 in additional grant -funded improvements. With those outside contributions, approximately 46% of the project costs would be covered by community organizations and grants, leaving the town responsible for roughly $5,000. Mr. Repass explained that town staff had already identified sufficient funds within existing departmental budgets by consolidating leftover balances from various recreational and operational line items. As a result, the project was now fully funded without requiring additional appropriations. The town planned to begin ordering materials immediately and hoped to start work later in May, weather permitting. Mr. Repass stated that the project could potentially debut on July 3 or July 4 as part of Pulaski's Independence Day festivities and broader 250th anniversary celebrations. He expressed optimism that the uniquely painted caboose would become a tourism draw throughout 2026 and remain an attractive community asset for at least another decade or longer with proper maintenance. Vice -Mayor Dawson praised Mr. Repass and everyone involved for dramatically reducing the project cost while still creating a high -quality restoration plan. One council member specifically complimented the progression from an initial $40,000 estimate to a fully funded $9,300 community -supported project. Councilman Burchett thanked Mr. Repass, Jackie, the Moose Lodge, and other community partners for their enthusiasm and hard work, stating that the caboose would become a major visual improvement and attraction for the town. 11. Discussions a. Land Transfer to the Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority Manager Day introduced the topic and indicated that additional comments would likely come from Shannon Ainsley as the discussion progressed. Manager Day explained that one of his priorities when he first became Town Manager was launching "Project Revitalize," an initiative focused on cleaning up blighted and neglected properties throughout the community. He noted that the town had spent considerable time discussing how to effectively structure such a project, including navigating demolition laws, property issues, and other legal and procedural complications. He acknowledged that previous efforts over the years had explored multiple approaches, including property sales and other redevelopment strategies, but suggested that many of those earlier attempts had not produced the desired long- term results. The discussion was introduced as part of the town's effort to learn from past mistakes and develop a more effective path forward for neighborhood revitalization and redevelopment efforts. Manager Day continued explaining the proposed land transfer connected to Project Revitalize. He stated that a substantial amount of research and planning had gone into determining the best process for transferring and redeveloping vacant or blighted properties. According to Manager Day, the town had identified and shortlisted two qualified contractors capable of performing this type of redevelopment work, noting that the opportunity had been openly advertised, including through social media, to attract interested contractors. He emphasized that the redevelopment strategy being proposed would not require direct financial investment from the town for the new homes themselves. He contrasted this approach with the existing ARS housing projects, where the town had assumed some financial risk. Although those projects had ultimately closed "in the black," he noted that the margins had been very narrow. The ARS effort had already produced three homes, and Manager Day explained that the current proposal could result in three additional homes beginning within the next two to three months. He described the proposal as only the beginning of a broader revitalization effort. Manager Day explained that the town had learned through experience that simply demolishing structures and later attempting to recover demolition costs often discouraged contractors from participating. In the current construction market, especially within the New River Valley, qualified contractors are in high demand and short supply. As a result, Manager Day said the town had determined it needed to make projects more attractive and easier for developers to pursue if redevelopment efforts were going to succeed. The proposal involved four parcels located on Madison Avenue that would be consolidated into three more buildable lots. The Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority had agreed to take on the projects. Manager Day explained that transferring the properties to the Housing Authority would give the town greater flexibility to negotiate directly with developers instead of being forced into a traditional bidding process that might not produce workable results. Under the proposed arrangement, developers would be able to construct homes on the transferred lots. Manager Day acknowledged that the immediate return on investment for the locality itself would effectively be zero in the short term, but he argued that the long-term tax revenue and neighborhood stabilization benefits would provide significant value over time. He also noted that the town's only direct investment in the properties involved demolition costs associated with the first structure being removed. Because the transfer required legal approval, Manager Day explained that the matter would need to proceed to a public hearing before final action could be taken. The motion was then made by Vice -Mayor Dawson and seconded by Councilwoman Cope to move the property transfer proposal to a public hearing. 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. Public Comment Period The mayor reminded attendees that each speaker would have three minutes to address the council and requested that speakers remain respectful and provide their name and town address before speaking. One resident, identifying himself as "Serene Reasoning" and stating that he lived in Pulaski, approached the podium. He began by apologizing for his behavior at a previous meeting, admitting that he had been out of line but explaining that he is deeply passionate about issues affecting the town. The speaker said he had spent considerable time thinking about what issue to raise before the council and ultimately chose to focus on homelessness. He argued that the beginning of spring represented the ideal time for the town to begin developing new solutions for homeless residents so that support systems could be in place before winter returned. He framed the issue as a moral responsibility, stating that homelessness should not even be a matter of debate if people truly viewed themselves as compassionate members of the community. He stressed that homeless individuals are still fellow human beings regardless of their personal histories or circumstances and emphasized that they remain part of the town just like everyone else. The speaker argued that improving the town's appearance or pursuing revitalization efforts would not succeed unless the town also addressed the needs of vulnerable residents. He stated that the people themselves are what ultimately define the town and suggested that neglecting or marginalizing homeless residents would continue to negatively affect the community as a whole. He also emphasized that many struggling individuals likely come from families whose parents, grandparents, and earlier generations contributed to the development of Pulaski over many years. According to the speaker, dismissing those residents would be equivalent to dismissing the descendants of people who helped build the community. The resident further stated that people are more likely to contribute positively to the town if they feel cared for and valued by the community. He expressed concern that many struggling residents instead feel degraded, judged, or excluded by others. He argued that simply criticizing or labeling people would not make homelessness disappear and suggested that the community needed a more compassionate and proactive response. Although he stated that he had much more he wished to say, his allotted time expired. 13. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of April 7, 2026 Town Council Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Councilwoman Cope 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- Aye Steven W. Erickson- Aye Brooks R. Dawson- Aye Joel B. Burchett- Aye 14. Council Comments & Board Updates Councilwoman Cope thanked the town for recognizing local small businesses earlier in the meeting. She noted that some businesses are more visible than others but emphasized that all entrepreneurs and small business owners contribute to the community. She stated that Pulaski is a town that appreciates entrepreneurship and added that while there is always room for improvement, she believes Pulaski remains a great place to live. Vice -Mayor Dawson echoed those sentiments, commenting that it is often easier to complain than to become part of the solution. He observed that many of the presentations that evening demonstrated positive community engagement, including the work of small businesses, the Moose Lodge, the Claytor Lake Festival volunteers, and town staff. He praised the many people working behind the scenes to improve the community. Vice - Mayor Dawson also raised a question regarding the upcoming Music and Merchants Festival planning. Specifically, he asked whether street closures and related logistical details had already been finalized and communicated publicly. He stressed the importance of ensuring that local businesses have ample opportunity to benefit from the event and wanted to make sure that communication regarding closures and festival operations was being shared effectively. Staff indicated that information would likely be posted publicly if it had not already been distributed. Councilman Burchett stated that he had received several positive phone calls regarding the newly installed Main Street lighting. He remarked that the lights looked very good and that residents appeared pleased with the improvements. Mayor Collins then offered additional comments, noting that many positive points had already been covered by previous speakers. He reiterated his belief that Pulaski is a beautiful town moving in the right direction. He also praised the Public Works Department for ongoing improvements along the trail system, specifically mentioning the reinstallation of the bridge near the train station and the installation of new boards. He said the improvements looked excellent and noted that many additional projects were still underway throughout town. Mayor Collins emphasized that residents often do not see all the behind -the -scenes work being done by town staff and employees but stated that she deeply appreciated everyone's efforts, including those of small business owners. He concluded by expressing excitement about the caboose restoration project and said she looked forward to seeing the completed result. 15. Manager's Report Manager Day then began his report by referencing an email circulated by Councilman Burchett concerning Gatewood and questions about potential repairs and upgrades needed at the property. He explained that because the lake levels are currently very low, some of the docks at Gatewood have sustained damage. He noted that the town still maintains certain contractual obligations connected to the property and acknowledged learning that in past years the town had routinely spent between approximately $70,000 and $100,000 annually at Gatewood without achieving a positive return on investment. Despite those challenges, Manager Day praised Mike Valach for maintaining strong communication regarding the issues at Gatewood. He described Mr. Valach as someone who had handled criticism professionally and remained cooperative throughout discussions. Manager Day stated that Mr. Valach had recently sent correspondence outlining concerns and updates, which had been forwarded to all council members. He assured council that he would continue communicating both with Mr. Valach and with the council members regarding developments and future decisions related to the property. Manager Day continued his remarks regarding Gatewood, describing the property as one of Pulaski's "hidden jewels." He stated that he had spoken earlier in the week with Vice - Mayor Dawson about Gatewood and shared that he has long-term goals and ideas for future improvements and development at the property. However, Manager Day acknowledged that the town is currently balancing numerous other major priorities, including water distribution system projects and broader water planning issues. Because of those competing infrastructure needs, he indicated that Gatewood improvements are presently being overshadowed by more urgent projects. Even so, he reiterated that council members should expect continued email communication and updates concerning Gatewood moving forward. The conversation then shifted to Teacher Appreciation Week. Manager Day noted that the student representative, Cheyenne McDougal, was nearing the end of her time attending council meetings. He publicly thanked her for her participation and communication with the school system. Manager Day also offered special recognition to Pulaski County Schools Superintendent Rob Graham, praising the strong working relationship the town has developed with the school system under his leadership. He commented that many community successes and holiday activities are direct reflections of the contributions made by the schools and educational staff. Manager Day expressed appreciation for all teachers and Mr. Graham. Ms. McDougal then addressed the council directly, explaining that most or all the council members should have received invitations to the upcoming Pulaski County Career and Technical Education signing night scheduled for May 14`h. She stated that she also serves as a Chamber of Commerce representative and emphasized that organizers had spent considerable time planning the event. She encouraged the council members to attend and support the students participating in the signing ceremony. After her remarks, Manager Day confirmed the event details and thanked her for her service and contributions both to the school system and to the community. She was also wished good luck in college. 16. Reminder of Future Council Meeting a. May 19, 2026; Closed Session 6:00 p.m.; Open Session 7:00 p.m. 17. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. TOWN of PULASKI, VIRGINIA W. Shannon Collins Mayor ATTEST Olivia C. Hale Clerk of Council