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Farmville Town Council
Work session of November 1, 2017
REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE FARMVILLE TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017
Mayor Whitus called to order the regular work session of the Farmville Town Council held on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, located at 116 North Main Street, Farmville, Virginia.
Present at the meeting were Mayor D.E. Whitus, presiding, and Council members D.E. Dwyer, S.B. Thompson, T.M. Pairet, D.L. Hunter, J.J. Davisand G.C. Cole. Council member A.D. Reid was absent.
Staff present were Town Manager, Gerald Spates;Assistant Town Manager, Scott Davis; Communications Specialist, Kate Eggleston; Administrative Assistant, Jackie Vaughan and Town Clerk, Lisa Hricko.
Mrs. Jackie Gilbert, Acting Chief Dispatcher for Farmville’s 9-1-1 Communication Center and Mrs. Ashley Atkins-Auston, GIS Coordinator for the Town of Farmville addressed Council. They presented a power point presentation that highlighted the capabilities of GeoComm, the mapping system used in Farmville’s 9-1-1 Communication Center. Mrs. Gilbert stated the Farmville partnered with Appomattox in a VGIN grant which enables both emergency centers to provide mapping capabilities that identify the caller’s location when responding to 9-1-1 calls. Mrs. Gilbertexplained the many advantages to the new mapping system and the importance of being able to provide accurate and up to date information to First Responders.
Mayor Whitus expressed condolences on behalf of Council to the staff ofFarmville’s 9-1-1 Communication Center in the recent passing of Mr. Gilbert Wood, Director of the Farmville 9-1-1 Communication Center.
Mr. Spates stated at each work session, he would be introducing Council to town employees from its various departments. He then introduced and recognized the operators of the Farmville Water Treatment Plant:
Kathy Gagen, Superintendent – Class 1 Operator and has been with the town for 24 years, Tim Stutler – Class 1 Operator and has been with the town for 22 years, Randy Biggers – Class 1 Operator and has been with the town for 20 years, CR Thomas – Class IV Operator and has been with the town for 17 years, Debi Garrett – Class IV Operator and has been with the town for 15 years and Ryan Huddleston – Operator in training and has been with the town for one year. Mr. Spates congratulated the Water Treatment Plant employees for being awarded the 2016 Silver Award for Water Treatment Plant Performance for Excellence in filtration and backwash, from the Virginia Department of Health.
Mayor Whitus presented the November agenda items for review and discussion.
Consent agenda – no discussion
Treasurer’s Report – no discussion
Bills – no discussion
Request for a conditional use permit on behalf of Mr. Eric Arthur, Jr. – Mr. Spates stated the Farmville Planning Commission held a public hearing and special called meeting on October 25, 2017 to address the conditional use permit on behalf of Mr. Eric Arthur, Jr. No one from the public was in attendance. He advised Council that the Planning Commission recommended Council grant the request for a conditional use permit on behalf of Mr. Eric Arthur, Jr., with no conditions. He said the property is zoned Residential District R-3 and multi-family dwellings are an allowed use with a conditional use permit.The property has already been posted and letters are being sent to the adjacent property owners. Mr. Davis asked Mr. Spates to contact Mr. Arthur to request plans for the proposed projected, showing the external features of the building and landscaping.
Barbara Rose Johns Dedication – Mr. Spates stated Council’s Barbara Rose Johns Committee met on October 25 and the family has agreed that the dedication event will take place at the library beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Staff is working with the family on the invitation list and speakers. An announcement, inviting the public will be published in The Farmville Herald. Light refreshments will be provided. Staff will be drafting the program.
REQUEST ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION FOR VDOT REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM TO UPGRADE THE DETECTION CAMERAS AND INSTALLATION OF NEW POWER SUPPLIES ON REMAINING INTERSECTIONS
On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with a recorded vote with Council members Dwyer, Hunter, Thompson, Pairet, Davis and Cole voting “aye,” the motion to adopt the resolution in support of the VDOT’s Revenue Sharing Program for fiscal year 2019 for upgrading detection cameras and installation new power supplies on remaining intersections, was approved.
RESOLUTION
OF THE TOWN OF FARMVILLE
FOR THE VDOT
REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2019
WHEREAS, the Farmville Town Council desires to submit an application for an allocation of funds of up to $255,000 through the Virginia Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2019 Revenue Sharing Program; and
WHEREAS, $255,000 of these funds are requested to fund upgrading detection cameras from older obsolete versions and install new power supplies on the remaining intersections; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Farmville Town Council hereby supports this application for allocation of $255,000 through the Virginia Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2019 Revenue Sharing Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Farmville Town Council hereby grants authority for the Town Manager to execute project administration agreements for any approved revenue sharing projects.
ADOPTED: this 1st day of November 2017.
BACKGROUND:To apply for Revenue Sharing funds for upgrading detection cameras and install new power supplies on the remaining intersections, Council must adopt the resolution of support. Mr. Spates stated the resolution is part of the VDOT’s request for funding package and the deadline to submit the application on the project is Thursday, November 2.
REQUEST ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION FOR VDOT REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM FOR MILLING WITH CURB AND GUTTER AND OVERLAY WITH ASPHALT FROM THE NORTH CORPORATE LIMITS TO FIRST STREET
On motion by Mrs. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hunter and witha recorded vote with Council members Cole, Davis, Pairet, Thompson, Hunter and Dwyer voting “aye”, the motion to adopt resolution in support of the VDOT’s Revenue Sharing Program for fiscal year 2019 for milling with curb and gutter and overlay with asphalt from the north corporate limits to First Street, was approved.
RESOLUTION
OF THE TOWN OF FARMVILLE
FOR THE VDOT
REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2019
WHEREAS, the Farmville Town Council desires to submit an application for an allocation of funds of up to $103,613 through the Virginia Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2019 Revenue Sharing Program; and
WHEREAS, $103,613 of these funds are requested to fund milling with curb and gutter and overlay with asphalt (1.07 miles) from north corporate limits to First Street; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Farmville Town Council hereby supports this application for allocation of $103,613 through the Virginia Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2019 Revenue Sharing Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Farmville Town Council hereby grants authority for the Town Manager to execute project administration agreements for any approved revenue sharing projects.
BACKGROUND:Mr. Spates stated the resolution is part of the VDOT’s request for funding package and the deadline to submit the application on the project is Thursday, November 2. REQUEST ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT FOR FULL FUNDING FOR VIRGINIA STATE PARKS
On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with a recorded vote with Council members Dwyer, Hunter, Thompson, Cole, Davis and Pairet voting “aye”, the motion to adopt the resolution in support for full funding for Virginia State Parks, was approved.
RESOLUTION
A Resolution of Support for Full Funding for Virginia State Parks
WHEREAS, Virginia State Parks are a critical element of Virginia’s travel and tourism infrastructure contributing to over $224 million to state and local economies, and;
WHEREAS, the High Bridge Trail State Park centers in the Town of Farmville, attracted over 200,000 visitors last year, and according to a Virginia Tech study generated over $8 million in day use spending and $11.7 million in local economic activity, and;
WHEREAS, the High Bridge Trail State Park collected in excess of $3.5 million from non-resident spending, and;
WHEREAS, tourists travel through the Town of Farmville to get to these and other Virginia State Parks in rural central Virginia to include but not limited to Bear Creek Lake State Park, Holliday Lake State Park, James River State Park, Sailors Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, Twin Lakes State Park, Powhatan State Park, and Pocahontas State Park;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of Farmville in Farmville, Virginia, by this resolution formally requests the members of the Virginia General Assembly to support full funding for Virginia State Parks and to support what is needed to adequately maintain and operate what currently exists in terms of facilities, in infrastructure and authorized future construction, as detailed in the Virginia Association for Parks Needs Assessment;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council of Farmville by this resolution, formally requests the Virginia Municipal League place this issue on their legislative agenda and support it in the General Assembly.
Adopted this 1th day of November 2017, Farmville, Virginia, by the Town Council of the Town
of Farmville.
BACKGROUND:Mr. Tim Kennell, Chairperson of the VAFP Advocacy for the Virginia Association for Parks has asked for Council’s support in the adoption of the resolution.Mr. Kennell had a conflict for the November Council meeting; but can attend the December meeting to address any questions Council may have.
THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES
On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and with all Council members voting “aye,” the motion to follow the Commonwealth’s employee holiday work schedule for the 2017 Thanksgiving and Christmasseasons were approved.
BACKGROUND:Mr. Spates stated that the Commonwealth is scheduled to work four (4) hours on Wednesday, November 22 and is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday season. For the Wednesday, he stated he would like to encourage employees to take an additional four (4) hours, using personal time and the town will have a skeleton crew working to keep the offices open. Mr. Spates requested that Council consider granting employees an additional four (4) holiday hours for the Christmas holiday season on Friday. Employees currently are scheduled to be off Monday and Tuesday,and the request would add four (4) holiday hours on Friday, December 22, 2017.
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TOWN TREASURER TO USE FUNDS FROM THE MOTTLEY LAKE RESTRICTED ACCOUNT FOR PAYMENTS ON THE PURCHASE OF THE WILCK’S LAKE PROPERTY
On motion by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Davis and with a recorded vote with Council members Cole, Davis, Pairet, Dwyer, Hunter and Thompson voting “aye,” the motion to authorize the Town Treasurer to use funds from the Mottley Lake restricted account for payments on the purchase of the Wilck’s Lake property was approved.
BACKGROUND: At the October 11, 2017 Council meeting, members approved the purchase of the remaining Wilck’s Lake property, which included the house, the field by the trail, the small office building and the maintenance shop. Council gave the Town Manager authorization to sign the necessary documents to purchase the remaining Wilck’s Lake property (approximately 7.7 acres) for $525,000 with $125,000 down and the remaining payments paid over a four-year period, at zero percent interest. In addition, Council agreed with the purchase price of the property at $551,850 with the seller receiving a tax write-off of $26,850.
The Finance and Ordinance Committee had recommended funds from the Mottley Lake restricted account be used for the purchase of the Wilck’s Lake property.
Request to cancel the December 13, 2017 regular Council meeting – no comment
Standing Committee reports – no comments
Miscellaneous items presented by the Town Manager and staff comments – Mr. Spates updated Council on the traffic light at West Third and St. George Street. He stated the town anticipatesactivating the traffic lightthe week of Thanksgiving. The developer is reimbursing the town for installing the traffic light and labor costs.
Mr. Spates informed Council that VML is sponsoring the “If I Were Mayor” contest again this year. Mayor Whitus assigned the task of seeking contestants to Mrs. Kate Eggleston, Communications Specialist. Mr. Spates also reminded members of the Veterans Day program hosted by Fuqua School that will be held at the Crute Stage on Friday, November 10th.
Mr. Scott Davis provided Council with an update on the search for a consultant firm to review and update Farmville’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. He stated he has researched different options and statedunder the Virginia Procurement Act, when localities put out an RFP arider clause can be added allowing other localities to do a cooperative agreement with the RFP that was awarded. Mr. Davis stated that if the Town does an RFP, it could take approximately two (2) to three (3) months before it is awarded.
Mr. Davis requested authorization to bring back to Council a resolution that will allow the Town Manager to enter into contract with The Berkley Group, out of Virginia. He stated The Berkley Group will do a diagnostic of where the town is in the process of updating its comp plan and review of the town’s zoning ordinances and then be able to provide the town with an estimate of the total cost for the project. Mr. Davis stated the cost of the diagnostic would be approximately $7,500. He added the entire project will take approximately 18 to 24 months and by not doing an RFP, the town will cut the time by two (2) to three (3) months. Mr. Davis also stated the cost for the entire project can be spread across three (3) budget years and for the current year, the funds can come from the vacant Planner position.
Comments by the Mayor and members of Town Council – no Comments
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
APPROVED:ATTEST:
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David E. Whitus, MayorLisa M. Hricko, Clerk