TOWN OF WEST POINT

AGENDA

NOVEMBER 26, 2001

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    2. Members Present: Mayor Burke Johnson, Vice Mayor Tina Gulley, Deborah Ball, Andy Conklin, Charlie Gordon, Jim Hudson, Olen Sikes, and Bill Sirman

    Also Present: Anthony Romanello, Town Manager; Sharon Bantel, Town Clerk; Andrea Erard, Town Attorney; and other interested persons

    1. Mr. Sirman gave the invocation.

    2. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

     

  2. CITIZENS ADDRESS TO COUNCIL

    1. Public Hearing- ITI Lease

      1. No one wishing to comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing.

    2. Chip Mill Presentation- Mr. Conklin

      1. Mr. Conklin reported for the committee.

        1. Mr. Conklin stated that the Mayor’s Committee for the Chip Mill landscaping project, formed in July of 1999, had fulfilled their duties to the Town by planning and completing the following projects: designing commenting on the design of the tube, suggesting the placement of a chain link fence around the mill’s perimeters, and working with Price Industries to landscape sections of the mill’s exterior. Mr. Conklin asked that the following members of the Mayor’s committee be recognized for their hard work and efforts; Bill Beswick, Anita Burgess, Regina Feucht, John Lee, Maureen Medlin, Bob Walsh, and Lynda Weaver. He also thanked Forest Puffenbarger formerly of the Chip Mill, Marc St. John from Smurfit-Stone, and members of Price Industries for their contributions and support concerning this project.

    3. Citizens Address to Council

      1. No one wishing to comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing.

     

  3. COUNCIL RESPONSE

    1. There were no items for report or discussion

     

  4. AGENDA CHANGES

    1. There were no changes to the agenda.

     

  5. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA

    1. Mr. Conklin made a motion to adopt the following consent agenda items. Mr. Sirman seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

      1. Minutes of October 29, 2001 Town Council Meeting

      2. Minutes of October 23, 2001 Special Town Council Meeting

      3. Cash Reports

        1. General Fund

          1. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2001- $618,009.34

        2. Water Fund

          1. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2001- $37,841.55

        3. Capital Improvement Projects Fund

          1. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2001- ($294.90)

      4. Monthly Budget Report

      5. School Fund Cash Report

        1. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2001- $286,701.98

      6. Special Fund Cash Report

        1. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2001- $5,913.47

      7. West Point Monthly Police Activity Report

        1. From October 1, 2001 to October 31, 2001, the West Point Police Department answered 177 calls for service, issued 15 traffic tickets, and made 14 arrests.

     

  6. COMMITTEE REPORTS

    1. Public Works- Mr. Gordon reported for the committee.

      1. Main Street Improvement Project- Notice of Award

        1. Mr. Romanello advised Town Council that four bids have been received for the Downtown Improvement Projects, and that it was his recommendation for the project to be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder, Walter Via Enterprises. The contractor’s bid includes waterline improvement, Beach Park improvements, and storm drainage repairs. An ad alternative included in the bids is brick paver crosswalks for Main and 10th and Main and 6th Streets to demarcate the downtown area. Mr. Romanello advised that the Town of West Point’s Water Utility funds, VDOT’s Revenue Sharing and Secondary Road Funds, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Funds were providing all of the financing. No local tax revenues would be used to finance this project. Mr. Romanello reported that Town Council previously authorized the Town to apply for a loan of $500,000 to complete the Downtown Waterlines Projects. In FY 2002, $100,000 in Water Utility funds was designated for the first payment of this loan. Mr. Romanello requested that Town Council authorize the expenditure of this $100,000 to go directly to the Downtown Waterlines Project. The net effect will be that the Town will now pay over six-years instead of five, as originally proposed. The first payment of the loan would occur in FY 2003 and the last in FY 2007.

        2. Mr. Gordon made a motion to award the Downtown Waterlines and Main Street Improvements contract to Walter C. Via for a total project cost, including the add alternate work, not to exceed $879,729. Mr. Sikes seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

        3. Mr. Gordon made a motion to use the $100,000 from the Water Utility Fund, designated in the FY 2002 Adopted Budget as repayment of the Downtown Waterlines project, to finance the waterline improvement project with the understanding that the Water Utility would borrow $500,000 to finance the project with payment rendered from FY 2003 to FY 2007. Mr. Sirman seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

      2. Sidewalk Update

        1. Mr. Gordon stated that Walter Feurer compiled a list of completed sections of sidewalk as requested by the Public Works Committee, which includes the repairs that are yet to be completed in 2002. He stated that Walter Feurer, the Public Works Director, needs to be commended for going beyond the call of duty with this project, and that Aubrey "Chico" Bell and Mark Smith of the Public Works Department also be recognized for their hard work and a job well done.

      3. O.D.I. Street Improvements

        1. Mr. Sirman made a motion to grant the request made by Thrift Insurance to clear, as necessary, a portion of East Euclid Boulevard and make the improvements on O.D.I. Street, subject to Thrift Insurance Corporation increasing the width of the proposed gravel roadway from 12 feet to 18.

        2. Mr. Conklin stated that he feels this decision should be delayed and brought before the Public Works Committee to review the long-term impact to the Town.

        3. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye." Mr. Conklin voted "Nay."

    2. Community Development- Mr. Hudson reported for the committee.
      1. Master Plan Management Team Update

        1. Mr. Conklin stated that the Master Plan Management Team has been meeting on two tracks: the first being a landscaping and street design plan with VDOT and Mr. Carlton Abbott, and the second concerns the redevelopment effort of buildings and land along the 14th Street Corridor. The Master Plan Management Team, Town Staff, Carlton Abbott, and VDOT are meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 to further discuss these issues.

      2. ITI Lease

        1. Mr. Romanello stated that the FAA requested the lease between the Town and ITI be revised as to reflect the specific location and use that ITI has on the Airport property.

        2. Mr. Hudson stated that this lease was recently finalized and stated the ITI lease will be considered at the December meeting to give Council and ITI time to review the revisions.

      3. Airport

        1. Mr. Romanello advised Town Council that the Middle Peninsula Regional Airport Authority has approved the Airport sale term as specified in Council’s October resolution. The Town, along with the FAA, both wished to move forward with the agreed transfer of property. He also stated that future meetings would be held to consider the hiring of professional management for the airport.

    3. Finance Committee- Mrs. Ball reported for the committee.

      1. There were no items for report or discussion.

    4. Education Committee- Mr. Sikes reported for the committee.

      1. There were no items for report or discussion.

    5. Public Safety- Mrs. Gulley reported for the committee.

      1. There were no items for report or discussion.

     

  7. TOWN MANAGER ITEMS

    1. Director of Community Development Vacancy

      1. Mr. Romanello advised Town Council that the vacancy in the office of the Director of Community Development was being advertised and applications for this position were currently being accepted. Mr. Romanello provided Town Council with an explanation of job requirements and duties that the position entailed. Lewis Lawrence from the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission has agreed to assist in interviewing applicants, and Mr. Romanello stated that following the interviews, the top candidates would be discussed with the Community and Economic Development Committee. The Town Code specifies the Council as appointed the Zoning Administrator, one of the primary functions of the Director of Community Development.

      2. Mr. Gordon stated he has concerns about the new title of Director of Community Development. He stated the title should reflect all the different aspects this job would entail.

      3. Mr. Conklin requested that Mr. Romanello ask Lewis Heath, the King William County Building Official, to assist the Town in interviewing potential candidates to fill the vacant position, along with Lewis Lawrence.

     

  8. TOWN ATTORNEY ITEMS

    1. There were no items for report or discussion.

     

  9. OLD BUSINESS

    1. There were no items for report or discussion.

     

  10. NEW BUSINESS

    1. IDA Appointment

      1. Mr. Hudson made a motion to appoint Sharon Miller to the Industrial Development Authority. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

    2. Gift Policy- Mr. Conklin

      1. Mr. Conklin made a motion to limit the maximum dollar amount of all gifts paid by Town funds or other contributions for elected officials, volunteers, Town employees, visiting dignitaries, and all other personnel to $25, and that each gift given must be previously approved by the Mayor. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion.

      2. After discussion, Mr. Conklin withdrew the motion. Mrs. Ball agreed that the Finance Committee would conduct further research on the matter.

    3. WestPointVirginia, Inc.- Mayor Johnson

      1. Mayor Johnson stated that it is his opinion that WestPointVirginia, Inc. should be independent of the Town and not receive future funding or staff support from the Town. The group was formed to advance technology in West Point, and formed a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization. Mayor Johnson asked each Council Member to talk with Mr. Sikes and Mr. Romanello, and think about this issue for the next Town Council meeting.

    4. Closed Session

      1. Mr. Conklin made a motion to enter into a closed session pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(7) consultation with legal counsel, or briefing by staff or consultants, pertaining to probable future litigation because public discussion at this time would adversely impact our litigation or negotiating posture. (TCBH Corporation v. the Town of West Point.) and pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1) to discuss the appointment of a Zoning Administrator. Mr. Sirman seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye." Mr. Hudson was not present during the portion of the closed session in which the case of TCBH Corporation v. the Town of West Point was discussed.

      2. Mr. Hudson made a motion to enter into an open session, and Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

      3. Mrs. Ball made a motion that the West Point Town Council certify that, in the closed session just concluded, nothing was discussed except the matter or matters (1) specifically identified in the motion to convene in closed session and (2) lawfully permitted to be so discussed under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act cited in that motion. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion, and Mrs. Ball, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gulley, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sikes, and Mr. Sirman voted "Aye."

     

  11. ADJOURNMENT

    1. Mr. Sirman made a motion to adjourn, and Mr. Conklin seconded the motion.

    2. Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting.

 

 

_________________________________

MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________________

Sharon L. Bantel

Town Clerk