Special Joint Meeting ofthe Lebanon Town Council and Lebanon Planning Commission Town Hall, Lebanon, VA Monday, October 5, 2015 6:00 P.M.  Council Members Present:  Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor J.C.I Boyd, Vice Mayor A.G. Griffith, Jr., Council Member DeAnna C. Jackson, Council Member Hassel Kegley, Council Member A. Doyle Fields, Council Member Scott. J. Gilmer, Council Member Michael L. Duty, Town Manager Jackie L. Hubbard, Controller Stephanie Burke, Clerk of Council Kevin Tiller, Town Attorney Mark Mitchell, ChiefofPolice Ralph Snead, Chairman Michael L. Duty, Vice Chairman J.S. Easterly, Jr., Clerk Donald Ramey, Member Tim Coleman, Member Stephen Quillen, Member  Staff Members Present:  Staff Members Absent:  Planning Commission Members Present:  I. II. III. IV.  The meeting was calied to order by Mayor Dodi.  Prayer: Mr. Scott Gilmer Pledge of Allegiance  Downtown Revitalization Discussion:  A. Mayor Dodi informed those present that Shane Farmer oft the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission had been assisting him in gaining information regarding funding to assist with downtown revitalization and that a group from Richmond would be  traveling to Lebanon to further discuss the available grants.  B. Mayor Dodi distributed al list of downtown vacant properties to those present. C. Mayor Dodi also informed that hel had been in contact with the Town of Abingdon regarding their current ordinances on the upkeep/maintenance of property. D. Mr. Easterly, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Ramey expressed their agreement that the Town of Lebanon should develop a more stringent, enforceable ordinance for the upkeep/maintenance: of property in order to attract new businesses to the town. Mr. Coleman and Mr. Quillen recommended to begin updating the current ordinance to deal with the most obvious and most severe property issues first.    E. AtN Mr. Ramey's request, Mr. Tiller described the current property ordinances for the F. Vice Mayor Boyd informed those present that Mr. Shane Farmer had notified him that the Town ofLebanon was eligible for a $25,000 planning grant. Vice Mayor Boyd recommended that part ofthis planning grant be used for hiring aj professional to assist  Town of Abingdon and the Town ofLebanon.  with the zoning ordinance development.  G. Ms. Jackson recommended that Mr. Tiller prepare al basic ordinance that would allow for the enforcement of stricter property maintenance laws until the professional zoning ordinance developer completed their analysis, after which the basic ordinance could be  modified. Mayor Dodi agreed.  H. Mr. Easterly and Vice Mayor Boyd recommended that the ordinance include the requirement that buildings must be kept in a state of repair and must be able toj pass ac certificate of occupancy inspection. Vice Mayor Boyd also recommended that, once completed, the ordinance be advertised and aj public hearing held toi inform the public of why the ordinance is being updated, with those property owners directly affected being notified oft the hearing by letter. Mr. Snead recommended that the Town Council and not Mayor Dodi told of the nearby towns ofl Marion, St. Paul, Honaker, Haysi and Dungannon that had received: funding for downtown revitalization projects, with Haysi purchasing and renovating a downtown theater with the funding. He also advised that he and Shane Farmer are exploring the availability of start-up/small business loans with J. Mr. Ramey and Mr. Snead advised that, in order for new businesses to succeed, they K. Mayor Dodi inquired as to what types of businesses would be a good fit for Lebanon. Mayor Dodi mentioned the idea of downtown lofts. Ms. Jackson mentioned the need for shoe stores and clothing shops that offer items that supermarkets like Walmart do not. L. Ms. Jackson also advised that Buchannan County offers occupational programs in their schools that could allow students to open al business in town once trained. Mr. Ramey and Mayor Dodi advised that Russell County also offers programs like these and suggested that the marketing oft these available programs be increased.  the Planning Commission be the ones to enforce the ordinance.  I.  grants of up to 50% oft the loan value. must be a good fit for the area.  M. Mayor Dodi asked ifai meeting should bel held with the owners oft the vacant downtown properties. Mr. Coleman recommended that the Town should discuss with the property owners what their plans are: for the property i.e., ift they plan to rent or sell the  property.  N. Mr. Dodi inquired ift those present thought that rent was one issue keeping businesses from operating downtown. Mr. Tiller advised that he felt that rent was reasonable; however, businesses were not generating enough income to continue operating  downtown.  O. Mr. Coleman advised that businesses could succeed more ift they received assistance with developing al business plan, advertising and understanding business concepts.    P. Mr. Dodi advised that part oft the planning grant process was to take an analysis oft the needs oft the town residents and recommended that, in order to gain an objective opinion,  an outside professional perform the business analysis.  Q. Mr. Coleman advised that he has an advertising contact that has previously expressed their willingness to review and make recommendations onj promoting the Town of  Lebanon and that could also assist with the business analysis.  R. Mr. Gilmer stressed the importance of developing a cornerstone property ini the Town of S. Vice Mayor Boyd recommended the renovation of the theater as aj possible venue: for shows and musical performances. Mr. Snead approved this idea and Mayor Dodi agreed  Lebanon.  that the theater could become a great hub for town residents.  T. Mr. Quillen also advised that town events need to be coordinated to attract people to the area. Mr. Coleman recommended al block party or car show that could highlight local  downtown businesses.  U. Mayor Dodi informed those present that the goal for the Council and the Planning Commission would be to establish ai more stringent property ordinance and to revitalize the downtown area with successful businesses in time for the Town's  bicentennial celebration in 3 years.  V.  Upon motion made by Vice Mayor Boyd, seconded by Mr. Fields, the Council unanimously voted to adjourn. The vote was as follows: Vice Mayor Boyd, Aye; Mr. Kegley, Aye; Ms.  Jackson, Aye; Mr. Fields, Aye; Mr. Gilmer, Aye; Mr. Griffith, Aye.  Adjourn special joint meeting: 7:241 P.M.  Rlou Bayg Nelson A. "Tony" Dodi, Mayor  WomiRlute Stephahie L. Burke, Clerk of Council  Minutes recorded by: Stephanie L. Burke, Clerk of Council Minutes prepared by: Stephanie L. Burke, Clerk of Council Minutes approved by: Michael L. Duty, Town Manager