TOWN OF GROTTOES May 13, 2024 6:00 P.M.  TOWN COUNCIL WORKSESSION AGENDA  CALLTOORDER - MAYOR PLASTER  1. Closed Session pursuant to section 2.2-3711(A)7 for consultation with legal counsel and 2.2-3711(A)5 for discussion ofa prospective business where no previous announcement has been made of the business for interest in locating in the  community.  2. Discussion of FY25 Proposed Annual Budget    TOWN OF GROTTOES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA May 13, 2024 7:00 P.M.  CALL TOORDER - MAYOR PLASTER ROLL CALLING- DEPUTY CLERK WHETZEL  WELCOME CITIZENS  APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MEETINGS OF APRIL 8, 2024.  ***  RECESS REGULAR MEETING PUBLIC HEARING:  1. FY24-25 Annual Budget and Proposed Fee Schedule  Staff Presentation Speaking FOR Speaking AGAINST Council Comments  ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING AND RETORN TO REGULAR MEETING  ***  PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS AND CLAIMS (PUBLIC COMMENT)  REPORTS OF THE: STANDING COMMITTEES: 1. Finance - Council member Raynes, Chair a. ACTION: Approval of Financial Reports 2. Water and Sewer- Council member Bailey, Chair  3. Ordinance, Health, and Property - Council member Kohl, Chair a. ACTION - Ordinance to amend Chapter 144 Article IX- Cigarette Tax b.A ACTION- Ordinance to amend Chapter A171 - Fees 4. Streets and Street Lights - Council member Justis, Chair  5. Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities - Council member Chittum, Chair    6. Special Events Council member Leeth, Chair 7. Personnel, Fire and Police Protection - Mayor Plaster, Chair  STAFF REPORTS: 1. Town Manager 2. Town Attorney 3. Treasurer  4. Assistant to Town Manager 5. Police Chief 6. Public Works Director 7. Parks and' Tourism Director  NEW BUSINESS  1.F Remote Participation Policy 2. Economic development escrow funds  OLD BUSINESS ADJOURN  RULES FOR PUBLICHEARINGS  Persons wishing to speak at the hearing must sign-up prior to the start of the meeting. The Couai/Commisowboard will hear up to 3 speakers from each side (FOR/AGAINST). Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes, whether speaking on behalf ofag group or as an individual.  Repetitive testimony is discouraged.  All comments shall be directed to the' Town Council. Debate is prohibited. Mayor/Chairman shall have the authority to end aj presentation that violates these rules.    April 8, 2024  A work session of the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes was held on Monday, April 8,  2024, at the Grottoes Town Hall, Grottoes, Virginia.  CALL' TO ORDER 6:00 p.m.  Mayor Plaster called the work session of April 8, 2024, of the Grottoes Town Council to order at ATTENDANCE: Council Members present: Mayor Jo Plaster, David Raynes, Joshua Bailey, Other Town Officials present were: Town Attorney Michael Helm, Town Manager Stefanie McAlister, Clerk Tara Morris, Treasurer Rhonda Danner, Public Works Director AJ Hummel, Mayor Plaster said the first item for discussion is a request for lot line revision. Clerk Morris said we received a request for lot line revision from Josh Holloway. She said the property is located on Edgewood Street and is zoned B-3, which allows business and residential. Clerk Morris said the property meets all the code requirements for a buildable lot. She said the lot with his house is still over 20,000 square feet and the lot he wants to subdivide is over 14,000 square feet. Clerk Morris said the town requires 12,000 square feet and 100: foot of road frontage, which both lots have. Manager McAlister added that the planning commission reviewed the request and recommended it to the council for approval. Clerk Morris said this is on the regular meeting Mayor Plaster said the next item on the agenda is the FY25 draft budget discussion. Manager McAlister said she had met with the Finance Committee to review the budget and discuss some shortfalls within the water and sewer funds. Manager McAlister reviewed the proposed FY24-25 budget with the Council. She said the committee agreed that the water and sewer base rates would need to be increased. Manager McAlister said the water and sewer base rates have only increased once since 2011. She said the Finance Committee suggested raising the meals tax to 6% and the cigarette tax to $0.30 per pack. Council member Bailey asked why we weren'tdoing acola and merit-based raise, like he suggested last year. Manager McAlister said no guidelines or goals toward working for a merit-based raise have been established and suggested that if the council wants to establish a merit based system, perhaps the personnel committee could work on that. Mayor Plaster said the personnel committee will meet to establish these for next year if  Eddie Chittum, Tim Leeth, Jim Justis, and Michael Kohl.  and Police Chief. Jason Sullivan.  agenda under new business.  that's the direction council wants to go. Mayor Plaster adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.    April 8, 2024  A regular session of the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes was held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at  7:00 p.m. at the Grottoes Town Hall, Grottoes, Virginia.  CALLTOORDER  Mayor Plaster called the regular session of April 8, 2024, of the Grottoes Town Council to order at 7:00 ATTENDANCE: Council Members present: Eddie Chittum, Joshua Bailey, Jim. Justis, Mayor Jo Plaster, Other Town Officials present: Attorney Michael Helm, Town Manager Stefanie McAlister, Clerk Tara Morris, Treasurer Rhonda Danner, Public Works Director A.J. Hummel, and Police ChiefJason  p.m. Mayor Plaster asked for a roll call. David Raynes, Michael Kohl, and' Tim Leeth.  Sullivan.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  On motion by Council member Raynes, seconded by Council member Leeth, and carried by a vote of5- 0-1, voting recorded as follows: CHITTUM - AYE; BAILEY -AYE; JUSTIS - ABSTAINED; RAYNES- AYE; KOHL - AYE; Leeth - AYE the Council approved the minutes of the March 11, 2024, meetings and vote of 6-0, voting recorded as follows: CHITTUM - AYE; BAILEY - AYE; JUSTIS - AYE; RAYNES - AYE; KOHL 1 AYE; Leeth - AYE for the meeting on March 20, 2024. Council member Justis abstained from the March 11, 2024 meetings due to being absent. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS AND CLAIMS (public comment)  Scott Sacra addressed the council with conçerns to the FY25 proposed budget. He said he doesn't like the 5% across the board for raises. He said it should be merit based because some people may not deserve that much of a raise. He said he doesn't feel the town should increase the water and sewer base rates by 20% and give the employees a 5% raise. Mr. Sacra said he feels that the residents should be able to opt out of trash collection and that he would be glad to take his trash down to the county site.  REPORTS OF STANDING COMMMITTEE:  FINANCE - Council member Raynes made a motion, seconded by Council member Leeth and carried by a vote of 6-0, voting recorded as follows: CHITTUM - AYE; BAILEY - AYE; JUSTIS- AYE; RAYNES - AYE; KOHL - AYE; LEETH - AYE, to approve the financial reports for the month of  March 2024.  WATER AND SEWER - no report  ORDINANCE, HEALTH, AND PROPERTY - no report installing stop signs on Forest Avenue at 10th Street in May PARKS, RECREATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES - no report  STREET AND STREET LIGHTS- - Council member Justis said the streets committee met and will be    SPECIAL EVENTS - Council member Leeth said Chief Charlie's Kids Fish Day will be on May 4, 2024 and the committee will be meeting in April to work on the Party in the Park that is scheduled in PERSONNEL, FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION: - Mayor Plaster said the personnel committee  June.  will be meeting to set guidelines and goals for merit base raises.  STAFF REPORTS  TOWNN MANAGER. Manager McAlister said her report was the draft budget and executive summary  and it was reviewed at the work session. ATTORNEY. No report. final checklist.  TREASURER. Treasurer Danner said the 2021 audit is almost complete. She said she is waiting for the ASSISTANTTOTOWN MANAGER. A written report was provided. There were no additional POLICE CHIEF. A written report was provided. There were no additional comments from staff and no PUBLIC WORKS. Public Works Director Hummel said they have been installing the new radio read meters and have approximately 100 installed. He also said they will having training on the system on RECREATION ANDTOURISM DIRECTOR. A written report was provided. There were no additional comments from staff and no questions or comments from Council members.  comments from staff and no questions or comments from Council members.  questions or comments from Council members.  April 24th.  NEW BUSINESS  Lot Line Revision - Council member Leeth made a motion to move forward the request from Josh Holloway for lot line revision. Attorney Helm asked Council member Leeth to amend the motion to approve or deny. Council member Leeth amended the motion to approve the request for lot line revision from Josh Holloway. Seconded by Council member Justis and carried by a vote of 5-0-1 voting recorded as follows: CHITTUM - AYE; BAILEY - ABSTAINED; JUSTIS- AYE; RAYNES - AYE; KOHL  AYE; LEETH - AYE. Council member Bailey abstained due to the property being owned by a family  member.  Mayor Plaster declared the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.  Mayor  Clerk    Ordinance, Healhh - Properiy - a.  ORDINANCE TO. AMEND Section 64 ("Levy and Rate") OFTHE GROTTOES TOWN CODE  CHAPTER 144 ("Taxation"), Article IX ("Cigarette Tax")  WHEREAS, by Ordinance duly adopted, the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes, Virginia adopted Chapter 144, Taxation, of the Grottoes Town Code, which chapter has been  amended from time to time; and  WHEREAS, upon mature consideration the Town Council has determined it isi in the best NOWTHEREREFOREBEITRESOLVED and ordained by the Town Council ofGrottoes, Virginia, that Chapter 144 (Taxation), Article IX (Cigarette Tax), Section 64 (Levy and Rate) is  interest of the Town to further amend said Chapter.  hereby amended to read as follows: $144-64. Levy and rate.  In addition to all other taxes of every kind now or hereinafter imposed by law, there is hereby levied and imposed by the Town upon every person who sells or uses cigarettes within the Town from and after the effective date of this article an excise tax in such amount as set forth in accordance with Chapter A171,and as otherwise authorized by the Virginia Code, foreach] package of cigarettes. The tax shall be paid and collected in the matter and at the time hereinafter prescribed; provided that the tax payable for each cigarette package sold or used within the Town shall be paid but once. The tax hereby levied shall not apply to free distribution of sample  cigarettes in packages containing five or fewer cigarettes.  Except as amended above, Chapter 144 of the Grottoes Town Code shall remain in This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the passage hereof as  full force and effect. provided by Virginia Law. Adopted on this  day of  2024.  Mayor, Jo Plaster  ATTEST:  Town Clerk    Ordnance, Healhh Boperly : b.  ORDINANCE TOAMEND CHAPTER. A171 ("FEES") OFTHE GROTTOES TOWN CODE  WHEREAS, by Ordinance duly adopted, the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes, Virginia adopted Chapter A171, Fees, of the Grottoes Town Code, which chapter has been  amended from time to time; and  WHEREAS, upon mature consideration the Town Council has determined iti is in the best NOWTHEREFORE BEI ITI RESOLVED and ordained by the Town Council of Grottoes, Virginia, that the schedules set forthin Chapter A171 (Fees) arel hereby repealed in full and Chapter  interest of the Town to further amend said Chapter.  A171 is hereby amended to read as follows:  Chapter A171 - Fees  The Town Council shall annually, before the 30th day of June, adopt a schedule of fees, charges and expenses that are imposed by the Town. The adopted schedule shall set forth the specific rates adopted by the Town for those taxes and fees authorized in Chapter 144 of the Town Code. The adopted fee schedule shall further set forth all Administrative fee schedules, Zoning and Planning fee schedules, Facility fee schedules, Grand Caverns fee schedules, Public Works Labor fees, Water and Sewer rates and fees, as well as any other fee or tax otherwise authorized and Such fee: schedule shall be duly adopted by the' Town Council each year, and a copy oft the schedule  adopted by the' Town.  shall be made publicly available at the Town Office.  Except as amended above, the Grottoes Town Code shall remain in full force and This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the passage hereof as  effect.  provided by Virginia Law. Adopted on this  day of  2024.  Mayor, Jo Plaster  ATTEST:  Town Clerk    GROTTOES  Staff Report #1  VIRGINIA  MEMORANDUM  TO: FROM: DATE:  Mayor and Town Council Stefanie McAlister, Town Manager May 13,2024  SUBJECT: Staff Report  1. Remote Participation Resolution  The Code of Virginia $ 2.2-3708.3. Meetings held through electronic communication means, which allows, under certain circumstances, members of a public body to use remote participation instead of attending a public meeting in person. The code also states that before a public body allows this, they must adopt a policy. Grottoes did this in April 2020. At this time our town attorney has notified us that the policy is to be renewed each year. An action item for the May meeting will be to adopt a resolution allowing for remote participation of Grottoes' public body members. A copy of the resolution is included in your packet and is on the agenda under new business.  2. Comprehensive Plan Update  The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) continues to work with the Comprehensive Plan Committee to update the town's plan. We are currently in the feedback gathering stage and have a survey out for citizens, neighboring residents, visitors, etc. to complete. So far, we have received over 230 responses. On Thursday, May 16h, from 5-7PM the PDC and comprehensive plan committee will hold an open house at' Town Hall. We encourage citizens to attend the open house where they can learn more about the plan's purpose and to provide feedback into the process.  3. John Painter Park Pavilion  The pavilion at the park, known as the chicken shack where the GVFD sells their famous chicken, is having issues caused by settling. As the ground below continues to shift and settle the building is also shifting and will require some foundational repairs. The town is working with R&L Construction whose engineer has inspected the structure and devised ap plan to stabilize it. Once the foundational repairs are complete, town staff will inspect the building and concrete that it sits on, to see what repairs are necessary.  4. Water and Sewer Projects  Engineer Rob Mangrum continues to make progress on site design for the area of the third well and for the wastewater treatment plant evaluation report. For the 3rd, well the water line route has been determined and the design phase is nearly complete. Following that we will move into the construction preparation phase. The WWTP report is expected  to be completed at the end of the month.    Staff Report #3  Treasurer's Staff Report  May 2024 Audit  Iam currently working on the final request list of items needed for FY21. This will be followed by final review questions. Iexpect this to be completed by the end of this month.  Maximum Investment Sweep Account  For the month of April, we have earned $7,681.67 in interest. The interest rate was 2.40%.  Taxes  The revenue totals below are as of April 30, 2024: Real Estate: $283,000 Budgeted: 109% Collected $309,465 Personal Property: $87,908 Budgeted: 104% Collected $91,781 Vehicle License Fee: $45,000 Budgeted: 107% Collected $48,928  Utility Billing Billing Period: Billing Date: Due Date: Total Billing: Bills Generated: Bills Emailed: Accounts Payable Date: April 2024 Number of Checks: 69  2/15/2024 - 4/15/2024 5/5/2024 6/5/2024 $185,182.25 1006 372  Total March AP Expense: $120,294.67  Business License on July 1.  Business license renewal letters were mailed 4/1/2024. Business licenses are due yearly  Total revenue as of April 30, 2024:  Business Licenses: $93,000 Budgeted: 63% Collected $58,289    Golf Cart Decals  Golf cart decals went on sale March 1. Ifresidents wish to operate their cart in the town limits, they must bei inspected by our police department and a decal displayed by April 15, 2024. There  has been at total of 23 decals sold so far this year.    Staff Report #4  GROTTOES  VIRGINIA  Land Development Staff Report Zoning Permits issued (April 2024)  May 2024  2024 total to date 17Total Permits 2024 Total Dwellings 7 Single-Family OTownhouse units  51 Permits 3 Single-Family OTown houses 1Patio remodel 1Carport  Forest Station - (21:Street) - Construction of the first group of six townhouses continues. Cherry Street Townhouses Construction continues for the Cherry Street Townhouses. R-72 Zoned area east of Cherry Avenue - Single family residential development continues. The developers are running all service lines and constructing the roads to state standards. This development is not considered a subdivision since the streets are already platted and the developer is following the 7001 Dogwood Avenue - Construction is underway at 700 Dogwood Avenue. This is an approved conditional use permit allowing for al building containing a commercial store front with a two-family Aspen Avenue Apartments - The developer for the Aspen Avenue apartments has reached out to staff about changing the project from a six-unit apartment building to a duplex. Staff has received the plans for a duplex and has contacted the developer with ai few changes that need to be made.  town code for zoning and land use.  residential back.  Respectfully submitted:  Tara Morris, Assistant to Town Manager    Staff Report #5  Grottoes Police Department  Staff Report May 2024 Staffing Chief Sergeant Officer  Authorized I 4  Filled 1 2  Vacant 0 0 2  Ofc. T.L. Good has been released to solo patrol and has been assigned to a patrol shift. One uncertified applicant has been made aj job offer. We are waiting for the applicant to accept  the offer.  Sgt. Knight is still assigned to a Daylight patrol shift. Part-time officers continue to cover open patrol shifts.  Chief Sullivan continues to fill in on patrol shifts to cover time off requests and vacant shifts  caused by assigned training. DMV Grants:  Department of Motor Vehicles Grant that was awarded to the police department for increased traffic enforcement is going well. A majority of the violations that have occurred are STOP sign We are applying for this grant again this year. The equipment that we will requesting is an Eagle III Radar unit to replace aging Eagle II radar unit on top of the awarded reimbursement for fuel  violations.  and wages paid while offers work under the grant guidelines,  Special Events  The police department along with members of the Town maintenance assisted with Road closers for the Caverns 5K race that was held on April 26, 2024. The race was completed without any Chief Charles's Kids Fish Day was held on May 4. With the assistance of 4 volunteers from the Town Council, one employee from the Parks Department, Girl Scout Troop 592, and the Grottoes Fire Department auxiliary the event went well. Attendance at the event was low this  problems.  year but that is attributed to the weather. Respectfully submitted: Jason Sullivan Chief of Police.    le    Staff Report* #6  May 2024  PUBLIC WORKS STAFF REPORT  Staffing  Authorized 1 1 1 5 1 3  Filled 1 1 1 4 1 1  Vacant 0 0 0 1 0 2  Public' Works Director Asst. Public' Works Director Public' Works Crew Leader Public Works Tech Wastewater Treatment Operator Part-Time SeasonalLaborer remining Tech position.  Brady Dodson has been hired as at technician. Supervisory Staff is working to fill the DirectorHummel's last dayi is May 17t. The open position willl be advertised this week.  STREETS  The new development for the 100 block of 14th Street has been paved. This workwas performed by Smith's Paving and was inspected by Town Staff to ensure that itr meets' VDOT  specifications.  WATER AND SEWER SepticTanks  Staff continues to pump septic tanks per the schedule. Int thei future, we will be pumping businesses int town with higher sewer usage (i.e., restaurants and convenience stores) moret frequently, once ayear, at a minimum. Since our system is designed differently than ai typical residential: septic tank and drain field system, pumping should not required as frequently as at traditional tank and drain field system. However, the staffi is working to ensure that all tanks are inspected every 5years, and a  log citing the condition oft the tanki is kept.  Wastewater Plant  Thet town's engineer Rob Mangrum has be evaluating the equipment and processes at the WWTP. At the end oft this month a compiled report will be provided. From that report staff and the water and sewer committee will need to review the plan, evaluate the    findings and determine ap path fori improvements and mpemenatonmduongaly  toi finance and adjustments or upgrades.  Water  Town staff has determined where valve insertion should occur. We will be working with acontractori int the coming months to install valves on some 2-inch and 8-inch main linesi including along Dogwood Ave and 6th Street. Once installed this will allow staff to isolation parts of the system to more easily repair leaks without having to shut water off to larger portions (or all) of Town. This project was previously approved by Council. Our staff is updating the GIS map of the utilities whenever a new asset is found ori is worked on. During the preparation forv valve insertion, several lines and valves have We continue to work with Engineer, Robl Mangrum with plans to get the 3dv well  been located that we were previously unaware of.  connected to the water system. New.construction  The Public' Works Department conducts inspections for all new water, sewer, and street installations throughout town. As we all know there is al lot of construction around town. Thei town staffi is always looking and trying to plan on the water and sewer service increases. R&L construction is also in full swing of building houses on 16th.St. Kenny  Mayi is int the process of construction on 14ts St. VEHICLE. AND EQUPMENTMANTENANCE vehicles, including the police department. PARKS AND FACILITIES  The department supplies preventative maintenance for the Town's equipment and  Public works staff are working with Parks &1 Tourism staff to get projects at both parks completed. With thel hiring of Park Ranger 2s, we will be working on training these: staff members to ensure that they're up to date on procedures and safetyi information.    Work up Fallen Tree Install Water Pumped septic tank Fix Yard from Tap Setter Added roof sealant Pumped septic tank Pumped septic tank Repaired water leak Repaired water leak Pumped septic tank Read water meters Pumped septic tank Replaced turn sign Repaired yard Pumped septic tank Repaired water leak  4/1/2024 Maintenance  Caverns  DS,BD,TB LR,JS JS,LR BD,DS LR,JS,BK DS,BD LR,TB LR,TB LR,TB DS,BK BD,JS,LR,BK  Pine Tree Fell Replace Meter Setter Pump septic tank Fix yard from 8" tap setter Add another coat of roof sealant Pump septic tank Drain clogged Pump septic tank Repair yard from sewer line install Water leak 2" main  Parks 2Hrs. Sewer 2Hrs. Water 1Hrs Water 3Hrs. Admin. 1Hr. Sewer 2Hrs. Sewer 2Hrs.  4/1/2024 Maintenance 89 Cary Street 4/1/2024 Homeowner 606 15th Street 4/2/2024 Maintenance Aspen Ave. 4/2/2024 Maintenance 91 Grace St 4/5/2024 Maintenance 4/5/2024 Homeowner 4/5/2024 Maintenance 4/5/2024 Homeowner 4/8/2023 Homeowner 408 16th.St. 4/9/2024 Maintenance  Meter and Setter Water 3Hrs.  Install new meter Install New Meter  204 Aspen Ave. Jail 3049 9th.St. WWTP 4766 Eastside Hwy. 1602 Dogwwod Ave.  Cleared clog Sewer 1Hr. Repaired yard Sewer 2Hrs.  Water 2Hrs. Water 3Hrs. Sewer 2 Hrs. Water 241 Hrs. Sewer 2Hrs. Streets 1Hr. Sewer 2Hrs. Water 2Hrs.  4/10/2024 Maintenance 18th.& Dogwwod DS,TB,LR,JS,BK,BD Water leak 2" main  4/11/2024 Homeowner 99 Aspen Ave. 4/12/2024 Maintenance  JS,BD DS,LR TB,BD DS,BK,BD BK,DS,BD LR,JS,LK DS,LR,JS,BD DSIR,S,BK,TB,BD DS.LR,S,BK,TB,BD DS,BK  Pump septic tank  21st. St.  Hydro seed ditches Seeded ditches Streets 7Hrs.  4/15/2024 Maintenance Water meters DS.LR.S,BK,BD,IB Read water meters  4/15/2024 Homeowner 205 13th. St. 4/19/2024 Maintenance 601 Riverside 4/19/2024 Maintenance 6036th. St. 4/19/2024 Maintenance Container site 4/22/2024 Maintenance 208 17th. St. 4/23/2024 Maintenance 4/24/2024 Maintenance 4/24/2024 Homeowner 4/25/2024 Maintenance  Pump septic tank Replace turn sign Repair yard and driveway Pump septic tank Water leak 2" main Meter training Meter training  and driveway Water 1Hr.  Town Hall Town Hall 808 6th. St. 11th. & Dogwwod  Meter training Water 6Hrs. Meter training Water 6Hrs.  Replaced broken Repaired water leak gravel Tapped and line  Sewer smell in alley clean out cap Sewer 1Hr.  DSLR,TB,BD,BK Water leak 2" main  Water 3Hrs. Water 1Hr. Water 2Hrs.  Driveway sinking repair chlorine feeder  from previous water Added scoop of Tap well pipe for installed chlorine  4/25/2024 Maintenance 6036th. St. 4/29/2024 Maintenance  BK,BD DS,LR,JSBD  Well #2    Staff Report #7  Parks & Tourism Staff Report  April 2024 Staffing: Parks & Tourism Director Parks & Tourism Assistant Director Parks Coordinator Park Ranger II Park Rangerl Park. Aide  Authorized  Filled 1 1 1 2 9 0  Vacant 0 0 0 0  2  Park Aide and Park Rangerl I positions replace the prior terminology of' Tour Guide. Previously, there were 21 authorized tour guide positions. Staff will determine employee numbers onçe each position type is filled. With this improved staffing structure, we anticipate needing fewer overall employees. Parks & Tourism generated $69,633.561 in revenue for the month of April. This is an: $8,063.18 decrease from April 2023. April of 2023 contained a single $8,043.90 corporate rental of Grand Caverns Park, absent in April 2024, which indicates all other revenue streams were: a match between April 2023 and 2024.  Revenue:  1. Cave & Karst Expo 2024: We are gearing up for our 2nd annual Cave & Karst Expo for the last day of National Cave Week, Saturday, 6/8th. Wel had an exceptional debut at this event in 2023 wherein 13 partners provided educational booths and activities for the 400 members of the public who attended. We are hoping toi increase the number of partners to 20+ with a commiserate increase inj public  attendance. T'l report back to the Town Council on how it goes in. June.  2. The Grottoes Bluegrass Festival: This year's single Bluegrass Festival is taking place on 5/17-5/18 at Grand Caverns Park again. Wayne Proffit, our treasured partner, has limited this calendar year's Grottoes Bluegrass Festival to only one spring event, instead of the normal spring & fall schedule, in  an effort to concentrate attendance  3. Broadening & Increasing Revenue Sources: As you know, Grand Caverns business model has been inas shift over the last 3 years since I became your Parks & Tourism Director, prioritizing quality instead of focusing exclusively on quantity. Thanks to the new staffing model you supported, ,Iwould argue that wel have become aj premier site for excellence in interpretive programming, both informal and formal education. We've completely overhauled the Grand Caverns walking tour, multiplied and refined the Adventure Tours (still the only cave in the state to offer them), introduced History Tours, Geology Tours, GEOL1 110 tours (undergraduate), and now we't re about to launch a campaign for our newly created grade-specific programming that follow SOLS for K-12th grade. We will be going public with this new initiative in time to drive field trip bookings for both next Fall and Spring Additionally, we' ve introduçed new and exciting special events, both free and revenue-generating, in order to support our local community and drive tourism to the Town. Haunted Cave has successfully run for two years generating $12,000.00 each time. And our Subterranean Sound series netted us Lastly, we' ve been applying tremendous polish to the customer'sexperience, from start to finish.  seasons.  $45,000.00 in revenue with its inaugural launch.    We' ve renovated the Giftshop, we' re about to complete a renovation of the Adventure Tour Ready Room, we' ve finished a minor renovation for the Cave Entrance building, and we' re about to launch a The Grand Caverns of today isn'teasily recognized from the Grand Caverns of 2020.Isay all of this a. AL this time I'm forecasting ai revenue shortfall of 6.4% for what was budgeted, or $56,000.00. At least $35,000 of lost revenue occurred between August and September of 2023 when we closed for 23 days to complete thel Phase 20 Communications project inside Grand Caverns. The remaining shortfall, roughly 2.4% of budgeted revenues, seems tol be general and not specific to any one revenue: stream. That, I would recommend, you should take as an encouragement considering the alternatives. With everything I've prefaced, I'm hoping the citizens of the' Town will recognize that the Parks & Tourism Department is poised and equipped to capture more business than it has ever before, and all that's left is to b. Early in the next fiscal year I'll provide aj proposal for the Parks Committee, then hopefully, toall of council that will seek to drive more! business to Grand Caverns Park. This proposal will be focused on a branding and advertising strategy which would appeal tol broad demographics while better representing the Grand Caverns oft today. I deeply appreciate the trust this town's citizens have placed in me, and Iremain deeply proud of the team I've amassed and led in our Parks & Tourism Department. Before long though, TII humbly be asking the citizens to put their trust in me again with this next strategy.  brand-new website for Grand Caverns at the end of May. to preface one fact and alert you to another.  drive it.    Revenue per Month by Fiscal Year  2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 114,666.02 109,906.75 109,049.62 96,790.05 83,045.02 121,183.39 126,333.08 121,896.53 82,400.00 90,052.60 86,369.02 75,955.14 73,099.04 90,498.86 95,857.62 60,252.18 53,621.00 47,728.97 44,111.49 48,171.93 45,446.76 55,187.46 71,849.43 72,362.94 15,989.60 16,933.85 20,391.97 18,631.61 18,618.06 17,038.43 29,243.19 37,149.92 35,916.00 46,890.09 33,851.06 19,130.58 28,944.34 44,157.10 54,117.45 75,431.34 77,932.89 89,339.00 68,952.85 29,959.89 93,205.09 90,247.33 82,750.64  July August October January March April May June 140,000.00 120,000.00 100,000.00 80,000.00 60,000.00 40,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 -20,000.00  September 40,864.00 46,500.01 42,753.13 39,037.34 45,294.81 49,867.95 53,129.49 52,043.89 November 29,960.14 35,864.01 31,040.05 35,719.21 28,575.92 45,122.38 45,510.93 48,813.49 December 19,065.81 25,078.17 26,501.92 28,439.56 15,788.80 43,131.17 39,826.13 56,869.12 February 19,589.22 24,394.21 22,570.37 25,357.98 16,009.96 27,089.55 37,269.68 43,610.16  56,393.64 59,677.04 65,301.31 45,428.42 62,606.36 58,972.15  -777.78 55,284.51 66,405.33 77,696.74 69,633.56 50.60 48,287.55 53,997.59 57,678.58  July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024  Total Revenue  900,000.00 800,000.00 700,000.00 600,000.00 500,000.00 400,000.00 300,000.00 200,000.00 100,000.00 0.00  771,272.96  703,926.54  654,971.06  638,063.13  591,826.74  609,864.94  551,599.86  416,466.11  Illll  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024    New Buisness #1  REMOTE PARTICIPATION POLICY OF THE TOWN OF GROTTOES, VIRGINIA  WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes, Virginia adopted a policy permitting the remote participation by a member oft the Town Council in accordance with Virginia  Code 2.2-3708.3.  WHEREAS, upon mature consideration the Town Council has determined it is in the best interest of the Town to continue to permit such remote attendance in accordance with the Code of  Virginia.  NOWTHEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Grottoes, Virginia hereby adopts  the following remote participation policy:  A. Town council members may use remote participation instead of attending a public meeting in person if, in advance of the public meeting, the member notifies the Mayor or Town 1. The council member has a temporary or permanent disability or other medical 2. A mediçal condition of a member of the council member's family requires the council member to provide care that prevents the member's physical attendance; or 3. The council member is unable to attend the meeting due to a personal matter and identifies with specificity the nature of the personal matter. However, the member may not use remote participation due to personal matters more than two meetings per calendar year or 25 percent of the meetings held per calendar year rounded up to the B. Ifparticipation by a council embertougnctectrone communication means is approved, the Town council shall record in its minutes the remote location from which the member participated; however, the remote location need not be open to the public and may be identified in the minutes by a general description. If participation is approved pursuant to subdivision 1 or 2, the Town council shall also include in its minutes the fact that the member participated through electronic communication means due to a (i) temporary or permanent disability or other medical condition that prevented the member's physical attendance or (ii) family member's medical condition that required the member to provide care for such family member, thereby preventing the member's physical attendance. If participation is approved pursuant to subdivision 3, the Town council shall also include in its minutes the specific nature of the personal matter cited by the member.  Manager that:  condition that prevents the member's physical attendance;  next whole number, whichever is greater.  Town of Grottoes, Virginia Remote Participation Policy 2024    C.A Acouncil member may participate in a meeting by electronic means only when:  1. Aquorum of the Council is physically assembled at the primary or central meeting 2. The Council makes arrangements for the voice oft the remote participant tol be heard  location; and  by all persons at the primary or central meeting location.  Adopted this  day of  2024  Jol Plaster, Mayor  Attest: Clerk  Town of Grottoes, Virginia Remote Participation Policy 2024