Town of Onancock Town Council Meeting September 25, 2017 7:00PM  Call to Order and Roll Call:  Mayor. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Russell. Jones and Councilmembers Catherine Krause, T. Lee Byrd, Ray Burger and Fletcher Fosque were present. Councilmembers Joshua Bundick and Robert Bloxom were absent. A majority of members are present and a quorum was  established.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Town Manager Kerbin shared that. John Hrusovsky, an active town employee with the Public Works department, passed away over the weekend. Mr. Kerbin asked for a moment of silence in his honor. Consideration: and Approval of the Regular Town Council Minutes from the August 28, 2017 meeting: Mayor Jones asked for any changes, corrections or additions to the minutes as submitted. With none, Councilmember Byrd made a motion to approve the August 28, 2017 meeting minutes as submitted. Councilmember Burger seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.  Public Business:  a. United' Way Presentation - Mrs. Karen Emerson: Mrs. Emerson, Deputy Director of the UW, shared that the United Way of the Eastern: Shore of Virginia started in 1991 and to date has raised 6.5 million dollars. Mrs. Emerson explained that the United' Way recently kicked off their campaign with a goal to raise $275,000. Mrs. Emerson continued by sharing that most everyone on the Eastern Shore is touched by the United Way efforts. All money that is raised by the United Way oft the Eastern Shore of Virginia stays on the Eastern Shore. The United' Way verifies the! 501(c)(3) status of all organizations that apply fori funding. Mrs. Emerson stressed that the United Way of the Eastern Shore is helping to building a stronger tomorrow for the residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Mrs. Emerson urged everyone to review the brochure she brought with her to the meeting. Every little bit helps including volunteering your time. Council thanked Mrs. Emerson for her hard work with the United Way.  b. Hazardous Duty Enhanced Retirement Benefit - Town Manager William Kerbin: Mr. Kerbin explained that this item was previously discussed int the August meeting. When council passed the FY2018 budget it approved a new expenditure so that the town could look into adopting the Hazardous Duty retirement benefit for the police department. Mr. Kerbin explained that this year's cost willl be less than originally budgeted but that there will be a significant increase to Councilmember Fosque shared that it may be worth foregoing the Hazardous Duty program and  the town's employer rate in the coming budget year. increasing each officer's salaries by $20,000.  1    Mayor. Jones explained that this program has become the newi industry standard and if the town wants to maintain its department it needs to adopt the Hazardous Duty enhanced retirement Councilmember Fosque stressed his concern for encumbering future town dollars since once  benefit.  this program is adopted it will continue in perpetuity. Mayor Jones asked for any public comment on this matter.  With none, Councilmember Fosque made a motion to adopt the VRS-Hazardous Duty Benefit for the Town of Onancock's police department employees effective October1, 2017. Councilmember Byrd seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Memo Regarding Nonconforming Uses and the Homestay Ordinance -1 Town Manager William Kerbin: Mr. Kerbin explained that this item would be deferred to the next council meeting. Councilmember Fosque asked why the town could not make the grandfathered homestays register and give the town contact information which is required under the new ordinance. Mayor. Jones explained that ordinances cannot be retroactive. The town cannot require that they supply contact information but that does not mean the town could not ask fori it. Mr. Kerbin shared that Mr.. John Custis, town attorney, will draft a clarification memorandum for d. National Guard Partnership -Town Manager William Kerbin: Mr. Kerbin explained that the town is trying to partner with the National Guard for certain projects in town such as resurfacing town streets, building renovations, repairing sidewalks and community development projects, to name a few. Part of the National Guard'srequirements for a partnership is having it publicly  the next meeting sO that he can respond to council's questions.  noticed.  Mayor. Jones shared that the notice requirement is to protect local contractors.  Councilmember Krause shared that she is hesitant of this partnership since her online research suggested that this military civilian partnership brings the military to the shore. Councilmember Krause expressed her concern for having ai firing range in town which would be accomplished Mr. Kerbin explained that the proposed firing range would be located outside of town and would be strictly for the town's police department. The National Guard's role on the firing Councilmember Fosque asked how often the officers need to be qualified. Mr. Kerbin said he Councilmember Krause asked for more information about this partnership, stating that at the present time this partnership does not sound like anything council would want to bring toi town.  through this proposed partnership.  range project would be assistance with clearing the land. was unsure would check with the Police Chief.  2    Councilmember Byrd shared that the National Guard already has an armory in town that houses Councilmember Fosque asked why the town would spend money on a firing range for the police Mr. Kerbin stated that he would get additional details from the Police Chief to help answer Councilmember Krause is concerned that the firing range may eventually open up to othersi in Mayor Jones shared that these partnerships benefit the National Guard because it gives them real life projects to practice on instead ofs simulators. Mayor Jones also shared that the firing Mrs. Anne Nock, Market Street, asked Mr. Kerbin to review the website that Councilmember Krause mentioned to see if there was any helpfulinformation to share with the rest of council.  tanks.  department when they do not need to qualify that often.  council's questions.  the area and she expressed her discomfort int that notion.  range site would double as a site to dump chipping materials.  Public Comment: No comments.  Planning Commission Report: completed by the end of the year. Waterfront Committee Report:  Councilmember Fosque shared that the committee is still working on the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Fosque stated that it was not likely that the revisions would be  Councilmember Byrd shared that int the meeting on September 12th the committee discussed fuel costs and the floating dock upgrade project. Councilmember Byrd explained that there has already beena pre-bid meeting for the project and that final bids are due at the end of September. Councilmember Byrd shared that the kayak race, coordinated by Mary and Bill Burnham, was successful. Councilmember Byrd thanked Mr. and Mrs. Burnham for all oft their hard work on the race. Councilmember Byrd also shared that the Bagwell Bridge renovation, a' Virginia Department of  Transportation project, will begin November: 1, 2017.  Personnel Committee Report:  Mayor. Jones asked Councilmember Krause if she was done tiding up responses from council. Councilmember Fosque asked when the responses were due. Councilmember Krause explained that responses were due last Wednesday but she had been out of town and therefore was just getting to  them now.  Holiday Committee Report:  Councilmember Fosque shared that the historic banners are ina and everyone can expect to see them up within the week. Councilmember Fosque explained that the historic banners will come down the week  of Thanksgiving so that the holiday banners can be put up.  3    Mayor's Report: Town Manager's Report:  Mayor Jones shared that he willr not bei in town for the October council meeting.  Mr. Kerbin updated council on the following items:  Mr. Kerbin has finalized the business directory; however, iti is still missing some information. Mr. Kerbin reminded council that this willl be an ongoing project and that he intends on continuing to reach out to all the businesses until the goal of 100% participation is met. Ap pre-bid meeting was held regarding the floating dock improvement project on September14, The police department has been awarded 2 grants: $2,000 for gun locks for the police vehicles; The Police Chief, Director of Public' Works, and Mr. Kerbin are continuing to draft an Emergency Management Plan for the town which will address manmade and natural disasters. The Mr. Kerbin and the Mayor will be meeting with Delegate Rob Bloxom and Senator Lynwood Lewis this week to discuss assistance with regulatory streamlining and potential funding. Mr. Kerbin will be attending the VML Conference in Williamsburg October 1- October: 3, 2017 aswell as the ICMA Conference in San Antonio from October 231 through October 27, 2017.  2017. Final bids are due in September 29, 2017.  and, $6,500 for overtime safety checks for seat belt enforcement.  Closed Session, if needed: None was needed. meetings.  Councilmember Fosque asked if there was any way to change the meeting time for the council  Mayor. Jones said that he would prefer that the entire council be present before this conversation takes place. Mayor. Jones explained to the public that prior to the start of the meeting some council members  discussed moving the meeting time so that it would be earlier than 7:00 PM.  Adjourn:  Councilmember Byrd made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Krause seconded the motion. The  motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.  Ba  R  4