June 20, 2024  Council meeting minutes  48-  TOWN OF ABINGDON COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAYJUNE 20, 2024. -2 2:30 pm COUNCILCHAMBERS-I MUNICIPAL BUILDING  The meeting of the Abingdon Town Council was. held on' Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 2:30  pm int the Council Chambers oft the Municipal Building.  A. WELCOME- - Mayor Pillion B. ROLL CALL Members of Council Present:  Donna Quetsch Derek Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion Wayne Austin  C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  D. APPROVALOF AGENDA (VIDEO 5:42-6:04)  On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, approved the  agenda as presented. The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr.Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion Eddie Copenhaver  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  E. PUBLIC COMMENTS (VIDEO 6:05-8:15)  Vice Mayor Anderson advised that information regarding the Preston Street matter could  be found on the Town's website under the Public Works department.  F.P PROCLAMATIONS  G. PUBLIC HEARING (VIDEO8 8:20-13:36)  1. Proposed special use permit for a financial institution tol be located at 201 W. Main Street Within the Old & Historic (OH) District, Sub-district: 1 (Civic/Business Focused)  Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development Mayana Rice conveyed that the Planning Commission heard a special use permit application from Skyline    June 20, 2024  Council meeting minutes  -49-  National Bank and owners Patrick and Patricia Callebs at the June 10, 2024 meeting. Theb building,  currently in commercial use since 1994, meets off-street parking requirements.  Mayor Pillion opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Pillion closed the  public hearing.  H. RESOLUTIONS (VIDEO 13:36-14:24)  1. Proposed special use permit for a financial institution to be located at 201 W. Main Street within the Old & Historic (OH). District, Sub-district 1 (Civic/Business Focused) On motion of] Mr. Austin, as recommended by the Planning Commission, seconded by Mr. Webb, approved the special use permit as presented.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr.Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice MayorAnderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  I. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES  J. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES (VIDEO 14:27-3 38:42)  An Ordinance oft the Council for the Town of Abingdon, proposing a budget, make appropriation for the current expenses, and to fix a tax rate upon real and personal property, for the fiscal year  Beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30,2025.  Director rofFinance Steve Trotman explained changes since the advertisement oft the proposed budget. The revised budget is $21,798,430, with ARPA fund expenditures of $4,596,025 and sewer fund appropriations is $11,763,993. No tax insures, but a 10% increase in wastewater service charges were noted. Discussion ensued about the use of ARPA funds and lodging tax Mr. Austin questioned if the Town was on target to meet the lodging tax for this year? Mr. Trotman responded that he did not think that the Town would meet the amount estimated, which was a 10% increase over last year's. He further stated that the lodging tax was over last year's budget, however it was not enough to meet the budget number. Mr. Austin questioned to what extent, with Mr. Trotman stating approximately $100,000. Mr. Trotman stated that a 5% increase was included in this year's budget, which is the historic trend. Discussion continued regarding  projections.  economically sensitive taxes.    June 20, 2024  Council meeting minutes  -50-  On motion by Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Mr. Webb, to adopt an Ordinance for a budget, make appropriation for the current expenses, and to fix a tax rate upon real and personal property, for the fiscal year beginning  July 1,2024 and ending June 30, 2025 as presented.  Mr. Austin stated that he did not publicly support the proposed budget and many of the  appropriations and stated his concerns.  Mrs. Quetsch voiced her conçerns in not supporting the proposed budget.  Mayor Pillion and Mr. Webb voiced their opinions in support of the proposed budget.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Nay Nay Aye Aye Aye  Upon Counsel Cameron Bell's recommendation that Vice Mayor Anderson clarify his motion since its seems to be some decent that we do the budget and the appropriations as one and then we  will take up the unchanged tax rate as a separate motion.  On motion of Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Mr. Webb, to accept the  budget and the current appropriations.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Nay Nay Aye Aye Aye  On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, the tax rate on real and personal property for the upcoming fiscal year was fixed to remain  the same.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin  Aye    June 20, 2024  Council meeting minutes  -51-  Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye  K. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS (VIDEO 38:42--42:35) 1. Consideration ofbids for East Main Street Drainage Phase I  Director of Public Works Michael Surrett advised the project was developed through A. Morton Thomas Engineering. Invitation to Bid was released on April 22, 2024, with a May 21, 20241 pre-bid conference, anda al bid opening conducted on. June 6, 2024, bid tabulation and analysis from A. Morton Thomas Engineering to verify the lowest bidder. Two perspective bidders submitted bids, Jones Road and Bridge Construction and Baker's Construction Services. Baker's  Construction Services was the lowest responsible bid of$1,063,486.78. engineering services and ARPA funds will be utilized for construction.  Mr. Surrett stated the contract was funded through VDOT Urban Maintenance Funds for Vice Mayor Anderson questioned when the project would begin. Mr. Surrett responded that several things will occur, including the new award, AMT pre-construction meeting, hopefully by mid-July construction should begin. Mr. Surrett also offered that there should be a fourteen-  day closure on Main Street.  On motion of Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Mr. Webb, accepted the bid.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice MayorAnderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  L. NEW BUSINESS  M. OLD BUSINESS (VIDEO 42:37-57:77) 1. Update on projects from The Lane Group  Contract Engineer Matthew Lane, The Lane Group provided updates on projects, including Hagy Street drainage issues, Phase 1 and 2 sewer system improvements, Southview lift station and force  main improvements, and Wolfo Creek Water Reclamation Facility.    June 20, 2024  Council meeting minutes  -52-  N. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM' TOWN MANAGER 1. Consideration of request for banner display permit from Cancer Outreach Foundation for "2nd Annual Kim Andis Memorial Car Show" August 29 - September 8, 2024  (VIDE057.S5-1.90.13)  On motion of Mr. Webb, seconded by Mr. Austin, approved the request for banner display permit from Cancer Outreach Foundation for "2d Annual Kim Andis Memorial Car Show" August 29 - September 8, 2024.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  Town Manager Mike Cochran added that June 13th was his second-year work anniversary  and that he continues to love this community.  0. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS MVIDEO140.SS-1222)  Mayor Pillion reminded everyone that the next Council meeting is. July gth at 6:30 pm and the Town Hall meeting will be immediately after the conclusion of the regular meeting.  P. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES  Q. CLOSED SESSION  Mayor Pillion declared the meeting adjourned.  SuRun  Mayor Amanda Pillion  Kimberly Kingsley, Clerk    Idol NOT support this budget and its appropriations, and have consistently voiced these concerns both to Council and Administration. Either my concerns were not heard or they made no significant impact.  My primary concern centers around proposed salary increases for certain employee retention. Iti is not directed at the quality of service nor any  department nor individual.  Ifpassed this budgevappropration will result in various employees receiving over the span of approximately two years, salary increases from  37.15% I to-40.04% in that time period.  Ido not believe this is fiscally responsible to the residents/tax payers of Abingdon. Iam concerned in the coming years it could result in the need to  increase taxes and fees.  Irecognize the plight of those in our town who are on fixed incomes and  this could present a hardship for them.  Ialso do not believe iti is fair to other town employees who work diligently  and deserve the same consideration and get the 3.2%.  Finally Ib believe there are other ways to address the retention issue such as  as signing bonus with a 2 year contract etc.  We are fortunate in many respects in Abingdon, but if we are not careful and good stewards of our finances, we will be in the same boat as other  localities and need additional revenue.  For these reasons, If feel compelled to vote NO.