-44- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting TOWN OF ABINGDON MID-MONTH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY20, 2021 - 2:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MUNICIPAL BUILDING A mid-month meeting of the Abingdon Town Council was held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 2:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building. A. WELCOME - Mayor Webb B. ROLL CALL Members of Council Present: Mike Owens James Anderson Amanda Pillion Donna Quetsch, Vice Mayor Derek Webb, Mayor C.A APPROVAL OF AGENDA (VIDE03:50-5:10) On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Anderson, amended the draft agenda to include swearing-in oft two officers for the Abingdon Police Department to be heard after the public comments and a closed sessions under item M pursuant to $2.2-3711(A)0) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, a personnel matter involving performance evaluation or job assignments of specific employees. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye (VIDE05:18-5:40) On motion of Mrs. Pillion, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, approved the agenda as amended. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye 45- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting D. PUBLIC COMMENTS (VIDEO: 5:42-11:19) Katie Brown, Barter Theatre Dr. Mark Matney VIDE01124-20.24) Mayor Webb invited Chief Jon Holbrook to introduce Christopher Jennings and Stephen Blake Eades. ChiefHolbrook announced that Christopher Jennings was promoted to Lieutenant ofInvestigations and. Administrations and Stephen Blake. Eades was promoted to. Lieutenant ofthe Patrol Division of the Abingdon Police Department. Lieutenant Jennings and Lieutenant Eades E. PUBLIC HEARINGS- - Please place your name on the sign-up sheet provided and comments 1. Public Hearing - Easement requested for Appalachian Power Company to cross Virginia Creeper Trail right-of-way - John Dew, Director of Public Works (VIDEO accepted oaths of office and Council congratulated them on their promotions. are limited to five (5): minutes per person. 20:30-22:42) John Dew, Director of Public Works advised Council that has been discussed at a previous meeting and was before Council for a public hearing. Mr. Dew stated that Appalachian Power Company requested an easement: for overhead power lines near 201570 Alvarado Road. Mayor Webb opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Webb closed the public hearing. 2. Public Hearing Ordinance amending Town of Abingdon's: fiscal year 2020-2021 annual budget. -Steve Trotman, Director of Finance (VIDE022:43-27.07, Steve Trotman, Director of Finance provided Council with a summary regarding the additional revenue from federal funds received from 2020 CARES Act, grants from Crisis Intervention Treatment Assessment Center, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, National Park Service, sewer fund transfer, reopening of the Coomes Recreation Mayor Webb opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Webb closed the public Center, other local taxes and miscellaneous reclassifications. hearing. F.P PROCLAMATIONS G. NEW: BUSINESS H. RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution of the Council for the Town of Abingdon to dispose of certain personal Town Manager James Morani reminded Council that this matter was tabled last month, which provided an opportunity to view other storage areas and inventoried contents. Mr. Morani stated property - James Morani, Town Manager (VIDE02715-41.10) 46- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting that the Town has paid since 2013 approximately $25,000 and not a good use of taxpayer funds. Discussion ensued. On motion of Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Mr. Owens, adopted Resolution to dispose of certain personal property. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye ORDINANCES -47:11) 1. First Reading Ordinance to require users oft the Virginia Creeper Trail to come to acomplete stop atl Meade Drive. - John Dew, Director ofi Public Works (VIDEO 41:13 John Dew, Director of Public Works communicated that the traffic pattern will change in that the trail users must stop at Meade Drive. Cameron Bell, Counsel advised that the Town Manager or designee has the power under ordinances to add or remove traffic signals, however the statute requires if the Town wants people on the shared use path to stop, then the Council must adopt an ordinance, requires two readings but can dispense with the second. Mr. Dew stated that letters were: mailed to all Meade Meadows residents, posted on social media and Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy has contacted the local bike shops. Mr. Dew further added that signage is posted regarding the new traffic pattern. Discussion ensued. On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, adopted Resolution to require users of the Virginia Creeper Trail to come to a complete stop at Meade Drive and dispensed with the second reading of said Ordinance. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye 2. Adoption of Ordinance amending Town of Abingdon's fiscal year 2020-2021 annual budget. - Steve Trotman, Director of Finance (VIDE047:11-4 49:28) -47- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting On motion of Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Mr. Owens, adopted Ordinance amending the Town of Abingdon's fiscal year 2020-2021 annual budget. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye J. UNFINISHED BUSINESS MANAGER K. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOWN 1. Tourism and Economic Development Update - Tonya Triplett, Director of Economic Development and Tourism/Assistant Town Manager (VIDEO 49:46-1:17:46) Tonya' Triplett, Director ofEconomic Development and Tourism/Assistant Town Manager and Tenille Montgomery, Community Relations SpecialislManagement Analyst provided 2. Consideration of easement requested for Appalachian Power Company to cross Virginia Creeper Trail right-of-way John Dew, Director of Public Works (VIDEO 1:17:46- On motion of Mrs. Pillion, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, approved easement request from Appalachian Power Company to cross Virginia Creeper Trail right-of-way and granted the Town Manager authorization to sign easement. Council with an update on Tourism and Economic Development. 1:18:59) The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye 3. Discussion regarding RFP for Hassinger House- James Morani, Town Manager (VIDEO1 1:18:59- -1:27:52) Town Manager James Morani and Cameron Bell, Counsel, discussed the request for proposal regarding the Hassinger House and advised that this matter would be on the June 7,2021 agenda forj public hearing. Mr. Bell stated that once an agreement was reached that another public 4. Discussion regarding natural gas franchise agreement - James Morani, Town Manager hearing would be held. (VIDEO 1:27:53- -1:31:09) 48- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting Town Manager James Morani advised that ai natural gas franchise agreement proposed by Atmos Energy Corporation. Mr. Morani advised that the code requires advertisement but no 5. Discussion regarding Chapter 82 oft the Town of Abingdon Code pertaining to ride- sharing James Morani, Town Manager (VIDEO 1:31:09-1:36:26) Town Manager James Morani advised Council that the ride-sharing has been discussed in relation to "refreshment areas in the community". Mr. Morani further stated that regulations regarding taxicabs are very broad and is not in the Town'sl best interest and would prefer to define separately. Mr. Morani stated that Delegate Wampler proposed the idea and discussed the size of the district and what areas to bei included. Mr. Morani stated that this matter will be updated at the next mid-month meeting and suggested the Council dispense with the second reading. 6. Abingdon Police Department Update - APD Chief Holbrook (VIDEO . 1:36:26- action today. 1:56:40) ChiefJon Holbrook provided Council with an update regarding matters occurring within the Abingdon Police Department. L. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS (VIDEO 1:56:45-1 1:59:06) Council Member Amanda Pillion stated that she served on the Veterans Memorial Foundation Board; her husband is a veteran, and she worked with the Veteran's Administration. Mrs. Pillion further stated that being a Council member is a separate issue from the support of Veterans and she felt that it was in the best interest oft the Town, as a whole, to sell the Hassinger House. Mayor Webb conveyed that many discussions were held regarding the sale and the support ofVeterans in planning for parking and was concerned that there wasalotofmisinbomation being shared. M. CLOSED SESSION VIDEO1SP0)-13539) Oni motion of Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Mr. Owens, convened in closed session pursuant to $2.2-3711(A)() of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, a personnel matter involving performance evaluation or job assignments of specific employees. Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye On motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, reconvened in open session. The roll call vote was as follows: 49- May 20, 2021 Mid-month Meeting Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Mrs. Pillion moved that the' Town Council certify that, in 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 discussed under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act cited in the motion. The certification was as follows: Mr. Owens Mr. Anderson Mrs. Pillion Mrs. Quetsch Mayor Webb Isoc certify Iso certify Iso certify Iso certify Iso certify Mayor Webb declared the meeting adjourned. T Ky mgaley Kimberly Kingsldy, Clerk