October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -81-  TOWN OF ABINGDON COUNCIL MEETING  MONDAY, OCTOBER 7,2024 - 6:301 Pm COUNCILCHAMBERS - MUNICIPAL BUILDING  The meeting oft the Abingdon Town Council was. held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:30  pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.  A. WELCOME - Mayor. Pillion B. ROLLCALL Members of Council Present:  Wayne Austin Donna Quetsch Derek Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  C.P PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  D. PRAYER  E.A APPROVAL OF AGENDA (VIDEO 8:38-9:26)  On motion by Mr. Austin, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, to amend the agenda to add item P-1, "Consideration of banner request from Abingdon Rotary Club for the 5th Annual Golf Ball Drop scheduled for October 17,2024 to sponsor community events."  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  F.A APPROVAL OF MINUTES (VIDE09:26-10:23)  September 9, 2024 September 25, 2024 approved as presented. The roll call vote was as follows:  On motion of Vice Mayor. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Austin, the minutes were    October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  82-  Mr.Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye  Aye (September 9, 2024)  Abstained (September 23, 2024 minutes - not present)  G. PUBLIC COMMENTS (VIDE010.23-12-2)  H.  Valentyn Boichuk, Foreign Exchange Student Yuloh Um, Foreign Exchange Student Omorovu Zhamilu, Foreign Exchange Student Elisabeth Stampfer, Foreign Exchange Student  H. PROCLAMATIONS (VIDEO 12:43 - 17:59)  1.1 Proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week, October 6 - 12, 2024 "Smoke alarms: Councilmember Wayne Austin read the Proclamation into the record, a framed Proclamation was presented to members oft the Abingdon Fire Department. ChiefEstes thanked the Council and invited them to the 100th Anniversary open house of October 12,2024.  Make them work for you. "  PUBLIC HEARINGS  1. A requested vacation for a portion of an unopened right-of-way along Whites Mill Road, approximately 52 ft southwest of Summers Street, between Tax Parcels 005-1-17, 005-1-16, Mayana Rice, Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development, presented the Crescent Group petition affecting seven parcels for a proposed 16-unit townhouse development. In accordance with the' Town'sordinance, the Petitionimcludesgnatures from each The applicant proposes to vacate the existing unopened alleyway (width varies from 10 -20") and proposes new rights-of-way into the development. Additionally, the applicant requests the Council waive the appointment ofal Board of Viewers, if there is no public opposition. Mayor Pillion opened the public hearing. The representative of the owner, Matt Glover, addressed the Council. Hearing no additional comments, the public hearing was closed.  and 005-1-15. (VIDEO 18:05-3 38:58)  adjoining property owner.    October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -83-  2. The' Town's application for systemic safety improvements at twenty pedestrian crossings within the town limits. These improvements will include the installation of High Visibility Flashing LED Crossing Signs at various designated locations. This project will be funded through VDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program with funds awarded by the Commonwealth Director of Public Works Michael Surrett presented the application details. Mayor Pillion opened the public hearing, and both he and Vice Mayor Anderson voiced support for the 3. Request by Brightspeed of Virginia, LLC, to grant a fifteen (15)year, non-exclusive franchise to use and occupy the Town's streets, alleys, and public rights-of-way for the purpose of constructing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a telecommunications system. (VIDEO Town Manager Mike Cochran advised the Town received no other respondents on the bid for a telecommunication system. Jason Price with Brightspeed said the company purchased Mayor Pillion opened the public hearing. Hearing no further comments, the public hearing  Transportation Board. (VIDE039:01-41.39)  improvements. No further comments were made, and the hearing was closed.  41:40-4 46:07)  Centurylink and will be installing new equipment. Discussion ensued.  was closed.  J. RESOLUTIONS (VIDEO 46:11-47:32)  1. Resolution supporting the submission of the Highway Safety Improvement Plan application  for pedestrian crossing safety improvements.  Director of Public Works Michael Surrett said the Resolution supports the application for the Highway Safety Improvement Program Funds for Safety Initiative Funds with a total project On motion by Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, to support the submission of the Highway Safety Improvement Plan application for pedestrian crossing safety  cost of $328,035.23. Discussion ensued.  improvements.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor. Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye    October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  - 84-  K. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES  1. Ordinance granting requested vacation for a portion of an unopened right-of-way along Whites Mill Road, approximately 52 ft. southwest of Summers Street, between tax parcels On motion by Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Mr. Webb, to waive the Board of Viewers, grant the request for vacation of a portion of an unopened right-of-way along Whites Mill Road, approximately 52 ft. southwest of Summers Street, between tax parcels 005-1-17,005-1-16, and 005-1-15, and waive the second reading.  005-1-17,005-1-16, and 005-1-15. (VIDEO 47:34-4 48:52)  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice MayorAnderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  2. Ordinance granting a franchise to Brightspeed of Virginia, LLC, f/k/a United Telephone Southeast LLC, on behalf ofi itself and its operating affiliates to operate and maintain a elecommunications system ini the Town of Abingdon. (VIDEO 48:53-50:16) On motion by Mr. Webb, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, to grant Brightspeed a franchise to operate and maintain a telecommunication system in the' Town of Abingdon, waive the second reading, and authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement that  goes along with the Ordinance. The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  L. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES M. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS (VIDEO 50:18-51:57)  1. Award ofbid for East Main Street Drainage Phase 2 Construction    October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -85-  Director of Public Works Michael Surrett advised given the availability of adequate funds for the bids received and in consideration of the bid analysis report, AMT recommends the Town award the construction contract to the Jones Road and Bridge in the amount of $682,950.00. On motion by Mr. Webb, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, to award the bid for  Jones Road and Bridge in the amount of $682,950. The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr.Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion  Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye  N. NEW: BUSINESS (VIDEO 0. OLD BUSINESS (VIDEO 52:04-53:16)  P. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOWN MANAGER 1. Consideration ofb banner request from Abingdon Rotary Club for the sth Annual Golf Ball  Drop scheduled for October 17,2024 to sponsor community events.  Town Manager Mike Cochran advised the request for this banner was recently received On motion by Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Mrs. Quetsch, to accept the banner request from Abingdon Rotary Club for the 5th Annual Golf Ball Drop.  and was not included in the initial approved list.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice Mayor Anderson Mayor Pillion VIDE0S516-1:86.00,  Abstained (member of the Rotary Club)  Aye Aye Aye Aye  Town Manager Mike Cochran updated the Council on recovery efforts following  Hurricane Helene. Discussion ensued.    October 7, 2024 Council meeting minutes  -86-  Q. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS 1. Recreation Advisory Commission  R. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (VIDEO 1:06:00 -1 1:09:22)  Appointment to fill expired term of Don Yates Appointment to fill expired term ofTravis "Brock" Hawkins Appointment to fill expired term of Eddie Ramirez Appointment to filled expired term of Jimmy Woods  2. Historic Preservation Review Board  Reappointment of Peyton Boyd, who is eligible to serve an additional term  On motion by Mrs. Quetsch, seconded by Vice Mayor Anderson, to appoint Daniel Murphy, Bridgett Pack, and Alex Johnston to the Recreation Advisory Board and reappoint Peyton Boyd for an additional term on the Historic Preservation Review  Board.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Mr. Austin Mrs. Quetsch Mr. Webb Vice MayorAnderson Mayor Pillion  Abstained (member of the Rotary Club)  Aye Aye Aye Aye  S. CLOSED SESSION T. ADJOURNMENT  Pillion  a2  Kimberly Kingsley,'Cle