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Home My Public Portal About2014_tcwsmin1027 Council Work Session October 27, 2014 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd kir presiding. Council Members Present: Kelly Burk, David Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon Hammier, Marty Martinez, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: All present Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, Deputy Town Attorney Barbara Notar, Director of Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Parks and Recreation Rich Williams, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Clark Case, Human Resources Manager Karen Dilley, HR Analyst Mark Hauer and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. Legislative Agenda Keith Markel gave a presentation on the items proposed for this year's Legislative Agenda. Key Points: • New issues are mostly recurring issues that have been seen in the past. • Regulations for private drones o Drones do not violate current trespassing regulations because they are not considered a person o Drones are defined differently than model aircraft which raises safety concerns o State definition of trespass and peeping-tom statutes need to be updated to include non-human methods of spying o Would also be interested in what resources the police have to counteract safety issues with respect to cargo that drones may be able to carry o Staff will bring more information so that Council can make an better informed decision • Equal dignity for jurisdictions o Delegate Minchew's proposed legislation would force counties to provide some services to Towns, regardless of size. o This would take out the necessity of an agreement to get the county to enforce the Maintenance Code and the Building Code within the town. o Staff will find out Del. Minchew's thinking behind this item • Rational Jurisdictional Redistricting o Requested by Council Member Hammier o Endorsed by Virginia Municipal League (VML) o Do not want to endorse the efforts of any other organizations 1 IPage Council Work Session October 27, 2014 • Would like to have approval at the November 10 Council meeting thiw g • Legislative Dinner is planned for November 24 prior to the Council meeting Council Comments/Questions: • The town should not worry about city status at this time. o Would support keeping city status on the agenda, not as the number one item, but in case things change and it becomes necessary o The majority of Council requested city status be removed from the Legislative Agenda • Would like to remove the item about appraisals in eminent domain situations. o Who decides on the independent appraiser? o Staff will check with legislators to figure out reasons for this item • Concern that the discussion can get too aggressive and cause county leaders to cut funding in other areas • What services does the county provide that are not charged? Staff will make adjustments reflecting Council's discussion. b. Wellness Program Update Karen Dilley reviewed the town's current employee wellness program as well as options for an enhanced wellness program. Key Points: • Purpose of a wellness program is to encourage healthy lifestyles and controls healthcare expenses • Town offers free access to Ida Lee facilities for employees, spouses and dependents • Yoga class on Wednesdays at noon at Town Hall • Walking paths throughout all town facilities that includes distances • Discounted price on Fitbits • Annual Health and Wellness fair • Free flu shots for employees and dependents • Employee assistance program that includes three free counseling sessions • Healthy Eating, Active Living program replaces vending machine selections with more nutritious snacks • Point of decision prompts by elevators to encourage employees to take the stairs • Annual training in CPR and first aid • Employees are interested in healthy eating and weight management • 44%would be more likely to participate in the wellness program if incentives were offered 2IPage Council Work Session October 27, 2014 • An incentive based wellness program could be instituted, but would have to be rolled out slowly • Incentive based wellness programs cannot be mandatory under the Affordable Care Act(ACA) • Many variables impact the cost of healthcare—a wellness program is not a protection to keep rates down • Benefits of a wellness program are difficult to quantify and figure into ROI Council Comments/Questions • CPR and first aid training should include bodily fluid pathogens • Basic fitness classes at Ida Lee are free for employees and Council members as well as their dependents • Stress management would be a good point to emphasize. • ACA does not allow actual metrics to be used, only effort has to be proved • Would like to see weight management/nutrition and stress reduction classes available for employees • Do employees that do not participate in health care coverage get any discount/reimbursement? • Concern about morale • Would it be legal to consider a no-smoking policy on all town property thir including town vehicles? c. Display Flags—Battlefield Parkway Tom Mason gave a brief presentation regarding the current flag display on Battlefield Parkway. Key points: • Four sections of Battlefield Parkway—can be completed within current budget parameters if done a section at a time Council Comments/Questions: • When was this initiated and why only on Battlefield Parkway? Staff answer: Initiated by Council in 2008. Overhead wires and ground obstacles in other areas make installation and maintenance a challenge. • What happened to the Dodona Manor flags? Staff answer: Will need to look into this—do not believe the town is in possession of these flags at this time. • Originally brought up in 2008 and would like to see these on all poles on all major arteries Staff will take action as outlined in the memo. L 31Page Council Work Session October 27, 2014 2. Additions to Future Council Meetings Council Member Hammier requested formal action regarding the non-partisan districting. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for November 10. She asked for informational memos on non-domesticated animal waste at Ida Lee and Ebola plans. She requested information regarding fast tracking of development plans and crosswalk safety. Council Member Dunn noted that caution should be used when making a decision regarding accepting private streets. He questioned what dollar level are availability fees able to be financed and noted that it is difficult for small businesses to come up with availability fees. Staff will provide an information memo. Council Member Martinez expressed concern that the businesses that might be affected by a future interchange at Edwards Ferry Road and Rt. 15 bypass might not be aware of the possibility. Council Member Hammier noted that the VML Regional Supper will be November 11 and asked that state elected officials be invited as well. 3. Adjournment On a motion by Vice Mayor Butler, seconded by Council Member Wright, the meeting was apurned,at 9:35 p.m. 4d Clerk of C. T ' 2014 tcwsmin1027 L 41Page