Vienna officials talk COVID Business Relief, financing of mall redevelopment
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VIENNA -- Vienna City Council met on Thursday evening with three council members absent to discuss a potential amendment to the Business and Occupation tax, as well as the beginning stages of the establishment of a tax increment financing district for the Grand Central Mall Redevelopment Project and the passage of a resolution to the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund.
Councilmembers Roger Conley, Jim Leach and Bruce Rogers were not present on Thursday.
"I'm very concerned about Roger (Conley)," Mayor Randy Rapp said during the meeting. "If you get a moment please say a prayer."
According to previous news coverage, Conley, who has been newly elected to the House of Delegates District 10, was hospitalized for complications from COVID-19.
Newly elected councilmembers and candidates were congratulated by attendees and councilmembers on their campaign efforts, and the need for communicating with citizens on their desires for the city was emphasized for both the current and upcoming council.
Present council members voted unanimously to move forward with an amendment to the Business and Occupation Tax in Vienna on the first reading, which if passed will allow council to increase or decrease tax exemption amounts by up to $50 for a specified fiscal quarter by resolution for businesses in Vienna.
During the public forum comment period, newly elected council member Kim Williams, who is also a small business owner in Vienna, addressed this potential amendment before it came before council for discussion with concerns.
"While any extra exemption is nice, I don't think that $50 is very impactful," Williams said. "What could address something is if this resolution tonight would just be changed … instead of removing a tool out of the toolbox by limiting or capping the exemption at $50, you could just start out with the $50 part and leave it open-ended for future councils."
According to Williams and previous news coverage, the city of Parkersburg implemented a $500 tax break for businesses impacted by COVID-19 from April through September, which totaled relief for two fiscal quarters.
During presentation of the amendment to council, Finance Director Amy Roberts noted the importance of this potential exemption and put the differences between Vienna and Parkersburg that would potentially warrant the amount difference in perspective.
"Quite honestly we have quite a few taxpayers that pay the city of Vienna less than $100," Roberts said as she additionally cited the fact that the largest amount comes from approximately ten businesses in total. "In my opinion, the $50 would be helpful to the small business person but I don't pick the rate, you do (as council.)"
According to Roberts, the current established $25 exemption was the highest of any city in the state prior to the pandemic.
Although council chose to move forward with the first reading, councilmember Mike Elam addressed Williams' points.
"I know Kim said something about what Parkersburg is doing and that is a big difference," Elam said. "I think it (the proposed exemption amendment) is showing we are doing something and not just sitting on the money with no plan … it's a good amount to start out with and leave open-ended."
Present council members also voted unanimously to move forward on the first reading for the approval, creation and establishment of a tax increment financing (TIF) district for the Vienna Grand Central Redevelopment Project with more information to come.
According to Rapp, a public hearing will be held on this ordinance prior to the next council meeting on Dec. 10.
"We are here this evening to pass the ordinance to allow the actual process to start," Rapp said. "We are certainly grateful to the Grand Central Mall for this development."
City grant writer Toni Tiano provided an update before council for the amendment for the 2019-2020 City Development Block Grant Family Relief Fund, which was also passed unanimously.
According to Tiano, the city has received a new amount of $56,370 in CDBG funds in addition to the $63,506 received several months ago.
"With this amount of money we are getting now we hope to develop the family relief program," Tiano said.
With these funds, eligible Vienna citizens can apply for up to $2,000 in relief for being behind on utility bills and other associated payments with proper documentation of why they cannot make these payments.
In order to be eligible for these grants, a Vienna citizen or family unit has to qualify for Section 8 income limits. An example was provided by Tiano through a household of four making a collective $50,700 or less per year as being deemed eligible.
"I'm not wishing that a lot of people need this assistance, but it's going to be made available to a wide group of people," Tiano said.
She also provided an update on the Small Business Relief Fund.
"We hope to close on four projects (for funding) within the next two weeks," Tiano said.
Tiano and Rapp encouraged local Vienna businesses that have not applied to still do so through the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, as funds are still available.
In other business:
* Council also unanimously approved a bid for the financing of two new 2021 Ford Utility Interceptor Vehicles for the Vienna Police Department. United Bank was selected at a three-year rate of 1.84 percent. United Bank had also proposed a four-year rate of 1.95 percent. WesBanco had provided a three-year rate of 2 percent and a four-year rate of 2.1 percent.
* The annual 2020 Holly Days Christmas Parade is still scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m.
* There was public recognition and gratitude of the recent efforts of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and Vienna Water Department by councilmember Roger Bibbee.
* Rapp encouraged Vienna citizens to mask up and follow CDC protocols.
"You have to not only keep yourself safe, but please keep others safe as well," Rapp said.
* The next Vienna City Council meeting will be held Dec. 10.