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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2002Minutes of the Town Council meeting held January 15, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Charles W. Stewart, Jr. Council Members: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Pauline G. Mitchell, Daniel Talbert, Jr., E. G. Black, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, James M. Neblett, Jr., Kenneth M. Fleenor, Lane R. Penn Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others Present: John B. White James Holliday David Cook Chuck Hill Beth Hill Roy Buzzelli Linda Buzzelli Hugh Huff B. J. Bowman-Wood, Press Katie Gregory, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Fleenor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Penn gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Fleenor made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for the closed session held prior to the Council meeting on Code of Virginia 2.2-2711 (A-5), prospective industry, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye First item on the agenda was the Public Comment Period. Hugh Huff addressed Council expressing support for the R-5 zoning shown in the new proposed zoning regulations. He opined that with current conditions in our community, it is necessary to do everything in our power to encourage and foster the type of quality and diverse residential development that we are seeing in our neighboring communities. Mayor Stewart advised the visitors that the Planning Commission is reworking the zoning regulations and will hold a joint Public Hearing with Town Council on February 5, 2002. He advised that Mr. Huffs’ comments are directed to a zoning section that allows fairly large tract owners to propose plans for small “villages” to the Planning Commission and Town Council for review and/or approval. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Stewart moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of December 4, 2001, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Under Committee Reports, Finance Committee Chairman Fleenor reported that committee met and received the audit report from the CPA. He advised that committee recommends that Council accept the audit and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Committee also reviewed accumulated vacation leave time and requested that levels be brought down by June, 2002. In addition, Chairman Fleenor advised that the Town is in receipt of the new Town Code books. Committee recommends charging $100 per book to private individuals and passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Public Operations Committee Chairman Neblett reported that committee met and reviewed the proposed timber harvest. Town Manager Elander added that almost a year ago, the Town hired a professional timber forestry consultant together with an engineering firm to advise on the proper management of the Town’s timber resources. In the last six months, the initial survey has been completed, some title work completed and a decision made as to where to focus the harvesting. Currently, 210 acres have been selected for harvesting and bids will be received. Councilman Neblett also advised that he attended a Greater Pulaski Alliance (formerly D.P.I.) meeting and viewed their new logo, which goes along with their change of name and attitude to include the entire business community rather than just the downtown area. Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met in December and discussed several ordinances, which the Town Attorney has prepared for this meeting. Mayor Stewart advised that Planning Commission met for a public work session and reviewed the proposed new zoning regulations. A joint Planning Commission/Council public hearing will be scheduled for February 5, 2001. Human Resources Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that committee met and recommends re-appointing Charles Stafford to the Planning Commission and passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Mayor’s report, Mayor Stewart advised that he has been elected to serve as a Director of the New River Valley Economic Development Corporation. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update including coordinating closings on some FEMA grants, work on Ordinances, work on consolidation of departments, UDAG matters, reviewing and modifying DJOTS agreement, and refinancing of the Horton-Howell loan among other items. Under Town Manager’s report, Mr. Elander reported that work is ongoing on the FEMA acquisitions, work is progressing on phase 2 & 3 of the New River Trail extension; contact has been made with Delegates regarding various projects for the Town, including designating the Pulaski Train Station as a ticket station on the proposed Trans-Dominion express passenger service from Bristol to Lynchburg, Richmond and Washington. Mr. Elander also gave an update on a letter received last month from a car dealer regarding the business license and the merchant’s capital tax. He summarized the amount businesses pay for these taxes. He advised that the Town collects 1/5 of 1% of the gross receipts for retail, as an example. All payments by various categories generate approximately $350,000 for the town or 5% of the general fund. He advised that in addition, the County charges a merchant’s capital tax, which is based upon inventory as of January 1 of each year. Mr. Elander also advised that preliminary work has begun on the budget as well as a review of re-organization possibilities and possible reductions in force in personnel. The next item on the agenda was Old Business. Mayor Stewart advised that a copy of the draft zoning ordinance was in the packet. He requested that Council review the draft in preparation for the February joint public hearing with the Planning Commission. The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2002-01 regarding motor vehicle fines. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2002-01, ordinance for the increase in motor vehicle fines, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Council addressed Ordinance 2002-02, Establishing fines for false alarms to police department. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2002-02, establishing fines for false alarms to police department, seconded by Councilman Talbert. Councilman Worrell expressed concern for how to determine what is a false alarm. Following discussion, motion passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Council addressed a marketing plan and Henderson group proposal. Town Manager Elander advised that the Town has been working with the Henderson group of Pulaski to possibly obtain their services to prepare a marketing plan for the Town. He advised that the marketing plan is a foundation. It’s purpose is to come up with a program to market the vacant, retail, and industrial space and industrial property and to otherwise support and invigorate the economic development of the Town. The marketing plan assesses what type of advertising techniques, media campaigns, and image development are needed and then the experts recommend specific advertising programs. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to appropriate $17,500 from Economic Development department funds to prepare a marketing plan with Henderson Group, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next item for discussion was a U.S. E.D.A. grant application Resolution. Town Manager Elander advised that last fall, the Town was invited to submit a pre-application for up to $600,000 in grant funds to be used for the refurbishment of the former AEP building. Staff is now ready to submit the full grant application, which is due January 21, 2002. Necessary improvements to the building have been estimated at $1,104,567. The federal grant of $600,000 would be matched by a loan from the UDAG fund. The loan would be repaid to the Town by those participating in the technology center project. Councilman Fleenor made a motion to authorize the submission of the full application for the grant funds to be used for the refurbishment of the former AEP building, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item for consideration was Resolution 2002-02, regarding making application for a recreation trails grant. Town Manager Elander advised that the Town is continuing work on Phase II and Phase III of the New River Trail extension from the Train Station to Cool Springs and down Dora Highway up to Route 99. Norfolk Southern has given a written easement to cross their property for a portion of the Trail. He advised that staff would like to apply for up to $100,000 in state funding to extend the Trail from beyond the Train Station down to Cool Springs. The funds would be matched with local monies, but it would be in force account work using the Public Works department, resulting in no out of pocket expenses to the Town. Resolution 2002-02 authorizes the Town Manager to submit the application. Councilman Fleenor made a motion to adopt Resolution 2002-02, authorizing the Town Manager to submit the application for a grant of up to $100,000 with an understanding that a 20% local match must be provided, but that this will be furnished in the form of force account or other in-kind services or value, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and carried on voice vote.