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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held April 6, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: John A. Johnston, Mayor Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Also Present: Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Lee Chitwood, Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Visitors: Billy Sheets Carol Sheets Flo Stevenson Andy Stoots Joey Richardson Jerry W. Moore Henderson Randolph J. B. Warner Nellie Warner David Saunders Jearline Smith Houston Smith Robert Dye Paul Dellinger J. R. Schrader The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt certification resolution regarding 2 items discussed in executive session prior to the Council meeting: 2.1-344 (A3), seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Stewart gave the Invocation. After roll call, Council Weddle requested that Item D, adoption of Ordinance 99-5 - UDAG loan to the Friends of the Theatre, be added to the Finance Committee report. First item on agenda was a public hearing regarding Caseknife water system grant reapplication. Mr. Quesenberry advised that last year the grant application to the Department of Housing and Community Development for the Case Knife Road Water Project was turned down. Staff would like to re-apply for this grant. The CDBG program places a higher emphasis on new service as opposed to system enhancement, which in effect diminishes the merits of the Town’s application from the outset. However, staff will make a significant effort to achieve better results in other grading areas. No construction should begin until funding has been approved by CDBG, as there would be no reimbursement. In the meantime, staff will pursue a back-up plan to have in place should the grant not be approved for this project. Jerry Moore, a Case Knife Road citizen, inquired whether the Case Knife residents could assist with this grant application? Mr. Moore was advised that “personal plea” letters from the residents might be looked upon favorably. Staff agreed to provide names and addresses to the residents. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-15 for re-application to the Commonwealth of Virginia Community Development Block Grant funds for the Case Knife Road Project, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Weddle made a motion to close this portion of the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was a public hearing for a Rural Development loan application for south-side water system improvements. Mr. Combiths advised that this public hearing was a required step in the process for filing an application for a Rural Development loan for construction of water system enhancements to the South-side water systems. He requested that staff be authorized to apply for this loan. Councilman Neblett made a motion to authorize staff to apply for a Rural Development loan, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Weddle made a motion to close this portion of the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was public hearing on a town-wide yard sale ordinance. Councilwoman Steger advised that Council has been working on this project for quite some time. Numerous complaints have been received. Extensive research has been done. The proposed ordinance limits the number of yard sales permitted each year, duration of yard sales, the size and placement of signs, length of time the signs can be posted, hours of operation, exemptions for charitable organizations and penalties for violation. A permit will be required from the Town Building Inspection office at no cost to the citizen. David Saunders, Billy Sheets and Jearline Smith spoke against limiting the number of yard sales per year, but spoke for penalties for sign violations. Mr. J. B. Warner spoke for some rules regarding yard sales, particularly signs, but inquired what would happen if it rained. Town officials responded that that situation would be handled administratively with a “rain check”. After extensive discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Ordinance 99-4 regulating yard sales in the Town of Pulaski, with the following changes: 1. Hours of operation to be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 2. 3 yard sales allowed per year seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye After further discussion, staff was requested to return to Council to delete references to yard sales that are in zoning code. Councilman Neblett made a motion to close this portion of the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote. Mayor Johnston recognized two Pulaski County High School students in attendance: Andy Stoots, Joey Richardson. Mr. J.B. Warner thanked Council and the Town for their assistance in resolving a sewer problem at his house. Mrs. Jearline Smith addressed Council regarding problems at her home at 189 Bentley Lane. She said that conditions were placed upon the park when it was allowed to expand. She believes that these conditions have not been met. Additionally, the trees that were planted to fulfill part of the conditions are growing sideways into the street, blocking the view of traffic. She is concerned that some on will wreck there. Staff advised that they would investigate and return to Council with a recommendation if needed. Mr. Houston Smith advised that part of the conditions for the trailer park was to put in more trash dumpsters. There is only one dumpster there and trash and debris blows all over the area and into the road. Staff advised that they would investigate this complaint as well. David Saunders addressed Council regarding a problem with his water bill. Due to illness, his water bill from month before last was paid by the Salvation Army. Last month, he paid the bill himself. The Town then cut off his water, saying that the voucher from Salvation Army had not been paid resulting in his water being cut off. The Salvation Army subsequently had to pay a deposit and cut-on fee for Mr. Saunders to receive water again. He felt that the Town should have some leeway for this type situation, so that a non-profit agency could apply its money to more desperate causes. After discussion, Utilities Committee Chairman Neblett advised that committee would review these policies. Next, Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt consent agenda, consisting of the minutes from the March 16, 1999 Council meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Finance Committee Chairman Weddle advised Council that they need to decide what process and in what manner Town Council desires to review the proposed budget. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt alternate A, of Guidelines for Budget Review dated 4-6-99, with Council having budget review session with Town Manager and Department Heads at 5 p.m. of regular Tuesday meetings on May 4th, May 18th and June 1st, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Next, Chairman Weddle advised that before Council was Ordinance 99-5 regarding a UDAG loan to Friend of the Theater. Mr. Chitwood advised that this Ordinance approves a loan to Friends of the Pulaski Theatre from the UDAG funds for $150,000. The loan money would come from the UDAG funds. Principal and interest payments will be deferred as long as the Town feels that the Friends are successfully progressing toward renovation of the Theatre and creation of their program. The loan may be forgiven in the future if the Town decides that the Friends have completed the project. Councilman Hale inquired whether “the Friends” has a signed lease with the Elks Club and if so, has the Town seen the lease? Mr. Chitwood replied that he thought they did have a signed lease. Councilman Hale inquired whether the usual guidelines for UDAG loans had been followed in this case? Mr. Combiths advised that the guidelines have been relaxed a little, but this has been done in other instances as well, depending upon the circumstances. Councilman Hale stated that “the Friends” had a study done to see what the results of their fundraising would be and inquired whether the Town has seen those results? Councilman Weddle replied that the information was talked about, but he did not think the Town had actually seen the report. Councilman Hale stated that he did not see how the Town could approve a $150,000 loan on a building valued at $75,000, or without seeing the groups fundraising projections. After extensive discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Ordinance 99-5, UDAG loan to the Friends of the Theatre, Ltd., seconded by Councilman Worrell. Councilman Hale made a substitute motion to table the issue until “the Friends” could appear before Council with an update on their plans and resolve these issues. Motion failed for lack of second. Council then voted on the original motion to adopt Ordinance 99-5, UDAG loan to Friends of the Theatre, Ltd., and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - No Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Public Operations Chairman Penn advised that the Town has received a request to resell spaces in Oakwood Cemetery back to the Town: Section T&U, Lot 42, Spaces c,d,e,f. This is a salable part of the cemetery and the Town would most likely be able to resell the spaces. Councilman Penn made a motion to repurchase Section T&U, Lot 42, Spaces c,d,e,f in Oakwood Cemetery for $100, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Yes Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that before Council was a report regarding the purchase of health insurance for the Town’s employees. Mr. Quesenberry reminded Council that last fall the Town appropriated funds for the Town to join a Consortium to hire consultants to examine the potential for purchasing health insurance as part of a group. After the consultants were chosen, they prepared and issued a request for proposal for a health insurance program for members of the Consortium. The results show that the Town could provide medical, dental and vision insurance services with more flexibility, for the employees at a cost of approximately $5.28 more than the projected premium from our current carrier that only provides medical and dental coverage. Councilman Neblett inquired whether the proposed policy provided any relief in fees, for employees with family policies that are paid for by the employee. Mr. Quesenberry replied that it did not. Councilman Stewart inquired whether Council could approve Resolution 99-17, and then have staff come back to Council with more detailed information regarding insurance alternatives. Mr. Quesenberry replied that this could be done. After discussion, Council authorized adoption of Resolution 99-17, to participate in the purchase of health insurance through the New River Valley Consortium on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-18, authorizing participation in a Joint Powers Agreement to allow the Virginia Municipal League to act as the administrator for the New River Valley Health Care Consortium, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Mayor Johnston summarized the progress being made at the Virginia’s First Regional Industrial meeting. Discussions are ongoing, with no action taken yet. Next item on agenda, was consideration of Resolution 99-16, “Operation Spruce Up the Town”. Councilwoman Steger advised that the Town clean-up days this year are Saturday, May 1st and May 8th. Organizational activities have already begun. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-16, Operation Spruce Up the Town, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Town Manager Combiths advised that consideration had been given to canceling the next Council meeting, however, an item has come up that will need to be addressed at the next Council meeting as scheduled. Councilman Steger advised that she would like to be included on the agenda to tie up loose ends on Clean Up the Town. Town Attorney Chitwood advised that the General Assembly several items regarding blight legislation. Council members can get copies upon request. Town Manager Combiths advised that a request has been received to light the Dora Highway Park. Staff is researching this request. In addition, he reviewed progress on several items included in the Town Manager’s report. There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried.