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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held April 27, 1999 at 5:00 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 Sherry Boyd-Neidigh, Finance Director Robert L. Dye, Economic Development Director Michael Z. Jenkins, Public Works Director Visitors: Allison Cruise Andrea Hale Ginger Glenn James Holliday Karl Hager Carolyn Hager Linda M. Jones James Sayers Ted W. Hodge Nellie Warner J. B. Warner Martha Matt Carol Sheets Bill Sheets Rebecca English Robby Hudson Robert A. Hudson, Jr. Landon Collins Bobby L. Gravley Rodney Gravley Doug Steger J. R. Schrader Paul Dellinger The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilwoman Mitchell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. After roll call, Mayor Johnston advised that due to the large turnout the Planning Commission report would be presented first. Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission met on April 12, 1999 to resume a public hearing on making recycling centers a conditional use in the M-2 General Industrial District. After extensive debate, Commission recommended to Council that recycling centers be allowed as a conditional use in M-1 and M-2 Industrial Districts. A Public Hearing on recycling centers was scheduled for May 18, 1999, on motion by Councilman Stewart, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 Stewart advised that the Zoning regulations will have to be amended to accommodate the Yard Sale Ordinance passed at the last Council meeting. Councilman Stewart made a motion for a referral to Planning Commission to examine amending the Zoning Regulations to allow for the issue of yard sales to be governed exclusively by the Town Code, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and passed on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 item on agenda was Public Comments. Eight citizens addressed Council regarding the possibility of moving/closing the Dora Highway Drop Site and possible areas of relocation. The general consensus of the citizens was that the Drop Site should remain at Dora Highway and be enlarged to facilitate handling recyclables. Council thanked the citizens for their input and advised them that a Public Hearing would be held May 18, 1999 to discuss amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow recycling as a conditional use in a M-1, M-2 zone. A specific location for the Drop site (other than the current Dora Highway site) would be the subject of a future conditional use, if requested. Councilman Worrell made a motion to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of April 6,1999, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried. Next, Finance Committee Chairman Weddle advised that Economic Development Director Robert Dye would present a report regarding the UDAG stabilization. Mr. Dye reviewed the UDAG fund balance with Council. He presented some options for discussion to be considered by Town Council to facilitate developing a policy that supports the long-term viability of the Town’s UDAG fund. At this time, Mayor Johnston recognized the High School students present at the meeting. He welcomed Ginger Glenn, Andrea Hale and Allison Cruise and invited them to attend other meetings in the future. Public Operations Committee Chairman Penn advised that a complaint had been received from Mr. Glenn Bryant regarding drainage problems. Committee will schedule a site visit with Mr. Bryant regarding his problem. Next Chairman Penn asked Public Works Director Mike Jenkins to give a report on flower bed maintenance request and on sidewalks capital inventory plan. Mr. Jenkins, along with Doug Steger, of the Flower Shoppe, asked Council’s permission to pursue sponsors for the flower beds around Town. Signs would be placed at each flower bed advertising the names of the sponsors. Council asked Mr. Steger to pursue this idea and return to Council with information. Next, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Steger discussed replacement of trees and sidewalks on Main Street between Jefferson and Washington Avenue. They presented three options and the cost of each option to Council. Staff was instructed to determine the availability of funds and return to Council at the May 4, 1999 Council meeting. Next, Mr. Jenkins presented a Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Status/Inventory Report. He informed Council that he needs direction on how to go about repairing/replacing curb, gutter and sidewalk around the Town. He presented an existing schedule for repair/replacement based on severity of the problem. He advised that he thought that the schedule should be followed as written, resulting in pro-active action, rather than responding to problems after they occur. At this point, funding of approximately $193,000 a year for 20 years would be needed to repair/replace all the problems that exist now. Councilman Penn advised that when a development takes place, a requirement should be that the developer would put in curb, gutter, sidewalks and lighting for that property. Eventually, it would cut down on the work load and expense to the Town for these items. Councilman Stewart advised that the Planning Commission is in the process of re-writing the zoning ordinance and he would suggest that this be included in the new ordinance. Councilwoman Mitchell inquired about the alley behind Mr. Harvey Turner. When it rains, “millings” run down on his property. Mr. Jenkins advised that Mr. Turners’ property is underneath the alley. Because of the width of the alley, there is no way to configure the slope of the alley to direct water away from Mr. Turner without discharging it on another individual. Councilwoman Mitchell stated that the situation could be rectified by paving one lane of the alley. Mayor Johnston inquired whether this was feasible considering the number of residents using the alley. Councilman Neblett stated that the discussion of repairing/replacing curb and gutter and sidewalk had not been completed and requested that Council finish that subject before going on to other topics. He stated that he would like Councilman Stewart to pursue the zoning ordinance as discussed previously. After extensive discussion, Mayor Johnston advised that Council would study the report and try to give some direction to staff regarding this matter. Councilman Stewart advised that the plan from Municipal Advisors addressed these issues and he thought that Council should review this report and institute the plan as recommended by them. Councilman Neblett arrived at the Council meeting at 6:20 p.m. Councilwoman Steger suggested that the Town should conduct a Town-wide yard sale at the Maple Shade Plaza in July, with no permits required and no fees charged for the citizens of the Town. No decision was made. Next, Councilwoman Steger reminded Council that the “Operation Spruce Up the Town” campaign is scheduled for May 1 and May 8, 1999. She requested that Council members drive around the Town and report problem areas that could be addressed on these two weekends. Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that staff was to present a report on Health Insurance for the Town employees. Mr. Quesenberry advised that included in the packet to Council are rates and service proposals from AETNA for the Town of Pulaski to purchase health insurance for Town employees. This plan will allow the Town to purchase insurance covering medical, dental, and vision needs for $5.28 above the premium we will be paying our current carrier for medical and dental only. In addition, employees can go to both Columbia and Carillion hospital networks. After discussion, Council authorized staff to prepare an Ordinance permitting the Town to purchase insurance through the Consortium on motion by Councilman Penn, 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 Chairman Hale also advised that Committee met April 8 and April 16, 1999 in Executive Session under 2.1-344 (A1), personnel matter regarding specific individual, with no action taken. Next, Town Manager summarized a projects update for Council. At 7:00 p.m., Councilman Hale made a motion to enter into Executive Session on 2.1-344 (A1), personnel matter regarding specific individual and 2.1-344 (A-7), consult with legal counsel regarding specific legal matter, specific tax payer. At 7:15 p.m., Councilwoman Steger made a motion the adopt Certification Resolution for Executive Session concerning the two items discussed, 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 Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried.