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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held June 1, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: John A. Johnston, Mayor Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Bettye H. Steger W. Edgar Hale, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Absent/Excused: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Joseph L. Weddle Also Present: Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Visitors: Rodney Gravley Annie Gravley Carol Wade Charles Wade Mary Beth Croft Gary Fox J. R. Schrader, Press Rob Eastwood, Press The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Certification Resolution regarding Executive Session held before the Council meeting on 2.1-344 (A5), Economic Development and 2.1-344 (A1) Personnel matter regarding specific individual, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Next item on the agenda was a Downtown Pulaski, Inc. (DPI), Quarterly Report presented by Mary Beth Croft, Member of Board of Directors. Ms. Croft reviewed DPI’s progress and answered questions posed by Council. Next item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding making recycling centers a conditional use in the M-2 General District. Mr. Quesenberry advised that Planning Commission met and discussed this case. Planning Commission’s recommendation to Council is that recycling be permitted as a conditional use in an existing district as opposed to creating a special district. However, he advised that he had received new information from zoning specialists since the Planning Commission’s meeting. From these interviews, it may be concluded that having recycling as a conditional use is not a suitable way to address this issue. A better way to handle this issue is to create a zoning district specifically for that purpose. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to instruct staff to prepare a resolution of public purpose for the establishment of a district for recycling, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Abstain Councilman Penn made a motion to deny Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow conditional use permits for recycling centers in M-1 and M-2 zones, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Abstain Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt the consent agenda, consisting of the minutes of May 28, 1999 Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Hale and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Mayor Johnston read Resolution 99-25, recognizing and thanking the Veterans of the Town of Pulaski and adopted on motion by Councilwoman Steger, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Mayor Johnston read a Proclamation in recognition of the birthday of Joseph N. Morgan and so adopted on motion by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was a report by the Town Manager regarding the Town’s Property/Liability Insurance. Mr. Combiths reviewed with Council that staff had been instructed at the last Council meeting to renew the property/liability insurance pending a reference check of Gulf Insurance. He advised that the reference check was positive, but only included Wythe County Public Schools and Town of Wise, VA. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to instruct staff to renew the property/liability insurance with Old Dominion Insurance (Gulf), 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Mr. Combiths advised that next item on agenda was discussion regarding participation in Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Authority’s Commerce Park Project. He advised that the project is a commercial master plan development in and around the New River Valley airport including the purchase of 326 acres, extending the options on an additional 739 acres around the N. R. Valley Airport, construction of a 1 mile, 4 lane divided access, site grading of the 40 acre property and preliminary engineering to determine land requirements, utility easements, schedules, operation agreements etc. for future Commerce Park development. He indicated he was available for any questions. Mayor Johnston asked that Council review the information provided in preparation for discussion and vote at the June 15, 1999 Council meeting. Next item on agenda was Resolution 99-23, to abide by covenants required by the Federal Government for the Rural Development Sewer Loan. Mr. Quesenberry advised that a requirement in the Rural Development Sewer loan process is that the Town adopt a resolution to abide by the covenants required by the Federal Government for the Rural Development Sewer Loan. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-23, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next item on agenda was Resolution 99-24, authorizing a UDAG loan to Horton-Howell Properties, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $112,500 to purchase land and to construct a new building on Route 99 on East Main. Robert Dye, Economic Development Director reviewed the specifics of the proposed loan to Horton-Howell. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-24, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Penn advised that Finance Committee met May 25, 1999 and discussed in Executive Session 2 items under 2.1-344 (A5) and 2.1-344 (A1). Committee also reviewed outstanding operating budgets for the proposed FY 1999-2000. After review, Council directed staff to evaluate reducing the number of Council members from 8 to 6 with the retention of the Mayor position, for a total of 7 council positions. Staff was also directed to review the Town code for the purpose of amending the code to state that no increases of Council Members compensation be granted to a Council Member until such time that they have withstood a re-election vote and to move Town Council elections from May to November to coincide with State elections. After discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to direct staff to prepare a Town Charter Amendment for Council consideration to reduce the number of Town Council Members to six (6), excluding the Mayor position, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Councilman Stewart made a motion to direct staff to prepare a Town Code Amendment to the effect that no increase to Town Council member compensation can be granted until such time said member(s) have withstood a re-election vote, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to direct staff to prepare a Town Code Amendment to change the Town’s local election from May to November to coincide with State Elections, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Penn requested that staff set up an Ordinance Committee meeting to study the possible use of inspections of rental property and occupancy inspections. Mr. Combiths provided Council with an update regarding the proposed fiscal year 99-2000 budget and advised that the Public Hearing on that proposed budget will be June 15, 1999. Next, Mr. Combiths requested action on an Closed Session item regarding a letter of intent with Pulaski Furniture. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to authorize staff to sign a letter of intent with Pulaski Furniture for the lease of space in the Maple Shade Shopping Center, 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 - Absent Jeffrey S. Worrell - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye There being no further business, meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried.