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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-99Minutes of the regular Town Council meeting held September 21, 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 Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk J. David Hart, Parks and Recreation Director Michael Z. Jenkins, Public Works Director Sherry Boyd-Neidigh, Finance Director Also Present: Michael Dowell Dean Jackson Jenny White Karita Knisely Susan Roop-Dalrymple Timothy D. Dalrymple Mike Campbell Rebecca English E. J. Whited Geneva Sheppard Robert M. Henderson Dee Dee Edwards George Edmonds, IV Teddy Overbaugh Lt. E. R. Barr Rev. Tom McCrea Suzanne Claxton George Collins Edna Whited Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Worrell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Mayor Johnston advised that the item under Closed Session regarding consultation with legal counsel has been removed and that another item needed to be added under Closed Session regarding personnel matter to be held at the end of the Council meeting. First item on agenda was a presentation by Tom McCrea, President of D.P.I. regarding the New River Trail extension into downtown Pulaski. Mr. McCrea praised the work completed so far and offered D.P.I’s assistance for the completion of the project if needed. Next, Michael Dowell encouraged Council or its designates to continue to work diligently to bring the New River Trail extension into downtown Pulaski and to inform the Va. Dept. of Transportation and the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation by letter that the Town remains eager to extend the NR Trail into downtown Pulaski and still intends to use the ISTEA funds granted the town in 1995. He advised that the deadline for using this funding is the end of 2001. Mayor Johnston advised that the Town has spent more time and energy on this project than any other project or subject that the Town has addressed. He appreciated the comments, and welcomed the offers of assistance in addressing the remaining issues. Councilwoman Steger advised that she had a call from Dr. Hanks. He and his family use the trail often. He inquired whether Dora Highway could be widened with a bicycle trail on the side. After extensive discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion that the Town diligently continue to work on extending the trail to downtown, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent 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, Suzanne Claxton, President of the New River Valley Apartment Council and a member of the Virginia Apartment Association and of the National Apartment Association addressed Council. She informed them that she had served on a task force for the Town of Blacksburg, whose goal was to develop a rental inspection program to be used as part of a town-wide neighborhood enhancement program. With the benefit of this experience, she requested that a task force be formed to discuss this proposal and that she be included on this task force. George Collins and Edna Whited also addressed Council with their concerns regarding the proposed rental inspection program. Councilwoman Steger advised that Council has not even begun to study this proposal. She advised that staff has requested some information from localities who have this type of program in place. More research will need to be done. It could be months before enough information has been gathered to begin discussion. At that time, the public will be advised of any action proposed by Council. Next, Dean Jackson, of the Volunteer Fire Department addressed Council requesting an appropriation of $2000 for fire prevention week and celebration parade and requested that in the future, this amount be included in the budget . He advised that donations are down, fire extinguisher sales are down and other money making activities have been curtailed. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to grant the $2000 request, seconded by Councilman Weddle. Councilwoman Steger made a substitute motion to approve $1500 and failed for lack of second. Councilman Neblett’s original motion to grant the $2000 request, seconded by Councilman Weddle then carried with the addition that Fire department return with accounting for this amount, on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent 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 Councilman Worrell made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which consisted of the minutes from September 7, 1999 and September 17, 1999, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent 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 At 6:05 p.m., Councilman Hale arrived at the Council meeting. Next item on agenda was Public Operations report. First item was discussion of an appropriation request for $13,354.00 for tree trimming and period lighting on Main Street. Mike Jenkins, Public Works Director, advised that bids had been received for tree trimming. The lowest bid was $1100. He advised that since the road would need to be closed for safety purposes, the work will be done on a Sunday, After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to approve $1100 for tree trimming, with the funds to be taken from undesignated fund, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye. 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 Regarding the proposed Period lighting, Ms. Rebecca English of D.P.I. advised that the County has agreed to fund the lighting immediately in front of the Courthouse, which will reduce the cost to the Town by $2,251.00. Mr. Jenkins advised that the low bid for period lighting is $10,003. He stated that if the money for period lighting is appropriated, the work could begin immediately. However, he did say that the price quoted assumed that the wiring under the sidewalk is intact. If that proves not to be correct, then the price would be higher. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the funding could possibly come from Program income from a CDBG Housing Grant. Mrs. English advised that D.P.I. is able to pay for 1 light fixture. Councilman Neblett made a motion to approve $10,003 for period lighting, with funding from the Program income from the CDBG Housing Grant, seconded by Councilman Hale and passed on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Abstain Jeffrey S. Worrell - Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next item was consideration of request for street light installation at intersection of two alleys located between 10th and 11th streets and another alley running north-south parallel to Prospect Ave. Mr. Jenkins advised that to his knowledge, the Town has never paid for street light installation for an alley and he was reluctant to set a precedent. The Public Operations committee recommendation was to install the street light at the intersection of two alleys located between 10th and 11th streets and the other alley running north-south parallel to Prospect Ave. and failed on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Abstain Jeffrey S. Worrell - Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell - No Bettye H. Steger - No Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - No Mayor Johnston – No The last item from Public Operations committee was a request for resale of cemetery spaces to a family member at the original price after family member sold those spaces back to the Town. Committee recommendation was to sell spaces in Oakwood Cemetery designated as Section G, Lot 23 originally purchased by C. R. Bentley, to Mr. Bentley’s daughter Joanna Tyson at the original price of $100.00 which is recorded as deed number 659 and dated 1930, 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 Councilwoman postponed her report on Recycling. She requested that Council review the information in the packet for discussion later. Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission held a meeting Monday, September 13,1999 and presented Mr. Charles Bird with a plaque expressing appreciation for his service on the Commission and welcomed Mr. Charles Wade as the newest member. Commission then addressed a request from Samuel Krunsberg for a conditional use to erect an amateur radio antenna 75 feet in height. Commission recommended approval of the request without any added conditions. Council will hold public hearing on this request October 5, 1999. Mr. Stewart advised that he was appointed by Commission to oversee the reexamination of changes to the Comprehensive Plan. Next, Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that there is a vacancy on the Industrial Development Authority. An appointment is needed to fill out the term of the late Bill Elmore. The term will expire on April 15, 2002. A replacement should be named soon. Chairman Hale also advised that there was a Special Council meeting on September,17, 1999 to discuss two matters for closed session under Code of Virginia 2.1-344 (A1), personnel matters regarding specific individual. Following the closed session, an announcement was made that the Town Manager, Thomas M. Combiths had submitted his resignation effective September 17, 1999. A motion to accept the resignation was passed by Council, as was a resolution thanking Mr. Combiths for six years of service to the Town. It was further announced that John J. Hawley, Town Engineer would be Acting Town Manager. Next, Chairman Hale advised that the Town of Pulaski Board of Economic Development recommended approval of an amendment to the bylaws for a reduction in membership of the Board from thirty (30) to twenty (20) members. In addition, that Council approve the renewal of four members terms for an additional three years: Jack Nunley, Jack Gill, Andy Owens and Walt Shannon to expire 6-30-2002. Councilman Weddle made a motion to approve the amendment to the Board of Economic Development bylaws for a reduction in membership of the Board from 30 to 20 members, and the renewal of Jack Nunley, Jack Gill, Andy Owens, and Walt Shannon for 3 year terms to expire 6-30-2002, 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 Mayor Johnston advised that the VML meeting in October is scheduled at the same time as our regularly scheduled second Council meeting. Councilman Neblett made a motion to only hold one Council meeting in the month of October, seconded by Councilman Penn. Councilman Worrell made a substitute motion to table this decision until the 1st Council meeting in October, 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 advised that he has asked Mr. Ned Bane, Sr. to work on a committee in support of a passenger rail service through Pulaski for the Town. Town Attorney gave a work agenda update. At 6:45 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to enter into Closed Session under 2.1-344 (A1), personnel matter involving performance of departments where such discussion will necessarily involve discussion of the performance of specific individuals. – 2 items, 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 At 7:08 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Worrell 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 At 8:10 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote.