Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held October 5, 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 Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Also Present: Sam N. Krunsberg Samuel F. Krunsberg June Alley Andrew L. Graham, Jr. Elrica S. Graham John Bell Edna Bell Michael Dowell Wilmer Ryan Milton Brockmeyer Tara Lundy C. L. Haymore Jeff Hall R.E. Cole Brian Cole Jimmy White D.P. Jackson Duane Armes Bill Webb Mike Ratcliff Jimmy Ward Randy Trail Johnny Sexton Robbie Cecil Steve Spangler Rev. Herman L. Sarver Eddie Whitaker Rebecca English Heather Fetrow, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and immediately entered into Closed Session regarding 2.1-344 (A3), discussion of use of real property for public purpose, on motion by Councilman Neblett, 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 At 7:00 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution for 2.1-344 (A3), discussion of use of real property for public purpose, on motion by Councilman Neblett, 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 After roll call, Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Stewart gave the invocation. Mayor Johnston advised that a Planning Commission request has been added under new business on the agenda. First item on agenda was presentation of Resolution 99-38, honoring Charles L. Haymore for fifty years service as a volunteer fireman to the Town of Pulaski. Mayor Johnston thanked Mr. Haymore on behalf of Council and the Town for his many years of service. Next item was a Public Hearing for Planning Commission case #99-110CU, a request for a conditional use permit from Mr. Samuel Krunsberg to install a combination amateur radio tower/antenna on his property. Mr. Quesenberry advised that Planning Commission heard this request on September 13, 1999 and voted to recommend to Council that the request be approved and that no additional conditions be imposed. He advised that Mrs. Edna Bell was concerned that the radio would interfere with her television reception. He also advised that FCC rules dictate that state and local governments cannot prohibit radio communications. After extensive discussion, Councilman Penn made a motion to approve Planning Commission Case # 99-110CU, with the stipulation that the applicant get a permit and the building inspector inspect the installation of the tower, 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 Andrew L. Graham addressed Council regarding the Pulaski Railway Expansion. He expressed disappointment at the direction that he feels the project is taking. He expressed concern that this project will focus more on the Fine Arts Center rather than the museum. During extensive discussion, Mr. Hawley advised that no plan has been approved at this time. He advised that the next step will be interviewing and choosing an architectural firm. At that time, committees will discuss and fine-tune an agreeable plan for the project, which will then be presented to Council. Councilman Stewart requested that Council be provided with updates on a regular basis. Michael Dowell, Chairman of the Museum Expansion committee, brought Council up to date on the status of this project and advised that the next meeting will be October 12, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. Councilman Stewart made a motion to adopt the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of September 21, 1999, 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 Next Mayor Johnston reminded Council of cancellation dates for hotel and conferences at VML’s annual conference. Mr. Johnston advised that Council needs to appoint a voting delegate and alternate to VML Business meeting. Councilman Neblett made a motion to appoint Mayor Johnston as voting delegate and Councilwoman Steger as alternate, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Next, Mayor Johnston advised that our next regularly scheduled Council meeting falls on October 19, 1999. Council will be attending the annual VML conference at that time. He suggested scheduling the meeting for Wednesday, October 20, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Worrell made a motion to schedule the next Council meeting for Wednesday, October 20, 1999 at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was discussion of purchase of additional shares in Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Authority. Staff recommendation was not to purchase more shares. Councilman Stewart suggested that the Town purchase the initial shares out of the general fund rather than UDAG funds. He questioned whether the UDAG funds could be used in this manner and requested that staff research this matter. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion not to buy more shares in Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Authority, 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, Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, October 12, 1999. He advised that a work session will be conducted as well as a regular meeting to discuss a request for a subdivision of four lots on Bentley Lane. Councilman Stewart made a motion to refer to Planning Commission a request from Samuel and Mary Tucker, owners; Terry McCraw, agent; for a subdivision of 4 lots on Bentley Lane, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was use of CDBG Housing grants for downtown lighting. Mr. Quesenberry advised that at the last Council meeting, a decision was made to pursue CDBG Housing funds to finance the Downtown period lighting project. The Finance Director has been informed by the Department of Housing and Community Development that CDBG funds cannot be used for this purpose. After discussion, Mr. Hawley advised that staff will try to find the funds for the Downtown period lighting. Mayor Johnston advised that before Council was Resolution 99-34, an agreement between the Town of Pulaski and Appalachian Power Company providing for street lighting. After discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-34, an agreement between the Town of Pulaski and Appalachian Power Company providing for street lighting, 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 - Abstain Jeffrey S. Worrell - Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next item on agenda was an update on the New River Trail extension. Mr. Hawley advised that staff is looking at different alternatives to extend the Trail to the Museum. We are still waiting for response from John Davy of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Councilman Stewart advised that the application for funding for the Trail was for Trail extension, not for work at the Trail terminus. He requested that the Town Attorney review this matter and give an opinion to Council. Mr. Eley advised that he was in the process of reviewing the matter and would report back to Council. Next, Councilwoman Steger reported that the Citizens Police Academy being held at the Town Municipal Building is a real learning experience. She encouraged Council and the public to attend. She also advised that she toured the middle school with the new School Resource Officer. School staff opines that problems are minimal and attitudes are up, and they give direct credit to this officer. Next, Johnny Sexton addressed Council with problems near his home. He complained of noise, trash, trespass, and building disrepair. He stated that the Police have worked with him according to the limits of the law, but that he needed additional assistance. He requested that the Building Inspector and Fire Marshal inspect the building at 206 S. Jefferson for code violations. Mr. Hawley advised that staff would look into the problem. There being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote.