Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-99Minutes of the Council meeting held October 20, 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, Jeffrey S. Worrell, Bettye H. Steger, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Absent/Excused W. Edgar Hale Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Kirk Hendricks, Police Department Also Present: Robert Ogden Rodney Gravley Jerry W. Moore Edna S. Whited Rebecca English Paul Dellinger, Press Heather Fetrow, Press Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Worrell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. After roll call, two additions were made to the agenda under New Business. First item on agenda was the Public Comments Period. Mrs. Edna Whited advised Council that she had purchased, through the Town, a National Property Maintenance Code book to facilitate her renovation at one of her properties. She advised that there were some new codes enacted July 1, 1999 and provided the Town with copies. She advised that she is not able to locate the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, volume II, Building Maintenance Code. Next, Jerry Moore addressed Council with questions regarding the Caseknife Road water project. He inquired into the number of residents who will be served by this project and requested assistance for the remainder of residents on Case Knife. Mr. Hawley advised that the project has been scaled back from the original plan due to financial considerations and currently, the line will not extend beyond the proposed tank. After extensive discussion, Councilman Worrell made a motion for staff to send a letter to the County outlining the scope of the Caseknife Road water project and suggesting a joint arrangement for completion of the project, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Next, Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the October 5, 1999 meeting, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 item on the agenda was the Finance Committee report. Chairman Weddle advised that the Town was in receipt of a fax from Local Choice Health Insurance program advising that the Town owes $12,573.07 to Local Choice for adverse experience assessment to be paid lump sum or in installments, with the first installment due October 30, 1999. Staff questions the validity of the numbers used to compute this figure and has attempted to reach Local Choice staff for more information, to no avail. Councilman Stewart made a motion to table this matter until more answers are received, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on voice vote, with one opposition. Next, Mr. Quesenberry advised that a bill has been received for Workman’s Compensation adjustment in the amount of $3,955. The consensus of Council was for staff to further research this item and return with information to the next Council meeting. Next item on agenda was Utilities Committee report. In Chairman Neblett’s absence, Mr. Hawley advised that the Pulaski County Planning Commission approved subdivision plats, special use permit and site plans for Case Knife Road and Draper Mountain Estates water system tank sites. An erosion and sediment control plan for the Case Knife site was also approved. Public Works department will construct the access road for the Case Knife tank and also the grading of the tank site. The Town Manager’s office is trying to determine the status of the RD loan request for Draper Mountain. The scope of the Case Knife project has been scaled back due to budget considerations. Councilman Neblett arrived at 7:30 p.m. Next, Public Operations Committee Chairman Penn advised that Committee met October 20 and discussed expansion of the Dora Highway Drop site. He advised that Committee recommends to Council that a letter be prepared from the Town to PSA offering to make the Dora site available for operations. Next, Committee addressed a request for an encroachment on the Town right-of-way from Pulaski Furniture to install a fiber optic line from the downtown plant to the Import Division at 1201 E. Main Street utilizing AEP poles. Committee recommends approval of Pulaski Furniture’s request for encroachment on the Town right-of-way to install a fiber optic line from the downtown plant to the Import Division at 1201 E. Main Street utilizing AEP poles, with the condition that Pulaski Furniture enter a hold harmless agreement and indemnify the Town against damages including possible legal fees by adopting Resolution 99-39 and so adopted on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent 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 Another item discussed by Committee was an Army Corps of Engineers proposal to install an early warning system for flooding. This proposal was deemed not satisfactory because of operating and maintenance expenses per year, the possibility of failure of the system and localized flooding. Staff will continue to research this matter. Committee also discussed request from the Salvation Army and the Community Yard Sale for use of the empty portion of the old People’s Drug building. Committee recommends to Council that these two groups be allowed to use the facility from November 1, 1999 to January, 2000, on the condition that they pay the electricity bill and sign a “hold harmless’ agreement, absolving the Town from any liability. Committee also discussed a citizen’s request for an additional interstate “Pulaski” sign at the Dublin exit. Staff advised that they have been unable to contact VDOT to pursue this request, but will continue to attempt to reach VDOT. Next, Councilwoman Steger advised that she and staff would begin reviewing Ordinances for possible updating. Councilman Stewart advised that at it’s last meeting, Council approved the request for Samuel Krunsberg to place a tower 75 feet high on his property for the purpose of operating an amateur radio. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to adopt Ordinance 99-12, permitting a conditional use for erecting an amateur radio transmitting/receiving antenna at 234 10th Street 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, Mr. Hawley advised that a list of committee positions that need to be filled are included in the Council packet. Action can be taken at a future Council meeting. Safety Committee Chairman Worrel advised that committee had an organizational meeting on October 12, 1999 with the Pulaski Police Department. The Committee agreed that the primary function of this Committee would be to serve as a line of communication from the Police Department to Town Council. It was further agreed that the Committee would meet quarterly with special meetings being called whenever needed. Committee learned that Police Chief Cooley is working with the Town Attorney to develop a contract to be signed by all new Officers whereby the Officer agrees to stay with the Town for 3 years or reimburse the Town for all or part of their training costs. Committee also addressed the Y2K readiness plans, condition of the Police department’s vehicle fleet, drug problems, the possibility of operating an office out of the Meadowview Apartment complex and the time lost in transporting prisoners to the jail. Chief Cooley also advised that the School Resource Officer and the Citizens Academy have had a good response. Mayor Johnston advised that a letter has been received from David Brickley, Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding transferring the $200,000 ISTEA grant from administration by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to the Town of Pulaski. Mr. Brickley advised that VDOT has been receptive to this request and the money will be transferred. Additionally, it is hoped that monies already appropriated for the Dora junction will count as the match for the grant. . Mayor Johnston advised that 22 Senior Center residents prepared 5000 newsletters for mailing for the Town. He expressed his appreciation to these citizens. Mayor Johnston announced that Halloween will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30, 1999 this year. Randolph Eley, Jr., Town Attorney, gave a projects update including his attendance at the LGA Conference at Virginia Beach. Under new business, Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion to change the Charter to reflect that the Town Manager and all Department Heads be required to live in the Town limits and move to the Town within 90 days of beginning their job. Motion failed for lack of second. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a substitute motion to request that the Town Attorney research this matter and return to Council with more information, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote with one opposition. Councilwoman Steger advised that on water cut off days, Town employees are harassed by the Public. She requested that a Police officer be assigned to the Finance Department on water cut-off days. Mr. Hawley advised that he would speak with the Police Chief and come up with a plan. At 8:17 p.m., Council entered closed session on 2.1-344 (A3), discussion of the acquisition or disposition of public property, because disclosure would have an adverse financial impact, on motion by Councilman Penn, 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 8:30 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted certification resolution on motion by Councilman Stewart, seconded by Councilman Worrell 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 8:31 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried. .