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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held November 2, 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, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Also Present: Michael Dowell Tammy Lee Candace Livingston Heather Fetrow, Press Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt certification resolution for closed session held before the Council meeting, regarding 2.1-344 (A3), discussion of the acquisition or disposition of public property, because disclosure would have an adverse financial impact, seconded by Councilman Weddle 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. - Abstain Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of October 20, 1999, 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 - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Two items for discussion were then added under new business: a planning commission referral and a report by Councilwoman Steger on the Halloween festivities. Councilman Penn wished to comment under old business regarding Local Choice insurance. First item on agenda was an update on the Museum Expansion Committee and selection of an architect. Mayor Johnston asked for an update from Michael Dowell, Chairman of the Museum Expansion Committee. Mr. Dowell advised that the committee met and reviewed architectural proposals and would present a recommendation to the full committee November 9, 1999. A recommendation would then be forwarded to Council for consideration. Next item on agenda was discussion of the VDOT Trail agreement. Acting Town Manager, John Hawley advised that the contract appeared to be a standard contract and has been reviewed by the Town Attorney. He advised that there were a few questions still to be answered before signing, but requested that Council authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to table this request until all questions have been answered, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote. Next item on agenda was a request from the Airport Commission to provide health insurance for its 6 employees. It is estimated that this would raise the Town’s share of the operating costs to $2,522.26 annually. Staff recommends that this be considered for the next fiscal year budget. After discussion, Councilman Steger made a motion not to consider this request at all, seconded by Councilman Stewart. Councilman Weddle made a substitute motion to invite Nick Glenn, of the NRV Airport Committee to address Council at a meeting and then decide whether to consider this request, 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 - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - No Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Mr. Hawley advised that the Town has received a letter from DMV advising that a reimbursement, to be used for the sterilization of cats and dogs, is due the Town in the amount of $45 for sales of “Animal Friendly” license plates sold within the Town. He requested permission to assign this money to the Humane Society with the stipulation that it be used within the Town. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to assign this money to the Humane Society with the stipulation that it be used within the Town, seconded by Councilman Stewart 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 that in the future, this request be handled administratively, 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 Next, Safety Committee Chairman Worrell advised that committee met October 25, 1999. He advised that committee discussed promotion from within the fire department ranks, hiring 1 paid entry level firefighter and resuming non-emergency activities using fire department equipment, such as washing parking lots, flag pole rope replacement, bulb changes, etc. Mr. Worrell advised that Committee told Chief Hall that promotions within the department’s ranks was at his discretion. They advised that there were no funds in this years budget for an entry level position. Chief Hall was also advised that the discussion of resuming non-emergency activities by the fire department was already scheduled for discussion by Council. During Council discussion, a suggestion was made for staff to develop criteria to facilitate decisions for approval of non-emergency activities using fire department equipment. After discussion, Councilman Worrell made a motion to allow the fire department to resume non-emergency activities using fire department equipment, after review of each individual request by the Fire Chief, Town Manager and the Town Attorney, 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 there have been recent changes in the Code of Virginia relating to conditional uses. He made a motion to refer the changes in the Code of Virginia to the Planning Commission for review, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on voice vote. Councilman Weddle advised that the Pulaski County School Board has requested an option to purchase an estimated 50 acres of the Town’s Loving Field properties for the purpose of constructing elementary and middle schools. Mr. Weddle advised that before Council was Resolution 99-40, authorizing the Town Attorney to prepare an option agreement for Loving Field property with the following stipulations: 1. For use as an elementary and/or middle school only 2. The general public and the Town Recreation Department shall have access to the gymnasiums and other recreational facilities after school hours. 3. The purchase price shall be $4,000/acre. 4. The option period shall be one year unless extended in writing. 5. The Town of Pulaski shall be allowed to participate in the planning process for said schedule. 6. The Town Attorney shall prepare an option that will be non-transferable and which would restrict use of the site for schools only and that otherwise the property would revert to the Town of Pulaski 7. The said property will be optioned “as is” and the Pulaski County School Board would be responsible for the extension of any necessary utilities, however, the Town shall have access to all utilities to serve the remainder of the Town’s property. Councilman Stewart advised that he is against the use of Loving Field for this purpose. He felt that the development of a school in the County would reduce the development of the Town and lead to more development in the County near the school. He was also concerned about the school busing this would necessitate. Councilman Neblett suggested that the Town could possibly annex the property in 3 years. Councilman Weddle advised that all of the potential sites for this project are in the County, that the Town does not have enough land for this project. Councilman Stewart reminded Council of the land across from Wal Mart. Councilman Weddle advised that this property was discussed with the County and rejected. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-40, authorizing the Town Attorney to prepare an option agreement for Loving Field property, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Abstain Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - No Next Councilman Steger advised Council that the Halloween festivities sponsored by the Town were a huge success with an estimated 1500 people attending and thanked all the volunteers involved. Under old business, was discussion of Local Choice Insurance. Acting Town Manager Hawley reviewed with Council the receipt of a bill for $12,573.07 for adverse experience adjustment from the Local Choice Program. He advised that he had spoken with Mr. Clayton of Local Choice and confirmed the method of computing the contract units and therefore the amount owed. Mr. Hawley advised that the figure appears to be correct and requested that Council authorize payment in 12 monthly installments. After discussion, Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion appropriating $12,573.07 for the adverse experience adjustment from the Local Choice program, and authorizing payment in 12 monthly installments, 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 Next, Mr. Hawley reviewed a bill for $3,955 for Workmen’s Compensation adjustment for the Town. He advised that Dave Quesenberry had contacted Mr. Nickie, who explained that the amount was due to the difference in the estimated number of employees at the start of FY 98-99 and the actual number of employees at the end of the fiscal year. He reminded Council that earlier this year, the Town received over $17,918 in dividends from the VML’s Workmen’s compensation program and suggested that this bill could be paid out of these dividends. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to authorize payment of $3,955.00 for the workman’s compensation bill presented to the Town utilizing the dividend money the Town received earlier this year, 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 Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that there are several vacancies and end of terms on Town committees to be considered: 1. Vacancy on Industrial Development Authority 2. 3 Expiration of terms for the Parking Authority and 1 for the Planning Commission. He advised that staff would contact persons to see if they are willing to serve and report back to the committee with recommendations. He also advised that there are several boards and commissions that the past Town Manager served on that need to be temporarily filled until a permanent Town Manager is appointed: 1. New River Valley Airport Commission – as alternate 2. Pulaski County Recreation Committee 3. National Guard Armory 4. Pepper’s Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to appoint the Acting Town Manager, John Hawley to the committees formerly held by the past Town Manager, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote. Councilman Penn advised that it has come to his attention that some Town employees are unable to carry the family insurance coverage provided by the Town due to its expense and wishes for Council to consider insurance coverage for family members. Councilman Weddle advised that this topic had been discussed at this year’s budget session, but could be reviewed again for the next budget session. There being no further business, at 7:55 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried.