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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-00Minutes of the Town Council meeting held February 15, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: John A. Johnston, Mayor Council Members: Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell, Bettye H. Steger, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart, Jr. Absent: James M. Neblett Staff: Gary Elander, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager John Hawley, Town Engineer Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Nikki Shank, Asst. Finance Director Eddie Sutphin, Sports Coordinator Dave Hart, Director of Parks and Recreation Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Others Present: Caleb Hurd Courtney Peek Diane Hurd Roger Hurd Kenneth M. Fleenor Kenneth Dobson Joel Hicks Michael Dowell Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Johnston turned the floor over to the Recreation Department for presentation of recreation volunteer awards. Eddie Sutphin, Sports Coordinator advised that for the third year in a row, the Parks and Recreation Department presented Lifetime awards to exceptional volunteers in the Recreation Department. These individuals were honored at a dinner in December and each received a plaque. He introduced each person present to Council and presented Resolution 2000-8, honoring lifetime service award recipients to: Lifetime Volunteer Roger Hurd 30 years of service 146 programs Service Awards Jack D. Livesay 25 years of service 103 programs Lifetime Youth Ned Bane 33 years of service 235 programs Service Awards Al Carden 34 years of service 206 programs Carl R. Lindstrom 38 years of service 194 programs Randy Olverson 16 years of service 200 programs Lifetime Ty Hancock 25 years 121 programs Part-time Wally Jones 30 years of service 153 programs Employee Service Awards Mayor Johnston expressed Council’s appreciation to the volunteers for the time they have contributed to our youth and the Town. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-8, honoring lifetime service award recipients, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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, Dave Hart, Director of Parks and Recreation Department, advised that the Town wanted to honor two individuals who are products of the Town’s recreation department: Shayne Graham and Caleb Hurd. Both of these young men participated in our youth programs while growing up and are now members of the Virginia Tech football team. Mr. Graham was unable to attend the meeting, however, Mr. Hurd was present. Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-6, honoring Shayne Graham, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-7, honoring Caleb Hurd, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 consent agenda, Councilman Worrell made a motion to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of 2-1-2000, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 There being no further business, the Council Committee Work Sessions began. Under Finance Committee: Town Manager Elander advised that he has studied combining garbage and utility billing and joint tax collections between the County and the Town. His recommendation is to immediately pursue the joint garbage and utility billing proposal and to study in more detail the proposed tax collections. He advised that the PSA project can be handled with no new personnel, no new equipment and a minimum of problems. He recommended that he draft the substance of a contract for review by the Town Attorney for legal form with the following provisions and others: 1. That the Town will assist the County with billing and collection of the PSA accounts for a fixed fee. He proposed 5% of the total collections or $30,000, whichever is greater, as an amount. 2. That the County will pay for all of the Town’s 1 time costs. 3. That a mutually agreed upon termination clause be included – (90 days). 4. That a clause be included regarding implementing changes to the contract that may need to be made. 5. That the County be responsible for advertising/education of the public, well in advance of initial billing. Following a comment from Mr. Stewart, he said that the joint tax billing proposal would be pursued, but many questions need to be resolved. After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to proceed as he recommended, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 Sherry Boyd, the Finance Director summarized the financial report and fielded questions from Council. Potential alley closings was the first item scheduled under the Public Operations committee. There was some confusion as to the location of the alleys. Committee also discussed a request from Daynell, Inc. for the Town to take over maintenance of Sutphin Circle. Mr. Elander advised that the road referred to in the request is not Sutphin Circle. The road being referred to is a non-maintained road near Sutphin Circle. The individual making this request had been advised that if the road is brought up to state standards, the Town would be willing to take it over. After discussion, Councilman Worrell made a motion to table the decision about the alleys and the maintenance of the road until Public Operations can take a tour of the area and report back to Council with John Hawley, Town Engineer and Mike Jenkins, Public Works Director present to answer questions, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Next, Chairwoman Steger advised that an Ordinance meeting will be held February 29 at 4:00 p.m. to begin reviewing passages in the new Code where Council has questions or concerns. Deadline for Council’s completion of all reading material is March 21. Mr. Quesenberry reviewed several items that Ordinance Committee will review during its study. Regarding animal control, the Town Attorney is conducting research and will address Council on this matter at a later date. The next item on agenda was Planning Commission report. Councilman Stewart advised that Case # 99-112PH, Comprehensive Plan Revision, needs to be returned to Planning Commission for some additional revisions. He made the motion to refer Case # 99-112PH to Planning Commission, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 He also advised that Planning Commission Case 99-113PH, drop site issue, will need to be further reviewed before any action can be taken. Next, Safety Committee Chairman Worrell gave a report on meeting held February 15, 2000. Committee discussion included renovation of the Police Department area of the building, revival of the Community Crime Awareness Committee, that the 2nd Citizens’ Police Academy will begin on March 2, a HUD grant that would allow 4 officers to be stationed 70% of their time at Meadowview and Washington Square Apartment Complexes, and accreditation of the police department. Next, Mayor Johnston advised that Council was scheduled to discuss Resolution 2000-5, regarding I-81 safety. However, he had not been able to get in contact with the person who requested the Resolution. Until such time that he receives more information on this resolution, it will be tabled. Town Attorney Eley advised that the requested Charter amendment regarding number of Council members has passed the House. It still will need to be approved by the Senate, signed by the Governor and then passed by the Justice Department. He then gave a projects update. Councilman Stewart inquired into the status of the intersection at Macgill Road and Newbern Road? Mr. Stewart advised that he thought that the parcel of land had been approved for condemnation by Council. Town Clerk was asked to research and advise Mr. Eley. Under New Business, Mr. Elander advised Council that a Council/Staff Planning Session will be held Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26, 2000 at the Hotel Roanoke. There being no further business, at 6:30 p.m. Council entered into Closed Session under 2.1-344 (A7), consult with counsel regarding legal matters, on motion by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 6:50 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Stewart and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - 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 There being no further business, Council meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried.