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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-00Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 21, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of 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 Randy Eley, Town Attorney Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Herb Cooley, Police Chief Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Others Present: Rodney Gravley “Cannonball” Stafford Tina M. Ratliff, Press Lee Carter, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Worrell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Johnston gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Johnston announced an addition to the agenda: Under item 10, Communications, a report on Agency on Aging. At 5:03 p.m., Mayor Johnston opened a Public Hearing regarding drop site regulations. Town Manager Elander advised that before Council was proposed regulations for the drop site. All legal conditions have been met regarding this hearing, as required. If approved, the next step will be to draft an ordinance creating a district for drop sites. Mr. Elander fielded questions from Council regarding the spacing of the dumpsters, and some wording in the draft ordinance. Councilman Weddle opined that rather than specify the number of tires per year that could be disposed of, that the wording could state “consistent with P.S.A. policies”. Councilman Stewart requested that the description regarding households include house trailers or recreational vehicles and single, dual or multiple residences. Councilman Weddle inquired whether PSA had reviewed the proposed ordinance and if not, requested that they be consulted. Mr. Rodney Gravley addressed Council regarding the drop site. He inquired why car parts, batteries, appliances, etc were excluded from the drop site. He advised that he takes these items and recycles them. He also inquired why the Town would install separate dumpsters for paper, plastic, and glass, when these items are taken to the landfill and not recycled. In addition, he requested that gravel or crushed asphalt be added to the site, to facilitate loading and unloading the site. After extensive discussion, Town Manager Elander advised that he would research the questions and return to the next meeting with more information. Public Hearing was closed at 5:20 p.m. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to table this decision until information can be gathered by the Town Manager and forwarded to Council, 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 Councilman Stewart advised that he has had several requests for a small item drop site to be installed in a less remote area. He requested that Council consider installing a recyclable and small item drop site, separate from the Dora drop site. Next, was consideration of the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of March 7, 2000 Council meeting, 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 Under Committee reports, Finance Director, Sherry Boyd summarized the financial report and fielded questions from Council. She advised that the process for pursuing delinquent taxes has begun. It appears that it will take approximately 3 months to complete each case. Ms. Boyd also advised that to date, business license collections are at 91.18%. She also advised that the RFP’s for banking services have been issued and are due by April 14. Next, Councilman Penn advised that Public Operations Committee met and visited several locations to review alley closing requests. Regarding: 1. Lafayette from 4th Street, NE to previously closed Bank Street. Committee recommends approving this request. Councilman Weddle inquired whether a Public Hearing had to be scheduled before decisions could be made on the alley requests? Mayor Johnston advised that he understood that staff was to research the requests and return to Council at a future meeting and that he had so advised several constituents. Mr. Elander advised that this particular request was approved by both property owners. He advised that the next step is to send certified letters and hold a public hearing. Mayor Johnston inquired whether this should be discussed after staff had completed the necessary paperwork. 2. The eastern half of the alley adjacent to the Theatre from Main Street approximately 185 feet toward Third Street, NW. Committee recommends no action on this request at this time. 3. The alley between the Senior Center and the Dalton Building from Washington Avenue to the parking lot. He advised that lights have now been installed in this alley and Committee recommends no action. 4. Dora Terrace from Washington Avenue to the intersection of the right-of-way west of lot 22A. Committee recommends no action. 5. Alley adjacent to 137 13th Street. Research revealed that this alley was closed October 4, 1994. Councilman Stewart inquired about a request on Draper, near the ballpark? Mr. Elander advised that that request was not officially on the list. Councilman Stewart advised that the property owner informed him that she does not want the alley closed. Next, Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission held a work session and two public hearings on Monday, March 13, 2000. During the work session, they began review of a draft zoning ordinance. This discussion will be continued on April 10. Councilman Stewart advised that Commission also conducted a regular meeting on the 13th. As a result, a request for rezoning of approximately seven acres behind Golden Corral, Rite-Aid and Heilig-Meyers, case # 2000-01RZ, was approved by Commission and will be heard by Council at the April 4th Council meeting. Commission also approved final changes to the Comprehensive Plan, (case # 99-112PH), and will be heard by Council at the April 4th meeting. Councilman Stewart made a motion to refer a request for a conditional use by the Town of Pulaski to construct a booster pump station on public right-of-way at 800 S. Washington Avenue, case # 2000-02CU, to Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote. Councilman Stewart then made a motion to refer a request for a conditional use by the Town of Pulaski to construct a booster pump station at 1400 Case Knife Road, case # 2000-03CU, to Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Safety Committee Chairman Worrell advised that an incident based crime report is included in Council’s packet for their review. He did clarify that if a case is pending or if arrests have been made in other jurisdictions, it is not included in this report. Mayor Johnston advised that the Cemetery Trust committee met and discussed the Town’s request of $43,000 to upgrade the cemeteries via tree removal and street paving. The Committee agreed to give the Town $26,000 from interest and sale of lots. Councilman Penn made a motion to accept the $26,000 from the Cemetery Trust Committee for capital repairs to 2 cemeteries, 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 After discussion, the consensus was for the Public Works Director to use the monies to remove and prune trees and then spot pave where possible. Mayor Johnston also advised that a Rotary group from New Zealand visited the Town last week. They brought greetings from our Sister City of Ashburton, New Zealand. He advised that they toured the Town and had a pleasant visit. Randy Eley, the Town Attorney, gave a projects update including the status of the Charter bill, the Town Code book, and several other matters. He advised that the Charter bill was approved but there was not sufficient time for the Governor’s administration and the Justice Department to review prior to mailing absentee ballots for the May, 2000 election. Therefore, four Council positions will be open. Councilman Stewart requested that the Town Attorney review and provide an opinion on whether a vote on November 2, 1999 regarding Resolution 99-40, was legal. The Resolution authorized the Town Attorney to prepare an option agreement for Loving Field property. The recorded vote was 5 ayes, 2 nays and 1 abstention. Mr. Stewart advised that he believes the vote required a 3/4 majority. The recorded vote was one vote shy of a 3/4 majority. Mr. Eley advised that he will research this matter and report back to Council. Councilwoman Mitchell advised that the Agency on Aging Board met today and were provided yearly statistics regarding services provided in the area. She advised that the Town should be proud of the quality of work and assistance provided by this agency. Mr. Elander reminded Council that the Intergovernmental meeting is scheduled to be held March 30. This meeting is to be hosted by the Town and the location is to be announced. At 6:20 p.m., Councilwoman Steger made a motion to enter into Closed Session on 2.1-344 (A3), disposition of real estate and 2.1-344 (A7), legal matter, 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 6:42 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Penn, 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 Robert Dye, Economic Development Director, announced that a request has been received for a UDAG loan to the Hensel Eckman YMCA in the amount of $100,000, to purchase equipment, renovate the building and staffing needs for a joint contract with Pulaski Community Hospital, to provide a wellness and cardiac rehabilitation center. Councilman Weddle made a motion to approve a UDAG loan in the amount of $100,000 to the Hensel Eckman YMCA and authorizing the Economic Development Director to prepare a Resolution, 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 Councilman Penn then made a motion authorizing the Town Manager to order an appraisal of land where we anticipate placing a water tower, 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 At 6:46 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Stewart made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and so carried.