HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-00Minutes of the Town Council meeting held August 1, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.
There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor
Council: Lane R. Penn, Kenneth M. Fleenor, James M. Neblett, E. G. Black, Jr.,
Bettye H. Steger, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Pauline G. Mitchell, Jeffrey S. Worrell
Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager
Sherry Boyd, Finance Director
Herb Cooley, Police Chief
Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk
Also Present: Charles Wade
Lee Carter, Press
Tina Ratliff, Press
Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation.
The agenda was modified by the addition of one item under Communications regarding the Dora Highway Drop Site.
From the visitors, Mr. Wade inquired whether more detailed information could be provided on the agenda. He explained that at present, he cannot determine in advance whether he wishes
to address Council, so that he can complete a Speakers Slip.
After discussion, Mr. Elander advised that he would try to modify the agenda.
Next, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of July 18, 2000, with a correction in spelling to Liz Pope’s name, seconded by Councilman
Black and carried on voice vote.
Mayor Stewart advised that he attended the VML Legislative meeting in Richmond on July 29.
Next item before Council was Resolution 2000-21 regarding fees and a 911 Ordinance.
Mr. Elander advised that during budget study, it had been suggested that the E-911 rate be increased to provide greater reimbursement for eligible E-911 expenses in the Police Department.
He advised that Finance Committee discussed this issue at their last meeting and recommended that the fee be raised from $0.42 to $1.00. A public hearing will have to be scheduled
to address this issue and an ordinance prepared. Finance Committee also discussed police department administrative fees. After discussion, Committee recommended the following changes
to those fees:
1. Accident report, increase from $3.00 to $5.00
2. Incident Report, increase from $3.00 to $5.00
3. Finger print service, increase from $3.00 to $5,00
4. Wide load permit, increase from $5.00 to $11.00
After discussion, Finance Committee Chairman Fleenor made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-21, providing for the revision of certain police administrative fees and authorizing the preparation
of an ordinance to increase the E-911 tax surcharge rate from $0.42 to $1.00, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote:
Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye
Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye
James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye
Next item on agenda was Resolution 2000-22, regarding removal of fuel tanks and providing related services at the site of the proposed Maple Shade project.
Mr. Elander advised that a fuel tank will have to be removed at the Maple Shade parking lot. Finance Committee reviewed a proposal from Wiley and Wilson and its sub-contractor for fuel
tank removal services at the Maple Shade project site.
Mr. Elander requested that Council adopt Resolution 2000-22, authorizing the Town Manager to negotiate services with Wiley and Wilson and/or Simon and Associates for services to remove
fuel tanks and provide related services at the site of the proposed Maple Shade project for an amount not to exceed $19,000.
Councilman Talbert pointed out that on page 2 of the proposal, in the last paragraph, the last sentence should be corrected to: The remaining twenty (20) percent is due upon receipt
of reimbursement.
Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-22, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote:
Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye
Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye
James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye
Mayor Stewart advised that next item before Council was Resolution 2000-20, Town of Pulaski/PSA Billing agreement.
Mr. Elander advised that the Town previously proposed to the County that the Town, for a fee, provide the billing services for garbage collection. Under the proposal, the Town will
collect 5% of the total garbage billings for an estimated $31,000 for the first 12 months. The County will reimburse the Town up to a maximum of $2,000 for all initial start up expenditures.
The Pulaski County PSA has agreed to this proposal. Resolution 2000-20 approves the contract.
Councilwoman Mitchell advised that she had been asked whether the water bills would go up.
Mr. Elander advised that water and sewer rates are not increasing. The only change will be the addition of a monthly charge for garbage collection. Mr. Elander also advised that the
County has just mailed their bills for May, June and July garbage collection. Pending receipt of information from the County, the first joint Town water/garbage bills will be mailed
in September for August usage of water and August service of garbage collection.
Councilman Talbert made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-20, approving a contract with the Pulaski County Public Service Authority enabling utility billing services by the Town of Pulaski
for trash collection services provided by the Pulaski County PSA, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote:
Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye
Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye
James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye
Under Communications, Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, gave a fiscal year end report. She advised that the Operating budget for the General Fund had a positive ending balance. She opined
that this was due to increased revenues collected and conservative spending on the part of the Town. The Water Fund had a negative ending balance, due to emergency spending. The Sewer
Fund has a positive ending balance.
Mayor Stewart summarized that revenues came within less than 1% of estimate, which is an indication that we have an excellent revenue estimate. He commended all the Department Heads
and the Town Manager for holding spending down, which allowed a surplus of approximately $360,000. He noted that there had been a personnel problem in dispatch recently. This has been
resolved.
Next, Councilwoman Mitchell advised that she received a call from Mr. Gravely regarding the Dora Highway Drop site advising of a few problems. She asked whether the site could be enlarged?
She opined that a light is needed at the site. She inquired whether a committee should be appointed to look into the problems?
Mr. Elander advised that he met with the Drop Site staff recently. He is trying to get staff to work together and to do things consistently at the site. They have been encouraged to
try to find time to load during the day if at all possible, which may eliminate the possible need for a light. . He requested that Council members refer calls to him for his information.
He also advised that he has been in contact with the County regarding their possible financial involvement in the site. More information will be forthcoming on that matter.
Under Town Manager’s report, Mr. Elander advised that he received a letter from Pulaski Furniture advising that Ethan Allen furniture company is purchasing the Dublin Pulaski Furniture
plant. They will retool the Dublin plant and will be manufacturing, not just assembling. They will be retraining employees. The Town and the County will assist in any way possible.
Mayor Stewart reminded Council that Mr. Brian Hasell, Chief Executive of Ashburton District Council in New Zealand, will be visiting the Town on August 7 and 8.
At 7:43 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to enter into Closed Session on 2.1-344 (A-3), disposition of publicly held real property, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on
the following recorded vote:
Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye
Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye
James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye
At 8:40 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following
recorded vote:
Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye
Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye
James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye
There being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote.