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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-00Minutes of the Town Council meeting held at 5:00 p.m., August 15, 2000, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council Members: 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 Randolph D. Eley, Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Mike Jenkins, Public Works Director E. T. Montgomery, Police Captain Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Also Present: Jeanne Whitman Charles Bopp Tina Ratliff, Press Lee Carter, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Black led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Stewart opened a Public Hearing regarding a request to close a portion of Lafayette Avenue located between Section 51, Block 239, Lot 7 and Section 51, Lot 1, extending from the southern boundary of 4th Street, N.E. to the northern boundary of an undeveloped right-of-way. Mr. Elander advised that this public hearing concludes a previous viewing by Council of a short alley section from Lafayette to Bank Street. The consensus of Council at that time was to approve closing this alley. It is abutted by two property owners who are in agreement to accept distribution of the property. No opposing comment has been received to date. An ordinance will need to be adopted for abandonment of the right-of- way if Council approves the request. There being no comments from the public, the Public Hearing closed at 5:03 p.m. Councilman Penn made a motion to close a portion of Lafayette Avenue located between Section 51, Block 239, Lot 7 and Section 51, Lot 1, extending from the southern boundary of 4th Street N.E. to the northern boundary of an undeveloped right-of-way known as Bank Street, 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 From the public, Charles Bopp addressed Council and expressed his opposition to building a new school on the Town’s Loving Field site. (Included in official minutes). Next, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of August 1, 2000, seconded by Councilman Fleenor 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 Finance Committee report, Chairman Fleenor advised that Ms. Boyd was prepared to give a report. Ms. Boyd advised that one month into the fiscal year, 40.68% of the revenue expected for the year has been collected. She also advised that we are on track for joint billing with the County of garbage collection. Public Operations Committee Chairman Neblett advised that earlier in the year, there was concern about the I&I flow. He advised that due to the recent rains, the flow has improved dramatically. He also advised that due to the telephone company strike, some problems were experienced at the pump station, which may have cost the Town some money. He asked the Town Manager to look into attempting to recoup some of that money from the phone company. Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met and reviewed several issues. The Town Attorney will prepare a sidewalk ordinance for Council’s review. Councilman Penn pointed out an offender to the Yard Sale regulations of the Town at N. Washington Avenue. Mr. Elander was asked to follow up on the complaint and ensure that the ordinance is enforced. Mayor Stewart advised that Planning Commission met August 14, conducting a work session followed by a public hearing on a request for a conditional use permit to place an automotive salvage yard on a parcel that lies between Route 99 and Peak Creek behind Stout’s Service Center. After the public hearing, Commission tabled the case pending a cost analysis review by the Town Engineering Department of constructing a new road into the facility that was proposed by the owners. Additionally, Mayor Stewart advised that a referral to Planning Commission from Council is needed to address a request for a conditional use request to operate a day care center/nursery school. Councilman Penn made a motion to refer Case No. 2000-06CU to Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Fleenor 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 Human Resources Chairwoman Steger advised that a nominee to the Circuit Court was needed for the Board of Zoning Appeals. Councilman Fleenor nominated Tom Powers for the Board of Zoning Appeals, seconded by Councilwoman Steger. Councilman Neblett made a motion to close the nominations, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on voice vote. Vote was then taken on prior nomination of Tom Powers for the Board of Zoning Appeals, 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 Mayor’s report, Mayor Stewart reported that he met with representatives from Camp Virginia Jaycees regarding a request for donations for a summer camp for retarded children sponsored by the Jaycees. The Mayor advised the Jaycees to contact each of the Council members for individual donations. He asked the Town Manager to notify them next year when budget hearings begin. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update including the completion of the contracts for the police officers for the grant for the apartments; drafting of the ordinance for 911 fees; personnel matters; advancement of 2 rural development projects; continued work on the Municipal Code and continued progress on the procedures for demolition of dilapidated structures. Next, Town Manager Elander advised that during the recent thunderstorms, the water plant was without power. No problems ensued. He continued with his projects update including: 1. That we have completed the summer paving program. 2. We concluded an enjoyable 2 day visit with our Sister City representative from Ashburton, New Zealand. Regular contact will be maintained with them. 3. Dedicated the James W. (Tad) Steger Memorial Trail 4. Continued work on I&I on South Jefferson 5. Installed replacement trees on Fourth Street 6. Ongoing work being conducted on code violations, and nuisances. He also advised that surrounding New River Trail property owners who need to grant easements will be invited to a meeting to answer any questions they may have regarding these easements and collect the necessary signatures. Councilman Penn inquired whether less road had been paved this year? Mr. Elander responded that the entire length of Dora Highway from the Train Station to the Town limits had been done as well as Bob White Blvd. from just below Hudson’s to the Town limits. Councilman Penn also inquired into the status of lights for the Steger walking track? Councilman Worrell advised that AEP provided the Town with a cost estimate for lights at the track, but that it was never pursued. After discussion, Councilman Penn made a motion to refer discussion of lights for the Steger walking track to the Public Operations Committee, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Councilwoman Steger then requested that the Town Manager look into purchasing an ice machine for the Municipal Building. The Town Manager replied that he would look into the matter. Mr. Elander advised that he had received a communication from AEP advising that a new contract regarding electric service rates and street lighting rates will be arriving soon. The Public Authority Tariff rates have been reduced for the contract term of July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2002. The Street Lighting Tariff will remain unchanged for the same period. Next item on agenda was Resolution 2000-23, designating the office of Town Manager as applicant on behalf of the Town for the Derelict Structures program and providing for related actions. After discussion, Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2000-23, designating the office of Town Manager as applicant on behalf of the Town for the Derelict Structures program and providing for related actions, 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 Next, Council addressed a request by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church to place road marker sign in the right of way. Mr. Elander advised that this is a common request. He advised that the sign will be informational and that there are several other signs at the location. After discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to approve Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church placing a road marker sign in the right of way, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on voice vote. Next, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2000-12, closing a section of Lafayette Avenue, 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 the need for an appointment of representatives to the Virginia First Authority. After discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to appoint the Mayor and Town Manager as representatives to the Virginia First Authority and that Councilman Neblett be appointed alternate, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Next, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to appoint Councilwoman Mitchell as representative on the New River Valley Agency on Aging, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on voice vote. There being no further business, at 5:50 p.m., Councilman Penn made a motion to enter in to Closed Session under 2.1-344 (A-3), discussion of the acquisition and disposition of public property, seconded by Councilman Neblett 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 6:36 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution for the Closed Session on motion by Councilman Penn, 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 There being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on voice vote.