Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-01 Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 6, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Pauline G. Mitchell, Daniel Talbert, Jr., E. G. Black, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, James M. Neblett, Kenneth M. Fleenor, Lane R. Penn Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Also Present: Flo Stevenson Walter Paulson Robert M. Henderson Thomas A. Douthat, Jr. Michael Dowell Roy F. Buzzelli Linda M. Buzzelli Daniel Doolittle Carol J. Southern Marvin Covey Peggy Covey Andy Covey Henry Cook Pat Gooch Sherry Seagle Chris Seagle Scout Troop 249: Guenter Schlottman, Leader Daniel Doolittle Chase Coble Andrew Gore Andrew Schlottmann Lee Carter, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilwoman Mitchell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Worrell gave the invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Stewart added item 19, Closed Session, under 2.1.344 (A-1), personnel matter – 2 items. Mayor Stewart welcomed members of the audience present including Scout Troop 249. First item on agenda was a presentation by Robert Henderson, of the Friends of the Theatre. Mr. Henderson presented a project status update regarding the Pulaski Theatre project. He summarized the status of the current funding and advised that the fundraising campaign goals are being finalized and the fundraising kickoff date will soon be set. He presented each Council member with a packet of information, which will be included in the official Council minutes. Next, Flo Stevenson presented her vision for revitalizing the Town. She advocated focusing on tourism and suggested a theme of a Polish village to carry out her plan. She presented each Council member with a packet of information, which will be included in the official minutes. Next item on agenda was the Public Comment Period. Linda Buzzelli informed Council that she has received a lot of positive support from the public since she addressed Council at the last Council meeting. She agreed with Mrs. Stevenson’s evaluation that something drastic needs to be done to revitalize the Town. She encouraged Council to research the number of policemen that have left the Town in the last 15 years and re-evaluate their pay scale. She opined that Mrs. Stevenson’s project could be funded with the amount of money lost in the loss of policemen alone. She encouraged Council to continue working toward the revitalization of the Town. Next, Carol Southern addressed Council with several concerns. She complained of businesses moving out of buildings and leaving them unkempt, and suggested a vacancy tax be applied to violators. She suggested inquiring whether agencies/groups in town might like to advertise via a window display in one of the vacant buildings. She complained of employees parking in customer parking spots on Main Street. She suggested that letters be sent to businesses on Main Street reminding them of the parking limitations or that ticketing be in enforced. She also encouraged Council to continue looking forward in revitalizing the Town. Next, Marvin Covey addressed Council inquiring whether a decision had been made regarding his request for exemption of auto decals for antique vehicle owners. He advised that the County does not require antique vehicle owners to obtain a decal and opined that the Town should conform to the same rules. Next item on agenda was the Consent agenda. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of February 6, 2001, seconded by Councilman Black. Councilman Fleenor advised of a misspelled name on page 5. It should be Tim Kuntz, not Tim Koontz. Motion then passed with correction on voice vote. Next item on agenda was the Finance Committee report. Chairman Fleenor advised that Committee met and discussed the request regarding auto decal exemption for antique vehicles. It was the consensus of the Committee that recommendation be made for no change in policy at this time. Chairman Fleenor advised that Committee also reviewed health insurance proposals and requested that $150,000 in the CDBG Rehabilitation fund be transferred to the local government investment pool for a higher return. Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, gave a financial update to Council. She reported that the January 31, 2001 report looked good; that auto decal collections have begun and are going well and that the town has already received approximately $1,700 from the state Set-off Debt Program. Councilman Worrell inquired whether the antique vehicle auto decal request is addressed by the Code of Virginia? Chairman Fleenor advised that he did not know. Councilman Worrell advised that it was his understanding that the reason that the County did not mandate an auto decal for antique vehicles was because the State Code did not require one. He then inquired how many antique vehicles were affected? Mr. Covey responded that he had inquired at DMV and they were not able to tell him. Mayor Stewart advised that the Finance Committee had a motion on the floor to allow the existing policy to stand and called for discussion from Council. Councilman Worrell advised that the point of his inquiries was that the Town is planning joint tax collection with the County. He advised that it made sense to him for the County and Town to have the same rules and that he was in favor of adopting the same policy as the County. Councilwoman Mitchell advised that she is on Finance Committee and originally voted not to change the policy, but did not realize that the County does not mandate decals for antique vehicles. She advised that she would be in favor of adopting the same policy as the County. Councilman Worrell made a substitute motion to direct the Town Attorney to draw up an Ordinance adopting the same policy as the County regarding exemption of auto decals for antique vehicles, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - No Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - No E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Utilities Committee Chairman Worrell reminded Council that the franchise agreements with American Electric Power and United Cities Gas are up for renewal. The Utilities Committee will review the bids and bring them to Council. Next, Human Resources Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that 2 positions on the Cemetery Board are up for renewal. H. W. Huff, Jr. and James W. Robertson have agreed to renew their positions for 3 more years. Mrs. Steger also advised that the new Police Chief, Gary Roche, will begin working for the Town on March 8, 2001. Next, Mayor Stewart reported that Planning Commission met for a work session and continued the review of the preliminary draft of the Zoning Regulations. He advised that Commission elected to defer business to the March 12 meeting, when they will also hold a public hearing for subdivision of a lot into two parcels. Next, Mayor Stewart advised that according to the Comprehensive Annual report for fiscal year 2000, the Town has in excess of $1,850,000 in the undesignated fund. He suggested removing $575,000 from the undesignated fund and placing it in a specific reserve fund that can be applied to several town projects that need to be moved forward. He recommended that the Town Manager and the Finance Committee be assigned the task of allocating the funds to particular tasks, among which should be the Creek Walk project and the New River Trail extension, as well as some projects that have been requested by Town citizens. Councilwoman Worrell made a motion to refer to the Finance Committee the task of allocating $575,000 from the undesignated fund and applying it to several projects that need to be moved forward, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Town Manager Gary Elander thanked everyone from the public who addressed Council with ideas for revitalizing the Town. He opined that we have room for many approaches. He advised that the Town participates in ten or more ways of promoting economic development. Council has supported major UDAG loans to nearly every industry in the Town and scores of small businesses. The Town supports the Chamber of Commerce, D.P.I., and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance financially every year through budget appropriations. The Town is a shareholder in the proposed Commerce Park that’s seeking a mega-industry. The Town is preparing a master plan for the improvement of Peak Creek. The Town supplies annual budget funds for landscaping throughout the Town. An expansion campaign has been launched to raise private sponsors for flower bed expansions and additions. The Town has been a supporter of the Maple Shade project by acquiring the property, by working with the Fine Arts Center and the Expansion Committee and seeking state and federal funding. He advised that because of uncertainty in state funding, we could be short state funding for the completion of the New River Trail. If this occurs, the Town will have to complete the expansion on their own. Mr. Elander also advised that budget work is now in process. A lot of time has been spent on employee Health insurance. It is hoped that a recommendation will be forthcoming soon. He advised that an annual report is included in the Council packet and copies are available for the public. Mr. Elander also advised that Wythe County has withdrawn from the Commerce Park and their shares are available. He recommended that this be referred to Finance Committee for study. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to refer the possible purchase of additional shares in Commerce Park to Finance Committee, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Old Business, Councilman Talbert inquired whether the Town Manager had any information to share regarding a prior request from the public regarding air pollution? Mr. Elander advised that he has spoken with an executive at Pulaski Furniture, who was going to forward an engineering report from his staff. To date, the report has not been received. Under New Business, was Ordinance 2001-03, approving a conditional use for a truck salvage yard at the former site of the King Coal Yard at 616 First Street, NE. Mayor Stewart advised that Public Hearings have been held by Planning Commission and by Town Council as required by law. Town Attorney was directed to prepare an Ordinance for approval. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-03, approving a conditional use for a truck salvage yard at the former site of the King Coal Yard at 616 First Street, NE, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - No Pauline G. Mitchell - No James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Communications, Mayor Stewart advised that he was in receipt of a letter regarding the New River Trail Challenge, inviting the Town’s participation. Mayor Stewart advised that he had agreed to the Town’s participation in the planning of the event. He also advised that he had suggested that an annual New River Trail Marathon be held separately, and suggested that it begin in Foster Falls and end at the Town Depot. There being no further business, at 8:25 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to enter into Closed Session under 2.1-344 (A-1), 2 items, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 8:40 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried.