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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-01Minutes of the Town Council meeting held June 26, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council Members: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Pauline G. Mitchell, Daniel Talbert, Jr. E. G. Black, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, James M. Neblett, Kenneth G. Fleenor, Lane R. Penn Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Nikki Shank, Asst. Finance Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others Present: Trina Rupe Debbie Bivens Tom Underwood Linda Buzzelli Mary Ann Mitchell Flo Stevenson Jenn Burleson, Press 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. Following roll call, Mayor Stewart advised that Reverend Tom Underwood wished to address Council. Reverend Underwood advised that he was not happy with the recommendation from staff included in the Council packet to alleviate the drainage problem at his house. He did not think it would solve the problem. He expressed dissatisfaction with the direction the Town is going, opining that it is time for a change of thought and direction. Next, Mayor Stewart requested a motion for a Certification Resolution for the Closed Session meeting held before the Council meeting. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for Closed Session meeting held before the Council meeting on 2.1-344 (A-1) Personnel, seconded by Councilman Black 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 Continuing with the Public Comment Period, Mayor Stewart introduced Linda Buzzelli. Mrs. Buzzelli addressed Council regarding the proposal to increase the cigarette tax. She presented Council with a petition with over 1300 signatures requesting that Council not increase the cigarette tax. Mayor Stewart advised Mrs. Buzzelli that the proposed cigarette tax increase has been removed from the budget. Next, Mary Ann Mitchell addressed Council speaking against the idea of a Polish Village for the Town. She opined that something is needed for the youth of the Town, and a movie theatre and restaurants are needed to bring revenue to the Town. She presented a petition with signatures that she had gathered requesting that the idea of a Polish Village not be addressed by Council at this time, but be included in the next election. Mrs. Flo Stevenson addressed Council advising that the Southwest Times ran an article inviting citizens to vote on the Polish village idea through the newspaper. She advised that as of this afternoon, no one had voted. J. B. Warner addressed Council speaking against the Polish Village. He opined that the Town should capitalize on positives we already have like the Railroad heritage and the Maple Shade Inn heritage. Mr. Buzzelli addressed Council. He advised that he owns two businesses in Town. He said that some of the things that attracted him to this area are no longer visible. He feels that the pride is gone. He opined that the Town needs to pursue both industry and tourism. However, he continued, nothing will work unless the entire Town is behind the idea. There being no further comments, Public Comment period was closed. Mayor Stewart advised that he is encouraged by the number of people taking an interest in the Town and expressing their opinions. Next, Finance Director Sherry Boyd was asked to give a report. Ms. Boyd advised that the year end figures show: 106% of Real Estate taxes collected 114% of Personal Property taxes collected 104.89% of Total Property taxes collected 99.16% of Local Taxes collected 93.67% of Total Budget for all Revenues in all categories collected as of June 23. Next, Mayor Stewart advised Council of corrections to the June 5, 2001 minutes. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda with the corrections to the June 5 minutes, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Next, Utilities Committee Chairman Worrell advised that committee met with representatives of the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority and discussed their request that the Town switch from an allocated capacity cost to a flow use cost. Committee also met with the Finance Director, the Public Works Director and some Town citizens and reviewed the Town’s policy on high water bill complaints. Public Operations Committee Chairman Neblett advised that committee met and discussed several requests. Committee recommended: 1. Re: Scott Street – That Town install ditch line and culvert from the top of Scott Street and Winfield Circle down to Route 11. This particular street poses a safety hazard, so the Town will pay the total cost. 2. Re: English Forest Road encroachment request. Grant request, but retain water/sewer right-of- way. Also inform Mrs. Jessee that if a problem occurs in the future with the water/sewer, the fence will have to be removed and not be replaced by the Town. 3. Re: Mrs. King’s drainage problem at 5th and Russell. Committee determined that culvert is not needed after all. Since the Town instructed Mrs. King to purchase the culvert, the Town will offer to buy the pipe back from her. 4. Re: 15th and 16th Street alley closing request. Grant the request, retaining right-of-way easement and advertise for public hearing. 5. Re: 1st Street SW right-of-way closing request. Grant the request, retaining right-of-way easement and advertise for public hearing. Mayor Stewart asked the Town Attorney to prepare an Ordinance for the English Forest Road encroachment. Next, Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met and discussed false alarms and recommends adopting an identical rate schedule as currently in use by the fire department. This permits no charge for the first two false alarms, with charges beginning with the third alarm and increasing for each alarm in excess of three: the 3rd alarm would be $50; the 4th alarm would be $100 and the 5th false alarm would be $200. Chairwoman Mitchell advised that Committee also recommends adopting an ordinance concerning dogs that is in line with the County’s dog ordinance, to assist the County with enforcement. Chairwoman Mitchell also advised that Committee recommends asking the Town Attorney to address the proper wording in the Town Code to permit the Fire Department and/or the Fire Marshall to continue to enforce the provisions in the Virginia Fire code. Next, Human Resources Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that Committee met and recommends adopting Resolution 2001-12, regarding a reduction in Town work force and passed 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, Public Safety Committee Chairman Penn advised that the committee met and discussed the police department joining the Cardinal Police Academy. Councilman Worrell gave the Planning Commission report advising that Committee continued work on the redrafting of the zoning ordinance. Under Mayor’s report, Mayor Stewart advised that he attended the VML Policy Commission meeting in Richmond and discussed issues for VML to recommend to the General Assembly. Town Attorney Eley advised that he had concentrated on matters of litigation that are currently pending and has reset the closing date on the Newbern/MacGill Street issue. Town Manager Elander gave a projects update including that he toured the DynCorp facility and attended a New River Valley Economic Development Board of Directors meeting and learned that the Foreign Trade Zone at the New River Valley Airport is one of the most successful within the first year of operation. Mayor Stewart advised that there is a bookkeeping matter to take care of regarding the Airport Commission. Mr. Elander advised that Council will address an amended Resolution to dispose of the Town’s interest in property at the airport to the Airport Commission. A Public Hearing will be scheduled to address this issue. Next item on agenda was consideration of Resolution 2001-09, regarding building permit, planning and zoning, and recreation fees proposed fiscal 2002 budget. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-09, regarding building permit, planning and zoning, and recreation fees proposed fiscal 2002 budget, 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 - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Stewart advised that there are some compensation issues to be addressed in the 2002 budget. Councilman Neblett made a motion to encumber $85,000 from the 2000 – 2001 budget and move it to the 2001-2002 budget to address the problem with retention of officers, 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 Next, Councilman Talbert made a motion to encumber approximately $84,000 from the 2000-2001 budget and move it to the 2001-2002 budget to raise the pay level for all employees by 2% effective July 1, 2001, seconded by Councilman Black 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, Councilman Penn made a motion to encumber approximately $16,000 from the 2000-2001 budget and move it to the 2001-2002 budget to adjust the longevity steps within the pay plan, 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 - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next item for consideration was Resolution 2001-11. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-11, to approve the budget and establish appropriations including the adjustments just approved by Council, seconded by Councilman Black 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 item for discussion was Resolution 2001-13, regarding tourism and promotion of the Town of Pulaski using a Polish Theme. Councilman Worrell advised that he would not be able to support this Resolution. He stated that he has not seen the support for this project by the citizens of the Town. In addition, he felt that the Town needed to complete some of the projects it already has on the table. Councilwoman Steger asked Mrs. Stevenson how much money would be needed for this project? Mrs. Stevenson opined that if there is money in the budget this year for an employee in the Economic Development department, and some advertising; that should be adequate. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to table this issue for further study, seconded by Councilman Penn and failed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - No Kenneth M. Fleenor - No E. G. Black, Jr. - No Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Stewart - No Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion to change Resolution 2001-13 to read “further that a committee be appointed by Mayor to study feasibility of implementation” and failed for lack of second. Councilman Penn made a motion to reject Resolution 2001-13, regarding tourism and promotion of the Town of Pulaski using a Polish theme, seconded by Councilman Fleenor 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 - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next item on agenda was an update on the Town web site. Town Manager Elander advised that the Town web site needs to be updated. Resolution 2001-15 proposes that funds be encumbered from the year end General Fund balance to prepare and implement improvements proposed by WebTech Partners from the New River Community College. Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-15, regarding Town web site improvements, seconded by Councilman Worrell 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 Mayor Stewart advised that next item on agenda was a petition from citizens requesting the paving of the Tad Steger Memorial Walking Trail. Councilman Talbert made a motion to refer this request to the Public Operations committee, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Abstain 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 Black and carried.