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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-01Minutes of the Town Council meeting of December 4, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Charles W. Stewart, Jr. Council Members: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Pauline G. Mitchell, Daniel Talbert, Jr., E. G. Black, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Kenneth M. Fleenor, Lane R. Penn Absent/Excused: James M. Neblett, Jr. Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others Present: John White Gary Roche Bill Harrison Sally Bush Bill Harrison Dave Hart John Hawley B. J. Bowman Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Black led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed session held prior to the Council meeting on 2.1-344 (A-1), Personnel, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The first item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding the Issuance of a Bond for the Southside/Draper Mountain water project. Mr. Elander advised that the Southside/Draper Mountain water project is the third major water and sewer project that the Town has been developing. He advised that the Town is borrowing funds from the Rural Utility Service in the amount of $401,600. A public hearing is required prior to closing on the borrowing. At 7:02, Mayor Stewart opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments from the public, Hearing was closed. Under Public Comment period, Sally Bush addressed Council. She presented a letter advising of a plan proposed by the Downtown Pulaski, Inc. Board of Directors to conduct a war on trash. She advised that D.P.I. has received an environmental grant in the amount of $1000 from Wal Mart, which will be used to rent a roll-off dumpster as a temporary large item drop off site, and asked Council’s assistance in locating it. She asked for Council’s public support of their endeavors in the cleanup. Mayor Stewart advised that he has recently asked the Town Manager to ask PSA if they will provide daily pick ups in the downtown area. Mr. Elander opined that the recent articles in the newspaper have been helpful. Councilwoman Steger made a motion for Town Council to support D.P.I. in its endeavors to clean up the town, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of the November 6, 2001 meeting, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Under Committee reports, Finance Committee Chairman Fleenor advised that committee met and recommends advertising and scheduling a public hearing for the next Council meeting on the general obligation bond issue of 3 million dollars. He advised that Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, was present to give a financial update. Ms. Boyd advised that collection of local sales tax are under projected budget at this point, and interest and dividend earnings are below projected budget. She opined that this is due to the economic condition of the country at this time. She also advised that the remainder of the revenues that come in on a monthly or quarterly basis are in line with projections. Regarding expenditures, Ms. Boyd noted nothing out of the ordinary. Chairman Fleenor asked Mr. Elander to give an update on a UDAG loan that was in default. Mr. Elander advised that a UDAG loan had become 24 months delinquent. The Town took legal action and the building was auctioned with the Town netting the taxes that are owed, the costs back and 50% of the proceeds. Next, Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met and discussed several items. Following discussion, the Town Attorney was asked to draw up an ordinance regarding the regulatory function of receiving false alarms from businesses or other places, and an ordinance amending the fire code to permit the Fire Department and/or the Fire Marshal to continue to enforce provisions in the Virginia Fire Code. She advised that in addition, the Town Attorney was asked to research the state law regarding the liability for water bills when tenants turn on the water in rental property and also, the available options regarding a statute that allows the Town to adopt an ordinance which allows authorization by the property owner to regulate the congregating of people on an owners property after hours. Mayor Stewart advised that Planning Commission met for a work session and continued work on the new zoning administration code. Next, Human Resources Chairwoman Steger read the following statement. She advised that members of Town Council, in particular the Human Resources and Finance Committee are becoming more aware that the Town of Pulaski is looking at some severe and growing budget restraints. In searching for some cost reductions and efficiency, the Human Resource Committee, at its meeting of November the 27th, has decided to recommend to Council that a recent proposal of the Town Manager be adopted. This being, it is the recommendation to Council from the Human Resources Committee, that the Council shall create a new Community Services department and make the present departments of Recreation, Public Works, Engineering sections in the new department. Motion passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Mayor’s Report, Mayor Stewart reminded Council of the January 31, 2002 Legislative Day in Richmond, Virginia and encouraged them to attend. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update including ordinance work; legal research; consultation with Town staff, dilapidated structures set for trial; reviewed bond materials; prepared notice and coordinated and conducted sale on the UDAG loan; and worked on the FEMA and Dora Highway projects that are pending. Town Manager Elander advised that work has progressed on the New River Trail from the First Street parking lot to Duncan Bridge and up to Bell Avenue along the creek. The next phase will be erecting signage, and striping and fencing to separate the road surface from the walking trail. He also advised that the Draper mountain/southside water project is progressing. Under Old Business was Ordinance 2001-19, amending the fire department code to include the Fire Marshal. Councilman Fleenor made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-19, amending the fire department code to include the Fire Marshall, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item under Old Business was a recommendation from the Finance Committee to schedule a public hearing for the January, 2002 meeting regarding the general obligation bond issue and passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under New Business was Resolution 2001-31, issuance of bond – Draper Mountain/southside water project. Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-31, issuance of a bond – Draper Mountain/Southside water project, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next item on agenda was consideration of Resolution 2001-29, regarding a Claytor Lake Nutrient Management Project. Mayor Stewart advised that this Resolution is being considered because of a request by Ron Powers of the Friends of Claytor Lake, to issue a Resolution supporting their efforts to maintain good, clean, pure water in the lake. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-29, regarding a Claytor Lake Nutrient Management Project, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Council addressed Resolution 2001-30 regarding Southside water project. Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2001-30, resolution of governing body of Town of Pulaski to proceed with the Draper Mountain water project, 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 - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next item on the agenda was discussion of the Trans Dominion Express. Mayor Stewart advised that the Trans Dominion Express is an attempt to get railroad service in the state of Virginia. He advised that there is a $1000 fee per year to be included. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to direct the Town Manager to allocate $1000 to the TransDominion Express to join in this effort, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Communications, The Mayor advised of receipt of a letter from B&G Motors regarding taxation. He asked the Town Manager to review the letter and be prepared to address Council with his comments at the next meeting. Next, Mayor Stewart advised that the next Council meeting falls on January 1, 2002 and suggested moving the meeting to January 15, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Fleenor made a motion to schedule the next Council meeting for January 15, 2001 at 7:00 p.m., 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, Jr. - Absent Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. on motion by Councilman Fleenor, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.