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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-02Minutes of the regular Town Council meeting held May 14, 2002, 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, Jr., Kenneth M. Fleenor, Lane R. Penn Staff: Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others Present: Sherry Boyd, Finance Director John White John Leeper Carl Newsome Mary Sue Newsome Oscar L. Seagle Mickey W. Seagle Jeff Bain Michael Davis Jin Chen Mrs. William R. Page Ferd Harvey John Leeper Mary Ann Mitchell Nick Glenn Doug Meadows Jamie Beckett Ed & Kathy Beckett Gary Hall Charles L. Wade Carol L. Wade Catherine Humphrey Elrica Graham M. W. Brockmeyer Dennis L. Bane John Bolen Aaron Hawkins Stephanie N. Duncan Amanda Hall Kathy Billings Timmy Lawson Paul Smith Justin Bailey Sarah Blevins Fred Blevins Jenn Burleson, Press Karen McConkey, 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. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed Session held prior to the Council meeting on 2.2-3711 (A-1, 2 items; A-5, 1 item; A-3, 2 items; and A-7, 1 item), 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, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Stewart then added several items to the agenda: 17c, Personnel Resolution 2002-14 17d, Personnel Resolution 2002-15 17e, Item regarding Steger Walking Trail 17f, Action on UDAG loan Next, John Owen, Curtis Bowers, Tom Douthat, Doug Meadows and Dave Walker, of Maple Shade Innovative Technologies, Inc., gave a Powerpoint presentation and proposal for the building on the Maple Shade property and offered to purchase the building and property for $250,000 plus a 1% gross revenue of the project for five years. The planned renovation designated that the “Enterprise Zone” area would be in the old Cosmos Shopping Center; the “Home Resource Center” would be housed in the McCarthy Exhibition Center in the old Kroger portion of the structure; the Raymond Ratcliffe Museum would be housed in the old Roses building; and the Eden Education and Training Center would be housed in the space between the Museum and the McCarthy Exhibition Center. The next item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding the revised Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Quesenberry requested that Council table action on the Zoning Ordinance. He advised that several issues need to be addressed including review of the document by the attorney, updating of the comprehensive plan prior to action on the Ordinance and other items. Councilman Neblett made a motion to table action on the Zoning Ordinance, 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. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Stewart then opened the Public Hearing. Jeff Bain addressed Council, advising that he was speaking on behalf of his mother and father-in-law Bill and Ursula Rhudy, and his wife. He advised that the proposed zoning ordinance changes the zoning of the Rhudy farm from Rural Residential to I-1 (Industrial). He advised that the property is too hilly for industrial use and requested that it be re-designated Rural Residential or Residential use. He also reminded Council that fifteen years ago, the Town annexation took place and the Town agreed to several things. One of the unfulfilled agreements was to place gravity flow sewer to all the areas. Mr. Bain requested that the Town review the annexation agreement and complete the requirements. Next, Ed Beckett addressed Council and requested that the property at Route 11 and Morehead Lane be changed from R-1 to R-5. He requested that the new code stipulate that Council review each use for the R-5 zone before being approved so that it doesn’t get out of control. He also opined that some of the items in the proposed ordinance were too vague and encouraged Council to review them further. There being no further comments, hearing closed at 7:30 p.m. Next item on the agenda was the Public Comment period. Fred Blevins addressed Council regarding the buy out program on Dora Highway. He reminded Council that he had addressed Council approximately three months ago with three questions. He advised that two of the three questions were answered. He inquired again as to why Council paid $80,000 for a $20,000 assessed house on the Dora Highway Trail area? Mayor Stewart advised that staff would research the question and get with Mr. Blevins. Next, Billy Sanders addressed Council and advised of a public meeting to be held Saturday, May 18th at 10 a.m. at the Women’s Club Annex on Third Street to explore the possibility of keeping Northwood Elementary and Claremont Elementary schools open. He invited Council and the public to attend. Next, Charles Wade addressed Council informing them that he has been encouraged by the decisions made by the Council, but discouraged by the implementation of those decisions. He specifically addressed the New River Trail extension. He advised that recently, there has been controversy over whether to complete the Trail. He pointed out that money was appropriated last year, through a Council vote, to complete the Trail and encouraged Council to follow through on that action. There being no further comments, Council moved on to the Consent Agenda. Mayor Stewart advised that the old Virginia Code number had been used in the minutes when referring to the Closed Session and needed to be changed to 2.2-3711 in three different areas of the minutes. The Clerk noted the changes. Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda with corrections, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Committee Reports. Finance Committee Chairperson Fleenor advised that Council met on April 30, 2002 and recommended that Council grant the UDAG loan to Larry and Kim Merrell in the amount of $14,717.54 for a restaurant to be opened in the old Golden Corral building. He also advised that Committee viewed a presentation by M.I.T. for their proposal for the Maple Shade building. He then requested a financial update from Ms. Boyd, Finance Director. Ms. Boyd advised that collections for property tax and local taxes are ahead of schedule and the debt set off collections are going well. She also advised that she is working with the Town Attorney to establish procedures for enforcing business licenses. Dr. Fleenor advised that the next Finance Committee meeting will be May 28 at 10 a.m. Mr. Neblett advised that he had not held a Public Operations meeting, however, he attended the Peppers Ferry meeting and received a recommendation for improvement of the Town’s two sewer pumps- 4A and 4B, with an estimated cost of 1 million, seven hundred thousand dollars, which is included in the Peppers Ferry finance package. He also advised that Olver, Inc. made a presentation and the upgrading of the plant is on schedule. Under Ordinance Committee, Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met on April 30, 2002 and discussed several items with no action taken. Mrs. Mitchell advised that the next meeting will be May 28 at 4 p.m. Next, Mayor Stewart advised that Planning Commission met April 8 for a work session and public hearing to consider the draft of the proposed zoning ordinance. After the public hearing, the Commission voted to recommend adoption of the draft ordinance to Council. The Town Attorney advised that if Council wanted him to review the proposed zoning ordinance, that he needed a motion from Council Councilwoman Steger made a motion to refer the proposed zoning ordinance to the town attorney for legal review, 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, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Under Human Resources report, Chairwoman Steger advised that Committee met and reviewed a list of candidates for appointment to several committees. Committee hopes to have referrals to various committees by the next Council meeting. She also advised that the court certified Tom Powers to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Stewart introduced the newly elected Council member, John T. Bolen. He will take a seat on Council on July 1, 2002. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update, including dealing with several personnel issues, contractual issues including the AEP contract, research regarding several ordinances, work on easements and possible condemnations and progress on the Moye & Summers cases, among other items. Under Old Business, discussion of an ordinance regarding the purchase of the former AEP building was tabled for the time being by consensus of Council. The first item under New Business was Resolution 2002-13, regarding right-of-way, Duncan Avenue Bridge. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2002-13, request for acquisition of right of way and completion of the Duncan Avenue Bridge project, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Mayor Stewart advised that notice has been received that Adelphia Cable Communications desires to begin the process leading to renewal of its franchise effective January 1, 2005. The next item under New Business was consideration of Resolution 2002-14. Mayor Stewart read the Resolution acknowledging the receipt of the resignation of the Town Manager, Gary C. Elander, effective July 15, 2002, and accepting the resignation effective immediately. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2002-14, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - No James M. Neblett, Jr. - No Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - No E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Mayor Stewart read Resolution 2002-15, appointing John J. Hawley as Town Manager effective immediately. Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2002-15, appointing John J. Hawley as Town Manager of the Town of Pulaski, effective immediately, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - No James M. Neblett, Jr. - No Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - No E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item on the agenda was action regarding a UDAG loan for Larry and Kim Merrell. Town Attorney Eley advised that he needed Council to direct him to prepare the proper documentation for the UDAG loan. Councilman Talbert made a motion to direct the Town Attorney to prepare the proper documentation for the UDAG loan, 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, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item on the agenda was the Steger Walking Trail. Councilwoman Steger informed Council that a number of requests have been received for the Town to pave the Steger Walking Trail. The citizens at the Senior Center, concerned that someone might fall, conducted a poll and overwhelmingly supported this request. Mrs. Steger made a motion that the Town pave the Steger Walking Trail as requested by the citizens, seconded by Councilman Black. Following discussion, motion passed on voice vote. There being no further business, Council adjourned on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried.