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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-02Minutes of the Town Council meeting held September 3, 2002 in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Kenneth M. Fleenor, E. G. Black, Jr., Pauline G. Mitchell, Bettye H. Steger, John T. Bolen, James M. Neblett, Jr. Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director John Leeper, Police Department Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others Present: Anthony Thomas Bill Warden Pat Graham Rusty Mitchell Randy Queen Russell Mitchell Clarence Gallimore Jenna Kinder Roy F. Buzzelli Pam Whitesell Linda Buzzelli Nellie Warner Ronnie Nichols J. B. Warner Don Stowers Henry Cook Mickey Seagle Joel Burchett Oscar Seagle John Owen Dennis Bane B. P. Surface Charles Wade Elaine Newman Nick Cole Karen McConkey, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Bolen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Neblett moved to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed Sessions held prior to the Council meeting under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5) – 2 items and 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consult with legal counsel, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye The first item on the agenda was a Presentation by Dr. Don Stowers, Pulaski County School Superintendent. Dr. Stowers reviewed the architectural plans for the new elementary school scheduled to be erected in Town. Under Public Comments, Linda Buzzelli addressed Council. She presented a copy of an Administrative Order from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding a portion of land included in the proposed Phase I section of the New River Trail. She expressed dismay that this land would be considered for inclusion in the New River Trail and she opined that this land should never be utilized for the Trail. She requested that Council adopt a Resolution immediately to cease construction on Phase I of the Trail, to request the state of Virginia to transfer the remainder of Phase I funds to Phase III. She also encouraged Council to contact their representatives regarding the possibility of the government reverting all costs of chemical waste clean up to the towns. Next, Joel Burchett addressed Council. He asked those Council members who voted to stop work on Phases II and III of the Trail to explain their reasoning. He advised that the only comment he’d heard was that it will cost the Town money. Mayor Stewart advised that it would cost some Town money for Phase III for land acquisition. Mr. Burchett inquired about Phase II? Mayor Stewart advised that Phase II would involve some in-kind work involving earth movers, operators and diesel fuel. Mr. Burchett urged Council to rethink their decision to halt work on Phases II and III of the Trail. He asked that the citizens be given a chance to prove themselves. He felt that a fund raising drive and volunteer recruitment could be held and perhaps the Trail could be finished without costing the Town a penny. He advised that one individual has already volunteered his time and services to drive heavy equipment. Mr. Burchett advised that he would do the same. He reminded Council that Mr. Oscar Seagle volunteered at the last Council meeting to help cover the cost of fuel. He felt that others would participate as the word spread. Mr. Burchett also advised that the Chamber of Commerce has received a number of inquiries from people who wish to open businesses related to the Trail if it is continued into the Train Station. Regarding Phase I of the Trail, he advised that there was nothing growing on the contaminated section of land proposed for the Trail when he was a child and that there is still nothing growing there. He opined that Phase I should be stopped. He then repeated his request that Council members who voted to stop work on Phases II and III of the Trail explain their decision. There being no further comments, Council moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of August 6 and August 27, 2002, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Council moved on to the Committee Reports. Finance Committee Chairman Worrell advised that Committee met and learned that the Town will not have to pay the Virginia Retirement System this year, which added about $31,000 to the General Fund and Water and Sewer Fund for this year. Committee discussed the possibility of using that money to possibly give Town employees a raise in January of 2003. Committee also discussed timber harvesting and recommended that staff be allowed to go out to bid for additional timber sales and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Chairman Worrell continued that Committee discussed the RFP for Downtown Business Park and advised that some responses have already been received. Committee also discussed the Community Improvement Grant from 1986. Chairman Worrell reminded Council that, as discussed last month, the Town has $249,000 remaining from CIG Grant #86-13. Research has been done regarding the best way to use this money. Committee recommended applying for a planning grant to prioritize the needs of the downtown area and then apply for a larger grant to address those needs, using the $249,000 as a match and passed on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, reported on the un-audited position of the Town as of June 30, 2002 and advised that the un-audited adjusted net income at year-end was $386,000, which is an increase of $281,000 or 4½%. Chairman Worrell advised that the next Finance Committee meeting would be September 17, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. Next, Public Operations Chairman Neblett advised that Committee met with some local realtors and discussed items that could be addressed by the Town to promote the sale of properties in the Town. Town Manager Hawley added that Public Operations Committee also discussed and recommended proceeding with the next phase of sidewalk west of Memorial Drive from Peppers Ferry Road to Frye Street. He advised that $13,500 would be expended for this use. Motion passed on voice vote. Under Ordinance Committee, Chairman Black advised that Committee met and discussed the Zoning Ordinance. He advised that Ordinance 2002-33 would be discussed later in the meeting. Under Human Resources Committee, Chairwoman Steger advised that Committee met and recommended that Mayor Stewart be appointed to a two-year term and Town Manager Hawley to a four-year term on Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facility Authority and carried on voice vote. Chairwoman Steger advised that Committee also recommended the reappointment of Pauline G. Mitchell as Representative on the New River Valley Agency on Aging and the appointment of Mrs. Betty Quesenberry as Alternate and passed on voice vote. Chairwoman Steger continued that Committee also discussed the possibility of providing insurance coverage for retirees, but determined it not feasible at this time. Additionally, Committee discussed sharing of sick leave by employees and are awaiting more information from staff. Mrs. Steger advised that the next Committee meeting would be September 17, at 5:00 p.m. Safety Committee Chairman Fleenor advised that Committee met and recommended that Council accept procedural changes that would allow policemen that live within the Town to take their vehicles home and to use them within the corporate limits when off duty. Councilwoman Steger inquired how that would affect the insurance for the Town? Police Chief Roche responded that he was not aware that it would affect the insurance. Councilwoman Steger inquired whether an officer would be allowed to take his wife to the store in the police car? Chief Roche responded no, but the officer could go to the store by himself. Councilwoman Steger asked whether this would set a precedent? Was the Town going to allow this for the other employees? Chairman Fleenor responded that the recommendation was only for the police department. Councilwoman Mitchell confirmed that this could only by done by officers living within the town limits. Councilman Worrell asked what would happen if an officer was using the car for personal business and saw a violation or was flagged down by a citizen? Chief Roche advised that he would sign on with Police Dispatch and handle the problem. Town Attorney Eley advised that the topic of insurance liability had not been discussed with him and he felt that some research should be done into that issue before Council took action. Chairman Fleenor withdrew his motion. Mayor Stewart requested that the Town Attorney and staff research this information and return with information by the next Council meeting. Chairman Fleenor continued that bids have been received on the new fire truck and it should be delivered in approximately nine months. He advised that the next Committee meeting would be September 17, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. Under Town Attorney’s report, Mr. Eley gave a projects update including handling legal questions regarding the Trail, personnel issues, preparation of a Resolution regarding zoning, progress on several loans, and potential litigation matters. Town Manager Hawley advised that the closing on the Dunagan property is progressing; that the Town did not receive the grant to pave the Steger Walking Trail so Engineering is taking bids to complete that project and striving for completion before winter; working with three different Veterans groups to get memorial plaques to be placed on the Veterans Memorial Bridge; working on a resolution to the Kersey Bottom drainage complaint received at the last Council meeting; continuing to work on drainage problems in the Hopkins Drive area; work is progressing on the Draper Mountain tank; and advised that water levels on August 20 at Gatewood was seven feet below normal water level and Hogan’s was down a little over four feet, among other items. He also advised that Council’s packet included a map of this years Pulaskifest, which includes an area designated as a GPA Hospitality Area, which includes beer sales for that afternoon. Mayor Stewart advised that the next item on the agenda was Resolution 2002-33, Zoning Ordinance. Councilman Worrell moved to refer Resolution 2002-33 to the Planning Commission for study, comments and recommendations, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Town Manager Hawley advised that staff would like to schedule a Clean Up Day for later in the month. He suggested that Town staff and equipment be utilized for one day, along with any volunteers that can be assembled to clean the Town. He advised that more information would be forthcoming. Councilman Bolen complimented citizen John Owen for clean up efforts in front of his office. Mr. Hawley acknowledged the work done by Mr. Owen and commented that in the future, the Town might offer some type of reward program for businesses that take initiative for clean up. Mayor Stewart advised that the Veterans have scheduled a 9-11 Memorial ceremony in Jackson Park at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Hawley added that following the 10:00 a.m. ceremony, Town staff will host a reception at the Municipal Building honoring the Town Fire and Police departments, the Rescue Squad and volunteers, as well as the County Sheriff Department, and County firefighters and volunteers. Mayor Stewart announced that the next Council meeting will be held on October 1, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. There being no further business, meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and carried.