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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-06-03Minutes of the Town Council meeting held May 6, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council Members: 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 Sherry Boyd, Finance Director John J. White, Economic Director David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Gary Roche, Police Chief Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Keivon Payne Brenna Blevins Jenny Knepper Lee Marshall Randolph G. Pickett Rebecca Damron Tiffany Davis Stacy Collins Chris Meador Brandon Farmer Jennifer McCain Sarah Marshall Kelly Burns Sydney Paul Matt Raynes Amy Schlottman Brandon Sheppard Mike Ruggieri Hope Ruggieri Holly Ratcliff James Ratcliff Jennifer White Dan Talbert, Jr. Andrea England Amy Wright Ciara Russell Preston Martin David Wine David Allen Gary Fox, Charles Wade B. J. Bowman-Wood, Press Don Simmons, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Fleenor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Stewart added an item to the agenda under Old Business, regarding property for the Trail Easement. Mayor Stewart advised that Gary Fox and Charles Wade wished to address Council. Mr. Wade and Mr. Fox advised that the first “Art of the Garden” event was a success. They were pleased with the participation, and thanked Council for their assistance. They felt that they exceeded their expectations for a first time event and looked forward to next year’s event. They also advised that a Council member from Radford, Lori Buckwald, had suggested some possible joint participation with Radford in upcoming events and encouraged Council to look into that possibility. Next, Jennifer White addressed Council providing an update for the Friends of the Pulaski Theatre regarding progress on the Theatre. This summary included the removal and storage of all the seats, removal of tons of debris, installation of new electrical service, work on architectural plans, and work on HVAC and sprinkler systems. She advised that the Theatre was open for viewing by the public during the recent “Art of the Garden” event and that they received a lot of support at that event. Next, Mr. John White gave an economic development–marketing update. He advised that the Town has re-established a positive working relationship with our regional economic development alliance; developed a power point presentation that outlines the advantages of being in Pulaski; placed a new business in the old Cosmos Skating Center; and created another 20,000 square feet in the Maple Shade Center for marketing. He also advised that work is being done on a proposal for planning funds to develop a regional technology plan. He noted the infusion of private funds into downtown buildings and stressed the importance of those investments. The next item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding 02/03 budget amendments. Mayor Stewart advised that the public hearing had been advertised as required by law and requested that Town staff give their report. Mr. Hawley, Town Manager, advised that any time a 1% total change is proposed for the existing budget, a public hearing is required by law. He reminded Council that they approved several significant non-budgeted improvements to the Maple Shade Plaza, one of which was over $70,000 for the first stage of the roof. This amount alone triggered the 1 % change requiring a public hearing. He advised that all of the changes were listed in the advertisement for the public hearing. Next, Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, reviewed the changes to the expenditures and revenues, which resulted in a net change of $152,415.81. Councilwoman Mitchell inquired why the $23,000 contingency amount was charged to Town Council’s line item and advised that Mr. Hawley had advised that it could be moved to a different line item. Ms. Boyd advised that the contingency fund could be placed in any department. Mr. Hawley interjected that Council had a memo from him dated 5-6-03, advising that if Council wished to transfer $17,500 of that money to the General Properties Repair and Maintenance line item, they could authorize the Town Manager and the Finance Director to make a budget transfer to that effect. Mayor Stewart stated that after the public hearing, when and if there was a motion to adopt the budget changes, the authorization to transfer money to the General Properties Repair and Maintenance line item could be included in the motion. Mayor Stewart opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. There being no comments, the public hearing was closed. Councilwoman Steger moved to adopt the budget amendment changes with the proviso that the $17,500 be transferred from Council Contingency to General Properties Repair and Maintenance, 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 Under Public Comments, Mr. David Wine addressed Council advising that the Finance Committee met regarding the proposal for Hawkeye Enterprises to purchase the Advanced Health Care building. He understood that the Committee planned to recommend that the purchase be completed within the next 30 days. He requested that the time limit for purchase and repayment of the UDAG loan be expanded. Councilman Neblett moved to refer this topic to the Finance Committee, seconded by Councilman Black 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 Next, James P. Smith, the Field/Project Officer for FEMA, addressed Council advising that the County and Town have received a Declaration for Individual Assistance based on damage that occurred to individual residences from February 15 through the 28th, 2003. He advised that he was trying to notify the public that anyone affected by the storm during that time period should call FEMA to register to see if they are eligible for assistance. The next item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Neblett moved to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the Council minutes of April 1, 2003, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Under Committee Reports, Finance Committee Chairman Worrell reported that Committee met and discussed the joint dispatching study. He advised that the Town Manager proposed replacing the hardware and software and procuring a local vendor to provide 24/7 service. Funding would come from an increase to the 911 tax on the phone. Finance Committee recommended that Council proceed with the improvements and continue looking at the joint dispatch concept. Councilman Fleenor made a substitute motion to consider the 911 upgrades during the budget discussions, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell 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 Finance Committee Chairman Worrell then continued that the Committee then considered the request of ROF Investments for a waiver of connection fees at their unit at 106 S. Jefferson and 16-20 Third Street, N. W. The Finance Committee recommended waiving the $330 availability charge per connection, but charge the hard costs, estimated at $130 per meter 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 Chairman Worrell continued that the Committee also considered a request from Mr. Robert Abbott, III of Steer House for a waiver of connection fees for water and sewer lines. Construction of new restrooms at the business required a new connection because of the placement of sewer lines. Staff recommended reducing the connection fee from $450 to $200, which would allow the Town to recoup its costs for the new connection. The Committee recommended that $250 of the $450 connection fee be waived 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 Chairman Worrell advised that the Committee also discussed the status of the UDAG loan to Hawkeye East for the purchase of the former DynTek/Advanced Health Care building. He advised that action had already been taken earlier in the Council meeting. Next, Chairman Neblett, Public Operations Committee Chair, advised that the Committee met and discussed the Disposal of the Edmonds Building. He advised that the Town Manager had received several inquiries regarding purchase of the property. The Friends of the Theatre have relinquished it for the better use of the property. The Fine Arts Center had proposed entering into a long-term lease to use the building for a temporary classroom. The Committee recommendation was to issue a call for proposals for use of the Edmonds Building, 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 Neblett also advised that the Committee discussed a request for an alley closing at 310 S. Madison Avenue and 816 Dora Highway. Following discussion, the Committee recommended that a public hearing be scheduled regarding closing both of the alleys. Councilman Fleenor moved to schedule a public hearing for the June, 2003 Council meeting regarding closing the alleys at 310 S. Madison Avenue and 816 Dora Highway, seconded by Councilman Black 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 Councilman Neblett gave an update on the New River Valley Competitiveness Center and reported that Phase II has been dedicated. Mayor Stewart reported that the Planning Commission met for a work session on the Comprehensive Plan to review trends in the community from the 2000 Census. Safety Committee Chairman Fleenor advised that the Committee met and heard a report from Police Chief Roche. He added that Mr. Hawley reported for Fire Chief Webb, who was unavailable for the meeting. Chairman Fleenor advised that other topics of discussion were parking in the downtown area, crime rate in the Town, parking enforcement, inoperative street lights, and purchase of a new police vehicle. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update including attending the LGA meeting; preparation of a lease and Ordinance for the Train Station; preparation of a Resolution for IDA financing; work on several legal issues; tax collection; trail easements; personnel matters; cell tower research and work on trail easements. Mr. Eley also advised that there is a pending ARB appeal for David Allen. He added that he would be unable to serve as legal counsel for the Town as he was Mr. Allen’s personal attorney. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to approve a contract with an attorney if needed, to handle the ARB appeal for David Allen, 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 then gave a projects update which included review of the street paving list; parking enforcement on Main Street; work with the county on the lease for Loving Field; notification that the Town’s workers compensation insurance is 16 points below the average; that 250 bags of trash were filled on clean up day; that the Commonwealth Games tryouts are to be held at Calfee this year; that work is pending on signs at the entrance into Town and at the Train Station and notification of 2 pending house sales under the VHDA loans. The first item under Old Business, was Resolution 2003-10. The Finance Committee had recommended that the Town staff work with the County and bring back the proper documents for Council to approve regarding the Pulaski County IDA’s Resolution to issue revenue bonds for the Bob White Building (Renfro). Councilwoman Steger moved to adopt Resolution 2003-10, Concurring with a Resolution of the Industrial Development Authority of Pulaski County for the Financing of An Authority Facility Located in the Town of Pulaski, seconded by Councilman Neblett 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 The next item under Old Business was Ordinance 2003-11, regarding a lease for the Train Station. Council authorized the Ordinance at its March 4, 2003 meeting. Mayor Stewart questioned the wording in item 3 regarding exclusive use of the office space. Following discussion, Councilman Fleenor moved to delay consideration of the lease until the language can be reviewed, 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 next item for discussion was regarding the Xaloy easement for the New River Trail. The Town had requested that Xaloy grant an easement across a three-acre tract owned by Xaloy for the New River Trail extension. Mr. Hawley advised that he had received a counter proposal from Xaloy to lease the property to the Town for a term of 99 years at the equal value of the real estate taxes. He advised that this would amount to a total of $1995.84 for the 99 years. Councilman Worrell moved to instruct the Town Attorney to prepare the necessary documents for the Xaloy easement for the New River Trail, seconded by Councilman Black 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 There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried.