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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-04Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 2, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Jeffrey S. Worrell, Kenneth M. Fleenor, E. G. Black, Jr., Pauline G. Mitchell, Bettye H. Steger, John T. Bolen Absent/ Excused: 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 Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer John White, Economic Development Director Tom Compton, Building Inspector Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: David Stanley Sam Gregory Bobby Payne Bill Warden Judy Ison Nick Cole Sally Bush Albert Hill Karen L. Hill Charles Wade Lane Penn Lyn Barbre Jo Beth Wampler, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Bolen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Fleenor moved to excuse Councilman Neblett’s absence from the meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on voice vote. Councilman Black moved to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed Session held prior to the Council meeting under Va. Code 2.2-3711 A-3, A-5 and A-7, 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Mayor Stewart advised that Dr. David Stanley, President of the Free Clinic of Pulaski County, Inc., wished to address Council. Dr. Stanley addressed Council asking them to consider appropriating funds for the Free Clinic of Pulaski County, Inc. during the budget work sessions for the coming fiscal year. The Free Clinic serves the medical needs of citizens in the Town of Pulaski, the Town of Dublin and Pulaski County. He advised that he was asking each jurisdiction to appropriate funds for the Clinic. The next presentation was by Sally Bush. Mrs. Bush reminded Council that the Town of Pulaski has been named a Designated Community for the Jamestown 2007 Celebration. Organizational work has already begun for the celebration. She presented a Jamestown Designated Community Flag to the Town of Pulaski to display in the building. Mr. Hawley advised that a logo for the Jamestown 2007 Celebration is on the Town web site. The next item on the agenda was the Public Comment period. Lyn Barbre addressed Council and offered her services to do a feasibility and marketing study for the Town at a minimal cost. Mayor Stewart thanked Ms. Barbre for her comments and asked her to meet with the Town Manager to discuss her ideas. Next, Mr. & Mrs. Al Hill advised Council that they had moved to the Town within the last year. They expressed their appreciation for the Town, Gatewood and its citizens and offered their services to the Town. There being no further comments, Council moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Bolen moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of February 3 and February 9, 2004, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and carried on voice vote. Under Committee Reports, Finance Committee Chairman Worrell advised that the Committee met and learned that the Redevelopment Housing Authority is exploring the possibility of purchasing a building downtown, developing it and putting it back into productive use. They may be interested in borrowing UDAG funds for this endeavor. However, the current UDAG guidelines do not appear to allow one agency of the Town (the RHA) to borrow from another (the Town itself). Chairman Worrell advised that the Finance Committee recommended that Council allow staff to move forward with altering the UDAG guidelines to permit RHA to borrow UDAG funds, 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Chairman Worrell advised that there had been a lot of comments recently regarding blight in the area and he opined that this action would aid with the blight. Chairman Worrell continued that when the 2% cost of living increases for employees were approved last July, no longevity step was added to the minimum and maximum salaries for each grade. To correct this oversight, staff requested that a 2% longevity step be added to the compensation plan for the employees. Chairman Worrell added that the Committee recommended that Council add a 2% longevity step into the compensation plan, seconded by Councilman Fleenor. The motion then 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Next, Chairman Worrell advised that DMV had a program to aid localities in collecting their personal property taxes. The way that the program works is that when a citizen goes to DMV to get their vehicle license, and DMV records show that the personal property taxes have not been paid, the citizen would not be allowed to get their vehicle license until their personal property taxes were paid in full. Chairman Worrell added that the Town would have to fulfill some requirements, such as notifying the citizen several months prior to the vehicle license due date of the consequences if their taxes were not paid. Chairman Worrell continued that the Finance Committee recommended that Council authorize staff to enter into the DMV vehicle registration withholding program, 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Chairman Worrell also advised that the Committee learned that the medical insurance renewal rates for 2004-2005 have increased. Staff recommended issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for quotes for health insurance for the Town employees. The Committee recommended that Council allow staff to issue a RFP for quotes for health insurance for Town employees, 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Chairman Worrell also advised that the Committee reviewed a request from the Free Clinic of Pulaski County for consideration of $10,000 in the 2004-05 fiscal year budget. The consensus of the Committee was to consider the request during upcoming budget discussions. And finally, Chairman Worrell advised that the Finance Committee and Town Council have been involved in discussions with Sam Gregory of Gregory General Contracting and Bobby Payne, head of Ground Vibration Consultants, Inc. about the possibility of them locating two businesses in the Pulaski Industrial Park. He asked Mr. Hawley to comment. Mr. Hawley advised that once Mr. Gregory and Mr. Payne complete the work to bring their businesses into the Industrial Park, there will be five other lots available in the business park that will have road and water and sewer access. This will help with marketing the site. Following discussion, the Finance Committee recommended that Council allow the Town Manager, Town Attorney and Director of Economic Development to draw up the appropriate agreement to convey approximately twenty acres at the Pulaski Business Park, along with incentives aligned with the Virginia Enterprise Zone to Gregory General Contracting and Ground Vibration Consultants in exchange for their capital investment of approximately one million, two hundred seventy thousand dollars and equipment; and labor and expertise of approximately six hundred fifty two thousand dollars to lay water, sewer and conduit into the park. The utilities include approximately 2,000 feet of water and sewer lines and conduit and approximately 900 feet of roadway. The Town of Pulaski would fund all the material costs of approximately $45,500 through the G.O. Bond. The motion was 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Next, Public Operations Acting Chairman Fleenor advised that the Committee met and discussed the Downtown Revitalization Grant. The Committee learned that the grant application could be strengthened if the Town adopted a Downtown Redevelopment and Conservation Plan. He advised that the Public Operations Committee recommended that Council adopt the plan. He asked Mr. White to comment. Mr. White reviewed the plan on a map on display in Council Chambers. He pointed out three proposed districts: a west loop redevelopment district; a downtown conservation area and a southeast crescent redevelopment district. He urged Council to adopt the plan. Mayor Stewart asked whether an Ordinance would be required to implement the plan. Town Attorney Eley responded that an Ordinance would be required. Acting Chairman Fleenor withdrew the Public Operations Committee recommendation and moved that Council direct the Town Attorney to review the Pulaski Redevelopment Conservation Plan and prepare an Ordinance for the March 22, 2004 Special Council meeting, 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Next, Ordinance Committee Chairman Black advised that the Committee met and reviewed the issue of setbacks in residential areas and structure orientation on corner lots. The Committee recommended that Council schedule a Public Hearing for the April Council meeting to change the setbacks as recommended by the Town staff. Additionally, that a Public Hearing be scheduled for the April Council meeting concerning placement of a structure on a corner lot, changing structural orientation to face the street. Chairman Black also advised that the Committee reviewed the research prepared by staff regarding the proposed train whistle ordinance. After learning that the cost of replacing all six crossings with a full gate would be approximately, 2.4 million dollars, the Committee recommended leaving the ordinance as it is. Chairman Black advised that the Committee also learned that the bill in the General Assembly, (House Bill 506), had been tabled. The Committee recommended that the Noise Ordinance be unchanged. And finally, Chairman Black advised that the Committee discussed a business that had moved to a residence and employed one full time employee. According to the current zoning ordinance, a home occupation may employ only family members residing on the premises. Given the probability that broad band internet service will be available in the Town and there will be more persons working at home, the Committee recommended that Town Council ask the Planning Commission to review the employment guidelines regarding home occupations. Councilwoman Steger moved to refer the review of the zoning ordinance regarding employment guidelines for home occupations to the Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on voice vote. Mayor Stewart moved on to the Planning Commission report, advising that the Commission held a joint work session with the Town Council to review the Comprehensive Plan Update containing demographic information and potential goals for the Town. The Commission also conducted a public hearing on a rezoning request from Bill and Ann Hager to locate a country store at the corner of Dora Highway and Pierce Avenue. The country store would be for use by the neighborhood and persons using the trail. The request was tabled pending additional information on safety concerns and adjacent property ownership. Next, Human Resource Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that the Committee is reviewing recommendations for the New River Valley Development Corporation. She reiterated Council’s request for volunteers interested in serving on committees to contact Town staff. Next Mayor Stewart gave his report, commenting on recent comments in the newspaper regarding the poor appearance of the town. He suggested that the Town Engineer, who is in charge of the Public Works, Building Inspection and Engineering departments, be assigned the position of “clean town czar”. The position would be responsible for upgrading the appearance of the town, especially at its entrances; the creek walls; keeping Peak Creek around Duncan’s bridge clear of scrub; accelerating the removal of decrepit buildings; finding grants to put utilities underground and other town clean-up functions. He advised that no additional budget should be required as he felt that it was necessary only to assign priority to the task. He asked that the idea be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. Councilman Black moved to refer the Mayor’s suggestion regarding a clean town czar to the Finance Committee, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on the following voice 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. - Absent Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Additionally, Mayor Stewart advised that the Town had received notification of a grant award of $5,000 from the C. E. Richardson Benevolent Foundation for the Raymond Ratcliffe Memorial Museum/Fine Arts Center Complex. He expressed appreciation to Judy Ison, Fine Arts Center Director, for completing the grant application for the Town. Next, Town Attorney, Randy Eley gave a projects update which included work on several legal cases; VEC cases; redrafting several leases and contracts; redrafting the restaurant sign program; work on dilapidated structures; and work on a BZA appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. Mr. Hawley, Town Manager gave a projects update advising that the pre-application to FEMA for removal of some structures in the flood plain was approved and the final application has been completed and submitted; work has begun with Fox, Lawson and Associates on updating the Personnel Policies for the Town, with the hope of having a draft copy by the end of March, 2004; learned of the award of $5,000 for the Museum; and advised that another grant request has been submitted for $125,000 for the Museum. He reiterated the Mayor’s thanks to Judy Ison for her work on the grants. Mr. Hawley added that the Town has received a lease from Xaloy for their piece of the property on the Trail, which completed land acquisition of all right of ways needed for the Trail. He advised that the Town is planning to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s first Business Expo and requested volunteers from Council to help man the booth. He advised that eight dilapidated structures have been removed from the Town in the last twelve months. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 on motion by Councilman Fleenor, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on voice vote.