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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-05Minutes of the Town Council meeting held August 1, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Lane R. Penn, John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr., Bettye H. Steger Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager John White, Economic Development Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Sherry Boyd, Director of Finance Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Director of Parks and Facilities Brenda Shelton, Administrative Secretary Press: Kelly Barker, Paul Dellinger Others: Robert Smith Carol Wade Debbie Linkous Oscar Seagle Mickey Seagle Patty Porterfield Terry Porterfield Josh Porterfield Tim Gregory Karen Gregory Kimberly Burchett Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Bolen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Worrell gave the Invocation. There was unanimous voice vote for the approval of Brenda Shelton as the acting Clerk of Council. Mayor Wade stated that there was a request from Councilman Bolen to speak under old business and asked for a motion to modify the agenda to add 12B. Councilman Penn moved to modify the agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried by unanimous voice vote. The first item on the agenda was the Public Comment Period. Ms. Polly Mitchell asked for permission to speak and stated that when the caretaker of the dam was no longer there the house was torn down and the stone which had the names of the eight Councilmen that were in office when the reservoir was created, ended up in a briar patch which hoodlums used for target practice. In the 1980’s the Council had it moved to a predominate place in the camping area where it could be read. She advised that tons of dirt had now been hauled in and the stone was out of sight and close to the waters edge. The stone was the only thing left of the original camp ground and she felt that it should be moved to the new picnic area and placed on the side of the road where it can be read. Additionally, Ms. Mitchell requested that an independent auditor audit the Gatewood expenditures and see how $169,000 was spent and have those results printed in the Southwest Times so that Town residents may be informed. Councilwoman Steger asked if the issue of moving the stone wasn’t addressed in the July 5, 2005 meeting and Mayor Wade answered that the minutes would reflect that it was. Mr. Hawley commented that regarding the audit, all transactions of the Town are of public record. The accounting firm that audits the Town books was required by state and federal law to follow certain guidelines and their job was to make sure that all funds were expended in the proper method. He added that if Council desires, copies can be printed of those expenditures at Gatewood, which are numerous, but that it could be quite an expense to do so. Mayor Wade advised that if the citizens of the Town are willing to pay for the audit, arrangements can be made to do so and those results may be published in the Town Corner of the Southwest Times that will be established. Ms. Mitchell replied that she would be satisfied with the results of the Town’s auditor and with the publication of any discrepancies in the Town Corner. Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, stated that upon completion of the audit, an outline of the findings will be presented to Council in open session with the press present. Following roll call, Councilman Bolen moved to accept the minutes of the July 5, 2005 meeting, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried by unanimous voice vote. Mayor Wade presented the Employee of the Month award for July 2005 to Karen Gregory from the Finance Department. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. a. Peppers Ferry Road Water System Mr. Pedigo stated that Public Works will start work on the Peppers Ferry water line next week as time allocates. They are installing 1000’ of waterline at the Business Park. The water leak on Rt. 611 was found and fixed. Several years ago the Town upgraded to a computer and software system to record and monitor water tanks. Four tanks have been switched to this system and the other 7 are being monitored by an electrical/pen recorder, and will be switched over as money, time and repair schedule permits. Councilman Worrell asked regarding the Peppers Ferry water line work, had consideration been given to the bus traffic that will soon start on that road. Mr. Hawley answered that the work would not be a problem since most of the line was being laid on a private property easement. Councilman Bolen asked Mr. Pedigo about putting a Town message on the tank on Peppers Ferry Road. Mr. Pedigo answered that after exploring, the issue was cost prohibited; according to Mr. Hawley the cost was about $25,000, depending on the type of logo used, but the tank should have to be painted within the next 2 or 3 years and at that time the Council may address the issue again. Mr. Pedigo added that 3 tanks will be painted this year which were: Needmore has been painted, Bertha Street was currently being painted and the last one to be painted will be Ridge Avenue . Mayor Wade advised that Radford was in the process of upgrading their meter reading to remote; has the Town considered that, and if so, could we get a demonstration and the cost? Mr. Pedigo answered that he was contacted by the representative from Carolina Meter who was doing the Radford project, to set up a demo with the Town Council, Finance Director and whoever else might be interested. b. Gatewood 1. Revenue Mr. Hart stated that last year at this time the Town had taken in $15,977.34 and this year has passed that amount by about $1000.00. He added that the season has been outstanding in boat rentals and store sales with over 50% of the customers from outside Pulaski County. Mr. Hawley advised that if all the boats are being rented, more boats may need to be purchased for next year. Mayor Wade recommended that at the end of the season a chart be made on the daily rental. Councilman Burchett asked about kayaks or canoes being available, and Mr. Hart replied that Gatewood used to have canoes but for some reason did not rent very well, although occasionally a few people bring their own. Mr. Hart added that canoeing and kayaking has gained in popularity, so it may be time to try again. Mr. Hart stated that to date $151,000 has been spent on the Gatewood project, which was $25,000 under the budget, but there was seeding and a few other improvements that have yet to be done. 2. Picnic Shelter Location Mr. Hawley stated that three locations had been reviewed and recommended that the Councilmen and Staff schedule a time when everyone could view the sites together. Mayor Wade suggested creating a questionnaire to hand out to all the residents that use the facility and ask for their suggestions, possibly with the three locations listed and choosing the preferred location. 3. Camp Hosts Mr. Hawley stated that Camp Hosts are usually people that are allowed to come and camp free for 30 days if they are willing to work on projects such as cleaning and monitoring areas. After discussion, Mr. Hawley asked Mr. Hart to investigate other parks that have camp hosts. 4. Long Term Rental Mr. Hawley suggested that a designated number of campsites be made available for long term rental, preferably the back spaces and will be investigated along with camp hosts. After discussion Mayor Wade suggested adding the issue to the questionnaire for those who use the facility. Ms. Linkous stated that regarding long term rentals, it has been decided that campers should not rent any longer than two weeks at a time in order to be available to other campers. Regarding moving the monument, which was the last piece of history, preferably to the picnic area beside the road as Ms. Mitchell suggested. She opined that staying open longer was a great idea. Councilman Burchett inquired about a name for the Gatewood road. Mayor Wade suggested having better signage, to which Mr. Hawley remarked that better signage has been started and will continue. Mileage posts are being added and signs around Town are being replaced. c. TEA-21 Projects 1. NRV Trail Mr. Hawley stated that after speaking with an Environmental Representative for the Federal Highway Administration in Washington D.C. and also with one in Salem, concluded that there was a difference between a federal and state categorical exclusion. The Town will fall under the shorter form and a memo stating that no residences had to be relocated will be submitted. The Virginia Marine Resources Permit was approved. Revised bridge plans were sent to VDOT on April 8, 2005, but they advised that a set of larger size plans are needed. Richmond needs a copy of the deeds and easements, which were about 25. A draft schedule was submitted to VDOT and the bids will go out sometime in October with construction starting in November and finishing in March or April with an opening date the first week in April. 2. Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum Mr. Hawley stated that a letter and a schedule was submitted on July 27, 2005 to the enhancement specialist for VDOT, Ms. Erica Jeter, on how the Town was implementing the conversion of the Wade’s part of the Maple Shade Shopping Center into the Museum and Fine Arts Complex. Ms. Jeter was informed of some of the history and status updates on the project and advised that the Town would like to do the majority of the demolition inside the building itself and a general contractor then completing the work. There was a tentative allocation in June for $138,000 and if approved by the Federal Government the Town would have $541,000 cash available; Wiley and Wilson’s estimate was $612,000. November 1, 2005 will be the deadline to apply again, therefore we will apply for the balance between then and next year. The Town will get clearance from the environmental process and the Department of Historic Resources and should be ready to bid out the project and construction should start next spring. 3. Iron Bridge Trail Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had contracted with Greylock Advisory Group who has made an appraisal of the Norfolk Southern right of way for the siding that runs from the railroad tract, across First St., across the creek and over to Main St. and then to Third St. The appraised value had been sent to VDOT’s District right of way manager and also the property manager for Norfolk Southern for approval. Norfolk and Southern indicated that in 90 days they would hopefully make a donation to the Town of Pulaski. The Engineering Department will work on the design this fall and construction should begin next spring. d. Town Web Site – Business Links Mr. Hawley stated that he had been working with the Town’s computer technician, Debbie Bivens to have surveys sent to local businesses to be filled out if they are interested in having a link on the web page along with a photo if they choose. The next item on the agenda was Old Business. a. Ordinance 2005-34, Re-inspection Fees For Building Permits Mr. Hawley advised that the Town needs establish a code to allow a re-inspection fee when an inspection was requested and upon visiting the site the inspector finds that they were not ready. After investigating other localities, it was found that it was fairly consistent that a re-inspection fee was charged, although most localities gave the building inspector the flexibility to make the call, and usually only enforced in case of a chronic offender. Mr. Eley, the Town Attorney stated that after looking at the Town code, Section 18-3, which was the original source for the fees, which appeared to go back to 1990, the ordinance provided that Council could change an ordinance by resolution, but felt that was not appropriate and suggested that the ordinance be amended to read as it should. Ordinance number 2005-27, which the Council passed for the fees for inspections, allows that Section 18-3 may be amended by subsequent ordinance and therefore, a re-inspection fee of $50.00 for any building may be adopted. After discussion Councilman Bolen moved to approve the $50.00 re-inspection fee seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried by the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade called upon Councilman Bolen to speak after he had requested to do so. Councilman Bolen stated that the Town Councilmen were informed that the Town had over $600,000 in delinquent taxes and suggested the Town develop an aggressive plan to collect the taxes and that plan be presented at the next Council meeting. Mayor Wade stated that Ms. Boyd, the Finance Director, had been working on a plan and requested that the plan be presented at the next session. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had a court date in July which was very successful and another was set for September for collection of delinquent taxes. The next item on the agenda was New Business. a. Ordinance 2005-34, For Transfer of UDAG on NBB Building Downtown Mr. Hawley requested the execution of documents satisfactory to himself and the Town attorney to facilitate the transfer of the real estate on which the Town of Pulaski holds a lien from National Bank of Blacksburg to National Bankshares, Inc. Councilman Penn moved to approve the request seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried by the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye b. Request to Close Alley on West Main Street Mr. Hawley stated that after viewing the alley, sees no advantage to closing it, but will meet with the applicant to pursue the request further. Mayor Wade reminded the Council of the Council work session on Tuesday August 16, and Council meeting on Tuesday September 6th, 2005. At 8:05 p.m at Mayor Wade’s request Councilman Talbert moved to enter into closed session under the three following items: Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A1), (A-7), and (A-3), seconded by Ms. Steger and carried by the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m. and was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. on motion by Councilman Talbert.