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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-06Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 7, 2006 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. Absent: Bettye H. Steger Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Bill Webb, Fire Chief Tom Compton, Building Inspector John White, Economic Development Director April Ritter, Chief Dispatcher Jessica Easter, Dispatcher Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Vincent “Chuck” Hill, Water/Sewer Crew Leader Dave Cook, Water/Sewer Superintendent Trish Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Mickey Seagle Katie Edney David Edney Angie Edney J. T. Edney Christina Steele Jordyn Linkous Graham Owens Robert Merritt Samantha Worrell Brittany Livingston Laura Sutphin Cindy Cook Melissa Hill Bill Warden Betty Quesenberry Pam Whitesell Brett Whitesell Jennifer White Andrae Hash Austin Twine Kelly Barker, Press Paul Dellinger, Press 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. Following roll call, Councilman Penn moved to add Ordinance 2006-09, 2006-10, 2006-11, and 2006-12 to Old Business; add report on the outstanding UDAG loans under Project Updates; and eliminate 15D, one Closed Session from the agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The first item on the agenda was Employee of the Month award for February 2006. Mayor Wade introduced Vincent “Chuck” Hill, the Employee of the Month for February, 2006. He read a press release and congratulated Mr. Hill and rewarded him with an award. He noted that in addition to this honor, Mr. Hill would receive an additional paid day off from the Town and be considered for the Employee of the Year award in December. Next, Mayor Wade read aloud Resolution 2006-06, Honoring Katie Edney Being Named Young Miss Commonwealth 2006-06. He congratulated Ms. Edney and presented the award to her. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Resolution 2006-06, Honoring Katie Edney, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was Resolution 2006-07. Mayor Wade read aloud Resolution 2006-07, Recognizing April Ritter, Chief Dispatcher and the Members of the Communications Center, and presented it to Chief Dispatcher Ritter and Jessica Easter, one of the members of the communication center. He congratulated the group for a job well done. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Resolution 2006-07, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to a Public Hearing to consider the request for a rezoning of approximately 3.17 acres at the intersection of Peakland Drive, Medallion Drive and Bob White Boulevard from B-1 Local Business District and R-2 Residential District to R-3 Residential District. He opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 p.m. Robert Mitchell, applicant, addressed Council explaining that he had recently purchased the lots and wished to use them for single family homes with narrow lot widths. There being no further comments, the Hearing closed at 7:12 p.m. Dave Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager, advised that the Planning Commission reviewed the request and voted to recommend to Council that the rezoning be approved. The Commission felt that the proposed residential use was a good fit into the area since both multi-family and single-family residences are adjacent to the site. Councilman Worrell moved that staff be directed to prepare the required documentation to approve the request as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye During the Public Comment Period, Mayor Wade read a letter from Mrs. Elrica Graham thanking the Town for the new street sign placed by the Town. The next item for discussion was the consent agenda. Councilman Bolen moved to accept the minutes of February 7, 2006 as written, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade moved on to Project Updates. The first item was the Maple Shade update. Mr. Hawley summarized the costs expended to date on the Maple Shade project. He then summarized the remaining scope of the project including the estimated cost and time line. Following extensive discussion, Mayor Wade requested a time line on completing the project by April 1st. The next item under Project Updates was Trail easements. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was working to acquire the last two remaining easements. Regarding the Gatewood update, Mr. Hawley advised that work continued on the new dock and that staff hoped to complete that project by mid-March for the new opening of the Park. In response to a question regarding Park signage, Mr. Hawley advised that sctaff had ordered a new sign for Calfee and Gatewood to be placed at the Newbern Heights site. He added that staff had also been in contact with the representative for the interstate signs and was waiting for a return call regarding those signs. The next item for discussion was flower beds. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been working to determine some specifications for the flower beds in Town regarding plantings, maintenance, mulching and weeding to be included in a bid process. Staff hoped to have the criteria available for review at the April Council meeting. Additionally, staff hoped that local businesses would participate by adopting a specific flower bed. Mayor Wade moved on to the UDAG update. The Finance Director, Sherry Boyd, reviewed the status of the UDAG loans through February 2006. She advised that these figures were being used to prepare the next year’s budget. Next, Mr. Hawley reminded Council that a question had come up regarding how much it would cost to include payment return envelopes with the new water bills. A memo regarding the cost had been placed at Council’s seat for their review. Staff suggested monitoring the number of envelopes returned before making a final decision regarding the use of the envelopes. Following discussion, Councilman Penn moved to direct staff to include return envelopes in the water billings. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was Old Business. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had directed staff to prepare a Resolution authorizing a lease between the Town and Yolanda Hunter. He noted that the date on the lease should be changed to April 1, 2006 rather than March 1, 2006. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Resolution 2006-05, Authorizing a Lease, with date change, by and Between the Town of Pulaski and Yolanda Hunter, D/B/A. as Lis De La Vallee. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item was Resolution 2006-08, Authorizing a UDAG loan to Gino’s. Mr. Hawley advised that at the last meeting, Council directed staff to prepare the paperwork authorizing the UDAG loan to Gino’s. This replaces Resolution 2005-36, which was for the original UDAG loan to Gino’s. The new Resolution allows Gino’s to expand to allow a dine in area. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Resolution 2006-08, Amendment of Resolution 2005-36 Authorizing a Loan in Urban Development Action Grant Repayment Funds to Anneillo and Amy L. Posillico and Gino’s LLC. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item for review was Resolution 2006-09, Authorizing UDAG loan for “Coffee Buy the Book”. Mr. Hawley advised that Council also directed staff to prepare the paperwork authorizing a UDAG loan to Tracie Harriman, Individually D/B/A Coffee Buy the Book. He added that Ms. Harriman would have to complete some more paperwork before the UDAG loan could be finally approved. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Resolution 2006-09, assuming that Ms. Harriman met all the prerequisites. The motion was seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to Ordinance 2006-10, Ordinance Repealing Special Exception for Electronic Changeable Copy Signs. Mr. Hawley advised that all formal steps have been completed before adoption of this Ordinance. Councilman Talbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2006-10, Repealing Special Exceptions for Electronic Changeable Copy Signs, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item was Ordinance 2006-11, Adopting Regulations for Cluster Housing. Mr. Hawley advised that this was the final step to adopt the regulations for cluster housing. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Ordinance 2006-11, Adopting Regulations for Cluster Housing, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to Ordinance 2006-12. Mr. Hawley advised that this Ordinance would finalize the rezoning of properties on Smith Lane to R-3 Residential District. Councilman Talbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2006-12, Rezoning Properties on Smith Lane to R-3 Residential District, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item was Ordinance 2006-09. Mr. Hawley advised that Ordinance 2006-09, would approve a Special Exception for a Cellular Tower at 525 Ridge Avenue. All legal meetings had been held and notifications had been served. The Ordinance would not be approved until satisfactory lease agreement had been obtained with New Cingular Wireless. Councilman Talbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2006-09, Approving a Special Exception for a Cellular Tower at 525 Ridge Avenue. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Lane R. Penn - No Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to a lease for a packaging and janitorial business. Mr. White, Economic Development Director, advised that Steve Dalton was in the process of purchasing Cavalier Supply. Mr. Dalton wished to move to the Maple Shade Plaza. He planned to create some retail space in the front, with warehousing in the rear. Mr. White commented that it would allow the Town to lease some difficult space, retain a long time business in Pulaski and create a revenue stream for the Town. He advised that a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled and a lease developed. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to schedule a public hearing and prepare a lease for the janitorial business for Council’s consideration. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was Local Choice renewal rates. Ms. Boyd advised that the rate quote for the Town employee’s insurance for 2006-07 has increased 6%. This equates to an increase of $2,962 a month or $36,000 a year. Mayor Wade moved on to grants. Fire Chief Webb advised that he planned to apply for a FEMA Aid to Firefighters Grant to replace the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, spare air bottles and compressor refill system. He suggested that Council allow a grant professional to be hired to assist with writing this grant. He stressed that hiring a professional grant writer would not guarantee receiving the award, but felt that the cost would be worth the potential gain. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance and enter into a contract for a grant writer. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was a letter of interest in insurance liability pool. Mr. Hawley advised that a letter had been received from Brown Insurance Agency about becoming a participant in a liability insurance pool to replace the VML insurance that the Town currently uses. It appeared that there could be a substantial decrease in cost. Mr. Quesenberry advised that he had contacted two insurance consultants regarding reviewing the proposal to make sure this is a reasonable method of insuring the Town. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to direct staff to proceed investigating the liability insurance pool, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye At 8:15 p.m., Councilman Talbert moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business; or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community and (A-1), Discussion, consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining or resignation of specific public officers, appointees or employees of any public body. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade – Aye Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade – Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Penn, was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.