Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-7-06Minutes of the joint Town Council and Planning Commission meeting held November 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, Joel B. Burchett, Jr., David L. Clark, Larry Clevinger, II Planning Commission: Katy Kirk, Linda Hall, Tim Clontz, Kevin Meyer, David Allen Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Brenda Shelton, Administrative Secretary Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Carol Wade Donna Dalton John Toothaker Wanda Toothaker Shelton Matzie Pat Matzie Hunter Burton Cody Slaughter Jonathan Holcomb Lelan Harman Rev. Richard Hall John Kellis John Phillips Becky Phillips Jerry Dalton David Pittsenbarger Austen Pittsenbarger Justin Dalton Cameron Fitzwater Robbie Rhodes Archie J. Boothe Mark Alley James Crandall Pam Whitesell Jeff Jones James Holliday J. R. Schrader Jim Mercurio George Morgan Clarke Jones William Crisp Paul Dellinger, Press Patrick Carrico, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Penn moved to modify the agenda by the addition of Art Department Decorating Downtown Windows under New Business. Councilman Talbert seconded the motion and it carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye Next roll call was called for the Planning Commission with Kathleen Kirk, Linda Hall, Tim Clontz, David Allen, and Kevin Meyer being present. Mayor Wade welcomed Boy Scout Troops # 48 and #249. Mayor Wade announced the first appointment of dual Employee’s of the Month for the Town. He announced that Sergeant R. D. (Robert) Rucker and Officer C. B. (Chris) Morris were co-employees of the Month for October 2006. He read a press release aloud and congratulated the men. He noted that in addition to this honor, the men would receive an additional paid day off and be considered for the Employee of the Year award in December. The next item on the agenda was a joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission regarding the Walgreen site plan. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had reviewed the site plan and it met legal requirements. He advised that the developers were present to answer any questions that the citizens or Council might have. Mayor Wade opened the Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. John Kellis addressed Council requesting that a privacy fence be placed around Walgreen’s to shield his privacy. George Morgan, President of Mid Atlantic Commercial properties, confirmed that there had been some discussion regarding a possible privacy fence, but after reviewing the site, they did not feel it would be helpful. The topography put the building and the parking lot above the roof line of the homes below. He described the remainder of the lay out of the building and the property. Councilman Clark commented that he felt that the residents were concerned that people driving around to the drive-through of the pharmacy would be able to look down into the windows of the houses below. Mr. Kellis confirmed that he felt that the cars in the parking lot would be able to see down into his back yard and it posed a problem for him. John Phillips voiced concern for the amount of increase in traffic in the area. There being no other comments from the public, Mayor Wade closed the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Morgan then fielded questions from Council regarding the hours open for business, water run off retention, a privacy wall or fence, and landscaping plans. At 7:30 p.m., the Planning Commission adjourned to the meeting room to discuss the request. Mayor Wade moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the October 3, 2006 Council minutes, Ordinance 2006-30 and Ordinance 2006-31. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. The first item was Hogan’s Dam RFP response. Mr. Hawley advised that two partial proposals had been received for the Hogan’s property and the Committee met and discussed them. He asked Councilman Burchett to elaborate. Councilman Burchett advised that the Committee met and discussed the two partial offers that had been received. After review, the consensus of the Committee was not to accept either proposal. He advised that it appeared that the target audience was missed in the marketing. The Committee suggested delaying any action on the current proposals, allowing the proposers to fully complete their proposals while staff tries to better market the property. Mr. Hawley interjected that a letter would be sent to the two proposers advising that some additional time would be provided if they wanted to complete their proposals, while at the same time staff would continue to pursue other options. Following extensive discussion, Mr. Hawley reminded Council that according to the time line provided to the Town, the work on the dam must be substantially completed by December 2007. He suggested that staff seek funding services and begin the paperwork to acquire the funds to repair the dam if that becomes necessary. No commitments would be made, but the preliminary work could be done. The consensus of Council was for staff to proceed. Mayor Wade moved on to the Property Maintenance Committee report. Mr. Hawley advised that the Committee met with the Town of Blacksburg and obtained information from Radford regarding the potential Property Maintenance Code. The Committee is reviewing that information to prepare a code for the Town. Mayor Wade advised that he asked a citizen who is also on the Committee to submit his comments and he read them to Council. The next item on the agenda was the New River Trail extension. Mr. Hawley provided an update regarding a packet the Town submitted for the New River Trail extension. He listed some issues that had arisen and advised that he still hoped to be able to advertise for the project in January 2007. Councilman Worrell suggested contacting our legislators and asking for help. He commented that the Town complied with the regulations and then the rules were changed. Following discussion, staff was asked to summarize the history of the New River Trail extension, and prepare a letter asking for help from the Delegates for the Mayors signature. Mayor Wade moved on to Old Business. The first item was Curfew Ordinance draft. Mr. Hawley advised that the information was not complete and he would submit it at the next Council meeting. Additionally, the information on Articles of Incorporation/By Laws for the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department was not complete and would be discussed at a future meeting. The Mayor moved on to New Business. The first item was aerial mapping resolution quality. Mr. Hawley advised that the state would be flying the County and the Town in 2007 to develop one foot resolution maps. The Town could opt to upgrade this to 6 inch resolution at an approximate cost of $3,500. The funds would not be due until 2008. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to pursue the upgrade. Next, Mayor Wade announced that Pulaski County High School art students and their teachers would be painting the downtown storefront windows in winter holiday scenes. The work would be done on November 21 and he encouraged everyone to bring a camera downtown during the holiday season and capture the holiday streetscapes. At 8 p.m., the Planning Commission returned from their meeting and recommended approval of the Walgreen site plan with the developer’s proffer that a hedge would be planted on the east side of the property. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation and directed staff to prepare the proper Ordinances. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to Round Table Discussion. Councilman Burchett advised that the Hogan’s Dam Committee had suggested at the previous night’s meeting, that the Town consider marketing Loving Field. It would be an easier piece of property to develop. The funds from the marketing of the land could then be used toward repairing Hogan’s Dam. At the same time, the Hogan’s project could go forward, but at a slower pace. Mayor Wade asked: a. How would it be marketed and who would market it? b. Since there should be water and sewer on the property, would this be a joint venture between the County and the Town? c. Should revenue sharing be discussed with the County? d. What was the status of the land and the Bopp family. Mr. Hawley commented that it should be a more straightforward marketing strategy for surplus land. Some research would have to be done to determine the proper way to go about this process. The consensus of Council was for staff to go through a Request For Proposals (RFP) process, make contact with the County, and try to have an RFP for Loving Field by the December meeting. Next, Mayor Wade distributed a form to Council and asked them to start thinking about a strategic plan and complete the form and return it to staff in January of 2007. Councilman Burchett also advised that while working on cleaning part of the urban trout stream, he noticed two properties on Johnson Street that need to be demolished, as well as the green building in the area that was formerly a restaurant. He asked if staff could advise of the status of the properties? Mr. Hawley advised that he did not have that file with him, but would research the status. Councilman Burchett asked for an update on the Aust property on First Street. Mr. Hawley advised that a request had been received for an extension of sixty to ninety days due to the death of the parent who was the guardian for the owner of one of the buildings. A new guardian had to be appointed. He suggested that a thirty day extension be granted to allow time for a new guardian to be appointed. Mayor Wade asked about a building on Dora Highway that was partially burned. Mr. Hawley did not have his file with him, and he advised that he would review his file. Next, Councilman Penn advised that he had been contacted by an employee advising that they had been approached by someone selling identity fraud insurance. He asked for an update. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had been approached by a company to give a presentation on the topic. However, when the company gave the first presentation, it was substantially different than what was agreed to with the Town. All future presentations with the company were cancelled. There being no further business, Councilman Talbert moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-1), assignment of personnel. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye At 8:59 p.m., 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 Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye At 9:00 p.m., Councilman Penn moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and so carried.