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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-06Minutes of the Town Council meeting held December 5, 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, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Lane R. Penn, Joel B Burchett, Jr., David L. Clark, Larry Clevinger, II. Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director Terry Nester, Asst. Town Engineer Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Pam Kirkner Betty Lou Kirkner Carol Wade Jennifer White Betty Quesenberry Tye Kirkner J. R. Schrader Robert A. Strenz Roberta Nester Judy Ison Edna Isbill Robert Bopp Allen Palmore Cameron Fitzwater Ronald L. Boothe James Radcliffe Paul Dellinger, Press Jack Martin, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Burchett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Wade introduced the Employee of the Month for November and introduced Terry Nester. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Mr. Nester. He noted that in addition to the honor, Mr. Nester would receive an additional day off with pay and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award. The next item on the agenda was the Public Comment Period. From the public, James Radcliffe addressed Council asking why the Town police officers are still training at Cardinal Academy in Salem, Virginia. He advised that Council had stated in the past that they would periodically look at the issue and he asked that they review the item again. He presented a cost comparison for two officers attending Cardinal Academy and for attending Draper Academy. He asked that Council authorize officer training at Draper Academy. Mayor Wade thanked Mr. Radcliffe and moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of Ordinance 2006-33, Ordinance Approving a Site Plan and Proffer for Walgreen. 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. David Quesenberry gave a report from the Nuisance/Rental Inspection Committee regarding a meeting between the Committee and Blacksburg officials. The Committee advised that there should be continuity between the Town and County ordinances to prevent problems from being moved from one jurisdiction to another. A strong educational outreach program would need to be implemented to inform the public. He opined that the Town should proceed with the drafting and adoption of a rental inspection program. He added that it would be necessary to add personnel to enforce the Ordinance. Following discussion, Mayor Wade asked that a time line be developed by staff and distributed at the January 2007 meeting. Additionally, he asked that a recommendation regarding staffing for the program be ready for the January meeting. Mayor Wade moved on to Trail Extension. Mr. Hawley summarized the status of the work with VDOT regarding the New River Trail extension. Following extensive discussion, he advised that he still hoped to make the January bid date with construction to begin in the spring. The next item on the agenda was Hogan’s Dam repair. Mr. Hawley advised that staff met with a representative of USDA Rural Development to review the loan process for Hogan’s Dam. These loans have a 40 year pay back. There is a lot of paperwork involved in these loans and staff will look at other potential loans as well, however, none would have the 40 year pay back. Additionally, Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had received additional information from one of the proposers to purchase Hogan’s that is being reviewed. Mayor Wade moved on to dilapidated structures. Mr. Hawley advised that the Cavalier Supply building had been demolished. The building at the corner of Walnut and Main Street was taken down by the new owner. The Aust estate had been given an extension until December 15, 2006, due to the death in the family. A court date had been obtained for the property at 336 Altoona Street and 649 City View Heights. He advised that the properties between Dora Highway and the Trail had changed hands and the Fire Marshal will be contacting them regarding the status of the properties. Several other condemnations are being reviewed by the Town Attorney. Mayor Wade asked the status of the Renaissance building? Mr. Hawley advised that staff was continuing to work on that building. Councilman Burchett requested that the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector provide a list of properties that have been turned over to the Town Attorney, so the Attorney can ensure that none had been misplaced. He asked that this list be provided to Council as well. Next, Mr. Hawley provided an update on Peppers Ferry. He advised that the Engineering Department had been working with Draper Aden on additional sulfate testing. A letter from Draper Aden had been submitted to the Authority listing some concerns that need to be addressed before a limit is set. Mayor Wade commented that the Authority was going to issue a bond to repair the damage on the facility. He and Mr. Hawley explained points regarding that bond. Mayor Wade moved on to Old Business. The first item was Maury Avenue land. Mr. Hawley advised that a field survey had been completed that showed the majority of the drainage channel being on the Town’s property and staff can re-channel the approximate 20 foot length that was on Beaver’s property. Since it was on Town property, there was no need to swap land. He added that the Town property beside the Beavers had been posted for no parking and will be enforced. Regarding Ordinance 2006-32, Mr. Hawley advised that staff and the Town Attorney met and it was ready for adoption by Council. The Town Attorney reviewed the changes that had been made to the draft Ordinance. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Ordinance 2006-32, Amending Article V of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Pulaski, “Curfew of Minors”. 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 Mayor Wade moved on to 5th Street and Washington Avenue traffic control. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had reviewed accident data and were studying several possible options for the intersection. He hoped to have a recommendation for Council at the next meeting. Mayor Wade moved on to Enterprise Zone Modification. Mr. White advised that Pulaski County was going to expand its Enterprise Zone into the Town. There was an opportunity to expand that zone further. The proposed footprint would include part of the hospital property, the B-2 zoned portion of the Allison Farm and Memorial Square. He recommended that Council approve the drawing. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to approve the County’s proposed expansion of the Enterprise Zone into Town. 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 the status of the Maple Shade sale to the County. Mr. Eley advised that the County had approved the purchase of the Maple Shade. He added that the County and Town were working on a sales contract that also covered issues such as the existing leases and the out parcel. Mayor Wade moved on to the Museum options. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had provided several options for the Museum to Council at a previous Council meeting. Additionally, comments solicited from the public regarding their choice for the Museum were forwarded to Council. He advised that staff needed input from Council. Councilman Burchett suggested using an existing building such as Jefferson School to expand the Museum. He felt it would cost less than a new building. Mayor Wade responded that he had made an inquiry into the building and learned it would cost approximately one million dollars just to remove the asbestos in the building. Mayor Wade commented that with the limited resources available to the Town, and the needs of the Town, he could not justify spending money on the Museum. Mr. Hawley interjected that he had spoken with the Virginia Department of Transportation and determined that if Council cancels the Museum project, the Town will have to reimburse the amount of money that had been expended. Additionally, he advised that the Town probably would have to reimburse the match for the grant. The total possible reimbursement would be $187,200. Further discussion ensued on the possibility of scaling down the plans for the size of the Museum; asking Dr. Brockmeyer if he would allow the Town to use a portion of his train set rather than the entire layout; and enhancing the existing Museum building and utilizing that space for the Museum. Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to prepare a report on enhancing the Museum at its current location and to include funding options. Additionally, to ask Dr. Brockmeyer if he would allow the Town to use just a portion of his train set in the Museum. 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 From the public, Carol Wade commented that it was not fair to Dr. Brockmeyer to postpone this decision. She asked that Council make a concerted effort to make a decision. Also from the public, Judy Ison, Fine Arts Center Director, speaking on behalf of the Fine Arts Center Board of Directors, encouraged Council to keep an open mind and continue to explore all options available for a building or a site for the combination Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum and the Fine Arts Center. Mayor Wade responded that Council had plotted a course and unless mitigating circumstances occurred before the January 2007 meeting, that course would be followed. The next item on the agenda was New Business. Mr. Hawley advised that there had been some questions regarding tax tickets being mailed to old property owners because updated information from the County was not reaching the Town in a timely manner. He asked Ms. Boyd to expand. Ms. Boyd advised that she had contacted several offices in the County regarding the Town receiving current data on change of property ownership. The IT department at the County was able to generate a sample report of changes in ownership. This report could be provided on a timeline that would result in the Town’s records being as current as possible to coincide with the County’s. She felt that this would result in a more correct tax billing for the 2007 year. Mayor Wade asked Ms. Boyd to see if the County could put the information in a read only file for the Town to access when needed. She advised that she would check with the County. The next item on the agenda was a request from Mr. Gravely. Mr. Hawley advised that Mr. Tim Gravely had requested that the Town sponsor SHARE boxes to be donated to the needy. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was that they did not feel they should use taxpayer money for this request. Staff was directed to encourage Mr. Gravely to contact the service agencies in the area such as the Lions Club with his request. The next item was an appointment to the Round the Mountain Artisan Trail. Mr. Hawley advised that the program is a trail of all artisans in southwest Virginia. The Town could become a participant as a local government. A representative would have to be appointed by the Town. Councilman Penn moved to appoint Betty Montgomery as Town representative for “Round the Mountain”, 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 Mayor Wade moved on to SPARC funds release. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had not used all of the funds awarded for the VHDA SPARC program. Other areas had used all of their funds. A request had been received from VHDA that if an area did not feel they would use all of their appropriate, that it be released to VHDA for other areas to use. He added that he felt confident that if a request came in for another SPARC loan that VHDA would work with the Town to provide the money. Councilman Talbert moved to release $600,000 in VHDA SPARC funds back to VHDA. 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 Next, Mayor Wade announced that the December 19, 2006 and the January 2, 2007 Council meetings would be cancelled due to the holidays and that the next Council meeting would be held on January 9, 2007. At 8:38 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Penn moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), discussion of the disposition of publicly held real estate and (A-7), discussion and consideration of assignment and performance of appointees or employees. 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 At 9:35 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 Councilman Penn moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Worrell and so carried on voice vote.