Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-07Minutes of the Town Council meeting held February 13, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Lane R. Penn, Vice Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Joel B. Burchett, Jr., David L. Clark, Larry Clevinger, II. Absent: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director Sherry Boyd, Finance Director E. T. Montgomery, Police Captain Bill Webb, Fire Chief Chip Hutchinson, Fire Marshal Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Charles Bopp Robert Bopp Steve Willis Shelia Willis Tim Thompson Jeff Jones Judy Ison Stan Moran Clark Payne Fannie Collins Todd Bruce Michael Bruce Bobby Jackson Martha Jackson Tim Clont Jennifer White Shawn Utt Peter Huber Paul Dellinger, Press Melinda Williams, Press Vice Mayor Penn called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. (The Council meeting scheduled for February 6, 2007 had been cancelled due to ice. This replacement meeting was scheduled to handle all of the topics from that meeting except for the Public Hearing regarding the transfer of public property to James Hardie Building projects. Because of legal advertising requirements, that Public Hearing would be held Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.) The first item on the agenda was Employee of the Month. Vice Mayor Penn introduced Captain E. T. Montgomery of the Police Department as Employee of the Month for February, 2007. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Captain Montgomery and presented him with an award. He noted that in addition to this honor, Mr. Montgomery would receive an additional paid day off and be considered for the Employee of the Year Award in December. Next, Vice Mayor Penn called on Peter Huber, Pulaski County Administrator, to give his presentation. Mr. Huber introduced Shawn Utt, County Community Development Director. He advised that Mr. Utt would also serve as liason between Town Council and the County Supervisors and Administration. Next, Nick Glenn, Chairman of the New River Valley Airport Commission, gave a presentation on the role of the Airport and its importance to the community and to the New River Valley. In particular, Mr. Glenn stressed the importance of the Trade Zone to the current and future economic development and the need for a local match for critical airport improvements including a resurfacing of the runway. The Airport Commission was asking for financial support from each locality. Next, Vice Mayor Wade asked for approval of the Consent Agenda. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of 01-09-2007. 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 5:23 p.m., Vice Mayor Penn moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), Disposition of Public Property. 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 6:00 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Clark 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 Udates. Mr. Hawley provided an update on Loving Field and noted that he was developing a Request for Proposals for the possible future use of the property. Next, Vice Mayor Penn moved on to Rental Inspection/Property Maintenance. Mr. Hawley provided an introduction to a draft Rental Inspection ordinance for the Town. Three rental property owners in the Town of Pulaski, Sheila and Steve Willis from Dublin and Tim Thompson spoke against the draft Ordinance. They expressed concerns for potential, negative financial implications for property owners due to increased regulation and over regulation by the Town. Jeff Jones, President of the Greater Pulaski Alliance, felt the Ordinance needed to be implemented, but suggested a less formal discussion where Town staff and those concerns of rental property owners could be discussed. Mr. Hawley advised that he would schedule an afternoon meeting to discuss the draft Ordinance. Vice Mayor Penn moved on to Maple Shade Transfer. Mr. Hawley advised that the transfer of the Maple Shade property to the County was continuing to move forward and he hoped to have the paperwork complete within the next two weeks. The next item on the agenda was Sound Ordinance. Mr. Hawley advised that Town staff and the Town Attorney were continuing work on an acceptable draft of a Town “Sound” Ordinance. He noted the complexity of the issue and the need to include concerns of citizens and business owners. He hoped to have the draft ready for review within the next thirty days. Vice Mayor Penn moved on to New Business. John White spoke on behalf of the Storefront/Housing Board of the “Community Improvement Grant” and recommended the approval of a revised “Upper Floor Housing Program Design.” He noted that the amendment brought the Town into compliance of current Department of Housing and Community Development policies. The amendment also recognized the extraordinary investment made by apartment owners Martha and Bobby Jackson, Ferd Harvey, and David Allen to bring their building in the Downtown Project Area back to viability. Councilman Worrell moved to approve the Upper Floor Housing Program Design Amendment, 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 Next, Council approved the Phase II CDBG Project budget on motion by Councilman Talbert, 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 Council also appointed a Storefront Housing Board consisting of the following people: Dennis Bane, as an investor-owner, not in the project area, serving as Chair Mayor Charles Wade, representing the Town Council Tom Douthat representing the Architectural Review Board Philip Baker, representing the banking industry Tony Ayres as a business owner in the project area (non-beneficiary) Cathy Denny, as a business owner in the project area (non-beneficiary) John White, Project Manager Reporting staff would be Craig Wilson, Barry Woodford, and Marshall McMillan-Zapf The motion was made by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Clevinger and approved on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry Clevinger, II - Aye Next, Council approved Resolution 2007-03, Authorizing the Appropriation of CDBG funds on motion by Councilman Burchett, seconded by Councilman Clevinger 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 Vice Mayor Penn moved on to Blue Ridge Travel lease. Mr. Hawley advised of the receipt of a letter from Blue Ridge Travel requesting permission to terminate its lease in the Maple Shade Plaza. They offered a one time annual membership valued at $350.00 and a quarter page advertising in their Blue Ridge Travel Guide, valued at approximately $1,500 in lieu of fulfilling the payment required in the lease. He reviewed the lease with Council and reminded them that the lease was for three years, with the first year forgiven if they stayed three years. He noted that if they did not stay the full three years, they were subject to the full three years of the lease. Councilman Worrell commented that he did not see the reason of entering into a lease if you are going to turn around and just let them out. Councilman Burchett and Talbert agreed with that sentiment. Following discussion, staff was directed to gather more information regarding the implications of termination of the lease and return to Council for action. The next item on the agenda was Fine Arts Center of New River Valley Local Arts Challenge Grant. Mr. Hawley advised that the Fine Arts Center can apply to the state for additional funding for operations as a match to the local governments contribution to them each year. The Fine Arts Center was requesting Council’s support of a challenge grant from the State. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to support the Fine Arts Center request for possible matching funds from a Local Challenge Grant. The motion was seconded by Councilman Worrell 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 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Worrell, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.