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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-08Minutes of the Town Council meeting held February 5, 2008 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 G. Clevinger, II Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Barbara Tate, Community Relations Director Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director Dale Richardson, Public Works Dave Cook, Public Works Anthony Meredith, Captain, Police Department Others: Sean ONeal Shawn Utt Sheldon Matzie Pat Patzie Tony Long Jeffrey Stout Pam Austin Glenn Baublitz Martha Jackson Robert Bopp Charles R. Bopp James Holliday Morgan Welker Clark Payne Sandy Payne Jane Amburn Jennifer White Carol Wade Betty Quesenberry Janie Hurd Akers T. Harriman D. Andrasko Andrew Cocke Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Clevinger led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Burchett gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Wade introduced Dale Richardson, the Employee of the Month for February, 2008. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Dale. The Mayor noted that Mr. Richardson would receive an additional paid day off and be considered for the Employee of the Year Award. Next, Chief Roche advised that Anthony Meredith had been promoted to Police Captain. Mayor Wade and Council offered their congratulations. Mayor Wade moved on to the Public Comment period. Tony Long addressed Council regarding real estate taxes, maintenance of Route 11 and right-of way. He inquired what the County taxes cover in the Town? He was told that the schools, social services, and courts are some of the things paid by the County. It was suggested that he ask that question of the County. Mr. Long inquired what would keep the Town from becoming a City? He was told that at this time there was a moratorium that no new cities could be created until 2010. On another topic, Mr. Long inquired who was responsible for maintaining the right of way between Route 11 and the cul-de-sac at the end of Camper Street? Mr. Hawley advised that Engineering would research the area and respond to Mr. Long. Next, Sean O’Neal discussed some problems with abandoned cars and with a parking problem in his area. Mr. Hawley advised that Engineering and the Police Department would review the problem and report back to Mr. O’Neal. Next, Councilman Burchett advised that the sign to Gatewood had been knocked down. Additionally, he advised that the forthcoming Central Pulaski Transportation Plan meeting would try to help lay out the future of the corridor between Wal Mart and the Town of Pulaski. He requested that at the next Work Session, Council try to formulate a vision of what the transportation needs are for the Town. Mr. Hawley added that he would see if a Planning District Representative could also attend the Work Session for the discussion. Mayor Wade moved on to the Consent Agenda consisting of the Minutes of the January 8, 2008 Council meeting. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of January 8, 2008, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Councilman Burchett abstained as he had not attended the January 8, 2008 meeting. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. Mr. Hawley advised that the Trail was about 33% complete. He added that the bridgework had not begun yet. Staff was working with property owners to finalize the requirements of the easements. He announced that the grand opening of the Trail would be June 7, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Heritage Park. Councilman Burchett suggested considering paving part of the Trail near the Cool Springs football field. Mayor Wade inquired whether there were any plans to clean up the underbrush and clean up the creek? Mr. Hart advised that it was already being done. Mayor Wade commented that he understood that Habitat for Humanity had offered to provide students to clean that area during the first week in March. He suggested that Mr. Hart contact them to confirm. The next item on the agenda was a report on tourism workshop planning. Mrs. Jennifer White summarized the strategic planning meeting that she had attended. She advised that a draft strategic plan should be forthcoming within a month, and ready for review. Mayor Wade moved on to Old Business. Mr. Hawley advised that Mrs. Polly Mitchell had agreed to be the alternate to the Agency on Aging. Councilman Clark moved to appoint Mrs. Polly Mitchell as Alternate to the Agency on Aging. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Mayor Wade welcomed Dave Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager. Mr. Quesenberry had been out with an illness. The next item on the agenda was deposits for coming events. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had begun planning for Pulaski Fest. Several of the events are requiring deposits to secure the event. Since the event is scheduled in the next fiscal year, no budget monies are available. He requested that Council approve $2,500 for the upcoming events. Councilman Burchett inquired whether staff had contacted the County to share in the expense of the event? Mr. Hawley advised that the County participated in last year’s event and he would contact them with the request. Councilman Worrell moved to approve $2,500 for Pulaski Fest and other upcoming events, seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to broadband/communications. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had been trying to establish a wire mesh network with Wiredog in the Town. He asked Mr. White to provide an update. Mr. White advised that staff and Wiredog were discussing another option to provide wireless in the Town. He explained that this plan called for each building to communicate directly with Peaks Knob. He advised that he hoped to have more information available by the next Council Work Session. The next item on the agenda was community garden. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was trying to create a community garden in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Extension office, on the property known as the corn field on Route 99. Mrs. Tate advised that she had been working with the Extension Office to create a community garden. It was hoped to begin the garden this spring. She explained the progress to date. Mayor Wade advised that it sounded like a good idea, but he requested that staff advise Council what the Town’s obligations will be. Staff advised that information would be provided to Council as it is developed. Next, Mrs. Tate provided an update on the Youth Summit. She advised that several organizations were planning a Youth Summit at the Community College April 5, 2008. Mr. Hawley added that the organizers were requesting that the chief elected officials from all three jurisdictions plan to attend. Mayor Wade moved on to rental inspection update. Mr. Hawley summarized the progress on the rental inspections and advised that staff would continue to work on the inspections. Mayor Wade requested that agenda item 12 g, Adopting Ordinance 2008-05 be discussed after Council’s Closed Session. He moved on to New Business. The first item was to approve the Town and County contract for Preliminary Architectural Report for Nanotechnology Park. Mr. Hawley advised that additional information had been provided to the County and subsequently, they postponed signing the contract. He asked that Council give the Town Manager the authority to execute the contract once the changes are made. Mr. Warburton suggested that he work with the County attorney to amend the contract and then bring it back to Council for review. Council agreed with the suggestion. The next item on the agenda was reappointments to the Planning Commission. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Resolution 2008-04 reappointing Katy Kirk and Tim Clontz to the Planning Commission for four year terms beginning February 4, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to Virginia Travel Guide 2008 Ad response. Mr. White advised that in one month, ninety five requests for information had been received in response to the ad in the 2008 Virginia Travel Guide. It was suggested that Town staff send a packet of information to the people who responded to the ad. Mayor Wade suggested that staff contact the County regarding possibly sharing in an electronic display board strategically located to advise of the events as they come up. Mayor Wade asked for an update on the possible purchase of a used trolley. Mr. Hawley advised that a used trolley had been located and if the inspection by the Town mechanic turned out well, the intent was to purchase it. At 8:02 p.m., Councilman Talbert moved to enter into Closed Session to discuss two items under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), Disposition of Public Property. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Council returned from Closed Session at 8:40 p.m. 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 Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Ordinance 2008-05, Modifying Ordinance 2007-28, Sales Contract for Maple Shade Shopping Center, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye There being no further business, Councilman Penn moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.