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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-08Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 4, 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 Donna Edwards, Police Dispatcher Others: H. M. Kidd Myra Quesinberry Kayla Edwards Robert Bopp Charles R. Bopp Robert Hiss Bobby Jackson Martha Jackson Andrew Cocke Jane Amburn Pamela Austin James Holliday Pat Matzie Sheldon Matzie Bob Ledford Dean Cox Carol Wade Betty Quesenberry Diane Collins Sandy Payne Clark Payne Morgan Welker Janie Hurd Akers John Leeper Ronald Patterson Mark DeBusk Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Worrell gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to modify the agenda by adding item 12D, Loving Field Playing Fields. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger 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 Next, Mayor Wade introduced Donna Edwards, the Employee of the Month for March, 2008. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Donna. The Mayor noted that Ms. Edwards would receive an additional paid day off and be considered for the Employee of the Year Award. Next, in response to a request from Council, Lieutenant Leeper gave a presentation on drug and gang activities in the Town. Mayor Wade moved on to Public Hearing. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the Public Hearing was being held to consider a zoning amendment permitting the use of columbaria within the Town. He advised that the Planning Commission had reviewed the request and recommended that the zoning regulations be amended to: (1) add the definition of a columbarium and (2) allow columbarium’s in residential and business zoning districts where cemeteries or houses of worship are permitted and (3) to permit columbarium as a special exception separate from cemeteries so conditions may be applied to each individual request as deemed necessary. Mayor Wade opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. There being no comments from the public, the Hearing was closed. Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to prepare the proper paperwork to adopt the recommendation of the Planning Commission regarding columbarium’s, 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 requested that a discussion of the Cemetery Trustee Committee be held at the next Council Work Session. He also requested that a discussion be held regarding staff control of the cemeteries. Additionally, he advised that preliminary discussions had been held regarding security cameras in certain portions of the Town. He asked that this discussion resume. Councilman Burchett advised that he had been asked by a citizen whether the water meters are always read? Mr. Hawley advised that extreme inclement weather can prevent actual readings and occasionally, a car will be parked over the meters, rendering them unreadable. In those conditions, the readings are estimated. Councilman Burchett inquired whether any remote reads were being tested yet? Mr. Hawley advised that approximately twenty sites were being tested. Councilman Burchett asked that a list of the sites be provided at the next Council Work Session. Additionally, Councilman Burchett inquired whether it was time to discuss installing metal detectors outside the Council Chambers in light of recent shootings in other parts of the country. Mr. Hawley advised that he would add that discussion to the agenda for the next Work Session. The next item on the agenda was Public Comments. Morgan Welker addressed Council regarding three items. The first was incorrectly marked or missing street signs in Town. Secondly, he opined that if the Town wished to pursue building a new home for the the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Museum, they procure and rehabilitate one of the vacant buildings in Town. And finally, he suggested looking into bi-monthly or quarterly water billing, rather than remote radio reads. Next, Sandy Payne addressed Council inquiring what plans were being made to enhance or utilize the Depot for gift shop or information center or welcome center since it was at the head of the Trail and additionally, asked for a time line. Next, Clark Payne inquired into the status of the Rental Inspection Ordinance. Mr. Hawley advised that he did not have the numbers, but would provide an update at the next Council Work Session. Diane Collins advised that she had been walking on the new portion of the Trail and looked forward to its completion. She suggested that the grand opening of the Trail be held at the Depot and Kiwanis Park. She cited several reasons for this choice: The land that most of the Trail is on was once home to railroad tracks. It would generate interest in the Depot and the Museum and bring train buffs and visitors into the Town. The Trail head actually begins at the Depot, not at Heritage Park. Overflow parking could be handled by the Maple Shade parking lot. Marketing tools could be utilized to show our small Town ambience. Additionally, she expressed her appreciation of the Museum and its caretaker. Glen Baublitz addressed Council inquiring whether questions could be asked during portions of the Council meeting other than the Public Comment Period. Mayor Wade responded that if the questions were kept brief and were not repeated, he would permit it. Mr. Baublitz then asked whether Council was prepared to address the potential sewer increase that had been discussed in the newspaper if the Authority tried to pass it? Mayor Wade responded that our two representatives were prepared. Mr. Baublitz then commented that he appreciated the presentation by the Police Department regarding drugs and gang activity. However, he disagreed with the comment that the drug problem in our Town was no worse than other areas. He stated that if the Town had one drug dealer, or one child on drugs, or one person selling drugs, it was too many. He stated that “we have too many negative things in the Town to allow anything, especially drugs”. Next, Councilman Penn moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of February 5, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade moved on to Project Updates. The first item was New River Trail update. Mr. Hawley advised that the Trail was approximately 50% complete. Work was being done to stabilize the soft areas. He advised that staff had issued a change order to extend the completion date to April 7, 08 due to inclement weather. He summarized some of the plans for the grand opening of the Trail. Mayor Wade inquired whether the low water bridge would be completed in time for the grand opening? Mr. Hawley responded yes. Mayor Wade advised that several areas along the new Trail needed to be screened and/or cleaned. He asked whether staff had identified those places and come up with a plan? Mr. Hart advised that he had identified the areas, but had no costs. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been working with property owners trying to clean some of the areas. Mayor Wade stated that the areas need to be identified. The next item on the agenda was youth involvement. Mr. Hawley advised that he and Ms. Tate had hosted a dinner with six high school students. He asked Ms. Tate to expand. Ms. Tate advised that the students answered a list of questions provided by staff. They listed low cost items that they would be interested in participating in, such as a ping pong tournament and a gathering place to play games, play music and just hang out. From the public, Morgan Welker advised that if Council found a place for the teens, and provided ping pong tables that were requested, he would donate a nine foot slate pool table for their use. Mayor Wade moved on to Community Garden. Ms. Tate advised that rules and guidelines, an application form and a liability statement had been created for the Community Garden. She reviewed some of the rules and explained that more information would be forthcoming as the planning progresses. Mr. Hawley added that staff hoped to find a sponsor in the community for a Pulaski Community Garden sign at the site. Mayor Wade inquired who was going to plow the area under once a year? Mr. Hawley advised that a part time employee from the Parks and Facilities department would help with the garden. Mayor Wade moved on to Old Business. The first item was to schedule a Public Hearing for MacGill/Newbern Land. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town owned land at Newbern and MacGill Street that had been acquired through condemnation for improvements at that intersection. The adjacent land owners have been maintaining a small residual strip of land adjacent to their property that is not required for the right-of-way. They wish to acquire that small residual strip of land. If Council was agreeable to the request, a Public Hearing needed to be scheduled. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to schedule a public hearing for the disposition the Dunnivant property at the MacGill and Newbern Road intersection. 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 Town trolley. Mr. Hawley advised that a used trolley had become available for Town purchase for $500. It was four years old and appeared to be in very good condition. The intent was for the Town to own the trolley, but the Transit would be able to use it when it was needed. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to purchase the trolley for $500 and get it in service. The motion was 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 Mayor Wade moved onto the Camper Avenue unused right- of- way. Mr. Hawley advised that a request had been received to close an undeveloped right-of-way on Camper Avenue. Research showed that the right-of-way was never approved by the Planning Commission. Therefore, the Town does not own the right- of- way. Town staff was working to resolve the situation. Mr. Warburton, Town Attorney, advised that the Town could pursue a quit claim. That would vacate any claim on the right of way or any kind of impediment to their land. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to direct staff to pursue a quitclaim deed with Mr. & Mrs. Matzie. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark 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 The next item on the agenda was Loving Field. Mr. Hawley advised that staff met with the County regarding the playing fields at Loving Field. He explained the items that had been included in the packet that he felt that Council would consider. Following discussion, Councilman Clevinger moved to direct staff to prepare and negotiate an agreement with the County and that the survey cost should be borne by the County. 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 the VDOT right-of-way. Mr. Hawley advised that several plats for various pieces of right-of-ways associated with Urban Construction projects were acquired by VDOT. They needed to be transferred to the Town. Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to execute the documents for the VDOT right-of-ways. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark 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 The next item on the agenda was employee evaluation system. Mr. Hawley advised that a proposed employee evaluation system had been previously provided to Council for review. He requested Council’s approval of the draft document. Councilman Talbert moved to accept the employee evaluation system, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade moved on to Calfee Park visitors dugout. Mr. Hawley advised that the third base line dugout was not replaced in the 1998 upgrade. In order to keep Calfee as one of the best facilities for baseball and to attract other teams and games, staff asked to be allowed to make that improvement. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to direct staff to replace the third base line dugout. 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 Councilman Burchett moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), Disposition of property. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark 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 At 8:52 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Clevinger 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 Penn moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.