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Home My WebLink About12-15-98[] 0 ~~ December 15, 1998 Minutes of the Town Council meeting held December 15, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor John A. Johnston Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell, Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart. Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Ast. to the Town Manager Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Sherry Boyd-Neidigh, Finance Director John J. Hawley, Town Engineer Robert L. Dye, Economic Development Director Visitors: Flo Stevenson Judy Flemming Paul Dudenheffer Walter Paulson Joe W. White Herman G. Largen Kristol Bond Paul Pickett Michael Dowell Tom Cox Dana Spraker Paul Dellinger, Press J. R. Schrader, Press The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. First item on the agenda was a presentation by Downtown Pulaski, Inc. (DPI). Rebecca English addressed Council with a summary of accomplishments for 1998 and listed issues to be addressed in the future.. DPI's current Executive Committee members were introduced: Vice President Paul Dudenheffer, Secretary Judy Flemming and Treasurer Judy Isom. DPI expressed thanks to Council for their assistance during the year and hoped to continue this partnership. Council was presented with a free DPI membership for the 1999 calendar year, which included a baseball cap and window sticker. Next item on agenda was Consent agenda. On motion by Councilman Stewart, seconded by Councilman Steger, the Consent agenda (consisting of minutes of the 12-1-98 Council meeting) was approved by voice vote. 9865 API Finance Committee Chairman Weddle introduced Paul Pickett of Larrowe and Company. Mr. Pickett Aud~t~ responded to Council's questions regarding the Town's Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June R~-tttt~ce R~t~t 30, 1998. He advised that the Town is in good financial condition and addressed the Town's current computer program capabilities in regard to accounting reports. Councilman Stewart inquired whether the current computer system automatically added the subsidiary accounts to come up with general account totals? Mr. Pickett advised that the current system did not total these accounts, but they were manually done by Mr. Pickett. 9866 December 15, 1998 Chairman Weddle advised that next item on Finance agenda was a preliminary engineering report of Pulaski Business Park by Robert Dye, Economic Development Director and John Hawley, Town Engineer. Pu,2ad ~ Mr. Dye and Mr. Hawley reviewed Phase 1 changes and development costs for the Pulaski Business Park. Bu~S~.VIe~S~S They advised that the Phase 1 total construction estimate is $973,600. Pahl Councilman Stewart questioned the costs for the Park and expressed his concern that these costs will not be recoverable. He requested more research before pursuing this further. Extensive discussion ensued with no action taken. Staff will return to Council with research results. l=as emewt Next item on agenda was Public Utilities report. Town Manager advised that before Council was Tut1.v~ (Jaf2b acceptance of 2 sanitary sewer easements and a new sewer line as part of the Twin Oaks/Peppers Ferry Ve~p~ Road, and acceptance of an easement to Appalachian Power Company for the upgrade of electrical service to Town owned property on Draper Mountain. Staff recommends acceptance of both easements. ~e~vc y Councilman Hale made a motion to accept 2 sanitary sewer easements and a new sewer line as part of the Twin Oaks/Peppers Ferry Road system and granting an easement to Appalachian Power Company for the upgrade of electrical service to Town owned property on Draper Mountain, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Abstain Jeffrey S. Worrell -Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Next item on agenda was Ordinance Committee report. Und 9 8 - 2 5 Chairwoman Steger advised that before Council was Ordinance 98-25 allowing administrative regulation T~txi.cab~ of taxicabs in the Town of Pulaski. Mr. Quesenberry advised that last year Council instructed the Town Attorney to draft a modified Ordinance to the current procedure for handling the issuance of operating permits for taxicabs, making issuance an administrative function. Joe White, General Manager of Blue and White Cabs, addressed Council with his concerns with the proposed changes. He was not in favor of the changes. Mr. Combiths advised that the major change that this ordinance addresses is allowing administrative regulation of taxicabs. After discussion, Chairwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Ordinance 98-25, allowing administrative regulation of taxicabs, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Next item on agenda was Planning Commission Report. Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission met December 14, 1998 and discussed Planning Commission Case 98-lO1CU for a conditional use permit to convert asingle-family residence to a multi- ca nd us e family dwelling. Commission recommended approval of the request with five conditions: repair of a rock December 15, 1998 9867 wall, approval of variances by the BZA, limit of five apartments, use of one former apartment as a fire p. Cam escape; and all parking must be off street. Commission also discussed the proposed addition of a conditional use for a recycling center in the M-2 p. Com General Industrial District, (Case No. 98-102PH). The matter was tabled to allow staff time to examine Rec yC.e,%v~g C~h other zones for suitable sites for the facility. Councilman Stewart made a motion to refer Planning Commission Case No. 99-103Sub, a request from Pulaski Properties L.L.C., Dee Dee Edwards-agent, for a subdivision of 2.4472 acres from the remnant of the Walter Allison Estate, Tax Map No. 063-42-1 for the purpose ofbuilding asingle-family home on the site, to Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Councilman Stewart then made a motion to refer Planning Commission Case No. 99-104RZ, a request from Ferd Harvey, Eugene Chumbley, and Lucas Construction, Inc. for a rezoning of 5.99 acres from B-1 to B-2 for the purpose of marketing the location for business, to the Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Weddle and so carried. Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that before Council were personnel policies for the Town of f•umav~ Pulaski employees. Re~aunce~ Town Attorney, Frank Terwilliger, advised that there was one typographical error to be corrected on Velt~Sann~ P~-P.f.C.i.~ Workplace Safety from substance abuse, on page 4, paragraph 6... town employer should read town employee. Councilman Weddle advised that the policy on Performance Evaluations, page 2, last paragraph should read "within 5 work days of the evaluation", (not employee). After discussion, Chairman Weddle made a motion to adopt personnel policies with corrections, regarding Worker's Compensation, Privacy and Personnel matters, Performance Evaluations, Date of Hire/Anniversary Date, Demotions, Promotions, Corrective Action, Working out of Classification pay, Pay advances, Time sheets/Preparation of Payroll, Payroll deductions, Garnishments, Leaves in General, Bereavement Leave, Sick Leave, Bonus for not using Sick leave, and Work Place Safety from substance abuse, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Councilman Penn advised that Public Safety committee met and discussed some reasons for departure of }{. ReJ~~unce~S police officers to other law enforcement agencies, including early retirement benefits (SPORES). (~ ev~e~,i~j, Additionally, committee discussed the problems that may ensue because of the new jail location and the time involved in transporting suspects to the jail, possibly leaving few police officers to cover the Town. Committee also discussed retirement benefits and is requesting that a representative of Virginia Retirement System visit the Town. Mayor Johnston requested that Council review a list of items that the Town would like discussed by General Assembly and requested that the Town Manager forward the list to the General Assembly for their review. Mayor Johnston advised that the VML sponsored Legislative Day is scheduled for February 11, 1999 in VML Richmond and advised Council to sign up. 9868 December 15, 1998 The Town Manager advised that work is continuing on the New River Trail extension and on the flood management study on Peak Creek. The investigation of the property at the corner of Newbern Road and Fourth St continues. Councilman Stewart advised that he had been contacted by a citizen regarding the curbs, gutters and cunb~s , sidewalks in the First Baptist Church area, and requested that staff look into the conditions and make 9~~, every effort to rectify it. He also advised that the entrance into the Town on Washington Avenue is in poor condition and requested that staff make every attempt to correct it. ~s~.dewaefz~s Mr. Combiths stated that staff continues to address the Washington Avenue problem and advised that surveys have already been done on the sidewalks etc. in that area and Public Works Department is making every attempt to address these sidewalk needs. Mr. Combiths advised that the November financial report has been delivered to Council. The Peakland Sewer project is progressing, and the Route 99 waterline extension materials are due in and construction to follow. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to go into Executive Session on two items under 2.1-344 (A3), acquisition or use of real property for public purpose, or disposition of property, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye At 7:10 p.m., Councilman Stewart made a motion to adopt Certification Resolution, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote; James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye At 7:12 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried. C C fl J