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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-98September 1, 1998 Minutes of the Town Council meeting held September 1, 1998 at 4:00 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 John J. Hawley, Town Engineer Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Visitors: Gilbert R. Barker Carroll E. Witt Pat Witt E. L. Belcher Alene Summer Chad R. Davis Jill D. Ritter Michael E. Smith Mary E. "Cricket" Cregger Angela Primm-Viers Margie Stark Melissa G. Dequino Thomas Kluttz Andy Anderson Vanessa Sadler Police Chief Herb Cooley The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p. m. by Mayor Johnston. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. At this time, Mrs. Mitchell requested an addition to the agenda and was scheduled after Comments From the Public. Following roll call, Councilman Neblett made motion to approve minutes, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried. 9832 1 9833 September 1, 1998 police dept At 4:05 p.m., Chief Cooley introduced new police department employees: Chad R. Davis Police Officer Jill D. Ritter Police Officer Michael E. Smith Police Officer Margie Stark Crime Analyst Melissa G. Dequino Dispatcher Thomas Kluttz Dispatcher And new positions for Police Department: Mary E. "Cricket" Cregger Administrative Secretary Angela Primm-Viers Records Manager Andy Anderson Investigations Vanessa Sadler Crime Prevention Specialist Next, Gilbert Barker addressed Council on concerns regarding pressure, quality, and water volume of water in Draper Mountain Estates. He stated that there have been several dept timelines set by the Town to improve this problem over the past 21 years, but the project Draper Mtn is not complete. He requested for Council to tell him when the project will begin. Mayor Johnston advised that at present, there is no funding available for this project. He added that the Town is currently looking at the possibility of grant funding other alternative financial strategies to complete this project. Mr. Combiths gave a background summary of this problem. He advised that according to the Town's Capital Improvement Plan, this project is planned for the 1999-2000 budget and hope to be able to complete the project in this time frame. After extensive discussion, Councilman Stewart requested that staff compile a schedule of identified source of funds for each step to complete this project. Councilman Neblett additionally requested that this schedule and financing be presented to Utilities Committee for review and then forward information to Mr. Barker. Next, Councilwoman Mitchell reported on the Agency on Aging meeting held August 31, 1998. She advised that finances were summarized and that the budget is tight. The agency is serving 15 more congregate meals than the budget allows. She advised that the use of Med Ride for dialysis alone in our area assists 318 people per month, in addition to the many people to the hospital, doctors offices and the Free Clinic. Additionally, she advised that the Senior Center will be using the Agency on Aging van for its trips. As there were no further comments, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. l,~ 2 September 1, 1998 9834 Councilman Neblett yielded to the Planning Commission for its report. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT• Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission met August 10,1998 to consider 2 subdivision requests. The first request was for subdivision of MacGill Village. planning Commission approved this request with the proviso that a vaziance of the reaz setback commission requirements from Parcel 3 is obtained from the Boazd of Zoning Appeals. He advised that commission reconsidered the request of Cazroll and Ethel Witt for a subdivision of the reaz portion of their lot on Bob White Boulevard to place a residence on the site. Following discussion involving concerns with the azea's present zoning and the azea of the lot required for a residence, the Witt family withdrew their request. Because of information gained at this meeting, Planning Commission is recommending to Town Council that properties on the south side of Bob White Boulevard, beginning at the eastern property line of Critzer School and ending at the Wurno Bridge, be rezoned from B-1 and M-1 to R-2. After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to schedule a joint meeting of the planning Planning Commission and Town Council for October 7, 1998 to consider rezoning commission properties on the south side of Bob White Boulevard, beginning at the eastern property line of Critter School and ending at the Wurno Bridge, seconded by Councilman Penn meeting and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgaz Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye S. Steger -Aye Chazles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye UTILITIES COMMITTEE: Chairman Neblett reported that committee met today and discussed the acceptance of water and sewer facilities at Peppers Ferry Meadows Subdivision and recommended water acceptance of these facilities into the Town system, and cazried on the following recorded & sewer vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgaz Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye S. Steger -Aye Chazles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Chairman Neblett advised that Mr. Quesenberry will be attending a meeting on September 2,1998, sponsored by Appalachian Regional Commission to discuss how to apply for grant money, to possibly use for specific water projects. 3 9835 September 1, 1998 Further discussion was held regarding going from 1 meter to 12 water meters for the Crockett Trailer Court and a discussion regarding permits for pump stations for the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Water Treatment Authority, with no action taken. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairwoman Steger advised that committee received responses from 13 communities nuisance concerning requests for copies of both noise and yard sale ordinances. Committee plans to meet within next 10 days to discuss these ordinances. Councilwoman Steger advised that Council has received numerous calls that brush has not been picked up in the Town for a long time. She advised that the County is in charge of brush pick up, not the Town. Mr. Terwilliger advised that according to the 1986 Refuse Collection agreement, the Town does the fall leaf collection, but the PSA does all the other collections and are supposed to have one day each month dedicated to citizen calls. Mayor Johnston requested that staff follow up with PSA in regard to this problem. He suggested that staff could publicize how an individual citizen can load up brush on his own truck, where to take it, and how much it would cost, etc. Councilwoman Steger requested the assistance of the press in distributing this information. FINANCE COMMITTE Chairman Weddle advised that committee met August 18, 1998 and August 27, 1998. At the meeting on the 18th, committee voted to recommend to Council that $500 be donated donations from the Economic Development budget to Downtown Pulaski, Inc. for use in the 1998 Christmas Parade and passed 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 S. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye 4 September 1, 1998 9836 Committee also recommended adoption of the Van Rental Agreement reached between contract the Town and the New River Valley Senior Center and carried on the following recorded rec . dept 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 S. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Councilman Stewart made a motion to return the funds that had been appropriated by the C.E. Richardson Foundation for the purchase of a van for the Senior Center back to the C.E. Richardson Foundation, 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 -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye S. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Chairman Weddle advised that committee also heard a presentation from Dave Rundgren concerning developments on the Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, industrial including the concept behind the authority, membership in the authority, sharing of costs facility and revenues, and the benefits the authority could bring to members. At the meeting on August 27, Chairman Weddle advised that committee discussed the Town's potential membership in Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority and recommends that Town Council join the Authority and adopt Ordinance 98-21, Creating Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority and carried on the ~~ ~ g ~ -Z( 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 ~. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Also discussed was possibly changing the committee structure for the Town but had no recommendation to Council. HUMAN RESOiIRCES COMMITTEE: Chairman Hale had no report. SAFETY COMMITTEE: Councilman Penn had no report. 5 9837 September 1, 1998 MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Johnston opened discussion regarding the possibility of having one Council meeting per month and the second date being scheduled for committee meetings. council Discussion also ensued regarding the fact that most Council members will be at VML meeting during the first Council meeting in October. Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that the first Council meeting in October be held October 7 at 4:00 p.m., 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 -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye S. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye Mayor Johnston advised that Council had received a request for a charitable donation for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He advised that if any member of Council wished to make a personal donation they could do so, however, there was no funding in this years budget for this request. Mayor Johnston commended the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Public Works Department for its recent work on a natural gas leak, commenting on the speed and professionalism with which this was handled and that Council appreciated their work. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger advised that the two items on his agenda had already been discussed. However, he reminded Council that a replacement needs to be appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals, either permanently or temporarily, to take the place of Eugene Nuckols. He state that Mr. Nuckols stated that after his temporary tenure as a judge is over, he would like to return to the BZA. Council needs to make recommendation to Circuit Court as to their choice or choices to be appointed. Councilman Hale inquired whether any Council member would agree to temporarily accept this position? After discussion, Human Resources Committee made a motion to recommend that Circuit BZA Court appoint Councilman Weddle to the Board of Zoning Appeals 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 -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye S. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. -Aye 6 September 1, 1998 TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths updated Council regarding the area behind Jefferson School that had been discussed at the last Council meeting, informing them that new street lighting will be provided, the area will be clear cut of the debris and additional police patrol provided. Mr. Combiths advised that discussions continue with the citizens on Wilson Avenue regarding public access. 9838 senior The Town Manager advised that the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee met with the citizen YMCA regarding a proposal from the YMCA to provide program support for the Senior Citizen Program. The Advisory Committee prefers that the Town continue to manage the program. Applications have been received for the Senior Center Director position and review of applications, interviews and hiring will be conducted in the next 30 to 45 days. Mr. Combiths advised that 4 new police officers are entering Basic Law Enforcement training at New River Police Academy from September 3, 1998 to December 11, 1998. These officers will be driving 2 marked units to school for various aspects of their training. As these candidates all live in the County, these recruits will drive directly from home to school. At 5:25 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Neblett made motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. C 7 1