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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-93November 16, 1993 9352 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held November 16, 1993, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor W. H. Schrader, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, E. G. Black, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Asst. Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey & Paul Dellinger, News Media Hank Gress Frances Delp James Lefler Mary Lee Duncan Sarge Hoopes Debbie Jonas Nancy Gibson Sonny Gibson Carmella Jessee Ethelene M. Reed William L. Lane Milton Brockmeyer Clarence Gallimore The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Schrader. Councilman Black led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman J. R. Schrader gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the October 26, 1993 meeting be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. TRAIN From the public Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan and Ms. Frances Delp expressed ~I~pposition to the blowing of train whistles. Mrs. Duncan inquired about the meeting with the railroad officials that was to be held. Mr. Combiths stated that a meeting was held with Superintendent Wehrmeister and the Assistant Superintendent of N & S Railroad at the municipal building. Mayor Hancock and Mr. Combiths also attending this meeting. Vice Mayor Schrader reported that the railroad officials desired to come to Pulaski for this meeting. Mr. Combiths reported that the railroad officials were very open to the Town's ideas and explained how they operate their safety program in other communities with regard 9353 TRAIN WHISTLES November 16, 1993 to train whistles. The Finance Committee recommended in their meeting of November 16 that the matter be referred back to the Ordinance Committee. An Ordinance Committee meeting will be scheduled in the near future. Ordinance Committee Chairman Glenn stated a meeting would probably be held within the next two weeks, however, just because we were having a meeting doesn't mean that they will stop blowing whistles. Mrs. Duncan, Dr. Brockmeyer and Mr. Gallimore will be contacted when the meeting is scheduled. Councilman Crispin stated that for two days, the whistle was blown seven times coming through town. Councilman Black reported that there were seven crossings coming through town. Mr. William Lane, 16th Street, stated he was on the warpath and he ALLEY would stay that way until the Town got the driveway open. (Alley between 15th & 16th Street that he has requested be opened). Vice Mayor Schrader reported that this matter would be discussed in Public Operations Chairwoman Holston's report. As there were no further comments from the public, Vice Mayor Schrader called for Council Committee reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE CABLE TV Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee had met November 3 and November 16th. At the November 3rd meeting, the Finance Committee discussed the cable television. The Town Attorney is keeping the committee informed in the changes of the law versus what our franchise agreement is with Adelphia. At a future date, a resolution will be prepared that will reserve the Town's right to regulate the basic tier of cable service. They are still in negotiations with the County and the Town of Dublin, along with the Town of Pulaski. Chairman Schrader stated that on November 3 and November 16 the MAIN STRE~~mittee discussed Pulaski Main Street. There has been a proposal to request additional funds for advertising and other expenditures for Pulaski Main Street. The Finance Committee has endorsed the proposal and the Town staff will bring a more detailed report for Council's consideration. Pulaski Main Street is currently sending out letters for membership. At the November 16th meeting, there was a request for additional information regarding the income derived by the Town from the Main Street community. Mr. Combiths reported that Pulaski Main Street submitted an appropriation request to the Town Council which included both the Executive Director's compensation through the balance of the year which is about $9,000 and included national advertising which is about $4,900, regional advertising at approximately $2,100, local area advertising 1 November 16, 1993 PULASKI MAIN STREET, Cont. 9354 $1,500, television advertising co-op program with the merchants that is being funded entirely by the merchants with the Adelphia Cable. Outdoor advertising will continue which is also a co-op program with the merchants participating in this program. The outdoor advertising will be approximately $10,000. Promotions/contingency fund, hospitality accommodations for new prospects, fund expenses overhead, promotion items for resale, printing and postage with the entire requested appropriation $37,862. through the end of the fiscal year. The Council asked the staff to prepare an analysis of the return on the Town's investment on Main Street. In summary, Mr. Combiths stated the estimated annual property tax increase, the estimated increase in annual meals tax and the estimated increase in annual business license tax would conservatively amount to $13,850.00 per year. Also, a direct return on the Town's investment is the creation of about 40 full time jobs, 21 new part time jobs. With the help of the Main Street Program in Richmond, an additional 55 jobs, according to their model, would also be created in other sectors of the economy in the region as a result of creation of about 61 jobs in the area of new rehabilitation. A .914 multiplier factor of new job creation in other parts of the community as a result of the direct rehabilitation jobs created through reinvestment in the Town's downtown. Indirect return on the Town's investment is estimated to be about one-half million dollars in aggregate personal income to the people employed on Main Street; annual increase in retails sales of $45,000; approximately $206,000 increase in personal disposable income in the community; and an estimated annual increase of $103,000 in additional bank deposits. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that $37,862 be appropriated to Pulaski Main Street to be expended from UDAG monies, seconded by Councilman Graham. Councilwoman Holston could not see the figures on the 40 new full times jobs and 21 new part time jobs being exactly right. Mr. Combiths stated that most of information came from applications by the merchants to the Town and personal phone calls. Councilman Crispin stated that the $37,862 would deplete the UDAG fund this year by $74,862 as straight gifts to PMI. This is four times as much as appropriated last year. He felt this money could be better spent in the Town. Councilman Graham felt that PMI was on a roll at this time and maybe next year the merchants can support this program. He felt that Council should support PMI. Councilwoman Holston stated that a lot of good things were happening on Main Street, and she wanted to see Main Street stay alive. Councilman Crispin advised that Wytheville was starting a Main merchants and businesses in Wytheville can get by with only $3,000 of town money and finance the businesses on their own, it seemed to him that we should be able to do the same. 9355 November 16, 1993 Councilman Crispin stated that Main Street Program had been functioning for the past 5-6 years and we have spent roughly $500,000 on it and we have overspent the budget. He felt it was unfair to our citizens. Councilman Crispin felt that Roscoe had done a terrific job on Main Street. Councilman Black questioned the Main Street Director's salary as he thought it was $7,000. The salary is $7.22/hour adopted with the new budget. Councilman Crispin questioned how much of the appropriated money went to pay off bad debts. An answer was not available at this time. Councilman Glenn stated that one comment made was that they want the merchants to be totally self-supporting and in a practical sense this is not possible. They cannot support an advertising budget to promote the community of Pulaski out of their own pocket with a minimal budget of $25,000 year end and year out. We are supposed to allocate funds back to the good and well being of the entire community. Since 1988 the Town Council has poured some $500,000 roughly into a Main Street Program and while there are certain advantages, and he would give Mr. Cox credit on several of these, he would also give credit to those citizens and to those business people who have been willing to make even greater investments and their entire livelihood on a gamble of coming to our community to try to make a go of both the Main Street and their lives. Councilman Glenn had a problem with what was being presented this evening in that whether we put $37, $3700 or $37,000, or $3 million, if we don't have a true direction and if we don't have a measurement of the goals being achieved, so that we know when we are making the strides. Councilman Glenn felt that if goals and plans were set up, then he would be supportive of the requested appropriation. He further felt we would not have lost $21,199 on the event held this summer if initial goals had been established. Councilman Crispin stated that the Town provides thousands and thousands of dollars in fire protection, police, lights, and street on Main Street. He felt that if we were going to be advertising our Town, we should advertise the entire Town. PMI APPROPRIATION Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - No Roy H. D'Ardenne - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - No CEMETERY Chairman Schrader stated that a request had been received from SPACES Paul Gress to repurchase two spaces in Section T and U in Oakwood Cemetery in the amount of $200. Mr. Gress requested that the $200 applied to his purchase of four spaces in Oakwood East. The Town Mr. be November 16, 1993 9356 Engineer recommended approval of the trade since he receives requests for spaces in the original cemetery. Councilman J. R. Schrader so moved that the Town repurchase these two spaces in Oakwood Cemetery in the amount of $200 and to apply that amount to Mr. Gress' purchase of four spaces in Oakwood East, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye WATER Chairman Schrader stated that the Town Manager informed the Finance Committee that a consumer water fee tax of $2.05 was intended to be billed in November's water bills, however, an error in the computer program prevented the state tax from being listing on the bill. The Town Manager is contacting the computer programmer to correct the problem. This tax is mandated by the State and is a once/year fee. Chairman Schrader stated that at the November 16th meeting the final financial reports for F/Y 1992-93 and the October, 1993 report was distributed. Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee discussed the cab stand next to the train station. Councilman Crispin made a motion that demolition of the cab stand be authorized and a meeting of the Architectural Review Board be scheduled to approve the demolition, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: BLDG. AT TRAIN StaCharles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mr. Combiths stated that the Town Attorney had concerns about a volunteer group taking the station down. Mr. Combiths also believed the staff could determine whether the Town would take the station down with its own work force, or if permissible, use a volunteer group if there is not a liability problem. N & S Chairman Schrader restated that a meeting was held last Thursday with representatives of Norfolk Southern with the Mayor and Town Manager. Norfolk Southern's policy is to blow the whistle unless a local ordinance bans it. Norfolk Southern indicated that the Town has three options, 1) complete ban (no whistle blowing); 2) no restrictions {blow whistle all the time); 3) Limit the hours the whistle can be blow. The Finance Committee referred this matter back to the Ordinance Committee for a recommendation. Mr. Gallimore questioned who would be liable if the train stopped blowing the whistle. Vice Mayor Schrader stated there was a real problem with the liability aspect. Dr. Brockmeyer questioned if there were other towns where the whistle is not blown, with Vice Mayor Schrader reporting that the Town of Marion, City of Roanoke and Abingdon do not allow the blowing of whistles. ~ 9357 November 16, 1993 Councilman Crispin stated he had talked with Mr. Terwilliger and also talked to the Attorney General's office in Richmond and he received the impression from both of these people that the Town would not be held liable in the event that we had a ban on whistle blowing if someone got hurt. This was not a guaranteed statement but Richmond stated the Town probably had some kind of protection from liability and he received the impression from Frank that it would be the railroad's problem because it is on railroad property. Councilman Crispin stated that personally, he did not think it was a serious problem as far as liability is concerned. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that he understood from the Town Attorney that no one has ever tested this before; no community has been brought into a suit of this type. There are no rulings on it. Councilwoman Holston stated that she would like Ordinance Committee Chairman Glenn to invite the railroad people to attend and show the Operations Lifesaver. It was very good to show what can happen. Mr. Gallimore stated that three men had been killed at crossing since 2nd World War. BONDS Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee had discussed bond counsel in the refinancing our bonds. Mr. Lyons stated we are proceeding with the refinancing our 1987 General Obligation Bands and Municipal Advisors have been hired to be our financial advisor. Part of the process is to retain bond counsel services and Wetherington & Melchionna, bond counsel in 1987, has submitted a proposal. Councilwoman Holston so moved that the Town Manager and Town. Attorney be authorized to execute a contract with Wetherington & Melchionna for a not to exceed figure of $10,000 plus out of pocket expenses. In the event the refinancing does not go forward, Wetherington & Melchionna would be paid at an hourly rate of $130. Motion seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye UTILITIES COMMITTEE WATER Chairman Graham reported that the Utilities Committee met November 8, 1993. Work on Peakland Subdivision and water line for Rev. Covey will begin this week. Chairman Graham stated that the Town is investigating the water pressure problem at Bainbridge Subdivision. The water pressure fluctuations are caused by a water hammer. Also, the Renfro Plant uses an enormous amount of water. Further studies of this problem are being made this week. Chairman Graham stated that a tremendous amount of time had been spent on the water problem in Draper Mountain Estates. A leak has been located which caused the problem in the O'Dell yard and it is believed this problem has now been solved. Two water lines have been changed which should further alleviate the problem. A full report will be given at a later date. If there is 1 November 16, 1993 9358 excessive cost in the Bainbridge and Draper Mountain Estate projects, it will have to be put on the listing of projects that we are to complete in the future. FILTER Chairman Graham reported that $21,000 is budgeted to clean the PLT. ater filtration plant sludge pond. Cost data has been received and actual cost will be $12,399. WATER Chairman Graham advised it had been discussed how the water bills were sent out last month. The new rates were effective October 1, 1993 and would apply to water furnished on or after that date. It would not apply to water furnished prior to October 1 even though billed after said date. Bills sent out should have been billed at the old rate for 13 days in September and at the new rate for 25 in October. It would have been a prorated bill. Also, our ordinance is set up for 30 day billing period. Chairman Graham felt the ordinance was incorrectly worded and asked that this be put on agenda for next month. He further felt an opinion was needed from the Town Attorney. Chairman Graham stated he felt for something this important, there should be total communication with Town Council, Town administration or Treasurer's office and then this billing would have been handled correctly. Chairman Graham stated that listing of water projects would need to be revised and there were now new items of concern. Mr. Lyons is working on the application for Farmer's Home funding. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ALLEY Chairwoman Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee had Met November 1, 1993, and again reviewed the alley between 15th and 16th Street. The request to utilize the alley has been discussed many times, and several site visits have been made. Chairwoman Holston advised that the Town Attorney advised that Mr. Lane has a right to use the alley as it currently exists, however, if the Town makes any improvement (remove tree, install curb cut, etc.) it is inviting the public to travel on the alley and it may create a maintenance responsibility. The alley between 15th and 16th Street is in priority III on the alley priority listing and only approximately $10,000 will be available for alley work. It was further reported that no work is to be done until spring. Vice Mayor Schrader asked if Mr. Lane understood what Chairwoman Holston was saying. Mr. Lane again asked if the Town was going to open up the alley. He further stated he would hire an attorney and the Town could pay the expense of the attorney and let him open it up. Vice Mayor Schrader restated that Council has three priorities of alleys. The 15-16th Street alley is a priority III which is the last priority. And if he understood the committee correctly, nothing could be done until spring, but at this point and time, we see no time in the future that anything will be done to the alley due to lack of funds to take care of an alley listed in priority III. Mr. Lyons stated that we have tried to take the funds that are available for alleys and put the funds where the alleys are used the 9359 November 16, 1993 greatest and provide the greatest good for the community. Council will be looking toward alley improvements in the spring, however, this will more than likely be toward the priority I alleys. Vice Mayor Schrader stated there is nothing we can or will do at this point and time. alley Chairwoman Holston stated the Public Operations Committee had reviewed Pinnacle Street alley. A site visit was made to this alley in response to a request by Mr. Arnold and Mrs. Mitchell. The Public Operations Committee determined that the alley should be categorized priority III. A Public Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for November 18, 4:00 p.m. Chairwoman Holston stated the Public Works Department is currently preparing rating criteria for sidewalk replacement. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn reported that the Ordinance Committee had met prior to the Council Meeting. The burning ordinance has been referred back to the Town Manager for review and a report to the full Council within the next 30-60 days. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock was absent. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger was absent. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT COUNCIL Mr. Combiths advised that Mayor Hancock had requested that it be reported that Town Council, the Mayor and staff met at Pulaski Community Hospital Education Room on October 30. Goals for the community were reviewed and in the near future a follow up meeting will be scheduled. Mr. Combiths advised that the Town Offices would be closed on November 25 and 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Mr. Combiths reported that the annual taxicab public hearing was scheduled for December 7 at 4:00 p.m. RECREATION Councilwoman Holston stated that Reverend Smith of the Randolph Avenue Methodist Church had offered part of their six acres around the Church for a park. Reverend Smith felt possibly in-kind service could be given by the Town. Information was given to administration. At 8:08 p.m. Councilman Black made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. APPROVED: e Mayor Attest: Clerk of Council