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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-949379 January 18, 1994 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held January 18, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, E. G. Black, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Gary Hall John Hawley The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Council D'Ardenne led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Glenn gave the Invocation. _ Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of January 4, 1994, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. UDAG Mayor Hancock stated that before Council was Resolution No. 94-1 LOAN Authorizing a Loan of 512,500 in Urban Development Action Grant Repayment Funds to assist Charles G. and Joyce D. Travis for Working Capital for their Oriental Rug and Accessories Center at 84 West Main Street. Mr. Lyons reported that Charles and Joyce Travis were approved a UDAG loan in October to purchase and renovate the building at 84 West Main Street. The Travis' have approached the Town for working capital funds. Nationsbank would also extend the Travis' a working capital loan of $12,500. This would be secured by the inventory itself as well as a second position on real estate. This funding would also be personally guaranteed by the Travis'. Councilman Glenn so moved that reading of Resolution No. 94-1 be waived, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Resolution No. 94-1 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Black. Councilman Crispin stated that the value of the property does not 1 January 18, 1994 9380 adequately cover the full amount of both loans. Mr. Lyons reported that when they were reviewing the loan application, because the value of the renovated building was below the Town's total participation, we required that the inventory also become security and we would also have their personal guarantee. In answer to inquiry from Councilman Crispin, Mr. Lyons advised that the bank obviously has procedures for insuring that inventory was adequate. The bank had indicated that if there was a problem with the loan, and the Town had to foreclose, control of the inventory would be taken. Mr. Terwilliger advised that the Town would reserve the right to inspect the premises at any reasonable time. An appraiser could be employed if the Town had any questions. The bank usually does this routinely, and the Town has been piggybacking their expertise. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 94-1 carried on the following recorded vote: TRAVIS UDAG LOAN RESOLUTIONCharle s D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Elbert G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mr. Terwilliger advised that in regard to the water agreement with Pulaski County, minor language changes are being made and document should be brought back to Town Council the their next meeting. WATER Mayor Hancock advised that the Ernst & Young Water Study presentation had been rescheduled to the February 1st meeting due to ill health of one of the individuals preparing the report. From the public, Mr. Gary Hall was in attendance regarding water problems on Draper Mountain Estates. ATER Mr. Combiths reported that during the last week, we have had several water outages on Draper Mountain Estate area and also Crestline Drive area. 25 to 30 households were affected. Mr. Combiths reported that the Town has been doing some high pressure cleaning at the raw water pump station, have gone to 24 hour operation at the filter plant, changed the existing pump at the Madison Avenue pump station, which is the pump station that feeds Crestline Drive and Draper Mountain Estates. Mr. Combiths stated that we had seen some pressure increase through adjustments to the system. The Public Works Department has been doing quite a bit of leak detection and we have also worked with our major industries to try to adjust some of their scheduling and some of their production. The Town has repaired several lines and we also experienced a break at the raw water pump station line coming down Altoona. Execellent cooperation has been received from the Dublin and Newbern Fire Departments in helping us put water into the Crestline tank. Appreciation was expressed to the Dublin and Newbern Fire Departments for their assistance. The Public Works Department identified a break on Crestline Drive which they were in the process of locating and repairing. The Town switched to County water this date hoping to get more pressure to pump through the Madison Avenue pump station into the Crestline tank. 9381 January 18, 1993 WATER Mr. Combiths reported that an application to Farmer's Home is being finalized for a loan that will address the problems. The projects to be considered will be reviewed with the Utilities Committee and brought back to Council for priorities. The problems on Crestline will be given attention. Mayor Hancock expressed that Town Council appreciates the patience of the people who have suffered through the water outages. Councilman Graham stated that the Town employees had worked an exceptional amount of time. Mr. Hawley stated there are about 450 connections on the Crestline Drive tank. Mayor Hancock then called for Council Committee Reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader reported that the Finance Committee had met just prior to the Council Meeting on several matters in Executive Session. UTILITIES COMMITTEE WATER Chairman Graham reported that the Utilities Committee met January 6. Problems have been experienced at the raw water pumping station. Councilman Graham made a motion that the Town Manager bring back to the 2nd meeting in February, a report that Council can approve for the improvements necessary for the raw water pump station. This would be a number one priority and is included in the Farmer's Home loan application. Chairman Graham felt we should address this as soon as possible. Motion then carried. Chairman Graham stated that the Draper Mountain Estates was not included in the FmHA loan funded projects. Line replacements were discussed for this area at an estimated cost $4,000 to $14,000. Chairman Graham made a motion that Council approve this project and that the Town Manager see to replacing this line with a 6" line to Hermosa Drive, seconded by Councilman Crispin. Vice Mayor Schrader inquired as to where the money would come from to pay for this project, and requested a report. Chairman Graham stated there was money in the Water Fund for this project. Councilman D'Ardenne felt that we should make sure that whatever we do will correct the problem. Mr. Hawley felt that it would not raise the water pressure over 4 or 5 lbs., however, anytime you install a loop, it will help the whole system. He recommended that we go ahead and put in the first 200 ft. of the 700 ft. line. Houses at the end of JANUARY 18, 1994 WATER, Cont. the road would not realize much increased water pressure. Considerable discussion followed regarding the testing that had already taken place in Draper Mountain Estates, problems being experienced, and possible action that Council could take. 9382 Councilman Glenn stated that we had a antiquated water system to a great extent. A lot of our lines are 50-60 years old. Projects will have to be funded in some manner, and the only way to do it is with rate increases. If we proceed with replacing the 200 ft. and it does not substantially increase the pressure, the next step will be another request by the citizens to do the next 500 feet, and then let's do a tank. Councilman Crispin suggested that we have a public relations meeting to show that we can't build the tank right now; we just don't have the money and we are trying to reduce the problems as far as we can. At 7:37 p.m. Councilman Black left the Council Meeting to attend another meeting. Mayor Hancock stated that we do not know exactly where the money is coming from. The Finance Committee should have been consulted for their recommendation and there was some concern that the recommendations would solve the problem. Mayor Hancock recommended that we have a report made to a joint meeting of the Utilities and Finance Committees before our next meeting, and that the issue be voted on at our next meeting. Mayor Hancock also requested a copy of the Town Engineer's report and if this is not going to solve the problem, then what is going to solve the problem. Councilman Glenn made a motion that Councilman Graham's motion be tabled until the next Council Meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Holston, and carried. Councilman Graham and Crispin voted no to this motion. Mayor Hancock felt we should have a report before the next meeting covering best estimate that Town Engineer can give us on cost and whether or not the Public Works Department feels that they can do this project at the very earliest possible break in the weather. And we need to know where the money will come from. Councilman D'Ardenne asked for the total maximum amount to fix the entire Draper Mountain Estate water problem, including the tank replacement and line replacement. Chairman Graham advised he had more jobs to bring forth, Mashburn, Pearce Place, and Bainbridge. He would like to have all three of these added to the one on Draper Mountain Estates. Mayor Hancock asked if Councilman Graham felt we should amend the proposal that we make to Farmer's Home to included these. Councilman Graham advised that the only one being put on the proposal is Draper Mountain. Mayor Hancock stated that it included Pearce Place already as well as Mashburn. Councilman Graham stated that Bainbridge was not included and there is an industry that is apparently causing difficulty 9383 January 18, 1994 MATER, Contd. for these people's water service and we need to have a report from the Town Manager as to what we are going to do. Councilman Glenn stated that the public does not like to see rate increases across the board in a lot of areas, but things are coming down the pipe because of the old system that we have and because of federal and state regulations that are not being funded by those governments but are being mandated against us to do. The only persons who can pay for this are the utility customers. Chairman Graham advised that the Utilities Committee talked about utility billing and the possibility of reading the meters every other month. Bill would be estimated for the in-between months. This would add one employee to Public Works' staff. A report should be forthcoming from the Town Manager within 30 days to see if this is feasible. Chairman Graham advised that the committee reviewed the utility extension reimbursement agreement. This agreement is a document that allows a developer to recover his costs for extending a utility main from other properties benefiting from the utility main. The Utilities Committee deferred further discussion on this matter since there are no current proposals that would require an agreement. At this time, there is no customer requesting this. Chairman Graham stated that the Utilities Committee hoped to get more information on the sewer rehabilitation project by next meeting. Mayor Hancock stated that if the staff feels there is any project that needs to be added to the Farmers Home proposal, a meeting of the Finance Committee needs to be called before January 31 and a special meeting of the Council may be necessary to authorize additions t;o the list. Mr. Lyons reported that is flexibility with.the Farmers Home loan in that once we get our original loan approved. Farmers Home indicated that it is a simple procedure to come back with additional projects that may not be on the list. What gets sent to Farmers Home can be amended. Councilman Graham was concerned about the loan being on a 40 year basis as these projects should have been done in years past. He felt the Finance Committee should look into this and it should be on the agenda. Hir. Terwilliger advised that it was stated under the utility extension reimbursement agreement there are no current proposals that would require an agreement, however, one developer has expressed an interest. The Utilities Committees' instructions to Town Attorney was to bring back something, and it would be a one by one type of consideration. There is no specific proposal now. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, but advised a meeting needed to be scheduled. A problem with parking at the Goodwill Store needs to be reviewed. January 18, 1994 9384 ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 9-1-1 Chairman Glenn reported that the Ordinance Committee met January 11 and discussed the 9-1-1 Utility Tax. Chairman Glenn so moved that reading of Ordinance No. 94-2 Establishing Special Utility Tax for 911 Emergency Telephone System be waived, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. The Ordinance Committee recommended and Chairman Glenn so moved that Ordinance No. 94-2 be adopted, and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDIN Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Absent Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Vice Mayor Schrader stated that C & P would collect the tax and send it directly to the Town. Chairman Glenn stated the committee also discussed the open burning enforcement, and most likely Council would like to hold a public hearing before action is taken. Chief Hall is preparing a report and it should possibly be back before the next meeting. INOP. VEH~ip1I~'~,rman Glenn reported that the committee had discussed inoperative vehicles and stressed that any citizen could contact him or Mr. Combith's office for assistance. FILTER Councilman Graham stated in December, the filtration plant operated pLT83 hours overtime and treated an average daily figure of 2,993,000 gallons of water with a maximum of one day of 3,676,000 gallons which was on a Sunday. The Town Manager was requested to inform the Council what happened that day. When we approach the 4,000,000 mark, and when we get to 80o for three consecutive months, we are required to start expanding the facilities. Councilman Graham reported that the Director of Public Works had changed some commercial meters during the holidays. The new meters registering will be compared to the registering of the old meters. Mr. Combiths stated that staff is currently working on this. Councilman Graham reported that 22 straight hours were spent cleaning the bar screen at the raw water pump station after the heavy rains. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock had two matters to bring up in Executive Session involving consultation with legal counsel regarding two specific contracts, the train station and baseball team and one personnel matter, on a specifically named individual. Mayor Hancock extended the thanks of Town Council to all the Public Works employees for all their hard work during the inclement weather. 9385 January 18, 1994 TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Combiths had no report. At 8:00 p.m. Council went into Executive Session under 2.1-344 A7 consult with legal counsel on contract regarding the train station and baseball team and under A1, personnel matter regarding a specifically named individual on motion made by Councilman D'Ardenne, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 8:28 p.m. Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Mayor Schrader, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne, and carried. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N.- Glenn - Aye Gary C. Hancock - Aye TRAIN Mayor Hancock stated that we are working with the Chamber of STA'ilONCommerce on their moving into the Train Station by mid February or the first of March. At 8:30 p.m., Councilman J. R. Schrader made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. APPROVED: tlayor Attest: Clerk of Council