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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/949401 March 1, 1994 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 1, 1994, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor W. H. Schrader, Jr., presiding Council Members: J. R. Schrader, Jr., Roy H. D'Ardenne, 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 Jake Blevins Ronald Vaughan Valencia Johnson Bob King Marvin Andrews Amy Chan Whitney Wallace Betty Quesenberry Rhoda Quesenberry Amanda Reese April Hall Tom Warburton Two additional students The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Schrader. Councilman Black 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 February 15, 1994, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. DRAINAGE In hearing from the public, Mr. Ronald Vaughan addressed Town PROBLEM Council on behalf of his sister, Ms. Valencia Johnson, 318 Cliff Street. Mr. Vaughan had previously addressed Council in regard to the flooding of Ms. Johnson's basement and Council had made the decision to install a V-ditch in Chestnut Avenue to correct the runoff of water onto Ms. Johnson's property. Mr. Vaughan reported that during this last storm, 28,000 gallons of water had been pumped from his sister's basement and that there is now structural damage. Mr. Vaughan suggested that piping be installed rather than a ditch. 1 Mr. Vaughan stated that they would like to have corrective action March 1, 1994 9402 DRAINAGE PROBLEM, Cont. now. Town Administration is to get with Public Works Department to determine when this project can be started. Mr. Vaughan and Ms. Johnson are to be notified when this project is scheduled and a status report is to be brought back to the next Council Meeting. ALLEY Mr. Marvin Andrews, Box 730, Summit Street, addressed Council with the issue of his neighbor placing girders, lumber and junk in alley, and he would like to have this cleaned up as he had trouble driving his car through the alley. He also requested that gravel be placed in the alley and a dip in Summit Street be checked. It was reported that this complaint had been previously reported and checked and found that a vehicle could move through the alley, however, administration would check again. STREETS Mr. Jake Blevins, Dora Highway, questioned the closing of a portion of Dora Highway (due to recent storm damage). Mr. Combiths advised that this situation had been discussed with the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the engineer from Christiansburg, as well as representatives from State Public Safety Department and also the Federal Emergency Management Agenr_y, have looked at Dora Highway. A meeting is being arranged with VDOT for them to provide technical assistance as to what needs to }~e done to the hillside. We hope to have a report back to Town Council within a week. Mr. Blevins stated that the Town Engineer had advised it would cost $600,000 to have the r_liff cleaned off and the road repaired. He thought it would be cheaper to build a bridge at the pump house, crossing over to Rt. 99. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that Council was concerned about Dora Highway and everyone was working as quickly as possible to get the road opened. 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, but stated a meeting was scheduled for March 2, 5:00 p.m. to discuss the smoking survey. FINANCE COMMITTEE WATER/SF~~irman W. H. Schrader reported that the Finance Committee met jointly with the Utilities Committee on February 22. The January 1994 Financial Report was distributed at this meeting. The committees also discussed the Ernst & Young consolidated flow recommendation. A public hearing is scheduled on the Ernst & Young Water study and the water rates at the March 15th meeting. Chairman Schrader further stated committees discussed the infiltration and inflow. The Town Engineer will be advertising for the purchase of a sewer television camera and van to look at the problems in our sewer lines. $70,000 is expected to be refunded from Peppers Ferry and hopefully, we can use this refund to 9403 March 1, 1994 purchase this equipment. Peppers Chairman Schrader stated that the Finance and Utilities Committees Ferry met March 1 and discussed pump station maintenance and our agreements with Peppers Ferry. Dora Highway closure was also discussed and work is continuing to reopen this street. Chairman Schrader reported that Oakwood Cemetery had also experienced a lot of storm damage. Hopefully, it will be cleaned up within the next few days. INSURANCE Chairman Schrader stated that a rebate had been received from the Virginia Local Choice Health Insurance Program in the amount of $27,300 for F/Y 1992-93. TRAIN The Finance Committee recommended, and Chairman Schrader so moved, STATION that an additional $7,000 be appropriated from UDAG funds to the Train Station Fund for improvements at the Train Station. Specifically the increase is due to a $1,000 increase in fencing costs required by Norfolk Southern and an additional $6,000 in paving costs for the area around the former cab station site, which was not included in the original estimate. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Chairman Schrader stated that the committees entered executive session to receive legal counsel on the sewer corrosion problem, cable television contract, an existing UDAG loan recipient and the Town's W-2 forms. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report, however, he stated that Farmers Home ~~IATER had accepted the application for Town's water improvements. We should be hearing something shortly and perhaps we can start some of our projects. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, asked that a meeting be scheduled. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE ORDINANCE Chairman Glenn reported that an informational meeting had been held BURNING on the burning ban, and as of April 1st, the state statute will be BAN enforced. Chairman Glenn stated that Chief Hall was concerned with the illegal burning of household materials, tires, and other waste matter that is not biodegradeable. The burning of leaves and small amounts of brush will still be permissible. If burning is occurring within 300 feet of another residence, permission should be obtained from the neighbor to burn. Vice Mayor Schrader added that the Fire Department should be March 1, 1994 9404 notified when a person intends to burn leaves or brush. TOWN ATTORNEY Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S OFFICE Mr. Combiths had no report. At 4:42 p.m., Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. APPROVED: e Mayor Attest: - G. a C erk of Council