Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/94June 7, 1994 9436 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 7, 1994, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, John A. Johnston, Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, E. G. Black, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media J. R. Schrader, Jr. Valencia Johnson Ronald Vaughan Mildred Bolen John Hawley Barry Buckner John Stone Eddie Hale Georgia Anderson Carl C.~Anderson Elmer Robinson Dean Hufford Billy Martin Henderson Randolph Lee Eure Robert Henderson Jim Duke Audrey Jackson 18 area citizens Pulaski Middle School Students William F. Atwood The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Vice Mayor Schrader led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Graham gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 17, 1994, be approved as submitted, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. DR. JOHDiSInN Mayor Hancock welcomed Dr. John A. Johnston back to Town Council WEC~MEand also Mr. William Atwood, Teacher at Pulaski Middle School. Mayor Hancock introduced students participating in Local Government Day as SILIIJINI~LOCAL (~OVE~I' DAY 9437 June 7, 1994 LOCAL OOVERI~IDJI' DAY follows: Mayor, Matthew Hancock; Town Manager, Armistead Booker; Treasurer, Michelle Clark; Engineer, Prlya Acharya; Fire Chief, Mary Goad; Chief of Police, Dustin Farmer; Director of Recreation, Kristin Smith; Director of Public Works, Tabitha Griswold; Town Council Members, Shannon Newman, Rebecca Warburton, Randy Bowling, Samantha Deguise and Katie Webb. Mayor Hancock stated it was a pleasure to have the students with us for Student Government Day and that they had done a great job during the mock Council Meeting held earlier in the day. Mayor Hancock read a resolution honoring retiring Council Member J. R. Schrader Jr. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLITI'ION- J.R.9Q~RADER PCI~IC HFARIlQG ~T SFZJER RATE INC. Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mayor Hancock stated that Mr. Schrader was always available for citizen assistance and Council would miss him. Mayor Hancock advised that two public hearings were scheduled for this meeting; 1) Town of Pulaski Proposed Budget for 1994/95 and 2} Proposed Sewer Rate Increase. ~] Messrs. Carl Anderson, Rt: 3, Box 86 (980-2385) and Elmer Robinson, 10th Street Extension (980-6133) addressed Town Council regarding increased rates for County citizens on Town sewer. For information purposes, the rates are as follows: In Town - First 3,000 gallons ~ $17.84, over 3,000 gallons, $2.56 for each thousand gallons. Out of Town - First 3,000 gallons $35.68, over 3,000 gallons $5.12 for each thousand gallons. Mr. Anderson indicated that he would like to go back onto a septic system as they cannot pay more than they are currently paying. Mr. Anderson also advised that he had originally paid for the sewer line and several people had connected to it. He could not understand why the Town had to keep on raising rates. Mayor Hancock advised that Town administration had recommended that rates be increased because there is a substantial amount of work that needs to be done on the system. Carrying the sewage from here to the sewage treatment plant is an expensive proposition. The Town also needs to replace pipeline this coming year. The sewer fund is a pay as you go June 7, 1994 9438 PI~fl~SFil SEWER Il~ASE, ~1'D. fund and we only charge people what it takes to run the system. Mr. Terwilliger advised that septic tanks required Health Department approval and municipalities, including the Town and all other governments, are empowered to require people to hook up to the system once it becomes available to them. Unless you build a customer base, a municipality cannot afford to provide the sewer service. County residents hook up voluntarily to the sewer service. This situation will be reviewed by Town Attorney and an answer forwarded to these gentlemen. Before Town Council was Ordinance No. 94-7 Setting Forth the Charges for Sewer Service. Councilman Graham so moved that Ordinance No. 94-7 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn. Councilman Glenn stated he felt that doubling of the rates for the County residents was unfair based on the fact that this is a fund that is self supporting. The tax base on real estate and personal property and use of Town facilities has nothing to do with this particular fund. Councilman Glenn stated that the hook up fees for new residents in the adjacent County areas that we hope to see developed, it will be prohibitive for these people to look at this economically, both residential and commercial. Mayor Hancock stated that the reason for the people out of the Town paying more is that citizens of the Town pay taxes, pay for the system and pay for the upkeep of the system for years and years. And they should receive the maximum benefit from being Town citizens. People outside the Town, may not have the longevity. It may be time for us to review the rates to see if something lesser would be appropriate. Mr. Combiths reported that the total revenue draws about $30,00.0 outside the Town for sewer only. Councilman Graham stated that the Town could not spend money outside the Town corporate limits and to make the water and sewer pay its way, the rate was established many years ago. The Town is providing services to these people. He further felt that we did not have the information available tonight to readjust the rates, and felt that we should pass the ordinance a-s presented. Councilman Glenn stated that the out of Town customers might be better off in many cases had the Town annexed them during the last annexation because the personal property tax and real estate tax would be less than what t-he water rate is doing to them. Councilman Glenn further stated he felt the rates would continue to go up. Councilman Graham advised that our sewer lines within the Town of- Pulaski are anywhere from 75 to 100 years old. Lines have to be inspected to see where infiltration surface water is getting into our 9439 June 7, 1994 I s~z RATE n~c~EASE a~r'ZV. sewer lines. Town Council has authorized the purchase of a 575,000 (approximate cost) TV camera which will go inside the 6" line or larger, taking pictures and will tell Town administration where we have holes in our lines. There is an enormous amount of cost to doing this work. But we have to correct this situation. We are going over our current capacity in Peppers Ferry of 2.6 million gallons per day, in rainy weather exceeding 100% capacity. The Town also has maintenance to perform on our two pump stations. Councilman Crispin asked if the Town had ever reduced sewer rates with Councilman Graham advising that he thought not. Motion then carried to adopt Ordinance No. 94-7 on the following recorded vote: ~~~9<r7 Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - Aye ~~ John A. Johnston - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - ~- Aye Robert N. Glenn - No There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Mayor Hancock advised that interviews were being conducted for the position of Chief of Police. FINANCE COMMITTEE: PARIdNGSPACE Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee met on May MAIN ST. 20, 23, 24, 31 and June 2 and discussed the proposed budget, water funds and sewer funds. Also in the meeting of May 20, the committee discussed the removal of one of the Main Street temporary parking spaces and the space in front of the former Sonny's Restaurant will be removed. The temporary parking space serving the old Courthouse and APCo will remain in effect. Chairman Schrader reported that the storm debris that Mr. Vaughan on Cliff Street had reported had been removed. Also, the drainage improvement project has grass coming up and some natural settling has occurred. Property will be reseeded if necessary. ~'E Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee went into ~ Executive Session on the 20th regarding cable television. On May 31, all of Council were present and entered Executive Session regarding a problem with our W-2 forms, personnel matter and also at the June 2nd meeting, the Committee entered Executive Session regarding the Police Chief recruitment process. [' 1 UTILITIES COMMITTEE June 7, 1994 9440 Chairman Graham had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE SIk~iS Chairwoman Holston reported that the Public Operations Committee met May 16, 1994. As Mr. Jim Duke was present at the meeting, the Dora Highway Update was reviewed first. Mayor Hancock noted that a petition had been received regarding Dora Highway, and asked that the petition be received and filed. Mr. Combiths reported that staff had written to Congressman Boucher's office requesting his assistance in resolving the Town's FEMA application for Dora Highway. It was noted that Congressman Boucher has discussed this matter with the Federal Emergency Management who have indicated that they will provide us the funds to clear the street but this does not take care of the potential hazard with the debris coming down from the hillside. Congressman Boucher's office advised today that it doesn't look like there is a lot of hope for getting any additional assistance from FEMA regarding Dora Highway. They have indicated they will contact the Corps of Engineers and also the Federal Higfiway Administration to see what assistance may be available to supplement the Town's effort. Mayor Hancock asked if there was a possibility of stabilizing the hillside so that the road would be safe to be reopened. Mr. Lyons reported that the Town Engineer and Director of Public Works advised that stabilizing both the cliff and the bank leading down to the creek is a fairly involved project, and it would take some special equipment to get the safety issues addressed adequately. Mayor Hancock advised that Council realized it was a hardship on the residents of Dora Highway for this street to be closed. Mr. Duke advised that the closed had been closed since February, almost four months, and has hurt his business. And if there was a flood, someone would get sued as this was the only way out for a lot of people in this area. Councilman Graham asked if signs could be posted reading "proceed at your own risk". Mr. Terwilliger advised that it would help but a child could be injured. An adult could proceed at their own risk being one thing, but a passenger or child, no sign would help. The extent of the liability is again open to question, but Mr. Terwilliger suspected there would be some now that the danger is known. The hillside has been designated as being very unstable. It is not the same situation that has existed in the past due to the recent ice storms. Mr. Terwilliger further stated that the Town had the responsibility not to expose the citizens to danger. 9441 June 7, 1994 Streets _ ~~ ~y Mr. Duke advised that Dora Highway would be the most direct route from the Interstate to the newly renovated Train Station. Mr. Combiths will set up a Public Operations Committee this week or next week so the Town can proceed with this project now that a final conclusion has been forwarded by FEMA. We can move ahead as quickly as possible and~seek assistance through the Corps of Engineers and the Federal Highway Administration. Mayor Hancock requested that discussion of Dora Highway be placed on agenda for the next Council Meeting. At 4:45 p.m., Councilman D'Ardenne arrived at meeting. Bridge Chairwoman Holston reported that staff had experienced some N°rthW°°~ifficulty obtaining a drainage easement necessary for the Northwood Pedestrian Bridge. Staff will discuss this easement with the Town Attorney and report back to the Committee. Cemet~.Y Chairwoman Holston advised that the Town had received several requests for steps to be installed at Oakwood Cemetery. A meeting is being scheduled with the Cemetery Fund trustees to discuss maintenance, and staff will discuss the possibility of funding the installation of steps at this meeting. Chairwoman Holston reported that the Pizza Hut had requested the removal of a portion of Route 99 median. The Town Engineer will send a letter to the Route 99 businesses requesting their assistance to pay a Street prorated portion of the removal costs. After receiving their response, staff will schedule a meeting of the Committee. Recreation Chairwoman Holston stated that Jefferson School is currently under consideration for a downtown basketball court. After the County's response is received regarding the basketball court, another meeting with the Public Operations Committee will be scheduled. Students The committee discussed honor roll students from Pulaski County High School. These students will be invited to the June 21 Town Council meeting. The Public Operations Committee so moved that Mr. Terwilliger prepare a resolution recognizing these students, and that Mayor Hancock be directed to sign the resolution. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye John A. Johnston - 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 (Street Chairwoman Holston advised that a request from Pulaski Village had been received to install a crosswalk at Memorial Drive. The Committee June 7, 1994 9442 concurred with Town staff's recommendation to deny the request due to the width and speed limit of Memorial Drive. ALLEY Chairwoman Holston advised that Mr. Sterling Hayter had requested that the Town remove brush and trees from the end of the alley at Prospect Avenue and 16th Street. The Committee recommended denying this request since it did not rank highly among the alley improvement criteria. The- Town recently declined a similar request from Mr. Lane on the opposite end of the alley. ATTFY It was re orted that last p year, two engineering department interns developed a list of unimproved alleys that should be considered for closing. Many of these alleys are a maintenance problem or a potential liability. If closed, the Town would retain easement rights for any present of future utility lines. Staff will present the Public Operations Committee a list of recommended alleys to be closed. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT Train Mayor Hancock reminded Council that Saturday, June 11, is Depot Day and is dedication day for the Train Station. The festivities will start at 9:15 a.m. with steam train scheduled to arrive at 10:00 a.m. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, but suggested that the Ordinance Committee meet prior to the next Council Meeting. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT y,~t~. Mr. Combiths stated tha-t-a meeting had been held with Katherine Clark regarding her water bill. It was found that she had a creeping meter which indicated a slight leak. Council will be furnished letters written to the Clarks and Keatley family and refunds are to be made. Mayor Hancock reported that a meeting of the Finance Committee needed to be scheduled on finalizing the budget. Sewer Utilities Chairman Graham answered Councilman Crispin's inquiry regarding sewer changes being made. Mr. Graham stated that in 1968 we had a secondary treatment plant on Peak Creek and as the environmental laws got more strict in up-treating the sewer to a level that was acceptable, the Town went to the expense of going to Peppers Ferry which meant the sewage would be pumped to below Fairlawn. Mr. Graham gave a brief history of the Town going with Peppers Ferry, and funding which the Town paid. The Town went on line with Peppers Ferry in 1987 and a flat rate was established to pay for this project, and that it pays its' 9443 June 7, 1994 own way. At 5:00 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. APPROVED: Mayor Attest: Gr - ~-~-~-e( C erk of Council LJ