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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-93232 March 16, 1993 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 16, 1993, 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, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, E. G. Black, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Robert J. Lyons, Acting Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Ann Lindsey, News Media Andrew Owens Eddie Hale The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Mayor Hancock led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, the minutes of the regular meeting of March 2, 1993, were approved as submitted on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried. Mayor Hancock advised that as published, three public hearings were scheduled far this meeting. APCo The first public hearing before Council was the request from EASEMEN'~ppalachian Power Company for an easement across a tract of land owned by the Town of Pulaski known as the Loving Field Recreational complex between Robinson Tract Road and Alum Spring Road. Mr. Lyons stated that Appalachian Power Company had requested an easement from the Town for a tie line that runs between Robinson Tract Road and Alum Spring Road. A portion of that 34.5kv would run across property owned by the Town at Loving Field. This line should not interfere with any activities at Loving Field. An ordinance that would grant APCo a forty year easement was prepared for Council's consideration. Public Operations Committee Chairwoman Holston stated that the Public Operations Committee had reviewed this request and recommended approval of Appalachian Power Company's request. There were no comments from the public for or against the granting of phis easement. March 16, 1993 9233 Councilman Glenn so moved that the reading of Ordinance No. 93-5 be waived, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Ordinance No. 93-5 Granting Easement to Appalachian Power Company, Loving Field Property, be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDINANCE 93-SCharles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye ADOPTED J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye APCO Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mayor Hancock stated the second public hearing before Town Council was to consider a proposed increase in the business license fees for several classifications. BUS. LIC. Mr. Lyons reported that before Town Council was a proposed business license schedule that breaks down all the Town businesses and puts them into one of six classifications. Several of these classifications would not have a rate change--contracting, retail sales, wholesale merchants and public service companies. There are two classifications where there would be a rate increase. Category 3 (financial-real-estate- professional service) would increase for small loan and finance companies from the present rate of .30 up to .40. The second category that would have an increase is the repair and personal business services. Currently this rate ranges .07/$100 gross receipts to .20/$100 gross receipts. This category would be made a flat .20/$100 gross receipts. From the public, Mr. Eddie Hale, Martin's Pharmacy, advised that his rate has remained the same, however, since 1985 he has had an 850 increase in business license fees. He felt that rate for pharmaceuticals should come down. Council Members Glenn, Holston, W. H. Schrader, and Crispin commented that the rate had stayed the same but the sales volume had increased. Prices have gone up with Mr. Hale's profits going down. Appreciation was expressed to Mr. Hale for contributions he has made to the growth of the downtown area and for his work with the Free Clinic. ACTION DELAYED Councilman Crispin made a motion that Town Council delay action on BUS.LIC Ordinance No. 93-6 and Ordinance No. 93-7 until further consideration can be given to the matter by the Finance Committee and their recommendation brought back to Town Council. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. Mr. Terwilliger stated that it should be added to the license tax ordinance that there would be a minimum tax rate of $30.00 regardless of sales. This language will be added to the ordinance. ENCROACHMENT Mayor Hancock advised the third public hearing before Town Council was the Pulaski Seventh-Day Adventist Church Application for an encroachment of approximately 10 feet on the Fourth Street N.W. right- of-way to construct a handicapped ramp and retaining wall. 9234 March 16, 1993 Mr. Lyons stated that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is planning to construct a handicapped ramp, west of the church building. The ramp would serve the building's west entrance, which does not have any steps (outside or inside). The front entrance steps are difficult for some church members to climb. The handicapped ramp will encroach on the Fourth Street right-of- way by approximately 10 feet, however, the ramp will be flush with the grade. As a result, the ramp will be very similar to a sidewalk. The Church also plans to construct a cinder-block retaining wall with a guardrail. The maximum height of the retaining wall is 42-inches and it tapers down to less than one foot near the street. Public Operations Committee and staff have reviewed this request and recommended approval. There were no comments from the public for or against this proposal. Certificate of liability insurance naming the Town as an additional insured, insuring against injury to personal property in the amount of $100,000 per incident/$300,000 aggregate coverage was inserted in Ordinance No. 93-8 allowing Encroachment by Pulaski Seventh Day Adventist Church onto Fourth Street, NW, near the intersection with Henry Street. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that reading of Ordinance No. 93- 8 be waived, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Councilman Crispin so moved that Ordinance No. 93-8 Allowing Encroachment by Pulaski Seventh Day Adventist Church onto Fourth Street, NW, near the Intersection with Henry Street be adopted, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDINANCE Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye 93-8 J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye 7th Day Adv. Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Church W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Encroachment As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock call ed for Council Committee Reports. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader reported that during the weeks of March 1 and March 8, the Personnel Committee met in executive session to interview candidates for the position of Town Manager. Chairman Schrader so moved to certify that the Personnel Committee meetings held were restricted to the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of Town Manager under 2.1-344 A1, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Elbert G. Black - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye March 16, 1993 9235 W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Gary C. Hancock - Aye Mayor Hancock stated that the Council will continue to have meetings to conduct follow-up interviews for the position of Town Manager. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report, however, a tentative schedule has been prepared for our budget sessions. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham attended a Peppers Ferry meeting on March 10, 1993, as representative to the Peppers Ferry Regional Waste Treatment Authority. If significant information is gained from these meetings, Chairman Graham will share this information with Mayor Hancock and Members of Town Council. PEPPERS Chairman Graham stated that the Peppers Ferry budget this year will FERRYnot increase the cost of treating our sewage; the only cost increase we would encounter would be if our volume increases. The cost of dealing with Peppers Ferry will basically be the same as this year. For the three high rain months in 1992, the Town exceeded our 850 of designated capacity going to Peppers Ferry. This indicates we still have an infiltrationJinflow problem. Chairman Graham suggested that the Utilities Committee, Town Manager and staff review this problem. Mr. Lyons will schedule a meeting of the Utilities Committee. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ELM ST. Chairwoman Holston advised the Public Operations Committee had met March 8, 1993, and considered the closing of an undeveloped section of Elm Street (Dora Highway-Jackson Ave.) The committee has asked the Town Engineer and Director of Public Works to prepare cost estimates to improve the Jackson Avenue/Stuart Avenue alley and the Holly Street/Elm Street alley. The cost estimates will include clearing and installing a gravel base. The Public Operations Committee will review the cost estimates and return a recommendation on improving the alleys and the proposal to r_lose Elm Street. CEMETERY Mayor Hancock stated that Council had talked for sometime about STUDY trying to come up with a long range plan to make certain improvements for the two Town Cemeteries, particularly plantings, etc. Requests have been made to us to try to improve the appearance of Oakwood, particularly the new section. A study was done on the cemetery by Anne Burgess. Mayor Hancock requested that the Public Operations Committee review this study and try to come up with a long range plan on what we could do. The Trustees of the Cemetery Trust will also be included in the discussions as they have maintenance responsibilities as well as funds. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE _~ 9236 March 16, 1993 Chairman Glenn had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT AMTRAK Mayor Hancock stated he had received a letter from Mayor Bower in TRAIN Roanoke requesting that the Town of Pulaski take some action by way of a resolution or ordinance to join in a proposal that they are making to extend Amtrak passenger rail service to southwestern Virginia. Mayor Hancock requested that the Town Attorney prepare a resolution endorsing this concept for Council's consideration. Mayor Hancock expressed appreciation to Mr. Rob Lyons, Acting T Manager, for his assistance to the Town and Town Council during the weeks. Mayor Hancock stated that Mr. Lyons was performing in a very able, competent, and professional manner. Councilman Crispin also stated that Mr. Lyons had done a terrific job, and always responded to problems that he had in a very expeditious manner. Mr. Lyons advised that the Town had received many calls regarding the snow removal. The Public Works Department has prioritized the streets in the snow removal and the Town's patience is appreciated. We have worked closely with the Emergency Services. CHESS Mr. Terwilliger advised students from Pulaski had attended a chess TOURNAM. tournament and first place was taken by elementary, primary, middle school and high school, and Lane Chan from Draper won the primary with six out of six games. It was a clean sweep for Pulaski County. FREE CLINIC Mayor Hancock advised that a lot of groups in Pulaski do great work for the disadvantaged in the community. He requested the Council thank the Free Clinic for their help in the community. Mrs. Ruth Crispin is the Director of the Clinic. Mayor Hancock asked that a resolution be prepared to thank the many volunteers and invite a representative from the group to come to Council and explain what they do and how many people in Town that they serve. Councilman Crispin recommended that Mrs. Mary Anne Wine, president, be invited to attend. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. ACTING TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Lyons had no report. Mayor Hancock advised a Personnel Committee meeting would be held following the Council meeting in executive session under 2.1-344 A1, personnel matter. At 7:57 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried. APPROVED: ~' ~, Mayor Attest: own past ~ ~ ~ ~~~ Cl rk of Council