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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-939252 May 4, 1993 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held May 4, 1993, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. ,: _~ There were present: Mayo r; Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Roy H. D'Ardenne, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., 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 Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media John Sadler Betty S"adler Robert Henderson Tom Douthat Harry Kanode John Hawley Duane Cox Tom Compton Billy Martin Glenwood Perdue Henderson Randolph The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gary C. Hancock. Councilwoman Holston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Glenn gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, the minutes of the regular meeting of April 20, 1993, were approved as submitted on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. Mayor Hancock read Resolution No. 93-5 Honoring Harry E. Kanode who retired from the Town of Pulaski Water Treatment Plant effective May 1, 1993. RESOLUTION HONORING Councilman Crispin made a motion that Resolution No. 93-5 be HARRY adopted, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following KANODE recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye The resolution was then presented to with the appreciation of the Town Council dedication and service to the Town and the May 4, 1993 9253 Mr. Kanode by Mayor Hancock and the Town for his citizens. PULASKI John Sadler, representing the Friends of the Pulaski Theatre, THEATRE addressed Town Council regarding their efforts in the preservation, restoration, and future use of the Pulaski Theatre in downtown Pulaski. Mr. Sadler reported that the theatre was built in 1911 and is currently owned by Pulaski County. The committee, Lydia J. Hickam, Thomas A. Douthat, Robert M. Henderson, Betty N. Sadler, John E. Sadler and Roy D'Ardenne, want to see this building used as its highest and best use, and feel that it will be a tourist attraction and complement the downtown area. Mr. Sadler reported that a feasibility study will be made of the building and they have until the end of September to make their study. Mr. Sadler also stated that a new roof needed to be installed at a cost of $15,000. Demolition of the building would cost $15,000. Mr. Sadler stated they were asking Town Council to be aware that they are doing this project and to cooperate with the County any way they can. Mr. Douthat stated that the building was structurally sound but the roof needed repair. Mr. Sadler stated the County may ask the Town to cooperate with the County in seeing that the committee has the freedom to go ahead with the project. He further asked that Council look upon the County's request with favor so that some shared cost can be accomplished between the Town and the County. Mr. Sadler felt that the renovated theatre would bring revenue into the Town. Mayor Hancock stated he felt the theatre was an important part of the downtown. The committee was commended for their efforts on this project. PEAK Ck. From the public, Mr. Jake Blevins, Dora Highway, addressed Town Council regarding the recent flooding of Peak Creek. Mr. Blevins was informed that when the Public Operations Committee meets to discuss this matter, the citizens will be notified. Mr. Blevins questioned water runoff from the Renfro parking lot. Mr. Lyons stated that Renfro's downtown parking lot did not require a special plan or approval. This parking lot was gravel and then paved. The runoff from a gravel parking lot and the runoff from a paved parking lot are virtually equal. Mr. Blevins stated that every bit of asphalt that is put down accumulates more water to come down Dora Highway. Mr. Blevins questioned the building of a filling station on Rt. 99 and asked how much blacktopping would be put down. Mr. Lyons reported that if they disturb more than 10,000 sq. ft., it would require approval of a plan by the Engineering Department. The plan has to show that after development, the runoff is not quicker than runoff before the development. Mr. Blevins again requested that the creek be widened behind his property. 9254 May. 4, 1993 Mr. Lyons reported that a report from the Corps of Engineers had not been received as yet. Councilman Crispin advised that if water flowing off of a new construction is greater than it was prior to the new construction, catch basins must be built to hold the water so that it does not enter into a major waterway at a greater rate than it would have normally. The catch basin would be used to retard that flow of water under serious storm conditions. It would not affect Mr. Blevins or Peak Creek. Mr. Lyons reported that the Fire Department has several pumps, hoses and electrical cords that they lend to property owners free of charge for them to use in their basements in case of flooding. If the property owner is unable to use the equipment, the Fire Department will pump the basement out for them. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Mayor Hancock advised our new Town Manager will be here on Monday and we will try to have a little breakfast for him to introduce him to the Town employees. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader advised that the Finance Committee had met on April 27, 1993. The March Revenue and Expenditure Report was distributed. Percentage-wise, it seems we are running right on schedule. Chairman Schrader reported that Council Member D'Ardenne made the committee aware of the group interested in renovating the Pulaski Theatre. This group has requested that the Board of Supervisors delay any action on the theatre for four months to allow a feasibility study to be completed. AUDITORS Chairman Schrader stated that prior to the Council Meeting, the Finance Committee met. The Finance Committee recommended, and Chairman Schrader so moved, that the Town grant a one year extension to McLeod and Company to provide the audit for F/Y ending June 30, 1993. McLeod is the current auditor and is determined to be the sole source available at this time. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham reported that the Utilities Committee met April 27, 1993, entering executive session to discuss a legal matter regarding the water purchase agreement. Chairman Graham also advised that the May 4, 1993 9255 Utilities Committee would meet with our Town Attorney after this Council session. PUBLIC OPERATIONS STREETS Chairwoman Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee met April 29, 1993, at the request of Mr. R. L. Lottier of Washington and formerly of Pulaski. Mr. Lottier requested a meeting with the Public Operations Committee regarding Lottier Street improvements to the railroad crossing, bridges, roads and creek channel. Mr. Lyons stated that Mr. Lottier had requested improvements to the railroad signal and crossing which would cost approximately $150,000 and also some bridge and road improvements at an approximate cost of a little over $600,000. Typically projects like this are funded from the Urban Construction Eunds and those funds are allocated for the downtown bridge replacements through 1997. Chairwoman Holston stated another meeting would be scheduled to discuss Peak Creek. Mr. Lyons advised that this meeting would be set up when information is received from the Corps of Engineers. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 1 Chairman Glenn reported that the Ordinance Committee had met May 3, 1993, to consider Ordinance No. 93-12 which concerns the minimum penalty for delinquent tax payments. The Town wishes to amend its current penalty to either 10$ or $10.00, whichever is greater, on late payments for real estate and personal property taxes. Mr. Lyons stated that the penalty could not be greater than the tax. Chairman Glenn so moved that reading of Ordinance No. 93-12 Amending Section 16-19 of the Town Code to Provide a Minimum Penalty for Delinquent Tax Payments be waived, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. The Ordinance Committee recommended, and Chairman Glenn so moved, that Ordinance No. 93-12 be adopted. Vice Mayor Schrader advised these funds would offset our administrative costs of trying to collect delinquent taxes. Mr. Lyons stated that if a taxpayer cannot make their payment on time, we will be happy to work out payment arrangements if this is necessary. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 93-12 carried on the following recorded votes ORD. 93-12 ADOPTED Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent 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 Glenn advised that before Council was Resolution No. 93-6 Clarifying the Town Council Policy for Inter-fund Transfers of Monies. 9256 May 4, 1993 Councilman Crispin quoted from the Town Code "Article 6.09, amendments after adoption, paragraph D states, under transfer appropriations, at any time during the FJY the Manager may transfer part or all of any unencumbered appropriation balance among programs within the department, office or agency and upon written request by the Manager, the Council may by ordinance or resolution, transfer part or all of any unencumbered appropriation, balance from one department, office or agency to another". Councilman Crispin felt for the public and Council to be property informed as to how the unencumbered funds are being transferred, it is desirable that Council be informed by the Town Manager in a written request in accordance with Article 6 - any transfers that are anticipated, action taken by the Town Manager in this regard as a fait accompli prior to notification to Council will deprive not only the Council, but the taxpaying public with proper opportunity to provide input to the process. This, in Councilman Crispin's judgment, not only takes Council out of the loop but violates the letter if not the intent of the above article. Council or the Finance Committee will be notified when any transfer of funds takes place. Councilman Glenn so moved that reading of Resolution No. 93-6 be waived, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Councilman Crispin made a motion that Resolution No. 93-6 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Graham. Councilman J. R. Schrader arrived at meeting at 4x35 p.m. &ESOLUTION TRANSF. Mayor Hancock stated that this did not deal with interfund OF transfers, but from one fund to another fund. MONEY Mr. Terwilliger stated that the section of code that Councilman Crispin is reading, actually deals solely with appropriated items that are in the budget. Motion then 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 - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye MAYOR'S REPORT AMTRAK Mayor Hancock reported that he attended a meeting of Mayors between Roanoke and Tennessee line in Wytheville regarding a proposal that Amtrak passenger service be restored commencing in Roanoke. Town Council had endorsed this concept, however, Mayor Hancock felt this would be a very long process. It would offer a great deal of opportunity for our community. 1 Mayor Hancock reported that Main Street received some excellent publicity from Channel 7 on Sunday, and had received good publicity from the local news media. May 4, 1993 9257 TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Lyons had no report. At 4:40 p.m. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. APPROVED: ~~ Mayor Attest: Clerk of Council