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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-939270 June 15, 1993 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 15, 1993, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor W. H. Schrader, Jr., presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, Roy H. D'Ardenne, 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, Asst. Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Ann Lindsey, Southwest Times Henderson Randolph Ronald Vaughan Valencia Johnson Michael and Margaret McManus Dave Spangler The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Schrader. Councilwoman Holston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman D'Ardenne gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 1, 1993, were approved as submitted on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Vice Mayor Schrader welcomed visitors to the meeting and advised that first on the agenda was consideration of Resolution honoring Ramon D. Torres, III. Vice Mayor Schrader read Resolution No. 93-8. Mr. Torres, Gatewood Park Manager, is leaving the employment of the Town to enter Duke Divinity School. Councilman Crispin made a motion adopted, seconded by Councilman Black recorded vote: RESOLUTION R. TORRES Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye that Resolution No. 93-8 be and carried on the following Andrew L. Graham - Aye E. G. Black - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye From the public, Mr. Michael McManus, Assistant Manager at Gatewood, stated he felt fortunate to work with Ramon. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that next on agenda was a public hearing on the proposed 1993-94 Town of Pulaski Budget. June 15, 1993 PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET Mr. Lyons advised the General Fund is balanced at $4,254,103, approximately 2-1/2% increase over previous year and the Town tax rate remains at 34 cents per $100. Under the Revenue, General Fund, Town administration is reviewing implementing a delinquent tax collection program. Savings were experienced in our health insurance this year, which was offset by increased cost in worker's compensation. 9271 Mr. Lyons stated the Water Fund is still an area where Town Council and staff are working together on to finalize. Proposals are due back in the Town Manager's Office on Friday, 2:00 p.m. These proposals will be brought back to Town Council. Mr. Lyons stated that Staff had met with Farmers Home last week to discuss the financing of the capital projects which will be shared with Town Council next week. Under the Sewer Fund, there are revenues of $1.5M, with expenditures increasing by 14°s. A portion of this is due to the introduction of bioxide into the pretreatment program. Mr. Lyons stated that when Town Council considers adoption of the budget the General Fund will be balanced. From the public, Mr. Dave Spangler questioned contributions in budget being paid with tax money with Mr. Lyons breaking down the agencies under contribution category. An actual $18,827 non-profit agency contributions budgeted. $14,000 is budgeted for Town commissions/committees; and $25,000 is budgeted for Town dues and memberships. Mr. Spangler also questioned the industries receiving reduced water rates in December, 1991, as not all industries received this reduction. He did not feel that industries should be supported by taxpayers. Councilman Graham explained the 1991 rate schedule, with water customers using over five million gallons having a rate of 52 cents. This rate only affected high volume water users. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that the Health Department requires that our Water Plant be operated a certain number of hours per day. There is a minimum amount of water that we must make and a maximum amount of water that we can make. Council discussed the Water Fund at length with Councilman Graham reading the following statement into the minutes: To: Mayor, Council, and Town Manager, Town of Pulaski: As previously discussed, the Town of Pulaski Water Fund expenditures are exceeding the revenues. This is becoming an ever increasing financial problem every month, and we must not ignore this situation. We know the Water Fund revenues and we also know the operating and capital expenditures required to maintain this "enterprise system" as well as a bank balance that should be maintained. I do not believe we need a consultant to tell us what to do--it should be this 9272 June 15, 1993 PUBLIC HEARING, Contd. Council's decision. I am concerned about the Town's proposed budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, as published in the Southwest Times on June 6, 1993, concerning the Water Fund revenues. It shows the revenue to be 5972,970 and expenditures $938,970. If this was correct, this would provide a surplus of $34,220. However, the figures are inaccurate and misleading. The utility collections as published are for a ~5% increase in water rates. Council has not approved any increase, and it may be several months before rates are changed due to the time required for consultant to prepare recommendations for Council's review. Also, the published budget shows $4,000 in miscellaneous revenue (interest income). Since our Water Fund balance is so low, any money we have must be used in paying the $238,170 in bonds related to the Water Fund. On July 1, 1992 the Water Fund balance was $111,767 and interest earned through April 1993 was only $1,715. I do not believe there will be any appreciable interest earned this coming fiscal year. Until Council approves any rate changes, the published proposed budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 1994 should show revenues of $854,300 and expenditures of $938,750, giving a deficit in this fund of $84,450. The Water Fund does not include any expenditures for improving this enterprise system or a modest surplus for building up the Water Fund balance. Neither does it list the cost of hiring a consultant to make a water rate study. I want to emphasize that every month this Council postpones adjusting the Town's water rates, the more it will cost our citizens by our lack of action. Revenue should be increased about 25% to 30% in the Water Fund. I cannot vote for approval of the proposed 1993-94 budget because of incorrect and misleading information as listed above. I urge the administration to correct the Water Fund portion of the budget, showing actual revenues based on present rates. Andrew L. Graham, Jr. I hereby request that this statement be incorporated in the minutes of the June 15, 1993 meeting of the Pulaski Town Council. Mr. Lyons stated that the Water Fund is still a working document and additional budget sessions will be held next week. There being no further comments from the public, at 7:35 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader closed the public hearing. As there were no general comments from the public, Vice Mayor Schrader called for Council Committee Reports. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader was absent. June 15, 1993 9273 PLANNING COMMISSION STREET RENAMEDCouncilman D'Ardenne reported that the Planning Commission had met June 14. The Planning Commission approved a request by Magnox to rename West Main Street (Henry Avenue to Magazine Street} to Magnox Drive. The street name change involved one other property on West Main Street and the property owner did not object to the request. SUBDIVISION Councilman D'Ardenne reported that the Planning Commission approved a request by Ronald Lee Dunford, Jr., to subdivide an existing 0.39 acre parcel (Lot No. 17-3 and Lot No. 4) into a 0.1599 acre lot (Lot No. 17-B and Lot No. 4) and a 0.2297 acre lot (Lot No. 17-D}, located at 755 Dillon Street. Mr. Dunford will be placing a single-family residence on Lot No. 17-D. CONDITIONAL Councilman D'Ardenne stated that the Planning Commission USE recommended approval of a conditional use application by O.L. Gibson, on behalf of Development Management, Inc. for a multiuse facility at 1110 East Main Street in Pulaski Shopping Plaza's former Food Lion location. The proposed uses of the facility include an indoor antique and collectibles flea market, bingo, auction gallery for antiques and personal property and similar amusement and assembly activities. CONDITIONAL The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use USE application by Dr. Florence Stevenson for a bed and breakfast facility at 821 North Jefferson Avenue. SUBDIVISION Councilman D'Ardenne stated that the Planning Commission reviewed a conceptual plan of Mr. Kendall Clay and Mr. Larry Gaby subdivision at Old Newbern Road of a 73.2750 acre subdivision into 69 lots. The Planning Commission did not express any significant concerns, and granted conceptual approval for this particular application. They will be submitting first phase information that subdivides 15 acres into 21 lots. SUBDIVISIOA~ouncilman D'Ardenne advised that also before the Planning Commission was a request from the Walter M. Allison Estate. Mr. Charles M. Allison, Administrator, submitted a request to subdivide a portion of property along the northeast side of Memorial Drive. The proposed six new lots total 7.227 acres. SUBD. & REZON. The Planning Commission took a brief recess prior to the consideration of the subdivision and rezoning request. During the recess, Mr. Allison indicated that he wished to subdivide one lot only and if the subdivision was approved, then he wanted to put forth a request for a rezoning. Since the subdivision of one lot significantly deviated from the legal advertisement, the Planning Commission tabled the requests as submitted. SPECIAL MEET. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that a Special Council Meeting be held June 29, 1993, 7:00 p.m. to consider adoption of the 1993-94 budget and to hold public hearings on the Gibson Conditional Use Application for multiuse facility at 1110 East Main Street and the Stevenson Conditional Use Application for Bed and Breakfast at 821 North Jefferson Avenue. Motion seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following recorded vote: 9274 June 15, 1993 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 FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee had met June 4, June 14, and June 15. At the June 4th meeting, the April, 1993, financial report was distributed. At the June 14th meeting, the Finance Committee discussed the Main Street Program. The May, 1993, financial report was distributed at the Finance meeting prior to the Council Meeting. 9-1-1 Chairman Schrader reported that the Town Manager had received a letter from the County Administrator regarding the collection of 9-1-1 fees for the Town of Pulaski. Previously, the County had made collection of 9-1-1 fees. July 4 Chairman Schrader stated that Finance Committee had discussed the fireworks display for July 4th from Loving Field. The committee also discussed the receipt of a letter from the County Administrator requesting that the Town Council consider participating in the temporary renovations to the Pulaski Theatre. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ALLEY Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, advised that the alley work is being prioritized and this listing should be available to the Public Operations Committee before the July 6th meeting. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock absent. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Combiths reported that in the June 14 issue of the Southwest Times, there was an item submitted thanking the Town and the Council for the iob that was done by the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and Engineering during the storm on June 11. June 15, 1993 9275 COUNCIL Councilman Crispin read a statement regarding financial pressures increasing in Town governments and to help alleviate this problem, and in accordance with Article 3, Section 3.06 of the Pulaski Town Code, so moved effective July 1, 1993, that Town Council Members receive a salary of $100/month instead of the $300/month; and that the Mayor receive a salary of $150/month instead of $400/month. This would represent an annual savings of $22,200. f Councilman Crispin stated if the number of Council Members were reduced to four, as was suggested in the past, the savings would result in $14,400. Motion was seconded by Councilman Graham and defeated on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent E. G. Black, Jr. - No Roy H. D'Ardenne - No Alma H. Holston - No W. H. Schrader, Jr. - No Robert N. Glenn - No At 7:50 p.m. Councilman Glenn made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. APPROVED: Vic a or ~I', Attest: Cler-k of Council