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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-93October 5, 1993 9339 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held October 5, 1993, at 4:00 p.m, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: 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, Asst. Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Paul Dellinger, News Media Dorothy R. Davidson Pauline Tucker Lewis Davidson Valencia Johnson Ronald Vaughan Jennifer Britt Mary Lee Duncan The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Vice Mayor W. H. Schrader led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman D'Ardenne gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the September 21, 1993, meeting be approved as submitted, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. From the public, Mrs. Dorothy Davidson, 414 Draper Avenue, expressed appreciation to the Assistant Town Manager for resolving a problem that she had and asked for more cooperation when citizens call for help. Mr. Lyons reported that one concern of Mrs. Davidson would be taken to the Public Operations Committee and the other concern will be handled administratively. TRAIN Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan asked for an explanation as to why the train WHISTLEwhistles are still blowing. Mr. Lyons reported that under the current ordinance the train engineer is allowed to blow his whistle when he sees something on the tracks or sees a vehicle. Mrs. Duncan's concerns will be documented. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that correspondence had been received from N & S stating that the blowing of the whistle was at the discretion of the engineer. He felt that there was not a lot more that we could do. Our liability position on this is not good. 9340 October 5, 1993 TRAIN WHISTLES, CONT. Mr. Terwilliger stated our present ordinance does allow the engineer to blow the whistle as reasonably necessary for public safety purposes. Basically, the only alternative would be a complete ban, and he would not recommend that Council do this for liability reasons. With a complete ban, the engineer would be in the position of seeing someone on the track and forbidden by our ordinance to blow the whistle. Right now, the railroad has written a letter to the Town recently stating they are not going to second guess their engineers. We may be able to list all the times that these folks blow the whistles but if they say there is someone on or near the track, we have no way to dispute that. It is almost impossible for us to prove a negative. We would have to prove that there wasn't someone there. Mayor Hancock felt we could keep a record as to when the soundings were. Mrs. Duncan advised Council that the condition of the sidewalk in front of the gates at Pulaski Furniture, is down to the ground and makes mud holes when it rains. She would like the sidewalk fixed. The Assistant Manager will have someone check into this matter. As there were no other comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee had met September 28 and reviewed the proposed Water Fund budget amendment. Chairman Schrader stated the Finance Committee had met earlier this date and entered executive session to discuss a legal matter regarding a potential contract for financial advisor services. Mr. Lyons stated that the hiring of a financial advisor had been discussed to assist us in refinancing the 1987 obligation bond issue. Three firms were interviewed and staff recommends Municipal Advisors from Virginia Beach. References were checked and rated as excellent. BOND ISSUE The Finance Committee moved that th FINANCIALbe authorized to execute a contract with ADVISOR not to exceed $7,000, which will include documented travel expense. Mayor Hancock stated that under the they feel they can represent the Town in and save us a net total of $185,000. e Town Manager and Town Attorney Municipal Advisors, for a fee their fee and any out of pocket Municipal Advisors' proposal, refinancing our current bonds Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye October 5, 1993 Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye UDAG Chairman Schrader made a motion that the Town of Pulaski UDAG GUIDEevolving Loan Fund Guidelin es be adopted, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and 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 9341 Chairman Schrader stated that staff and council deserve a pat on the back for all the work they have done on this document and the UDAG monies. UTILITIES COMMITTEE SEWER Chairman Graham reported that the Utilities Committee met September CRED28. The Town Manager informed the committee that Magnox applied for a sanitary sewer credit for its new 8-inch water line that was recently installed at the plant. Magnox has provided the Town an affidavit Water stating that the new 8 inch water line does not discharge into the sewer Line system. The Assistant Town Engineer has inspected the water lines and Only found that the water line has three connections. It is separately metered. The first connection is solely dedicated to fire fighting equipment. The second connection serves the new process building and the process equipment empties into a central trough that discharges into Magnox's own treatment facility. One drinking fountain and a small laboratory from this line also discharge into the trough. The third connection will serve a building currently under construction. The Assistant Town Engineer stated that no water will be discharged into the Town's sanitary sewer system. Chairman Graham stated the application was dated September 22. If we go by ordinance, the application should be dated on or before the meter was installed. Chairman Graham made a motion that the credit be approved subject to the Town's securing proper documents dated on or before the meter was installed. The meter was installed July 18. Motion seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne. Mr. Terwilliger stated that under the language of the ordinance, credit would be given starting within the month of water furnished after the application is approved. The intent of the ordinance is to give it as soon as possible. The formal application was put in in September, but he understood the Town was kept advised of the project all along. Mr. Terwilliger urged that approvals be obtained before construction is begun. 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 9342 October 5, 1993 WATER Mayor Hancock stated a petition had been received signed by the residents of Draper Mountain Estates with regard to water pressure. This petition was referred to the Utilities Committee for their review. Chairman Graham stated there were several matters to be taken up in the Utilities Committee and asked that a meeting be scheduled. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, but asked that a meeting be scheduled to review the request of Mrs. Davidson, the sidewalk at Pulaski Furniture, and the request of Mr. Lane regarding alley behind his property. Mr. Lyons reported that the alley priority list should b completed shortly. Mayor Hancock advised he had visited Oakwood Cemetery. There Director of Public Works will be a follow up visit to the Cemetery maintenance. met with Mrs. Polly Mitchell and are areas that need maintenance. The requested to contact Mayor Hancock for to show him areas that needed ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FIRE Chairman Glenn reported September 28 and met with the burning ordinance. No action meeting will be scheduled to that the Ordinance Committee met on Fire Chief regarding the ban on open was taken at this meeting. Another continue discussion. MAYOR'S REPORT Councilman Glenn made a motion that the official celebration of Halloween be on Saturday, October 30 rather than Sunday, October 31, seconded by Councilman Black and so carried. Mayor Hancock reported that he had signed a Proclamation proclaiming October 3-9 as Fire Prevention Week. The Fire Parade will Mayor Hancock stated he had received a letter from Joseph S. Paxton, Virginia State Representative to the Virginia Government Finance Officers' Association commending the Town on the financial reporting which just won the award from the national organization. Mayor Hancock reported that last week he was in Richmond for several meetings, in particular a meeting of the Commission on Population, Growth and Development. This was their last meeting to hopefully come up with draft legislation which will be submitted to the General Assembly in January. The name of the Act that is going to be proposed is the Virginia Growth Strategies Act and one of the primary recommendations to be made is in regard to the creation of a strategic plan for the Commonwealth and a process to implement this. Mayor Hancock had made a recommendation to the Commission that we add language to the plan that would set as one of the State's goals to promote and provide incentives for economic development in rural areas of Virginia and the Commission agreed to include this in the draft legislation and to also October 5, 1993 9343 expand the planning elements of the Act to include that as a goal as well. Economic development is very important for all of Virginia, but it certainly has been important for rural areas of Virginia. He felt that we had received tremendous assistance from the State. TOWN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he requested an executive session to discuss two specific individuals as personnel matters. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT In the absence of Mr. Combiths, Mr. Lyons reported that Monday is Columbus Day and the Town Offices will be closed. MEETING DATE~Ir. Lyons stated that some Council Members would be attending VML CHANGFan October 19, the regular meeting date of Council, and the first meeting in November is scheduled for November 2, Election Day. In the past, Council has combined those two meetings. Councilman Glenn so moved that the two meetings be combined and held October 26, 1993, at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. At 4:30 p.m., on motion made by Councilman D'Ardenne, seconded by Councilman Glenn, and carried on the following recorded vote, Council went into executive session on personnel matters under 2.1-344 A1. 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 At 5:05 p.m. Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Black, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Councilman D'Ardenne made a motion that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and 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 At 5:07 p.m. Councilman Graham made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. APPROVED: ~ ' ~~~ Mayor Attest: