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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-90June 19, 1990 8747 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 19, 1990, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor James R. Neighbors, presiding Council Members: 3. R. Schrader, Jr., Mary Lou Copenhaver, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Madelyn Rosenberg of the news media Mr. Jim Griffith, C & P Telephone Co. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hurst Mrs. Viola Morefield Ms. Mildred Bolen Mr. Don Copenhaver Mr. Billy Long Mr. J. B. Warner Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. Allen Powers Mrs. Shirley Jessee Mr. Max Trompter Mrs. Carolyn Hager 9 area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman J. R. Schrader. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of June 5, 1990, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. FRANCHISE BIDS Vice Mayor Neighbors asked for bids for the telephone franchise as had been advertised. Mr. Jim Griffith, Manager for C & P Telephone, presented their bid for the franchise in the amount of $500.00. No other bids were presented to Council. Councilman Glenn so moved that Council close the bid process, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. BID ACCEPTED Councilman Glenn so moved that the bid from C & P Telephone be accepted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Councilwoman Copenhaver so moved that reading of the Ordinance be 8748 June 19, 1990 waived, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Ordinance be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried an the following recorded vote: ORDINANCE James M. Neblett - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye ADOPTED. J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Franchise Ordinance - Pulaski An Ordinance granting a franchise to the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia, its successors and assigns, to use the streets and other public places of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, for its poles, wires, conduits, cables and fixtures. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PULASKI, PULASKI COUNTY, VIRGINIA THAT Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co., its successors and assigns, for a period of forty (40) years be and is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, maintain and operate its posts, poles, conduits, manholes, ducts, cables, wires and all other necessary overhead and underground apparatus on, over, along, in, under and through the streets and alleys, highways and other public places within the limits of the Town of Pulaski, County of Pulaski, State of Virginia; and to use the property of other companies and permit other companies to use its property upon such arrangements as the two companies may agree; PROVIDED SECTION 1. That all poles erected by said Company shall be neat and symmetrical, and shall be so located as in no way to interfere with the safety or convenience of persons traveling on or over the said streets, alleys, highways and other public places; and in the installation and maintenance of its underground system, said Company shall not open more of any street, alley, highway or other public pl than will be necessary to enable it to perform the work with proper economy and efficiency. SECTION 2. That the erection of poles and construction of conduits, under the provision of this ordinance, shall be subject to the supervision of the Town Manager or his designee, and said Company shall replace and property relay any sidewalk or street pavement which may have been displaced or damaged by it in the construction and maintenance of its system. SECTION 3. That space on one (1) crossarm of the poles erected or in one (1) duct of the conduits constructed, under the provisions of this ordinance, shall be reserved free of charge, for the purpose of carrying wires of any fire alarm or police telegraph system owned and maintained by said Town, provided the said wires are places and maintained in such a manner as may be prescribed by the said Company, and in no case used to carry electric light or high-tension currents. SECTION 5. That nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to grant unto the said Company any exclusive right or to prevent a grant of similar privileges to other companies. SECTION 6. That the said Company, before proceeding to act under June 19, 1990 879 this ordinance, shall execute a bond, in the penalty of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) with good and sufficient security, in favor of the Town of Pulaski, conditioned upon the construction and putting into operation and maintaining in good order, the plant provided for in this franchise, and the furnishing of efficient telephone services at reasonable rates. SECTION 7. This ordinance shall be in force from its passage. Vice Mayor Neighbors advised that next on agenda was a public hearing on the proposed 1990-91 Town of Pulaski budget. PUBLIC HEAR. The budget to be approved would be General Fund, Sewer Fund and Water Fund. The Water and Sewer Funds are accounts that we have to maintain an equal distribution of assets and expenses. Mrs. Shirley Jesse, questioned the proposed water loop off Peppers Ferry Road and asked if it was necessary. She was informed this was in the bond fund and loop would go down Rt. 11 and back up Peppers Ferry Road. This installation should help with pressure problems and was included in the issuance of bonds in 1987 which was prior to any discussion concerning the specific shopping center proposal. Mr. Terwilliger advised we have an obligation to provide services to area which was annexed. Mr. Max Trompter stated he would like to see us keep services as they are and not increase taxes or fees. Mr. Billy Long stated that people had a hard time making ends meet and requested that taxes not be raised. He also stated we should not be spending money on the downtown area as it was dead. Mr. J. B. Warner stated that reassessment was scheduled next year. A gentleman from the Twin Oaks area questioned when the budget would be approved. He was informed the budget had to be approved prior to the end of the month. He also questioned what alternate routes we had studied in place of raising the taxes. Vice Mayor Neighbors stated the Council had met eight times and had gone through the budget and revenue was reviewed. Expenses for each department were also reviewed and everything was eliminated that could possibly be eliminated. It was noted that we were required by law to increase the size of our water treatment plant. Mr. Claud Kirkland stated he was not opposed to the budget as he had faith in budget and Council. He further stated that services had to be paid for. He did question that no revenue from shopping center was included in the budget. It was also noted that the amount of delinquent taxes was low - $22,000 and in 1986 taxes were reduced. Perhaps it was a mistake to reduce the taxes at that time as we could have built a surplus by this time. The new shopping center will benefit our economy, however, there was no revenue included in the 1990-91 budget as we had nothing to base our projected tax estimates on for Wal-Mart. All revenues will be including in the next year's budget. Mrs. Anderson, County resident, questioned garbage pick up. She was instructed to contact the PSA for information needed. 8750 June 19, 1990 Mr. Jim Griffith asked that Council keep the consumer utility tax as low as possible. On question on the Town expanding, it was announced that C & P Telephone would hired 100 in May, 1991, Renfro would hire 300 over a three year period and the shopping center would employ approximately 200 people. In further discussion of revenue from the shopping center, Mr. Terwilliger stated that January 1 is the usual tax assessment date. When there is construction in progress, on January 1 of next year, f instance, if the center is completed it will be based on the whole completed center. The assessment of land is based at its fair marke value. The Commissioner of Revenue makes the assessment, not the Town. Our tax rate applies to the values as they are assessed. At 7:40 p.m., Vice Mayor Neighbors adjourned the public hearing. FLOOD CLAIM In hearing from the public, Mrs. Viola Morefield, 1018 Melborn Street, addressed Council with the complaint that bridge Town built with pipes and rocks was damaged during the recent flood and she had damage to a fence, items stored in three out buildings and trash in her yard. Councilwoman Holston so moved that this complaint be placed in the Public Operations Committee, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Mr. Holycross reported that he would have crew go back and correct problems. Mrs. Morefield had been advised of this decision. Mrs. Jean Dye, Peakland Road, again addressed Council with the STREET request to pave Peakland Road. Council and Public Operations Committee had previously addressed this request and the decision made to add Peakland to the list, in order of priority, that will be made. Peakland is not highway eligible as it is not 30 ft. wide. Hopefully listing will be complete by August and Mrs. Dye will be notified when listing is available. Mrs. Hurst asked if J. R. Meredith had license to do work on Pi e Ave. Mr. Holycross reported that he was not aware of any problem wi their license. Administration will take a look into this. As there were no further comments from the public, Vice Mayor Neighbors called for Council Committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett was absent. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE CEMETERY TRUST Chairwoman Copenhaver made a motion that John Bolen be reappointed to the Cemetery Trust Fund, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE BRIDGE Chairman Neighbors advised the Finance Committee had been meeting WORK on the budget. They had also discussed the request of the Town Manager that he be authorized to enter into an agreement with Schwartz and Associates for professional engineering services related to the June 19, 1990 8751 preparation of plans and specifications for the deck replacement on the Route 99 bridge, contingent upon a resolution to the satisfaction of the Town Manager and Town Attorney of the concerns about language in the engineering proposal. It was the concensus of the Finance Committee and Chairman Neighbors so moved, that Town Manager be authorized to sign the contract with Schwartz and Associates. Motion seconded by Councilman Graham and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Andrew L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he requested an Executive Session on an existing litigation against the Town under 2.1-344 A7. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Holycross presented a Resolution honoring the Pulaski Braves. Councilman J. R. Schrader moved that reading of the resolution be waived, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Councilwoman Holston so moved that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLUTION ADOPTED James M. Neblett - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski is honored to welcome to our Town the 1990 version of the Pulaski Braves, including their coaches and staff; and, WHEREAS, the Braves offer quality professional baseball to the residents of Pulaski and the New River Valley; and, WHEREAS, we are proud to have the braves in our community and P WHEREAS, we urge all of our citizens to give their support to our baseball team, the Pulaski Braves; and, WHEREAS, we wish the Braves a most successful season in the Appalachian League. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the Town of 8752 June 19, 1990 Pulaski, Pulaski County, Virginia, that the week of June 21 to June 28, 1990 be proclaimed as "BASEBALL WEEK FOR THE PULASKI BRAVES" and that the Braves players, coaches and staff be declared as Honorary Citizens of the Town of Pulaski. THIS RESOLUTION is adopted this 19th day of June, 1990, by recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia. PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Holycross reported that we needed to schedule a public hear' SCHEDULED on the proposed tax rate increase. Councilwoman Copenhaver moved th public hearing be scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, 1990, 4:00 p.m. seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. SPECIAL MEE'T5 Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Special Council Meeting be SCHEDULED cheduled for Thursday, June 28, 1990, at 4:00 p.m. to adopt the 1990-91 budget, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. Mr. Holycross requested an Executive Session on a legal matter and a personnel matter A7 and A1. Councilman Glenn made a motion that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344 A7 and A1, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 8:10 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 8:35 p.m. Council returned to regular session on motion made by Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. Councilman W. H. Schrader made a motion that reading of the Certification Resolution be waived, seconded by Councilwoman Holston d carried. Councilman W. H. Schrader so moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: CERTIFICATION James M. Neblett - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye RESOLUTION J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye ADOPTED Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PULASKI TOWN COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Pulaski Town Council has convened an executive meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmation recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and, WHEREAS, 52.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Pulaski Town Council that such executive meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; June 19, 1990 8753 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pulaski Town Council hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Pulaski Town Council. CLAIM Councilman Glenn so moved that payment of $250 be authorized to SETTsettle the Hager vs. Town of Pulaski claim, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader, and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 8:40 p.m. Councilman W. H. Schrader c made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. APPROVED: Vice Mayor ATTEST: ~ .~~~~~ C erk of Council