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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-90December 4, 1990 8855 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held December 4, 1990, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor James R. Neighbors, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Mary Lou Copenhaver, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Asst. to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger - News Media Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warner Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. Verlin Chrisley Mr. James E. Aust Mr. Bill Martin Mrs. Polly Mitchell 2 area citizens The Invocation was given by Councilman Crispin. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that minutes of the regular meeting of November 20, 1990, be approved as recorded, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. The first item on the agenda was the annual taxi cab public hearing as required under Chapter 8, Article VII, Section 8-208 of the Taxicabs ANNUAL- and Other Vehicles for Hire Ordinance. No one from the public spoke, TAXI however, taxi cab owners, Mr. Aust and Mr. Chrisley were in attendance PUBLIC and gave number of certificates they were requesting for 1991. HEARING During calendar year 1990, the Town approved 22 certificates as follows: Blue &-White Cabs - 13 Deluxe Cabs 4 Jim Dandy Cabs 5 The applications for certificates for 1991 remain the same as 1990. Councilman Crispin so moved that in accordance with Section 8-208 of the Town Code, the Town of Pulaski issue 22 certificates of operation of taxicabs for calendar year 1991. And, in accordance with Section 8- 208 of the Town Code, the Town of Pulaski issue certificates for operation of taxicabs to the following applicants: 8856 December 4, 1990 CERTIFICATES FOR 1991 TO BE Blue & White Cabs - 13 ISSUED Deluxe Cabs - 4 Jim Dandy Cabs - 5 Motion included that certificates not be issued until taxi cab is inspected by the Police Department. Motion seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent 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 Mr. Chrisley, owner of Blue and White Cabs and Deluxe Cabs preferred to keep the two cab companies separate. COUNCIL Registered speaker, Mr. J. B. Warner, came before Council to RETREAT discuss Council's planned Town Council meeting at Mountain Lake. He had researched the Freedom of Information Act, paragraph 2.1-343, and had also reviewed the Town Charter. And, it was determined that it was Council's decision where meetings would be held. Mr. Warner stated most tax payers were of the opinion that this meeting at Mountain Lake was unneeded, would be unproductive and is actually unethical. Mr. Warner had three questions he asked Council to answer: 1) Do you as a member of Council consider the convening of a meeting at Mountain Lake necessary? 2) As a member of Council, if a meeting is convened at Mountain Lake, would you attend? 3) As a member of Council, if a meeting is convened at Mountain Lake, would you attend if you had to pay your own expenses? He further requested that Council be prepared to make the taxpayers welcome at Mountain Lake and to make a full report. In answering, Councilman Crispin stated he felt it was not necessary to leave Town to hold meeting; felt it would be beneficial t have citizens involved in long range planning and he had no intention of going to Mountain Lake. Councilman Glenn answered in the affirmative to all three questions and felt retreat would be beneficial. He also felt that administrative staff's expenses should be paid by the Town. Councilwoman Holston spent two weeks conducting a citizen survey regarding the retreat. 206 calls were made. Of these calls, 4 people did not know or did not care about the retreat; 202 people knew about the retreat; 188 felt that Council should go to retreat and plan well with expenses paid by Town and 14 people felt Council should not attend. She did state that survey showed a lack of trust between some Council Members and the lack of trust of Council Members of the Town Manager and Town Attorney. The Town Attorney and Town Manager were rated as excellent. Comments were that the majority of Council Members were dedicated and need to stand together and not let anyone tear down what they had built up over the past years. In answering Mr. Warner's questions, Councilwoman Holston felt a retreat is very needed; yes, she would go if they had one; and no, she would not pay her way as using survey as guide, she would expect the Town to pay her way if she was going to Mountain Lake for retreat. December 4, 1990 8857 Councilman W. H. Schrader, in responding to Mr. Warner's questions, felt retreat would be very constructive, very helpful and imperative that staff attend. He would attend and pay his own way if necessary. Councilman J. R. Schrader felt meeting was necessary, but not necessarily at Mountain Lake. He would plan on attending at Mountain Lake, and he could take the money from the "very handsome salary" that Mr. Warner stated they received. This salary not only comes from attending Council meetings but from the many committee meetings attended. Councilwoman Copenhaver stated she would attend retreat if held at Mountain Lake, and from talking to citizens, they do not see a problem with paying for the retreat as they felt it would be beneficial, and no, she would prefer not to pay her own way. She felt it would be money well spent. Vice Mayor Neighbors stated it was not necessary to go to Mountain Lake for retreat, as we could go back to Doe Run. But he did feel it was necessary to get out of Town. He would attend retreat if scheduled and would also pay his own way if he had to. Vice Mayor Neighbors felt that no member of Council was serving Pulaski for the money. Mr. Warner requested a report if Council did attend a retreat. He also had requested a report of the cost of Council attending the Virginia Municipal League Conference. A memorandum was distributed giving breakdown of charges for the conference for a total cost of $4,406. It was also stated that Town did not pay for expenses incurred by those spouses attending the conference. In hearing further from the public, Mr. Bill Martin, Hickory Ave., addressed Council with the complaint that Town would not pick up brush and wanted to know why we purchased the chipper. He was informed that the PSA was responsible for pick up as the Town did not have a landfill. Mr. Martin stated he was not going to pay to have his brush removed. He also complained of condition of 5th street where pipe was placed. Mr. Holycross stated that the Town did not pick up brush on a regular basis, however, we have made pick ups when we experienced storms. The Town will mulch what we trim and what we have to remove as part of the Town's responsibilities to maintain right of ways and public ways. The PSA has taken over the refuse responsibilities. The PSA currently changes a $15.00 fee if they come out and pick up brush. The PSA will has scheduled a public hearing on December 10. MAIN STREET Mrs. Polly Mitchell, Prospect Avenue, asked when Mr. Doug Phelps was placed on the Town's payroll. She understood that his grant ran out in November. She asked if we were keeping him on the payroll at the Town's expense. Or, is he leaving here. Vice Mayor Neighbors advised that this was discussed when they discussed the budget this year. When we joined Main Street, we had to maintain the program for a three year period. The decision was made to go ahead with the program on through this calendar year. Then it would come up again to be discussed. Mr. Holycross reported this had been funded through UDAG monies. Mrs. Mitchell asked that the people be advised of what the Council is doing. Councilman Glenn requested the Town Manager to find out the actual date that Main Street contract expired for next meeting. 8858 December 4, 1990 Vice Mayor Neighbors called for Council Committee reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairwoman Copenhaver reported the committee had met in Executive Session as allowed, but she had no report for this meeting. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors advised that the Finance Committee met jointly with the Utilities Committee on November 30. At this time, they are working on several issues but have nothing to report for this meeting. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham was absent, but as reported by Vice Mayor Neighbors, the Utilities Committee and Finance Committee met jointly on November 30. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Co-Chairwoman Holston and Co-Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. MAYOR's REPORT Mayor Hancock was absent. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Holycross reported that on December 11, the annual Town FIRE DEPT. Christmas Dinner will be held at the Fire Station from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. In conjunction with this, we will also be making a presentation to Bill Hall in honor of his retirement which will be at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Holycross also reported that bids were opened for the heating and air conditioning system at the train station. Only one bid was TRAIN received from Bowers Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $19,400. STATION $7,500 of this will be paid through an appropriation from the General Assembly. The remaining amount will be funded through contributions that we have received to date. Councilwoman Holston made a motion authorizing staff to go ahead and award the contract, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew W. Graham - Absent 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 December 4, 1990 8859 Mr. Holycross requested an Executive Session on a legal matter and a personnel matter under 2.1-344 A7 and A1. Councilman Glenn stated Council had before them a Resolution supporting New River Valley Airport Fuel Tank Replacement Program. This was the Resolution requested by the Airport Commission due to matching funds of 5106,000 from the Commonwealth of Virginia to be matched by the seven jurisdiction members of the Airport Commission and at the time Council is looking to try to find the funds that we can appropriate to this. Councilman Glenn so moved that reading of the Resolution be waived, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Councilman Glenn so moved that Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent 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 R e s o l u t i o n NRV AIRPORT Supporting New River Valley Airport Fuel Tank Replacement Program WHEREAS, the New River Valley Airport is a vital resource for the Town of Pulaski and other member jurisdictions; and, WHEREAS, the New River Valley Airport Commission has received a grant to assist in the removal and replacement of fuel tanks, conditioned on the receipt of partially matching local funds; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, that the Town goes on record as supporting the fuel tank replacement project in concept; and, while the Town does not have funds available in its current budget to appropriate funds at this time or to commit itself to appropriate funds in the future, the Town Council will make the funding of a share of this project a goal of its ongoing budgetary considerations. This Resolution is adopted this 4th day of December, 1990. Mr. Claud Kirkland reported that this Council meeting was the most informative, best conducted, most enjoyable meeting of Council that he had ever attended. At 5:30 p.m. Councilman Glenn made a motion that Council go into Executive Session on a legal matter A7 and a personnel matter Al under 2.1-344, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent 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 - Rye At 6:20 p.m. Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Crispin, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. 8860 December 4, 1990 Councilwoman Holston moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent 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 CERTIFICATION CER TIFICATION RESOLUTION RESOLUTION PULASKI TOWN COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Pulaski Town Council has convened an exe cutive meeting on this date pursuant to a n 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; 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. Councilman J. R. Schrader Council meeting be changed to seconded by Councilman Crispin At 6:29 p.m. Councilwoman seconded by Councilman Crispin made a motion that the January 1, 1991, Wednesday, January 2, 1991, at 4:00 p.m., and carried. Holston moved that Council adjourn, and carried. APPROVED: VICE MAYOR ATTEST: Clerk of Council