Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-91,Tune 4, 1991 8945 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 4, 1991, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: Charles D. Crispin, Mary Lou Copenhaver, James R. Neighbors, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Alma Holston, Robert N. Glenn Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Lisa Carson Mathew Hull Sandra Hull Jason Corwin Dan Meadows Charles Hamilton Lewis Davidson Allen Powers Billy Smith Sybil Macgill Nellie Warner Doris Larson Burman Grantham Helen Grantham Allena Huddle Thomas McCraw Woodrow Hurst Inis Hurst J. C. & Anne Montgomery Wayne Carpenter Polly Mitchell Claud and Virginia Kirkland J. B. Warner Ralph Grubb The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman W. H. Schrader. The Invocation was given by Councilman Andrew Graham. After the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 21, 1991, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Crispin, and carried. Mayor Hancock welcomed visitors and advised that first on the agenda was a Resolution honoring Doris Larson, who is retiring from the Police Department. Mayor Hancock read and presented the Resolution, with Councilman Crispin making the motion that Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: RRSnLUTION Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye r...~~w.w,. 5946 June 4, 1991 RESOLUTION N0. 91-19 Honoring Doris Larson WHEREAS, Doris Larson, secretary to the Chief of Police, is retiring on June 1, 1991, after serving the Town for 20 years; and WHEREAS, Doris Larson was originally employed by the Town in 1966, as a crossing guard, however, she never performed that duty. Instead, Doris Larson was named as part-time secretary to the Police Chief, a position she held for three years; and WHEREAS, Doris Larson returned to the Town in 1971 as the full-tim secretary and has served five Police Chiefs; and WHEREAS, Doris Larson will be remembered for her hats, yellow ribbons, calligraphy and friendship. NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town o'f Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on June 4, 1991, that the Town Council should and hereby commends Doris Larson for her 20 years of service and wishes her the very best in her retirement. This resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted by recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, on this 4th day of June, 1991. Mayor Hancock read a Resolution honoring deceased past Council Member W. D. Macgill. Councilman Crispin so moved that Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: ~ RESOLUTION Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W.H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye RESOLUTION 91-18 HONORING W. D. MACGILL WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski expresses its deepest sympathies to the family of W. D. Macgill; and WHEREAS, W. D. Macgill was a civic leader, businessman, founder and president of New River Oils, Incorporated and a former member of Town Council, and WHEREAS, Mr. Macgill served as past president and drive chairman of the Pulaski Community Drive Fund, District Governor of Lions International, past president of the Pulaski Country Club, Vice President of the Blue Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America, and recipient of the Boy Scout Council's Silver Beaver Award and the Pulaski Jaycees "Boss of the Year" award; and WHEREAS, in addition to Mr. Macgill's civic contributions, he also served as past president of the Virginia Petroleum Jobbers Association, director of the National Oil Jobbers Council, former president of the Ju~~e 4, 19x1 8x47 Pulaski County Development Association, former member of the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce and Virginia State Chamber of Commerce. NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on June 4, 1991, that the Town Council is indebted to W. D. Macgill for his extraordinary civic and business contributions and service to the Town of Pulaski. This resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted by recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, on this 4th day of June, 1991. Mayor Hancock also advised a contribution would be made from the Council in memory of Mr. Macgill to the Boy Scouts of America. The original of the Resolution will be presented to Mrs. Macgill. ~'UBLIC Mayor HEA1tII~earing on BUDGE'I17e a r . 1 Hancock stated the next item on the agenda was a public the proposed budget for the Town of Pulaski for the 1991-92 Mr. Holycrass stated that a summary of the budget had been published. The General Fund was in a balanced situation; the Water Fund was showing approximately $25,000 deficit. This is comparing revenues and expenditures for next year. The Water Fund currently has a balance of about $130,000. The Sewer Fund was balanced and all the other funds were balanced. Mr. Claud Kirkland, 1400 English Forest Road, stated he had always had a deep respect for those serving on Council. He realized it was a thankless job, but he had been very disappointed, up until the last election, at the performance of this Council. In speaking of the budget, he stated it was a guide for spending tax money, state money and federal money. He stated the Pulaski Main Street program was supposed to be a self supporting program after three years, and felt that if it had not worked in three years, something is wrong. He also questioned why we had to extend the due date for taxes and also the ordinance whereby Town residents must use Town water. He also questioned the cost of the Twin Oaks sewer project and advised that very few people were connected to the sewer. Mr. Kirkland stated he was not representing the Concerned Citizens Group. Mr. Kirkland also brought up the subject of the Town losing money on the 400 broken water meters that had previously been repaired. Mrs. Polly Mitchell, 600 Prospect Ave., addressed Council opposing the Pulaski Main Street Program and asked if they had raised the $12,000 and why haven't they been raising it in February until now, and have the $12,000 on hand before Main Street is approved. She stated the Town had been carrying PMI for the past two years. Mrs. Mitchell was concerned about the high Recreation budget as she felt it was completely out of line and the program was not reaching the children that should be reached, and she also wanted a count of the County children using the Town's facilities. She also stated that the Literacy was just thrown in - if it isn't in there, why put it in. She would like to see cutting the budget instead of adding to it. Ms. Sandra Hull, County resident, advised Council that she came 8948 June 4, 1991 PUBLIC HEARING ENCROACH into Town and picked up Town children for recreation events, and that the County children pay $12 and the Town children $10 to participate. She objected to Mrs. Mitchell saying that the program only reached the rich children. Ms. Hull was very much in favor of the recreation programs for our children. Mr. Wayne Carpenter complimented the balanced budget and he appreciated the services provided. Mr. Carpenter is an officer in the Main Street organization and they do appreciate that there are problems but feel a lot of good things have occurred. He urged Council's favorable consideration of this program. Mr. J. B. Warner, Oakhurst Avenue, questioned Council's attendance at VML and felt a full report should be made to taxpayers who have sponsored the trip. He also questioned if Council planned to attend a retreat at Mountain Lake or to any other destination in the coming year. He felt we should look very carefully at it. Mayor Hancock stated he believed there was money that could be used in the budget for a retreat. He felt it was very important that Council have a planning session where we try to do long range planning and we have not had one yet. There was one two years ago, but he will recommend that we have some sort of a planning session during this coming budget year. He felt we desperately needed one. Mayor Hancock stated the budget would be voted on at the next regular meeting of the Town Council, June 18th at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Graham and Vice Mayor Neighbors made remarks regarding the fact that Main Street is not funded through a grant, people seemed to be happy with the Recreation budget and the Recreation budget is the same as it was in 1988. $80,000 was brought in in 1988 and this year we expect to receive $106,000 from this program. Councilman Crispin commended Mr. Holycross and his staff on holding the budget in line. Mayor Hancock announced that the second public hearing regarded an encroachment requested by Charles Hamilton, Jr. Mr. Holycross reported Mr. Hamilton wanted to install a 36 inch drain pipe that would encroach approximately 10 feet into the undeveloped right-of-way of 6th Street S.W. between Washington Avenue and Upland Drive to allow him to develop his property. If this encroachment is approved by Council, it would require that if drain pipe is installed, it must be inspected and approved by the Public Works Director and that it would not cause any difficulty for the storm drainage within that drainage way. Another issue involved that is the proposed use of the property by Mr. Hamilton. It is our understanding that he would like to build a building on the property that would house his business. That property is currently zoned as B-1. A professional office may be constructed on that property in accordance with the B-1 zoning regulations, however, if it were converted into a plumbing supply store or if it were converted to a plumbing shop, then that would, in fact, be in violation of that particular zoning regulations because plumbing shops are only permitted in a B-2 zoning district. Mr. Hamilton reported that a plumbing supply was just an option he had thought about doing later on. The primary issue was to develop the June 4, 1991 ..-.-~, 8949 property and put the drain pipe in and put a building up to house his plumbing business, to operate his business out of at a later, future time. He has already purchased the pipe and it would be of no expense to the Town. Mr. Burman Grantham did not see any use for a 20 ft. drainpipe. A five ft. section was installed at one time and that took care of the backing the water and then it will build a place in order to pool water. Mr. Hamilton reported he needed to put in the extra 10 ft. in order to slope the bank down and hold sod. Mr. Holycross stated that one of the things that is incorporated into the ordinance would require the bank to be stabilized to the approval of the Town Engineer and the Public Works Director. Councilwoman Holston stated that the Public Operations Committee had viewed the site twice and would recommend that it be approved. , Councilwoman Holston so moved that this matter be tabled until Town Engineer John Hawley can talk with Mr. Grantham, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors. Mrs. Grantham stated that a portion of 6th St. was given to her property in 1940, and it is her property and in her deed. Motion then carried. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee reports. PERSONNEL & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairwoman Copenhaver reported that the Personnel Committee had met on May 29, 1991 in executive session. The committee also discussed various general personnel issues related to the Main Street Program including staffing alternatives for the program. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors reported that Council had met May 20, May 22, May 24, May 28, May 30 and June 3 to work on the budget. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham stated that the Utilities Committee had met on June 3rd. He advised the County has received funding from the Farmers Home Administration for the construction of a water line extension to serve the Brookmont area. The County has requested that the Town provide the water for this service area. WATER Chairman Graham so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to express to Pulaski County the Town's willingness to provide water to serve the Brookmont area; and that water service for the Brookmont area be included in the master water exchange and purchase agreement between the Town and the County. Councilman W. H. Schrader seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: f 8950 June 4, 1991 Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye peppers Ferry/ N & S Mr. Holycross will come to Council later to revise and upgrade our agreement with the County and the Town on the purchase and sale of water. Chairman Graham reported that Norfolk and Southern had requested payment in the amount of $53,000 for the easement over railroad right- of-way within which the transmission line to the Peppers Ferry Wastewater Treatment Facility was constructed. He stated that according to the Collection System Agreement by the Town of Pulaski, the Town of Dublin, Pulaski County and the Pulaski County PSA, executed on June 20, 1986, the easement costs shall be shared by the respective jurisdictions on the following basis: Town of Pulaski 58.930, $31,527.55; Pulaski County/PSA 31.54%, $16,873.90; and Town of Dublin, 9.53%, $5,098.55. $75,000 has been returned from Peppers Ferry to the Town of Pulaski Sewer Fund which we have overpaid. The Town's payment will be taken from this amount. Chairman Graham so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to seek reimbursement from the Town of Dublin and Pulaski County for their share of the easement costs; and that the Town Manager be further authorized, upon receipt of payment from the Town of Dublin and Pulaski County, to forward payment in the amount of 553,500 to Norfolk and Southern. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye The Town of Dublin has already paid their portion. Chairman Graham stated it takes time to prioritize cost and studies of areas with low water pressure. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE WATER/SEWER Chairman W. H. Schrader reported that the Ordinance Committee had met on May 28, 1991, and reviewed a draft policy on water and sewer collection. We plan a form from the Town that will have to be signed by the tenant and also the consent of the landlord to turn on water. As a matter of convenience, the Finance Department will distribute copies of the application form to landlords. He reported it is proposed that the water and sewer deposit be increased from $40 to $80. The Finance Department will collect $40 at the time of application and $40 during the first month (no water bill is generated the first month). The Town will hold the deposit for 18 months of consecutive on-time payments. If the customer has a delinquent water and sewer bill, the Town will first apply any deposit Tune 4, 1991 8951 on file. Second, the Town will send a bill for the balance and/or entire bill to the last known address with "address correction requested" from the Post Office. If reasonable attempts to collect the delinquent amount have failed, the Town will utilize the Virginia Set-Off Debt Collection Program. The program allows the Town to collect the delinquent amount against any state income tax refunds. The Town will continue its policy of refusing new connections or reconnections if real estate or other delinquent taxes are owed to the Town by the property owner or occupant of the property. Chairman Schrader also requested that Council review the changes as submitted by the Town Attorney, and they will be taken up at the next meeting to be made effective July 1st. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE PEAK CREEK Chairwoman Holston advised that the committee had met on May 23rd and discussed the request of Jake Blevins to review the Peak Creek channel improvements dated July, 1987. The Public Operations Committee recommended that the entire Town Council review the reports and schedule a site visit. The Public Operations Committee made a site visit to the encroachment request on 6th Street. They also made a site visit to 2nd Street, SW, to view the request to close an undeveloped section by Mr. Joel Burchett. STREETS This section is undevelo able due to a stee p p grade and a public hearing has been scheduled for the next meeting of Council. The Director of Engineering recommended that the Town reserve the right to future easements along the new property line if decision is made to close. Chairwoman Holston stated that Copland, Inc. had requested to close 1) an undeveloped portion of Jackson Avenue, east of Pierce Avenue; and 2) an unimproved 20 foot alleyway east of Pierce and 3) an unimproved 20 foot alleyway south of First Street, SE. The Director of Public Works expressed concern regarding a box culvert that is located across the property and the Town will investigate the culvert's impact on storm drainage. No public hearing has been set at this time. MAYOR'S REPORT MAYOR Mayor Hancock reported that work is on-going in planning the Town's 4th of July celebration. The major speaker on the 4th of July celebration will be General John W. Napp who is the superintendent of Virginia Military Institute and we also hope to have General Montgomery who is the former head of the 29th Division. Mayor Hancock also commended the Beautification Committee for their work in Town. Mayor Hancock stated that a letter has been received from the New River Valley Preservation League and they have announced that the. Town of Pulaski has been awarded the New River Valley Preservation award in 8952 June 4, 1991 the craftsmanship category to the 1888 Pulaski Passenger Station to be shared between the Town of Pulaski and the ornamental metal contractors, Bowers Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors of Pulaski. This award will be presented in Blacksburg on June 12. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he requested that the Ordinance Committee meet sometime early next week. TOWN MANAGER'S MEETING Mr. Holycross stated that before Council was Resolution No. 91-20. The Town wishes to apply for $10,000 of Virginia Department of Forestry America the Beautification funds for a tree planting program. This program requires a 50 percent match so it would be $5,000 in grant funds and 55,000 in local monies although local money can be in-kind services. We are looking at areas along Rt. 99, Rt. 11, Washington Avenue Blvd., and 6th St. Blvd. at this time. Councilwoman Copenhaver so moved that reading of Resolution be waived, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried. C Councilwoman Holston so moved that Resolution No. 91-20 authorizing the Town Manager to sign and submit the appropriate documents be adopted, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLUTION GRANT Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye RESOLUTION N0. 91-20 WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski wishes to apply for $10,000 of Virginia Department of Forestry "America the Beautiful" funds for the Town of Pulaski Tree Planting Program; and WHEREAS, it is projected that approximately 60 trees will be planted along Rt. 99, Rt. 11, Washington Avenue and 6th Street. The tree planting program was developed by the Town, representatives of the Beautification Committee and a landscape architect; and WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski agrees to fund 50 percent of the total project cost as the Town's matching requirements. The Town's funding share includes general fund revenue, contributions and in-kind services, including engineering, inspection, planting, maintenance and administrative costs; and WHEREAS, the Town Council hereby agrees to comply with all necessary rules, regulations and assurances in conjunction with the grant; NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED that the Town Manager is hereby authorized to sign and submit the appropriate documents for submittal of this America The Beautiful Grant Application. June 4, 1991 8953 This Resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted by recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, on this 4th day of June, 1991. At 5:36 p.m. Council went into Executive Session on a Personnel Matter Al and a Legal Matter A7 under 2.1-344 on motion made by Councilman Crispin, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 5:55 p.m. Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Mayor Neighbors, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. Councilwoman Holston so moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye RESOLUTION CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION 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, SZ.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. Mr. Holycross advised we had one Town employee who has been serving in the Persian Gulf since this past fall and will be returning to this area very shortly. One suggestion that we present to Council is that we give consideration to paying this employee for his military reservist time that he would normally have to use during the summer months but we are anticipating that he will not have to use this time this summer and this would normally be two week's pay. As an adjustment period and to recognize him for the service that he has provided to his Country and to the Town, he requested authorization to go ahead and pay that two week military duty time that we would normally pay to him. EMPLOYEE Vice Mayor Neighbors so moved that the two week military duty time X954 June 4, 1991 EMPLOYEE, CONT. be paid to this employee, jointly seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and Councilwoman Holston, and so carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 5:59 p.m. Councilman Graham made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston, and carried. D581 APPROVED: ~~~ MAYOR ATTEST: ~~~ C erk of Council i 1