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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17-919004 September 17, 1991 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held September 17, 1991, at 7:00 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, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Robert N. Glenn J. R. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Alma H. Holston, Planning Commission Members: Dr. A. W. Anneski, William T. Smith, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Jr., Roy D'Ardenne, Roy David Warburton, Joe Weddle, Andy McCready Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Asst. to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Rebekah Corso, Secretary Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. W. H. Elmore Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warner Ms. Betty Sanders Mrs. Lydia Hickam Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Mitchell Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Crumbley Mr. William F. Gray Miss Rebecca English Mrs. Evelyn H. English Mr. Henderson Randolph The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Crispin. The invocation was given by Councilwoman Holston. ~r II '~J After the roll call was taken, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 3, 1991, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. VACANCY ON Mayor Hancock welcomed citizens to the meeting and stated that COUNCIL Council would first consider the vacancy on Council, and hear comments from the public before making the appointment. Mr. Bill Elmore and Mrs. Lydia Hickam spoke in support of appointing Mr. James Neblett to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. James Neighbors. They stated he was intelligent, capable, dedicated, concerned and would listen to the public. They also ^ September 17, 1991 9005 stated he tried to cooperate with those he worked with and would analyze all information before making a decision. Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan spoke in support of appointing Mrs. Pauline Mitchell to this vacancy, stating she would do anything anyone asked her to do. Mr. Claud Kirkland asked that Council not let personal feelings enter into their selection of a new Council Member and the people had spoken in the election as to who they preferred. Personnel Committee Chairwoman Copenhaver advised that the Personnel Committee had met on September 16 and 17th, with full .Council in attendance. The committee recommended filling the vacancy from former Council Members. The Committee contacted the former Council Members to see if they were interested in serving on Council. NEBLETT APPTThe Personnel Committee recommended, and Chairwoman Copenhaver so moved, that Mr. James Neblett be appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Jim Neighbors, with term to expire on June 30, 1992. Motion seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader. Councilman Crispin advised he had received several telephone calls regarding this subject and some of the calls asked him to take position that he felt was not proper based on his belief of fairness. He stated he would have to cast his vote based on principles. Councilman Glenn stated he agreed with Mr. Kirkland's thoughts and he would not make a decision on personality. The majority must rule and the government must present a unified position. Council must move forward in a positive direction. Councilwoman Holston stated that Mr. Neblett was the most recent Council Member to go off Council, and a lot of things change in a short period of time. She read the following letter from John Johnston, past Council Member, and asked that it be made a part of the minutes. Dear Alma: I very much appreciate the Council considering me as a possible replacement appointment for the Council seat recently vacated by Mr. James Neighbors. It is with regret that my teaching schedule at VPI conflicts with Council's meeting time, therefore, preventing me from serving as a full-time Council Member at this time. For the brief time to be served by this appointment I fully agree with Council's decision to use someone recently familiar with Council's procedures and policies. In this regard, I would recommend Mr. James Neblett to fill this vacancy on the Council. He has enjoyed a distinguished career on Council and does not seem to have a great many personal "axes to grind". I believe he would make a real contribution. In any event, I will continue to support the Council and I do appreciate your allowing me to serve your needs. Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: 9006 September 17, 1991 JIM NEBLETT APPOINTED TO COUNCIL Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mayor Hancock stated we would all look forward to working with Mr. Neblett. He also thanked the Personnel Committee for their work. A Vice Mayor will be appointed upon Mr. Neblett taking his seat on Council. At this time, Mayor Hancock advised a public hearing would be held jointly with the Planning Commission on a proposed rezoning of property PUBLIC along Route 11 (Alum Spring Road to a point 650 ft. east of Oakhurst HEARING Avenue and the Farmer Estate North of Rt. 11 from R-2 (Residential) to RE- B-2 (General Business). ZONING RT. 11 A roll call of the Planning Commission was then taken. Mayor Hancock stated this hearing was a continuation of an earlier hearing and asked Mr. Lyons to summarize the proposal. Using overhead visuals, Mr. Lyons illustrated where the proposal had been amended in three instances. At the July Planning Commission meeting, seven residences on the north side of Rt. 11 were included in the request. At the August joint public hearing of Council and the Planning Commission, several other additional properties were added, including Pulaski Medical Services, Mr. Lemon's property, the English property and also the Farmer estate. The Planning Commission met on this request last week. One concern was the inclusion of the residences along the north side of Rt. 11. Presently those are developed residential with the property across the street as undeveloped. The Town Manager expressed concern in that a business could legally locate among those seven residences which could create a conflict between a residential use and a business use. Mr. Lyons reported that if the seven houses were rezoned B-2, a business could locate among those seven houses and operate legally whic could possibly conflict with the neighboring residential use. From the public, Mr. Ray Lemon stated he was not here to oppose the zoning, however, under present proposal, one-half of his home would be residential and one-half business. He would like to see it zoned all business. He did not feel the property owners had been asked how they would like their property zoned. Mr. McCready stated that they could not consider all the Lemon property tonight as they could only consider the 300 ft. back as advertised. At the time Mr. Lemon's built his house, one-half of his house was in business and one-half in residential. Mayor Hancock stated that if all the Lemon property was to be considered for rezoning, (all zoned B-2) it would have to be readvertised. Mr. Terwilliger pointed out that in the discussion of R-2 versus B- 2, we also have an option of R-0 between this, with the advertisement for B-2 we are also permitted to rezone to less intensive use which would be R-0. This alternative falls under the existing advertisement. September 17, 1991 9007 Mr. Lyons reported that a B-2 zone is normally located along a major tharoughfare. The Farmer residence has Route 11 frontage, but the two parcels to the rear of the house are not fronted by Route 11. The two rear parcels do not meet the major thoroughfare requirement in the B-2 zone. At 7:42 p.m. the public hearing was adjourned. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver stated that the Personnel Committee had been working on the Town's Grievance Procedure. Mr. Holycross advised that earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Senate Bill 777 and it was signed into law by the Governor. This new law establishes certain minimum requirements for local employee grievance procedures and authorizes local government to write their own procedures consistent with those minimum requirements. The new law eliminates the previous requirement that the State department of Employee Relations Counselors review and approve local grievance procedures. Now the Town Attorney and Town Manager must certify that the local grievance procedure is consistent with the new state law provisions and must file the certification with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Before Council was Ordinance 91-26 Amending the Town Grievance Procedure. Chairperson Copenhaver made a motion that reading of the ordinance be waived, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Councilwoman Copenhaver so moved that Ordinance No. 91-26 be adopted Amending the Tawn Grievance Procedure, Chapter nine, effective September 17, 1991, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: GRIEVANCE Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye PROC. J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye ADOPTED Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye (ORDINANCE Robert N. Glenn - Aye NO. 91-26) UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock reminded Council Members that Virginia Municipal 9008 September 17, 1991 League would be meeting in Roanoke on October 6-8. Members were requested to notify Clerk if they could attend. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT GRANT RECEIPT Mr. Holycross reported that the Town had been notified that we would receive a $5,000 "America the Beautiful" grant through the Virginia Department of Forestry and the United States Department of Agriculture to plant approximately 30 trees along Rt. 99 west of Bob White Blvd., on Washington Avenue between 7th Street and 8th Street NW and the 6th Street NE Blvd. The Town's $5,000 match for this grant will be in-kind services such as site preparation and also the actual planting of the trees. The Chairman of the Beautification Committee helped select the trees to be planted. Mr. Lyons was commended for successfully applying on all three grants that he has submitted for the Town. Councilwoman Copenhaver also commended Beautification Committee Chairman Frank Gilbert on the work that his committee has accomplished. COURTHOUSE Mayor Hancock commended the Pulaski Board of Supervisors for their action as evidenced by today's Reconstruction Cememony of the courthouse. He felt the restoration would make a tremendous asset to our Town. Councilman Graham recommended that Mayor Hancock write a letter to the Board of Supervisors with the Council's appreciation. At 7:53 p.m., Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. APPROVED: ~~ ayor Attest: ~~ ~. ~1~ Clerk of Council ^