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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-91October 15, 1991 9013 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held October 15, 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, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Mary Lou Copenhaver, Andrew L. Graham, 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 Mrs. Pauline Mitchell Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warner Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Montgomery Mr. Henderson Randolph Mr. and Mrs. Claud Alley Fong Tuyet Lui, student Matt Miller, student Cindy Martin, student Carrie Kincaid, student Shawn Smith, student Cory Bird, student Two additional students One area citizen The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilwoman Copenhaver. The Invocation was given by Mayor Hancock. After the roll call was taken, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes from the Council Meeting of October 1, 1991, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Mayor Hancock welcomed visitors and in particular, those students from the Government Class visiting the Council Meeting. Mayor Hancock advised that the first item on agenda was to hear presentation from Mr. J. B. Warner. RETREAT Mr. Warner stated that he was before Council regarding the proposed Town Council Meeting at Mountain Lake, or as Council referred to it as the Retreat. He felt that if the meeting was conducted in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act it would not be illegal. He questioned if some of the committee meetings were turning into Council meetings, and whether the public is being notified; and whether the Planning Commission meetings are being properly advertised. Mr. 9014 October 15, 1991 RETREAT, cont. Warner had taken a survey of surrounding localities and stated they did not hold retreats. He also stated the Pulaski Council was among the most well paid. Mr. Warner questioned the role of facilitator at the retreat, and to make sure we meet all the guidelines of the Freedom of Information Act if a retreat is held. He requested a report on the priorities that are established for the coming year. Mr. Warner also requested the cost of the Virginia Municipal Leagu conference in Roanoke. He reported that at the third Tuesday in November he would be back before Council reporting what the priorities are of the people as relayed to him for the Town of Pulaski for the coming year. Mayor Hancock stated that Council had been planning a retreat consisting of one and one-half days to work on long-range planning and goals as we have found it is very beneficial for the Town. Other members of Council expressed the benefits derived from the retreat held in 1988, and felt it would be very worthwhile. Councilman Crispin felt that if retreat is to be held, it should be held in Pulaski County, preferably in the Town of Pulaski. Mayor Hancock advised that a facilitator made sure a meeting ran smoothly and made sure you arrive at your set goals; that is listing your goals and objectives. COUNCIL In further comments from the public, Mrs. Pauline Mitchell questioned the salary of Council Members and if those members voting on salary increase also received salary increase; if all members of Council received the increase at one time. Councilman Schrader advised he did not vote on the increase. Mr. Terwilliger stated that increase would not go into effect until member is re-elected. With the annexation, entire Council was re-elected. Vote would have had to be taken before they were re-elected. Mr. Terwilliger advised he would check statute. Mrs. Mitchell requested th information as to how this was put into effect and when it was put into effect and if any Council member was serving at the time that it was put into effect. Mrs. Mitchell also requested that a report be brought back on the goals established at last retreat and how many have been fulfilled. Mayor Hancock advised that a copy of the goals would be provided to Mrs. Mitchell. Also, she wanted to know why the five year plan has never been fulfilled. Mrs. Mitchell wanted this information by the next Council meeting. Mr. Claud Kirkland was given permission to address Council later in the meeting. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee reports. APPTS. TO PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMMITTEES Chairwoman Copenhaver advised that the Personnel Committee had met October 15, 1991 9015 APPTS: BEAUTIFICATION & AGENCY ON AGING: ZONING APPEALS October 10, 1991, at 8:40 a.m. and discussed various appointments to committees and commissions. Chairwoman Copenhaver so moved that Inez Duncan and Nancy McDaniel be appointed to the Beautification Committee for a three year term. She further moved that Alma H. Holston be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the New River Valley Agency on Aging with Councilman W. H. (Rocky) Schrader serving as alternate. Term to run October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1992. Motion seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Chairwoman Copenhaver made a motion that Harry N. Foglesong be reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals and that the Town Attorney prepare the proper Order to be entered by the Judge of the Pulaski County Court for the appointment of Mr. Foglesong with a term of five years. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. UTILITIES COMMITTEE WATER Chairman Graham advised that the Utilities Committee met with full Council on October 10, 1991, and discussed the proposed water volume discount. It was the consensus of Council that decision on this matter be postponed until all the Council members could be present. Chairman Graham also requested a Utilities Committee meeting Thursday at 4:00 p.m. for their input for the retreat on water and sewer situation in the Town. Chairman Graham also distributed a letter he had written on discount water rate for volume users. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT ZONING Mr. Lyons reported that Mr. Jack W. Bowling, on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Ola Bowling, submitted a letter requesting rezoning of 4.9 acres at the southwest corner of Route 11 and Memorial Drive from R-0 (Residential Office) to B-2 (General Business). At the Planning Commission meeting on October 9, 1991, Mr. Bowling withdrew his rezoning request. Mr. Lyons explained that the Bowling property is adjacent to the proposed Route 11 rezoning. Mr. Lyons reported that the Planning Commission had discussed the proposed Rt. 11 rezoning on October 9th and recommended that the rezoning be limited to the Pulaski Medical Services' property to a depth of 300 feet from Rt. 11 and also the NRO Station on the north side of Rt. 11. These parcels were illustrated using overhead visuals. Mr. Lyons reported that Mr. Ray Lemon, at the last public hearing, had requested that his property be rezoned along his property line, therefore, the Planning Commission will consider his request separately and a joint public hearing will be scheduled in the future. Mrs. Mitchell asked if the Zoning Commission can meet on their own without the Council coming into their meeting and referring the zoning to the Zoning Commission. She asked if this was a legal meeting. 9016 October 15, 1991 ~ ZONING, cont. Mr. Lyons reported that the Planning Commission met October 9 and the press was notified of this meeting. It was open to the public. Mr. Holycross stated that the Rt. 11 rezoning involving the New River Oils property and the Medical Services property came to Council before it went to the Planning Commission because it was a Town initiated rezoning request. Therefore, it had to have Council's direction to send it to the Planning Commission. Other rezoning requests do not require Council action to be referred to the Planning Commission. Typically, we take them to the Planning Commission and the Planning Commission does a cursory review of the request and then schedules a joint public hearing with the Council and no action can tak place before the joint public hearing. Council learns of the request a the time the joint public hearing is scheduled. After further discussion, Councilman Glenn made a motion that the property owners be made fully aware of exactly what parcels are being considered for rezoning and decision deferred until next meeting, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and so carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader was absent. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT COUNCIL MEMBER Mayor Hancock wished a speedy recovery to Councilman Rocky Schrader, hospitalized in Charlottesville. It is hoped he will return home this weekend. VML CONF Mayor Hancock reported on the Virginia Municipal League conference held in Roanoke. On highway funding, at present the Town's share is 2% and the state funds 98°s. To be introduced in the General Assembly, the will ask for 20°s from localities. It would be difficult to come up wit matching funds. Mayor Hancock reported public hearings were being held on population growth around the state. Northern Virginia is concerned about growth, as population is expected to climb from 6-8 million over the next 10 year period. There are over 50 counties and cities in Virginia that are not growing. He further reported that a major topic of discussion was land use plan although education, crime, etc. discussions were held. Mayor Hancock then asked if there were comments from other Council Members attending the VML Conference. Councilman J. R. Schrader stated that volunteerism was a very good session. Mr. Holycross stated that enhancing revenues, delinquent tax collections, and goal setting were also interesting areas of discussion. Councilman Holston will make a report at a later date. At present, Mayor Hancock and Mr. Holycross are working on the RETREAT agenda for Retreat to be held November 2-3 at Mountain Lake. Council Members were requested to submit any topic they would like to discuss. Background informational meetings might need to be scheduled before the October 15, 1991 9017 Retreat. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT BUDGET Mr. Holycross clarified that it was his understanding at the time budget was prepared that the funding for Pulaski Main Street would be 58,000 in the first quarter, and that there would be no matching requirement for the $8,000. Over the last three quarters there would be a total Town commitment of $15,000, that would be matched dollar for dollar for each dollar raised by Pulaski Main Street. We did not understand that there were any specific requirements as to the time schedule by which they would need to raise that money other than if they did not raise the money and ran out of money, there would be no money available for their use. There was expected a good faith effort by Pulaski Main Street to reorganize. They are making a valid attempt to get this reorganization underway. They have a fund raiser scheduled for October 21 which is a golf tournament. An invitation was extended to Council Members to attend a dinner, dutch treat. Councilwoman Holston reported that they also asked that we invite the Board of Supervisors and Council Members to greet the people. Councilman Crispin understood that the Town would put up $8,000 and then within the first quarter they (Pulaski Main Street) would come up with good faith money and if they raised no money in the first quarter, then all bets were off. Since the Town elected not to record the minutes of that early morning meeting preceding the Council meeting, we have no record as to what actually transpired. He had no way of contradicting Mr. Holycross and what transpired because he did not bring a recorder. If this comes up at another Council Meeting, or another special meeting, or any meeting, that has to do with PMI, he will make it a point to bring his recorder so there won't be any misunderstanding. Councilwoman Copenhaver, absent at last Council meeting, when asked what she remembered regarding the funding, also remembered what had been expressed by Mr. Holycross. Councilwoman Holston stated that six Council Members remember it one way and one Council Member remembers it another. Mrs. Mitchell, from the public, stated she was at the early morning meeting that Mr. Glenn was asked what he thought would be the right way to go. He said that we give 58,000 seed money and good faith money, and the second quarter - as quoted in the Roanoke Times, $4,000 be raised in the second quarter. $5,000 in the third quarter and $6,000 in the 4th quarter. If they did not meet the $4,000 in the second quarter, PMI was dead. SISTER CITY Mayor Hancock reported that he and Mr. Holycross visited our Sister City, the Town of Dumfries at the time of our last Council meeting. A meeting was also held with the officials of the Town of Dumfries during the VML conference. Mr. Kirkland stated that the last Council meeting occurred on October 1 and an unusual situation existed in that our our top elected official and top appointed official were not here. The Vice Mayor had 9018 October 15, 1991 been voted upon but not confirmed. Mr. Kirkland stated that the meeting just referred to, "was it all that important, and if it was, he was disappointed at the report that had been given. What did you learn? How did it help the Town of Pulaski?" Questions from the Government students were then answered. At 8:25 p.m. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Graham and carried. APPROVED: . ~ G~!'' 1l/vG2~ ayor Hancock Attest: C erk of Council 1 ^