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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-919064 March ~ 1992 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 3, 1992, 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, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Mary Lou Copenhaver, James M. Neblett, Andrew L. Graham, 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 Roy D'Ardenne Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Georgianna Aust Jim Aust Ed Aust J. B. Warner Henderson Randolph The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. (WRECKER SERVICE Councilman W. H. Schrader led the Pledge of Allegiance with the Invocation being given by Councilman Glenn. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 18, 1992, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried. From the public, Mr. Jim Aust asked Council's support in denying the request of a County wrecker service to be on the Town of Pulaski wrecker call listing. He stated that businesses outside the Town do not have to buy a business license, pay Town taxes, etc. As this matter was discussed in the Ordinance Committee meeting, Mayor Hancock called for the Ordinance Committee report. Chairwoman Holston advised that the Ordinance Committee met March 2, 1992 and considered a request from Mr. Richard Stuart to be placed on the Town's wrecker list. Mr. Stuart's business is located on Robinson Tract Road in Pulaski County. The Town's current rotating wrecker list includes Pulaski Motors, Coltrane's and Jim Dandy. The Ordinance Committee recommended, and Chairwoman Holston so moved, that the Town's wrecker policy continue to include only in-Town wrecker companies, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: March 3, 1992 9065 WRECKER SERV., CONT. Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mr. Holycross stated that th'e Town's wrecker list is used on a rotating basis and is used unless another tow truck operator is requested. The wrecker service is also responsible for removing the debris on roads. For major spills, when the Fire Department is called in, this service is charged back to the insurance company. TAXI Chairwoman Holston reported that the Ordinance Committee had discussed the certificates for the taxicabs. Mr. James E. Aust, Jim CABS Dandy Cab Company, has requested an additional five (5) certificates to increase their number of cabs from five to ten taxicabs. Mr. Terwilliger stated the status right now, is that the number of certificates was set after December's public hearing. Some were awarded unconditionally to Jim Dandy Cabs and the balance were awarded conditionally to Blue and White Cabs and Deluxe Cabs (both cab companies under the ownership of Verlin Chrisley). The certificates were awarded conditionally pending the outcome of felony charges against Mr. Chrisley. At the last Council meeting, Blue and White and Deluxe Cabs were given until April 21 to furnish additional financial information and an audit to the Town Council. To award additional certificates to Jim Dandy would require a public hearing. P.H.SCH. The Ordinance Committee recommended, and Chairwoman Holston so moved, that a public hearing be held at the April 21, 1992, Council meeting to determine the number of taxicab certificates to be awarded to qualified taxicab companies. Further, the Ordinance Committee recommended that the Town Manager prepare the appropriate advertisement announcing the availability of the certificates and the date and time of the public hearing. Motion seconded by Councilman Crispin. Mr. Terwilliger stated that is was determined in December the total number of certificates to be awarded, and to whom they would be awarded. He felt at this time, Council would be limited to the number of certificates that were decided on in December. Anyone who was applying for certificates for the upcoming year, should apply at that time for the total number that they anticipate. Councilman Crispin questioned if one of the cab companies had certificates that were not being utilized. Mr. Terwilliger felt they could be revoked on any reasonable ground and if they are not being utilized and it has been determined that there would be a certain number of certificates. But he felt that some sort of notice and opportunity should be given so party could be heard. Blue and White Cab Co. could be asked to surrender those certificates that are not being used. Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: 9066 March 3, 1992 Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader advised that the Public Operations Committee had met March 2, 1992 and considered a request from the First Methodist Church regarding a recent repaving of the north/south alley, ALLEY/ (between 3rd and 4th Street) and the east/west alley and upgrade to an CHURCH insufficient storm sewer. The alley improvements were located on Town right-of-way. The Town could not guarantee that funds would be available but had previously agreed to share the cost of the alley improvements. Since the Church was constructing its Family Life Center, it had an interest in completing the improvements immediately. When the Town reviewed the storm sewer capacity for the church property, the calculations revealed that the storm sewer was inadequate for the pre-development storm flows within the area. Under these circumstances, the Town would normally replace and upgrade the storm sewer. However, we informed the Church that money for the replacement would most likely not be available in 1991. The total cost of the improvements was $7,159. The Public Operations Committee recommended, and Chairman J. R. Schrader so moved, that the Town fund $2,349 of the cost of the improvements, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Abstain Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Councilwoman Copenhaver and Mayor Hancock did not participate in the above discussion, nor did Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger give legal advice in this matter, as they are members of First Methodist Church. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE CEMETERY Chairwoman Copenhaver so moved that H. W. Huff, Jr. be reappointed TRUST as Trustee to the Cemetery Trust Fund for another three year term, FUND seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried. APPT. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston, the Town's representative on the New River Valley Agency on Aging, will distribute a Program Report for Quarter ending December 31, 1991, for participants in the area. March 3, 1992 9067 MAYOR'S REPORT NEWS MEDIA Mayor Hancock, in answer to inquiry made in the "opinion call-in" at the local newspaper, as to why the Town had spent a goodly amount of money on the train station when we still had the cab stand in the area. The money was spent on the train station due to its condition. There were some very serious problems with the roof and the building had to be maintained so it could be preserved. The Town does own the cab stand and we do receive rent from it. This money has been used to help fund the restoration of the station. Sometime in the future, we will be seeking to terminate the lease and make a firm decision as to what we will do with the building. TRAIN Sta. Mayor Hancock further reported that he had visited the train station and it is looking excellent. He commended Tom Compton and the other volunteers that have worked on the station. The citizens will be impressed with the accomplishments that have been made. CEMETERY Mayor Hancock also commented that Oakwood Cemetery looks very nice, but in the older portion of cemetery, the sidewalks are covered with grass and asked that the Public Works Department look into this matter. Mayor Hancock suggested a volunteer day to clean Oakwood and Pinehurst Cemeteries. Mr. Holycross stated that the boy scouts want to do an explorer project at the cemeteries. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT PROCUREMENT Mr. Holycross advised that recently, he and representatives from Pulaski County, the Town of Dublin, Pulaski County Schools and the Radford Army Annunition Plant, had spoken at a Chamber of Commerce small business seminar on "How To Do Business With Local Government". In summary, Mr. Holycross reported that during budget year 1990-91, the Town did business in the amount of $988,000 with local vendors and contractors located in the Town of Pulaski or Pulaski County; the Town spent $421,000 for utility services; the Town loaned over $380,000 through the Urban Development Action Grant program to local firms for job retention and creation; the Town had a local payroll (employees and contract employees who reside in the Town of Pulaski or Pulaski County) of $1,893,000; for a total direct contribution to the local economy of at least $3,682,000. Mr. Holycross reported that the water level at both reservoirs is back to normal. GAS TANKS Mr. Holycross stated in removing the underground tanks at the cab stand, we anticipated there would be three tanks at this location, however, we ended up removing nine tanks. There is some contaminated soil on the site directly related to the tanks and we are working with the Water Control Board for a satisfactory resolution of the problem. We have met with the Water Control Board and as part of resolving this situation, a consultant from Blacksburg has been hired by the Town and was on site this week to dig monitoring wells. Based on this information, they will be able to determine the ground water movement on 9068 March 3, 1992 GAS STATION, CONT. the site and the extent of the contamination. That information will then be sent back to the Water Control Board and the Water Control Board will advise the Town as to what remedial action, if any, would be necessary. There may be that the only remedial action would be to keep the monitoring wells in place and continue to monitor the movement of the ground water. It is contained on site and all of our actions have been coordinated with the Water Control Board as well as the Division of Waste Management. Seven wells were dug. Mr. Holycross stated we had $25,000 appropriated for the project and we are well within our range as we used local crews to do the labor and the removal of the tanks. Consultant's work is approximately $5,000. Mr. Holycross stated that a requirement when removing a tank is to take soil samples and have then tested. From the public, Mr. Kirkland stated there had been several filling stations within the Town that had removed tanks and met the requirements of EPA, Water Control Board, etc. He did not understand why the Town has to go and hire a consultant. He further stated if the other people can do it, why can't we? Mr. Holycross stated that information required as to ground water movement and location of the contamination, etc. is beyond our expertise to provide this information. Mr. Holycross stated that he was not familiar enough with their situation to know who they may have to do their work, so would not prejudge what they might have done. We were advised by the State Water Control Board as to the information that we were required to submit and it was beyond our capability to submit this. The person that we have hired has done this type of work for several locations within this area that have run into similar problems. Councilman Glenn reported they are doing similar work at the New River Valley Airport and they also had to have an engineer on site. He felt that the other firms that had had tanks removed also had to have the engineers on site that knew the scope of the work. Mr. Holycross reported that six buildings had been identified for NUISANCE demolition this year. A contract has been awarded for demolition of two of the buildings, one has been demolished by the property owner; two are currently being renovated; and one has been referred to the Town Attorney for possible court action. We are also working on seven other structures that we hope to bring to Council. Mr. Holycross reported that we had received renewal rates for INS. employee coverage for Blue Cross/Blue Shield with an increase of 11.9% for next year. Throughout the state, the rate increases ranged from 10% to 40%. The Town of Pulaski was the second lowest in the state. Rates are being reviewed and they will be brought back ,to Council with staff's recommendation. Mr. Holycross requested an executive session on a legal matter and an economic development matter. Councilman Crispin made a motion that Council go into Executive Session on a legal matter under 2.1-344 A7 and an economic development matter A5, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following March 3, 1992 recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye At 4:50 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 5:43 p.m. Council returned of the certification resolution on seconded by Councilman W. H. Schra CERT.RESOL. Councilwoman Holston so moved adopted, seconded by Councilman W. following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye 9069 to regular session and waived reading motion made by Councilman Neblett, der and carried. that certification resolution be H. Schrader and carried on the Andrew L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Gary C. Hancock - Aye Councilman Graham made a motion that the Town Manager and Town Attorney proceed to negotiate an agreement with the County for providing WATER water for Brookmont section and once the agreement is prepared, the agreement will be circulated to Council for any questions prior to the signing of the agreement. Motion was seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: n Andrew L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 5:46 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilman Neblett seconded by Councilman Graham and carried. Attest: APPROVED: Mayor ~~ ~. ~~~ Clerx of Council