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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-92April 7, 1992 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held April 7, 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 Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warner Henderson Randolph E. G. Black Joe Weddle R. D'Ardenne Polly Mitchell The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. ~1 Councilwoman Copenhaver led the Pledge of Allegiance with the Invocation being given by Mayor Hancock. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 1992, special meeting of March 28, 1992, and public hearing of March 31, 1992, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried. 9081 Mayor Hancock welcomed citizens to meeting. As there were no comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS Chairwoman Copenhaver had no report. 9082 April 7, 1992 UTILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING Chairman Graham advised that the Utilities Committee had met March 25, 1992 in executive session. Councilman Graham stated that Councilman Crispin would like to make a few remarks. TREES- Councilman Crispin advised he had made an investigation of the GATEWOOD placing of Christmas trees in the Gatewood Reservoir. (Correspondence from the various agencies he had contacted is attached to the permanent file copy of the minutes of this meeting). Councilman Graham and Councilman Crispin felt an ordinance should be passed that nothing would be put into the drinking water for the Town in the future. Councilman Graham made a motion that the Town Attorney prepare an ordinance specifying that nothing be put in Gatewood Reservoir in the future without prior approval from Town Council, seconded by Councilman Crispin. After considerable discussion, motion denied on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - No W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Na Mary Lou Copenhaver - No Alma H. Holston - No James M. Neblett - No Robert N. Glenn - No FINANCE COMMITTEE BUSINESS Chairman W. H. Schrader reported that the committee had met April LICENSE ~~ 1992 and reviewed the proposed revisions to the Business License Tax TAX Schedule. The existing business license schedule is difficult to administer and interpret because the categories are not well defined. The Town Manager had developed a proposed business license schedule from guidelines set by the State. The proposed schedule establishes six broad categories and the corresponding rates: 1) Contracting ($0.16 per $100); 2) Retail Sales ($0.16 per $100}; 3) Financial-Real Estate- Professional $0.40 per $100, 4) Repair-Personal and Business Services- Others not specifically listed or excepted ($0.20 per $100); 5) Wholesale Merchants (a) $0.13 per $100 (First $2,000,000) (b} $0.05 per $100 (next $1,000,000) (c) $0.01 per 5100 (all above $3,000,000) and 6) Public Service Companies (50.50 per $100). Each broad category provides a definition or examples of the businesses. Councilman Schrader stated the 1992 Business License Tax is due April 30, 1992. The Finance Committee recommended that the tax for Undertakers ($0.36 per $100) and Photographers ($0.31 per $100) be reduced to $0.20 per $100, effective for 1992. Chairman Schrader so moved that reading of Ordinance No. 92-4 Amending the Rate Schedule for the Local Business, Professional, and i April 7, 1992 9083 Occupational License Tax be waived, seconded by Councilwoman Holston, and so carried. Chairman Schrader made a motion that Ordinance No. 92-4 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: BUS. LIC. TAX ORDINANCE ADOPTED 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. Glen - Aye Chairman Schrader stated that the Town Manager had recommended that Town Council conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed business license schedule for 1993. This public hearing will be held at a future date. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, she stated that the flower containers on the bridge were being pushed into the creek and flowers were being destroyed. She asked that the Police Department please watch this situation. MAYOR'S REPORT GATEWOOD RESMayor Hancock asked when the water studies were being taken at Gatewood with Mr. Holycross replying the results should be in in approximately 6-8 weeks. Once these studies are back, they will be shared with Town Council. Councilman Graham inquired why the Town required the hiring of a professional engineer to design water and sewer lines for a mobile home park. Mr. Terwilliger stated that the plan had to be submitted by a professional engineer as it is required by State Code. The Town Engineer cannot perform engineering functions for the citizens. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT REAL PROP. Mr. Holycross reported that pursuant to Section 58.1-3321 of the TAX Code of Virginia, the Town Council must, by April 15, establish the real RATE property tax rate for the first half real property taxes that will be due on June 5th. Mr. Holycross stated that the current tax rate is $.34 per $100 of assessed value. Because of the recent reassessment, a rate of $.3104 per $100 of assessed value would generate approximately the same amount of tax revenue in Calendar Year 1992 as was generated in Calendar Year 1991. Mr. Holycross stated that if the Council wants to maintain the rate of $.34 per $100, or establish any other rate greater than $.3104 per $100, then that rate must be treated as a tax increase and may only be 9084 April 7, 1992 adopted following a public hearing. That public hearing was held March 31, 1992. Before Council was Ordinance No. 92-3, which would establish the new rate. Councilman Glenn so moved that reading of ordinance No. 92-3 be waived, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Ordinance No. 92-3 with the inclusion of $.3400 per $100 rate of taxation be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn. Councilman Graham made a substitute motion that based on information that the Town Manager has provided, and the fact that we are better off than we were last year, that Ordinance No. 92-3 with the inclusion of $.3104 per $100 rate of taxation be adopted, seconded by Councilman Crispin. ~~`Correction to minutes Council Members Graham, Crispin and Holston felt that a rate of $.3400 per $100 would be detrimental to the citizens, especially those on fixed incomes. Councilmen Glenn and W. H. Schrader felt that at $.3400/$100, we might still experience a deficit situation and have problems staying within the budget. Motion on Councilman Graham's substitute motion denied on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - No W. H. Schrader, Jr. - No Mary Lou Copenhaver - No Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - No Robert N. Glenn - No Councilman Neblett's motion to adopt Ordinance No. 92-3 with the rate of .3400/$100 carried on the following recorded vote: Ordinance Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - No adopted J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye .3400/$100 Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - No James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Mr. Holycross advised Council that the Town retained the CORROSION engineering firm of Draper Aden Associates to perform a detailed SEWER investigation of possible corrosion in the Town's sewer system, with SYSTEM particular emphasis on the pump stations, force mains, and gravity sewers that carry the wastewater to the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The study was initiated after a preliminary inspection of the system by Peppers Ferry suggested that portions of the conveyance system were experiencing corrosion at accelerated rates. As Draper Aden has completed their investigation, Mr. Holycross distributed and read a report of their findings and recommendations. A April 7, 1992 9085 copy of this report is attached to the minutes of this meeting. FIRE Mr. Holycross reported that in January, the Town made application GRANT to the Virginia Fire Services Board for an $80,000 grant to replace the mobile homes that are used for classrooms at the fire training facility. On February 5th, the Fire Services Board advised the Town that we had been awarded $5,000 to repair the mobile homes. We felt it was not feasible or economical to attempt to repair the classrooms and asked if the $5,000 could be used for the purchase of a maze trailer that could be used in fire simulation training. The Board has advised us that the $5,000 can only be used to repair the classrooms. Mr. Holycross and Fire Chief Jeff Hall recommended, that given the age and condition of the mobile homes, it would be a poor use of taxpayers' money to attempt to repair the classrooms, and the grant should be respectfully declined. Councilwoman Holston so moved that Council concur with Administration's recommendation and decline the grant, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: DECLINED Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye FIRE J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye GRANT Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye WATER Mr. Holycross advised that the Town opened bids on the 15th Street 15th water line replacement project, with the low bidder being J. P. Turner St. & Brothers, Inc. from Salem in the amount of $16,335. The contract price will cover excavation, the installation of the water line, installation of hydrants and valves, and the reconnection of existing individual services. To save money on the project, we will be providing the stone, pipe, asphalt, and seeding for the project at an estimated cost of $14,000. Therefore, the total price will be approximately $30,000. We had appropriated $40,000 for the project. The $10,000 savings realized can be used for other water improvement projects. PURCH. The question arose regarding using local businesses for proc.projects/purchases. Mr. Holycross reported that under $15,000 bid limit, which is established by State Code, we have adopted in our purchasing procedures that we will give a 4% preference for any business that is located within the Town of Pulaski or Pulaski County. We consider them to be local businesses. Above the $15,000 bid limit, our hands are tied by State law and we cannot give any local preference when we have a purchase above the $15,000, and we are obligated to take the lowest and best bid. Our purchasing procedures were shared at the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Seminar recently conducted. Councilman Crispin stated he had requested that Council consider a method of honoring students with outstanding records. Mayor Hancock stated that one problem with this good thought was determining who lived in Town and who lived in the County. This matter will be reviewed further. Mr. Holycross requested an executive session on a real estate and 9086 April 7, 1992 economical development matter with Councilman Graham having a legal question, under 2.1-344 A3, A5 and A7. At 5:22 p.m., Council went into executive session on motion made by Councilman Crispin, seconded by Councilman Neblett 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 - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 6:00 p.m. Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Crispin, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver 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 - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Gary C. Hancock - Aye At 6:02 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. APPROVED: Mayor Attest: ~. Clerk of Council