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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-08Minutes of the Town Council meeting held August 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Larry G. Clevinger, II, Joel B Burchett, Jr., Robert A. Bopp, Morgan P. Welker Absent: David L. Clark Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Sherry Boyd, Finance Director David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Others: Shawn Utt H. M. Kidd P. Sean Oneal Meredith McGrady Nick Glenn Mickey Seagle Dennis Folsom Robert E. Wallace Earl Hagee Andrew C. Cocke Charles Wade Carol Wade Sally Warburton Lucy D. Glenn Alexander Welker Marilyn Hitesman Marcie Worrell French Miller Charles R. Bopp Lane R. Penn Harold Kidd Ellen Kidd Lynn Loftus Janet Jonas James Babb Sandy Payne Diane Collins Janie Hurd Akers James Holliday Sheila D. Nelson Kevin Litten, Press Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Burchett led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Bopp gave the Invocation. Mayor Worrell introduced Karen Smith as the August 2008 Employee of the Month. He presented her with a plaque, read the press release aloud and congratulated her. He noted that Karen would receive an additional paid day off and would be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. Next, Mayor Worrell read aloud a Memo from the Town Manager to Debbie Bivens. He recognized Mrs. Bivens for her efforts in assisting with the budget documents in the Finance Directors absence and for her many hours she worked to ensure that the Town stayed on schedule for the utility billing program. The next item on the agenda was a Public Hearing for a request for a special exception for a youth center. Mr. Quesenberry provided a report from the Planning Commission and noted that they recommended approval of the request with the condition that a Business Plan be submitted to Council. He noted that the proposal is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and that all advertising requirements had been met. Mayor Worrell noted that the Business Plan had been given to Council before the meeting. Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments from the Public, the Hearing was closed. Councilman Burchett commented that he felt it was a good thing and he hoped it would be well attended by the youth in the area. Mayor Worrell agreed, adding that Mr. Miller and Mr. Oneal should be commended for their efforts. Councilman Burchett moved to direct staff to prepare the paper work for a special exception for the Youth Center. The motion was seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Robert A. Bopp - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye The next item on the agenda was the Public Comment period. Mr. Charles Wade addressed Council advising that he had been conversing with Abigail Convery and Yolanda Hunter regarding potential economic development issues in the Town that would focus on the strengths of the labor force in the Town. He read aloud an email that he received from Ms. Convery regarding a woodworking cooperative and an offer of a meeting and tour of operations with Swede McBroom. He provided contact numbers in case Council wished to follow up on the offer. Mayor Worrell commented that he would make arrangements to meet with Mr. McBroom very soon. Next, Councilman Burchett brought several items to staff attention regarding overgrown trees on the right of way on South Washington; possible code violation at a brick home; inquired into the time frame on the screening at Cycle Systems; and asked for a status report on the rotary press. Mr. Hawley advised that Engineering was working on the rotary press. Mayor Worrell commented that there were overgrown trees on the north side of town as well and he had forwarded the locations to Engineering Department and to the Town Manager. Councilman Welker advised that while reviewing the Planning Commission report on the Youth Center, he had discovered Ordinance 2006-32, regarding a curfew for minors. He commented that he felt that it was unreasonable and wished for Council to review and possibly repeal the Ordinance. Following discussion, the item was to be included in the next Council Work Session for consideration. Next, Councilman Bopp advised that a citizen had complained about the signage when entering into James Hardie. He inquired whether Council could help in getting the sign relocated? Mr. Hawley advised that he would speak with the County and VDOT. The next item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of the July 1, 2008 Council meeting. Councilman Clevinger moved to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of the July 1, 2008 Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Bopp and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Robert A. Bopp - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Project Updates. The first item was sidewalk bids. Mr. Hawley advised that a priority list of sidewalk needs had been compiled. Engineering Department recommended and staff planned to allow Public Works to take one section and proceed with the demolition and reconstruction to determine whether it was feasible for the department to complete the entire job or whether it needed to go to bid. The next item on the agenda was RF Read Water Meter Bid. Mr. Hawley advised that because of the delay in the sale of the Maple Shade, staff had not been able to proceed with the bidding process for the RF Read Water Meters. Engineering wished to go to bid on the project. Following discussion, it was decided that Council would review the project at the next Council Work Session and staff was directed to proceed with the bid process. Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business and the vacancy on Council. He advised that the Town Charter stated that in the event of a vacancy, the remaining members of Town Council are to appoint someone to fill that vacancy. He continued that last week Council interviewed several candidates that were interested in serving on Town Council. He added that Council was not limited to those individuals, nor were they obligated to make a decision that night. The Charter allows up to forty five days after the vacancy is created. Mayor Worrell recommended Nick Glenn for the Council position. Councilman Clevinger recommended Mike Aamodt and Bob Wallace for the position. Councilman Burchett recommended H. M. Kidd for the position. Councilman Bopp recommended H. M. Kidd for the position. Councilman Welker recommended H. M. Kidd for the position. Councilman Burchett moved to appoint H. M. Kidd to the vacant Town Council position. Councilman Welker seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - No Robert A. Bopp - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Mayor Worrell congratulated Mr. Kidd and commented that he would have to be sworn in and would then take his new position. Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item was urban archery season for 2009. Mr. Hawley advised that complaints continue to be received regarding deer in Town. If the Town is interested in an urban archery season for the Town, the application has to be received by April, 2009 for the 2009 season. Mayor Worrell commented that he wanted to have more information before he could decide. Mr. Hawley suggested that the topic be added to a future Work Session. The next item on the agenda was a request from the Friends of the Theatre for a waiver of zoning fees. Mr. Hawley advised that since the Theatre has not been used in many years, its zoning is no longer grandfathered in. A public hearing must be scheduled for a special exception. They requested that the $125 zoning fee be waived. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to waive the $125 zoning fee, seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Absent Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye Robert A. Bopp - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to New River Valley Agency on Aging – Local Long Term Care Coordination Council. Mr. Hawley advised that Council provides some funds for the New River Valley Agency on Aging through contributions. The Agency is planning to set up a Long Term Care Coordination Council and would like a Council member or staff member on that Council when the time comes. The consensus of Council was that the Town was interested in participating. When more information was available, Mrs. King could address Council. On a different topic, Mayor Worrell noted that the Literacy Volunteers opened an office in the Town. He encouraged anyone interested in helping them to contact that office. The next item on the agenda was a vacancy on the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Mr. Hawley advised that Mr. Clark Payne had resigned from the IDA. There were two vacancies that needed to be filled. Council and staff were to recommend some candidates to appoint to the Authority. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. on motion by Councilman Burchett, seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on voice vote.