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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-06Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held February 21, 2006 at 5 P.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Lane R. Penn, John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief John White, Economic Development Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Gary W. Roche, Police Chief David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Debbie Linkous Joe Sheffey Frank Conner Peter Huber Frank Adams Steve Dietrich Mike Scanlon Carlos Martines Frank Adams Ram Tripathi Vic Marcussen Paul Dellinger, Press Anastasia Anderson, Press Kelly Barker, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Bolen moved to adopt the minutes of the 1-24-06 Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Councilman Penn moved to add two Closed Sessions to the agenda under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5) Discussion of prospective business and (A-1), Consideration of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment or promotion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to the presentation of Town audits. Paul Pickett, Town Auditor, addressed Council regarding the Town audit. He advised that the financial statements are in good shape, and the Town is in compliance with all laws and regulations. He summarized the Towns assets and liabilities. In response to a question from the Mayor, he advised that once Council reviewed the audit, if there were any questions, he would return to answer them. Mayor Wade moved on to the Public Hearing on the Hunter lease at 67 Commerce Street. Mr. Hawley advised that Yolanda Hunter wished to lease some space at the Maple Shade Shopping Center at 67 Commerce Street. The Public Hearing is required by law. Mayor Wade asked for a summary of what Ms. Hunter planned for the building. Mr. White advised that Ms. Hunter was planning to open a women’s clothing boutique. He felt that her market would fit into the area. Mayor Wade opened the Public Hearing at 7:04 p.m. There being no comments from the public, the Hearing was closed. Councilwoman Steger moved to direct the Town Attorney to prepare a lease for the Hunter boutique, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to water bills late notice. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had acquired a new billing program. The water bills would no longer be mailed on postcards, but in letter format. The Town Code specifies that second notices be mailed for delinquent payments. Because of the cost of postage, staff suggested that Council consider changing the Town Code to allow that one bill be mailed per month and no reminder, and that a 10% charge be applied to the entire outstanding balance. Following discussion, Councilman Penn moved to approve the staff recommendation to amend the Town Code to allow: That one water bill be mailed per month and no reminder, and also to include a return envelope with the bill Additionally, to change Code 86-5(e), to have the 10% penalty be charged on the outstanding balance instead of the new charges. Direct the staff to schedule a Public Hearing, if required, and the Town Attorney to complete the proper paperwork. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Regarding the Hogan’s update, Councilman Burchett advised that the final project plans with Lucas had been completed. It was expected that some of the other loose ends would be tied up and completed by April 15, 2006. Mr. Hawley added that the committee and invitees would meet on March 8th at 10 a.m. for a public brainstorming session. He requested that any interested parties attend and advised that at least one Council member was needed for the meeting. Mayor Wade advised that he, Councilman Penn and Councilwoman Steger would make every effort to attend. He asked that Bill Smith be invited to attend the meeting as well. The next item was the DEQ Air Quality Report. Mr. Hawley introduced Steven A Dietrich, Regional Director of West Central Regional Office with DEQ to begin the report. Mr. Dietrich advised that a negative article had appeared in the local newspapers regarding the air quality in Pulaski. Questions ensued and he had been asked to answer some questions relating to the articles. He introduced the following people who were present to help with the presentation: Mike Scanlon, Air Permit Manager for the Roanoke office Carlos Martines, Risk Assessment for the Richmond office Frank Adams, Air Compliance Manager Ram Tripathi, Central Office Health Department Vic Marcussen, Environmental Health Manager for the New River Health District They reviewed the methodology utilized in preparing the reports. They advised that they tried to duplicate the tests referred to in the newspapers and were unable to replicate the numbers. They emphasized that the DEQ does not allow emissions of toxic chemicals that would threaten human health and that the citizens of the Town of Pulaski were in no danger. Mayor Wade moved on to the New River Trail update. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was still working to obtain the final easements for the New River Trail. The minister at Dora Highway Baptist Church advised that there was a right of reversion clause for the Church, complicating matters a bit. Mr. Eley advised that if the church ceased being a church, the property would revert back to the prior owner. Therefore, the surviving heirs would have to be determined and then would have to sign the paperwork. Subsequently, the proper forms would have to be filed with the Clerk’s office regarding the trustees of the church. At 6:25 p.m., Councilwoman Steger moved to enter into Closed Session for two items under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business where no announcement of the expansion has been made; and one item under (A-7), Consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade – Aye Council returned from Closed Session at 7:35 p.m. and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade – Aye Councilman Talbert moved to direct staff to proceed with blight letters, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Next, Councilman Penn moved to direct staff to prepare the UDAG loans for “Gino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria” and also for “Coffee Buy the Book”. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.