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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-05 - (5 p.m.) Minutes of the Council Work Session held May 17, 2005 at 5:00 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 David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Carol Wade Ronald Vaughan Jack Martin, Press Raymond R. Taylor Debbie Linkous Paul Dellinger, Press Renee Hess Bennie Hill, Sr Kenneth Fleenor Jeff Stout Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The first item on the agenda was a Public Hearing for Proposed Real Property Tax Increase. The following residents addressed the Council on tax increases: Mr. Raymond R. Taylor stated that he and his wife were retired and on a limited income from Social Security and with the ever increasing costs of prescriptions drugs, gasoline and fuel oil, could not afford the tax increase. He proposed that the Council find another way to obtain the funds for the budget. Mr. Don Copenhaven stated that he was against a tax increase because most people in Pulaski have an average or fixed income and can not afford more taxes. He opined that most tax increases are due to governmental laziness. He suggested that the Town be run like a personal business; reduce expenses and only spend the money on hand. Mr. Bennie Hill, Sr. explained that he was a disabled veteran and was against a tax increase. He suggested keeping the raise increase at 2%. Mr. Jeff Stout stated that the County taxes had been increased in the past year. He suggested the Town would soon be obtaining revenue from the James Hardie Business and should look at other ways of balancing the budget. Ms. Nancy Strasser was in agreement with salary and pay increases for the Town employees but suggested that some projects may need to be downsized. She challenged the Town staff to live within its means by better planning and frugal spending. She further challenged the Council to show some fiscal discipline and say no to tax increases. Mr. J. K. Schrader reiterated that no increase in taxes should be implemented and asked that the Council reconsider their decision. Councilman Bolen opined it was essential the Town employees get a raise. He suggested that a 1% reduction in the proposed expenses would cover a 3% pay increase and asked the Town Manager and Council to take action accordingly. Mr. Ronald Vaughn stated that his pension had not increased in the 17 years that he had been retired and he can’t afford another tax increase. He proposed that the spending be cut until it balanced with the budget amount. There being no further comments, Mayor Wade closed the public hearing at 5:20. The next item on the agenda was Surplus land MacGill/Newbern. Mr. Hawley advised that Ms. Treva Cullop had expressed an interest in obtaining the property because it connects to her property. Mr. Eley stated that the request can’t be filled because the Town did not own the property and suggested that Ms. Cullop contact Mr. Dunnivant, the owner. The next item on the agenda was RFP for Banking Services. Ms. Sherry Boyd, Director of Finance, proposed that the water bill payment be deleted from the upcoming RFP contract since there have been some problems with timeliness. Mr. Talbert moved to approve the RFP to go out for bids, seconded by Mr. Penn and carried by unanimous voice vote. The next item on the agenda was an appointment to the Planning Commission. Ms. Steger moved to appoint Mr. Kevin Myers to the remaining term of Mr. Charles Stafford, seconded by Mr. Talbert. The motion 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 New River Trail review. Mr. Hawley stated that the drawing that was requested from the Department of Conservation of Recreation had been submitted with the elevations of the 26 pipes across the creek, but no response had been received. He added that the completion date on the trail had been moved to mid November. The next item on the agenda was the Gatewood Review. Mr. Hawley stated that the expended amount to date is $52,541.00. The electrical had been completed on all but 4 sites. The rough grading of all sites had been completed and the water and sewer to all sites had also been completed. The bathhouses were about 75% completed. The work remaining will be the concrete pads which will not be at all sites but can be added at a later date if they prove popular. The top soil will be brought in and seeded and then the final grading will be done. The projected opening date was the first week in June. Ms. Debbie Linkous, a resident who submitted a petition of 841 people for improvements at Gatewood, stated that the proposed improvements were discussed in the October 19, 2004 meeting. She stated that at that meeting Mr. Hart advised that there were plans for 4 to 6 sites for larger RV’s and 8 on the waterfront, but plans were enlarged without addressing the needs of the campers. She stated that the concerned citizens would like to know where the plans are, why they were changed and what the specifications are. Mayor Wade suggested that Ms. Linkous provide him with a list of questions and he would get the answers and provide them to her. The next item on the agenda was the Round Table Discussion. Mayor Wade stated that there were four areas that he would like to discuss. 1. He suggested that the Town consider the possibility of opening and closing gravesites in our cemeteries as a way of increasing revenue. He estimated that the Town would gain approximately $50,000 per year. 2. He opined that it was time to relook at functional consolidation in areas within the Town. He thought that tax collection may be available for serious consideration. He stated that if the Council agreed, he would like for the staff to research the pros and cons. 3. On another track, he commented that the intent of funding GPA was that at some point and time they would be self sufficient. His suggestion was to start reducing the amount the Town pays into GPA. 4. He suggested replacing the current PFRWTA Town Board members with someone from Council and someone from the staff. He felt that the new members would be better able to vote on issues that would affect the Town and its budget. 5. He discussed double taxation for Town residents. Members of the Council suggested proceeding with the PFRWTA issue and recommended Bill Pedigo as the member from staff. John Hawley, Town Manager, stated that there are many people in the Town of Pulaski that are on a fixed income, therefore the Town will look at other possible sources to balance the budget. He added that other problems were the enforcement of the business and professional licenses, finding other ways of collection of personal property taxes and enforcing the use of town decals. Mr. Worrell stated that there was a lot of work that needed to be done at the cemeteries, and suggested that if the Town could generate more money, then a portion of that money could be used for repair and upkeep. Mayor Wade suggested that the steps at the cemetery be widened to 8 ft. On a different topic, Mr. Burchett suggested that: 1) if the Town requires residents to acquire a yard sale permit then there should be a nominal fee since there was a paid employee that issues and records the permit. Otherwise, he suggested discontinuing this requirement. 2) He also suggested a charge be implemented for admission to Gatewood for those who are not Town citizens. Mayor Wade stated that he had received a call complimenting the Police Department, especially the younger officers on a job well done. The caller suggested providing the officers with a Nextel phone because of radio communication problems. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.