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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-05Minutes of the Town Council Work Session held Monday June 20, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Lane R. Penn, John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Staff: John Hawley, Town Manager David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Gary Roche, Police Chief John White, Economic Development Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Dave Hart, Director Parks and Facilities Others: Jack Martin, Press Kelly Barker, Press Paul Dellinger, Press David & Marlena Kincaid Carol Wade Ann Davis John Phillips Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Bolen moved to appoint Brenda Shelton as the acting Clerk of Council, seconded by Mr. Worrell and was carried by 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 The next item on the agenda was to adopt the April 20 and May 17, 2005 minutes. Mr. Bolen moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Penn and carried on unanimous voice vote. Mayor Wade moved on to the Public Hearing for the 05-06 Budget. There being no comments from the Public or Council the hearing was closed. The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2005-24, Adopting Increases in Sewer Service: Fixed, Volume and Connection Fees. Mr. Hawley stated that the proposed increase for sewer included 10% in the fixed costs and a volume increase of 60 cents per thousand In-Town and $1.09 increase in the Out-of-Town rate with the connection fee increasing from $450 to $600. Mr. Worrell stated that the Town had limited control over the sewer rates because the Town doesn’t treat sewage but are members of the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Authority. He opined that the PFRWA was not as reluctant to increase rates as the Town Council because the Authority doesn’t answer directly to the citizens. He further stated that it was imperative that the Town Council hold the PFRWA more accountable for their costs and also challenged the Town of Dublin, City of Radford, Montgomery County and Pulaski County PSA and all other entities to do the same. Ms. Steger asked if the Town was only allowed two representatives on the Board of Directors of the PFRWA and Mr. Hawley answered that was correct. Mayor Wade asked Mr. Hawley if the Town’s debt service portion of the bill was not included, could he approximate the rates? Mr. Hawley answered that he could not, that our debt service was $583,000 per year for the next five years, which was based on the Town’s percentage of use of the facility and could vary from year to year. Mr. Burchett asked if there was a system in place to review how the PFRWA was structured with regard to the amount that each locality paid for debt service versus the amount of representation. Mr. Hawley answered that about 1½ -2 years ago PFRWA looked at allocating percentages of flow and the different costs and was based on the 5-year flow average. The Town of Pulaski was the largest participant, about 39%, therefore the Town’s share was higher than other localities and Radford was very close at about 34%. Mr. Talbert stated that there seemed to be a discrepancy of what we pay based on the number of representatives that the Town had seated on the PFRWA Board. Mr. Hawley explained that the original Authority was set up around 1977-78 and he didn’t know how the decision was made on the number of representatives each jurisdiction would have at that point in time. In answer to Mr. Talbert’s question about there being by-laws showing how the representation was made up, Mr. Eley stated that upon his request, PFRWA sent him the by-laws (dated 3-10-78) and they stated that there were 6 members on the Board unless there had been an amendment which he didn’t have and added that there was a way either by code or by the by-laws themselves to amend the by-laws. Mayor Wade stated that the issue of the number of representatives that the Town of Pulaski had on the Board of the PFRWA needed to be looked into and resolved. Mr. Penn moved to accept Ordinance 2005-24, Adopting increases in sewer service: fixed, volume, and connection fees, seconded by Ms. Steger and was carried by 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 The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2005-25 – Adopting Increase in Fixed Charge for Water Service. Mr. Hawley stated that in order to balance the budget one employee from the sewer collection department was transferred to water transmission and distribution and the position at the water plant will not be filled for the laboratory technician for 12 months. The position for laboratory technician will need to be filled next year because it will put a burden on the Engineering Department and also the chief operator at the water plant to make sure all the requirements are met at the laboratory and to keep our laboratory certified. Mr. Worrell moved that Ordinance 2005-25, Adopting increase in fixed charge for water service be accepted, seconded by Mr. Penn and was carried by 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 asked Ms. Marlena Kincaid, a resident of the Town of Pulaski, to come forward and address her concerns to the Council. Ms. Kincaid stated that she and her husband were the only occupants of their household and both were disabled on a fixed income and they only used about 3000 gallons of water per month and couldn’t understand what the fixed cost was on their water and sewer bill and why they had to pay it. Mr. Hawley explained that in 1994 the Town hired an accounting firm to look at the water and sewer rates. Before that time the Town had a minimum bill which was a flat fee and a volume charge after 3000 gallons. The firm recommended that there be a fixed cost, which was the cost of water and would replace the minimum bill, and a volume cost. He added that about 40% of the revenue was generated from the fixed cost which not only paid for the water but also for water treatment; the Town needed 1.8 million in the sewer fund and 1.4 million in the water fund. Mayor Wade stated that the Council was working hard to get industries in Town that will use more water and therefore reduce the water rate for people of the Town Pulaski. The next item Resolution 2005-27, Adopting 05/06 Budget, was accepted on a motion from Mr. Worrell, seconded by Mr. 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 suggested that the next item on the agenda, the Five Year CIP Review be deferred. Mr. Hawley stated that the issue would be advertised for the July 5, 2005 Town Council meeting. The next item on the agenda was the Rental Inspection Program. Ms. Steger moved to have a draft ordinance prepared and hold a public hearing, seconded by Mr. Penn and was carried by 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 After discussion, the Council suggested the next item on the agenda, the Consideration of the Town Opening Graves in Town Cemeteries, be investigated. The next item on the agenda was to Adopt a Flower Bed. Mr. Hawley stated that the contract to maintain the flower beds will end June 30, 2005 and there were no funds in the Town’s 05-06 budget to continue the maintenance, but the Town will continue to work on developing the program. The next item on the agenda was Approval of Banking Services. Ms. Sherry Boyd recommended the Town to accept the Wachovia Bank proposal. The present banking services will be closed June 30, 2005. Mr. Bolen moved to accept the proposal of the Wachovia Bank, seconded by Mr. Penn and was carried by 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 The next item on the agenda was the Round Table Discussion. After discussion Mr. Talbert moved to direct the staff to prepare a revised sewer ordinance or to modify the existing ordinance, seconded by Ms. Steger and carried by 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 Mr. Talbert stated that he had been approached by a resident about the condition of Valley Street Park and asked if it was under the Towns maintenance jurisdiction, to which Mr. Hawley answered that it was and that the Town would take a look at it. There was some discussion about the basketball courts that were available in the Town for use by the youth and making those known to the community. Mr. Hawley stated that the Town would like to make formal invitations for the sale and announcement of the signing of the “History of the Pulaski Railroad Station” to be scheduled for July 2nd in the afternoon. If agreeable to the Council the Town will proceed with the book signing at the Train Station, in addition to the other activities going on July 2nd. The proceeds will repay the Town for the loan that was made and any profits will go toward the Train Station and the Museum. Mr. Hawley stated that on June 30, 2005 the NRV Planning District Commission will host a Regional Water Supply and Regional Telecommunications meeting. One of the PDC requirements was that the regional water supply was looked at instead of individually. The elected officials in the NRV will be brought up to date. The three water treatment plants in the area were the Town of Pulaski, Pulaski County and the City of Radford. Ms. Steger moved that the Council go into a closed session to discuss the following: a.) One Item under the Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consult with Legal Counsel Regarding Possible Litigation. b.) One Item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), Disposition of Public Property c.) Two Items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A-1). Interviews, Appointments, Personnel. The motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and was carried by 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 The Council adjourned to the closed session at 6:00 p.m. Upon reconvening in open session, Mayor Wade asked for a motion of certification regarding the issues discussed in the closed session. Mrs. Steger moved that the Council discussed only those matters which were specified in the original motion for a closed session. Mr. Penn seconded the motion which was approved by the following vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Aye Mr. Talbert then moved that Mr. Quesenberry be named as Acting Clerk for the remainder of the session. His motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and approved on the following vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Aye Mayor Wade then asked Mr. Eley, the Town Attorney for the necessary wording for a motion to approve the agreement between the Town and James Hardie Building Products. Mr. Eley suggested that the motion be to ratify and approve an agreement, negotiated by the Town Manager as authorized by Town Council, with James Hardie Building Products signed by the Town Manager and an authorized official of James Hardie Building Products. Said agreement to be effective upon payment of a business license by Casey Industrial, Inc. to the Town. Mr. Talbert moved to approve the agreement using the wording submitted by Mr. Eley. Mr. Penn seconded the motion which was approved 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 - Aye There being no further business, the meeting was then adjourned by unanimous voice vote of the Council.