Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-05Minutes of the Town Council meeting held November 15, 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, Asst. to the Town Manager John White, Economic Development Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Gary Roche, Police Chief Others: Barbara Bryant Lynn Loftus Llyn Sharp Kelly Barker, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Mayor Wade advised that the first item on the agenda was a presentation by Dave Rundgren regarding the Regional Water Authority and water supply planning. Mr. Rundgren summarized the regional water supply planning requirements under state law and the continuation of the regional water supply planning activity. Next, Councilwoman Steger moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consultation with legal counsel pertaining to legal matters. 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 At 5:50 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Bolen, 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 Council moved on to Project Updates. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been working on the Town Code. He supplied Council with a booklet of information that was being reviewed. Mr. Eley advised that he and the staff have been working on different areas of the code that need to be changed. He added that a lot of the focus had been on the nuisance ordinance. Staff have been trying to determine what could be changed or updated without violating the state code. It was suggested that once the staff had completed its work, perhaps a community meeting could be held to allow comments from the public. The next item on the agenda was Pulaski Area Transit Services. Mr. Hawley advised that the cost of running the Pulaski Area Transit had increased significantly in the second year of service. The Town was told that their share of funding for the second year would be 25% of the cost, which would have been offset with fares and fundraising. Based on that estimate, the Town had budgeted approximately $23,000 for the year. Based on the last bill, the true cost will be around $48,000 a year. He commented that the Town of Pulaski can not afford to operate a bus system at $48,000 a year. He added that the only recourse seemed to be more participation from other localities and from the state and federal government, increasing ridership, increasing the cost or decreasing the service. The next item on the agenda was C.G.I. Video Proposal/Demo. Mr. White advised that the Town was contacted by a consultant group regarding specialty marketing advertising for towns. The group proposed to create a video advertising the Town and add it to the Town website. The work would be provided at no cost to the Town. The group makes their money by selling advertising. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to adopt Resolution 2005-45, Adopting Contract Between CGI Communications, Inc. and the Town of Pulaski. The motion was 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 Gatewood Road name and I-81 signs. Mr. Hart advised that there was no official name for the road leading to Gatewood. Following discussion, it was suggested to ask the County whether the road could be named Gatewood Parkway. Mr. Hart continued that VDOT controls the signs and billboards along the interstate. He advised that VDOT charges a non-refundable $250 application fee to review each sign that is requested. He added that he was waiting for more detailed information from VDOT and then would need direction from Council regarding which type of sign, if any, to request. Mayor Wade moved on to the New River Blue Ridge Membership. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was reviewing the criteria for membership in the Blue Ridge Travel Association and would return to Council with a recommendation. The next item on the agenda was the Youth Council/Member of Town Council. Mayor Wade advised that he had met with some high school students who were interested participating in Town activities. One idea that arose from that meeting was to hold a mock election and choose one or two young people to be a non voting member of Council to sit in on the open session meetings. He asked for Council’s opinion. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to proceed. Mayor Wade advised that he would speak with the group and return to Council with an update. The next item on the agenda was the Mini Retreat follow up. Mr. Hawley advised that based on comments from the mini retreat, staff is working on a zero based budget for review. He asked Council to look at their budget and provide input, particularly in donations. Mayor Wade reminded Council that projects needed to be prioritized to help staff with budgeting and time management. Council moved on to Hogan’s Dam. Mr. Hawley introduced Llyn Sharp from the New River Watershed Round Table. He advised the Round Table was working with the Town to try to determine the best use for Hogan’s Dam. He advised that they planned to try to meet the deadline to apply for a grant to upgrade the spillway. He also advised that an ad for a Request for Proposal for the best use of Hogan’s Dam would go in the paper on November 20, 2005. Mayor Wade moved on to Adult Businesses. Mr. Eley advised that there had been some press recently regarding adult businesses pursuing places along the interstate to set up business. In an effort to prevent any potential problems, he had reviewed several sample ordinances regarding adult businesses. Following discussion, he suggested that Council adopt an ordinance for short term immediate enforcement with some penalties and license requirements and then look at long term regulation by zoning. He proposed to bring a draft short term ordinance to the next work session for review. Mayor Wade moved on to Pulaski Business Park funding. Mr. Hawley advised that there was an approximately $800,000 short fall in the funding of the Pulaski Business Park. Staff proposed obtaining a bond anticipation note. The monies could be drawn down only as needed with the interest being paid on the amount actually borrowed. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to direct staff to pursue a bond anticipation note for up to one million dollars for the Pulaski Business Park. 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 The next item on the agenda was consideration of assuming VHDA loan for apartment at 106 Sixth Street NW. Mr. Hawley advised that the owner of the apartment had not bee making payments. The VHDA was offering the property to the Town’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority to operate. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to pass on the offer. Under Round Table Discussion, Mr. White advised that staff was continuing to work with Magnox regarding their nanotechnology dreams. He advised that they had discussed a planning grant. The Center for Innovative Technology was willing to match a CDBG planning grant. The grant would be in the Town’s name, but the Center would pay the match so the Town would not have any cost associated with the grant. Mr. Hawley moved on to the December Council meeting. Because of the number of public hearings scheduled for the December 6, 2005 meeting, staff suggested beginning the meeting at 5:00 p.m., rather than at 7:00 p.m. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to hold the December 6, 2005 meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Next, Mayor Wade asked Mr. Eley to complete an agreement between Mr. Brockmeyer and the Town regarding his train set. The Mayor also suggested that staff look into making Route 99 to the Town limits into a snow emergency route. Mayor Wade also suggested holding Relay for Life within the Town limits next year. He suggested Calfee, Jackson Park or the Kiwanis Park as locations. He advised that he would tell the Committee to contact Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director to coordinate the event. Mayor Wade also asked that staff look at keeping Gatewood open from March 1 to the end of November at least. He felt that this could be accomplished without increasing staff costs. At 7:30 pm. there being no further business, Councilman Talbert moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on voice vote.