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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-07Minutes of the Council Work Session held May 15, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council Jeffrey S. Worrell, Lane R. Penn, Larry G. Clevinger, II Dan Talbert, Jr. (arrived at 5:15 p.m.) Absent: Joel B. Burchett, Jr., David L. Clark Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Sherry D. Boyd, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Barbara Tate, Community Relations Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Robert Bopp Jane Amburn Diane Collins Janie Hurd Akers Keith Holt Steve Albert Fred Hutchins Cody Bain Betty Quesenberry Shawn Utt Melinda Williams, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Wade announced that Delegate Crockett Stark would not be present and that Item 9, Ordinance 2007-13, Adopting Real Estate Tax, be moved and discussed immediately after Presentations. The Mayor asked Keith Holt, a Planner for the New River Valley Planning District Commission to speak. Mr. Holt addressed Council regarding the Rural Long Range Transportation Plan update. He summarized the multi year plan and thanked Council for the Town’s help in gathering the information for the report. Mayor Wade inquired how money was going to be associated with the plan? Mr. Holt advised that the hope was that the plan would help to establish priorities so that when funding is available from VDOT, action could be taken quickly to implement the projects. Since there was not a quorum of Council members, Mr. Hawley addressed some informational issues that did not require Council’s vote. Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director announced that the Pulaski County High School junior varsity and varsity teams were playing a baseball game against Cave Springs at Calfee Park that night. He encouraged attendance after the Council meeting. At this time, Fred Hutchins, representative for Senator Webb arrived at the meeting. He introduced himself and offered the Senator’s assistance if Council needed him. He advised that the Senator was interested in helping at the local level to promote the natural, historic and cultural resources that southwest Virginia has. He emphasized one of the biggest priorities for this area was economic development. Senator Webb’s intent was to help small communities and the little guy to have the same access to federal grant money as the larger areas who have special staff to work on grants. Next, Mr. Hawley provided an update to the request from Mr. & Mrs. Rogers to acquire the residual strip remaining from the intersection improvements at the corner of Mcgill St. and Newbern Road. He advised that they are still interested in the property and that the Attorney was trying to get a clear title to the property. Mayor Wade asked for an update on the Trail? Mr. Hawley advised that the actual construction specifications were complete, and the Town Engineer was reviewing them. Once he was satisfied, the paperwork would be mailed. At 5:15 p.m., Councilman Talbert arrived for the meeting resulting in the needed quorum to proceed with the meeting. Following roll call, Councilman Penn moved to adopt the minutes of the March 20 and April 10, 2007 Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Next Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, advised that the real estate tax rate, which was effective immediately, needed to be adopted. Ordinance 2007-13, set the 2007 rate of taxation on real estate at $.32 per one hundred dollars ($100.00) of assessed value. This was an increase of two cents per hundred dollars. Councilman Worrell commented that there had been endless discussion on this issue. He stated that it was something that Council worked hard on and had not had been taken lightly. He added that he was pleased that Council had been able to reduce the rate from 17% to approximately 7%. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Ordinance 2007-13, Ordinance Setting the 2007 Rate of Taxation on Real Estate, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Absent Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Absent Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye The next item on the agenda was a request to insert a letter into water bills. Mr. Hawley advised that a citizen had asked that the blight letter included in the Council packet be included with the next water bill. The letter had already appeared in the newspaper. He advised that while staff would include the letter with the water bills if directed, it was an extremely busy time of year with water bills and taxes. Mayor Wade commented that it was quite an informative letter. Mr. Hawley suggested that perhaps copies could be made and distributed to citizens who came in the building to pay their water bill, but not be included in the water bill mailing. Councilman Talbert suggested distributing the letter for a longer period of time to include the tax collection time as well. He opined that more people come in to pay their taxes than their water bills. Ms. Boyd commented that if the Town was going to start accommodating the citizens by including mailings in the water bills, then perhaps a charge should be implemented to offset the expense of the supplies and staff time involved. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to make copies of the letter from the citizen and distribute it to people paying their water bills and their taxes as well as to people acquiring Building permits and Yard Sale permits. The next item for discussion was a request to ban remote control airplanes at Loving Field. Mr. Hawley advised of receipt of a complaint regarding the noise of the remote control airplanes at Loving Field and of trespassing problems and requesting that the Town ban the planes. Mr. Hart added that the only restriction that the flyers have is that they are not to fly over the fields or the parking area when it’s in use. He commented that he knew the club members were aware of the complaints. Steve Albert, a member of the remote control airplane club, advised that the complaints are not going to the club. They could not address the complaints if they weren’t aware of them. He added there was not much they could do about the noise of the hobby, however, they aimed to be a good neighbor. Mayor Wade commented that before Council made a decision, perhaps the club spokesperson could meet with the complainant, Patsy Akers and see if an agreement could be made. Mayor Wade asked Mr. Hart to try to coordinate a meeting between the two parties. The next item on the agenda was PFRWTA Local Limits Mr. Hawley advised that included in the packet was a letter from Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority regarding the new sulfate limit and pretreatment revision that had to be signed by the Town. The deadline was June 10, 2007. Mayor Wade commented that he wanted an answer to the question about using reserve funds before he voted. Jeff Worrell commented that the Town had been done an injustice and he was not going to vote to adopt it. Following discussion, staff was directed to contact Peppers Ferry and gather more information. Mayor Wade moved on to Comments from the Public. Betty Quesenberry advised that she was shocked to read that the Town was considering closing the Senior Center. She advised that the seniors need the socialization, travel opportunities, shopping trips, and social activities outside the Town. Many of the seniors have problems that prevent them from driving themselves to these activities. She asked that Council not close the Senior Center. Next, Jane Amburn addressed Council regarding the Peebles store. She expressed her pleasure with the prospect of a Peebles store opening and thanked Council for their hard work. The next item on the agenda was the Round Table discussion. Councilman Penn inquired when Council would work on the rental ordinance? Mr. Hawley advised that several items in the draft ordinance needed to be modified. He hoped to have it ready for adoption on July 3, 2007. Mayor Wade asked for a status on the structural engineer that was to look at some buildings in the Town. Mr. White advised that the engineer had a death in the family and would be scheduling an appointment soon. Mayor Wade asked Mr. White for a status on the wireless broadband. Mr. White advised that he had received an email late that afternoon but had not thoroughly read it. However, he knew that they were making progress. He added that he had received several phone calls within a week stressing the importance of having high speed communication. At 5:55 p.m., Councilman Talbert moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Discussion concerning a prospective business interested in locating its facilities in Town (two items) and (A-1), Consideration of assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, or resignation of specific public officers or employee of the Town. The motion was seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Absent Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Absent Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye At 6:20 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session 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 Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Absent Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye David L. Clark - Absent Lane R. Penn - Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Worrell, seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried.