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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-04Minutes of the 5:00 p.m. Council Work Session held August 17, 2004 in the Council Meeting Room in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Lane R. Penn John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Terry Nester, Asst. Town Engineer Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities John White, Economic Development Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Bill Webb, Fire Chief Dave Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Carol Wade Sally Bush, G.P.A. JoBeth Wampler, Press Don Simmons, Jr., Press Mayor Wade called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m. The first item on the agenda was two Closed Sessions. The first Closed Session was under 2.2-3711 A-5, discussion concerning a prospective business or industry when no previous announcement has been made to the business or industry’s interest in locating its facilities in the community. (2 businesses). The second Closed Session was held under 2.2-3711 (A-7), consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provisions of legal advice by such counsel. At 5:55 p.m., the Closed Session ended and Mayor Wade called the open Work Session to order. The first item addressed was the skateland park update. Sally Bush stated that she had met with a group of teen skaters to determine the interest in having a skateland park. She advised that the skaters were very enthusiastic and willing to go out immediately to fund raise for the park. Mayor Wade asked whether an outdoor or indoor facility was best? Mrs. Bush advised that an outdoor facility would be best. Following extensive discussion regarding possible funding, types of equipment, insurance liability, and the possibility of demonstration skating during the Pulaskifest scheduled for October 2, the unanimous consensus of the Council was for staff to begin work on the skateland park, using monies already appropriated in the budget and then utilizing money from the undesignated surplus to complete the project. It was understood that any grants received or funds raised by the skaters would offset funding taken from the undesignated surplus. Mayor Wade commented that he hoped the project could be completed by the end of October, and if not then, as soon as possible. Mayor Wade moved on to TransDominion Express Committee membership. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town had been asked to become a paid committee member of the TransDominion Express Committee. The cost was $1,000. Staff recommendation was to join as a paid committee member. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to direct staff to issue a check to become a paid committee member of the TransDominion Express Committee, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. Councilwoman Steger moved to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed Session held prior to the Work Session, 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 Pulaski Business Park. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had a revised Ordinance with an attached map and a draft agreement with Gregory and Payne for review. He advised that Gregory and Payne’s attorney was reviewing the paperwork. Additionally, Mr. Hawley provided estimates to grade lots 4 and 5 and discussed funding options for the future. Mr. Eley stated that when completed, the agreement would be signed at a formal closing with both attorney’s present and the deed presented after the signing of the contract. Mayor Wade moved on to Public Works general supervision. Mr. Pedigo advised that the Public Works department was in need of another garage mechanic. He stated that since Gary Martin had taken over the management of the department he was unable to work in the garage as before. He needed a certified mechanic to keep up with the work load. Additionally, this position would be able to assist with snow removal. Following discussion, Councilman Bolen moved to allow staff to hire another mechanic, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade inquired whether Main Street could be designated a snow emergency route? Additionally, he asked whether the Town could clean snow from the downtown sidewalks that the owners did not clean and then bill the owners of the properties? Mr. Hawley answered that staff would look into designating Main Street as a snow emergency route. He opined that because there were so many absentee owners, that he felt that the Town would be better off just cleaning the area of the snow. Next, Mr. Hawley advised that the Pulaski Area Transit system was on target for a starting date of October 1, 2004. He provided information from New River Valley Senior Services, Inc. regarding bus fares, driving routes and the proposed name of the system for Council to review and approve. He advised that the Town mechanics would do the service work on the vans and be paid the going rate for that work, which would be a small income source for the Town. Mayor Wade moved on to the NRV Airport Land Transfer. Mr. Eley advised that the NRV Airport Commission had requested that the Town deed land to the airport. The Town had requested a revision clause be included in the contract. The Commission preferred that the revision clause not be included. The Town Attorney’s recommendation was to include the revision clause, but he would defer to Council’s decision. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to deed the land to the Commission without the revision clause. Staff was directed to schedule a public hearing for the September 7, 2004 Council meeting. The next item on the agenda was the Nextel lease – Ridge Avenue. Mr. Hawley advised that staff is finalizing the Nextel lease. Staff needed approval to schedule a Public Hearing for September 7, 2004 and to prepare the deeds. The consensus of Council was for staff to schedule the Public Hearing for September 7, 2004 and to prepare the deeds. Mr. Hawley advised that the Fine Arts Center had requested that Council attend a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fine Arts Center and the Museum Committee on Monday, August 23, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. At 6:59 p.m., Council adjourned the Work Session to hold the scheduled Public Hearing for selling the Pulaski Business Park land. The motion was made by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Wade convened the Public Hearing. Mr. Hawley advised that the Public Hearing was scheduled to discuss the sale of approximately 23 acres to Gregory Construction and Ground Vibrations, Inc. and to adopt the required Ordinance. He reminded Council that a super majority of 75% or 5 of 6 Council members was required to sell the property. Councilman Bolen inquired whether the property owners have to keep up the road? Mr. Hawley responded in the negative, advising that once the road is completed to specifications, the Town would take it into the Town system for upkeep and would receive money from the state to maintain them. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Ordinance 2004-26, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following roll call 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 7:12 p.m., there being no further business, the Public Hearing portion of the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote. At 7:13 p.m., Mayor Wade reconvened the Work Session. Mr. Eley advised that he had learned that the proposed plan to waive the first $50,000 of the BPOL tax to businesses was permissible in Virginia. Mr. Hawley advised that legal ads for the Public Hearing regarding BPOL, scheduled for September 7, 2004 had been sent to the newspapers. Mayor Wade moved on to Maple Shade Business Plaza and Gatewood Park. Mr. Hawley advised that he had included a future projects list in the packet. He asked Council to begin reviewing the list and try to prioritize and determine where the funding would come from. Following extensive discussion, staff was directed to fine tune the numbers for Gatewood Park including advertising, and look at a time line and funding possibilities. Discussion also ensued regarding the possibility of sharing the advertising costs with the County. Mr. Hawley reviewed the other requests for funding for projects and reviewed some funding sources. Mayor Wade asked Council to review the projects and prioritize them. At 7:35 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Penn moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on voice vote.