Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-04Minutes of the Council Work Session held September 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pulaski Train Station. There were present: Mayor Charles L. Wade Council Members: 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 David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Bill Pedigo, Engineering Department Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities John White, Economic Development Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Others: Cecil Nixon Steve Erickson Cliff Meadows Guida Sutphin JoBeth Wampler, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order. Councilwoman Steger moved to adopt the minutes of the August 17, 2004 and September 14, 2004 Work Sessions, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade asked for the status of the rental inspections for the Town. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was using the Town maps and trying to identify areas that need to be included in the rental inspections for the town. He added that after they’ve reviewed the areas, they may feel that the entire Town needs to be included. A report would be forthcoming to Council when they have completed their research. Mayor Wade advised that he stayed at Lake Robertson the previous weekend. Since there had been discussion about hunting at Gatewood Park at the last Work Session, he inquired what the rule was at Lake Robertson. He discovered that they permit hunters to stay at the park and hunt. They have marked a two-hundred yard radius around the campground in which no hunting is permitted. They have had few problems with the arrangement. Staff was directed to gather more information regarding permitting hunters to stay at the Park for Council’s review. Mayor Wade also advised that the Pulaski County Mountain Trails 4-H Horse Club Drill team won 2nd place in the state competition. He suggested that a Resolution be presented at the October 5, 2004 Council meeting. Staff agreed to compose a Resolution for the team to be presented at the October 5, 2004 meeting. Additionally, Mayor Wade advised of the receipt of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine apologizing for missing the ball game at Calfee Park and expressing appreciation for the camping tickets at Gatewood Park that the Town sent. Next, Mayor Wade and staff discussed a request to allow indoor batting practice inside the Maple Shade. Council was instructed to advise Mr. Hawley if they were against the request. And finally, Mayor Wade advised that letters had been sent to the Postmaster General requesting that the Post Office be painted. He advised that Senator Allen, Senator Warner and Congressman Boucher had also sent letters supporting the Town’s request. Councilwoman Steger moved to enter into Closed Session under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), discussion concerning a prospective business where no previous announcement has been made of the business interest in locating in the community – 3 businesses. Councilman Talbert seconded the motion and it 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 Charles L. Wade - Aye At 6:39 p.m., Council reconvened on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilman Worrell 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 Charles L. Wade – Aye Councilwoman Steger moved to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed 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 Charles L. Wade - Aye Mayor Wade advised that the next item on the agenda was Mashburn Avenue parking/traffic calming. The Town had received a request and petition to lower the speed limit on Mashburn Avenue in an attempt to slow traffic on the street. The letter also specified the property owners did not wish to designate one side of Mashburn Ave. for parking. Following comments from the public and information from staff, the consensus was to leave the street parking as is and install speed humps for traffic calming. Councilman Talbert moved to direct staff to install two speed humps and applicable signs, 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 The next item on the agenda was Peakland Drive speed limit. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had received a request from some residents on Peakland Drive requesting that the speed limit be reduced from 25 to 15 mph. Staff researched the issue and recommended that the speed limit not be changed. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved not to change the speed limit from 25 mph, seconded by Councilman Talbert 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 Mayor Wade moved on to Vision process advising that several versions of a Town Vision Statement had been included in the packet. He asked Council which version they preferred. Following discussion, the Town Manager was directed to ask all Town staff to vote on which version they prefer. The Town Manager will inform Council of the results. The next item on the agenda was Classification plan addition of the Assistant Fire Chief & Engineering Department Manager. Mr. Hawley advised that the positions had already been approved by Council and that the information in the packet was informational to show Council how grade levels are arrived at. Mayor Wade moved on to Police Department vehicle lease or purchase. Mr. Hawley summarized the Police Department proposal, advising that the current budget lists $23,854 for the purchase of a new patrol cruiser for the Police Department. He advised that Chief Roche proposed using the same amount of money and acquiring 4 vehicles through a lease-purchase option. Additionally, the Chief proposed a second step to begin purchasing at least two police cruisers each fiscal year beginning with FY 2005/06. Lieutenant Ervin Barr explained the reasons for the proposal. Following extensive discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to direct the Town Attorney to prepare a Resolution and contract for the lease of 4 police cars utilizing four payments of $21,885 per year and a $1 buy back at the end of the lease. 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 - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Council then discussed the number of vehicles needed for the Police Department, what vehicle replacement schedule needs to be in place for the best efficiency of the department, and the best method for disposal of the older police vehicles. The consensus of the Council was to further discuss the second part of the proposal regarding the purchase of vehicles beginning with FY 2005/06 at the next budget work session. Mr. Talbert requested that staff provide a running tally of the current budget to include Changes that Council makes so that they can make informed decisions on budget changes in the future. Mayor Wade moved on to the review of the 7-14-04 projects prioritization. Mr. Hawley reviewed the projects prioritization discussed at the previous Work Session and reaffirmed Council’s order of prioritization: Macgill Village Skate Park, Maple Shade, and Gatewood Park. Additionally, it was confirmed that staff will continue to gather information regarding the emergency communications system. Staff was directed to schedule a public hearing for October 5, 2004 regarding the budget Amendments. Mayor Wade moved on to referral of flood plain overlay district for zoning ordinance. Mr. Hawley advised that in order for the Town to remain eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency program funds, the Town must adopt a flood mitigation plan before the end of this year. Two ordinances will have to be adopted by Council to meet the requirements for E&S and floodplain zoning administration. He advised that the erosion and sediment control ordinance will be discussed in a work session, but the flood plan overlay needed to be referred to the Planning Commission. Councilman Worrell moved to refer the flood plan overlay to the Planning Commission, 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 for discussion was an offer to donate 307 – 313 North Washington Avenue to the Town. Mr. Hawley advised that the owner of the property at 307 – 313 N. Washington Avenue had offered to donate the property to the Town. Following discussion, Councilman Burchett agreed to look at the property for resale from a realtor’s point of view to determine the resale potential and also if it requires any renovation before it can be sold. Additionally, the Building Inspector was asked to inspect the building and the Finance Director was asked to determine the amount of the potential tax loss if the Town accepts the building. Next, Mr. Hawley advised that the County had decided to move the due date for the personal property taxes. He asked Ms. Boyd to expand. Ms. Boyd advised that the County will be sending out their 2004 Personal Property tax ticket and a prorated 2004 decal in December of 2004 with a due date of February 15, 2005. They will then mail out the 2005 Personal Property tax ticket and the 2005 decal, with a due date of October 15, The Town needed to decide whether to change the due date of its stickers to go along with the County or to leave it alone. Staff recommendation was to leave the due date as it is and adopt a distinctive Town decal. Following discussion, the consensus of the Council was to leave the due date as it is and adopt a distinctive Town decal. Mayor Wade moved on to the Artist Guild/Colony Incubator. Mr. Hawley explained that an Artist Guild/Colony Incubator was one of the ideas presented for the Maple Shade. He advised that some informational paperwork was in the packet for future discussions. Mayor Wade advised that he would like to work with Mr. White and create a proposal to create an artist guild and bring it back to Council. Mayor Wade moved on to test market – bottled water possibility. Mr. Hawley advised that the possibility of the Town bottling water and selling it has been discussed several times in the past. He provided Council with some informational paperwork to read. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was for staff to research the costs and requirements in running a plant. Additionally, to check with the high school marketing class or the art class to help come up with a label. And finally, Councilman Bolen commented that the new school would open soon and the water tank in that area needed to be painted and perhaps a Town of Pulaski logo added. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilwoman Steger. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on voice vote.