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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-09~-pb-O`~ Minutes of the Town Council meeting held January 6, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: David L. Clark, Larry G. Clevinger, II, H. M. Kidd, Jcel S. Burchett, Jr., Robert A. Bopp, Morgan P. Welker Staff John J. Hawley, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Anthony Meredith, Captain Police Department Others: Charles R. Bopp Alexander W61k~r Joseph Posillico Janet Jonas James Holliday Charles Wade Janie Hurd Akers Bill Warden Clayton Clary Amy Lewis Elizabeth Chitwood Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Welker led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Bopp gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell introduced Captain Anthony Meredith of the Police Department as Employee of the Month for January 2009. He read a press release aloud and presented him with a plaque. He noted that Captain Meredith would receive an extra paid day off and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. The next item on the agenda was the Architectural Review Board Annual Report. Mr. Hawley advised that the report had been included in the Council packet and staff was available to respond to questions if needed. There being no questions, Councilman Clark moved to accept the Architectural Review Board Annual Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilman Welker and carried oa voice vote. Next, Ron Hall, Vice Chairman of the Town Industrial Development Authority (IDA) introduced himself and two members of the Authority who were present: Jana Jonas and Doc Holliday. He gave a presentation on the responsibilities of the IDA and its current interests and activities. The next item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding OrdinanEe 2009-01, Prohibiting Bodily Functions in Public. Mr. Hawley advised that the Public Hearing had been scheduled at the direction of Council. Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m. There being no comments from the public, the Hearing was closed. Mayor Worrell moved on to the Public Comment period. Charles Wade addressed Council expressing his dissatisfaction with the current real estate reassessment. He suggested that the current reassessment needed to be thoroughly reviewed aid corrected. Further, he commented that "when it was suggested that our area was not affected by the economic downturn a_ s much as the surrounding areas" that he could only suggest that it further supports the need for corrective action. ~-oc~.o~ Next, Joe Posillico addressed Council providing an update on the status of the business he wished to open and presented a letter of intent to lease a building in Town. There being no further comments from the public, Councilman Burchett addressed Council. He inquired into the status of an agreement with the County regarding revenue sharing at Hogan's Reservoir. Mr. Hawley advised that there was no written agreement. However, he advised that the County had agreed to provide 30% of the Real Estate tax. Councilman Burchett requested that the agreement be put into written form soon. On another note, Councilman Burchett commented that when he ran for Council, he promised to work toward a working relationship with the County with joint meetings with the County and the Town of Dublin. He suggested bi-annual of quarterly meetings. He inquired what the schedule was for implementing these meetings Mr. Hawley advised that there was no specific time schedule. He commented that in the past, meetings were held two to three times a year. Mayor Worrell commented that he and the Town Manager met with the County Administrator last month and discussed this topic. Mr. Hawley commented that the former Mayor had requested meeting with the County for at least two years. He added that he would make a formal request to the County for regular meetings. Mayor Worrell suggested scheduling one meeting and then determining the interest of the County and the Town of Dublin. ext, Councilman Burchett advised that he would like for the planned bus tour of the Town to be closed to the public and 'nclude only Council and the bus driver. He offered to take notes. He added he thought it would be nice for Council to be ble to discuss things. Mayor Worrell pointed out that this would be in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. Following discussion, the bus tour, as a Called Meeting of Council, was scheduled for Saturday, January 10 at 9 a.m. The bus would leave from the Municipal Building. Next, Councilman Bopp commented that he agreed that the Town needed to work with the County more. He suggested that one way to facilitate this would be to attend a Board of Supervisors meeting. Next, Mayor Worrell commented that there was considerable damage done at Oakwood Cemetery during the recent windstorm. He added that he had checked yesterday and the clean up was complete. He commended Public Works for their efforts. Mayor Worrell moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clevinger moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council Minutes of December 9, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. he first item was DHCD contract for planning grant. r. Hawley advised that the Town had received a letter from DHCD advising that the Town could submit the final CDBG rant proposal for the Neighborhood Renewal project in the Dora Highway, Holly Street, Jackson Avenue area. He 2 ~-c, ~o~ advised that the total amount of the grant would be $25,040 with the Town matching it with $3,000 for the application. He added that the Mayor or a Council member would need to be appointed ~o the management team for the grant. Additionally, the Town Manager needed to be authorized to execute the contract with DHCD once the Town Attorney reviewed the contract. Councilman Welker commented that he thought the area selected for the project was a good choice. Additionally, he commented that Jackson Avenue is a relatively isolated street and the streets that access it are not much wider than a car He suggested that if the Town still owns the right of way at the end of Jackson Avenue, that it be made a through street again. Mr. Hawley advised that this would be considered during the Engineering study. Councilman Kidd moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract with DHCD once the Town Attorney reviewed the contract. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Councilman Clark moved to appoint Mayor Worrell to the Management team for the DHCD project, seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd: -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was CDBG management contract with K. W. Poore. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town advertised an RFQ for management services for the CDBG planning grant. K. W. Poore was selected as the management consultant. The Town Manager needed to be authorized to execute the contract with K.W. Poore after the contract with DHCD is signed. It was noted that the Town cannot incur costs prior to the contract execution with DHCD. Councilman Clark moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract with K. W. Poore after the contract with DHCD is signed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Ordinance 2009-01, Prohibiting Bodily Functions in Public. He advised that a Public Hearing was held earlier in the evening. Councilman Bopp moved to adopt Ordinance # 2009-01, Prohibiting Bodily Functions In Public. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2009-01, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Ordinance 2009-02, Amending Parking Requirements For Multifamily Units In The B-3 Central Business District. He advised that this completed action taken by Council at a previous meeting. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2049-02, Amending Parking Requirements For Mufti-family Units In The [' [' _~.r~~ B-3 Central Business District.. Councilman Welker seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2009-03, Amending The Flood Overlay District. Mayor Worrell advised that this completed action taken by Council at a previous meeting. Councilman Welker moved to adopt Ordinance 2009-03, Amending The Flood Overlay District. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2009-04, Approving A Special Exception For A Convention Center At 84 West Main Street. Mayor Worrell commented that this would complete the action taken by Council at a previous meeting. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Ordinance 2009-04, Approving A Special Exception For A Convention Center At 84 West Main Street. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to status of West Main Street garage. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had requested an update on the status of the West Main Street garage. The roof of the garage had been damaged and the building condemned. The owner appealed the condemnation and it went to the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals of the Town. The Board conducted a hearing on Monday, Apri123, 2007 and issued the following ruling regarding the roof at 303 West Main Street. Mr. Kirby was granted a two week period to have the roof tested for asbestos. If no asbestos was found, then he had sixty days from the date of testing to remove the roof, not to include the steel beams. If asbestos was found, it would have to be abated before demolition of the roof could proceed. Reasonable extensions for the demolition could be granted. Demolition of the roof was not to include the steel beams. Staff reviewed the building as requested by Council and found that the owner was in compliance with the ruling. Additionally, staff reviewed the building for current code violations and found none. Councilman Burchett commented "that building doesn't have a roof on it. It's four walls". Mr. Hawley advised that this was the result of the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals ruling. It is not considered a building at this point. Councilman Burchett expressed dismay at the ruling and the state of the building. Extensive discussion ensued regarding the possible safety issues with the property and the possibility of preventing this ype of ruling in the future. It was determined that unless Council wanted to try to change the Building Code, nothing ould be done. 4 l-ID-C~ Mayor Worrell moved on to Drought Ordinance sample. He commented that it was interesting since Council had discussed this issue, "it has not quit raining. It has rained several inches and Gabewood ~s up several feet". Following discussion, it was determined that staff would continue to monitor the situation and review the draft Ordinance as needed. The next item on the agenda was tax credits for Landmark Group. Mr. Hawley advised that a request had been received from Rex Todd with the Landmark Group, for tax abatement for the improved value of the Jefferson School project. Pulaski County approved abatement for 50% of the increased value for ten years and 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0 for the next five years. It was fe}t the Town should at least match the abatement offered by the County. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to match the County's abatement offer for Landmark Group for tax abatement for the improved value of the Jefferson School project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Jones Frontier Village. Mr. Hawley advised that Mr. Jones had been unable to attend the Council meeting, however, he had met with Mayor Worrell. Mayor Worrell advised that he met with Mr. Jones at the Village. Mr. Jones was unable to attend the Council meeting due to a prior commitment. The Mayor advised that Mr. Jones is trying to develop an outdoor reenactment of an 1880's vintage village. He added that Mr. Jones received paperwork from Congressman Boucher to apply for a grant to complete the village and is working on that paper work. Mr. Jones was also taking steps to secure the property with a gate. He added that Mr. Jones had not cleaned the lot yet due to the holidays, but still planned to complete that project. Mayor Worrell added that Mr. Jones had plans to tie this project in with property across the creek. Mr. Hawley advised that property adjacent to the Village needed abatement and staff would handle that. Councilman Burchett advised that he had reviewed the Frontier Village. He appreciated Mr. Jones' efforts, but felt that the project was an eyesore. He commented that he was skeptical that he would see anything completed any time soon. He felt there was some serious potential there for a paint ball type complex. Mayor Worrell commented that Mr. Jones had mentioned the paintball theme as well. Extensive discussion was held regarding the weeds, grass and debris on the property as well as Mr. Jones' actual plans for the property. Mayor Worrell advised that he would ask Mr. Jones to attend a Council meeting to speak with Council. The next item on the agenda was New Business. The first item was a Capital Improvement request from the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley. Mayor Worrell advised of the receipt of a request from the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley for a contribution to their Year End campaign. He advised that in the past, budgetary requests have been discussed during regular budget sessions. He asked Council what they wished to do in this instance. ~ -t~ -e~ Councilman Kidd moved to consider the request from the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley during regular 2009- 2010 budget discussions. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II, -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was New River Valley Planning District Commission vacancy. Mayor Worrell advised that Mr. Weddle had indicated that he could no longer serve on the Commission. He suggested placing a notice in the paper advising of the vacancy on the Commission and asking for volunteers. Next, Mayor Worrell advised of the future meetings of Council including the Called Council meeting scheduled for January 10 at 9 a.m. for a bus tour of the Town and discussion of problem areas. Mr. Hawley added that if Council had any recommendations on a specific location to view, to email them to the Clerk or the Town Manager. Councilman Burchett listed several areas that he wished to view. Mr. Warburton, Town Attorney, took the opportunity to publicly advise that the January 10`h meeting was a Called Council meeting and that any and all riders who wished to ride with Council would be accepted. He added that if more riders showed up than seats on the bus, the Town Manager would procure another bus. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clevinger, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. I~~ 6