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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-97November 4, 1~;~97 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held November 4, 1997, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor John A. Johnston, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Bettye H. Steger, Charles W. Stewart, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell Gerald E. Bolen Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: J. R. Schrader and Paul Dellinger, News Media E. B. Garter Elizabeth Garter J. E. Aust, Sr. Allen Nixon Ronald Boothe Tiffany Kirkland Pat Kirkland The meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnston. Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice Mayor Steger gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Vice Mayor Steger so moved that the Minutes from the regular meeting held October 7, 1997, and the minutes of the special meeting held October 29, 1997, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. Public Mayor Johnston advised that a public hearing had been scheduled on the request from Hearing Mark and Sue Alley for a conditional use permit to incorporate a four unit Town house Cond . Use project into an existing building on Peppers Ferry Road. Mayor Johnston stated that we Withdrawn had received word that they are considering withdrawing their application and asked that this request be in writing. Mayor Johnston advised the second public hearing was a rezoning request by the Town of Public pulaski of approximately 88.1 acres on the south end of Wurno Road from RR (Rural Hearing Rezoning Residential) to M-2 (General Industrial District) to establish an industrial park on the site. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the M-2 District allows for a variety of heavy duty industries as well as manufacturing, production, building contained industries. The Engineering Department had commented that this rezoning appears consistent with the other industrial uses of the adjacent property and the M-1 zoning on the north side of the tracts. From the public, Mr. Garter, whose residence is adjacent to the far eastern expanse of the park, which lies behind Renfro, expressed concern regarding the noise, air pollution, contamination of ground water, access road 75 ft. from his back door, view is now of a water tank and not the mountains. Mr. Garter felt it would devalue his property. He also asked that road be moved back away from his property. Mayor Johnston stated that the Town will have tight control over the property as to the type of businesses going in. And that he was concerned that there might be ground water problems, road proximity problems, but by Mr. Garter coming in and expressing his concerns, gives the Town Council a chance to look at these concerns. 9737 1 9738 November 4, 1997 The Planning Commission held a public heazing on this case on October 14, 1997. Further they discussed whether they should make this M-1 or M-2. Councilman Weddle questioned if the Planning Commission considered making the area (Industrial Park, Renfro and Long Airdox) M-1. Councilman Stewart stated he thought Long Airdox was M-2. Mr. Quesenberry will check with the Town Engineer. At 4:14 p.m. the public hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 97-20 was before Town Council Approving a Rezoning of 88.1 Acres Ordinance from RR to M-2 at the South End of Wurno Road. Councilman Stewazt made a motion 97-20 that Ordinance No. 97-20 be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and cazried Adopted on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Mr. Boothe questioned, regarding the request withdrawn at the first public hearing, since First the withdrawal was not in writing, could the people come back to Council at a later date. Public Mayor Johnston felt that since we do not have this withdrawal request in writing, it will Hearing have to be treated as a request to postpone. Mr. Boothe presented Council with a petition with neighborhood signatures opposing this request. Ordinance Councilman Stewazt made a motion that Council table this matter (Ordinance No. 97-19) 97-19 for later discussion, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried on the following TaBLED recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Chazles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. Chairman Neblett had no report. PUBLIC OPERATION OMMITT STREET Chairman Penn reported that the Public Operations Committee had met October 29. The request to close Johnson Street was discussed with the committee recommending not closing the street. The committee recommended the problem of vagrants congregating on Church property be referred to the Police Department. STREET Chairman Penn stated that traffic on Newbern Road was discussed. The Town Engineer had advised that he had not yet determined what kind of study would be needed and he will report back to the committee at a later date. The committee recommended to Council that the American Electric right of way AMERICAN easement for the Town's Industrial Park be approved. Motion cazried on the following ELECTRIC RIGHT OF WAY recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgaz Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye 2 November 4, 1997 8739 Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Chairman Penn advised the committee requested that Council take action to authorize the Town Manager to sign an agreement for a special use permit with the National Forest Service to use Forest Service Road No. 6861. The Town Attorney clarified this agreement. Chairman Penn so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to sign this agreement for a special use permit with the National Forest Service, seconded by Councilman Neblett and cazried on the following recorded vote: NATIONAL FOREST AGREEMENT James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye TAXICABS Chairperson Steger advised the Ordinance Committee had met October 29 at which time they discussed the Town's ordinance involving taxicabs. It was recommended that a referral to Council be made to change the current ordinance so that the issuance of certificates for cab operation will be done administratively. The committee was advised by the Town Attorney that the state had passed enabling legislation so as to allow this to be done. And that after this December's procedures, Town Council can determine what changes they want in the upcoming yeaz. Chairperson Steger stated that the committee is still concerned with the noise complaints that we have from the citizens. The Town Attorney recommended not making any major changes to the noise ordinance. CRIME CONTROL. RF.PnRT~ Vice Mayor Steger advised the committee would meet next week. The Crime Awareness Community Program people aze working to see if Anthony Akers can work out something with the County gym whereby citizens could walk there. A report on this will be brought back to Council. FINANCE COMMITTEE: INDUSTRIA~hairman Stewart advised the Finance Committee had met October 8, 1997, to discuss PARK standazds for the proposed industrial pazk. Deed covenants and possible actions that the Town could take to make sure development standazds could not be circumvented. Further, they had discussions involving verifying that clients interested in sites aze properly notified of the development guidelines, issues involving the entrance landscaping and signs and possible creation of a green zone in the park. Chairman Stewazt reported the Finance Committee met October 15, 1997, in executive session to discuss the future of baseball in Pulaski. Council Members were also asked to prioritize and submit their choices for the Town's most important accomplishments for 1997. Chairman Stewart reported that the Finance Committee also met October 23 in executive session to discuss land acquisition for public use and to consult further with legal counsel on contract negotiations for baseball. In open session, committee members were asked to submit their comments regarding standards for the industrial park. PLAN . Councilman Stewart reported the Planning Commission met October 14 wherein three COI~ISSIes were discussed. Case No. 97-80RZ -rezoning of Oakhurst Ave., Whitethorn St. 3 9740 November 4, 1997 ORDINANCE 97-21 ADOPTED PERSONNEL POLICIES RESOLUTION 97-27 and Heatherwood Street. A work session will be held on November 10 at 7:00 p.m. to further discuss this request for rezoning. Case No. 97-81RZ -rezoning for the Industrial Park was discussed. The commission voted to recommend that the area designated for the industrial park be rezoned from RR (Rural Residential) to M-2 (General Industrial District). Case No. 97-83CU - a request for a conditional use permit from Mark and Sue Alley to construct townhouses on Peppers Ferry Road was discussed and has apparently been withdrawn by the applicants. Action has been tabled by Town Council. Chairman Hale advised that the committee met October 29, 1997 and recommended that Ordinance No. 97-21 Amendments to Personnel Polices be adopted. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Johnston read Resolution No. 97-27 Opposing Legislation to Eliminate the Personal Property Tax. After discussion, Councilman Neblett so moved that Resolution No. 97-27 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Bolen and so carried. Mayor Johnston reported that a Technology Summit would be held November 17 at New River Community College, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The New River Alliance is sponsoring this event. Mayor Johnston advised that the Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet would be held November 6 at Edward's Hall, New River Community College. The Town has provided Dr. Barnes with certain accomplishments that have been made in the last year. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths reported that engineering firms who will be doing the civil engineering work for the Industrial Park have been interviewed. REMSI Mr. Combiths, the Town's representative on Regional Emergency Medical Services Board reported that the progress that has been made going from volunteer service to paid paramedics has been remarkable in response time for the Town, Town of Dublin and the County. Agendas and Minutes of the meetings of REMSI are available in the Clerk's office. A meeting at the Airport regarding the regional Commerce Park was attended by the CONINIERCE Mayor and Town Manager. Participants from Montgomery County, City of Radford, PARK Pulaski County, desire to have a follow up meeting and invite all the elected public officials throughout the New River Valley region. These meetings will be held on November 13. The New River Valley sits in a very positive key position statewide right now because there is legislation that has been adopted that covers this region only in terms of revenue sharing that is available for economic development on a regional basis and there is probably about one year to two year window during which time this region will have that opportunity beyond the rest of the state to benefit from this. Council [1 4 November 4, 1997 9741 COMMERCE PARK, COND. Members were requested to try to attend one of the meetings. Mayor Johnston advised that Council needs to know what they have in mind for the 2,000 acre industrial park that could hold an industry hiring 1,500 people. If the Town wants to participate, we will be asked for some funding on this. Mayor Johnston introduced Tiffany Kirkland, a Government Student, who was in attendance at the meeting. At 4:47 p.m. on motion made by Councilwoman Mitchell, seconded by Councilman Penn, Council entered executive session under 2.1-344 A3- two matters regarding acquisition of property for public purpose; AS -Economic Development regarding a UDAG Application and A1) Personnel Matter regarding a specifically named individual. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:15 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:16 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilman Penn, seconded by Vice Mayor Steger and carried. APPROVED: Attest: Mayor Ruth A. Harrell Clerk of Council 5