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Home My WebLink About02-17-989764 February 1~7 1998 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 17, 1998, at 7:00 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 Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Visitors: Paul Dellinger, Press J. R. Schrader, Press Gregg Zody Larry Freeman Mr. McMillan Clayton Sweet, Jr. Jerry W. Moore Rebecca Ratcliff Paul Mines Robert Ratcliffe Officer Lytton Resolution Councilman Penn made a motion to adopt certification resolution, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye The meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnston at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Neblett gave the Invocation. Mayor Johnston advised that the agenda would be changed in the Public Hearing section due to a registered speaker withdrawing. In it's place will be a hearing on the Case Knife Community Development Block Grant. Mr. Stewart advised that he would like to add F1 to the agenda, Referral to Planning Commission of Case # 98-90RZ. Following the roll call, Councilman Penn made a motion to approve minutes of the regular meeting held January 20, 1998 and carried. Mayor Johnston advised that first on the agenda was Resolution 98-7, Supporting the Development of the Regional Commerce Park. Mr. Combiths advised that Resolution supports development of park only and there is no monetary obligation involved. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt Resolution 98-7, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: 1 February ~~ 1998 Mr. Neblett - Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Penn - Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Steger - Aye Mrs. Mitchell - No Mr. Stewart - Aye Mr. Bolen - No Mayor Johnston advised that next item on agenda was Resolution 98-3, Supporting American Electric Power's Wyoming-Cloverdale 765 kV Transmission Line Project. Councilman Neblett made a motion to take from the table for re-consideration by Town Council, Resolution 98-3, seconded by Councilman Hale and carried by voice vote, with the abstention of Councilman Weddle and a negative vote of Councilman Bolen. Councilman Weddle advised that he would abstain from discussion and voting on this matter. After discussion, Councilman Bolen made a motion to table Resolution 98-3, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and failed on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett - No Mr. Hale - No Mr. Penn - No Mr. Weddle -Abstain Mrs. Steger - No Mrs. Mitchell -Yes Mr. Stewart - No Mr. Bolen -Yes Councilman Neblett made a motion to approve Resolution 98-3, Supporting American Electric Power's Wyoming-Cloverdale 765kV Transmission Line Project, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mr. Weddle -Abstain Mrs. Steger -Aye Mrs. Mitchell - No Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Bolen - No Mayor Johnston advised that before Council was Resolution 98-6, Endorsing Prompt Development of the New River Trail State Park Extension Project. 9765 Resolution After discussion, Councilman Stewart made a motion to approve Resolution 98-6, Resolution Endorsing Prompt Development of the New River Trail State Park Extension Project with a date change to February 17, 1998, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye Next on agenda was Resolution 98-5, Asking the Assistance of Commonwealth of Resolution Virginia Senator Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo and Delegate Thomas G. Baker, Jr. in Seeking Support and Funding for the Pulaski Railway Station Museum Annex. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to approve Resolution 98-5, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Hale - No Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye Mayor Johnston advised that before Council was Public Hearing for the Case Knife Road Community Development Block Grant. 2 9766 February :1~ 1998 Public Mr. Quesenberry advised that the Town is preparing a Community Development Block Hearing Grant Application for the installation of improvements to the water system on Case Knife Road. The CBDG program is designed to allow communities to fund large scale capital improvements for areas consisting of low to moderate income households. The area in question consists of approximately 90 town residences and 30 county residences along Case Knife Road. All residents have experienced moderate to severe water problems. These residents have inadequate water pressure that rarely meets the minimum pressure required by the Health Department. Current line flow does not meet Fire Flow Specifications. The present proposal includes: - Installation of a 100,000 gallon tank to increase line pressure, on land located in the County and donated by residents of the area to be served by the tank. - Installation of approximately 6600 feet of 8 inch water line to households in the County, extended onto the end of the present line. - Installation of a new pump to raise pressure in the line and fill the tank more quickly in order to raise both pressure and line flow. Larry Freeman, Jerry Moore, Clayton Sweet, Paul Mines and Mr. McMillan spoke in support of the grant application. At 7:35, after extensive discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to close Public Hearing, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE: Count PulaskiChairman Neblett had no report, however, he advised that Downtown Pulaski, Inc. met Day & and wanted to advise that Count Pulaski Day and Depot Days will be combined and Depot Day celebrated June 20, 1998. PiJBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. Chairwoman Steger advised that changes in ordinances are being studied. Councilwoman Steger advised that the Railway Complex Committee met last week and further information will be forthcoming in the near future. Vice-Mayor Steger advised that Crime Control met February 11, 1998. She advised that the walking club meets daily from 8 -10 at the Central Gym, and there are many programs scheduled for our youth. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairman Stewart advised that Committee met February 17, 1998, discussing general approaches to the budget. Other discussion focused on issues connected with the current reassessment recently completed by the County. Also discussed was the possibility of consolidation of property tax billing with the County and a request from Committee for Staff to be appointed to study the matter. 3 9767 February L~7, 1998 Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission met February 9, 1998 to consider three cases. In the first case, Case'# 98-87RZ, the Commission voted to recommend to P.ezoning Rezoning Council that the 48.119 acres acquired for the Pulaski Business Park be rezoned from RR 88_87 (Rural Residential) to M-2 (General Industrial District). Council Public Hearing for this case will be March 3, 1998. Mr. Stewart also returned to Council a request by Brian Chinault (Planning Commission Rezoning Case No. 98-89RZ). Commission recommends that an adjoining lot be added to the 98-89 rezoning request to preserve the continuity of zoning between the RR and R-2 districts on Cedar Lane. Mr. Stewart made a motion to return Planning Commission Case No. 98- 89RZ to Planning Commission for further action, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried. Councilman Bolen voted no. Planning Commission also recommended that a resolution of support for the bikeway Bikeway- plan be adopted by Council and that the portion of the bikeway extending from the Walkway intersection of Route 99 and Bob White Boulevard to the Town limits on Route 99 be tied into the New River Trail. Public Hearing for this case will be March 3, 1998. Chairman Hale advised that Committee met February 3, 1998 to discuss appointments to Planning fill vacancies on Planning Commission and Economic Development Board. Committee Commission recommends to Town Council that the following individuals be re-appointed: J. B. Brillheart Mayor John Johnston Tom Combiths Charles Stafford H. W. Huff, Jr. Board of Zoning Appeals Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority Planning Commission Zoning Board PFRFJTA Cemetery Trust Fund Cemetery Trust Fund Motion carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye Committee instructed staff to prepare a public notice advising that Town will receive inquiries from citizens interested in serving on the Planning Commission. Staff was also instructed to contact representatives of the Economic Development Board concerning the present vacancy that they have. Councilman Hale advised that Committee also decided staff should contact individuals of various committees whose terms are expiring this year. Staff is to work with the Economic Development Board on upcoming re-appointments to the Board and report back to the Committee on their findings. Legislative Councilman Weddle advised that he and Councilman Neblett attended Legislative Day on Day February 5, 1998. The main topic was the car tax proposal. Councilman Weddle reviewed legislation regarding how the state would phase in the subsidy for the car tax. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Johnston had no report. 4 February 17 1998 TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths hi-lighted the accomplishments of the Micro-Enterprise Program. He advised that Virginia Department of Transportation will have a public information meeting on March 26, 1998, from 4-6 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center Annex on Fourth Street. Councilwoman Steger advised the Town Manager of complaint calls regarding water problems on Henry Avenue. Mr. Combiths advised that he would research the problem. At 8:05 p.m., Council entered executive session under 2.1-344 (A1), Personnel Matter Specific Individual, on motion made by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye 9768 ~~, At 8:21 p.m., Council returned to regular session and adopted certification resolution on motion by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. Neblett -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Mrs. Steger -Aye Mr. Stewart -Aye Mr. Hale -Aye Mr. Weddle -Aye Mrs. Mitchell -Aye Mr. Bolen -Aye 1 At 8:22 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. 5