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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-96August 6, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 6, 1996, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Andrew L. Graham, Jr., presiding Council Members: John A. Johnston, Lane R. Penn, Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, James M. Neblett, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Robert J. Lyons, Acting Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: J. R. Schrader, News Media Joyce Bell Wade Bartlett The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Stewart led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Steger so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting held July 16, 1996, and the minutes of the special meeting held August 2, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. JOYCE Next on agenda were comments from the public. Ms. Joyce Bell addressed Council with her T, concern about discrimination in the Town Shop with regard to females and minorities. Ms. Bell stated she was an employee of the Town. Mayor Graham inquired of the Town Attorney, if Ms. Bell had questions, should they come before the Town Manager or the administrator of that department prior to bringing to Council Mr. Terwilliger advised that since she had filed a formal complaint with the Human Resources Council, he would suggest that the Council Members not respond as he considered this litigation even though no law suit has been filed. Anytime there is threatened or pending litigation, Council should not make commenrts. Ms. Bell advised that she had been asking if there was an Affirmative Action Program Coordinator and Mr. Combiths had advised her there had not been one and she was wondering if one had been appoirned. Ms. Bell also questioned if all positions with the Town, whether temporary or permanent were advertised and if so, is there a written procedure for the way job vacancies are filled. She further requested a copy of the written procedure. Mr. Terwilliger advised that the Town Manager be asked to furnish Ms. Bell with information she had requested. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham asked for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE: Chairman Johnston had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COl~Il~IlTTEE: Chairman Penn advised the committee reviewed the request to abandon the undeveloped 50 ft. section of Frederick Avenue between Mathews Court and Orchard Lane. After research, it was FRLD~ZICK found that this street fronts property which would be landlocked if closed. The committee ~r• ~2• recommended that Mr. Jackson be notified to maintain the alley as they had agreed in 1987. CUJ6ING Chairman Penn stated that Public Operations Committee had met August 5th and discussed the r r r~'Y alley off of Pinnacle Street, wh~her to pave this alley or to do temporary repair. The committee recommended using millings from the streets currently being worked on, and if this does not work, ~~ Public Operations will review the alley again and perhaps pave it if necessary. :'iru~acle 9612 (9613 August 6, 1996 ORDINANCE CONIlVIITTEE: Chairwoman Steger had no report, however, she reminded citizens that yard sale, political signs, exc. should be removed within seven (7) days. She also expressed appreciation to citizens for their cooperation in the clean up and it is hoped we will have a dump site for large items in the near future. Staff will meet with Mr. Vest of PSA. Mayor Graham asked that staff have weeds removed in the alley beside the old theatre. CRIME CONTROL REPORT: Councilwoman Steger advised this committee had met August 6 with the Sheriff, two Police ~~ Chiefs and Karen Clymer of the school system in attendance A successful meeting was held in that ~~ plans are being made to obtain grants to reach the lower grades and younger students. An endorsemerrt letter from the Town will accompany the grant application. Councilwoman Steger stated that the Central gym is open to all of the youth of Pulaski County and they have been very successful with this program this summer. Councilwoman Steger commended the Crime Committee for being ahead of some of the towns and counties in trying to reach down and go lower in the schools because of the crime reaching the little children now. FINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Schrader was absent. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Chairman Hale advised that the Human Resources Committee had met prior to the Council Meeting and recommended that the following persons be appointed to the Town Industrial Development Authority: Name Term Expires Industrial William Elmore April 15, 1998 Development Jack White Authority April 15, 1998 Wayne Carpenter August 13, 2000 Roy D'Ardenne May , 1997 Gene Stuart April, 1999 Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye James M. Nebl~t -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent Charles W. Stewart -Aye PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Councilman Stewart advised that the Planning Commission had met July 22 and they are making good progress on the Comprehensive Plan. This plan is scheduled to be completed in the Fall. The Planning Commission reviewed and approved the Housing Element, Utilities Elemern and Economic Development Element. Councilman Stewart felt they should be able to present this plan to Council within two months for action in the Fall. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Graham requested the Assistant Town Manager to develop a plan of Calfee Park and Jackson Park activities so that events are not scheduled on the same day. August 6, 1996 Mr. Lyons advised that he had drafted a letter to the Chamber of Commerce advising them to let the Town know a couple of weeks in advance when they plan events so we can check to see if there are any scheduling conflicts. Councilwoman Steger stated she had a number of calls complaining of the noise/music at the Chamber event at Calfee Park. Mayor Graham advised that the VML Annual Conference would be held in Roanoke on October ~, 20-22. Confirmation has bean received from the Sheraton Inn-Airport. Council Members were Conf , requested to tum in their registration to the Clerk. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. ACTING TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Lyons gave a projects update, including that Westwood Drive property owners had been sent Q1RB & letter for curb and gutter improvements. To date, no one has written to express interest. Staff has ~~ talked with Congressman Boucher's office and the Peak Creek Reconnaissance Study is still on track. At the last Council meeting, Mr. Blevins had mentioned that there were grants available to PRQIDCIS assist with Peak Creek. Congressman Boucher's office indicated that the Town has already sought UPDATE assistance under the grants that Mr. Blevins mentioned. Mr. Lyons gave an update on our nuisance abatement program. Anew check list has been established and will be ready in the next week or two. The Police Department will assist us in enforcing the code; a computerized building permit program has been installed; and the fire hydrant on Memorial Drive is operational. It is short because the water line is very deep. 0 Councilman Penn advised he is getting telephone calls regarding Peak Creek and questioned if at onetime the Town was supposed to have completed something. Mayor Graham stated we did not have any answers; it is the same as it was 18 years ago. We have annexed additional area since then and it is in the flood plain below the Blevins property. It has always been a problem. Another location being Kersey Bottom. We do not know if it is economically feasibly to correct. Councilwoman Steger stated we had made progress in the inspection by the Corps of Engineers. Councilwoman Mitchell advised that in the past the creek was widened in places, and the Town offered to widen past the corporate limits, however, the County declined this offer. There have been no proposals to buy the properties. Mayor Graham advised that it was unfortunate that they built their homes in a flood plain, and there are no public funds to correct those mistakes. PROPEfZIY Mr. Lyons requested an executive session on a property damage claim by Mrs. Beverly Holtz. DAMAGE At 4:29 p.m., Councilman Neblett so moved that Council go into executive session under 2.1-344 ~-~ A7, property damage claim by Mrs. Beverly Holtz, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 4:33 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Johnston, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Mr. Lyons reported that a Town vehicle was involved in a very minor accident with Beverly Holtz causing $372.12 damage to her vehicle. This amount is above the $250.00 amount that the Town Manager can settle himself without Council approval, but it is also below our deductible so we do n~~ ~ ~~ant to tum this into our insurance company. Councilman Johnston made a motion, seconded 9614 9615 August 6, 1996 by Councilman Penn, that approval be given to pay Mrs. Holtz $312.12 in damages. Motion carriers on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Councilman Neblett so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to settle small claims not to ~~ exceed $500.00 in property damage. Personal injury claims are not included in this, or anything CLAIMS that must be reported to the insurance company. This is just for property damage only. Motion seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 4:36 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. APPROVED: LCtt) Mayor Attest: uth A. Harrell, Clerk o Council n u [7 4