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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-96Septanber 3, 1996 Mmutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held September 3, 1996, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor W. H. Schrader, Jr., presiding Council Members: John H. Johnston, Lane R. Penn, Bettye H. Steger, James M. Neblett, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Also Preserrt: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: J. R. Schrader and Paul Dellinger, News Media Valencia Johnston Ronald Vaughan Mary Lee Duncan Paul Houston One area citizen The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Schrader. Vice Mayor Schrader welcomed visitors to the meeting. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. MAYOR Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Mayor Graham be excused from Council as long as he GRAH M A needs to be absent, with Council's best wishes and God speed. We look forward to his getting back as quickly as possible. Motion seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Absent Lane R. Penn -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Following the roll call, Councilman Penn made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 20, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. T7Ck]~JQ"I Mr. Paul Houston, consultant for the Town from the State of Virguva, Department of Information ~~'TT~and Technology, addressed Council regarding procuring a new telecommunications system for the Town. The Town's present system is approximately 30 years old. Mr. Houston gave a brief overview of some of the benefits that will be achieved through the new telecommunications system. The new system will meet the telecommunication requirements for the Town, at a minimum, for the next 12 to 15 years. Mr. Houston answered questions that Council presented and assured Council that a citizen calling the Town would talk with a person in department to which the call was directed. From the public, Mrs. Mary Lee Duncan, inquired as to her concerns from the last Council meeting. (1) Lot that needs to be mowed behind Virginia Feed store -notice has been serrt to property owner; (2) Lot that needs to be mowed Washington Avenue -Maple Shade Inn -notice has been sent to owner; (3) clean up of Washington Avenue & 5th Street -commode has been removed and it is being cleaned up (it is felt this lot has bean leased and improvements to be made); (4) sidewalk repairs on Madison Avenue at Pulaski Furniture -these repairs have been scheduled; also, improvements need to be made to keep gravel from washing out and a trash barrel famished for employee luncheon debris. Mrs. Duncan questioned if railroad crossing signs could be removed. 9620 Other concerns mentioned: pedestrian crossing from Post Oi~ice to Senior Center, and on Madison between 1st Street and 2nd Street -sign "slow -children at play" is covered up by brush and cannot be read. 9621 September 3, 1996 As there were no other comme-rts from the public, Vice Mayor Schrader called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Johnston reported there has been a lot of sickness and vacations in the Public Works Department but they are trying to get caught up and back on schedule. Chairman Johnston advised that staff is evaluating the water report prepared by Draper Aden and will get back to the Utilities Committee. Projects will be planned and priorities established. The staff is also working with several industries, Renfro and Magnox, and several others in trying to work out some arrangements on projects. Chairman Johnston reported that the Peakland water line is 60% complete; Alum Spring Road sewer line is 40% complete; I&I repairs complete on Valley Road and First Street SW, and South Jefferson Avenue water system changes are being scheduled. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE; Chairman Penn had no report. ORDINANCE CONIlVIITTEE: Chairwoman Steger had no report, but advised they will be working on ordinance as requested in Finance Committee. CRIlVIE CONTROL REPORT: QZ~ Councilwoman Steger reported she had attended the meeting held on August 6 and a September oQM~I'IL'E meeting will not beheld. The Town forwarded a letter with the Council's backing for the support (POLICE) of the grant that they are trying to gex to put an officer in elementary schools to help with prevention of crime for the young children. Councilwoman Steger signed this letter of support on behalf of the Town Council. Councilwoman Steger advised the next meeting would be held Tuesday, October 1. Councilwoman Steger expressed how pleased she was with the work this group is doing. FINANCE COMIVIITTEE: INTII2PRISE Chairman Schrader stated the Finance Committee had met prior to the Council meeting. The 71JNE committee discussed the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. In this program, we have been getting a rebate on machinery and tools tax. We have been notified by the Attorney General's Office that this may not be legal. The Town Attorney was requested to prepare an ordinance to remove this from our Enterprise Zoning Program. Chairman Schrader advised that the committee also discussed the Industrial Development IDA Authority. The Town Manager is to prepare an overview of their duties and responsibilities. An education program is available at Virginia Tech for the IDA members if they wish to attend. Chairman Schrader reported that the committee discussed the Pulaski Theatre and it appears that ~~ within 30 days, we shall see some type of movement on this project. The Town Manager was ~~ requested to bring back a report regarding what type of costs are associated with the theatre in renovations, liabilities and other associated items. Chairman Schrader advised that the Town Attorney had brought Council up to date on the cable franchise. A public hearing will be held on September 17 regarding this cable franchise which expires on December 31, 1996. Chairman Schrader advised that the committee had discussed the Town's parade permit fees. The ~~ code lists a charge for this permit, however, the Town has not been charging this fee. The Finance ~E) Committee requested that the Ordinance Committee review this item and the uses of the Town's facilities and bring a policy back to Council Chairman Schrader reported that vehicle pooling is coming along within the departments; a budget savings program for the departments on each fiscal year; and inmate labor was discussed. A Judge 2 Septenber 3, 1996 will be in attendance at the next Council meeting to bring Council up to date fully on the inmate program and their ideas about the use of inmates in their courts. APPIS. RIONQ~'ffC 1~VII~P. ~~s SANTI'ATION HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE• In the absence of Chairman Hale, Councilman Johnston reported that Mike Forest, Karen Graham and Paul Etzell, due to other interests, have had to drop out of the Board of Economic Development. The Human Resources Committee recommended that the following members be appointed to the Board of Economic Development for two year terms: Name Business Section Company James "Doc" Reagan Industry Renfro Corp. Pat Gooch Commercial Casimir Company A. J. Smith Jr. Citizen at Large A. J. Smith Jr. Accounting Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye VICE MAYOR' S REPORT: W. Edgar Hale -Absent James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Vice Mayor Schrader reminded Council of the Joint Governmental Meeting to beheld September 24, 1996, hosted by the Town of Dublin, and also of the Transportation Summit September 30, 1996, at Edwards Hall, New River Community College. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Tervvilliger, in answer to inquiry at last Council Meeting of Ms. Joyce Bell, if job openings were properly advised, in reviewing the matter there had been an inadvertent error. It appeared that there were two openings in an identical job and the first opening was properly advertised; on the second advertisement there was not quite enough time. The deadline was extended and the proper advertising was done. Ms. Bell was thanked for brixiging this matter to Council's attention. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths advised that we were trying to finalize with the PSA a drop off site on Dora Highway. PSA is in the process of procuring containers. Mr. Combiths also reported that the Town will close Gatewood camping area on September 29 for repairs to rest rooms before cold weather. The Auditors have started their comprehensive audit in the Finance Department which will be ongoing for the next couple of months. PARK The parking enforcement in downtown is due to resume in mid September. Due to a vacancy in Dispatch, our enforcement officer had to be moved into Dispatch and it is hoped she can be moved . back to parking enforcement. Councilman Penn suggested that since the parking enforcement was suspended for a period of time, that enforcement be suspended on an experimental/temporary basis to see if it would help the downtown merchants. In discussing this matter, Council recognized that there had always been a problem with employees parking on the street and it would be recreating a bad situation. At present, there are more spaces available in the downtown area. It was also suggested that we might want to get a report from the Parking Authority on the entire situation and perhaps there are areas they can improve. The Town Manager will request a report and meet with Mr. Penn's Public Operations Committee. 9622 9623 September 3, 1996 At 4:40 p.m. Councilwoman Steger so moved that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1- 344 Al Personnel Matter, specifically named individual, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Absent Lane R. Penn -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 4:44 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Absent Lane R. Penn -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 4:45 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. Vice Mayor Attest: Ruth A. Harrell Clerk of Council n 4