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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-97January 7, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held January 7, 1997, 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, Walter H. Schrader, Jr., W. Edgar Hale, James M. Neblett, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: J. R. Schrader and Paul Dellinger, News Media Valencia Johnson Ronald Vaughan James E. Aust Ronnie C. Huddle Herman G. Largen Joe W. White Henderson Randolph Mike Larrowe Paul Pickett Dave Hart Wade Bartlett Hi Nicely Barry Matherly The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. L Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Stewart gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 17, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. AUDIT Mayor Graham advised that first on agenda was the presentation of the Town of Pulaski Comprehensive Financial Report, Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996. Mr. Mike Larrowe, Larrowe, Cardwell and Company, auditors for the Town, recapped the Town audit, advising that the audit was in four parts; introductory, financial, statistical and compliance. In the Finance Committee meeting prior to the Council Meeting, Mr. Paul Pickett covered the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Town in detail. Mr. Larrowe advised the Town received a clean opinion on its financial statements. n '~ In recapping the Town's financial position, the governmental fund of undesignated fund balance in the general fund is $876,000, down just a little from last year because of capital improvements made in the current year. In summary, general government revenues totaled $5,938,000 over the 12 months ending June 30, 1996; expenditures were $6,305,000. There was another financing source of capital leasing of $177,000 leaving a decrease in fund balances in governmental fund types of $189,000 which was more or less in line with the budget. The Town had anticipated using some of the prior years accumulated fund balances. The combined statement of revenue and expenses for proprietary fund types (water and sewer), had revenues of about $2,823,000; operating expenses of $2,660,000, leaving operating income of $163,000. Interest and other non operating expenses netting to $86,000 left net income in the water and sewer funds combined of $76,000. This is the third year Larrowe & Co. have completed the Town's annual audit and it is the first year in this three year period that both the water and sewer funds, in the same year, have run at a surplus. Mr. Combiths stated it had been a pleasure working with Mr. Larrowe and his staff. Larrowe, Cardwell and Company have recently opened an office in Pulaski as they had indicated several years ago. 9654 Mayor Graham advised that next on agenda was a public hearing on a proposed taxicab fare increase. Mr. Combiths reported that Blue & White Cabs, Inc. had requested this rate increase 9655 January 7, 1997 PUBLIC HEARIN~ecember 3, 1996, and staff was recommending Council's favorable consideration of the rate TAXI CAB increase. RATE INC . Mr Bartlett stated that after a review of Blue & White Cabs, Inc. financial statements of the last two years, he was in agreement with Mr. Largen's statement that Blue & White Cabs profits have decreased by 41%. Mr. Terwilliger advised that the maximum rate applied to the flat rate that may be charged. The zone rates are set rates. Within the flat rate, they can only move by five cent increments. Mr. Bartlett advised that the largest increases in expenses for Blue & White have been insurance, repairs and wages. The result has been a decline in gross operating income of 39%, a decline in cash provided by operations of 35% and a reduction in net income of 37%. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that probably an increase is needed and he would support this, however, he felt that Blue & White did so much transporting of Medicaid cases and they do not pay the same rate as the others. We should ask our legislature to perhaps look at the local rates as the private citizens are subsidizing rates. Mr. Largen advised that his letter spoke for him with Mr. Aust advising that all cab companies were in the same situation. ORDINANCE N0. 97-1 ADOPTED RATE INCREASE Councilman Penn advised that he had received complairrts of cabs not responding in inclement weather and drivers smoking in the cabs. These concerns were discussed as well as items from the Town Attorney and were referred to the Ordinance Committee. The cab companies concerned will be invited to attend the meeting. At 4:24 p.m. the public hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 97-1 Amending Chapter 8, Article VII, Section 8-257 of the Pulaski Town Code was before Council. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Ordinance No. 97-1 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Johnston and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye As there no commerrts from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE: Chairman Johnston had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. ORDINANCE CONIl~IlTTEE: Chairwoman Steger had no report. FINANCE COl~Il~IITTEE: Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee met prior to the Council Meeting. The RESOLUTION ce~ttee reviewed Resolution 97-1 Requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation 97-1 establish a project for a new superstructure for the Duncan Avenue Bridge. Vice Mayor Schrader Duncan Ave . so moved that Resolution No. 97-1 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Hale and carried on the Bridge following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye 1 I ICI 2 January 7, 1997 Chairman Schrader advised that the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was reviewed. Chairman Schrader thanked the auditors for their time and help. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE: TOWN Chairman Hale reported that the Human Resources Committee had met this date and discussed the MANAGER position of Town Manager's Assistant. The Town Manager will bring back to the committee a job ASST. description for an Assistarn to the Town Manager with a salary range between $23,000 - $34,000 with specific skills outlined. Also, the Manager will discuss with Council the future needs of an Assistant Town Manager and this position's relationship with department heads and managemern responsibility. APPT . The committee recommended, and Chairman Hale so moved that Charles Stewart be appoirned as CABLE TV the Town's representative to the Pulaski Courny Cable Television Committee; and that APPT . John Hawley and Tom Combiths be appointed as the two alternates to Peppers Ferry Regional PEPPERS FER . Wastewater Treatment Authority. The Town Manager will discuss with several department heads an appointment to the Transportation Advisory Committee of the New River Valley Planning District Commission; and that APPT . Councilman Hale, Councilman Neblett and Dave Hart represern the Town on the Randolph Park RANDOLPH Committee and the Town Manager will communicate this to the County to make sure this is PARK satisfactory. Mr. Combiths indicated that the Courny concurred with the proposed appointees. COMMITTEE Motion 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. -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Chairman Hale advised that the committee recommended, and Councilman Johnston so moved, WORKERS seconded by Councilman Neblett that the Workers' Compensation Physician Panel Policy of the COMP . Human Resources Manual be adopted with the addition of the Radford Orthopedic Center; and HYSICIAN that Dr. Mayo, Dr. Still and Dr. Troxel be contacted in regard to their serving on this panel. PANEL Motion carried on the following recorded vote: ADOPTED John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Mr. Combiths updated the committee with regard to accumulated vacation and comp time and will forvvard to Council on a monthly basis status regarding reductions. MAYOR' S REPORT: Mayor Graham reported that Virginia Municipal League Legislative Day would be held February 6 in Richmond. POLICE. Mayor Graham stated we have to provide safety for people and recommended that the Town K-9 cooperate with the Sheriff's Departmern and the State Police in a K-9 unit for drug interdiction in our community and he recommended that the Town of Pulaski not purchase a K-9 dog. If Council disagrees with this recommendation, he would strongly recommend that the subject K-9 unit should be fully debated prior to any action taken by the Town Manager. An annual cost must be projected which would include the purchase and the training of the dog and labor cost of police officer, and maintenance of the K-9 unit, etc. The Town would own this dog and we would have complete cornrol over it. Councilman Johnston questioned if we knew the cost of the Town cooperating with the County and State. He felt the Town would be expected to share in the cost. Mayor Graham stated that if we needed a K-9 dog, we should go and ask the County to assist us. This has been the policy in the past. Councilwoman Steger advised that Chief Cooley had advised that everything has been put on hold and we do not have to do anything at this point. After further discussion, Mayor Graham requested that the Town Manager make a report on this `matter. ~. 3 9656 9657 January 7, 1997 Mayor Graham reminded Council that Statements of Economic Interest must be in by January 15. Mayor Graham further requested that a Utilities Committee be scheduled regarding the telemetry for our water storage tanks and the pump station, what progress we are making, exc. Also, a Public Operations Committee meeting be scheduled regarding the rules of using bicycles in Town. Mayor Graham requested that he has two gentlemen who are concerned and would like to attend this meeting. TOWN ATTORNEY' S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, requested an Executive Session regarding two personnel matters regarding specifically named individuals, and consultation with legal counsel regarding the Hoops UDAG matter. Mr. Combiths reported that Mr. Hi Nicely would address Council regarding item two on the agenda for Executive Session. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths requested that Town Council consider a date to hold public hearing regarding the COMPREHENSIVEComprehensive Plan and suggested January 21 or February 4. Mr. Combiths advised that if there PLAN was not enough time to advertise the meeting for the 21st, we would advertise for February 4. Vice Mayor Schrader so moved that the public hearing be scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on January 21, seconded by Mr. Penn and carried. Mr. Combiths suggested that Council Members also bethinking about setting a goal setting retreat at Council's convenience. Mayor Graham asked for an outline of this session and recommended it be held at the Hospital Education Building. Mr. Combiths will furnish a telephone system update at the next Council meeting. Mr. Combiths reported that the Town has a franchise with United Cities Gas. United Cities Gas are entering into a merger under the State Corporation's Commission and there will be action regarding this. At 4:46 p.m. Council entered Execution Session on motion made by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader under 2.1-344 AS Economic Development Matter UDAG application; A7 Consult with Legal Counsel- contract negotiations (baseball); Al two personnel matters, specifically named individuals and A7 Consult with Legal Counsel, UDAG Loan, George Penn, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 5:40 Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Mayor Schrader, 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. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Vice Mayor Schrader advised that Council had discussed a W-2 correction and so moved that the EMPLOYEES Town Administration handle the W-2 corrections in a manner as to complete all the corrections that are needed up to a $1,000. Motion 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. -Aye W. EdgarHale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Vice Mayor Schrader reported that Council had discussed the prospects of a minor league baseball f BASEBALL team joining the Appalachian League and being here in Pulaski for at least one year. Vice Mayor r`~ ,~ L ~I January 7, 1997 BASEBALL, Continued: Schrader so moved that the Town Administration be authorized to negotiate with the Texas Rangers in conjunction with Pulaski Baseball for no more than $30,000 to be sperrt on upgrading the park and various other associated endeavors with the baseball. Also, further moved that Town Administration and Town Attorney look at the contract between Pulaski Baseball and the Town to be sure that this is still suitable and feasible for our use. Mr. Terwilliger suggested that we might want to request in our later that they give us a certain date by next summer, a list of what it would take so that we could look at it early enough to do it. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that Councilman Johnston had suggested that the letter that was sent to the Texas Rangers be made available for Council to review prior to it being forwarded. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye At 543 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. APPROVED: ~~~~~ Mayor Attest: ~~ ~. ~~~ Clerk of Council 9658