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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-97February 4, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 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: 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: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Valencia Johnston Ronald Vaughan C. B. Akers William A. Draper Bea Draper Jake Blevins Sandy Florence Debbie Hawkins Ronald J. Caudill Gentry R. Janey Arch B. Boadwine Ricky Jones Guy M. Bishop III Roy David Warburton Wayne Carpenter Jack Gill Woody Lookabill Barry Matherly John Hawley The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Schrader. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. The roll call was then taken. MAYOR Vice Mayor Schrader stated that Mayor Andrew L. Graham had tendered his resignation effective Resigns January 31, 1997. In talking with Mayor Graham today, he sounded very well, is in progressive care and hopes to be home in a few days. In 3 to 6 weeks, further surgery will be performed. On behalf of Town Council, Vice Mayor Schrader advised our thoughts and prayers are with him and hope he gets home soon. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that our Charter charges that we have 45 days from the date of the resignation to appoint a new Mayor. Council will appoirrt someone to fill the term vacated by Mayor Graham. The Human Resources Committee met prior to tonight's meeting. Vice Mayor Schrader advised the floor was open for nominations for the seat of Mayor of the Town of Pulaski. MAYOR Councilman Neblett made a motion, with honor, to nominate John A. Johnston, as our next Mayor. NOMINATIbrlotion seconded by Councilwoman Steger, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Abstain 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 OATH OF The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Honorable R. Glenwood Lookabill, then administered the Oath of OFFICE Offnce to Mayor Johnston. 9666 Councilman Neblett then requested a five minute recess. 9667 Mayor Johnston then took his seat as Mayor. Mayor Johnston thanked the Council for their support, and stated he regretted that he came to this office by the way he came to it. He would much prefer that Mr. Graham be here to continue to lead us. He stated he did not know anyone who was more dedicated to his job and to the Town of Pulaski than Andy has been over the period of years that he has known him. Andy has always done things that he felt were in the best interest of the Town and the Town citizens have been well served. Mayor Johnston stated he took this responsibility with a lot of apprehension, he will need help and will be calling on the Town citizens. He will try to represent them to the best of his ability and help Council and administration to serve the Town in the best possible way. And, he felt we had a good Council and good administration. Councilwoman Steger so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting held January 21, 1997, and minutes of the special meeting held January 30, 1997, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: W. Edgar Hale -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye I GATI~OOD ROAD February 4, 1997 1'[JBLIC HEARING 0~'>PR1~iSIVE PIAN Mayor Johnston, prior to introducing the registered speaker, advised that the Town of Pulaski did not close the Gatewood road, however, we do have a vital interest in this road. The Sportsman's Club will meet with the Forestry officials following the Council Meeting. Registered speaker Bea Draper, addressed Council opposing the closing of Gatewood Road. As a member of the Pulaski County Sportsman's Club, they fish for trout and this is the only trout stream in the area. The group does realize there is a problem with littering. Rickie Jones also understood the littering problem and advised there is a severe maintenance problem with the road. Mr. Jones staters he had 700 signatures to keep the road open. The Town Attorney stated that the Town has no right to demand the road be opened to the public, however, we could go on record one way or the other. Mr. Combiths advised that the Town does have keys to the gate. Dave Hart, Recreation Director, stated the road will be opened March 15th. In regard to the maintenance of the road, Mr. Terwilliger advised that the Town does have some maintenance responsibility for the road. Fred Blevins, nearby property owner, informed Council of the background in acquiring land and he had not requested the road be closed. Mr. Blevins felt the Town did have some responsibility for maintenance of Gatewood Road and also expressed concern with the trash and littering. Also it is the only viable stream in our area to support trout. Jake Blevins advised that care must betaken with the Town water system. And that we need some kind of control for this trash as well as other dumpster sites. The Town Manager will review what our responsibilities are and report back to Council. Mayor Johnston advised that next on agenda was a public hearing on the Town of Pulaski Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Combiths reported that Council could take comments but delay action until the first meeting in March, after the goal setting session with staff. Mr. Warburton, Chairman of the Planning Commission, advised they were pleased to present the Comprehensive Plan to the Town Council. The Planning Commission's annual report was presented at the last Council Meeting. Mr. Warburton recognized the excellent work of Rebekah Corso, Rob Lyons and former Council Member and Commission Member Roy D'Ardenne in preparation of this document. This Comprehensive Plan is not set in concrete. The Town is required by State Code to present a Comprehensive Plan which must be adopted before March, 1997. Mr. Warburton expressed appreciation to Mr. J. R. Schrader, Southwest Times, for the excellent news coverage of the Planning Commission and their review of the Comprehensive Plan. Attorney Sam Campbell, representing Downtown East Limited Partnership and White Limited Liability Company, run by H. W. Huff, Jr., advised that the land behind Pulaski Mall and Pulaski 2 February 4, 1997 Plaza Shopping is basically undeveloped land and is presently zoned M 2 General Industrial and they wanted to see it left that way. Under the revised Comprehensive Plan, that area is to be rezoned to Business. If rezoned, it will lose industrial development potential. It is not suitable for business as there is a lack of road frontage. Mr. Campbell also advised there are 190 acres on Rt. 11 undeveloped. This property needs to stay Business and the Comprehensive Plan changes it to R-O. He urged that zoning stay as it is. Mr. Warburton stated that the Comprehensive Plan regards land uses and not zoning and is a valuable planning tool. Mayor Johnston stated the second public hearing regards the Community Development Block ®~ Grant. Mr. Barry Matherly gave an overview of this program and gave criteria for obtaining this PUBLIC grant. To be considered would be economic development, housing and community facilities. We 11EARIlVG can a 1 fora ant or a 1 fora Tannin ant to stud the situation. There were no comments PP Y 8t' PP Y P g 1~' Y on past Community Development Block Grants received, by phone or mail. A second public hearing will beheld when we have a specific project. Mr. Hawley advised we had grants in the past; housing rehabilitation, Veterans Hill and Cool Springs. This grant would assist low and moderate income families. Projects recommended by Mr. Hawley would be a planning grant for Case Knife tank or laterals on private property. There were no comments from the public and public hearings were closed at 5:05 p.m. Mr. Ronald Vaughan, from the public, addressed Council regarding the condition of South Jefferson Avenue. Street had bean dug up to install a new line, and it is a mess. Also, Mr. Vaughan advised Council his water bills, over the past few years, ran 6 or 7 thousand gallons per month. Approximately one month ago, the Town installed a new water meter and now his water usage is 2,000 gallons. He questioned if he had been overcharged over the years. The Town Manager is to look into these matters. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMIMITTEE: Chairman Johnston had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. ORDINANCE CONIl~IITTEE: Chairwoman Steger had no report, however, she advised the Ordinance Committee will meet next week. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairman Schrader stated the Finance Committee had met prior to the Council Meeting and discussed swapping a connection fee for an easement. The committee also discussed I & I private property lateral repairs. Chairman Schrader so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to negotiate an agreement with the land owner to do the repairs and reach a repayment agreement. I&I Rena; rs Motion seconded by Councilman Stewart and carried on the following recorded vote: Private Property 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 Schrader reported the committee also met in executive session on three items; contract negotiations regarding utility line extension, consult with legal counsel regarding contract negotiations regarding baseball, and to consult with legal counsel regarding land acquisition, however, due to limited time, they were only able to discuss the contract negotiations regarding baseball. 9668 9669 February 4, 1997 ~~ The contract was reviewed with Pulaski Baseball Club Inc. and the committee was in agreement to L~A~SFT,AT 1, recommend this to Council. Chairman Schrader so moved that we accept the coxrtract which would CZIIB apply to the use of Calfee Park by the Club during the period April 1, 1997, to September 1, 199 . Motion seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Pane -Aye James M. Neblett -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye HUMAN RESOURCES CONIlVIlTTEE: BEI'I'YE Slit APPT. 'IU UNTIED WAY UOARD OF DIR. I Jim Neblett I appt. to III Chairman Hale reported Human Resources Committee met prior to the Council Meeting in executive session to discuss a personnel matter, specifically named individuals. The Human Resources recommended that Councilwoman Bettye Steger be appointed to the United Way Board of Directors and so carried. Chairman Hale advised that a Special Council Meeting was scheduled to discuss appointing someone to fill Dr. Johnston's position on Town Council on Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 a.m. Councilman Neblett advised that as an appointed member of the Pulaski Main Street, Inc., a meeting was attended with the new Board of Directors. New officers were elected; Pat Gooch was elected President, Tom Wallace elected Vice President and Judy Isom elected Sceretary/Treasurer. They will be meeting regularly. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger advised the "We Copy" UDAG loan closed last week. As a reminder to Council, under our Charter, Council automatically created a vacancy on Council and Council has 45 days in which to fill it. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths had no further report. Councilwoman Mitchell advised she had met with the Board on Agency on Aging and heard a very good financial report from them. An update on the bridges was given by Messrs. Combiths and Hawley. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that the Finance Committee would like to request that two items for executive session be postponed until Tuesday morning, February 11th. At 5:16 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Hale and carried. APPROVID: Attest: Mayor Clerk of Council i~ u 4