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Home My WebLink About06-03-979699 June 3, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 3, 1997, 4:00 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. Bolan Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Ronald Vaughan Herb Cooley Debbie Bivens Sandy Wilhoit E. A. Hogston Bob VonUchtrup Carl Paschal Liz Moore Wesley Davis Barry Matherly Sybil Atkinson Dave Hart Dave Edmonds The meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnston. Councilman Weddle led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice Mayor Steger gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilman Penn made a motion that minutes of the regular meeting held May 20, 1997, be approved after correction, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carved. Mayor Johnston read Resolution No. 97-14 Proclaiming the week of June 15 through June 21st Resolution Baseball Week for the Pulaski Rangers and the Rangers players, coaches and staff, and that they 97-14 be declared honorary citizens of the Town of Pulaski. adopted Councilman Neblett made a motion that Resolution No. 97-14 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vale: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Dave Hart illustrated the hat that the team would be wearing this year, and distributed the baseball schedule. Opening game is June 18. Dave Edmonds, on behalf of the owners of Pulaski Baseball, Inc., thanked Town Council for their support and hopefully, this will last for many years. Mayor Johnston advised that next on agenda was a public hearing on the Town of Pulaski Public c roposed Budget, 1997-1998, and also Town of Pulaski water and sewer rate increase. Hearing ANNUAL Mr'~ Combiths stated that Town Council had put a lat of time into this budget and capital BUDGET improvement program. There is still some work to do. The expenditures to date and revenues to date are balanced. There is a little less than $50,000 positive variance between the two. One item was taken out, as a revenue projection, and that had to do with the public reassessment by the County which should become effective on taxes, if approved by the County and the Town Council, in June, 1998. This $50,000 represents less than 1 % of the revenue taken out of the budget. Mayor Johnston advised we would visit that again to determine whether to put it back or alter our rates at that time. It is believed the reassessment will come up in January or February. June 3, 1997 9700 Mr. Combiths stated the general fund budgets include the general fund, water fund, sewer fiord, cemetery trust fund, UDAG fund, train station and 9-1-1 fund. One goal of Town Council was to balance the budget in the upcoming fiscal year without having to make a fund balance transfer. The budget being considered does do that. Upon inquiry regarding the "Fishnic", Mr. Combiths was requested to come up with a cost. Chief of Police Herb Cooley was in attendance and answered questions from Town Council regarding the number of employees and vehicles in the Police Department. Considerable discussion followed, with Councilman Penn stating that we were very fortunate to have the experience and the ability to keep our police officers with the amount of money we pay them. Mayor Johnston stated that Council would be meeting again on June 17 and would probably consider adoption of a the budget at that time. The second public hearing was in regard to Town of Pulaski water and sewer rate increase. Mr. Public Combiths stated this public hearing was scheduled to consider a 4 percent water rate increase and a Hearing 4.5 percent sewer rate increase. Water & Sewer Council discussed the advertising of the public hearings. Town Council Members spent many Rate Increase hours reviewing the proposed water and sewer rate increase. From the public, Ronald Vaughan congratulated Council for the hours they have put in preparing the budget. Mr. Vaughan also expressed that he felt we had a good Police Department and knew that Council had to raise the water and sewer rates; however, one year ago we put t.v. equipment in all sewer lines and we were to close up the ground water going into the system. He stated that rates were still going up and questioned when and where would this level off and where does it stop. Mr. Combiths reported that we have worked aggressively on the infiltration/inflow into our sewer system. One-half of our system has now been t.v'ed, and we have one-half to go. Based on the schedule that we have been on to date, we still have another year and one-half to two years to finish the inspection of 60 miles of sewer line. At the next Council Meeting, Mr. Combiths will bring in figures as to what has bean accomplished to date. Councilman Stewart also asked for figures as to what the bills would be if we had not made repairs. Mr. Combiths felt that the rate increases were starting to come down, and depending upon the continued success of the I&I program, revenue collections and capital outlay, it should continue to come down. Mr. Combiths also reported that our Town Engineer was making application to the Rural Developmerrt Administration for a grant to help take care of this problem. At 4:45 p.m., the public hearing was closed. Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that Ordinance No. 97-10 Setting Forth the Charges for Water be adopted, seconded by Vice Mayor Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDI~iF:NCE 97-10 '.?3~ :'i'~;-?-?-'ATER James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye ~t Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolan -Aye Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that Ordinance No. 97-11 Setting Forth the Charges for Sewer Service be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDINANCE g7-11 ADOPTED -SEWER - James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye charges for Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Sewer 3 ~ r v i c e Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye 2 9701 June 3, 1997 ECONOMIC From the public, Sybil Atkinson, Chairperson of the Economic Developmerrt Board, addressed DEVELOPMENT Town Council advising the budget that was presented in the work session is one that they are very proud of and felt it was accountable of what Council had asked them to do as a citizen board. She further stated they supported Mr. Matherly in all that he has done. Mrs. Atkinson asked for the support of their budget and that Council approve this budget as submitted. Councilman Bolen questioned the $40,900 requested for advertising and Councilwoman Mitchell expressed concern about using UDAG funds for this endeavor. Mrs. Atkinson stated we had to attract people and bring them into our community. At 5:04 p.m. public hearing closed on proposed budget. As there were no other comments from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Neblett had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. ORDINANCE CONIlVIITTEE: Chairperson Steger had no report. FINANCE CONIl~IITTEE: Chairman Stewart advised that budget work sessions were held on May 21, May 28, May 29, May 30 and June 2. Another session will be scheduled before adopting the budget. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Chairman Hale had no report. PLANNIl~TG COMMISSION REPORT: Councilman Stewart stated that the Planning Commission would meet June 9. Mr. Quesenbery advised that Lloyd Randall Fowlkes had submitted an application, Case No. 97-72SUB, Subdivision requesting a subdivision of 1.18 acres located at 115 Bridge Street (Tax Map No.72-1-29) for the purpose of obtaining a loan. Councilman Stewart so moved this request be referred to the Planning Commission for their review, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Johnston reminded Council that concert in the park series had begun, and asked for Council's support of this program. And also requested that the restrooms in the municipal building be left open for these events. TOWN ATTORNEY' S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths reporters that the Town and County had been working with Adelphia Cable and a public access channel is now on line. The Clerk has been getting information to the college on special announcements for the Town. Mr. Combiths stated that Council would be receiving a request for federal assistance for a low HOUSING - income housing project at Route 11 and Oakhurst. This request will be reviewed with Town LOW INCOME Council in the future. iJ ~1 June 3, 1997 9702 Mr. Combiths requested an executive session under 2.1-344 (A7) consult with legal counsel concerning a specific taxpayer. At 5:12 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council enter Executive Session under 2.1- 344 (A3) Economic Development -Land Acquisition; (AS) Economic Development - UDAG application and (A7) Consult with legal counsel conceming a specific taxpayer. Motion seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:48 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Hale, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:49 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. APPROVED: ~• MAYO ATTEST: CL ~RK OF COUNCIL 4