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Home My WebLink About08-05-97August 15, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 5, 1997, 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were preserrt: Mayor John A. Johnston, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Charles W. Stewart Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, Pauline G. Mitchell, Gerald E. Bolen Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: J. R. Schrader, Paul Dellinger, Richard Lento, News 1 Media Charles Rhea Elizabeth Brunk Judy Flenuning Johnny Worrell Joseph Hughes David Hughes Johnny Hughes Charles E. Riddle Mike Mathena Alan G. Cowan Frances Cowan Ellis Hughes Tracey Shiftlett John Goad Wesley Davis Jeff Hall The meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnston Councilwoman Mitchell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Bolen gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilman Neblett made a motion that minutes of the regular meeting held July 15, 1997 be approved as submitted after correction and minutes of the special meeting held July 30, 1997 be approved as submitted. Motion seconded by Councilman Penn and carved. Mayor Johnston read Resolution No. 97-23 Honoring William "Wade" Bartlett, Finance Director, ~~~ who has accepted the position of Director of Finance in the City of Martinsville. Vice Mayor 97-23 Steger so moved that Resolution 97-23 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: PARADE James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Abserrt Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Fire Chief Jeff Hall addressed Town Council regarding the new route for the annual fire parade, effective October 9, 1997. The parade will line up on First Street, N.E. and follow the route going up First Street in front of Municipal Building, tum right onto Jefferson Avenue, going down West Main Street to the intersection of Washington and Main, tum left, going up Third Street N.W. to the intersection of Randolph and Third, coming down on Randolph Avenue to First Street behind the Fire Station where they will disband. Route will be about 1.4 miles in distance and approximately 100 fire trucks will participate. ~~-'` r,~ Tr~~Fy Shiftlett Department of Economic Development, addressed resolutions required under R OLE~UI'IONS~1e Community Block C, : ~~~.;ram. Funding for the Microenterprise Program awarded through 9714 9715 August 5, 1997 DO~V~~C DEVEUJPr1~iTI' the State of Virginia is actually federal monies from the Community Block Grant Program. Mr. Shiftlett briefly summarized each resolution, and answered questions from Council. I„ff~ Before Council was Resolution No. 97-20, Town of Pulaski Microenterprise Assistance Program, Il~PRIST Local Business and Employment Plan; Resolution No. 97-21, Town of Pulaski Microerrterprise RFSpTIT1'TpIVg Assistance Program Pulaski Venture Fund, Residential, Anti-Displacement and Relocation 97_20 Assistance Plan; and Resolution No. 97-22 Town of Pulaski Microenterprise Assistance Program, 97-21 Pulaski Venture Fund, Fair Housing Certification. 97-22 Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that Resolution No. 97-20, Resolution No. 97-21 and Resolution No. 97-22 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye P[JBLSC Mayor Johnston stated that next on agenda was a public hearing on a request from Mrs. Brunk to ~~ rezone 1.6320 acres on Cedar Lane, Tax Map 081-001-000-97A from R-2 (Residential) to R-R RQp~~ (Rural Residential). Mrs. Brunk warrts to place a trailer on this property. The Planning RIFT Commission recommended adding the following lots to the original application for rezoning request: 081-001-000-98, 98A, 98B, 99, 100, 101, 102, 082-001-000-2 The Town Council referred the request back to the Planning Commission. The addition of the added lots was readvertised and a second public hearing held by both the Planning Commission and the Town Council. Councilman Bolen expressed that he opposed the rezoning as we were creating a trailer park. Mr. Quesenberry stated it was not intended that we do spat zoning but to create a more contiguous area. There were no comments from the public for or against this rezoning request. ORDIlVAh1CE Before Council was Ordinance No. 97-12 Rezoning 1.6320 Acres, 200 Cedar Lane, Tax Map No. 97-12 081-001-0000-97A, and Tax Map Nos. 081-001-0000-98, 98A, 98B, 99, 100, 101, 102 and 082- 1~~1Il~1G 001-0000-2 From R 2 to R-R (Rural Residential). Councilman Neblett made a motion that Ordinance No. 97-12 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen - No Mayor Johnston requested that remarks concerning Gatewood be held urrtil the Public Operations Committee Report. As there were no other comments from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CObIlVi[TTEE: Chairman Neblett had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS CO>\~IlVIITTEE: Chairman Penn advised that the Public Operations Committee met August 1, but due to a lack of a quorum., no action was taken. ~T~D Mayor Johnston advised that in May, Council adopted new rates at Gatewood. At that time, ~~ Council agreed to look at the increased rates in a couple of months. Mr. Alan Cowan ,Dublin, VA, advised on May 6 he brought in a petition with 181 signatures ~. ~~~ opposing increased rates. His remarks included: Gatewood has no activities, Gatewood is not a ADDRFSSS~ well kept place, raw sewage, high grass, road is nat kept up, not equipped to handle large trailers on road, no handicapped facilities, batteries and equipmerrt in bad condition, boats leak, etc. August 5, 1997 GAT17ti00D, 09N'I"D. Wayne Gray and Ellis Hughes also complained about the boats and bad batteries. Michael Methena stated there was a sewer problem and wanted reasonable rates for services they get. Charles Rhea advised he and his family enjoyed white water canoeing, and offered two suggestions; short term camping and get rid of the electric motors. Mairrtenance for motors is costly. He further stated that Mike McManus was well educated and good at his job. Mr. Rhett is working with Mr. McManus to make a trail around the lake. The park is always clean and neat. An unknown lady advised that Gatewood was worse than it was last year, and mentioned an incident of loss of electricity. Mr. Hart advised that batteries are recharged, but if they are utilized all day, the risk is run that you would have a dead battery. Also, there is not a good rental motor on the market. Considerable discussion followed, by Council and the public. Councilwoman Mitchell stated that Gatewood was not set up as a recreation area. It is the Town's drinking water supply and perhaps it should be closed down. Mayor Johnston questioned why anyone would want to stay at such a deplorable place (referring to Mr. Cowan's article in the Southwest Times). Mayor Johnston stated that Mr. Cowan had done a great disservice to the Town and Town citizens who have paid for and have been taxed to provide this facility which has bean considered a secret garden spot in southwest Virginia. Attendance has improved over last year. Testing of the drinking water was also questioned, with Mr. Hart responding that the water was tested by the County Health Department. Several Council Members had visited Gatewood after this original complairrt, however, they did not find adverse conditions. Mr. Combiths reported that the Town is phasing in handicap accessibility at all the Town facilities as resources are available. Councilman Bolen reported that for every dollar of income that comes in from programs on Parks and Recreation, the Town spends that dollar plus an additional four dollars. 'IRAI'1SP(X~TA- Chairman Penn reported that Town Council had bean requested to endorse a Study on the Future TIC of Transportation in Southwestem and Southside Virginia as presented at the Council Meeting on S~iJDY July 15 by Mr. Bud Oakey of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Vice Mayor Steger so moved that a letter of endorsement be sent for the Study on the Future of Transportation in Southwestern and Southside Virginia, as a guide for addressing the long term transportation needs of our region, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: L1;fiI7~2 OF II~IDORSIZ~~VI' u James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye ORDINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairvvoman Steger had no report. CRIME CONTROL REPORT: W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Councilwoman Steger advised they will start activating the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program. Mayor Johnston stated that the Police Department and Fire Department had a great event Monday night. They had a good program and attendance. All the hard work was appreciated. FINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Stewart had no report. HUMAN RESOURCE CONIl~IlTTEE: ACTIlVG Chairman Hale advised that Human Resource Committee had recommended that we hire Sherry FNi ANCE Boyd-Neidigh as the Town's Acting Finance Director with an arrticipated employmen of 45-60 D~ days. An employment contract has been prepared to cover this period of time. Ms. Boyd-Neidigh was introduced to Town Council by Mr. Combiths. Sherry and her husband live in Bluefield and 9716 9717 August 5, 1997 AC`T'ING FINANCE DIltF~iOR, CpN'"T. she was a Comptroller for the Town of Fishldll. Sherry is a Certified Public Accountant, with a BS degree in Accounting and has considerable commercial banking experience. Sherry expressed that she looked forward to working with Town Council and hoped this would lead into a long term relationship. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye MAYOR' S REPORT: W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye Mayor Johnston distributed a VML update. Council Members are making plans to attend the meetings of VML in the fall. TOWN ATTORNEY' S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths gave a projects update, bringing attention to evaluating the volume of the sound system at Calfee Park as there have been complaints about the loud noise. Public Operations ~~ Committee will look into this matter. A meeting of the design team regarding the New River Trail PARK Extension is scheduled for Friday. August 15 is the deadline for the Town's recruitment for Director of Economic Development and August 20 is the deadline for the Finance Director. Traffic signal replacement will cover Madison Avenue/Fifth Street, Edgdull/Main Street and at McDonalds. Mr. Combiths reported that a request had been received from the YMCA wanting to work with the college on filming a dance, and requested whether or nat it was appropriate for an educational channel. A policy was developed by the college and this has been referred to the YMCA. In unscheduled business, Vice Mayor Steger advised she had received complaints from residents in WATFR Carriage Hill on their high water bills. Administration will check into this matter. Councilman Bolen also brought attention to the entrance as you cross Jefferson on 5th Street as it is an unsafe situation. Mr. Combiths indicated that it was an issue regarding cost versus design. At 5:30 p.m. Council entered Executive Session under 2.1-344 A7 consult with legal counsel regarding agreement for utility extension and A7 consult with legal counsel regarding back taxes owed by single tax payer on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Vice Mayor Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblctt -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:50 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilwoman Mitchell, seconded by Vice Mayor Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Joseph L. Weddle -Absent Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Aye At 5:54 Council adjourned on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell and carried. Attest: ~ • .~ ctnn~c~ Cl k of Council Ci n '~ 4