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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-97August 19, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 19, 1997, 7:00 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 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 and Paul Dellinger, News Media Officer Raines James E. Lucus Sherry Boyd-Neidigh Ferd Harvey The meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnston. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Stewart gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilman Neblett made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting held August 5, 1997, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. Mayor Johnston advised The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and FINANCE Canada had presented the Town's Finance Director an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. Mayor Johnston stated this achievement is presented to those government units whose annual financial reports are judged to adhere to program standards and represents the highest award in government financial reporting. The Finance Department was commended for this honor. Acting Finance Director Sherry Boyd-Neidigh was in attendance to accept this honor for the Finance Department. Next on agenda was Resolution No. 97-24 honoring Ms. Faye Lemon. Mayor Johnston advised RESOLU- that Ms. Lemon had donated the flowers and potted plants at the train station for the past several RION years in memory of her husband, E. Ray Lemon. Mayor Johnston read Resolution No. 97-24. Resolution was adopted on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Penn and carved 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 -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Absent As there were no commits from the public, Mayor Johnston called for Council Committee Reports. UTII,ITIES COMNIITTEE: Chairman Neblett did not have a committee report, however, he advised that he had been meeting with Downtown Pulaski Incorporated and plans for Count Pulaski Day to beheld October 4th are progressing. It is anticipated that "Miss Virginia" will be in Pulaski as part of the festivities and many activities are planned. Third Street, in front of the Courthouse, and Main Street will be blocked off. PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIl~9ITTEE: Chairman Penn had no report. 9718 ORDINANCE CONIlVIITTEE: 9719 August 19, 1997 Chairwoman Steger had no report, however, she advised that the committee would meet next week regarding the sign at the hospital. A report will be brought back to Town Council September 2. CRIME CONTROL REPORT: Councilwoman Steger advised that a meeting had not been held, however, she would be working with the Neighborhood Crime Watch and she would report some of their activities as they reorganize the Neighborhood Watch. FINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Stewart had no report. HUMAN RESOURCE COMIVIlTTEE: Chairman Hale had no report. PLANNIlVG COMMISSION REPORT: PLANNING Councilman Stewart advised the Planning Commission met on August 19, 1997, and considered COMMISSION ~~ cases. The first case considered was Case No. 97-75SUB by Lucas Construction Development Inc. to subdivide five lots on Bob White Boulevard, across from Critzer School, into nine lots. This case was stopped on a technicality and was referred back to the Town Council for action. Councilman Stewart stated the second case involved a conditional use request, Case No. 97-76CU by Findlay Industries to use the old Renfro Building at 1040 East Main Street for light manufacturing and warehousing. Council will hold a public hearing on this issue on September 2. The Planning Commission gave a favorable vote on this issue. Councilman Stewart advised that the committee discussed a sign for Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital. This request was referred to Council on June 9 for action. Councilman Stewart, in referring back to the Lucas Construction Development request, stated that this was a rather confusing case. The request for subdivision included a lot that had been swapped and therefore the subdivision could not be done. The action that Council must take on this is for Town Council to consider vacating the present subdivision which includes lot five. After approval, this request will again be referred to the Planning Commission. Councilman Stewart made a motion that Council vacate the present subdivision and the Town VACATE Manager be authorized to execute a document vacating in recordable form so that it can be PRESENT recorded and conditioned upon all lot owners also signing this same document. Motion seconded SUBDIVISION 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 -Absent Councilman Stewart so moved the above case be referred back to the Planning Commission for consideration, study, recommendations and public hearing, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried. Councilman Stewart so moved that the following cases be referred to the Planning Commission: Planning Commission Case No. 97-77SUB a request from Pulaski Properties, L.L.C. F. Earl Frith, Agent, for a subdivision of 3.35 acres from the Allison Estate on Peppers Ferry SUBDIVISION Road; Planning Commission Case No. 97-78CU, a request from the All American Auction Gallery for a conditional use permit to temporarily hold weekly evening auctions and one nightly auction once a month in the old Martin's Pharmacy building at 12 W. Main Street; and Planning Commission Case No. 97-79CU, a request from the All American Auction Gallery for a conditional use permit to hold weekly evening auctions and one nightly auction once a month at 80 West Main Street. Motion seconded by Councilman Penn and so carried. MAYOR' S REPORT: 1 i i 2 9720 Mayor Johnston had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT• Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, requested an Executive Session, A7 consult with legal counsel regarding the account of a specific taxpayer. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT• Mr. Combiths advised the Town Offices would be closed September 1, 1997, in observance of Labor Day. GA'I~OD In giving a projects update, Mr. Combiths reported the Town had contacted the State Department of Health and also Virginia Tech regarding questions about private boats on Gatewood. Mr. Combiths will continue to collect research on this matter and bring back to the Public Operations Committee. Progress is also being made with the State on the Trail and we will be working with our State legislatures in this regard. Recruitment for Economic Development Director and Finance Director is still underway. Mr. ZRAF7~ IC Combiths has located a decibel reader and will be evaluating the noise level at Calfee Park. Mr. Combiths advised that under the Town Code, the Town Manager is required to report to Town SQ300L Council at such time that any action is taken regarding parking or traffic restrictions. Last year there was an incident at Claremont School where a student was hit. The Police Department and Engineering Department have met with Claremont School officials and reviewed the traffic situation. After review, it was determined that Ward Lane, into the school site, be restricted to bus traffic only during 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. People picking up children could be routed through the immediate streets which would probably be Craig Street, Locust Avenue, up to Ridge Avenue. It is felt that children and buses can be better coordinated in this manner and posting will be done reflecting this change in route. Mr. Combiths reported that the State received their bids on the bridge work. They will start with Washington, Jefferson and then Randolph, and hopefully work will start in less than 30 days. Construction will run from seven to nine months to complete. Mayor Johnston advised that the clock at the corner of Washington and Main would also go back up. Clock will be sponsored by two groups. Mr. Combiths also requested an Executive Session on two matters regarding land acquisition for public purposes, personnel matter regarding specific individual, economic development regarding a new UDAG application. Vice Mayor Steger reported she would bring a report to the next Council Meeting on the meeting she attended and an announcement by Senator Bo Trumbo that regards a very exciting plan for the New River Valley. Councilwoman Mitchell stated the Agency on Aging would be meeting August 28 and she would also bring back a report. At 7:25 p.m. Council entered Executive Session under 2.1-344 A7 Consult with legal counsel regarding taxes owed by a specific tax payer, two matters A3 land acquisition for public purpose, Al personnel matter regarding specific individual and AS economic development matter-new UDAG application, on motion made by Councilman Neblett, 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 -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Absent At 8:08 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Neblett, 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 -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Charles W. Stewart -Aye Gerald E. Bolen -Absent 9721 August 19, 1997 Mayor Johnston stated that Council had been discussing how the Town of Pulaski can expand their economic base and we want to take a step toward this in the form of Ordinance No. 97-13 ORDINAI~ICE Authorizing the Purchase of 88.1 Acres of Land from Bonnie Boothe for an Industrial Park. An Il~IRTAT , estimated $430,000 will be spent. Councilman Stewart made a motion that Ordinance No. 97-13 PARK be adopted, with the correction of the date in paragraph 3 to August 2, 1997. 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 -Absent At 8:10 p.m. Councilman Neblett so moved that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Hale and carried. APPKOVED: Attest: ~~ Ru h A. Harrell, Clerk of Council 1 4