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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-959527 October 17, 1995 Minutes of the regular mewing of the Pulaski Town Council held October 17, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Andrew L. Graham, Jr., presiding Council Members: John A. Johnston, Bettye H. Steger, W. H. Schrader, Jr., W. Edgar Hale, Alma H. Holston, E. G. Black, Jr. Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Ronald Vaughan Joyce Bell I VNII, Achievement Award The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Hale gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 3, 1995, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Mayor Graham advised that the Town of Pulaski was honored to have received the Virginia Municipal League Achievement Award for Towns with a population of 5,000 to 10,000 persons. Mayor Graham stated that the recycling of a federal UDAG grant for economic development by funding eight business loans that have produced new jobs in the Town. The renovation of the Train Station, the Raymond Ratcliff Museum, and the establishing of an Economic Board of Directors also contributed to this award. From the public, Ms. Joyce Bell requested that two letters that she had written regarding discrimination by the Town be read into the minutes of this meeting. These letters are as follows ,~py(;g $~1, Letter dated September 27, 1995 Slid DILATION Dear Mayor Graham and Members of Pulaski's Town Council: C11ARC~ The enclosed letter will be forwarded to Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. This is because of the Town of Pulaski's continued sex discrimination, lack of an affirmative action program and failure to provide correct information for filing a discrimination complairrt. Thank you, Joyce E. Bell P. O. Box 741 Pulaski, VA 24301 Letter dated September 27, 1995 To Whom It May Concern: This letter is with regard to the Town of Pulaski applying for a position in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. I am requesting the Town of Pulaski be eliminated from consideration for this position. This request is because of Pulaski's continued sex discrimination of female applicants for employment. Pulaski does not have females employed in any town mairrtenance departments-stereotypical male positions. It does not have an affirmative action program to correct this situation and it does not provide correct information to applicants or employees to file a complaint regarding this continued discrimination. Thank you, Joyce E. Bell Ms. Bell asked if Town Council had reviewed and taken any action on providing an Affirmative Action Program for the Town of Pulaski. Mayor Graham stated he thought we had always had an Affirmative Action Program, and suggested that she give any correspondence to our Town Attorney. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. October 17, 1995 UTILITIES CONIl~IITTEE Chairman Johnston had no report, however, he stated that the committee will be working with staff in trying to develop a policy for looking at our sewer business and it is hoped they can get this to Council within the next couple of weeks. FINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee had met just prior to the Council Meeting and discussed the real estate tax penalty. Before Council was Ordinance No. 95-32 Amending Section 16-19 of the Town Code to Provide a Penalty for Delinquent Tax Payments. The Finance Committee recommended adoption of ORD. 95-32 Ordinance No. 95-32, and so carried on the following recorded vote: ~~ John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Vice Chairman Hale stated that the Human Resources Committee had met prior to the Council ~ Meeting and the Human Resources Committee recommended, and Vice Chairman Hale so moved, ~~ ~ 71JNING that Eugene L. Nuckols be reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals and that the Town Attomey prepare the proper Order to be entered by the Judge of the Pulaski County Court for the appointment of Mr. Nuckols for a five year term. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye John W. Stone -Absent APPOIlVIMaVT IICXTSING BD. AAT.8~APPEAL. Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye The Human Resources Committee recommended, and Vice Chairman Hale so moved, that James W. Lark, Jr. be reappointed to the Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a five year term. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye John W. Stone -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIl~IlTTEE Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairwoman Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee met October 12, 1995. The ~'~ first items discussed was the request of Mrs. Edith Matherly, 617 Peppers Ferry Road, to close an undeveloped section of Webb Avenue adjacent to her property. A public hearing will be held at the November 21 Council meeting. The Public Operations Committee also reviewed a request from Mr. William Smith for a sidewalk SIDI~IALK installation on the east side of South Washington Avenue bexween First Street and Second Street. Staff had recommended, and the committee concurred, not approving this request for the following reasons: 1. There is an existing sidewalk on the west side of South Washington; 2. The estimated cost of the project will exceed $10,000 due to the grade of the adjacent properties, interference from an existing rock wall located on the right of way and difficulties caused by existing driveways; and 3. the Town has budgeted approximately $20,000 per year for sidewalk installation and replacement. This program will begin in the downtown and work out from there. The Public Operations Committee discussed the Junior Firefighter program. The Town Attorney FIRE stated that he felt apre-injury release form in Virginia would not be recognized by the Court although apre-injury indemnification is still valid. Applicants must have parerrts or guardians written permission to participate. Mr. Terwilliger stated that any release signed by a child is probably going to be held invalid. But if a release is made by a parent for a personal injury to themselves or to the child, any type of pre-injury release for personal injury is generally invalid in 9528 9529 October 17, 1995 Virginia. If parents agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Town, than this would be valid. Mr. Terwilliger will include this language in the Junior Firefighter Program. The Public Operations Committee recommended adoption of the Junior Firefighter Program, which will include the suggestions made by the Town Attorney, to include indemnification and holding harmless the Town of Pulaski. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: FIRE FIG[~i~R PROGRAM ~Og~p John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Abserrt John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairwoman Holston advised that Mr. Gil Barker, on b~ralf of the residents of Draper Mourrtain Estates, had submitted a request for gateway improvemernts. The request included pernission to install a rock wall on the north side of Hermosa Drive to match the existing wall on the south side. INCROAQ~3T This would require Town Council approval for aright-of--way encroachmerrt. A public hearing on this encroachmeirt will be held at the November 21 Council meeting. Chairwoman Holston reported that Mr. Tom Hawley, representing the American Legion, indicated that there have been some parking problems near the American Legion at 4th Street. Staff will be meeting with the American Legion and Cavalier supply to handle this matter. Chairwoman Holston stated the committee had discussed the Drainage Policy amendments, and the Public Operations Committee will meet jointly with the Ordinance Committee to discuss the drainage policy amendmenrts. Councilwoman Holston commended the Director of Public Works for his morrtlily activity report. ORDINANCE CONIlVITITEE Chairwoman Steger had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Graham had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Lyons advised that in the past when applicants have filed Planning Commission applications, staff has taken these applications directly to the Planning Commission and they have advertised those and procceded with the Planning Commission for their recommendation to Town Council. The Town Attorney recommended that we take application and ask Town Council to formally refer it to the Planning Commission and than for the Planning Commission to start its process to start the clock ticking as there is a 90 day requirement for the Planning Commission to come back on its report. RE?ON.IlJG Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Planning Commission Case No. 95-60CZ, a request by ~, Pulaski Properties, LC, to conditionally rezone approximately 45 acres at the northeast corner of Peppers Ferry Road and Memorial Drive from R-0 (Residential OfFice) to B-2 (General Business) Conditional be referred to the Planning Commission and a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission be set for the November 21 Council Meeting. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried. In Mr. Combiths' projects update, he advised that he was on the Transition Committee for the Il~ Emergency Medical Services program and the committee has been meeting with both rescue squads, the Courrty and the Town. Radford Community Hospital and Pulaski Community Hospital representation on the committee continues to be very good. The Transition Committee has been looking at how to approach irrterim emergency medical services program courrty-wide using the volunteer program to supplement a paid service on a temporary basis and the committee has also looked at hiring temporary personnel. The depth of the applicants was very weak. The committee looked at proposals from private ambulance services, including Radford Community Hospital. October 17, 1995 FNE CJJN't, The Executive Oi~icers of the two hospitals, Radford and Pulaski, have indicated a strong willingness to fund this and will go to their respective boards. They seemed to be irrterested in supporting a private ambulance service, maybe a combination of what is at Radford Community Hospital and Lifeline which is a private ambulance provider that provides service for Pulaski Community Hospital. Mr. Combiths will keep Council updated on the program of the EMS program. Mr. Combiths reported that the Town will host the irrtergovemmental Meeting in January. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion the regular meeting of the Town Council scheduled for November 7 be canceled due to Election Day, with one meeting being held in November, that ~'~~ T ~ being November 21, seconded by Councilwoman Holston, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Councilwoman Steger stated that she was very proud of the Fire Parade held October 12th. At 7:37 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. 9530 Mayor Attest: • Cl~c/w~-~, Cl rk of Coun cil