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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-969551 February 6, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 6, 1996, at 4:00 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., Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr., 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 Jacob A. Blevins Oliver Taylor Glen Perdue Tim Gregory Alfred R. Anderson Jana Beckner Shannon Atkinson The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 1996, and the minutes of the special meeting held January 24, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Mayor Graham read Resolution No. 96-6 Honoring William A. "Bill" Hall for his Induction into RESOLUTION the Virginia State Firefighter's Association Hall of Fame. Mayor Graham stated that Mr. Hall had HONORING done outstanding work as firefighter and as the Fire Chief of the Town of Pulaski. WILLIAM (Bill) HALL Councilman Johnston so moved that Resolution No. 96-6 be adopted, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D' Ardenne, Jr. -Aye John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mayor Graham expressed Council's appreciation to Mr. Hall for the work he has done for the Town. Mr. Jacob Blevins, Dora Highway, addressed Council regarding the flooding of Peak Creek.. Mr. Blevins again asked that the creek be widened just below his house as it is a bottleneck He further PEAK CREEK stated that he had been trying to get the creek widened for 20 years and gave a brief account of the work that has been done in previous years. Also, Mr. Blevins asked that the residents of Dora Highway, Kersey Bottom and Valley Road be allowed to pay a minimum water bill for January and February due to the clean up they have had to perform due to the flooding. Mayor Graham advised that this area was in the flood plain and it would cost approximately one million dollars to do the work required, however, the Town Manager will look into this in our budget process. There is a procedure in place for water credit when water is not going into the sewer. Possible adjustments to water bills could be made with this procedure. Council Members had toured the flooded area and in discussing, Public Operations Committee Chairwoman Holston advised that this matter would be reviewed by the committee. Councilman Black stated that the Corps of Engineers would need to be contacted prior to any work being performed in the creek. Vice Mayor Schrader felt it was a matter of resources versus results. f~ u February 6, 1996 The easements from the property owners were discussed and the Town did not get all the easements that were needed. Mr. Combiths will make a report on what information we have and contact the Corps of Engineers for the status of their authority and see what we can and cannot do. VALLEY In hearing from the public, Oliver Taylor, Valley Road, was concerned with a curve approximately ROAD one-fourth mile above the market which needs to betaken off about 3-4 feet . There is a light pole next to the road and several accidents have occurred over the last few years. Also, there is a bridge that needs to be enlarged. The Public Operations Committee will view this area and discuss this cancem. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIl~IITTEE: I&I Chairman Johnston reported that the Utilities Committee met February 5, 1996, at 7:00 a.m. and WEATHER for the record the temperature was 9-10 degrees below "O". The Town is aware that we have bean dealing with I&I in the sewer for years. To treat this water cost is about $800/million gallons. Our administrators have prepared a report as to what has bean done and what is recommended for the future. Articles are being prepared for the newspaper so the public will know what has bey done. A lot of pipe in the Town of Pulaski is old clay pipe that is deteriorating. The T.V. camera, which does underground inspection of the lines and locates a lot of the water coming into our lines, is very effective. Chairman Johnston advised that the Town was considering using some summer interns who could help us alleviate the problem of I&I. A schedule has been set up whereby the Town Engineering Department and Public Works Director will report to us on a monthly basis the status of condition of our I&I and let us know where we are and what has been done. The Committee was very impressed with the work that had been done by our staff. FINANCE CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee met on January 30, entering executive session to discuss a legal matter involving the Groseclose claim. Chairman Schrader reported that the Town Manager had presented the mid-year financial report which was discussed by the Committee. Chairman Schrader advised that at the joint government meeting, the Town Council indicated EMERGENCY support for the hiring of a REMSI director (Regional Emergency Medical Services Director) and MEDICAL for a billing system. The average charge per trip is estimated at $275. SERVICES The three governments also agreed that the managers, police chiefs and sheriff should continue BOARD OF discussions on areas where cooperation can be enhanced or improved. And the three governments SUPV . requested that the Recreation Commission study the costs and estimate participation figures for INTERG . program targeted at the 13 to 18 age group. MEETING Also, it was recommended that Eddie Hale be appointed to the New River Valley Planning District Commission. TAXES Lctters are being sent out to tolled delinquent real estate and personal property taxes. Guidelines were reviewed for abatement of interest and penalty on delinquent real estate and personal property taxes to be used by the Finance Department, with no action being taken. bsUMAN RESOURCES CONIlVIlTTEE~ PERSONNAL POLICY Chairman D'Ardenne reporters that the Human Resources Committee had met January 30 and February 6, reviewers 8 personnel policies, and have reviewed and approved 1) Probation Period, 2) Employee In-Processing/Orientation, and 3) Types of Employment and Eligibility for Benefits. Disciplinary Action, Main types of Discipline, Personal Appearance, Solicitations, Contributions, Honorariums and Awards, Employee Ethics and Whistleblower Policy have also been reviewed. 9552 At the February 6 meeting the committee approved Employee Ethics and a quick modification on ~ie Whistleblower Policy has been requested from the Town Attorney. Another committee meeting 9553 February 6, 1996 will beheld next week and seven policies reviewed above will be brought back to Council for approval. This will complete the first group of policies. appts . to The Human Resources Committee held an executive session on January 24 to discuss a personnel EMS & matter and after the executive session, the Human Resources Committee recomm~ded that the Town Manager be Town's permanent appointment to the EMS Board of Directors and also NRVPDC recommended that Eddie Hale be appointed to the New River Valley Planning District Commission for a two year term effective July 1, 1996, as a floating member. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye IBUDGET PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIlVIITTEE: Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, she asked that a meeting be scheduled as there were several topics to consider. Chairwoman Holston commended the Public Works Department for the snow clean up. ORDINANCE COMNIITTEE Chairwoman Steger had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Graham also expressed Council's appreciation to the Department of Public Works for the snow removal as he felt it was handlers very well. Mayor Graham stated that he written to the Town Manager requesting that he bring in a draft copy of the upcoming budget by April 1st as this will give Council more time to make field trips, etc. Town Manager reported that staff will not be able to bring in entire budget but will try to bring in those elements of the budget that would be fixed and less likely to change prior to July 1. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths advised that the Town Oi~ices would be closed February 19 in observance of Presidents Day. Mr. Combiths gave a projects update, and requested an executive session on consultation with legal counsel on contract negotiations. Radford University students Jana Beckner and Shannon Atkinson were recognized by Mayor Graham. At 4:55 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Council go into executive session under 2.1-344 A7, consultation with legal counsel on contrail negotiations with Pulaski County and PSA, refuse collection. Motion seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carved on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D' Ardenne, Jr. -Aye John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye 1 February 6, 1996 At 5:14 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Mayor Schrader, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye John W. Stone - Absent W. Edgar Hale - Absent Bettye H. Steger - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye I~ At 5:15 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. APPROVED: 9554 Mayor 1 Attest: ~~~~ Clerk of Council