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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-969559 March 5, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 5, 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., 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 Wade Bartlett Ronald Vaughan Valencia Johnson He~lderson Randolph Patti Fisher Aimee Valltos Stacy Lancaster Molly Larson Betsy Whitehurst The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilwoman Holston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Hale gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting held February 20, 1996, and t11e special meeting held February 28, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. ~~~ Mayor Graham advised that first on agenda was Resolution No. 96-8 Honoring John W. Stone for ~~ his service to the Town as a Council Member. Councilwoman Steger made a motion that ~ Resolution No. 96-8 be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following JOHN W. SIBNE recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mr. Stone was out of town, however, the Resolution and a plaque from Town Council will be forwarded to him. From the public, Mr. Henderson Randolph suggested that Town Council make recognition to the staff at the nursing homes, Town and Cow~ty, who take such good care of our elderly people. As there were no further comme~~ts from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMNIITTEE REPORT Chairman Johnston had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee met this morning at 7:00 a.m. The committee reviewed a delinquent tax collection program. The committee recommended that there ~ be a moratorium from January 25, 1996 until June 5, 1996. This would relieve the taxpayer from TAX paying interest or penalty, but not the tax itself. The Committee felt that this was a cne-time activity and will not be continued after this one time. Before Council was Ordinance No. 96-3 ORDINANCE 96-3 establishing a tax amnesty program. The Finance Committee recommended adoption of Ordinance H'I'S' No. 96-3. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: PROGRAM 1' March 5, 1996 John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairman Schrader advised that the committee also reviewed 1995-96 budget amendment. Before Council was Resolution No. 96-2 Amending the Budget for the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1995 and ending June 30, 1996. The Finance Committee ~p~pN recommended adoption of Resolution No. 96-2, and so carried on the following recorded vote: 9Er2 BUDGET John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent `~' Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairman Schrader reported that the Finance Committee also met in executive session to discuss an application for a UDAG loan, which will be coming before Council at a later date. At this time, Mayor Graham recognized Patti Fisher, Aimee Valltos, Stacy Lancaster, Molly Larson, and Betsy Whitehurst, students visiting from Radford University. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Chairman D'Ardenne was absent. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee had met February 29, 1996. The committee reviewed the Peak Creek Flood Report as prepared by the Town Engineer. Mr. p~ Combiths reported that the Town is continuing to work with the Corps of Engineers on their CREEK previous study, and a letter has been written to Congressman Boucher requesting any assistance that might be available. The New River Highlands Soil and Conservation District has contacted the Town and they are also looking at what assistance they may or may not be able to render the Town in addressing this problem. Chairwoman Holston requested that a copy of the letter referenced above to Congressman Boucher be forwarded to Senators Robb and Warner. She also stated she would like to add a personal note to Senator Warner's copy. Chairwoman Holston also stated that slie hoped we could find some money from Congress to relocate these people and that would be a solution to the situation. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that in looking at the report, it was a lot of money for just a little bit of results. Using a diagram prepa~~ed by Engineering, Chairwoman Holston illustrated cost versus flooding mitigation. Chairwoman Holston advised that no matter what work we do, there will still be flooding on Dora Highway. Chairwoman Holston advised that the conuiuttee reviewed Valley Road widening. The Engineering Department reviewed several complaints, one being a bridge on Valley Road. This is actually a STREETS box culvert and not a bridge. There was no debris under the culvert but there is some small stones that may reduce the culvert's capacity. The committee concurred with staff's suggestion to erect narrow bridge signs and wider chevrons on each end of the walls. The Public Operations Conunittee also reviewed the rock outcropping, curve north of Hurst Avenue. According to Police Department records, there have not been any accidents at this section of the road from 12/31/93 to prese~~t. Currently, there are utility poles located along the eastern shoulder of the road and one pole at the curve is very close to the road. Appalachian Power Company has previously indicated that it would be extremely difficult to relocate this pole due to the rock and alignment with other poles. The curve in the road is caused by the rock outcropping. 9560 The committee requested that the Town Engineer obtain a formal cost estimate from Appalachian to relocate this pole. Report will be brought back to committee. 9561 March 5, 1996 Chairwoman Holston stated that Valley Road, from north of Hurst Street to 906 Valley Road, ~~ parallels the creek with a drop off of 5 to 10 feet. In regard to a guardrail, there is very little shoulder available on the west side. Speed limit is 25 mph on this road. Before a guardrail can be installed, the shoulder must be widened. Staff is preparing a cost estimate for the increased shoulder width since this might make the installation cost prohibitive. Also, Mr. June Draper had eight concerns regarding Valley Road, and as of this date, four of these concerns have been taken care of. I~AJTIA(~ Chairwoman Holston advised a drainage channel from Oak Street discharges at the rear of the Vickie Clay property on Floyd Lane. There is no defined channel at this point and elevations shot in the area actually indicate a flat section. A shallow channel can be graded from this spot to a pipe under Floyd Lane at the maximum slope available. Two easements would be required but the actual construction costs would be small with the only materials needed being erosion fabric and grass seed. The committee concurred with staffto grade and seed this section from Clay's to the pipe under Floyd Avenue. Staff will review the MacGill Recreation Complex to determine if runoff/sedimerrt loss needs to be corrected. Chairwoman Holston stated that the property located at 506 Pulaski Street is at the foot of the ~ incline of Chestnut Alley and also Pulaski Street. A drain pipe under Cliff Street discharges approximately 190 feet west of the rear of Mr. Kemp's property. There are no signs of erosion from this pipe. Curb and gutter would be expensive and not usually installed in alleys or piping the water from Cliff Street to Lake Street/Pulaski Street intersection which would not capture any runoff from the paved alley. This is approximately 470 feet and is estimated to cost approximately $5,640. A ditch system does not seem possible with the existing alley right-of-way although the portion of Lake Street could be a ditch after removing two trees. Chairwoman Holston advised she had requested a site visit be made. Chairwoman Holston advised that staff is preparing a list of recommended alley closings. Mr. Chandler re-requested that an undeveloped portion of Franklin Avenue be closed. However, since ~'~ the Town declined to make this closure in August, staff again informed Mr. Chandler that this closing was not under consideration. Chairvvoman Holston stated that the annual Town-wide cleanup campaign will beheld in April or May. Staff is already compiling a list of dumping sites and other problem areas. Staff is preparing a recommendation to increase fire service fees to the Courrty. This will be presented in the proposed FY 1996-97 budget. Chairwoman Holston stated that staff had looked at a situation of parking on Greenleaf and Forest Hill Drive. The owner has been requested to park in a manner that will not block traffic. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that we seem to have a problem in Town with the dumping of refrigerators, appliances, tires, etc. and asked that the Public Operations review to see if we have a dumping site that is open on Saturdays during the year where people could dump. Chairwoman Holston stated that people dump items of this nature behind the Salvation Army building and asked that this also be looked into. Councilwoman Steger reported that last year during clean-up week, a dumping site for these large items was made available at the Fire Station. Vice Mayor Schrader asked that the condition of property at the comer of Memorial Drive and Peppers Ferry Road be reviewed. Chairwoman Holston asked that house at 4th and Newbem Road be looked at also. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: StQ. Q~ Chairwoman 1ex had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT: March 5, 1996 Mayor Graham advised that before Council was Resolution No. 96-9 designating Public Works Director 1VTichael Jenkins as the Town's representative for FEMA assistance. The Town is eligible R~OI~JITON for public assistance from the flooding. The maximum amount appears to be 75% of $20,000 or 96-9 $15,000. Councilwoman Holston so moved that Resolution No. 96-9 be adopted, seconded by FIIKA Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: FUJODING John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mayor Graham requested an executive session on a personnel matter regarding a specifically named individual. Vice Mayor Schrader requested an executive session on a legal matter involving the Groseclose claim. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Pra ~~ Mr. Terwilliger advised that before Council was an opinion, as requested, regarding the' of Town employees running for the Council. Mr. Terwilliger stressed it was his interpretation of the Ox)1`IC~L Town Charter and the State Code. The conclusion reached by Mr. Terwilliger was that our Town II,~pN Charter provision which prohibits someone from having paid compensation with the Town would mean that although a Town employee is free to run for Town Council, that if they are elected and upon taking the oath of office, they would not be eligible for compensation for Town employment. Mr. Terwilliger had written material, including copies of 15.1-800 and several Attorney General's opinion, attached to his opinion. Mr. Terwilliger will request a formal Attorney General opinion through our Delegate or Senator next week, since the General Assembly is in session at this time. Attachrrrerrts are filed with permanent file copy of these minutes. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Combiths stated that Wednesday night, 7:00 p.m. at the Dublin Library, the County Recreation Commission would be meeting. Mr. Combiths reported that Pulaski County had called and requested that the Town report that the County will pick up Christmas trees at drop off site behind the old Jefferson School. ff citizens were to pool their one time per year special pick up and coordinate it with their neighbors, that they could also handle their tree pick up in this manner. Or they could have their one time pick up used to pick up their tree. Mr. Combiths gave a projects update, emphasizing that bids were received on Wurno, Alum ~ Spring Road and Charles Street UI corrections on 2/23/96. Also that Engineering had discovered and fixed a 2-3 million gallon per month break which should result in an approximate $33,000/year savings in treatment charges to the Town if no other breaks occurred/year. This break was found below the water line in Peak Creek. NFJ+1 RIVER Mr. Combiths stated that behind the scenes work is progressing with DCR engineers on the New '~~ River Trail. The timetable updated with construction to begin later than originally planned, but completion date of December, 1997, is unaffected. Mr. Combiths assured Town Council that staff was working closely with the Finance Director with assistance and with SDS through this challenging period of time. Mr. Combiths reported that the draft 1996-97 budget is being pr~ared. Department Heads are submitting their requests back to the Manager's Office about the middle of this month. It looks like it will be difficult for us to have a final draft budget back to Council after review with all eight departments, but staff will continue to work on this to have ready by the first or soon thereafter. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that productivity and accuracy will go up after training on hand held meter reading. 1 At 4:40 p.m. Councilwoman Steger so moved that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1- ~ - 344 Al, personnel matter regarding a specifically named individual and under A7, legal matter regarding the Groseclose claim. Motion seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried on the r~lowing recorded vote: 9562 9563 March 5, 1996 John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Abserrt Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 4:50 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Mayor Schrader, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carved on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Absent Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mayor Graham -Aye At 4:52 p.m., Council adjourned on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader, and carried. Mayor ATI7~I': erk of Council 1 ... r '~