Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-969565 March 19, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 19, 1996, 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, Lane R. Penn, Bettye H. Steger, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Roy H. D'Ardenne, 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 Bones Elmore Mr. and Mrs. Tommy H. Patton Cathy Elmore C. W. Stewart Polly Mitchell Mary Lee Duncan Wade Bartlett Barry Matherly The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Hale led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston made a motion that minutes of the regular meeting of March 5, 1996, be approved as submitted after two corrections; and the minutes of the special meeting of March 12, 1996, be approved as submitted. Motion seconded by Councilman Black and carried. COUNCILMAN Mayor Graham welcomed new Council Member Lane R. Penn to the Council Meeting. PENN WELCOMED TO MEETING Mayor Graham advised that first on agenda was consideration of Ordinance 96-4 to Amend the Town of Pulaski Code to Establish Enterprise Zone Incentives. Mr. Combiths reported that in October, 1995, the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 95-21 authorizing the Town to make application to the State for an Enterprise Zone Designation. As a part of the resolution, it is required that the local incentives to be used in the program by the community be adopted. Ordinance 96-4 mirrors the contents of the resolution adopted in October in terrns of the incentives that the Town will offer. Mr. Terwilliger suggested that the ordinance be made effective as of March 19, 1996, because of tax changes involved. Mr. Matherly further clarified this ordinance, answering those questions that Town Council had. Councilwoman Steger expressed appreciation to Mr. Matherly for his hard work in getting the Enterprise Zone for the Town. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Ordinance No. 96-4 be adopted, seconded by ORDINANCE Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: 96-4 ADOPTED John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye ENTERPRISE Lane R. Penn -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye ZONE Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mayor Graham stated that Councilman Penn had been appointed to the Finance Committee, Public Operations Committee and Utilities Committee, taking the place of John Stone. Mayor Graham welcomed Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. Stewart, Town Council Candidates to the meeting. March 19, 1996 In hearing from the public, Cathy Elmore, 155 Oaklane, asked Council why they had to pay Town and County taxes, where did the money go, and what it was used for. Mayor Graham advised that money paid in taxes goes into the General Fund which takes care of our Police Department, Fire Department, Recreation, Streets, street lighting, etc.. Ms. Elmore advised she would attend a County Board of Supervisors meeting with this same question. She felt it was unfair to pay both Town and County taxes. Council stated this concern had been discussed many times. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMTTEE: Chairman Johnston had no report, however he advised the Utilities Committee would meet Wednesday morning, 7:00 a.m. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairman Schrader stated the Finance Committee met this morning in Executive Session to look at the final details of a UDAG application. The committee recommended adoption of Resolution 96- 10 authorizing a loan not to exceed $13,000 to assist Hayes Office supply in the purchase of RESOLUTION equipment and for working capital. 96-10 UDAG ~,h. Matherly stated that the Town did not have a local office supply store and citizens had to go LOAN out of the county to purchase office supplies. This office will be located on Main Street Motion to adopt Resolution No. 96-10 carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Abstain Lane R. Penn -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairman Schrader stated that in a week or two, the budget process would be started. Administration will try to present the budget to us in a new manner. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Chairman D'Ardenne advised that the Human Resources Committee had met March 8, 1996, entering executive session to discuss a personnel matter related to the Council vacancy. The committee also met March 12, 1996, entering executive session to discuss a specifically named individual. Chairman D'Ardenne stated that committee met March 19, 1996, and reviewed the whistleblower policy and recommended approval. Recommendation to adopt Whistleblower Policy No. 4.400 carried on the following recorded vote: PERSONNEL POLICY John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye ADOPTED Lane R. Penn -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye LEGAL The committee also conducted an executive session on a personnel matter related to a specifically named individual and a legal matter regarding a civil rights claim filed by Kevin May against two police officers. The committee will meet again March 27, 1996, at 7:00 a.m. PLANNING COMMISSION: Councilman D'Ardenne stated the Planning Commission met March 18, 1996, to continue a COMP , worksession to review the Comprehensive Plan. Students were present from Virginia Tech and the PLAN Housing Element reviewed with them in detail. The Planning Commission also continued their discussion on the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Things are on schedule with the Comprehensive Plan and the target for this is to have a document to present to Council by the end of the year. 9566 2 9567 March 19, 1996 REZONING Councilman D'Ardenne advised that Renfro Corporation has submitted an application requesting REQUEST rezoning of 5.2685 acres on Bob White Boulevard from B-1 (Local Business) to M-2 (General REFERRED TO Industrial). This rezoning is necessary to facilitate their planned expansion. PLANNING COMMISSION Councilman D'Ardenne so moved that Town Council refer this application to the Planning Commission for review. It is projected that public hearings will be conducted by the Planning Commission and Town Council on April 8 and April 16, respectively. Motion seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, reported that the committee would meet Wednesday, at 4:00 p.m. A site visit will be made to Renfro to review the alley closing request and also a request from Ms. Moore regarding drainage. Chairwoman Holston stated that about 10 alleys would be considered for closing; street paving program on computer in April; curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement priority will be completed and given to Council in March. ORDINANCE CONIl~IlTTEE: Chairwoman Steger reported that she would be meeting with Town Manager and/or Assistant Town Manager Monday to begin the work on revising some of the ordinances. If Council has any input, please get in touch with Chairwoman Steger. MAYOR' S REPORT: Mayor Graham reported that on April 11, 11:00 a.m., the Community National Bank building will be dedicated. Council Members are invited to attend. Mayor Graham advised that Congressman Rick Boucher is sponsoring The Electronic Village: A Blueprint for Southwest Virginia's Communities, to beheld at the Wytheville Community Center on April 29. Council Members were urged to attend. Names should be given to Ruth Harrell for registration. Mayor Graham requested that Mr. Combiths write two letters as to why a commercial business (sweet shop) can operate within a residential area -bakery and selling goods - with a full explanation as to why the Town says this is proper. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Combiths, in giving a projects update, stated that drawings were completed for South Jefferson Sewer Replacement Project, Phase I, for UI abatement and also drawing are being prepared for replacement of a portion of the hospital sewer line. Mr. Combiths also reported that part of the computerization project being installed in our Finance Department is to go on line with a more automated meter reading program. We expect this to be completed in April. It is hoped that this new program and investment that Council has made will result in improved efficiency and accurateness in our meter reading and billing. The Town will be making an approximate $400,000 investment in street paving program in the spring. The New River Trail is making progress. The State Department of Parks and Recreation have been requested to give us an updated schedule. They have assured us that the completion of this project is still on schedule. Mr. Combiths reported that the Town has annually tried to hold a clean up in the spring. Governor Allen has sent out an appeal to all communities asking them to participate in April in an Operations Spruce Up Month. A resolution will be brought to Council at their next meeting for their consideration. I J L March 19, 1996 ECONOMIC Mr. Combiths stated that the American Economic Development Council gave the award Best In Its DEVELOP . Class to the Town for its Simply Beautiful Pulaski Virginia tourism brochure. Councilwoman Holston stated that Senator Trumbo had advised he received very good feedback on the brochures that were distributed at the General Assembly. Mr. Combiths requested an Executive Session on a land acquisition matter and an economic development matter. Mr. Matherly distributed a new magazine, Majestic Southwest Virginia. Mr. Matherly has been working with them for 3-4 months and the Town was featured in this first issue, along with the Town of Dublin and the County. Vice Mayor Schrader so moved that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344 Consult with Legal Counsel, A3, Real Estate Acquisitions and A5, an Economic Development Matter (Renfro expansion). Motion seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 8:05 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: Attest: Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk of Council John A. Johnston -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mayor Graham -Aye At 8:06 p.m. Councilwoman Holston made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. APPROVED: 9568 ayor 4