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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02-969569 April 2, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held Apri12, 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 Valencia Johnston C. W. Stewart, Jr. Kimberly A. Clark Tom Hawley Harold Thomas Archie and Ruth Kemp Wade Bartlett Barry Matherly The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman D'Ardenne gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 19, 1996, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Penn, and carried. Before Council was Resolution No. 96-11 "Operation Spruce Up the Town". Mr. Combiths stated RESOLUTION that with this resolution, we would join with the State as the Governor had declared the month of 96-11 April as "Operation Spruce Up" in Virginia. Mayor Graham reported that letters had been sent to CLEAN UP civic clubs and various organizations seeking their assistance in this clean up the last two WEEK Saturdays in April. Councilwoman Steger asked if the Town would have a trash truck at the Fire Station for heavy items. Mr. Combiths advised that help had been requested from the PSA. Councilwoman Holston advised that Sheriff Dobbins had advised that inmate labor could be used in this clean up and in other clean up projects of the Town. Mr. Combiths reported that with inmate labor, supervision would have to be provided. Vice Mayor Schrader so moved that Resolution No. 96-11 be adopted, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried on the following recorded vote: 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 RENFRO Mayor Graham advised that next on agenda was a public hearing regarding a request by Renfro ALLEY Corporation to vacate the right of way of Lee Street South of Commerce Street; to vacate anEast- CLOSING West Alley right of way located between Lee Street and Jefferson Avenue SW and to vacate a north-south alley right of way located between said east-west alley and Commerce Street. All of the rights of way requested to be closed are located within Block 126 of the Official Town of Pulaski Map. J r~ !r Mr. Lyons reported that all three of these alleys were closed once before by Town Council in 1992, however, this lapsed because Renfro had a one year time period to go under construction. Renfro has resubmitted this request to improve their loading dock. April 2, 1996 The Public Operations Committee viewed the subject rights of way and did not find any significant reason to object to the request by Renfro. From the public, Mr. Howard Thomas, John's Grill, was concerned with the alley being closed as garbage is picked up in the alley. Mr. Thomas asked how the closing would affect him. Vice Mayor Schrader advised that if alley was closed, Mr. Thomas would receive one-half of it. Mr. Terwilliger advised that when an alley is closed, it goes to property owners on either side. We actually include a quick claim provision in our ordinance where we quick claim the title without warranty to the property owners on either side. The Public Operations Committee recommended adoption of Ordinance No. 96-5 Closing Lee Street, South of Commerce Street; Closing anEast-West Alley Right-of--Way From Lee Street to Jefferson Avenue; and Closing ANorth-South Alley Right of Way from said East-West Alley to Commerce Street; all within the Town of Pulaski, VA. Motion carried on the following recorded vale: ALLEY CLOSING ORDINANCE 96-5 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 As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIlVIITTEE: Chairman Johnston stated that the Utilities Committee met March 20, 1996, and addressed a concern regarding timetable for building the water tank for Draper Mountain Estates and the pump station. All projects being brought before the Town at this time will probably be discussed during the capital improvements projects needs that are being presented to Council as part of the budget process. Chairman Johnston advised that Draper-Aden had completed their study of the water system. A number of substantial capital projects are recommended by the report. These projects will have to be addressed when Council talks about the capital improvements as part of the budget. A final copy of the report should be received within the next week or so and it will be distributed to Council. The Utilities Committee reviewed a request to extend a water line at Barbara Lane. Staff WATER recommended this request be incorporated in the upcoming capital improvement projects. Chairman Johnston reported that an executive session was held concerning various contracts with possible industrial users and also negotiations over water permits with several of our industrial users. FINANCE COMIVIITTEE: Chairman Schrader had no report, however, advised that review of the upcoming budget would begin Tuesday, April 9. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE FINANCE Chairman D'Ardenne referred to the Finance Committee a request from a business owner in Town that the Finance Department consider streamlining business license process next year. Chairman D'Ardenne advised that the Human Resources Committee had met March 27 and recommended adoption of Personnel Policies as follows: PERSONNAL POLICIES ADOPTED. 1.300 Departmental Policies 2.100 Nondiscrimination 2.110 Equal Opportunity 2.200 Types of Employment and Eligibility for Benefits 2.220 Minor Work Permits 9570 9571 April 2, 1996 PERSONNEL POLICIES, CONTINUED: 2.360 Probation Period 3.100 Employee In-Processing/Orientation 3.200 Administration of Employee Personnel Records 3.500 Recommendations or opinions to other employers 3.600 Re-Employment 4.100 Employee Conduct 4.800 Requests for Legal Work Motion carried on the following vote: ADOPTED 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 Chairman D'Ardenne advised that the committee had received a report regarding the municipal building office space. Improvements have been made in the Finance Department. These improvements are scheduled to be completed by June 25. The Human Resources Committee recommended that Frank Gilbert be reappointed to the Beautification Committee for a three year term. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairman D'Ardenne requested an executive session to discuss two specifically named individuals. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMIVIlTTEE: Chairwoman Holston reported that the Public Operations Committee had met March 20. Site visits were made to trash and debris complaint, South Washington Avenue and a drainage problem at Mrs. Kemp's, 506 Pulaski Street. The Public Works Director will be preparing a cost estimate DRAINAGE to correct the drainage problem. Mr. Gilbert Barker had distributed a listing of concerns and suggestion for the Public Operations Committee to consider. Mr. Barker had suggested enforcing the littering law and it was felt that we should start working on this now. Chairwoman Holston asked the Ordinance Committee to look at this ordinance, and also asked that the Town Manager look into the no littering signs. Chairwoman Steger reported that the Ordinance Committee was already looking into this ordinance. Chairwoman Holston stated that the committee visited Ruth Moore, 23 2nd Street, SE to view a drainage problem and viewed the Renfro Corp. requested alley closing. Regarding the drainage problem, the Town will install piping once Ms. Moore has purchased and gets back in touch with us. Chairwoman Holston advised that Wednesday, 4:00 p.m., she would be visiting three other sites along with the Director of Public Works. Any Council Member should feel free to go with them. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairwoman Steger reported she had met with Messrs. Lyons and Combiths, discussing the review of ordinances and a committee meeting will be called to review 4 to 6 ordinances. The Ordinance Committee consists of Councilmen D'Ardenne, Black, and Councilwoman Holston. Since we are trying to clean up the Town, Chairwoman Steger felt it was a good time to review the littering ordinance. A report from this committee will be preserrted at the next Council meeting. MAYOR'S REPORT: NEW CENTRUY Mayor Graham stated the New Century Council, which covers Roanoke area to Wytheville, has COUNCIL asked if the Town wants to become a partner in the New Century Council. Mayor Graham COMMITTEE appoirrted Councilman D'Arderme, who is also a member of the Planning Commission as well as APPOINTED the Alliance, to chair a committee consisting of Vice Mayor Schrader, Councilman Hale, 1 April 2,1996 9572 Councilman Johnston, and Messrs. Combiths and Matherly along with Mayor Graham to meet and bring in a recommendation to Council at the next meeting. This committee will meet Friday, April 5, 7:00 a.m. POLICE May°r ~~~ advised that a memorandum had been distributed concerning Police vehicles' program policy change, and asked the Finance Committee to look irrto cost and bring back a recommendation to Council. Councilwoman Steger, John Hawley and Mayor Graham attended the Virginia Department of STREETS Transportation pre-allocation hearing in Salem this date. Mr. Joe Shelley, Pulaski Courrty Board of Supervisors Chairman and Chairman of the New River Valley Planning Commission made an excellent presentation. The Town had requested 4 laning Rt. 99 from Town corporate limits to Interstate 81, and also to upgrade Route 611 from the Town corporate limits to old Route 100. This is now in the secondary system and they will include it in the primary system. It has to get into this system before we can move forward. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths advised that our first meeting in May is Election Day. Vice Mayor Schrader so COUNCIL moved that the May 7, 1996, Council Meeting be canceled due to Election Day, 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 J Mr. Combiths reminded Council of the Electronic Village: A Blueprint for Southwest Virginia's Communities Conference sponsored by Congressman Boucher on Apri129 in Wytheville. Mr. Combiths gave projects update and also advised that Barry Matherly will bring a Resolution to Council to amsider, 1996 Community Development Block Grant program. Staff is looking at a feasibility study for an industrial park in the Town. EMPLOYEES ice Mayor Schrader advised that a memorandum had been received from the Town Manager regarding a one day management seminar sponsored by Virginia Tech with Town Department Heads attending. Mr. Combiths reported that training funds are short in the amount of $1000. Councilman D'Ardenne requested a copy of the agenda for this training. Vice Mayor Schrader so moved that we tap the contingency fund in the amount of $1000 to assist in this training, seconded by Councilman Johnston and carried on the following recorded vote: 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 Councilwoman Holston advised that a memorandum had been distributed to Council regarding the Virginia Local Government Managers Meeting. Mr. Combiths had requested that the Town of Pulaski host these ladies and gentlemen at Gatewood in May. Town Council had no objection to hosting this meeting. At 4:45 p.m. Council werrt into Executive Session under 2.1-344 AS two economic development matters; Renfro and UDAG application expansion of existing business and Al -two personnel matters, specifically named individual on motion made by Vice Mayor Schrader, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D' Ardenne, Jr. -Aye 4 9573 April 2, 1996 Lane R. Penn -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 5:35 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 Lane R. Penn -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, 7r. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 5:37 p.m. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried. Attest: C erk of ~ ouncil APPROVED: May r 1 5