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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-9594<<-3 January 17, 1995 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held January 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: Bettye H. Steger, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr., W. Edgar Hale, Alma H. Holston, Elbert G. Black, Jr. Also Preserrt: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Patricia Pendergrast, Acting Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Nick Glenn Mark Hufeinsen Ronald Vaughan Valencia Johnson Chief Herb Cooley Sergeant Wes Davis Commander Ernie Taylor Commander Eddie Hogston The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilwoman Holston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the invocation. Councilwoman Holston so moved that Patricia Pendergrast be appointed Acting Clerk, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and so carried. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 20, 1994, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. POLICE Mayor Graham advised that Police Chief Herb Cooley was to give an update on the state of law DEPARTMENT enforcemerrt in Pulaski. UPDATE Chief Cooley reminded Council that two officers in the surrounding area have been killed in the line of duty, and one of our own officers seriously hurt. He assured Council that our officers are properly trained, properly equipped, and properly supervised, so that they can safely and effectively deal with any situation that occurs. His department now has seven Department of Criminal Justice certified instructors, who will be conducting training classes in matters of policy. In addition, 14 people have been to specialized schools to better teach them to handle high risk situations. A special response team has been developed to respond to high risk situations. Chief Cooley also spoke of the turnover that his department has. He advised that he is trying to ascertain what areas the department is deficient in, and will summarize these areas to Council in the near future, in an attempt to bring the department in range with our surrounding areas. This should alleviate the financial problem of the Town of Pulaski training officers and then losing them to other areas due to benefits and pay scale. Mayor Graham stated that next on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding Town application to seek ISTEA enhancement grant funding for the New River Trail State Park Extension project. NEW RIVER Town Manager, Tom Combiths stated that the Town is applying for ISTEA funds to complete the TRAIL STATE New River Trail Extension Project. The project includes acquisition of property, and design and PARK construction of the approximately 2.2 miles of trail from the current terminus at Xaloy to the Train Station in downtown Pulaski. Since the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has already received an ISTEA grant for this period, it is ineligible to obtain a grant for this section of the New River Trail. As a result, the Town will be the official applicant for this project, however, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will still prepare and submit the application and construct and maintain the park as originally planned. One of the criteria for the grant application is a public hearing and resolution from the local governing body supporting the project. State Park Manager, Mr. Mark Hufeinsen, addressed questions that Council had regarding the Trail. It was reiterated that there are no Town funds involved in the project. The match for the January 17, 1995 project will come from the $190,000 in State Bond funds. $760,000 would represent potential grant amount. After discussion, Councilwoman Holston moved to adopt Resolution 95-2 , ISTEA Project Endorsement Resolution for the extension of the New River Trail in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLUTION John Johnston 95-2 Absent Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. Aye ISTEA John W Stone Absent W. Edgar Hale Aye Bettye Steger Aye Alma H. Holston Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. Aye Elbert G. Black Aye Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports: UTILITIES CONIlVIITTEE I&I In Chairman Johnston's absence, Mayor Graham advised that he was pleased with the Engineer's report to Peppers Ferry regarding progress made on the Town's I&I abatement program, and that another report will not have to be made until June 1995. WATER Mr. Combiths advised that Public Works is about 65% complete in its storage tank maintenance program. He stated that John Hawley is conducting calibration tests at the Treatment Plant for the purpose of determining accurate calculations of water treated/water billed, and that they are reviewing the bids received for the development of a computer model of the Town's water system operation. FINANCE COMIVQTTEE TOWN Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee met on January 17, .1994 with first item PROPERTY being to address the renewal of the lease for Loving Field Rental Property. The Finance Committee recommended approval of Resolution 95-1, leasing the land to Mr. Whitman for five years, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLUTION 95-1 John A. Johnston Absent John W. Stone Absent 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 Schrader advised that the Finance Committee next reviewed the Emergency Medical Services/Rescue Squad Study. This study had been reviewed by the Public Operations Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee wants to review the information with the Public Operations Committee and hopes to report back to Council at the next Council meeting. TOWN The Finance Committee reviewed the information regarding the Town Brochure. The only PROCHURE question they have is the quantity to order. The Committee wants to meet again prior to the February 7, 1995 Council meeting, after contact has been made with other community entities who might be interested in using this brochure and sharing the cost. DONATION Mr. Schrader advised that Dr. Brockmeyer and the Pulaski Railroad Club had requested $300 for the purpose of helping complete the museum's railroad exhibit. The Railroad Club has already invested about $75 worth of equipment for the exhibit. The Finance Committee recommended that the $300 be approved and that an additional $75 reimbursement be forwarded to the Club for a total of $375, and carried on the following vote: John A. Johnston -Absent John W. Stone -Absent 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 RR Mr. Schrader advised that the Appalachian Railroad Heritage Partnership (ARHP) submitted a request for $500 contribution. The Finance Committee recommends that this contribution request be considered during the deliberations for the next budget year. 9449 Councilman D'Ardenne asked the Town Manager to outline the bidding process for the brochure. 9450 January 17, 1995 (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Mr. Combiths stated that Robert Henderson, who is preparing the brochure, got three bids and returned said bids to the Town Manager's office. He stated that there seems to be some confusion regarding a conversation with one of the bidders, and this will be discussed with the Town Attorney. HUMAN RESOURCES CONIlVIITTEE Chairman D'Ardenne advised that the Human Resources Committee met on January 12, 1995. Two things were accomplished: 1. Established a draft set of by-laws that had been put together by the Town Attorney and reviewed by Council Members. Their comments will be sent to the Board of Economic Development in draft form to be reviewed and then returned to Council for final adoption. 2. Nominated individuals to serve as members of the Board of Economic Development. A copy of the list is attached to the minutes. The Committee submitted these names to Council as a recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Absent Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye 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 PUBLIC OPERATIONS Mrs. Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee met on January 6, 1995. After discussion, Public Operations recommended that the Rescue Squad Study funding be forwarded to the Finance Committee for review. Chairwoman Holston stated that Public Operations will meet in the near future to discuss several items. ORDINANCE COMD~IITTEE Chairman Black had no report. MAYOR' S REPORT Mayor Graham requested that the Operations Committee meet with the staff and volunteers at the Train Station to iron out a few problems that have come up. Mayor Graham reported that VML and the League of Counties will meet February 9, 1995 in Richmond and requested that any Council person planning to attend, inform the Town Manager. Councilwoman Holston interjected that she thinks it is more important for the Council to attend than in years past. Mayor Graham reported that the House Finance Committee will be meeting Wednesday, January 25, 1995 in Richmond. He requested that anyone desiring to attend, please contact the Town Manager's office. TOWN ATTORNEY' S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT Mr. Combiths inquired when Council would like to hold their Goals Settings Workshop. Council was given several dates to consider. Mr. Combiths gave a projects update. Mike Jenkins is working on some ideas to improve the landscaping and the entry ways into Town, and hopes to present his design in the near future. He advised that staff is corrtinuing to apply pressure on the insurance company regarding Woody's Restaurant. Janaury 17, 1995 Mrs. Steger inquired about the timing of street sweeping of Main Street and the surrounding areas. Mr. Combiths replied that there is still a problem with the equipmerrt, and cleaning is done when the machineis working. I'~ Mayor Graham stated that on January 30, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., the Town of Pulaski, and the Town of Dublin will meet with the County at the Pulaski Coutrty Board Room, to discuss which road to apply the funds allocated from Richmond. He requested that all Council member's attend if possible. Councilman D'Ardenne inquired as to the cut off date for applications for the Town's Finance Director. Mr. Combiths replied that the date is February 15, 1995. Mr. Schrader made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution covering executive Session of the Human Resources meeting held prior to the Council meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Absent Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye 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 At 8:20 p.m. Council adjourned. Attest: ~-- Acting Clerk of Council APPROVED: 9451 Mayor