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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-959456 February 21, 1995 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 21, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Andrew L. Graham, presiding Council Members: John A. Johnston, John W. Stone, Bettye H. Steger, W. H. Schrader, 7r., Roy H. D'Ardenne, 7r., W. Edgar Hale, Alma H. Holston, Elbert G. Black, Jr. Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager Robert 7. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Ann Lindsey, News Media Bob Hudson Lynn Hudson 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 so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 7, 1995, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. PUBLIC Mayor Graham advised that first on agenda was a public hearing to consider a request by Bob HEARING Hudson, Hudson Chevrolet, to rezone 4.03 acres on Bob White Boulevard from M-1 (Limited REZONING Industrial) to B-2 (General Business). Vice Mayor Schrader stated that because of his association with Hudson Chevrolet, he declined to comment during the public hearing or vote on the matter. Mr. Lyons reported that Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were seeking to rezone a four acre parcel which is adjacent to their existing seven acre business. They have requested a rezoning from M-1 to B-2 to allow the sale of cars. The sale of cars is permitted outright in the B-2 district. In the M-1 district it would require a conditional use. The Planning Commission and Staff recommended approval of this rezoning request. Mr. Hudson advised this was a continuous piece of land, adjac~t to the property they already own and he would appreciate Town Council's support. Councilwoman Steger so moved that the recommendation of the Planning Commission and Town staff to rezone this property be approved, 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 -Aye W. Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Abstain E. G. Black, 7r. -Aye There being no commerrts from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIlVIlTTEE: p~ ~y Chairman Johnston advised that he and Mayor Graham had attended a Peppers Ferry meeting last week. It was reported that the cost of Peppers Ferry would increase very slightly next year and basically the cost at the plant would be about the same. Any increased cost that the Town might have to incur throughout next year would be based on some increased flows which they estimate to be about 6%. Mostly the increased charges next year and upcoming years, will be based on capital improvemerrts and repairs. Peppers Ferry is also going through some financial arrangements through the investment of bond debt service reserve. Monies are in this account to pay for operation of the plarrt and contingencies. This money has been reinvested at a rate of about 5-1/2% which is the maximum allowed bylaw under our particular type of organization, and should net over a period of a year some $85,000 to the authority. 1 Funds are available within two days should they be needed. February 21, 1995 Chairman Johnston stated that he and Mayor Graham wanted to get with our people and work on getting the monthly flows and review, in trying to determine a pattern as to how we are doing and there are a lot of figures famished by the Town each month and they probably need a monthly report to assist them. FINANCE CONIl~DTTEE: Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee had met February 17, 1995. He reported that the Management Letter from the audit and the actual Fire Department audit was reviewed. The Town Manager presented an update on the Computerization program in our Finance Department. We have had to go out for bids and formal RFP's are due March 3. It is hoped this project will be in place by July 1st. Chairman Schrader advised that utility bill samples are available from VNIL and staff was requested to look irrto this matter. Chairman Schrader advised the proposed investment policies had been distributed to Council for their input. T~ Chairman Schrader reported that the Town Attorney would be training the Finance Departm~t on ~~'~~ the delinquent tax collection program. Work needs to be done now in collecting delinquent taxes. Also, the Town will resume publishing the names of delinquent taxpayers in the paper. DIET DAY Chairman Schrader stated that the committee discussed the Summer Festival/Depot Day Event scheduled this summer. Mr. Cox shared his plans with the committee, advising that the festival includes events at all of the Town's shopping areas and a major country star at Calfee Park. The Finance Committee, with their understanding of who the entertainment would be, recommended up to $10,000 for the event. -~ _~ FUNDING DER7I' DAY D~NCMIC DEVELfJP. Chairman Schrader suggested that the Finance Committee reconsider, not to withdraw any support of the festival as he felt we needed to support this festival wholeheartedly, and he fully agreed to funding up to $10,000, but he felt the committee should know who the entertainment would be. It was reported that matching money would also be available for this event, and appreciation was expressed to the businesses and industries lending their support.. After Council discussed this matter, Councilman Stone made a motion that Council accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee for funding up to $10,000 for the one day everrt, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye John W. Stone -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -No Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye W. Edgar Hale -No Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIlVIlTTEE: Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, felt that administration should look at the letter written by Mayor Graham regarding inoperable vehicles, nuisances, etc. ORDINANCE CONIlVIITTEE: Chairman Black had no report, but did remind Council of the Ordinance Committee meeting scheduled for February 22. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Graham advised that Mr. Cox and Economic Development Board had met. Mayor Graham felt that a very important part of economic development would be tourism, and a big part of this would be the developmerrt of the Ratcliffe Museum, information cater and the New River Trail which would deadend at the park. Councilwoman Steger reported a meeting had been held with the Court House Committee, with Mayor Graham and Councilwoman Steger attending, and their guidance would be helpful. Mayor Graham stated that Councilwoman Steger was Council's 9457 9458 February 21, 1995 represantative in this endeavor and that she would keep Town Council informed. Mayor Graham reported that a vision statement approved by the Economic Developmant Executive Board would be available by the next Council Meeting for Council's approval. TC~dN Q~~, Mayor Graham reported that a goal setting workshop had been held February 7 and February 11 OOH, ~ with the Town Council and Department Heads. Accomplishmerrts over the last year and one-half were reviewed and a course of action for the Town's goals for the next several years was givan. The Town Manager is currently preparing a summary of these sessions and this summary will be brought back to Council. Councilman D'Ardenne suggested these goals be adopted by Council. If these goals are completed, they will be placed on the next Council meeting agenda. Council Members felt that these sessions were very worthwhile, and an outstanding success.. Mr Combiths was requested to have department heads list what we have to do in the next five years. Mayor Graham advised he had written letters regarding S. Washington Avanue and junk cars, general debris, old houses, trees that are down due to the ice storm last winter. Mayor Graham requested that the Town Manager address these violations of ordinances. The Town Manager was requested to clean Main Street and also Peak Creek. Councilwoman Steger had visited problem areas, as submitted by Mr. Barker, with the Code Compliance Oi~icer. Obtaining a logger to remove trees that were down was discussed and it was recommanded that we advertise for a logger if this route was recommanded. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Mr. Terwilliger reported that a suit was brought by the Town for the demolition of a building on S. Washington Avenue against Jack Bane and he had been givan until February 10 to remove the building. The building was demolished and the debris removed. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT: Mr. Combiths gave a projects update. Mr. Combiths reported that regarding the water pressure in Bainbridge, a letter has been serrt to the residerrts. This is a priority project. Staff has bean formulating a plan to expedite this project, which will be brought to Council. Mr. Combiths reported that he hoped by the next meeting to have a project schedule from the state on the New River Trail into the train station. Mr. Combiths advised that Mr. Terwilliger would be invited to address a couple of areas brought out in the goal setting sessions at the first meeting in March. Councilwoman Steger questioned if the Town had a clean up week in the spring. Mr. Combiths stated this could be discussed in a committee meeting. HUMAN RESOURCES CONIlVIITTEE: Chairman D'Ardenne advised a committee meeting would beheld immediately following the Council meeting in executive session under 2.1-344 Al, to discuss the Director of Finance position. APPT.PARHING Chairman D'Ardenne so moved that Wayne Ondich be reappointed to the Parking Authority; Tom AUTHORITY Douthat, Richard Mansell, Jeanne Whitman reappoinrted to the ARB, Jack Nunley reappointed to APPT. ARB the Beautification Committee. Motion seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and so carried. APPT. BEAUITFICATIOIJ Vice Mayor Schrader stated that in regard to the museum, we had made certain promises in grant I~JM documants whan we received money for the museum. He asked that this information be made available to Mrs. Steger. Mr. Terwilliger stated that the Town Manager had mantioned we would probably have some type of training session after the next Council meeting. If Council Members have any particular topics they want to address, they were requested to let Mr. Terwilliger know or let the Town Manager know. J February 21, 1995 Mr. Combiths stated that a Quality Improvement System for the Town was scheduled to be discussed in a Finance Committee meeting. Councilwoman Holston so moved that this matter be added to this Council meeting agenda, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. ~ Mr. Combiths stated that the Town Council has historicall su orted y pp Quality Improvement System in the Town through the Town's participation with the New River Community College and the Quality First Program. Discussions'have been held with Councilman D'Ardenne who has a prospective on Quality Improvement Systems. Mr. Lyons has also had discussions with the Continuing Education Program at Virginia Tech on customer service training. Mayor Graham felt that Mr. Combiths should come to Council with what training is needed and Council would support the employees' training if it would improve their skill level. Mr. Combiths stated that staff was quite comfortable with what we are doing today. This does not mean that we cannot increase the effort in our training of our employees. Amore rigorous system would involve a much greater time commitment. He indicated that he could investigate such a program if the Council so desired. Teamwork has been improved between the Public Works and Finance d~artments with our program at New River Community College. We are presently working with Virginia Tech to get a program developed on customer services. At 8:01 p.m. Vice Mayor Schrader made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne, and carried. APPROVED: 1 Attest: Ruth A. Harrell Clerk of Council Mayor 9459