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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-959460 MaRCH 7, 1995 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 7, 1995, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were preserrt: Mayor Andrew L. Graham, presiding Council Members: John A. Johnston, Bettye H. Steger, W. H. Schrader, Jr., 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 J. Lyons, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Ann Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Henderson Randolph J. B. Warner Cathy Raykes Linda Semones Northwood Elementany Student Council William W. Beeler Matthew Wigginton Daniel Warburton Karaneese Payne Mary Elizabeth Hale Jessica Hawks Nancy Morgan Rachel Chitwood Drew Kirkner Ciara Russell Tanna Cabaniss Mary Stuart Andrew Hart Paige Wigginton Deborah Taylor Daniel Doolittle Josh Burleson Lana Woolwine Chanda Tracy Ashley Kemp The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Vice Mayor Schrader led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 1995, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Public Mayor Graham advised that first on the agenda was a public hearing regarding the Farmer's Home Hearing Administration Loan Application for Proposed Sewer System Improvements for the Town of Sewer Syster~ulaski. Mr. Combiths reported that this hearing is required by the Farmer's Home Administration for funding for the rehabilitation of the sewer line through Dublin at a total cost of about 3/4 million dollars. The Town's share is about one-half million. There were no commerrts from the public for or against this issue. Councilman Johnston made a motion that Resolution No. 95-3 be adopted, seconded by R e s o l u t i o nCouncilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: N o . 95-3 adopted John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, 7r. -Absent John W. Stone -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye March 7, 1995 Bettye H. Steger -Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye In hearing from the public, Ms. Morgan and Ms. Taylor, Northwood Elementary School, introduced the Student Council in attendance at this meeting. These students were elected at the beginning of the school year to the Student Council. Other Government students were also in attendance. Mayor Graham stated that March is "Say No to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco" month. Buttons and literature pertaining to this subject were distributed. Sly Mr. J. B. Warner addressed Council with sewer service concerns on Oakhurst Avenue and Whitethorn. He advised that he represented Cathy Raykes who is on a septic system and is having very serious problems in her home. Mr. Wamer advised that in the 1958 annexation, sewer service was promised for this area but has not been installed. Mayor Graham stated this sewer service problem is being referred to the Utilities Committee for their review and staff is currently working on the matter. Cost will be approximately $15,000 to install the sewer line. The Town Manager is researching this problem and will move quickly for a remedy. ~~~ Ms. Linda Semones, Daily Bread Program at the First Presbyterian Church, address Council regarding the parking problem for the volunrteers for Daily Break working at the Church. Their cars are being ticketed for overparking due to new parking signs being installed. Also, she requested that the yellow line be removed ,where alley was closed, to allow parking in this space. Council Members volunteered to pay the parking tickets incurred by the Daily Bread volunteers. At 4:25 p.m. Councilman D'Ardenne arrived at Council Meeting. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES CONIlVIITTEE Chairman Johnston advised that the Utilities Committee met March 1, 1995, and discussed the trunk sewer inspection. Draper Aden has identified the need to further investigate deterioration of ~"~ approximately seven miles of sewer line. Phase 2 of investigation would include the cleaning and televising of the line. This project should be underway shortly. Mr. Combiths advised that the Town is still awaiting an official response from the County and the Town of Dublin. Chairman Johnston stated that a meeting had been held with Magnox regarding their future sewer needs. The Town will work with Magnox as they comply with the Peppers Ferry User Agreement and as they begin some new processes to feed additional sewer into our lines. At this time, no specific request has been received, but they are looking at some possibilities for increased industrial flow to begin sometime in the summer. We want to be able to meet those needs. Magnox is working with Peppers Ferry and an engineer to determine exactly what the effects would be on our line in the future. Chairman Johnston reporting that the Town Engineer is investigating a computer model of our water system. Proposals have been requested from a number of engineering firms. More reports will be made on this project in the future. FINANCE CONIlVIITTEE Chairman Schrader stated that the Finance Committee had met March 7, and discussed the Town Investment Policy. Before adopting the policy, there were several ways money could be invested according to the allowance by the State of Virginia. The committee has asked that some qualified person come in and explain what those investments are, and advantages and disadvantages of these investments. 9461 The UDAG Program was discusser) and reactivating the Town's Industrial Development Authority. Staff will develop more details and a workshop will be scheduled. 9462 March 7, 1995 Chairman Schrader reported that the Town received three bids for its computer system. Staff and consultant are reviewing these bids. We hope to be on line by June 30th. Chairman Schrader advised that the Economic Development budget will be reviewed along with all other departments during the budget process by staff and Town Council HUMAN RESOURCES COI\~IlVIITTEE Chairman D'Ardenne apologized for being late to the meeting as he was scheduled to be out of Town. Councilman Hale reported that the Human Resources Committee had met March 2, entering into executive session on a personnel matter involving a specific individual, and also Finance Director recnutmertt. Councilman Hale advised that three Human Resources Committee meetings were scheduled this week under the same topics, Thursday, 7:00 a.m., Friday, 7:30 a.m. and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. Council was also in receipt of a memorandum regarding safety. Chairman D'Ardenne advised that Council was very interested in safety. PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIlVIITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, but advised a meeting was scheduled for Friday, following the Human Resources meeting. ORDINANCE COD~IlVIITTEE Chairman Black reported that the Ordinance Committee had met February 22 and discussed the two areas of the charter that were inconsistent with the Model Cities Charter: 1) Mayor's voting ORDINAL right and 2) the appointment and removal of departmert heads. After discussion of these two issues and also the size of Council, the committee did not recommend any changes in these areas or the rest of the charter. REPORT ON RAYMOND RATCLIFF MEMORIAL MUSEUM TRAIN STATION AND DORA HIGHWAY PARK Councilwoman Steger advised that she and the Mayor had met with the Executive Committee of M[JSIIA`7 the Economic Development Board where they were given a vision summary and to inform them about what we were trying to do. They are trying to establish two committees for the Raymond Ratcliff Memorial Museum and also for the New River Trail. The first committee would be a vision committee and the second would be a finance committee. Names of people have been requested that could serve on these committees. Input from the citizens is also important. Councilwoman Steger stated they also going to try to secure the services of the Design Group from V.P.I. This group will not make a charge to the Town, however, we will pay their expenses. Councilwoman Steger made a motion that Resolution No. 95-4 Adopting Vision Statement for the RFBOI~TI'!ON Town of Pulaski be adopted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye John W. Stone -Absent Edgar Hale -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Aye Alma H. Holston ,-Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Graham reported that Conway Smith would be honored Saturday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the New River Room at the Courthouse. Councilwoman Steger made a motion that Resolution No. 95-5 Honoring Conway Howard Smith be adopted, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried. Mayor Graham reported that we also needed to continue work on our junked cars and the lower end of Calfee Park needs cleaning and the fence repaired. Town Manager is to check into this matter. March 7, 1995 Mayor Graham reported that Council Members and the Director of Public Works would view Peak Creek from Duncan Bridge to the corporate limits on Monday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. And also along Route 11 will be viewed. TOWN ATTORNEY' S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Combiths reported that our Police Department had identified 40 additional abandoned/unlicensed vehicles in the community and they have a good plan to rid the community of these vehicles. An update will be famished to Council on this matter. Mr. Combiths stated that before Council was Ordinance No. 95-1 Approving a Rezoning of 4.03 Acres from M 1 to B-2 on Bob White Boulevard. Vice Mayor Schrader stated that because of his association with Hudson Chevrolet, he would not take part in this discussion or vote on the matter. Councilman D'Ardenne so moved that Ordinance No. 95-1 be adopted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye 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. -Abstain E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Mr. Combiths gave a projects update, adding that the Director of Public Works hopes to have the Bainbridge project undervvay by the first of May. The status of the ISTEA grant was discussed and we should know something by June. The environmental study is approximately 50% completed. Mr. Combiths reported that on March 30, the County plans to once again have the joint governments meeting with the Towns of Pulaski and Dublin. The County will forward an agceda for this joint meeting. Mr. Combiths stated that Council had discussed conducting Town Meetings and for Council's consideration was the first meeting to beheld March 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Rescue Squad building on Lagrange Street. Other suggestion would be April 11 at Randolph Avenue Methodist Church and finishing up possibly on April 25 at the Pulaski Middle School. Councilman D'Ardenne brought up the condition of our entrances into Town with Mayor Graham reporting that the personnel that will be looking at the Train Station/Museum will also be looking at our errtrances into Town. Mr. Combiths advised that a meeting was scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the fallen trees on Town property and a draft will be made on Hold Harmless agreement for the removal of these trees and a public notice. Councilman D'Ardenne requested that Town administrative staff evaluate this situation as it is a very critical area and come back to Council at the next meeting with a definitive plan for getting the downed trees and area cleaned up. Mr. Combiths reported that he had talked with the PSA regarding a clean up of Town and they have been extremely cooperative. A site could be designated where people could bring things to haul away. At 5:05 p.m. Councilman Black so moved that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried. Attest: Clerk of Council 9463 APPROVED: Mayor