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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-959580 May 16, 1995 Mmutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held May 16, 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: John A. Johnston, Bettye H. Steger, 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, Assistarrt Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Ronald Vaughan Valencia Johnson Robert N. Glenn William W. Breedlove Delores Sunatt Rev. A. H. Daniels Mary Lee Duncan Charles W. Stewart, Jr. Kirk Hendricks Todd Lytton April Owens Steven Osborne Luke Phillips Tracy Montgomery Jared Cox Brady Simpkins Matt Gardner Lindsey A. Huff Kelly Lowe Kim Lookabill Jim Gregory The meeting was called to order by Mayor Graham. Councilman Johnston led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the Invocation. Mayor Graham welcomed visitors to the meeting. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 2, 1995, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. BUDGET Mayor Graham stated that first on agenda was a public hearing to receive comments on the Town PUBLIC of Pulaski Proposed Budget for 1995-1996, in accordance with Town Charter Section 6.06. HEADING Mr. Combiths reported that this public hearing was duly noticed on May 7, 1995. The Town Council met in February to discuss the Town goals and objectives for the coming years, and since that time the Council and staff have spenrt a considerable amount of time putting together a work plan for the coming year. The proposed General Fund budget is $S.1M, which funds 24 operating divisions for the Town. The operating costs of 12 divisions of the General Fund have declined during the last year. Three divisions remained flat. Mr. Combiths indicated that staff working with the Council has presented a conservative spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Mr. Combiths thanked Rob Lyons, Assistant Town Manager, for the tremendous time and effort he has put into the budget. Mr. Combiths had received calls from Mr. Russell Creasy who objected to the cigarette tax increase and Mr. Bob Wallace who objected to the proposed parking ticket increases. Part of the budget this year is a full five year capital improvement plan. May 16, 1995 9581 95/96 Budget Public Hearing Councilwoman Holston and Councilwoman Steger advised they had received telephone calls regarding a parking ticket increase and felt it would discourage people coming into Town. Also, the misunderstanding that an increase in fines to fund additional police officers should be cleared up. Mayor Graham felt this would discourage people from shopping on Main Street. Mr. Combiths advised that Council would be presented with a comprehensive parking study prepared by the New River Planning District Commission. In hearing from the public, Mr. Nick Glenn was concerned over Gatewood Reservoir and the use of this as a public park. There was some concern if the park was paying for itself, and he reported the Reservoir was an excellant asset of the Town of Pulaski. Most parks are not necessarily money makers. He strongly commended what the Town Recreation Departmant has done with this facility. Mr. Glenn felt that economic development was essential and he stressed to Council the need to coordinate with the Town of Dublin and the County on this group effort. He felt we were in economic development in a group effort. He stated we have asset value in Joe Morgan and Pete Huber at the County, and Gary Elander with the Town of Dublin. The County has completed their industrial park at the airport. From a tax standpoint, Mr. Glenn also ancouraged high quality residantial developmant in the Town. There is land available for development. Mr. Glenn commended the Council and staff on the work that has bean done. Councilman D'Ardenne stated that Gatewood Park had deteriorated over the past couple of years and that we should consider the amount of money we are putting into the park right now versus what we are getting out of it. Councilman D'Ardenne also stated that the Board of Economic Development is addressing some of the issues Mr. Glenn talked about. Mayor Graham stated that Gatewood Reservoir is the primary source of water for the Town citizens. Other large state parks do not serve communities water; it is for recreational purposes. The Town has to be very careful about how we commercialize the reservoir. Councilwoman Holston advised that the Public Operations Committee would be visiting Gatewood Reservoir on Thursday. Mrs. Sybil Atkinson, chairperson of the Board of Economic Development, advised that the Board had discussed housing, plus working with the whole county; not just the Town. Councilman Johnston stated that he felt the rates for water and sewer needed a second look, and Council is looking at this. He felt water was not out of line, but the sewer rate is out of line. Council is looking at ways which would be the least amount of hardship on the citizens. Dee Surratt, Secretary/T'reasurer of the New River Valley Emergency Squad, requested that they be considered for another $8,000 in budget for this year. Councilman Hale asked for status of EMS study with Mr. Combiths advising Finch and - Associates are hoping to have a draft study available by the first week in June. Councilman Hale felt that Council should hold off on Rescue Squad funding until the study is available for review. Councilman Hale stated that the latest financial report shows a deficit in the water and sewer fund, however the Farmer's Home Loan has not been received. Mr. Lyons reported that in budget last year, the Council set up a division in the water fund and sewer fund both for Farmer's Home - expanditures. Because we did not want to wait for all the paperwork to run its course, Farmer's Home allowed us to proceed with the work. A packet will be cant to Farmer's Home this week to get reimbursed for all these expenses. ~~ Councilman Hale stated that he felt the Town should get out of the donation business as he had a '` bard time spanding taxpayers' money on donations. '~'~ .~ ,,~ 9582 May 16, 1995 Councilwoman Holston stated that the Town gave the Agency on Aging $1,500 and we get back over $100,000 in service. Mrs. Polly Mitchell asked if Council had discussed the $25,000 donation to the theatre. She felt that things like this should come from the public. She also stated that Main Street should raise their own money. Mr. Breedlove stated that water creates the sewer and we need to combine the two and look at the whole picture of our water/sewer rates. When we do this, we are the highest in the area. The older people are hit hard with the increased rates. He felt that we should look to the general fund to supplement our water/sewer rates. Mr. Breedlove advised that we were putting into budget 4- wheel drive vehicles, 3/4 ton Chevrolet vehicles. He had observed two employees weed-eating, using a 4 wheel drive. He did not feel this was necessary. Mr. Breedlove did not feel we could provide someone a 4 wheel drive so he could drive from Wytheville to Pulaski. If he warrts pride in his job, he should move to Pulaski. Mr. Breedlove stated he did not feel a $7.00 increase in parking fines was justified. There are too many meter maids marking cars on Main Street. Mrs. Mitchell also stated that two meter maids were nat needed. She recommended that parking . meters be put back in. Mayor Graham also had concerns about the 1995-96 budget and his written concerns are attached to the minutes of this Council Meeting. Councilman D'Ardenne felt that Council should look at the water fund and the sewer fund very seriously. He was also concerned about the budget itself, in particular the Recreation budges, and that the Armory and Gatewood Reservoir be looked at. At 7:47 p.m. the public hearing was closed. Mayor Graham welcomed eight Government students to the Council Meeting. As there were no further commerrts from the public, Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE PEPPERS Chairman Johnston advised that a Phase II agreement with the County and the Town of Dublin for FERRY the cleaning and inspection cost of the Dublin Interceptor was before Council and so moved that the Town Manager/Town Attorney be authorized to execute an agreemenrt in substarrtial form as before Council. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston John W. Stone Bettye H. Steger W. H. Schrader, Jr FINANCE CO1bIlVIlTTEE Chairman Schrader was absent. HUMAN RESOURCES -Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. -Aye -Abserrt W. Edgar Hale -Aye -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye -Absent E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye Chairman D'Ardenne reported that the Human Resources Committee had met prior to the Council Meeting. Chairman D'Ardenne gave a schedule for the recruitmerrt of the Executive Director for the Board of Economic Development. APPT . ECON . Chairman D'Ardenne advised that the Committee had met in Executive Session and recommended DEV . BOARD that David Venee be appointed to the Economic Development Board of Directors. Motion carried ~` on the following recorded vote: ° i John A. Johnston -Aye Roy H. D'Ardcene, Jr. -Aye ,./ ~' i f~ 1 May 16, 1995 John W. Stone Bettye H. Steger W. H. Schrader, Jr -Absent W. Edgar Hale -Aye Alma H. Holston -Absent E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye -Aye -Aye PUBLIC OPERATIONS CONIl~IlTTEE Chairwoman Holston advised the Public Operations Committee would visit Gatewood Reservoir Thursday 7:00 a.m.. .CEMETERY Chairwoman Holston advised that before Council was a draft policy regarding the installation of STEPS steps at private owned cemetery lots. Once owners indicate that they warrt steps installed, cost will be determined and owner will pay for the installation. Chairwoman Holston so moved policy be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Steger 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. -Absent E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye ORDINANCE CONIl~IITTEE Chairman Black had no report. MAYOR' S REPORT Mayor Graham asked that his written remarks regarding the budget be distributed to Council and Town Manager. Mayor Graham read a Proclamation Proclaiming May 21-27, 1995 as Virginia Volunteer Rescue PROCLA . Squad Week. Councilwoman Steger so moved this Proclamation be approved, seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and carried. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER' S REPORT Mr. Combiths reported that the Town OtFices would be closed on Monday, May 29, 1995, in observance of Memorial Day. Mr. Combiths stated that a tour of Pulaski Furniture was scheduled for May 23, 8:30 a.m. Mr. Combiths gave a project update. FINANCE In unscheduled business, Councilman D'Ardenne stated that Council had received a packet of information on Town investments and investment policy, and requested that the Finance Committee schedule ameeting/workshop to discuss Mr. Beyer's recommea~dations and policy. At 8:10 p.m. Councilwoman Steger made a motion that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344 A5, two economic development matters, seconded by Councilwoman Holston 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. -Abscet E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 8:20 p.m. Council returned to regular session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman D'Ardenne, seconded by Councilwoman Holston 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 9583 9584 Nlay 16, 1995 W. H. Schrader, Jr. -Absent E. G. Black, Jr. -Aye At 8:22 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. APPROVED: Mayor Attest: Clerk of Council