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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-949405 March 15, 1994 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held March 15, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers 1n the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Memberss Charles D. Crispin, J. R. Schrader, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, E. G. Black, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn 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 Doug Hudson Valencia Johnson Ronald Vaughan Mike Jenkins John Hawley Cecil Breedlove Eddie Hale Polly Mitchell Mary Lee Duncan Betty and Tad Steger 1 Student 1 area citizen The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Vice Mayor W. N. Schrader led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman J. R. Schrader gave the Invocation. Following the roll call, Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 1994, be approved as submitted, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried. TAXES Mayor Hancock advised that first item on the agenda was registered speaker Mr. Doug Hudson, Kroger Co. Mr. Hudson addressed Council regarding the Town tax on loose tobacco. Due to the difficulty in applying decals to cigars, loose tobacco, etc. he requested that the Kroger Co. pay for this tax through a computer document. The Town could inspect store inventory and compare to computer sheet at any time. This request was referred to the Ordinance Committee for their review. '~ERNST Mayor Hancock advised that next on agenda was a public hearing to & hear citizen comments regarding the Ernst & Young's water rate study YOUNGrecommendations. WATER STUDY PUBLIC HEARING 1 March 15, 1994 9406 PUBLIC HEARING, Cont. ERNST & YOUNG Mr. Lyons reported that Ernst & Young had proposed the following recommendationss 1) Adjustment to Rate Blocks; 2) Adoption of Fixed Charge; 3) Consolidation of Flows for Single Site Customers with integrated operations that have multiple meters; and 4) Adoption of Availability Charge. Mrs. Polly Mitchell, 600 Prospect Ave., was informed that it was proposed that the monthly fixed charge for water was by peter size and that most residential meters were 5/8" $5.09 fixed rate. Also, Mr. Lyons reported that 0 to 20,000 gallons would be $1.14, 20,001 to 700,000 gallons - 0.93 and all over 700,001 gallons - 0.83. You would pay for only the water that is actually used in addition to the fixed monthly charge. Regarding the consolidated meter readings, currently each meter is basically treated like a second customer. Each meter is charged a minimum bill of 3,000 gallons and then work their way through the 7 blocks. Ernst & Young have recommended that for a customer that is at one site and has integrated operations, they would pay the fixed charge for each of the meters that they have (based on meter size) and then the actual consumption would work its way through the rate structure only once. Councilman Graham felt that Council should pass these recommendations as quickly as possible, except he would like to eliminate the consolidation of meters readings. Vice Mayor Schrader felt that Council action should be delayed to receive any additional citizen comments and possibly take action the first meeting in April. Mayor Hancock advised that Council might want to schedule a special Council meeting to act on the Ernst & Young recommendations. Councilman Graham was opposed to the consolidated meter reading as the Town has furnished the transmission and distribution of service to customer and he felt that each meter should stand on its own. Apartment complexes and our industries have multiple meters and a change would create labor havoc in the Treasurer's office. Councilman Graham read the auditor's suggestions for items to be worked on in the Treasurer's office. Councilman Crispin was also opposed to the consolidation of meters. Councilman Black felt that meters should be read every 30 days to make an accurate billing. Councilwoman Holston advised that a letter was before Council from: Mrs. Georgia Anderson, a County resident, opposing rates for the County residents. Councilman Graham requested that the Finance Committee set up a meeting to follow up on the auditor's recommendations. Vice Mayor Schrader reported that a report should be received from the Town Manager very soon on all of these items from the auditors. Mrs. Mitchell advised that in her paying for Town services by check, the checks were held for two weeks. She felt the Treasurer's 9407 March 15, 1994 PUBLIC HEARING, Cont. office was supposed to balance each day. She also felt that water meters should be read at least every 60 days. At 7:27 p.m., the public hearing was adjourned. There were no further comments from the public. DRAINAGE Mr. Combiths reported on the drainage problem of Mrs. Valencia Johnson, Cliff Street. The Engineering Department has completed the plans for this project. Mrs. Johnson has indicated that she was willing to pay the cost of pipe to go in as opposed to a ditch being constructed for the drainage. The Director of Public Works has indicated that this project could be started next Friday. Council felt that this project should be completed as soon as possible. Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 17, 5x00 p.m. FINANCE COMMITTEE .TRANS. Chairman Schrader advised that the Finance Committee met prior to the Council Meeting jointly with the Utilities Committee. The Town Manager had advised that the Virginia Department of Transportation was interested in using Pulaski to do a traffic study and survey. The Town Manager was authorized to go ahead and discuss this with them. Chairman W. H. Schrader advised that the committees also heard a report from the Town Manager regarding the pump station maintenance contract with Pepper's Ferry. The committees also went into Executive Session. UTILITIES COMMITTEE PEPPERS Chairman Graham reported that the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater FERRY Treatment Authority Board had met March 10. Chairman Graham had placed the report covering this meeting before Town Council, bringing attention to items/problems of particular interest to Town Council. Attention was brought to the fact that the Town was in receipt of a letter from the Executive Director of Peppers Ferry advising that our Town faces a very serious problem due to Pulaski's exceeding the 85~ design flow for three consecutive months. The Executive Director put the Town on notice that we are to cease the issuance of further building permits until we have made arrangements to assure future capacity for the Town. Mr. Maus stated in his letter that it was apparent that the flow increase was due to infiltration/inflow at this time, and the Town was being requested to provide a plan of corrective action or obtain additional capacity. This plan should be available to the Authority at their April meeting, or a statement to the effect that the Town has ceased issuance of any further building permits at this time. 1 Chairman Graham also distributed a summary of the Town of Pulaski March 15, 1994 9408 PEPPERS FERRY monthly treatment at Peppers Ferry from January 1992 through February 1994. Mayor Hancock advised that he had asked the Town Manager to provide a report to Council on the I&I recommendations. We have done some work on this problem and need to get the report back as soon as possible. Chairman Graham emphasized the exceeded percentage of flow was attributable to I&I, and urged that the Town continue to work on the I&I problems. A consultant's study has been made and some work was done. We need to correct this problem to an acceptable level. Chairman Graham made the following suggestions for I&I correction: need to submit a plan for I&I correction to the Town Council and Peppers Ferry as soon as possible; we need to contact PSA to see if the Town can borrow or purchase some capacity; we need to purchase the sewer TV camera, need to start correcting the manholes; and hire a construction crew under the supervision of the Director of Public Works. Chairman Graham stated that we need strong, aggressive action to solve the I&I problems and asked that the Town Manager come back to Town Council with a report identifying funding for the I&I projects. Mr. Combiths advised that staff was reviewing monies within the Sewer Fund to address some of the manhole problems and we have also had discussions with the County Administrator. Regarding the building permit issue, it is felt there is a short term fix for this. We don't want to borrow capacity forever, but it would certainly get us through this problem we have with Peppers Ferry right now with the I&I. The 199! study done on I&I, and we will put dates on this and identify some additional funding for this project. PU$LIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Holston had no report, however, she did request that a committee meeting be scheduled. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT TRAIN Mayor Hancock advised that a dedication for the Train Station had STAbeen tentatively scheduled for June 11. It is anticipated that all the work at the station will be completed by that time with the exception of the extension of the Trail. We are currently working with the State to' see if this project could be completed with State bond money which was approved a year ago. A group in Roanoke that sponsors the steal train excursions have tentatively agreed to provide a steam train excursion td Pulaski for that day. Most likely, the train would leave Roanoke in the morning and would drop off passengers in Pulaski for about 4-1/2 hours and would gv on to Glade Spring and return. Mayor Hancock advised that it is anticipated that the train will hold between 400-500 passengers and they have asked if we felt that the Town might be able to sell between 200-300 tickets. Mayor Hancock stated that they have asked for a listing of 9409 March 15, 1994 TRAIN STATION DEDICATION, Cont. activities we have planned for that day because a promotional brochure will be prepared. Activities to be considered: historical tours -tours of train station, tours of courthouse, perhaps a concert of bluegrass music, excursion to Gatewood, antique cars, railroad equipment display, and perhaps arts, crafts, and food in the park. There will be a cost involved which will be presented for approval at a later date. Council was in agreement to proceed with dedication plans. Mayor Hancock felt that expense would be less than $5,000. The fence at the train station between station and tracks was discussed, and Mayor Hancock stated a 4 foot fence would be installed Mayor Hancock conveyed the appreciation of Joe Weddle, on behalf of Appalachian Power Co., for the cooperation of the Town crews in working with them during the recent storms. Mayor Hancock further stated that he would like. to thank APCo for all their help through these storms. Councilman Black requested that a resolution be prepared that would also include the telephone company expressing Council's appreciation. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT APPALACHIAN Mr. Terwilliger reported, that APCo's rate increases have been POWER negotiated on the Town's behalf. Councilman Crispin so moved that CO. resolution be adopted authorizing Mayor Hancock to execute the rate AGREE.agreement, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT STUDENT Mr. Combiths suggested that the Student Recognition Program be RECOG.placed in the Public Operations Committee. Mr. Lyons has made contact with the School Board and they are recommending that we bring our ideas to them in June when they do a similar program for the students. We might be able to do something jointly with the School Board. RECREATION- Mr. Combiths stated that the staff has been talking to two property BASKET-owners and also the County on three sites for a possible basketball BALL court. Two private party sites are not feasible. We are currently looking at Jefferson School, and policing the school and costs to maintain this is being discussed.. This subject will also be reviewed by the Public Operations Committee. At 8:03 p.m. Councilman Crispin so moved that Council go into executive session, seconded by Vice Mayor Schrader under 2.1-344 Al (personnel matter to discuss a specific individual, and request advice from legal .counsel) and also A7, (to consult with legal counsel regarding Town W-2's and a legal matter concerning a possible claim against the Town regarding a sewer pipe). Motion carried on the following recorded vote: vote: 1 March 15, 1994 9410 Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 9:00 p.m., Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution on motion made by Vice Hayor Schrader, seconded by Councilman Crispin, and carried. Councilwoman Holston so moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Crispin and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 9:03 p.m., Councilman Glenn so moved that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Black and carried. Approved: G2~ Mayor Attest: ~.u.~ ~. ,_.~~-. Clerk of Council