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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-898478 Februarq 7, 1988 Minutes of the regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 7, 1989, at 4:00 p. m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, Alma H. Holston, Mary Lou Copenhaver, James R. Neighbors, W. H. Schrader, Jr. , J. R. Schrader, Jr. , Ira S. Crawford Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Daniel E. McKeever, Town Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey, Jessica Clarke, and Betsey Thomas of the news media Claud Kirkland Roy Rives Andy McCready The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. GRANTS On motion made by Councilperson Holston, seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 1989, were approved as recorded. Mr. Claud Kirkland and Mr. Roy Rives, representing the Re-development and Housing Authority, were recognized from the public. Mr. Kirkland explained our present grant that upgrades homes and structures containing apartments, either apartment buildings or apartments located on the upper floors of existing commercial buildings. This project i now coming to a close. The results have been very encouraging. They have rehabilitated and upgraded 22 individual homes and 8 structures that contain apartment units. Up to the present time, these other structures contain 39 apartment units. They consider the project very successful. The Authority was recently advised that staff had made the decision not to apply for an additional grant this year. This was due primarily to the time getting a little close on the existing staff to supervise and properly carry out responsibilities of all of these projects. While the Authority appreciates all the other important projects that are currently underway, they urged the application of another housing grant while we have the experienced personnel and while the funds are available. Mr. McKeever stated that rules of Community Block Grants have changed and now requires two public hearings, and filing date is March 5, 1989. It is hoped that we can file for a Planning Grant in the amount of $25,000 and then next year, we could apply for a one million dollar grant of which one half would be housing. It is felt that housing should be a priority. Some members of Council felt we should also apply this year for another grant as the funds might not be available next year. After considerable discussion, a special meeting was suggested for February 1989, 7:00 a.m. to further discuss the Community Development Block Grant. One consideration discussed was sewer project for the Cool February 7, 1988 8479 Springs area. This same area is to be recommended for the neighborhood impact program. Pulaski County has also approached us concering a grant to fund a water project in the Brookmont Road area of the County. The Town would need to provide a cash match for this project. At this time, the Tawn is unable to lend personnel support to this project, and there are areas within the Town that are grant eligible for utility extensions. For these reasons, it was recommended that the Town not participate in the County's project. Council set two public hearings, one for February 21 and one for March 7th should they be necessary on the grant application. Councilman J. R. Schrader so moved that special meeting be held Thursday, February 9, 1989, at 7s00 a.m. seconded by Councilperson - Holston and carried. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett reported that work is proceeding on the water plant and it looked good. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS NOMINATING COMMITTEE ARB Chairman Neighbors moved to reappoint Mrs. Jeanne Whitman to the Architectural Review Board for another two year term, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham absent. FINANCE COMMITTEE FINANCE Chairman Crawford advised the committee had met January 20. He stated that our auditor had discussed his management letter with them and recommendations that he had made. Recommendations included our data processing operations, our billing and centralized purchasing. Also discussed was the establishment of accounting procedures which he is to bring back to Council. TRAIN Committee also discussed bid from Building Specialist, Inc. for STA$182,425 for work on the train station. This was a negotiated bid. We have $60,000 from the state which will need to be spent before June 30th. Final negotiated bid price for phase I of the renovation was reduced to $162,525. Total projected cost is $325,000, and Chairman Crawford moved that Phase I contract of $162,525 be awarded to Building Specialists, Inc. He further moved that staff be authorized to increase the loan application with Farmers Home Administration from $90,000 to $122,525. Motion to execute contract contingent upon the Town getting the deed for the station from Norfolk & Suthern. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett. Mr. Terwilliger advised that Mayor Hancock, Miss Burgess and himself had visited the station and compared the actual physical layout to the survey that we had made. The railroad had asked that we change the survey from 40 ft. from the main track to 40 ft. from the spur track which brought it very close to the building causing concern. Representative of railroad has indicated that although it is their standard policy not to narrow their corridor down as it goes through a town, that there was precedent through the system where they would grant the license, so in addition to giving us the fee simple title of the 8480 February 7, 1989 station and the area right next to the station, he would recommend to his superiors and Mr. Terwilliger recommended to Council, that they accept the License to use the paved area to within 25 ft. of the spur track. vote: Chairman Crawford's motion then carried on the following recorded James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Councilman Neblett moved that we agree to accept fee simple deed to t train station and the property adjacent to it and we would accept the license for this additional area within 25 ft. of the spur tract. Motion seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. TRAFFIC Chairman Crawford stated the downtown traffic signals were SIGNALS discussed. These signals have been redesigned to allow for the traffic to flow in any direction. No additional cost will be incurred at a later date if the direction of the traffic flow is changed. Chairman Crawford so moved that the installation of these downtown traffic signals be approved, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye POLICE Chairman Crawford stated the State contract has been received and VEHICLES the actual cost for three Police vehicles will be $36,888 and $36,600 has been budgeted. No additional appropriation is needed as the $288 will come from savings on other capital outlay items. Chairman Crawford moved that the purchase of three Police vehicles be approved, seconde by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried on the following recorded vot James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. -Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Chairman Crawford advised that previously Council had authorized a OVERTON Preliminary study of the drainage problem on Overton Drive with cost to DRIVE repair the problem at $80,000. Only a portion is eligible for highway maintenance funds. Trees would have to be removed, and over one-half of the total cost would require funding from the Town. The Finance Committee in agreement that this project should be tabled for the present time. CEMETERY The Cemetery Trustees have approved $13, 500 for repairs at the cemeteries and the Town's portion would have to come from unappropriated surplus. Paving repairs will be put in the bid for street paving. Chairman Crawford moved that approval be given to include these paving repairs in the bid for street paving with appropriation being made after work is completed, seconded by Councilperson Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye. Andrew L. Graham - Absent Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Chairman Crawford stated the committee had discussed the Ioca1 option income tax that is before the General Assembly. This money is for cities TAx going to adopt this Legislation, the towns should be included and should be included for things other than transportation, and so moved that the Town write to our representatives supporting this proposal provided it is applicable to towns and the money can be used for any governmental purpose, seconded by Councilman Neighbors, and carried. February 7, 1989 BAINBRIDGE STREETS 8481 Chairman Crawford stated that the Bainbridge streets would be included in the 1989 paving program, and APCo will submit a proposal on the street lights for this area. Also, the Town is in receipt of a petition from citizens on Cedar Lane to improve their road and the Director of Public Works is preparing an estimate for this work. Wben estimate is received, it will be brought back to committee. PUBLIC The Finance Committee discussed the public hearing scheduled on the HEAR. shopping center, and recommended that persons wishing to speak should register with the Clerk or at the door, and that a time limit be set at four minutes to speak. GRANT The Finance Committee also discussed a transportation grant experimental program which would be to participate in a transportation program to fund the purchase, rehabilitation and operation of a double decker bus. The committee felt that this project did have potential and Mr. McKeever is to familarize himself with the project and come before the committee again. BRIDGFd Chairman Crawford advised that several localities are giving away s me of their old bridges and grant money is available for dismantling and moving these bridges. Mr. Haynes will check into the possibility of obtaining a grant to secure a bridge and fit it into our program to come across Peak Creek for a walking bridge. discrepancy in that approximately one-eighth of a mile past corporate limits is still 55 MPH. The state will be notified of this. YMCA Mayor Hancock reported that he was in receipt of request from YMCA to contribute maintenance to the walking trail which is open free to the public. This matter referred to the Finance Committee for their consideration. LANDFILLMr. McKeever informed Council that bids had been open for the equipment at the landfill which the Town wishes to sell. Chairman Crawford moved that the bid of $27,000 from the City of Lynchburg the 263E Pan and the bid of $12,259 from R. E. Stuart for the 14-C Loader be accepted, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried o following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Absent Alma M. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye MAYOR'S REPORT for n the Mayor Hancock expressed appreciation to Mr. McKeever and the Pulaski Counts Committee of the Main Street Program for all their efforts in the recently held festivities at the Middle School. Mayor Hancock advised we had had an excellent meeting with the County and the Town of Dublin and another meeting is scheduled for Nay 30, 1989. Councilman Crawford called a short Executive Session on a legal and personnel matter. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he too requested a brief Executive Session. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McKeever had distributed a summary of the Grayson 's report on changing the face and nature of local government. Some facets of this are attractive to the Town, one being that Towns would be allowed to change their boundaries by ordinance. The disincentive for Towns is 8482 .February 7, 1989 that in order to get governmental cooperation they are offering incentives, none of which we are eligible for. There could be some significant benefits for the Town. FIRE GRANT Mr. McKeever reported that the Town had been awarded a $15, 000 grant from the Department of Fire Programs for the construction of a new "smoke house" at the fire training facility. Councilman J. R. Schrader moved that the Town Manager be authorized to accept the grant and sign the contract, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader, and carried. Mr. McKeever advised that according to report from Gou1d's Pumps that the vibration problem at the Pulaski Pump Station was caused eit by a bent drive shaft or a mechanical imbalance in one of the shaft sections. A Fair Rousing Resolution was presented which is required as we partig~ i~iate in the Rousing Project. For the first two grant years the Town '~"as sent fair housing brochures to all single family owners and tenants in the project. Since the project is now extended, we need to conduct another activity. RESOLUTION Councilman Neblett so moved that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver, and carried. FAIR ROUSING RESOLUTION TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA February 7, 1989 In order to provide for equal housing opportunities throughout the Town of Pulaski for all its citizens regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap and pursuant to Section 36.96 of the Code of Virginia, 1985, as amended, the Town Council doe hereby adopt, by reference, the Virginia Fair Rousing Law as set fort in Section 36.87 through 36.93 of the Code of Virginia as amended. This is hereby adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski this 7th day of February, 1989. A trip by Council to Abingdon to view Corker shopping center is being scheduled. At 5:20 p. m., Councilman Crawford moved that Council go into Executive Session on a legal matter, A6 and a personnel matter, Al under 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. At 5x38 p. m., Council returned to regular session and adjourned, on motions made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. ATTEST: ~~ ~. ~~ APPROVED: ~' .Mayor