Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-89November 7, 1989 8632 i:inutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held November 7, 1989 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: P4ayor Gary C. ~ianc~~~ck, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, J. R. Schrader, Jr., IZary Lou Copenhaver, James R. Neighbors, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Ira S. Crawford Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Anne Burgess, Interim Town PSanager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Madelyn Rosenberg of the News Media J. B. Warner Nick Glenn Bob Alley 3 Skateboarders Frances Viars Two area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. Councilwoman Holston so moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 24, 1989, be approved as submitted, seconded by Coun~;ilman Neblett and carried. In hearing from the public, Pir. Bob Ailey addressed the issue of skateboards on sidewalks, and felt the Recreation Program should provide a place where children could ride their skateboards. He felt that the Town did have a good Recreation Program, but that if cuts were to be made in Recreation's budget, it should be cut from the adult programs. Mrs. Frances Viars, new business owner in the downtown, raised the question of where business owners were to park. She stated she was willing to pay for parking. Mrs. Viars war informed that she could park in the First Street Parking Lot. Mr. John Hawley brought Counr_il up to date or. the downtown construction projects. 'P here is a delay in the poles for the traffic signals. Mr. Hawley will bring an anticipated completion date back to the ouncil, and they would like to see projects completed before the holiday season. Ms. Burgess advised that when we initiated our sidewalk improvement project, we did not know when t}ze state would be here to do their construction on the traffic signals. There being no further comments from r.he public, Vice Mayor :'neighbors called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE 8633 November 7, 1989 Chairman Neblett had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader stated the committee had reviewed the Skateboard Ordinance which restricts the use of skateboards in the downtown area which would include from Commerce to 5th and from Randolph • to Madison, ban skateboard use after dark, and go on state law which does not allow them to be used on any of our streets or highways. Chairman Schrader made a motion that reading of the ordinance be waived, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried. Chairman Schrader so moved that Skateboard ordinance be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston. Recreation Director will be asked to prepare cost figures and obtain liability costs for a center in which to use skateboards. Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: SKATEBOARD James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye ORDINANCE J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye ADOPTED Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT THE USE AND/OR OPERATION OF SKATEBOARDS ON TOWN SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PARKING LOTS BE TT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on November 7, 1989, that the Town Code be, and hereby is, amended as follows: Sec. Restrictions on Skateboards and other devices (1) The use, riding, and/or operation of roller skates, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners, except bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles, on any portion of any street of the Town used for motor vehicle traffic is prohibited. (2) The use, riding, andior operation of roller skates, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners on any public sidewalk of the Town or on any parking lot owned or leased by the Town or the Pulaski Parking Authority within the following area is prohibited at all times. The area is that section of the Town bounded by the following lines: The west line of Randolph Ave.; the north line of Fifth Street, NW; the east line of Madison Ave. North as if extended to the southern edge of the Norfolk-Southern right of way; the southern edge of the Norfolk-Southern right of way; the south line of Commerce Street. (3) The use, riding, and/or operation of roller skates, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners on any public sidewalk of the Town or, except mopeds or motorcycles, on any parking lot owned or leased by the Town or the Pulaski Parking Authority, lying outside 'the above boundaries, is prohibited between sunset and sunrise. (4) The use, riding, and/or operation of roller skates, November 7, 198a 8634 skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners, except bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles in any manner which obstructs, hinders, or interferes with the lawful travel of pedestrians and motor vehicles is prohibited; provided, that nothing contained herein will in any manner excuse noncompliance with any traffic regulations, laws, or rules of the road which apply to any rolle7- skates, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners, including bi~~ycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. {5) Violation of this section shall cr_~nstitute a traffic violation and shall be punishable by a fine of $25.00 for each offense. {6) Violation of this section by a juvenile may be grounds for a determination that such child is a child ir. need of services in accordance with Title 16.1 of the Code of Virginia. The Town Manager is authorized and directed to assign an appropriate Code number to the foregoing sE.ction. `Phis Ordinance is effective upon adoption and is adopted by recorded vote of the Town Council. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT zoning Councilman W. H. Schrader reported that Council had referred to the Planning Commission a request from James Mt;rphy for a variance on his apartment complex. The Commission voted to grant a variance to James Murphy on the surface treatment of the alleyway, connecting Craig Street to 4th Street, until July, 1990 or prior to occupancy of the second building, but require him now to do the grading, graveling and opening of the driveway/alleyway from Craig Street to 4th Street and this is to be completed before the first building is cccupied. He will need to build the road for through traffic and for his apartment users. Mr. Murphy did not want to do the surface treating at this time due to the weather. Councilman Schrader reported that in P~9ay when this first discussed with Mr. Murphy, it was recommended from the Planning Commission that Craig Street be made one way, and he felt this needs to be done. t~ayor Hancock arrived at meeting at 4:35 p.m. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE WATER RATES Chairman Neighbors advised that committee had met on November 1. One item discussed was the appointment of representatives to negotiate the water rates with Pulaski County. The present rate was negotiated in the 1970's and extended in five year renewal. periods at 70 cents per thousand. Chairman Neighbors rnade a motion that Councilman Crawford and Councilman Graham be appointed as the Town's representatives to negotiate these water rates with the County, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried. Ms. Burgess is to gather information for these negotiations. CENSUS Chairman Neighbors stated that 1990 ha:~ been declared the year for the census and we have been requested to appoint a committee to work with the promotion of the census, and he so moved that the Interim Town 8635 November 7, 1989 Manager be given the authority to appoint this committee to work with the census team, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Councilman J. R. Schrader will be Council's representative AGENCY ON Chairman Neighbors so moved that Councilwoman Alma Holston be AGING reappointed to the Area Agency on Aging, October 1, 1989 through September 30, 1990, and that Councilman W. H. Schrader be reappointed as alternate, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. Chairman Neighbors made a motion that Joe Weddle be appointed to PLAN the New River Planning District Commission to replace Louise Settle, f DIST. three years with term to expire June 30, 1992. Motion seconded by COMM. Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. Chairman Neighbors advised that committee had discussed Chamber of Commerce and other agencies that might be located in the Train Station when renovation is completed. The committee had also discussed security for the station. Chairman Neighbors requested an Executive Session on a personnel matter under 2.1-344 A1, candidates for Town Manager position. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham did not have a report. A meeting is to be RECREA. scheduled as he would like to review cost of County-wide Recreation Program. He also requested letters be written to Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Gilbert and to the Middle School and Claremont School regarding the meeting with the the school superintendent and status of the requested sidewalks. FINANCE COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES Chairman Crawford advised the Finance Committee had met briefly and discussed the sick leave bonus program. He stated Section 11-7 of the Town's Personnel Policy provides far a sick leave bonus for those employees who have not used any sick leave between November 1, 1988 an October 1, 1989. We have 38 employees who qualify for no sick days. October, 1987, Council set the bonus at 5100.00. Chairman Crawford so moved that $3,200. be appropriated from General Fund Unappropriated Surplus and $600. from the Water Fund Unappropriated Surplus to 1201-1001, 5100; Account 1208-1001 5100; Account 1213-1001 $300.; Account 1225-1001 $100; 3101-1001 $1,100; Account 3201-1001 $800.00; Account 4102-1001 5200; Account 4302-1001 $100; Account 7104-1001 5300; Account 7109-1001 $100; Account 2183-1001 $200; Account 2186-1001 5400 and be approved for expenditure to fund the sick leave bonus program. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Mayor Hancock will write a letter to those employees achieving this goal to accompany the checks. MAYOR'S REPORT November 7, 1989 8636 T~ayor Hancock reported that a letter had been received from the Director of Economic Development in the Gov=rnor's Office on our Certification Program. An advertisement has been placed in three public°ations that appeal to location decision makers in the larger comp~,.nies in America. P4ayor Hancock also requested an Execut~_ve Session on three matters regarding economic development and one matter which relates to real estate. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terc~ailliger had no report, however, he i-iad a request for an Executive Session on a personnel matter regarding a specific individual under 2.1-344 Al and also another pending litigation TicCullum vs. the Town, A7. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Ms. Burgess advised a resolution was prepared ~n support of additional State funding for services to the frail and disadvantaged elderly for the New River Valley Agency on ,yging. Vice Mayor Neighbors so moved that reading of the resolution be :~~aived, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. Councilwoman Holston moved that the resolution be adopted with a copy sent to the NRV Agency on Aging, seconded by Vice Mayor 'Neighbors and carried. RESOLUTION R E S O L U T I O N ADOPTED WHEREAS, the elderly p~_~pulation of Virginia continues to grow at a more rapid rate than the general population, with the very oldest end of the age spectrum growing the most rapidly o{ all; and 1 WHEREAS, a substantial proportion of the elderly are poor, frail and disabled in need of special services; and WHEREAS, there is documented unmet needs in community based services to the aging in the area of long-t«~rm care. These services included day support, respite care, case management, homebound meals, Ombudsman programs, and in-home services. The total amount requested is 522.6 million; and 4JHEREAS, a network of 25 area agencies on aging has been established throughout the Commonwealth to administer a comprehensive, coordinated system of services to older Virginians; and P7HEREAS, the Code of Virginia 2.1-373.4, states, "The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of *;he Commonwealth to support the development of community-based resource? to avoid inappropriate institutionalization of the impaired elderl~Y~"; and WHEREAS, the services administered by These area agencies on aging are being provided to elderly persons in greatest social and economic need in an effort to prevent costly institu~ionalization that has a significant impact on the State's Medicaid ;~udget. 8637 November 7, 1989 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that on November 7, 1989, the Council of the Town of Pulaski, hereby urges the Governor of Virginia and the Virginia General Assembly to appropriate 522.6 million for long-term care services and 53.5 million for transportation services as requested by the Virginia Department of Aging for the next biennium to maintain a disadvantaged older Virginians. Taxi Councilman Graham made a motion that the annual public hearing on Cab the issuance of taxi cab certificates be scheduled for December 5, 1989, Public at 4:00 p.m. seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried. Hear. Ms. Burgess reported that the downtown landscaping bids had been Main received which includes Phase II of the downtown sidewalks and for the Street two parking lots that have been recently paved. Six bids were received, Lands. with Alpine Nursery submitting the low bid of 57,150.85. This money is available in the bond issue. Councilwoman Copenhaver made a motion that the contract for Downtown Landscaping be awarded to Alpine Nursery and the Town Manager be authorized to sign a contract, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye N&W Ms. Burgess stated the Kiwanis Club would like to dedicate the caboose to the Town on November 9 at noon at the Elk's Club. Vice Mayor Neighbors and Councilwoman Copenhaver will represent the Town at this meeting. Ms. Burgess stated that the Town has won an award from the American Automobile Association's Annual Pedestrian Proter_tion Evaluation. Ms. Burgess reported that the Virginia Tech Seismological Hogan'sObservatory has a request to upgrade their operation at Hogan's Dam by Dam allowing a 3 ft. VHF antenna and 30 ft. supporting tower on tap of the abandoned caretaker's house. The Town Staff has discussed this request and foresee no problems as long as it is understood that the Town may decide to tear down or reuse the house at a later date. Councilwoman Holston made a motion that letter of approval be forwarded to Virginia Tech contingent upon their signing a hold harmless agreement with the Town and on at will basis. Motion seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenh-aver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Ms. Burgess reported a petition had been received from the Petitio~esidents in the Twin Oaks Sub-Division regarding a request to correct a drainage problem simultaneously with the construction of the Twin Oaks Sewer Project. They are requesting a large drainage pipe be laid in the same area and at the same time as the sewer pipe is laid. This land is situated in a Iow area and is a natural drainage way. Correction would require extensive study and considerable construction expense. It is November 7, 1989 8638 not recommended that we undertake the proje~~t at this time. Other concerns outlined in the petition could be addressed by holding an informational meeting with these residents. At Council's direction. PSs. Burgess is to prepare a report for the Public Operations Committee for their review. Ms. Burgess reported that the Virginia Depart:ner~t of Transportation Brid has approached the Town about reconsidering its de~~ision to accept the gPhisteric truss bridge from Rt. 821 in Montg~amery County. They are still offering $15,000 for the Town to dismantle and re-erect the bridge. Councilman Neblett made a matien that this ;natter be referred to the Finance Committee, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. N & S PIs. Burgess requested direction on moving ahead with construction with the train station as we need wiring fog- the necessary electricity in the building. We have voluntseers to do tl"ie painting and scraping. The Town's Building Inspector is capable of doing this labor. It is estimated the materials would not exceed approximately $5,000. This would not include the light fixtures. Councilman Neblett so moved that wiring project be approved, up to $5,000 expended, through volunteer effort and Town labor, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. S-vhrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. ~~rawford - Aye Ms. Burgess requested that the Finance Committee review the air conditioning system in the train station when they meet. Vice Mayor Neighbors made a motion that Council go into Executive Session on a specific legal matter 2.1-344 A7, Personnel Matter regarding specific employee A'l, Economic Development Matter A5, Personnel Matter, Town Manager Candidate A1, real estate matter A3, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried ~~n the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holstor. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye At 5:10 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 6:07 p.m. Council returned to Regular Meeting and reading of the certification resolution waived on motion mace by Councilman J. R. Schrader, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. RESOLUTION ADOPTED Vice Mayor Neighbors so moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Ar:drew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye :Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Gary C. Hancock - Aye 8639 November 7, 1989 CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PULASKI TOWN COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Pulaski Town Council has convened an executive meeting on November 1, 1989, following a Personnel Committee meeting for the purpose of discussing candidates for the Town Manager position and also on this date pursuant to an affirmation recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and, WHEREAS, 52.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Pulaski Town Council that such executive meeting were conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pulaski Town Council here certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Pulaski Town Council. At 6:10 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried. APPROVED: ~~~~ Mayor Attest: Q.~ ~. ~. Clerk of Council