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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-898659 December 19, 1989 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held December 19, 1989, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, Mary Lou Copenhaver, James R. Neighbors, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Ira S. Crawford Planning Commission Dr. A. W. Anneski, William T. Smith, Jr., Members: W. H. Schrader, Roy D'Ardenne, Roy David Warburton, Joe Weddle, Andy McCready Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Anne Burgess, Interim Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk John Hawley, Town Engineer Rebekah Corso, Secretary, Planning Commission Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Rick Lindquist of the News Media Inis Hurst Alan Groseclose Mary Richardson 59 area citizens and Town employees The invocation was given by Councilman Graham. On motion made by Councilwoman Neighbors and carried, the minutes Meeting were approved as recorded. Holston, seconded by Vice Mayor of the December 5, 1989, Council Mayor Hancock welcomed the visitors and called the scheduled public PUBLIC hearing to order. He advised that the public hearing would be held HEARING jointly with the Town's Planning Commission to obtain public input REZONING concerning the request to rezone property on Pierce Avenue. REQUEST PIERCE Ms. Burgess advised that two tracts were involved in this rezoning AVENUE request. It is recommended that tract 1, 1st to 3rd Street be rezoned from B-2 to R-2. The adjacent property on three sides of this tract is currently single family residential. The majority of the property within several blocks of this tract is single family with some multiple family in the area. The potential for development on this property appears to be greater residential than it does for business since it has not developed as business. On tract 2, from Dora Highway to 1st Street, it is recommended this be rezoned from M-2 to B-2. The buildings of the old Virginia Oak Flooring have not been operated as an industrial use since the business closed. Property to the east is zoned industrial but it is felt that should that industry close then it would not be occupied as an industry again. R-2 would not seem practical since it probably would require new buildings for apartments. It appears the best use of December 19, 1989 8660 PUBLIC HEARING CONT. these buildings would be B-2. Mrs. Inis Hurst, 44 Pierce Ave. and Ms. Mary Richardson, 206 Pierce Avenue, addressed Council and Planning Commission with the request to rezone this property. They stated that buildings were dangerous due to their condition and were a fire hazard. It is also felt that this property has decreased the value of homes in the area. Mr. Alan Groseclose, Attorney representing Sam Witt who is presently purchasing a portion of this property, was opposed to rezoning as Mr. Witt is placing his business, F. & S. Vending Co. in one of the buildings after renovation. Mr. Groseclose did not feel there would be new homes built on this location, and felt it was a serious mistake to make this a residential zone. Mayor Hancock recommended that Council, Planning Commission and other parties concerned should meet on the property to view on January 6, 1990, at 10:00 a.m. Councilman W. H. Schrader stated there were some questions about the buildings that were currently being used at this location. Mr. Hawley advised that we had received a plan stamped by a professional engineer in the State of Virginia for renovation of the buildings and a building permit has been issued for the work. Demolition will take part of the building and the roof has been removed and they have asked for an inspection for a partial certificate of occupancy on the office only which was rejected. They do not have a certificate for occupancy as yet for the building. Repairs have to be made in compliance with the plan that was drawn by a professional engineer and other general repairs that fall under the building code. All junked vehicles have been removed from the site or put in enclosed building. Junked vehicles are not allowed at this location. The Fire Inspector will also inspect this site. At 7:40 p.m. Mayor Hancock adjourned the public hearing. TAXES Mr. Jeff London, Virginia Mountain Housing, addressed Council with the request that the Town allow tax exemption in the amount of $996.15 for Atrium Apartments. Their deed requires that any money from taxes saved would have to be put. back into the building. He stated that VMH provides housing for 45 low income individuals in this unit, VMH has a commitment of $1,000,000 in 5% mortgage financing from the Virginia Housing Development Authority to build 20 houses in the New River Valley, VMH has $100,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's loan rehab program for home improvements in the New River Valley and VMH has recently completed a rehabilitation of 36 residences jointly with the Town with a total expenditure of $450,000. Councilman Neblett so moved that this request be referred to the Finance Committee for their review, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried. ECONOMIC Mayor Hancock stated there would be a special meeting of the DEV.Pulaski Town Council Wednesday afternoon, December 20, 1989, at 4:00 p.m. held jointly with the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and Industrial Development Authority in the County Administration Building, to make a joint press release relating to an industrial development matter. 8661 December 19, 1989 E. J. Williams, Chief of Police, addressed Council, concerning Town INSURANCE employees health insurance. He stated increase in insurance was causing a hardship on employees. At present, Town pays $99.31 per employee for health insurance. This year the cost has increased to $168.96 per employee. Employee and Family has increased from $264.71 to $456.41. Tentatively, the Town would pay $120.00 toward the coverage. Chief Williams requested that Town Council pick up the first months coverage of cost for insurance amounting to 55,450, or if this was not possible, to pick up the $168 per individual. Ms. Christi Hyde also made this request of Council, stating tha o date 18 employees had dropped coverage. Approximately 20 employees attended the meeting, expressing concern. There is the possibility that Virginia Municipal League will have insurance available in the Spring and this will be looked at. Councilman Crawford moved that Town appropriate $5,496 from Unappropriated Surplus to cover medical insurance and family coverage for employees for the month of January. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Council is very concerned at this expense to the employees and the Finance Committee will meet again with Blue Cross representative with full Council invited and Town employees. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Councilman W. H. Schrader reported that the commission had met ZONING prior to Council Meeting to review the resubdivision of a portion of the Walter Allison Estate to the west of Memorial Drive. Wal-Mart is interested in purchasing the tract of land that their store will be located on and the Planning Commission did approve this resubdivision. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Chairman Neighbors advised the committee had met, and so moved that PEPPERS FER Dr. John Johnston be reappointed to the Peppers Ferry Waste Water PLANNING Treatment Authority with Andy Graham as alternate for a four year term; PARKING that Dr. A. W. Anneski and Roy D'Ardenne be reappointed to the Planning ARCH.REVIEW Commission for a four year term; that Tom Cox and Wayne Ondich be APPT. reappointed to the Parking Authority for CONT. Roy D'Ardenne will also be appointed to Review Board (Co-terminus with Planning Councilman Neblett and carried. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. December 19, 1989 8662 a five year term; and that Mr. serve on the Architectural Commission). Motion seconded by FINANCE COMMITTEE Chamber Chairman Crawford reported that at the December 5th meeting, the of Finance Committee had made the recommendation that the Chamber of Comm.Conmerce be granted free office space in the municipal building in lieu of the Town's dues for the coming year. After further consideration, the Finance Committee recommended, and Chairman Crawford so moved that the Town grant the Chamber of Commerce free office space for the coming year in the municipal building. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye MAYOR'S REPORT N&S Mayor Hancock reported that Anne Burgess, Virginia Kelly and he had traveled to Norfolk and made a funding request to the Norfolk Southern Foundation toward the renovation of the train station. Ms. Burgess was commended for her presentation. TOWN ATTORNEYS REPORT UI Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT LEGIS. Ms. Burgess reported that information had been distributed to Council on the VML 1990 legislative agenda. Several items were brought to Council's attention, and they were: flood insurance loan grant program available to localities and should be supported; the Grayson Commission Report has impact on Towns; cap on local real estate tax and the train station funding. Mayor Hancock is setting up a meeting before our representatives go to Richmond. Ms. Burgess reported that a resolution of support of the Penfield Poultry project had been requested and Mr. Terwilliger was requested to prepare this resolution. Ms. Burgess advised the Town offices would be closed on December 25 and 26 for the Christmas holidays and on January 1st for New Year'a. Ms. Burgess requested an Executive Session on an Economic Development Matter under 2.1-344 A3 and A5 and Mayor Hancock requested an Executive Session for a legal question to our Attorney, A?. 8663 December 19, 1989 At 8:40 p.m. Councilman Neblett so moved that Council go into Executive Session on an Economic Development Matter and consultation with legal counsel under 2.1-344 A3, A5 and A7, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye At 9:00 p.m. Council returned to regular session, waived readin f Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Neblett, secon by Councilman Neighbors and carried. Councilwoman Holston moved that Certificate Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye RESOLUTION J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Absent W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye ADOPTED Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PULASKI TOWN COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Pulaski Town Council has convened an executive meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmation recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and, WHEREAS, S2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Pulaski Town Council that such executive meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pulaski Town Council he y certifies that, to the best of ,~ach member's knowledge, (i) only pub 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 9:01 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. APPROVED: Attest: C1 rk of Council ~~~ Mayor [J