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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-878214 April 21, 1987 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held April 21, 1987, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present:. Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, Robert N. Glenn, Andrew L. Graham, James M. Neblett, James R. Neighbors, W. H. Schrader, Ira S. Crawford, Mary Lou Copenhaver Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney D. E. McKeever, Town Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Bob Thomas of the news media J. B. Warner Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mitchell J. R. Schrader Clyde Hanks Three area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. The minutes of the regular meeting of April 7, 1987 were approved as submitted on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. In hearing from the public, Mr. J. B. Warner addressed Council regarding the rezoning request for a proposed shopping center on Memorial Drive, referring to a news- paper article relating to this proposal. Mr. Warner stated they had been informed that nothing had changed since last review but now we have conditional zoning and 12 miles of four lane highway have been annexed. He advised this property contained two storm basins which were unsafe and unsightly. He informed Council the survey stakes were in and people would think they are going to start grading. Concern was also expressed over the water pressure as it is a problem now and he felt it would be a greater problem. Mr. Warner also questioned if choice of site could be put to referendum. Mayo Hancock advised there is no provision under our rezoning law in the Town for ref ere m; this decision is made first by recommendation from the Planning Commission and then Town Council. Mr. Terwilliger felt such a referendum would be unconstitutional. Mr. Clyde Hanks, 2019 Lee Highway, informed Council of the problem with drain runnin€ under the highway in front of his house. Problem has been caused by the installation of the sewer line. There is also a problem of land washing away. Councilman Schrader advise< he had also received similar complaints from citizens on the Rt. 11 corridor. Mr. Hanks was informed that his problem would be investigated. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston absent during this portion of the meeting. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE TRAIL Chairman Neblett made a motion that Mayor Hancock be appointed to the Pulaski to COMMITTEE Galax Trail Committee, with Councilman Glenn appointed as alternate. Motion second IND. DEV. by Councilman Neighbors and carried.Chairman Neblett made a motion that Mr. E. Ray AUTHORITY Lemon be reappointed to the Industrial Development Authority for a four year term, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. PUBLIC OPERATIONS Chairman Neighbors had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford advised the committee had met on April 14, 1987. At this time budget information was shared. Revenues have averaged an increase of 4.33 over the last four years and expenditures have averaged an increased 4.13. At the present time, the Town is in good financial shape. Chairman Crawford advised that at the end of 1984 the Town had 134 employees April 21, 1987 8215 and currently we have 100 employees. Chairman Crawford stated this year we will have experienced our full decline in our retail sales tax and our revenue sharing is gone, but we do have $52,000 left unspent which we will carry over.. Under review are the. requested contributions to be included in the new budget and cost of living and salary increases for Town employees. Research work has also been done on the cost of the Recreation Department programs and this information has been furnished to the County with the request that they pay a portion of the Recreation budget. The committee is still reviewing the bond issue to determine the time schedule and what should be included in the issue. Work sessions should be scheduled just as soon as possible. Chairman Crawford advised that the water plant grant has been approved in Philadelph~ for funding and has now been sent to Washington for their approval. Chairman Crawford advised that a request had been received from Renfro Corp. to run RENFRO underground conduit for their ADT alarm across the alley between the old building on EASEMENT REQUEST Commerce Street and the newer plant. The staff recommended that Town Attorney be authorized to draw an easement for these fire and safety alarms. Mr. Terwilliger stated we will need to advertise this easement.Chairman Crawford requested an Executive Session on a legal matter under 2.1-344 (A6). ORDINANCE COMMITTEE 1 Chairperson Copenhaver advised that committee met April 9th. At that time, Anne Burgess completely reviewed the land use plan so committee would be fully informed prior to the public hearing. This plan was designed to be a tool and. guide for future growth. Chairperson Copenhaver advised that the rewriting of the code is on hold at present until the new zoning and subdivision ordinances are adopted. Cost will be cheaper if all ordinances are printed at the same time. Chairperson Copenhaver stated the committee still has under study an ordinance that would govern firearms at Gatewood. Committee also heard an update on the work that is being done on the historic residential district.Councilman Graham questioned if public hearings would be necessary prior to making any. changes in the land use plan, with Mr. Terwilliger advising all the proper procedures would have to be followed to make changes after adoption. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock advised he had attended meeting regarding the new proposed State Park which will go from the Town of Pulaski into Galax. This area is 57 miles long. A portio of this park will be opened very shortly and he will continued to monitor the progress of this park. Mayor Hancock stated he had two legal matters to be discussed in Executive Session. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger presented ordinance authorizing deed of correction conveying parcel to New River Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Revised plat is dated March 26, 19$7 from Mr. Mathews, surveyor. Councilman Glenn so moved that reading of the ordinance be waived, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Mr. Terwilliger stated. this change would make the parcel large enough so that theoretically it could have two dwellings on it, and a paragraph added that they agree that if anymore than one dwelling can be constructed, it was alright with the town, but so long as they conform to all the building and zoning codes of the Town. It was Mr. Terwilligers understanding that only one building is now planned as it was changed 8216 ORDINANCE HABITAT April 21, 1987 back to the original plan. Councilman Glenn made a motion that ordinance be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Absent James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING DEED OF CORRECTION CONVEYING PARCEL TO NEW RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. WHEREAS, by Ordinance dated October 7, 1986, the Town of Pulaski conveyed a lot on Newbern Road to the New River Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc. and, WHEREAS, the description of said parcel has been corrected as shown on the revised Plat of March 26, 1987; NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained that the Vice Mayor, James R. Neighbors, be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute and deliver a Deed of Correction on behalf of the Town, incorporating the description set forth in the plat of February 18, 1987. This Ordinance is effective upon its adoption and is adopted this 21st day of April, 1987 by recorded vote of the Town Council. Mr. Terwilliger advised he had several brief legal matters and requested Council to consider in Executive Session. At 7:30 p.m. Councilman Johnston arrived at meeting. I PEPPERS FERRY TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McKeever advised a report had been distributed regarding a meeting with Peppers Ferry concerning septage, pretreatment and I & I. Peppers Ferry has prepared a procedure for receiving septage from its member jurisdictions. Each member juris ion plays a role as each septage hauler must first receive approval from the member jurisdiction where the septage originated. The cost for a normal load of residential septage (up to 12000 gallons) is $25 per load. Larger quantities shall be charged at $L.50 per hundred gallons. The industrial pretreatment program should be in place by September-October, 1987, as required under the user agreement. The program is intended to monitor the industrial discharges from each member jurisdiction. The Town has requested that Peppers Ferry prepare a budget to administer this program for the Town. The Town would be responsible :for enforcing Peppers Ferry rules and regulations. Mr. McKeever advised that Eastern Utilities will begin smoke testing to determine I & I I & I problem sources. The Town has determined one source of I & I. When the Wurno pump station came on line, the sewer line serving the industrial park and the high school was severed and the sewage directed into the pump station. Prior to this, all sewage flowed to the Critzer Pump Station and to the Town's plant. From the point where the line was severed and plugged to the next customer is approximately 700 f We discovered flow of approximately 150,000 to 200,000 gallons per day. These fi s are based on our measurement of flow in this line from April 15 to April 17. If this flow doubles the daily I & I flow in this line could exceed one million gallons per day. A weir meter has been placed in the manhole and at various times last week it flowed from a low of about 130,000 gallons to a high of 276,000 gallons. This was only from portion of abandoned line. From the portion of the manhole where connections start to come in down to the Long Airdox, the Town system is probably receiving in exces of 300,000-350,000 gallons of I & I from this one line alone. The County representative will meter this line on a regular basis and Mr. Morgan has advised he will recommend to the PSA that they help pay for the additional I & I that is coming through the system and they are preparing a plan to T.V. the line to see where it is broken to make April 21, 19$7 8217 the repairs. Councilman Graham questioned how the Town was billing the County for the two customers and this is done through the water bill. LANDFILL Mr. McKeever advised that letters had been sent to Pulaski County and the New River Resources Authority outlining Council's position on the Town's landfill. The Authority was informed they would have no access for any reason to the Town landfill. The County was informed the same thing except that we may consider construction debris at a later date provided we get additional information. Mr. McKeever advised that the VML Town Section Meeting would be held Friday, May 8, 1987, in Wytheville. Citizens traveling Rt. 11 South are concerned about the increased tractor trailer TRAFFIC traffic coming over Draper Mountain. There are signs on Interstate 81 that advise tractor trailers to avoid Rt.ll and enter Town on Rt. 99. It was recommended that Council adopt a resolution stating our concerns about the increased traffic, the need for additional signs on the Interstate, and perhaps request there might be some enforcement action through the State Police. It was recommended that resolution be forwarded to teh Virginia Department of Transportation, Delegate Bob Dobyns and Pulaski County asking that they adopt a concurring resolution and sent to the same agencies. Councilman Glenn questioned if Rt. 11 could not be designated as a non-truck route since it only has one drop off point and that is the Town of Pulaski. Mr. McKeever will seek some guidance from the resident engineer about what type of designation we should seek. Councilman Neblett made a motion to authorize Town Attorney to prepare a resolution stating our concerns about the increased traffic, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried. The fire contract with Pulaski County was next discussed. This contract reflects FIRE increased charges to Pulaski County because of the recently purchased truck. CONTRACT Councilman Neblett made a motion that the contract be approved and signed, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston.. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye: Mayor Hancock abstained from discussion of this contract. Mr. McKeever advised that at the request of the Planning Commission, several citizensi and some members of Council, the rezoning request on Memorial Drive had been staked off I for public observation. Mr. McKeever also requested an Executive Session for a couple of legal matters. Councilman Glenn stated he felt it would be beneficial to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors about a number of topics of mutual interest. Mayor Hancock suggested we try to come up with an agenda by the next meeting. Council members requested to forward their ideas to Mr. McKeever.' Councilman Schrader questioned the status~of Larry Blevins' complaint regarding PE_gK CREEK damage from the water tank to his property, with Mr. McKeever advising a site visit had been made the morning following complaint. There was no particular problem with water coming from tank or other facility he had identified. Road has been ditched and appro- priate repairs made, and grass has been planted. Mr. McKeever will continue to monitor this problem. Councilman Crawford moved that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344, several legal matters (A6), and a personnel matter (A1), seconded by Councilman Neighbors' and carried. At 7:53 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. 8218 April 21, 1987 At 8:25 p.m. Council returned to Regular Session on motion made by Councilman Neighbors, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. At 8:26 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Neighbors, and carried. APPROVED: ATTEST: ~ ~. Cl rk of Council ,~~~~