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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-878252 August 4, 1987 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 4, 1987, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in 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, Mary Lou Copenhaver Also present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney D. E. McKeever, Town Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors:. Dee Lindsey, Bob Thomas, Jack Chamberlain of the news me Polly Mitchell The invocation was given by Vice Mayor Neighbors. Councilman Neblett made a correction to the minutes of the July 21, 1987, minutes 1 STREETS in the spelling of appointee's name to the Grievance Panel. Vice Mayor Neighbors moved that the minutes be approved after correction, seconded by Councilman Schrader and carried. Mrs. Polly Mitchell addressed Council regarding street repairs in Mathews Court and the Town's estimated cost of $28,000. As Mrs. Mitchell ;felt the Town's estimate was high, She had Mr. Gallimore, a paving contractor, prepare an estimate on this work which would include scraping, installing an average of 3" of stone, with 2" asphalt. Mr. Gallimore would like to bid on this project, however, Mrs. Mitchell did state that the estimate was under $8,000. Mayor Hancock stated it would be good news to Council if we could have this work done for less than we anticipated. He was not sure as to what the $28,000 included. He further stated that Council had planned to visit the Mathews Court area after the Council Meeting today. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston had no report. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett .had no report. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors advised the Board of Supervisors had made the decision not to close Route 712, Gatewood Road, as had been petitioned by the Town. He felt that we should STREETS pursue this matter to project the water supply of the Town. Mr. Terwilliger GATEWOOD advised there is an appeal process through the State Code where, within 30 days from I the denial of the road closing, it can be appealed to the Circuit Court and it would be a completely new hearing by the Court basically to ascertain whether or not this is a threat to public safety and whether it is in the public's interest to close the road. Council felt that road should be closed to vehicular traffic, but open to walk in traffic. Chairman Neighbors made a motion that Council authorize the Town Attorney to proceed with any action as allowed by the State Code to appeal the Board of Supervisor's decision on closing of Rt. 712 to the Circuit Court,seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Mayor Hancock abstained from discussion on the subject of Route 712. Chairman Neighbors advised that Mr. Duke, Jim's Streak House, had complained of flooding of drainage ditch on Dora Highway across from his property. He stated that water is coming from the water tank. Mr. McKeever advised that Town property is seeded and felt that the highway department should be contacted. John Hawley, Town Engineer, is to contact the highway department on this matter. August 4, 1987 8253 FINANCE COMMITTEE WATER TREATMENT Chairman Crawford absent. Councilman Johnston advised that Finance Committee met PL.41NT on July 23rd. Mr. McKeever stated that from the day we sign the Economic Development Administration grant, we have 240 days to complete the drawings and then 360 days to initiate construction. We will need to proceed our financing to be prepared to expand the water treatment plant. UDAG Chairman Johnston advised the committee had reviewed the UDAG criteria for reloaning CRITERIA the grant money. Priorities are: 1) economic development, 2) public improvements, 3) down town revitalization, 4) loan pool for eliminating sub-standard housing, 5) historic preset vation, and 6) tourism. The committee recommended that 70~ of money returned should go into economic development and reserve approximately 30~ for other priorities. Chairman Johnston further advised that the loan criteria reviewed by the committee and that applications would be considered twice a year, in January and July.First money to be released in July, 1988. The committee suggested that the Town not fund more than 80 of the project and applicants would have to satisfy a "but for" clause which means they need this money because they cannot obtain 100 financing elsewhere. Mayor Hancock felt that Council shoudl review this criteria. further and also have the Town Attorney review. Councilman Graham made a motion that Town Attorney prepare a draft and Council have a work session on the UDAG criteria, seconded by Councilman Neblett. Councilperson Copenhaver made a substitute motion that UDAG criteria be approved in principle, Town Attorney to bring back a draft copy and Council still haue-~a-work Bess seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried ~~ A Finance Committee is scheduled jointly with an Ordinance Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 1987, at 4:00 p.m. Another Finance Committee meeting is scheduled fo Tuesday, August 25, 1987, at 5:00 p.m. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver advised the committee had met on July 28th with Mr. Terwillig reviewed a draft copy of Chapter Seven, Disciplinary Policy of the Personnel Policy. Further work is to be done on this policy. Chairperson Copenhaver advised that in additi to the meeting scheduled for August 11 there would be an Ordinance Committee meeting on Thursday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m.` MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, requested an Executive Session on a real estate matter, personnel matter and a legal matter. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT TAXES Mr. McKeever stated the Department of Taxation erroneously paid the City of Radford $92,000 in County sales tax. To correct this, they will increase the locality's sales t revenue by 5~ until the total amount has been repaid. We will be informed as to when th payments are to be received. Mr. McKeever had distributed copies of the Hold Harmless agreements prepared by the FIRE DEPT. Town Attorney for the Fire Department training facility. These agreements are for out of town firemen training at our facility. During discussion by Council of this matter, Mr. Terwilliger advised this agreement would just provide us one more layer of defense in ca of any claim. Councilman Graham expressed concern with these hold harmless agreements. He felt individual should sign along with some legal political subdivision organization. Councilman Glenn made a motion to adopt the two proposals of Hold Haniiess Agreements seconded by Councilman Schrader. Councilman Graham made a substitute motion that the Mayor appoint a committee to 8254 August 4, 1987 review this and bring back to Council. Councilman Glenn seconded this motion which was defeated. Councilman Glenn's motion to adopt the two proposals then carried. Councilman Graham) FIRE DEPT. voted "no" to motion. Mayor Hancock stated no one should go on training grounds unless we have a signed release from that person. Also, no minors are to go on the training grounds. Chief Hall is to be requested to write the other jurisdictions for copy of their policy. If Council- members have further suggestions to be incorporated by Mr. Terwilliger, they are to be forwarded to him and he will report back to Council. PEAK CREEK Mr. McKeever advised that cost estimates for minor repairs to Peak Creek had bee prepared. They include widening the creek from WPSK to the present corporate limits at an estimate of $147,000 and cost of clearing and grubbing the creek from existing corporate limits to Rt. 99, is estimated at $31,500. This may reduce the amount of water that backs up from the. occasional heavy rain, it will not eliminate flooding and property damage from flood water. Council discussed this flood problem at length with .Mayor Hancock advising that while we sympathize with these homeowners, he felt that Council owed it to the citizens at large to look at this problem as a whole. He felt one of the committees should review this situation again as there is quite a bit of money involved and we cannot be assured of good results. Councilman Neighbors made a motion that this matter be referred to the Finance Committee, and bring their report back to Council Motion did not receive a second.Mayor Hancock suggested that he be given the authority to appoint a chairman of a committee to study this and come back with a recommendation, and suggested Councilman Graham be appointed as chairman. Councilman Schrader so moved to appoint Mr. Graham, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. BOND ISSUE Mr. McKeever advised that in the bond issue, it is recommended that we eliminate the sidewalk up Memorial Drive and replace this with Mathews Court street construction. Also, there is a serious water pressure problem on Mashburn Avenue and he requested that this be included also in the bond issue, and also, the inflow-infiltration abatement had increased to $320,000. Mayor Hancock suggested the bond issue be referred back to the Finance Committee for their. recommendation. The Finance Committee's recommendation is also requested as to a referendum on the bond issue or if Council will make this decision on the bond issue. Mr. McKeever advised that a progress report had been distributed from Eastern Utilities concerning the I & I study being conducted on the Town's sewer system. They will have a preliminary report for repairs to us by September 1, 1987.A great portion of the system has never been tested as Wiley & Wilson only tested 17~ in their study. WATER & Mr. McKeever advised that we had received a petition for utility extension from Mr. SEWER SERVahd Mrs. W. DENIED used as a campground. to pay 50~ of the total cost of the project. It is estimated that total cost would b $332,350.00 for water and sewer service. If they had 100 occupancy for 12 months, i oulc take 28 years just to pay for the water line, and our extension policy has a 10 year limit. It was Mr. McKeever's recommendation not to extend utility service unless and. until there aY additional users of the service. W. Taylor of Dublin, They have purchased property at Rt. 99 and Rt. 699 to be As this property is out of Town's limits, developer would be r irec Councilman Johnston so moved to accept Town Manager's recommendation and deny this V.9IVCE LEASE extension, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. Mr. McKeever stated that Mr. Terwilliger had prepared a lease between the Town and the Vance Company commencing on the 15th day of August, 1987, with an option to renew for an additional one year term, $50.00 per month. Councilman Johnston so moved that lease be renewed with the Vance Co., seconded August 4, 1987 8255 by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye W. H. Schrader - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Absent Mary Lou Copenhaver- Aye FIRE Mr. McKeever presented two resolutions. One in appreciation for the Town of Pulaski DEPT. Fire Department during the recent fire at Pulaski Furniture Company, and the other resolute of appreciation for the cooperation and assistance of area fire departments during the fire Councilman Neighbors so moved to waive reading of the resolutions, seconded by Counci Glenn and carried. Councilman Graham made a motion that resolutions be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. RESOLUTIONS Resolution Of Appreciation for the town of Pulaski Fire Department WHEREAS, on July 29, 1987, a sizeable fire broke out on the premises of Pulaski Furniture Corporation, in the downtown area of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia; and, WHEREAS, the location, size and nature of teh fire was such that the fire could easily have become a major catastrophe not only for Pulaski Furniture Corporation, but also for the entire Town of Pulaski; and, WHEREAS, by virtue of the prompt, efficient, and professional efforts of the Town of Pulaski Fire Department, under the direction of Captain Rob Cecil, the fire was rapidly brought under control and property damage was minimized; NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the Town Council of the town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on August 4, 1987, that the Town Council should, and hereby does, recognize the outstanding service provided by the Town of Pulaski Fire Department and does hereby voice its appreciation for the individual and group efforts of Captain Rob Cecil and all of the men. who took part in controlling the fire at the Pulah.ki Furniture Corporation on July 29, 1987. This Resolution is adopted this 4th day of August, 1987. Resolution Of Appreciation For the Cooperation and Assistance of Area Fire Departments WHEREAS, on July 29, 1987, a sizeable fire broke out on the premises of Pulaski Furniture Corporation, in the downtown area of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia; and WHEREAS, the location, size and nature of the fire was such that the fire could easily have become a major catastrophe not only for the Pulaski Furniture Corporation, but also for the entire Town of Pulaski; and, WHEREAS, the Draper Fire Department, Dublin Fire Department, Fairlawn Fire Department, Newbern Fire Department, Pulaski Furniture Fire Brigate and the City fo Radford Fire Department responded to .:the serene of the fire and assisted in bringing the fire under control in a prompt manner so that property damage was minimized. NOW„ THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia., sitting in regular session on August 4, 1987, that the Town Council should and hereby does, recognize the contributions of the aforesaid firefighting units and does hereby voice its appreciation and thanks to the organizations and men who took"pant in controlling the fire at the Pulaski Furniture Corporation on July 29, 1987. This Resolution is adopted this 4th day of August, 1987, by recorded vote of the Council. Councilman Jbhnstan'also wanted to commend the other departments within the Town for all their efforts during the fi~.e. Mayor Hancock stated he would write a letter to Captain Cecil who supervised on behalf of the Fire Department as he did an outstanding job. DONATIONS Draft letter was distributed regarding possible elimination of .Town funding to organizations as requested by Council. Mayor ;Hancock :advised he understood that Council wanted to 8256 August 4, 1987 continue to fund these groups if they could not find alternative funding. Councilman Johnston requested that letter be rewritten and brought back to committee. Mr. McKeever requested an Executive Session on a legal matter, real estate matter, (TOWN PROPERTY and personnel matter. At 5:45 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344, real estate matter (A2), legal matters (A6) and personnel Matters (A1), seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. At 6:22 p.m. Council returned to regular session. Councilman Neighbors advised the Town owns property on Fayette and so moved tha the Town Manager be instructed to advertise the lot on Fayette Street for sale, seconded by Councilman Glenn 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 - Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye At 6:25 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. Council then made a site visit to view streets at Mathews Court. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: Clerk of Council