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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-878284 October 6, 1987 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held October 6, 1987, 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, Ira S. Crawford, 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, Tracy Wimmer, Bob Thomas of the News Medi Nancy Newhard Tom Pullen Andy McCready James Shepherd Mrs. Doyle The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. Councilman Neblett made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 15, 1987, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried. Ms. Nancy Newhard, Director, Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, made a presentation to Council regarding funding the center in the Town's F/Y 1987-88 budget. Mr. Tom Pullen assisted Ms. Newhard in her presentation. Next on the agenda was the public hearing to gather citizen input concerning the PUBLIC closing of a portion of Frederick Ave. between Mathews Court and Orchard Road. Mr. HEARING CLOSING A Bobby Jackson requested that an easement be left on Frederick Ave. to get into property PORTION OF owned by Mr. Fred Jackson. He stated they had no problem with the closing of the road. FREDERICK This land is undeveloped, but they would like to make sure they can get into the 1 AVENUE Councilman Neblett moved that Mr. McKeever bring back a suggestion for Counci the next meeting, seconded by Councilman Graham and carried. Mr. and Mrs. James Sutphin, Martin Ave., were informed that paving companies will not bid on project to pave Martin Ave. therefore, the Town will attempt the project to begin within three weeks. Mr. Sutphin offered to purchase the pipe if Town could fill hollow up. The Engineering Department will investigate this request. Mrs. Doyle inquired about the stop sign on Burgis Ave. She was informed that the opening of the apartments created an intersection.and hecause a sght:.easem~nt STOP SIGN ON could not be obtained on the west side of the street to allow the traffic driving east BURGIS AVE. Macgill, a safe sight distance to turn left into the apartments; the safest method to ensure vehicle safety was to stop the traffic heading west on Burgis Avenue• i.~_.~.A.~ter discussion this matter was referred to the Public Operations Committee for their review and the Town Attorney is to contact the land owner to see if an easement could be obtained. PEPPERS FERRY As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports, UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston advised that Peppers Ferry had met. Complaints of odor have een received from the area behind Hudson Chevrolet. Peppers Ferry has been working on this problem and feel it is an air relief valve. Possibly this valve will be moved, a differ treatment tried, or a different time schedule of flow. Another problem is that at 4A pump station one pump is unbalanced. Contractors have conducted an inspection and they are now in the process of determining if it can be fixed, cost to fix and who is responsible. A meeting is scheduled for October 8 with Messrs. Spiers, Terwilliger, McKeever andl Maus to determine if legal action is to be taken. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE .~ --~-- October 6, 1987 8285 APPOINT:"iili Chairman Neblett made a motion that Mr. W. H. (Rocky) Schrader be reappointed to the New River Valley Agency on Aging with term to be from October 1, 1987 through September 31 1988, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors had no report, however, he advised that they were trying to schedule a committee meeting. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford advised that committee had met and reviewed the cleaning and grubbing of banks and removing sediment from Sproules Run and Peak Creek. Chairman. Cr.aw~ordamloved that the Town put out to bid the grubbing and removal of sediment from Sproules Run and at the same time prepare their own cost estimates for Town employees to do Peak Creek possibly using temporary help. Also, we are to obtain a permit from the PEAK CREEK Army Corps of Engineers for removing of the .sediment. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett. After bids and estimates are in, it will then be determined how much work we will do this year and how much we will do next year. Motion then carried 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 Chairman Crawford stated the committee had looked at some proposed increasesin the building permit fees. Staff is to prepare additional information and bring back to the committee for their review. Chairman Crawford stated the committee had reviewed the utility security deposits and so moved that the Town Attorney be instructed to draw up the appropriate Ordinance to increase our utility deposit to $40.00 for new service to be effective upon passage. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: UTILITY John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye SECURITY Robert N. Glenn - Aye W. H. Schrader - Aye DEPOSITS Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Chairman Crawford moved that previously appropriated expenditure of $3,000.00 to SURVEY. account No. 5101-507007.02 for Engineering distance surveying meter be approved for METER expenditure, seconded by Councilman Neblett 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 Chairman Crawford stated that committee had discussed water and sewer rates, parti- SEWER & cularly relating to our out of town customers and are concerned that these rates are a WATER RATES hardship on some of our customers. At the present time, the Finance Committee could not makae an evaluation other than if the funds would balance out, then it would be their recommendation, rather than changing any of the rates at the present time, to watch close] our revenues and expenditures for a period of two to threemonths to see how the rates are running. At that time, it may be that they can make an adjustment. It was felt that an _ evaluation could be made by January 1, 1988. LANDFILL The committee also discussed the Town's landfill and the need to keep it open to take the Town's construction debris. Chairman Crawford made a motion that landfill be utilized as a Town debris site and to apply for a permit to have it designated as a debris site. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and so carried. Councilman Glenn voted no tc this motion. The committee reviewed the request of the Merchant's Council about ne~~ChTStmaS`` decorations in the downtown area and expanding the decorated area out Rt. 99. The 8296 October 6, 1987 Finance Committee .suggested that rather than be funded by the Town, that this project be recommended to local businesses similar to our flower project and handled through the Beautification Committee. The committee also discussed health insurance for the Town employees and the lem of getting necessary claim's information to them in time to get a bid. The Town f has been instructed to try to work with our present carrier to see if he could get a estimated rate based on our present claims and also setting some premiums for a two year basis rather than one year. Chairman Crawford stated that at the Council meeting of September 15, Council accept bids for work to be done on Mathews Court streets and sewer. Chairman Crawford moved that $20,210.00 be appropriated to account No 4102-50-7014- STREET 0006-00-00 Mathews Court Street improvements from General Fund unappropriated Surplus for Street Project to be completed by Gallimore Paving and same be approved for expenditure, 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 - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Chairman Crawford moved that $18,767.20 be appropriated to account No. 0072-7013- SEWER 0030-00 Mathews Court sewer from Sewer Fund unappropriated surplus for Mathews Court Sewe to be completed by Vaught Construction and same be approved for expenditure, 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 - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Chairman Crawford advised that at the Council meeting of September 15, bid was accepted from Alfred Hughett for demolition of two Town owned buildings. BLDG. & Chairman Crawford so moved that $19,400 be appropriated to account No. 1101-SO-3024 GROUNDSDemolition from General Fund unappropriated surplus for demolition of two buildings by Alfred Hughett and same be approved for expenditure. Motion 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 - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Mr. Terwilliger stated funds be approved for expenditure but the Administration will have to approve the actual payment of the funds to contractor when the job is done. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver advised that Ordinance Committee had met on September and covered Personnel Policy changes. Mr. Terwilliger reviewed the changes in policy with Council. Chairperson Copenhaver so moved that Personnel Policy be adopted with the EMPLOYEES- amendments to be effective November 1, 1987. To be included in motion - after PERSONNEL POLICY November 1, employees will not be permitted to have contracts with the Town, ADOPTED however. thev are permitted to keen their contracts if then file a written notice with the Town Manager prior to effective date of Policy. Also included in the Policy will be an employee incentive plan whereby if an employee is not absent from work from November 1, 1987 through October 31, 1988 a bonus of $100.00 will be paid to them. RcnheM Councilman made. a substitute motion that the sick leave incentive plan October 6, 1987 8`~g7 not be included in the policy until further study. Motion did not receive a second. Mm.tiai~i~.df O.hairperson Copenhaver was seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert L. Graham - Aye W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye ~~~~~: Mayor Hancock expressed appreciation to Chairperson Copenhaver an d committee and Mr Terwilliger for their work on this policy; . Chairperson Copenhaver stated that committee had been working o n the Zoning Ordina reviewing Industrial, M-1 and M-2 and following the Council meeting, committee would re sections 6 and 8 jointly with the Planning Commission. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock briefly addressed the Virginia Municipal League Conference in Alexandria that was attended by the Mayor and Councilmembers. He further advised he had attended the unveiling of Justice Harman's portrait in Richmond on October 5th. Mayor Hancock stated he had three matters to be reviewed in Executive Session. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he did have a real estate matter to be discussed in Executive Session. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT WATER Mr. McKeever advised that correspondence had been received from the Department of Heal TREATMENTstated that our water treatment plant had exceeded 80~ of its rated design capacity and PLANT is in violation of the Health Department's Waterworks Regulations. Final plans and construction data is to be sent to them as they have ordered us to upgrade the plant thus the adjustment in water rates to cover this expansion. Mr. McKeever stated that in the newly adopted personnel policy Columbus Day was grante as a holiday to Town employees. As the policy is not effective until November 1, 1987, Councilman Neblett so moved that October 12, 1987, be granted as a holiday to Town EMPLOYEES employees, seconded by Councilman Schrader and carried. HOLIDAY Mr. McKeever reminded Council that the annual Fire Parade is scheduled for October 8th. GRANTED Mr. MrKeever advised a proposed time schedule was distributed on the bond issue and Finance Committee would meet October 13 at 4:00 p.m. with Pat Cooper of Scott and String- fellow and Webster Day. Mr. McKeever advised that the Commerce Street Bridge had been evaluated and found to be unsafe. Repairs to the bridge are scheduled to begin October 12th. Weight limit has BRIDGE been restricted to 7 tons which will impact school buses, garbage trucks. etc. It is anticipated that a new bridge will need to be constructed in place of the current bridge. The State will fund 95 percent of the cost of this construction. Pedestrian traffic has also been restricted on this bridge due to its disrepair. Mr. McKeever was regeusted to bring in engineering figures for structure we would need to carry the weight of school buses for a low meter bridge. Mr. Terwilliger was instructed to prepare a resolution for emergency request to replace this bridge. At 5:28 p.m. Councilman Neblett so moved that Council go into Executive Session under 2.1-344 (A6) and (A2) seconded by Councilman Schrader and carried. At 5:41 p.m. Council returned to regular session on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. At 5:41 p.m. Council adjourned on motion made by Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilman Crawford and carried. APP VED: Attest: /ru~ ~ ~-~-- , Clerk ~~~i,2'~/fj