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
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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