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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-878'88 October 20, 1987 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held October 20, 1987, 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, 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, Tracy Wimmer of the news medi Morris Burton Ronnie Huddle C. E. Boyd, Jr. Hi Nicely Dave Hart Mason Vaughan, Jr. J. R. Schrader A. J. Smith Polly Mitchell The invocation was given by Councilman Johnston. Councilman Neblett made a motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 6, 1987, and special meeting of October 2, 1987, be approved as submitted, RESCUE SQUAD FUNDING PUBLIC HEARING BOND, , ISSUE seconded by Councilman Schrader and carried. Mr. Morris Burton, New River Valley Rescue Squad, addressed Council regarding funding for the next fiscal year. He stated that in the past, their insurance premium was paid with the Town's contribution. 85~ of their calls are within the Town of Pulaski. He also requested that Council eliminate their water bill, make repairs to the alley to their building and issue Town decals for the volunteers. Mr. McKeever is to have the Engineering Department review the alley at the squad building. Next on the agenda was the public hearing on the proposed $4 million dollar bo issue to make public improvements in the Town. Mr. C. E. Boyd, Jr. addressed Council as a taxpayer and merchant to lend his support to the bond issue. He knew the Town had been considering a bond issue for several years and it was time to adopt an ordinance and move forward with the bond issue. The downtown sidewalks and streets have been in need of repair for several years. He also stated that parking is limited in the downtown. Several other items needed as well were the water treatment plant, calfee park, street lights. Specifically, Mr. Boyd wanted to support the improvements to the downtown and also supporting the Main Street Program. He wanted to make Pulaski a nice place to live, a nice place to shop and a town that the people would be proud of. Mr. Hi Nicely encouraged the Council to move forward, not only as an individual, but as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and an active member of our town, to proceed with the bond issue. He felt that items included in the bond issue need attention from downtown business area to the surrounding areas. Recreation needs our attention and our funding, as the youth are our leaders of tomorrow. Mr. Nicely stated this four million dollars could do a lot for our Town to not only secure our immediate future future needs but also insure the needs of the future for our children. Mr. Mason Vaughan, Jr. spoke in favor of the recreation portion of the issue. He stated that few towns have a place like Gatewood Park and our other parks need to be maintained. It shows an interest in the quality of life of our people and shows that Pulaski is thinking of the future. Mr. A. J. Smith, merchant and president of the Merchants Association, felt they were privileged to have Mr. McKeever keeping them up to date on proposed issues. The association supported the bond issue and appreciates the interest the Council is taking in the downtown Pulaski. Mayor Hancock stated that the Council was very interested in the downtown October 20, 1987 82 69 PUBLIC HEARING BOND ISSUE CONT. f~ and ifs inte fisted in the future of Pulaski. A lot of time has been spent in planning a very positive future for Pulaski. One thing they realized that they had to do was to invest in our future or there would not be a very promising future for Pulaski. You have to invest in something before it is going to provide any returns for us. An ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, in the maximum amount of $4,000,000 and related actions was presented. Councilman Neblett so moved that reading of the ordinance be waived, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. Councilman Neighbors made a motion that ordinance be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Absent W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye 'ORDINANCE A.~~,,_-E;~ AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS GENEP.AL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA, IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $4,000,000 AND RELATED ACTIONS WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia (the "Council") wishes to undertake certain capital improve- ment projects (the "Projects") which are located in whole or in part within the Town of Pulaski, Virginia (the "Town"), including. improvements to and enlargements of the Town's water and sewer system at an anticipated cost of $2,787,799, im- provements to the Town's flood control facilities at an anti- cipated cost of $125,000, improvements to and enlargement of the Town's streets, street lighting, parking lots, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters at an anticipated cost of $746,424, acqui- sition of street cleaning equipment at an anticipated cost of $75,000, improvements to the Town's parks at an anticipated cost of $155,000, construction of a public works building and storage facilities at an anticipated cost of $50,000 and acquisition of radio communication equipment for police, fire and public works, at an anticipated cost of $60,777; and WHEREAS, in order to finance the Projects, the Town will need to issue its general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,000,000, such bonds to be issued pursuant to the Town Charter, as amended, and they Public Finance Act, as amended; BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PULASKI: 1. It is hereby determined to be necessary and expedient for the Town (a) to undertake the Projects, and (b) to borrotit money for such purposes and issue its general obligation bonds therefor. The amounts for such purposes may be reallocated among the Projects described above, so long as the new amount allocated to any Project does not exceed 115X of the amount shown above for such Project and the maximum amount of the bonds is $4,000,000. 2. Pursuant to the Town Charter and the Public Finance Act, as amended, there are hereby authorized to be issued bonds of the Town in the maximum amount of Four Million Dol- lars, ($4,000,000), to provide funds, together with other funds that may be available, to finance the acquisition, construction and equipping of the Projects. 3'. The bonds shall mature at such time or times not ex- ceeding forty (40) years from their date, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall be redeemable for such amounts and at such times, shall be in such form and shall contain 8.90 October 20, 1987 such other details not inconsistent with the Town Charter and the Public Finance Act, as amended, as shall be fixed by the Council by resolution prior to the time the bonds are sold. 4. The Council hereby determines that at the present time it will be in the best interests of the Town to sell the bonds to finance the Projects by public sale through competi- tive bidding. The bonds may be issued in one or more separate series appropriately designated. 5. The Town Manager is hereby authorized to advertise all or a portion of the bonds for public sale, as he deems in the best interests of the Town. The Town Manager is further authorized to determine the appropriate series designations and fix the amounts, dates, maturity schedules, redemption provisions and other terms of the bonds, prepare an appropri- ate Notice of Sale and Official Bid form, determine the terms upon which bids must be made, including the amount of any de- posit required in order to bid or required to be made by the successful bidder, and take all other necessary action for advertising the bonds for public sale, all-substantially in accordance with the provisions set forth in the form of the documents presented to the Council at the time of adoption of this Ordinanace with such changes as the Town Manager shall deem appropriate, but subject to the final approval and rati- fication of the Council by resolution adopted at a subsequent meeting prior to the time the bonds are sold. 6. The Town Manager is further authorized to prepare and distribute a Preliminary Official Statement of the Town describing the bonds and their terms and manner of purchase, the Projects for which the bonds are being issued and the security for and other information relating to such bonds, and setting forth certain information with respect to the Town. Such Preliminary Official Statement shall be in substantially the form of the document presented to the Council at the time of adoption of this Ordinance with such changes as the Town Manager shall deem appropriate. 7. The Town Manager is further authorized to take such actions as shall be necessary or appropriate to obtain a rating.. or ratings for the bonds from either or both of Standard & Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors Service, Inc . 8. The Town is hereby authorized to borrow at one time or from time to time not to exceed $4,000,000 in anticipation of the issuance and sale of such bonds and for the purpose for which such bonds have been authorized. Such borrowing shall be evidenced by one or more negotiable notes to be executed by such officials of the Town, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall mature at such time and may be renewed from time to time, all as the Council shall determine prior to their sale, except, however, that each such note and renewal thereof shall mature and be paid within the period provided by law for repayment of bond anticipation notes. 9. The Town Manager is hereby authorized in his discre- tion to seek proposals from such banks or other sources as he may consider appropriate for borrowing money in anticipation of the issuance and sale of such bonds. 10. The bonds and bond anticipation notes, if any, shall be general obligations of the Town, for the payment of the principal of and interest on which the Town's full faith and credit shall be irrevocably pledged. 11. The Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to see to the f fling of a certified copy of this ordinance with the Circuit Court of Pulaski County and to cause ~to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town a no- tice setting forth (a) in brief and general terms the purposes for which the bonds are to be issued, and (b) the amount of such bonds and the amount for each purpose. 1 r--~ li I ~ ~I 12. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption, and is adopted this 20th day of October, 1987, by recorded vote of the Town Council as follows: October 20, 1987 8291 BOND Councilman Neighbors made a motion that Council approve the Official Offering ISSUE Statement., According to Webster Day, Bond Counsel, because we have some new DOCUMENTIS ADOPTED figures for the year 1987, they will be permitted to be amended in the statement without readopting the Official Statement. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Absent W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye ~~ Counc214nan;Neighbors made a motion that the 15 year debt retirement schedule be adopted seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Absent W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye Counc~person Copenhaver made a motion that a letter to Scott and Stringfellow ~~ allowing them to bid on the bonds be approved, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Absent W. H. Schrader -.Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye Tn hearing from the public, Mrs. Polly Mitchell asked for status of her request to clean Sproules Run and make repairs to sidewalk at Virginia Feed Store. In answer to her inquiry regarding paving of Mathews Court, she was informed that it was paved this date. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston had no report other than to advise that they are proceeding to resolve 'the 4A pump station problem. PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett had no report. '~ PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE CURB & Chairman Neighbors advised that committee had met and reviewed numerous items. GUTTER A request had been received from Foodette on Monte Vista Drive for curb and gutter along Bob White Blvd. and the committee is of the opinion that this should not be installed at this time. Chairman Neighbors advised that repairs would be made to the railroad crossings on MalIin Street and Third Street the first week in November. The press and public will be in{f~rmed of the closing of Main Street and then of Third Street. IlChairman Neighbors advised that the request from Pulaski County Hospital for ~ new HOSPITALcrosspver into the hospital had been reviewed and committee felt this should wait until this part of Rt. 11 is reconstructed. ~ommittee reviewed the storm drain on Dora Highway and Pierce Ave and the committee is trying to determine the ownership of this storm drain and will review further. Chairman Neighbors stated the Town will contact Heritage Buick regarding the visual barriers that were to be installed once the rezoning was approved. The committee viewed the condition of the street in Draper Mountain Estates. Concern has also been expressed over water pressure and ditches. The streets will be STREETS paved in the spring of 1988 as previously scheduled. The Engineering Department will prepare estimates concerng the cost of lining the ditches so they will not continue to wear away. Water pressure is to be studied further. Drainage problems on Miller Lane were reviewed and these repairs will be scha~luled in the near future. It was suggested to the committee that the Virginia National sign on 3rd and Washington could possibly be used as a welcome sign. The County will be approached regarding the use of this sign. 8292 October 20, 1987 The committee viewed the alley behind Air Control on Main Street as debris has gathered there. The Town Maanger is to determine whether this alley violates our nuisance ordinance. STOP SIGN The committee viewed the stop sign at Burgis and Macgill on which we have received several complaints. The committee felt that this stop sign should remain in its present location. The sidewalk on Madison Ave. was viewed and it is hoped this will be taken care of in our bond issue. Several lots in Town have undergrowth and bushes that have never been cleared. Town Attorney was requested to determine if this could be controlled by the Town; if it could be classified as a nuisance. Also, the Town Attorney will review with the Chief of Police the situation of cars at 5th and Washington Ave. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford absent. Councilman Johnston advised that the Finance Committee had met twice on the bond issue. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver advised that the Ordinance Committee had met October 6th and 15th and will meet October 22 at 4:00 p.m. on the zoning ordinance. They will be meeting with the Planning Commission. The entire Council urged to attend these ,.._, oc.> r _. meetings. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock advised the Pulaskifest was a most successful event. Congratulations were extended to the Pulaskifest Committee for all their work on this celebration. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger presented an ordinance increasing deposit on water service. Councilman Neighbors made a motion that reading of the ordinance be waived, seconded ORDINANCE by Councilman Neblett and carried. WATER Councilman Neighbors made a motion that ordinance be adopted, seconded by SERVICE Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: DEPOSIT John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Absent W. H. Schrader - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Ira S. Crawford -.Absent James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye ORDINANCE INCREASING DEPOSIT ON WATER SERVICE WftEREAS, Section 29-6 of the Pulaski Town Code contains . authorization for a twenty dollar ($20.00) deposit to be made with the Town prior to the furnishing of water service; and, WHEREAS, the Town Council has determined that said amount is insufficient to protect the interests of the Town; o NOW, THEREFORE, be it ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, that the twenty dollar ($20.00) deposit authorized by Section 29-6 of the Pulaski Town Code be, and hereby is, increased to forty dollars ($40.00), and that said Code Section is hereby amended to reflect such increase. This Ordinance is effective as of adoption and is adopted by recorded vote of the Town Council this 20th day of October, 1987, October 20, 1987 8293: TOWN ;MANAGER's.REPORT Mr. McKeever gave an update on the bridge on Commerce St. He stated repairs had been made to bring brige's weight from 7 tons to 8 tons. This will allow certain types of loaded school buses to cross. We have been consulting with the State Highway BRIDGE Department as to how best to program this project. Mr. Terwilliger had brought a resolution declaring. the emergency buy Mr. McKeever asked that he wait and not adop t tonight as we continue the negotiations with the Highway Department. Mr. McKeever had distributed a letter from Jeff Spickard of Dewberry and Davis providing a schedule for submitting plans for the. water plant's upgrade and a construction date. Mr. McKeever advised that in order to comply with Section 11-41 (c) of the Code EMP. of Virginia, it is recommended that the Town use competitive negotiations for the pro- INSUR. curement of health insurance. Competitive sealed bidding is neither practical or advantageous due to the changing nature and differences in coverages, rates and avail- ability. Councilman Neblett so moved that the staff be authorized to enter into competitive negotiations for employee health insurance, seconded by Councilman Johnston and carried. Mr. McKeever had been requested at last meeting to bring back a report on which portion of Frederick Avenue should remain closed and what portion should remain open allowing the Jackson access to their property. It was proposed that 92' off of STREET Mathews Court remain open and the remainder of this road be closed. Therefore, the CLOSING Jackson's would have access to lot 64. It was agreed that an understanding be obtained from Mr. Jackson that he agree to keep the alley mowed and maintained if we agree to leave a portion of this alley open so he may have access to his property. Mr. McKeever stated that over one-half of the water meters have been installed. Mr. McKeever also advised that the roof drain letters had gone out on our I ~ I problem and we are now proceeding to repair some leaking manholes. We will have to buy a monitor to test the quality of the air in the manholes before we are permitted to put an employee into the manholes. This is a new state regulation. In reference to odor problem behind Hudson Chevrolet, the air relief valve is to be rep3;.~ced and neutralizer is to be put in the line daily. It was announced that Martin Avenue had been paved. At 8:05 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. APPROVED: Mayor Attest: Cle k of Council