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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-868~(~4 April 1, 1986 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held April 1, 1986, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Councilmembers: Robert N. Glenn, C. E. Boyd, Jr., James R. Neighbors, Ira S. Crawford, Mary Lou Copenhaver, Glen K. Aust 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 Pierre Thomas of the news media Thomas J. McCarthy, Jr. Claud Kirkland Mrs. Collins .Dick Fisher Gary Cutlip The invocation was given by Councilman Boyd. Councilman Boyd moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 18, 1986, be approved as submitted, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. PUBLIC Mayor Hancock stated that as published, now .was the time and place for the public HEARING - hearing on proposed closing of two unopened alleys lying within the lands of Hercules, Inc COLLECTION Vice Mayor Neighbors presided over this portion of the meeting. OF REAL ESTATE TAXES Mr. McCarthy advised these alleys were surrounded by Hercules' property with the TWICE/YEAR exception of a very small end; that the alleys did not go anywhere, and requested that viewers be dispensed with. & No one from public spoke for or against the closing of these alleys. CLOSING OF TWO UNOPENED ALLEYS (HERCULES) Councilman rust made a motion that recommendations of Town Manager be accepted that the alleys be closed and viewers not be appointed, seconded by Councilperson Copenha , and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Absent Robert N. Glenn - Aye James M. Neblett - Absent C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver -Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Mayor Hancock advised that as published, now was the time and place for a public hearing to gather input or questions from the public concerning the possibility of collecting real estate property taxes on a twice a year basis rather than once a year. Mr. Claud Kirkland asked to whom's advantage would the idea of collecting taxes twice a year be, the Town's or the taxpayers, or possibly both? How would the taxes be billed? How much would it cost? What would be the cost advantage ratio in dollars? Would there be an option on taxpayers' part to pay taxes once or twice, or would you have to pay them twice? In response to Mr. Kirkland's questions, Councilman Crawford advised the Finance Committee was in the discussion stage and details had not been worked out. It was his feeling that it would be an advantage to both the Town and taxpayers in that the Town would be collecting the money early and could have the use of it for a period of tim and a small advantage to the taxpayer would be the tax would be broken down into two 11 smaller payments. Billing details have not been worked out but Councilman Crawford assumed we would send out two tax bills. Cost ratio question could not be answered because we do not have them. He could only view the additional cost being that of postage and printing of a second tax bill. He further believed that with the first billing, perso could pay it all, but not pay the first payment and pay all in second payment as we are doing now.. He further stated decision had not been made to bill taxes twice a year as yet. Mr. McKeever stated at this point, we wanted to find out what the community thought of this proposal. April 1, 1986 V~Q5 Councilman Aust requested the Finance Committee determine the cost details involved. The Town's Insurance Consultant, Mr. Dick Fisher, of Industrial Insurance INSURANCE Management Corp, summarized the report on the Town's insurance coverages that had been REPORT previously submitted. Municipalities are having a hard time finding insurance companies they can go to now to get a proposal for insurance. In general, our insurance program is in pretty good shape but there was area for some fine turning and changes. He recommended 13 items that be reviewed that the Town may want to change. He further stated insurance coverages would be very expensive. His final report and recommendations will be submitted in three to four weeks. The Umbrella coverage renews July 1 and he felt we would. not find anyone to make a proposal. Virginia. Municipal League is looking at forming an insurance pool, much like the workman's comp program. This pool would be for liability, fire insurance and other perils. It is hoped this pool will be formed by July lst. When Mr. Fisher is informed that this pool has been formed, Pulaski data will be given to them so that they can at least give us a price of what it would cost to join this pool. He further stated all municipalities were faced with this problem and there are some areas without insurance coverage. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE 1 TRUCK ROUTE STREET REQUEST RT. 99 TO DORA HIGHWAY Chairman Johnston absent. POLLUTION AND SANITATION COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn had no report. PERSONNEL, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett absent. LAND, BUILDINGS ?1ND STREETS COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd advised committee had met on Tuesday, March 25, 1986. One matter discussed was the use of lst Street, NE, as a truck route, to keep traffic from down- town. After review by Engineering Department, it was felt our best alternative would be modifications to Main Street, which would eliminate one parking space giving turning room for the large trucks. Mr. McKeever and Engineering Department will further review this matter and make recommendations to Council. Committee also discussed connecting Rt. 99 to Dora Highway and this is not feasible as the cost would be approximately $1,270,000.00 The "Pulaski Area-Year 2000 Trans- portation Plan" does not show the need for this connection. Mr. McKeever to write citizen who requested Council to look into this and advise him that it is impossible for Council to consider this. . Committee also discussed the removal of fountain from the Filtration Plant and determine if repairs could be made to the fountain and possibly relocate to Jackson Park. ~ Committee also discussed the cleaning of Route 99 and Route 11. RESOLUTION Chairman Boyd advised we had a resolution honoring the students participating STUDENT GOV. in Student Government Day and so moved that this resolution be adopted, seconded by DAY Councilman Glenn and carried. ~~~s April 1, 1986 RESOLUTION HONORING STUDENT PARTICIPANTS IN THE 1986 TOWN OF PULASKI GOVERNMENT DAY WHEREAS, as part of the Town of Pulaski Centennial Celebration, .the day of March 18, 1986 was designated as Government Day on which local students were allowed to participate in the operation of the Town of Pulaski Government; and, WHEREAS, the following Pulaski Middle School students in fact did participate in said Government Day by fulfilling the duties of the position to which they were appointed, namely: Mayor - Shawn Caudell Town Engineer - Shannon Caudill Fire Chief - Jeanette Webb Director of Recreation - Leslie Andrew s Town Manager - Linda Jones Town Treasurer - Tom Busic Chief of Police - Brooks Newsome Director of Public Works - Kristie Clark NOW, THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on April 1, 1986, deems it appropriate to honor, and hereby does honor, those students who participated in Government Day as being out- standing representatives of their fellow students and outstanding young citizens whose interest in the affairs of local government is indicative of a spirit which will be of great benefit to the Town of Pulaski and its citizens in the future. This Resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 1st day of April, 1986, by unanimous vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia. PEPPERS FERRY - CONTRACT WITH CTY. ~ FOUNTAIN 1986 WATER UPGRADE AWARDED Chairman Boyd asked if we have an update on the contract with the County. Mr. McKeever advised that. we have asked for more detailed description of the actual lines that will be sold to them, i.e. more detailed description of the pump station and a better description of contract 2 which is the Pulaski Force Main, from Pulaski Pump Station to Wurno Pump Station. We should have information by the end of the week. The Town and County both wanted this information in contract. We need to move forward on this as we are pushing our annexation back further. Mr. McKeever advised that the fountain is a formed cast iron foundation that is not easily repaired. Councilman Boyd made a motion that Town Manager and Engineering Department be authorized to obtain cost estimate to repair fountain and move to Jackson Park, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried. RECREATION AND PARKS Chairman Neighbors had no report. Mr. McKeever advised the Loving Field property had-not been advertised for sale as we are having trouble tieing corners back on the property. There appears to be an error made on past surveying. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford advised they were working on the Peppers Ferry budget for this coming year and budget work session is scheduled for Thursday. As soon as budget is put together, it will be brought to Council so we can see impact and where we will stand. Chairman Crawford advised that at last meeting of Council, the contract for the 1986 water system upgrade was awarded to Dixon Construction Co. of Galax, VA with a low bid of $89,000. Chairman Crawford moved that $5,000 previously appropriated to account No. 186-7016 Professional Services be transferred to account No. 183-7019 and added to the $60,716 previously appropriated to account No. 1$8-7019, Water Line Replacement and approve the total of $65,71b for expenditure, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried on the following recorded vote: April 1, 1986 V~[~, John A. Johnston - Absent James R. Neighbors -Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Absent Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver advised that committee had met on March 25th. The rewriting of the Code was reviewed with Mr. Milt Lefkoff, representative of Municipal Code Corp. on March 20th. The committee is also working on the Noise Ordinance, so it can also be included in the Code. Mr. Terwilliger advised that most of the changes in the Code that were discussed are language clarifications. Suggested changes by Mr. Lefkoff have been furnished to the Ordinance Committee. A final Version will be available somewhere around August or September. Changes should be made within the next month or so. PUBLIC SAFETY Chairman Aust had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McKeever advised that in the past, Council had given some preliminary PUBLIC approval to seek UDAG funds to assist Ma nox, Inc. in their HEARING g purchase of the Hercules UDAG Plant. A public hearing was scheduled in January but cancelled when the funds were SCHEDULED frozen by the President. We have now been informed that funds may be available and HUD will be able to accept applications in June if Congress does not act by April 15 to freeze the funds. In order to submit a successful application, a public hearing is required to gather public input into the application process. It was recommended that a public hearing be .set on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. Advertisements will be placed in the newspaper Friday, April 4 and Sunday, April 6. A second public hearing. should be scheduled at the April 15th meeting for a public hearing in May. Councilman Boyd made a motion that public hearing on UDAG application be set for April 15 at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Councilman Crawford and carried. PUBLIC Mr. McKeever advised that we are preparing a Block Grant application for housing HEARING rehabilitation under the Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant BLOCK pro ram. He recommended this GRANT g public hearing also be-held on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. (HOUSING) to gather public comment and allow participation in development of the proposal. scheduled Council will also be required to pass a resolution authorizing the Town to apply for the funding under this program which we should duo on the 15th since the application will be submitted on May 2, 1986. Councilman Boyd so moved that public hearing be held on April 15, 19$6, at 7:00 p.m. to hear comment on and to allow participation in the development of a proposal for housing rehabilitation under the Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. TRAFFIC Mr. McKeever advised that letter had been received from George Burge, Department SIGNAL of Highways and Transportation, advising the traffic signal installation project on Bob White Blvd. should begin the middle of April. There has been a problem in collection of materials. Mr. McKeever stated the VML Town Section Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 9th in Wise. Topics to include a review of the 1986 General Assembly Session and legislation affecting local governments. All Councilmembers who wish to attend were requested to notify the Town Manager's Office by Friday, April 1$th. Councilman Glenn made a motion that Council go into Executive Session on a ~~®v April 1, 1986 personnel matter under 2.1-344 (Al), seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. At 4:55 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At b:09 p.m. Council returned to Regular Session on motion made by Councilman Neighbors, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried. At 6:09 p.m. on motion made by Councilman Aust, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried, Council adjourned. APPR VED: Mayor ATTEST: ~~"'" Cl rk of Council 1