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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-83~~~~.I October 4, 1983 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held October 4, 1983, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, Pauline G. Mitchell, C.E. Boyd, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Jr., Ira S. Crawford, Alma H. Holston, Glen K. Aust Also present: Garnett Moore, Town Attorney Dan McKeever, Acting Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey, Eric Randall, WDBJ TV of the news media Claud Kirkland Nick Saunders Patty Williams Bob Lewis Joe Williams Vickie Futrell 2 area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Aust. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 27, 1983, were approved as recorded. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that Councilmembers had been given a packet of various articles coming through his office and he requested Council review and give their comments. Mayor Ratcliffe stated that the request for a loan from Pulaski Furniture FINANCING was on this meeting's agenda, and Councilman Graham and Acting Town Manager Mr. PULASKI McKeever would address this issue. FURNITURE Mr. Moore advised he had given Senator Bird and Mr. Bob Dobyns all the facts regarding this request and they have sent a request to the Attorney General for-. an opinion for the Town's legal position in this matter. Councilman Graham stated he felt it was a good thing to enter into this deal with Pulaski Furniture for their purchase of the Coleman property. To date, the Town Manager through the Planning District has applied for a $142,500 Economic Stimulus Grant. After an opinion from the Attorney General, Council will review with financial advisors and Town Attorney so positive plans can be made. Mr. McKeever presented~~xplained two financial proposals to provide this loan to Pulaski Furniture; the first proposal based on $200,000 bond secured by Pulaski Furniture through the Town's Industrial Authority; and the second based on $142,500 Grant funds and $57,500 of local money. Mr. McKeever stated proposal two is preferred. Mr. McKeever further stated we were still calculating the Urban Development Action Grant's cost to Pulaski Furniture. The ratio is $2.50 private sector money to $1.00 public sector money. The Town could receive a grant in excess of two million dollars which could then be loaned to Pulaski Furniture. As this money is paid back, it could be used for other projects in the Town. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that no final action would be taken by Council at this meeting on the requested loan to Pulaski Furniture, and would be dependent upon Attorney General's opinion. Mr. Claud Kirkland addressed Council stating he felt there was a possibi- lity of some form of law suit if Council favorably acted on this loan. He further stated the Town government has the proper vehicle for carrying out this request and this is the Town of Pulaski Industrial Authority which was created to assist local and new industry in locating in the area. Tax free bonds can be issued through the Authority for this purpose. Mr. Kirkland proposed that October 4, 1983 ~ -~~ the Authority either sell bonds or promissory notes to local businessmen and citizens in demoniations of $1,000 each with a five year maturity at an interest rate of 7% annually, with no payment of principal or interest until the end of five year maturity period. Mayor Ratcliffe called for Committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston had no report, however, he stated he was encouraged by Acting Town Manager's Administrative Report on the traffic control problem at Bob White Blvd. and Memorial Drive. POLLUTION AND SANITATION COMMITTEE Chairperson Mitchell had no report, but requested that Mr. McKeever handle administratively any functions of handling garbage pick-up between the County and Town in the future. Mr. Moore .stated that any agreement reached would have to come back to Council for their approval. Councilperson Hols on made a motion. that the subject of garbage pick-up between the Town .and County be referred to the Pollution and Sanitation Committee, seconded by Councilman Johnston and so carried. LAND AND BUILDING COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd had no report.. Chairman Boyd made a motion that parking meter poles without meters be removed from the downtown area, seconded by Councilman Aust and carried. Poles are to be removed, but leaving holes for flags. Councilman Aust requested an update on the street lighting on Washington and Jefferson, with Mr. McKeever advising that a meeting with Appalachian had been scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 1983. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. STREET COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Holston had no report. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairman Aust had no report. REPORT OF MAYOR Mayor Ratcliffe advised the Reverend J.N. Howard is on a mission in Australia. He had given Reverend Howard a letter of introduction and a picture of Council. Mayor Ratcliffe was in receipt of a letter from the Mayor of Kalgoorlie expressing his appreciation and good wishes. REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER Mr. McKeever advised that New River Community Action has a program whereby defendants and criminal cases are permitted in lieu of a jail sentence to provide certain community service work. All the defendants are of a non-violent nature. The typical type of work done is generally labor and maintenance. This program COMMUNI- is a contractual program that we agree to receive a certain number of volunteers. TY SEN- It; ~.s an Attorne General's o y pinion that 1) municipal governments are immune from TENCING civil liabilit so lon as the work bein y g g performed is in the exercise of a govern- PROGRAM mental function; and 2 munici al p governments would not be immune from civil liability arising from supervision of the volunteer when the work is in the perform- ance of a proprietary function of the municipality; and 3) no liability exists under Workman's Compensation Act for related work injuries. '~ ~~~~ October 4, 1983 Councilperson Mitchell made a motion that Town Manager be authorized to enter into agreement with New River Community Action on the Community Sentencing Program, seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Mr. McKeever requested Council to review the revised Personnel Policies and give comments. He further advised he felt it would be to our advantage to adopt these policies at the earliest date. Councilman Johnston stated that the Personnel Committee would be meeting between now and next Council Meeting and if Council would give questions and comments to Mr. McKeever prior to the next meeting, the Personnel Committee would be in a position to present to Council. Mayor Ratcliffe advised he was in receipt of a letter from Lt. Gov. Richard Davis congratulating the Town on successful application for Community Block Grant funds. Mr. McKeever stated the cost estimate on the Pond Lick Hollow line was made in November, 1982, and there was no change in this estimate. Councilperson Mitchell advised that the Pollution and Sanitation Committee would meet Wednesday, October 12, 1983, at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Boyd moved that Council go into an Executive Session in accor- dance with Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia on a personnel matter, the final seclection of those candidates for the position of Town Manager, seconded by Councilman Johnston, and carried. At 5:07 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 5:27 p.m. Council returned to Regular Session. Councilman Boyd moved that we have a Special Council Meeting Wednesday, October 5, 1983, at 5:00 p.m. for personnel reasons, seconded by Councilman Graham and, carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston -Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. -Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye At 5:39 p.m. Councilman Boyd made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council- man Graham, and carried. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: ~.~ G . .~- C erk of Council