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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-84April 3, 1984 ~ /~10~ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council .held April 3, 1984, 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, James M. Neblett, C. E. Boyd, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Jr., Ira S. Crawford, Alma H. Holston, Glen K. Aust Also present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney D. E. McKeever, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Eric Randall and Dee A. Lindsey of the news media Tom McCarthy Robert Boysaw Vicki Futrell 16 area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 20, 1984, were approved as recorded. PUBLIC Mayor Ratcliffe stated as published, now was time and place to hold Public HEARING Hearing on request by Hercules, Inc. to close a section of Vine Street and Plant CLOSE VINE Street. STREET Mr. Tom McCarthy, representing. Hercules, Inc., presented a map illustrating the area to be closed and advised that Hercules owns the property on both sides of the area they have asked to be closed. He further advised that if Council desired, viewers could be appointed to look at the property. Mr. McCarthy stated the reason for this request was that Hercules would like to build a fence to secure their property and the intent of closing the street at this time does not include placing anymore ponds at the lower end. Closing of this street would not prevent any resident from access to their property. Councilman Neblett moved that we adopt Ordinance closing this street, seconded by Councilman Aust. From the Public, Mrs. Whitaker addressed Council against this request to close the streets and with objection to any ponds being built. Also, Mr. Cox expressed opposition stating west side of Plant Street from railroad south to old Coleman property north was residential. Councilperson Mitchell advised that this property was rezoned industrial in 1965. Mr. McCarthy advised that the people who are objecting,. t.o this do not own property that adjoins the street that they were. requesting to close. Councilperson Mitchll made a substitute motion that Council table this matter until next meeting, and let people pursue it a little further so they will be satisfied, seconded by Councilperson Holston. Councilman Aust proposed that Council go and look at this property. Substitute motion carried on the following recorded vote r John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Council to meet at the Municipal Building Monday, April 9, 1984, at 4:00 p.m. to go and look at this property. Mr. Cox expressed opposition to additional ponds being built on this property due to fumes from ponds and wanted protection from this for health and welfare of area citizens. VO~ April 3, 1984 Mayor Ratcliffe advised that next on agenda was the mobile home application RON DUNFORD of Mr. Ron Dunford to place a mobile home at 623 Ridge Avenue. TRAILER This application was continued from last meeting to allow Council a APPLICATION chance to review proposed trailer site. DENIED Councilman Boyd stated that in review of this mobile home application and the requests from residents in the area, he made a motion that this request be denied, seconded by Councilperson Holston. Mr. Dunford addressed Council and the area residents, advising he intends to live on this lot, be a good neighbor and do anything he could to improve this property. Area citizen requested that burned house owned by Jack Bane be removed, with Councilman Aust advising he felt an Ordinance was needed to take care of such things and Council should instruct Town Manager to enforce at full force. Councilman Crawford stated area citizens had gained something by this session as area would be cleaned up, and this was possibly the problem all along; not so much that the trailer was going in, but the way the area had been left. Area citizens questioned if old trailer parked in area for approximately 6-7 years was issued a permit, with Councilman Aust stating he believed it was before the trailer ordinance was adopted and was under grandfather clause. Councilman Boyd stated we should emphasize to Town Manager, Building Inspector, etc. to look at these residences and if they did not meet all of our ordinances, Town Manager take whatever steps necessary to clean up. Recorded vote on Councilman Boyd's motion that trailer application be denied carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Area citizen expressed appreciation to Council in helping clean up this area. TRAILER Councilman Aust moved that Town Attorney prepare Ordinance providing that ORDINANCE a trailer. could not be put in until approved by Council, seconded by Councilman Neblett. Mr. Terwilliger advised he would like to discuss this matter in Executive Session as he had a few thoughts on this that he would like to share, and requested Council withhold vote until after discussion. Mayor Ratcliffe called for Council Committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston advised the Utilities Committee had met, and we needed to respond to Hercules' request in reference to quantities and qualities of sewer with which we can serve their plant when Peppers Ferry opens. The recommendation had been made that we ask John Olver to visit and discuss with the Utilities Committee the question of our response to this request. The Utilities Committee also discussed the agreements being worked on CONTRACTS with the County. One agreement involves the contract that the County will par- WITH ticipate with the Town and Dublin, 3A, 3B, 4B and 5. The other agreement con- COUNTY cerning raising the cost of processing the County's sewage from .98 to $1.00. The Utilities Committee recommended that Council not make individual con- - tracts but try within a reasonable period of time to come up with a User Agree- ment. April 3, 1984 ~~o~ USER Chairman Johnston made a motion that User Agreement be prepared for approval AGREE- by Council, and appropriate the various expenses of the Agreement to the participating MENT County parties, seconded by Councilman Graham, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Mr. Terwilliger will sit in on meetings regarding the User Agreement. The contractual agreement raising the cost of processing the County's sewage from .98 to $1.00 was discussed. Mr. McKeever advised this contract was for a two year period and was a supplement to the contract that has been in effect for approxi- mately ten years. Original contract allows us to renogotiate every two years. Councilman Graham made a motion that contract be reviewed by County and School Board and put on agenda for next Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried. Chairman Johnston distributed to Council Committee/Commission appointments that needed to be made for Council's review and suggestions. Chairman Johnston presented and read to Council a Resolution appointing Cheryl D. Beverly, Betty. Sadler, Mason Vaughan, Jr. and Joseph L. Weddle to the Recreation Commission, and moved adoption of Resolution as read, seconded by Councilperson Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: APPTS. TO John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye RECREATION Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye COMMISSION James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the following members of Pulaski Recreation Commission, namely, Cheryl D. Beverly, Betty Sadler, Mason Vaughan, Jr., and William Norris had terms expiring January 1, 1984 or until their successors are appointed or qualified; and, WHEREAS, said William Norris has declined further appointment; and WHEREAS, in regular session on February 21, 1984, this Council did approve the following appointments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, meeting in Regular session April 3, 1984, that Cheryl D. Beverly, Betty Sadler, Mason Vaughan, Jr., and Joseph L. Weddle be and hereby are appointed to the Pulaski Recreation Commission for three years or until their successors are appointed, pursuant to Section 23-14, et seq of the Pulaski Town Code. ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF APRIL, 1984. POLLUTION AND SANITATION COMMITTEE Chairperson Mitchell had no report, however, made a motion that the Ordinance Committee check into what can be done to keep from sitting satellite saucers for T.V.'s in yards, seconded by Councilman Crawford, and carried. RECREATION COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett advised the Recreation Committee had not met. NED BANE Mr. McKeever advised that Mr. Ned Bane, Director of Recreation, had today DIR. OF submitted letter of request for retirement, with date of retirement to become RECREA. RETIRE- effective May 31, 1984. Mr. McKeever read letter as follows: MENT May 17, 1984, marks the 23rd anniversary of my employment with the Town of Pulaski. I respectively request that I be granted the status of retirement to become effective May 31, 1984. May I express my sincere appreciate for the many considerations, courtesies, ~S~s April 3, 1984 and the cooperation extended me by the offices of Town Mayor, Town Council, and Town Manager during my tenure. Yours truly, (s) Ned Bane Councilman Boyd moved that Council accept Mr. Ban's.resignation, seconded by Councilperson Mitchell, and carried. Councilman Aust stated we should commend Mr. Bane on the work that he has done for the Town for the last 23 years; that he had brought our Recreation Program to one that is recognized all over the State of Virginia; and that he had done a mighty fine job. Councilperson Holston stated she agreed with Council- man Aust's remarks and that also we had some of the best recreational facilities in the State of Virginia which were due to Mr. Bane's efforts. LAND AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd advised the Land and Building Committee had met to consider the concerns of Dora Highway. The committee authorized Town Engineer and Town PEAK CREEK Manager to notify Norfolk and Western Railroad to see if we cannot secure (WIDENING) DORA HGW. right of way to straighten the creek. Plans are to widen the creek behind homes on Dora Highway to corporate limits. The County is to be contacted with a request to clean the creek beyond Town limits, toward trestle. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Graham advised the Finance Committee had met. MOWERS FOR CEMETERIES Chairman Graham moved that $1,216.16 be appropriated to Account No. PURCHASED 7108-7001 Machinery and Equipment, from General Fund Unappropriated Surplus for the purchase of mowers for mowing the cemeteries, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye James M. Neblett - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Mr. McKeever advised four small push mowers and one Bunton mower would be purchased. Bids were taken for mowing of cemeteries, but were rejected due to being too high. Chairman Graham advised that new accounts had been set up for the Cool COOL SPRINGS PROJECT GRANT Springs Project Grant. Chairman Graham moved that the following appropriations be made to new accounts being created for the Cool Springs Water and Sewer Project: Amount Account No. 500.00 4101-3007 500.00 4101-5416 4,145.00 184-3013 1,900.00 184-7010 1,000.00 078-7009 Account Name Engineering advertisements for Cool Springs Project Supplies for Cool Springs Project Architectural-Engineering Fees, Water Tank Acquisition for Project - Water Tank Acquisition for Sewer Project Motion seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried on the following- recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye James M. Neblett -.Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Chairman Graham moved that an additional $874.59 be appropriated to Account ALUM SPRING No. 106-7014.01, Street Improvement, from Revenue Sharing Unappropriated Sur- RD. PROJECT plus to provide for the total amount of the Alum Spring Road Project in this account, seconded by Councilman Aust and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye 1 April 3, 1984 ~~~~ Chairman Graham stated the committee had discussed the computer for the Treasurer, hiring a professional to prepare an Economic Development brochure to promote the Town, and a report concerning the Town's participation in the Virginia Supplemental Retirement System should be available within LATE WATER BILLS 30 days. The Committee also discussed late water bills and agreed to leave it as it is for the present. Mr. McKeever advised we have $369,000 loan proceed in present budget for PEPPERS Peppers Ferry and we will probably not need to borrow money for this fiscal FERRY ear. We still have sufficient move to et into the next fiscal y y g year without borrowing In discussion by Council of the water bills and 10~ penalty, Councilman LATE WATER Aust recommended that we have a motion that we leave it according to the way BILLS it is now in case some future Council needs clarification as to what they have done. Mr. Terwilliger advised he would like to talk with Council in Executive Session, not necessarily on the 10~, which does not give him any problem, but another matter that had come up. Chairman Graham advised that Mr. McKeever had handled the Virginia Maid matter administratively; check has been received and this matter is now resolved. STREET COMMITTEE TRAFFIC LIGHT Chairman Crawford stated the committee had met, and the State has advised BOB WHITE & us that our request for a traffic light at Bob White Blvd. and Memorial Drive MEMORIAL has been programmed into their system, but we do not have an installation date as yet. Chairman Crawford advised the committee had discussed widening of Madison MADISON Ave. between 5th and 6th Streets, and they have additional information to con- AVE. sider from the Engineering Department. Street could be widened 4' at a cost WIDENING of approximately $1,600 which would help to some degree. Widening of this street and of additional streets in Town was discussed at length by Council. Councilman Neblett moved that Council turn this matter over to the Town Manager to come back to Council with recommendations, whether it be for one street or overall, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Holston had no report, but requested when work would be WARE LANE started on Ward Lane with Mr. McKeever advising it would probably be started this Spring after completion of some other street projects, and should be completed before July. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairman Aust had no report, however, the Peddler's Committee would meet .Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and they have invited new Town Attorney to meet with them. They are working with ordinances from Blacksburg. and Roanoke, and hopefully, they will come up with something soon. REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER Mr. McKeever advised a contract with Pulaski Baseball Club, Inc. (Braves) had been negotiated for lease of Calfee Park. Negotiations have been centered PULASKI around Mr. Ned Bane who officially submitted his retirement, but will become BRAVES THE President of Pulaski Baseball, Inc. Under the code, we are permitted to negotiate if there is only one vendor to deal with. Pulaski Braves is the only professional team that was interested in locating in Pulaski, and secondly, we are permitted to negotiate if it would be in the best interest i of the community. Because the team has provided a fundamental recreation . ~so~ NED BANE- CONFLICT OF INTEREST April 3, 1984 to the community, Mr. McKeever was of the opinion that the best interest of the community was served to negotiate with Mr. Bane while he was an employee of the Town. Mr. McKeever further stated we were disclosing the possibility of conflict of interest to Council and the public. Mr. McKeever stated the code requires us to make public the possibility that conflict did exist, but we dealt with it as the code requires. Miss Dee Ann Lindsey, reporter for the Southwest Times, stated Council ADVERTISING COMMISSIONS/ COMMITTEES VACANCIES mentioned going into Exectuve Session and attorney had indicated two topics; one, regarding the trailer and moving them onto property beforehand, and the other regarding the fines on utilities. She believed they were both broad topics and applicable to the general public, and she noted her objection to them being discussed in Executive Session. Mr. Terwilliger advised he did not wish to discuss the 10~ penalty, but some other things in the ordinance regarding legal advice and bring up some other legal matters. Councilman Neblett moved that we properly advertise in newspaper, openings on various Town Commissions and Committees, seconded by Councilman Aust and carried on the following recorded vote: John A.Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - No James M. Neblett - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. -Aye Ira S. Crawford -Aye Alma H. Holston -Aye Glen K. Aust -Aye Councilman Neblett moved that Council go into. Executive Session on a legal (property) matter and a personnel matter in accordance with Section 2.1-344 of .the Code of Virginia, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried. At 5:42 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 6:20 p.m. Council .returned to Regular Session. .Councilman Neblett moved that Council approve the contract between the. Town and Atlanta Braves for the coming baseball season, Appalachian League, MGR. and that Town Manager is authorized to sign on the Town's behalf. If there .are AUTHORIZED TO SIGN BASEBALL CONTRACT any changes to this contract, it will be brought back to Council. Motion seconded by Councilperson Mitchell, and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye. TOWN MANAGER Mr. Terwilliger stated that Mr. Dan McKeever had been sued by Mr. Robert SUED BY ROBERTBoysaw for action which appears to be solely within his duties as the Town BOYSAW Manager, and Town Council had received subpoenas to appear in the matter. Councilman Graham moved that Mr. Terwilliger be authorized to appear in this matter as Town Attorney and take whatever action that is necessary as such, seconded by Councilman Boyd. Mayor Ratcliffe advised Mr. Boysaw Council action would be in print and a copy could be obtained, in reply to his inquiries from the floor at this time. Motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye 1 April 3, 1984 ~~09 Referring to Councilman Aust's motion that Town Attorney prepare TRAILER Ordinance providing that a trailer could not be put in until approved ORDINANCE by Council, Councilperson Holston made a substitute motion that Town Attorney be authorized to prepare a new Ordinance dealing with mobile home for submission to the Ordinance Committee, seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried. At 6:26 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried. APPROVED: r Mayor i ATTEST: cc~ C~ c~/G~ L%c,~Z C erk of Council 1