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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-841~~ November 5, 1984 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held November 5, 1984, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding Counclmembers: John A. Johnston, Robert N. Glenn, James M. Neblett, 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 Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey of the news media The invocation was given by Councilman Boyd. The minutes of the regular meeting held October 23, 1984, were approved as published. As there were no comments from the public, Mayor Ratcliffe called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITY COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston advised that he and Mr. McKeever had attended a meeting of the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment and distributed copies showing percentages of contracts that have been completed and the amount of money spent. The Authority has been. officially approached asking for a change in our PEPPERS FER. service area for Peppers Ferry to serve the Cool Springs area with sewer. REQUESTED This request is under consideration by the Authority. TO SERVE COOL SPRINGS POLLUTION AND SANITATION Chairman Glenn had no report. ICE SPACE E AVAIL. PULASKI NTY RSVP ~HANIBER OF OMMERCE EASE RENEWED PERSONNEL, PUBLIC RELATIONS & NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT 1 .Chairman Neblett had no report. LAND, BUILDING AND STREETS.COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd advised the Land and Buildings Committee met on Wednesday, October 31, 1984, at 5:00 p.m. and had several things on their agenda. The Town has received a request from the Pulaski County R.S.V.P. for office space in the Municipal Building. It was the Committee's understanding that the R.S.V.P. would use the office space which is now used by the auditors. Councilman Boyd moved that office space be made available to the Pulaski County RSVP in the municipal building at no cost, seconded by Councilman Aust, and carried. A request has been received from the Chamber of Commerce to renew their lease in the Municipal Building, and Chairman Boyd so moved that the Town Manager be authorized to renew the current lease for the Chamber of Commerce from January 1, 19$5, to December 31, 1985, at the rate of $75.00 per month, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: November 5, 1984 ~~~~ John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye CURB & Chairman Boyd advised we had received a request from a resident on GUTTER Westwood Drive regarding curb anal guttering in front of their house. The Committee recommended that this particular party check with other people on the block and the Town do a complete block.The Engineering Department is going to contact these people and Council will be advised if they are interested and we will do the entire block if money is available. Under our policy, the Town will pay orte--half of the costs and the property owners will pay one-half, Mayor Ratcliffe stated he believed if you had one citizen on the block that would hold up the project, the Town could install curb and gutter and bill the party. Mr. Terwilliger is to check on this. Chairman Boyd advised a petition had been received from residents PETITION on Lafayette Avenue. N.E. regarding widening of the street. Water line WIDEN LAFAYETTE is scheduled to be put in this street this year and water and street AVE. NE replacement would cost around $26,000. Wider..ing of the street only would cost $11,000. If easements could be obtained from approximately 20 property owners on back portion of their property, then we could probably reduce this cost and widen the street. The Engineering Department is going to contact the property owners regarding obtaining easements. Chairman Boyd advised the Army Corps of Engineers were to came into Town this week to check the cleaning of Peak Creek: Their approval _i_e, PEAK not necessary on routine cleaning as we are doing at the present time, CREEK but if we alter the creek in anyway, they must be involved. A property owner has made inquiry as to the passibility of altering the creek and this is relocating the creek a tittle to the west to improve t:.e water flow into Peak Creek. Mrs McKeever stated in order to alter the n-Mural ~har;ne7. of the creek, we have to have approval-ror~ the Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Control Board. Approval i_s pretty much standardized as long as we can show through our calculatioxis ghat the same amount of water T~rili flow ttir.ough ?:he new. channel as ;aas f lowing tits au.gh the previous chan:~el. Section in question is S~~ratsles Run. which runs fLom Rr. 9'3 into Peak Creek. Chairman Bo°;~cl stat~:d t?ie Commttae had dlsc;.~ssad _ : reel l gtt s b~•in our in t_he Tt;wn and Town Manager is to contact the Police Department for follow-up on replacing these lights. .Chairman Boyd further advised that the Ward Lane project is completed. Mr. McKeever advised process had been implemented where we take listing of street lights. out directly.to Appalachian Power Co. RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Copenhaver had no report. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairman Aust had no report. ~~~~~~ November 5, 1984 REPORT OF MAYOR Mayor Ratcliffe advised that one of the items on the November 6 election ballot is "shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that members of local governing bodies can be elected or appointed to vacancies in the office of mayor or board chairman?" Mayor Ratcliffe advised our Charter calls for this. REPORT OF TOWN ATTORNEY Mr. Terwilliger presented two ordinances that resolutions had already ORDINANCE been adopted on closing an alley off Thomas Street in the Town of Pulaski CLOSING AN ALLEY OFF upon the petition of Quarto, Inc.,Maude M. Adams and William P. Brewer. THOMAS ST. Councilman Boyd made a motion to waive reading of ordinance, seconded by Councilman Johnston, and carried. Councilman Neblett moved that ordinance be adopted closing an alley off Thomas Street, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye ORDINANCE CLOSING AN ALLEY OFF THOMAS STREET IN THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA WHEREAS, by written application dated May 10, 1984, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia was petitioned by Quarto, Incorporated, Maude M. Adams, William P. Brewer, Jr. and Jenny W. Brewer, to close the northern portion of that certain alley lying within said Town of Pulaski, and bounded on either side by properties belonging to the petitioners, and more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at the intersection of a 20 foot alley on Thomas Street and extending northwardly to the properties owned by Quarto, Incorporated, on the east side and through the proper- ties owned by Quarto, Incorporated, Maude M. Adams, and William P. Brewer, Jr. et ux, on the west side, to the end of said alley at the property line of what was formerly known as the J. M. Brown farm; and, WHEREAS, on June 19, 1984, by a Resolution adopted in open session the Town Council did appoint certain viewers pursuant to Section 15.1- 364 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, to examine said alley and the surround- ing property, and to make a report to the Town Council as to whether in their opinion any, and if any, what inconvenience would result in discontinuing said alley; and, WHEREAS, by report dated August 30, 1984, said viewers reported that the closing of said alley would not inconvenience any property owner as MacGill Street had been vacated on the north and said alley could not be opened to said street; and, WHEREAS, after proper advertisement, a public hearing was held on October 23, 1984, at which each and every speaker spoke in favor of closing said alley and no speaker spoke against maintaining said alley; NOW, THEREFORE, be it ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, meeting in regular session on November 5, 1984, that it is in the public interest that the following public alleyway lying and being in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, be closed, abandoned, and vacated and that it be and hereby is, closed, abandoned, and vacated: BEGINNING at the intersection of a 20 foot alley on Thomas Street and extending northwardly to the properties owned by Quarto, Incorporated, on the east side and through the properties owned by Quarto, Incorporated, Maude M. Adams, and William P. Brewer, Jr., et ux, on the west side, to the end of said alley at the property line of what was formerly known as the J. M. Brown farm; which closed, abandoned, and vacated alley is shown on a plat attached hereto and made a part thereof. November. 5, 1984 f ~eJV This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. Adopted this 5th day of November, 1984. -The second ordinance presented covered the closing of an access road near 12th Street,. in the Northwood Area of the Town of Pulaski, upon the. petition of Mrs. Jane D. Wysor and Mrs. Helen D. Glenn. Councilman Neblett made a motion to waive. reading of ordinance, seconded by Councilman Neighbors, and carried.. Councilman Neblett moved that ordinance be adopted closing access road near Twelfth Street in the Northwood Area, seconded by Boyd and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Abstain Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye ORDINANCE ORDINANCE CLOSING AN CLOSING AN ACCESS ROAD NEAR TWELFTH STREET, ACCESS ROAD IN THE NORTHWOOD AREA OF NEAR 12th ST. THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA WHEREAS, by written application dated June 12, 1984, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, was petitioned by Mrs. Jane D. Wysor and Mrs. Helen D. Glenn, to close an access road near Twelfth Street, in the Northwood Area of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, and more particularly described as follows: An access road near Twelfth Street, Northwood Area, between the property of Jane D. Wysor and Helen D. Glenn, in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, shown on a plat attached hereto and made a part hereof. WHEREAS, on July 17, 1984, by a Resolution adopted in open session the Town Council did appoint certain viewers pursuant to Section 15.1- 3b4 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, to examine said access street and the surrounding property, and to make a report to the Town Council as to whether in their opinion any, and if any, what inconvenience would result in discontinuing said access street; and, WHEREAS, by report dated August 30, 1984, said viewers reported that the closing of said access street would not inconvenience any person; and, WHEREAS, after proper advertisement, a public hearing was held on October 23, 1984, at which no speaker spoke against closing said access street; NOW, THEREFORE, be it ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, meeting in regular session on November 5, 1984, that it is in the public interest that the following public access street lying and being in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, be closed, abandoned, and vacated and that it be and hereby is closed, abandoned, and vacated: An access road near Twelfth Street, Northwood Area, between the property of Jane D. Wysor and Helen D. Glenn, in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, shown on a plat attached hereto and made a part hereof. This Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. The question was raised regarding setting date of Public Hearing with the County and Town Attorney advised it was proper. JOINT PUBLIC Councilman Neblett made a motion that we have a meeting with the County HEARING on November 15, 1984, at the Pulaski Middle School, at 7:00 p.m. for the WITH PULASKI Purpose of gathering information on agreement between the Town and County, COUNTY seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye ~~~s RESOLUTION EMPLOYEE HEALTH INS. ADOPTED November 5, 1984 REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER Mr. McKeever brought to Council's attention a resolution concerning health insurance for employees. In May of this year, Council authorized the Town Attorney to prepare a resolution outlining the Town's intent toward paying for employee health insurance. This resolution sets a policy as to what amount the Town will pay toward an employee's.". group health insurance costs. Councilman Crawford made a motion that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH A GENERAL POLICY FOR EMPLOYEE MEDICAL AND HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia,- at the request of several town employees and council members, has conducted a thorough review of the past participation of the Town. of Pulaski in various medical and hospitalization insurance programs for its employees; and .WHEREAS, as a result of this review, said Town Council has reached the following conclusions: 1. The Town of Pulaski is authorized, but not obligated, to provide for its officers and employees pursuant to Section 15.1-7.3 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, Group Life, Accident and Health Insurance Pro- grams. Such programs may be through a program of self-insurance, purchase insurance or partial self-insurance and purchased insurance, whichever is determined to be the most cost effective. The total cost of such policies or protection may be paid entirely by the Town or shared with the employee. 2. In past years, the Town of Pulaski has endeavored to provide cost- effective medical and hospitalization insurance for its employees, and has voluntarily paid a portion of each employee's premiums for such insur- ance. However, no clear policy has been enunciated in the past as to the Town's procurement of group insurance policies and the payment of premiums thereunder. 3. At the present time, it appears to the Town Council that its commitments under prior insurance plans have been fulfilled and a fixed-premium group insurance plan is in effect through calendar year 1984,. so that this would be a suitable time to .enunciate a clear policy as to the Town's present and future participation in group insurance plans. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on November 5, 1984, that the policy of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, in reference to group health, insurance policies for its officers and employees, shall be as follows: 1. The Town of Pulaski shall make a good faith effort to provide for its officers and employees, group and health insurance. Such programs may be through a program of self-insurance,. purchased insurance, or partial self- insurance and purchased insurance, whichever is determined by the then acting Town Council to be the most cost-effective. 2. In reference to the group insurance policy now in effect between the Town of Pulaski and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia, the Town of Pulaski shall voluntarily obligate itself to pay toward the insurance premium of each employee who has signed up for said program, the sum of $48.02, regardless of whether any employee has elected coverage for the employee only, the employee and one dependent, or the family. plan coverage. Any employee participating in said program shall be responsible for the payments of any premium, in excess of said $48.02, and the employee's signature on an enrollment card for said program shall be deemed said employee's consent to the deduction of said premium balance from the employee's pay. The Town does assume this obligation retroactive to April, 1984, and does authorize the Town Manager and the Town Treasurer November 5, 1984 ~~~~ to refund to any employee any difference between the amount actually paid for said employee by the Town and said $48.02 since said date. The Town does further obligate itself to pay said $48.02 on behalf of each employee through the present policy period, which ends December 31, 1984. 3. The Town Manager is directed to prepare for the benefit of the Town Council at least thirtydays (30) before the expiration of the present policy, a summary of any changes in premiums and/or policy benefits anticipated by the present insurance carrier after the expiration date of the present policy, together with recommendations as to the most cost-effective manner of continuing health insurance coverage for the officers and employees of the town. 4. Within a reasonable time thereafter, and upon consideration of the information provided by the Town Manager and his recommendations as to a course of action, the Town Council, by resolution, shall indicate what health insurance program, if any, will be provided by the Town for its officers and employees, and will.. farther state what portion, if any, of the premiums due under said program will be paid by the Town. 5. In the future, if the Town does decide to pay any portion of the premium attributable to each employee, the Town Council shall set a given dollar amount to be so paid, so that the same dollar amount shall be paid to the insurer or' agent, as the case may be, on behalf of each employee without regard to the coverage selected by the particular employee; provided, however, that if an employee does not desire to participate in such insurance program, no payment of any kind will be paid to such employee. 6. In the future, whenever any health insurance program is in effect, whether it is a continuation of the present program or a replacement program adopted by the Town Council, substantially similar steps will be taken prior to the expiration date of said program(s). In the event that there is a change in premiums or a change in benefits during a policy period, the Town Manager will forward a summary of such changes and a recommendation for action to be taken in light of said changes, to the Council. 7. The Town Council expressly reserves the right, upon the consideration of the Town's financial condition at any given time, to change or do away with any contribution paid by the Town toward the employee's premiums; provided, however, that any resolution decreasing or doing away with the Town's contribution toward any employee's premiums shall not become effective until sixty (60) days after its passage. 8. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the participation in any group insurance program and the right to have premiums paid by the Town shall apply only to employees designated as eligible for fringe benefits under the Town Personnel Policy as it now exists and having at least ninety (90) days service with the Town. 9. Except as set forth in paragraph 2, setting forth the obligation assumed by the Town as to the current plan which is effective until December 31, 1984, nothing contained herein shall be construed to confer upon or vest in any $ficer or employee, the right of have the Town pay all or any part of any ~~alth insurance premium or the right to have the Town provide any health ~~surance program. This resolution is an enunciation of the general policy aad goals of the Town of Pulaski in its efforts to provide for the welfare 4$ its officers and employees, but must by its nature be subject to the Town's changing financial condition and to the changing health insurance marketplace. 'his Resolution is effective upon its passage and until expressly changed or ~•evoked by the Town Council. Mr. McKeever advised the VML Legislative Meeting would be held at Hotel Roanoke on December 13, 1984 and requested reservations be turned into Town Manager's office. At 4:30 p.m., Councilman Boyd made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Crawford and carried. Attest: Clerk of Council APPROVED: Mayor