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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-83~~~~`7 April 27, 1983 Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held April 27, 1983, at 5:00 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, Ear1,D. Cabaniss, C. E. Boyd, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Jr., Ira S. Crawford, Alma H. Holston, Glen K. Aust Also present: H. R. Coake, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and George Shadroui - news media Patty Willias~ WAIVER OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING We, the undersigned, duly elected members of the Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, hereby waive notice of a Special Meeting of said Council at 5:00 p.m. on the 27th day of April , 19 83, for the purpose of discussing public hearings for Consolidation. and any other business that may legally come bef ore the Council. WITNESS our signatures this 27th day of April , 19 83• The invocation was given by Councilman Aust. Mayor Ratcliffe advised this was a Special Meeting to determine how we should handle our public hearings on Consolidation. He further advised we have one public hearing scheduled for May 18, 1983, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pulaski 1 Middle School. April 27, 1983 ~~~(~~ Councilperson Mitchell stated that as the election is not until July, she felt May 18 would be soon enough for our first meeting, and possibly schedule another meeting the first of June. Councilman Cabaniss advised that with Councilman Johnston's format, which was distributed to Councilmembers, we are assuming we will have more questions than we can answer. After receipt of questions, we could then determine how many meetings we will need. Councilman Aust felt we should answer questions directly from the public at the hearing. He further advised that the Southwest Times is answering written questions addressed to them. Councilman Crawford and Councilperson Holston were in agreement with Council- man Aust to answer questions directly from the citizens at hearing. Councilman Graham advised he saw no problem if citizens wanted to submit written questions to be answered by Council. Mayor Ratcliffe suggested that as people come into hearing, they be given a sheet of paper to write their questions on, with Mr. Coake adding that it be included if they want to speak, or do not want to speak at hearing. Council determined that they would let the meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 1983, stand as it is now. Councilman Johnston questioned the format to be used at hearing with Councilman Graham suggesting a maximum of three minutes to answer each question. Questions are to be answered by Councilmember that question is directed to, with undirected questions being answered by any Councilmember that would like to answer. It aas agreeable as Councilmembers answered questions, that another Councilmember coiCtld add to the answer. Questions and responses are to be limited to three minutes each and the meeting will be limited to two hours. Councilman Crawford suggested that after Councilmember answers questions, then Mayor Ratcliffe could ask if any other Councilmembers would like to add further comments to that answer. If there was no problem, then we would proceed to next question. Councilman Aust moved that we have a public hearing, let people come and ask questions, or submit written questions at the hearing, seconded by Councilperson Holston. Councilman Boyd felt that a lot of people may not want to voice an opinion in front of a group and they may not want to write it down at the meeting, but prior to meeting they may want to send questions to any member of Council. Councilman Joh-nston stated that if we get questions ahead of time, it would be a simple matter of adding these questions to the stack of questions received at the door. ~~-~ April 27, 1983 Councilman Boyd made a substitute motion that we have our public hearing, we accept written questions in advance forwarded to any Councilmember or to the Town Manager. On the night of the public hearing, Town Manager will turn questions over to Council and these questions will be answered along with questions received at the door, or a person could stand up and ask any member of Council any oral question that he or she has that they would like to have answered. Questions directed to any member of Council that they would direct to answer question, seconded by Councilman Cabaniss. Councilman Aust felt that all questions addressed should be signed by person asking the question. He also felt that person at public hearing should identify himself when asking questions from the floor. Council determined that oral questions from floor at public hearing be answered first, and the written questions answered after oral questions. Councilman Boyd's substitute motion carried and superseded Mr. Aust's original motion. Regarding the written questions received concerning Consolidation, it was determined that Mayor Ratcliffe would read the written question, and answer would be handled like the oral questions. Written questions not: answered during this public hearing would be carried over and answered at the next public hearing. Councilman Aust moved that Council go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter in accordance with Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia, seconded by Councilman Johnston and carried. Councilmen Boyd and Crawford voted no to this motion. At 6:40 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 6:45 p.m. Council returned from Executive Session. At 6:46 p.m. Councilman Aust moved that Council adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried. AppROVED: yo ATTEST: Clerk of Council