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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-80Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council, held October 7, 1980 at 4:00 P. M. and a Joint Meeting of the Town Planning Commission, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding. Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, Robert M. Wallace, Andrew L. Graham, Jr., C. E. Boyd, Jr., Arthur L. Meadows, Alma H. Holston, James M. Neblett, Jr., Pauline G. Mitchell Planning Commission Members present: Johiro R . Powers, Mrs . Louise Settle A. D. Clark, Dr. A. W. Anneski Also present: H. R. Coake, Assistant Town Manager Gladys R. Dalton, Clerk Garnett S. Moore, Town Attorney Roger A. Williams, Treasurer Visitors: Dave Vascek, Dee Lindsey and Doug Waters of the media. T. J. McCarthy, .Philip Sadler, Robert Alley, David Brewster, Ben C. Tate and Mary Cox The invocation was given by Councilmember Boyd. The minutes of the regular meeting of September 16, 1980 were approved as recorded. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that as had been advertised in the local COUNCIL & newspaper, this is the time and place the Town Council and the Town Planning PLANN. COMM. Commission will hold a joint public hearing on a proposal to amend Sections PUB.. HEARING OFF-STREET 12-~-5, 12-6-10.1 and 12-6.12 of Article XII of the Town Zoning Ordinance. PARKING Mayor Ratcliffe advised the hearing was open to any one who wished to speak either for or against the proposed changes. No one spoke either for or against the proposed changes, and there was no comment from members of the Council. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that the Planning Commission may desire to retire and consider the proposal, and asked if there was any comment to be made by any member of the Commission. Chairman Powers stated some changes are to be made and the Commission needs to discuss those before PLANNING making a recommendation to the Council. COMM. RETIRED The Town Planning Commission retired at 4;10 P. M. to their official TO CONSIDER OFF-STREET meeting room ~~201 for consideration of the proposed changes in the Town PARKING Zoning Ordinance. Mayor Ratcliffe stated the Council would now hear the public on COUNCIL any other subject which they wished to bring to the Council. TO HEAR PUBLIC ~. -~ October 7, 1980 Mrs. Sam Reynolds advised they were purchasing The Savings Center on Main Street and had experienced some break-in problems, but they were unable to get any information or have any contact with the SAM REYNOLDS Town Police Department. She advised they had called the Police Department MAKES COMPLAINT RE: POLICE and were advised the investigating officer was not available; also they DEPARTMENT had called the Chief of Police and left their name, home and shop number to call, but had not heard anything from the Police Department, and she felt the Council should be advised of the failure of the Department to cooperate with them. Councilmember Wallace moved that any call that goes in to MESSAGES OR CALLS TO the Police Department and messages that are left, there should; be POLICE DEPT. TO BE ANSWEREDsome one to call back. Councilmember Johnston stated he thought "we had agreed that some follow up would be given even though no facts are in order". Mayor Ratcliffe advised Mrs. Reynolds that "we will turn this over to the Committee and have them contact you". Councilmember Wallace stated "we should have some procedure that any call be returned, and I thought we had discussed this before". Mayor Ratcliffe advised this was an administrative matter. Councilmember Graham stated he felt it was an administrative matter and the Assistant Town Manager should get with the Chief of Police. Councilmember Mitchell stated "if there is no response from the Police Department, theb call a member of the Council and have them take it from there" . H. R. COAKE Councilmember Nebleett moved this complaint be referred to TO FOLLOW UP WITH CHIEF the Acting Town Manager for a f ollow up on this with the Chief. Motion CHILDRESS COMPLAINTS was seconded by Councilmember Mitchell, and carried on a voice vote, with Councilmember Wallace opposing, and Councilmember Boyd being absent because he was attending the session with the Town Planning Commission at this time. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Ratcliffe called for Committee reports. Councilman Johnston asked that his report be delayed until JOHNSTON DELAYED UTILITY REPORT after the Planning Commission returns to the Council meeting. REC. COMM. Councilmember Mitchell reported that the Recreation Committee TO CONSIDER GATEWOOD will meet on Wednesday, October 8th at 5:30 P. M. at which time the RESERVOIS AT MEETING problems at Gatewood Reservoir would be discussed. Councilmember Mitchell also advised that it was her thought MOWING MACHINES TO BE DISCUSSED that when the matter of purchasing a mower is brought up, that this LATER IN MEETING be tabled for the time being. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that this would 1 be brought up later on. October 7, 1980 Councilmember Wallace stated that about three weeks ago the loading zone on Main Street was moved, by Council action, from the Nu~fi er One area to the Grand Piano area, and it developed that this was a mistake inasmuch as it created a hazardous pedestrian situation at the cross-walk. Tte LOADING Committee decided to relocate the loading zone to its original place in ZONE ON front of the Number One Store, and it was left to the discretion of the MAIN ST. TO BE Assistant Town Manager. Mr. Coake.advised that it will be moved back to MOVED BACK TO ORIGINAL its original position, plus one additional parking space. POSITION Councilmember Wallace reported that several citizens have contacted him relative to the $2.50 parking tickets they are getting for overtime parking and he felt this was pretty high and that $1.00 fine was sufficient.. Mr. Wallace stated there seems to be more parking spaces ORDINANCE available than there were three or four years ago, and with the economy COMM. TO STUDY what it is, felt a Dollar fine would be sufficient and the present fine PARKING FINE REDUCTION be reduced. TO $1.00 Councilmember Johnston moved that the matter of reducing the parking fine be ref erred to the Ordinance Committee for study and report. Motion was seconded by Councilman Wallace, and carried. Councilmember Graham, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, APPROVE reported there was $33,000.00 in the Dump Truck account and we need to PUR . OF BACK HOE delete from Revenue Sharing Funds Account ~~406.9 - Dump Trucks - and re- E QUIPMENT appropriate $22,000.00 to Account ~~408.6 to purchase Back Hoe Equipment, and so moved. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Neblett, and carried on the following vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye Rob ert M. Wallace - A~ Alma H. Holston - Aye *C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Absent James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Also, delete from Revenue Sharing Funds, Account ~~406.9 and MOWING MACHINE re-appropriate to Account ~~403.4 $9,440.00 for a mowing machine. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Neblett. Councilmember Mitchell states she felt that with the two mowers the Town has, the hiring of two extra men with weedeaters for trimming, MITCHELL ,and a better mowing plan, the Town could be kept in pretty good shape. Council- SUGGESTS WEEDEATERS member Neblett stated there were days when weather did not permit mowing and this would have to be considered. Mrs. Mitchell advised she was aware of this, but with better planning and the hiring of two extra men in the spring to use October 7, 1980 the weedeaters for trimming, she felt the job could be done. Mrs. Mitchell also brought to the attention of Council that Dublin has a nice roller and something Like this could be used by the Town to roll the streets when patching jobs are done. Councilmember Mitchell moved that Mr. Coake get with Mr. Early and work out a better plan for mowing. Motion died for the lack of a second. The following vote was taken on the Mowing Machine motion and second: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline C. Mitchell - No Arthur L. Meadows - Aye Robert M. Wallace - No' Alma H. Holston - Aye *C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye *Councilmember Boyd was meeting at this tide with the Town Planning Commission as Co-terminus-Official tenure member of the Commission, vnd later in the meeting stated had he been in his seat when the votes were taken for the above two financial transactions, he would have voted "AYE". Councilmember Graham moved that $750.00 be deleted from Account ~~031-332 - License Plates - and re-appropriated to Account ~~301-101 - Wages. Motion was seconded by Councilman Nfeblett. Councilmember Mitchell inquired relative. to the additional wages. RE-APPROPRIA- Councilmember Graham advised that it would be used in the Treasurer's office, TION OF FUNDS FOR LICENSE that he was making a change and creating a position of supervisor while he PLATES TO WAGES FOR is away and assign more responsibility to an employee. Councilmember Boyd NEW POSITION IN TREAS. questioned the use of overtime for this area; that he understood the new OFF ICE equipment was purchased to take care of this situation. Councilmember Graham stated this was not for overtime, but a new position. Councilmember Wallace stated it was his feeling that Council should stick.to the budget.. Councilmember Mitchell questioned whether it was necessary to have two super- visors in that department. Councilmember Johnston inquired if the Finance Committee had discussed this, and Councilmember Graham replied that the Personnel Committee discussed it. The following vote was taken: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, ;3r. -Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - No Arthur L. Meadows - Aye Robert M. Wallace - No Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - No. James M. Neblett, Jr. -Aye Councilmember Meadows advised he had no report, and asked that a meeting of the Ordinance Committee be scheduled for 5:00 P. M. on October 13th. 'c October 7, 1980 Councilmember Holston advised there was no report for the Pollution LANDFILL REPORT & Sanitation Committee; that the trial period for keeping the Landfill open on Saturdays would be up in another week, and hoped to have an evaluation report for the Council on this, Councilmember Holston read a letter from the Parent-Teachers- Organization for Claremont School in whidz i~ was stated the organization had agreed that the adverse conditions on Ward Lane are dangerous and potentially fatal. The Letter also suggested plans for improving the existing conditions. CLAREMONT Councilmember Graham moved that the letter from the P,T.O. PTO LETTER REF. TO of Claremont School be referred to the Street Committee for study and ST , COMM. report. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnston, and carried. At 4:50 P. M. The Town Planning Commission returned to ~e Council meeting and recommended that Sections 12-6-5; 12-6-L0.1 and 12-6-12 of the Town Zoning Ordinance be amended, as follows: Section 12-6-5 For each medical, dental clinic or office for accounts, architects, lawyers, optometrists, insurance, and other professional offices, at lest five (5) parking spaces shall be provided; three additional parking spaces shall be provided for each such office or clinic having in excess of one (1) professional in the same office or clinic, or the amount of parking spaces required by Section 12-6-12 when determined by the amount of business floor space, whichever is the least restrictive. RECOMMENDATION OF Section 12-6 10.1 PLANNING COMMISSION However, in determining the parking spaces and in meeting the required parking spaces in this Article, the Administrator shall take into consideration the availability of public or private parking facilities within the immediate vicinity of said use and in the event there is available parking space, then, the requirements of this Article shall be reduced on a pro-rata basis to the equivalent number of spaces available to the use in either the public or private parking spaces, or both. Section 12-6-12 Any other commercial building not listed above hereafter erected, converted or structually altered shall provide one (1) parking space for each two hundred (200) square feet of business floor space in the building. Any establishment hereafter erected that serves meals. lunches, or drinks to patrons either in their cars or in the building shall provide one (1) parking space for each one hundred (100) square feet of business floor space in the building; provided there shall be at least one (1) parking space for each serving unit., In restaurants a serving unit shall be two (2) stools, one (1) booth, one (1) table, or one (1) walk up window. For dance halls and recreational areas, one (L) parking space for each one hundred (100) square feet of floor area. Two (2) or more establishments may provide necessary parking space on a single parcel of land. In determining the two hundred (200) square feet of business floor space in the building, the square footage in closets, bedrooms, stairways, locker rooms and any other rooms not particularly used as a part of the business shall be excluded from the total square footage. October 7, 1980 Mayor Ratcliffe stated you have heard the recommendation of the 'Planning Commission and inquired if there was comment. There was no comment. RECOMMENDATIONS REFERRED TO Councilmember Neblett moved that the recommendation of the ORDINANCE Town Planning Commission be referred to the Ordinance Committee for COMMITTEE study and bring back a report at the next Council meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Holston, and carried. Councilmember Neblett advised he had no report for the Safety Committee. Councilmember Neblett asked that an Executive Session be held at the conclusion of the meeting on a legal matter. EXECUTIVE At 5:10 P. M. Councilmember Johnston moved that Council go SESSION into Executive Session on a legal matter at this time. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Boyd, and carried. REGULAR At 5:30 P M. Council returned to Regular Session. SESSION Councilmember Johnston reported that a study had been made of the preliminary proposals for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and some changes have been suggested which will be discussed with the Authority. Councilmember Johnston made ref erence to tle section where the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority would own and operate the pump station and force main from Radford to the equalization REGIONAL basin and the Town of Dublin and the Town of Pulaski will be charged with WW TRMT. PLANT the maintenance costs. Councilmember Johnston also made ref erence to the REPORT formula as presented in the User Agreement for the calculation of the User Charge. Councilmember Boyd moved that we authorize the town's REPS. TO ADVISE representatives, Mayor Ratcliff and Councilman Johnston, advise the Peppers BOARD OF TOWN'S Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority that the Town of Pulaski is POSITION ON USER opposed to the User Agreement as it is presently written regarding the AGREEMENT maintenance of the pump station and force main from Radford to the equalisa- tion basin, as well as the formula presented in the agreement for the calculation of User Charges. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Holston, and carried on the following vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell- Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye [1 1 ~ C-9. October 7, 1980 Councilmember Johnston reported that bids for the Veterans Hill Water Distribution System were opened "October 2, 1980, and eight (8) bids were received. Councilmember Johnston advised that Aaron J. Conner, General Contractors, Roanoke, was the low bidder; that the Engineering Department has reviewed the bids and found them to be in order and at this time are AARON J. CONNOR awaiting some response from the Urban Affairs and Health Department. Council- LOW BIDDER ON VETERAN member Johnston moved that the bid of Aaron J. Conner, General Contractor, HILL WATER SYSTEM Roanoke, in the amounf of $316,269.70 be approved, as the successful bidder on the Veterans Hill Water Distribution System. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Mitchell, and carried on the following vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Arthur L, Meadows - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye Councilmember Johnston stated it had come to his attention that according to the Town's contract with Pulaski County for treatment of sewerage, the rates charged by the Town under the Contract may be re- negotiated every two years, providing the party so desiring to re-negotiate TOWN TO shall give to the other party at least six (6) months notice in writing GIVE COUNTY NOTICE prior to the end of any two year period of its desire to re-negotiate. RE:SEWER CONTRACT Councilmember Johnston moved that the Town give the County notice in writing of its desire to re-negotiate its rates prior to the deadline, and that the details will be worked out with the Utilities Committee with a recommendation to the Council. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Graham, and carried. Councilmember.Johnston advised that the Town needs to change its TOWN TO target area for the submission and reallocation of HUD Community Block CHANGE TARGET AREA (HUD) Development Grant, since the County was successful in obtaining funding GRANT TO CO. FOR MT,OLIVETfor the Mt. Olivet Water System. Councilmember Johnston moved that this be taken under consideration by the Utilities Committee and report back to the Council. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Graham, and carried. Mayor Ratcliffe appointed and re-appointed the following members PLANNING and their terms of office, COMM. MEMBERS REAPPOINTED Member to the Town Planning Commission: Robert J. Ingram John R. Powers Mrs. Louise D,Settle Dr . A . W . Anneski A. D. Clark C. E. Boyd, Councilman H. R. Coake, Assistant Town Manager Term Expires March 1, March 1, March 1, March 1, March 1, Co-termi ~~ 1982 1983 1984 1984 1981 pus-official tenure ~~ ~~ ~: ~~ `. October 7, 1980 On motion of Councilmember Johnston, seconded by Councilmember MITCHELL Boyd, Pauline G. Mitchell was named the Town's representative to the APPOINTED TO HEALTH SYSTEMS SUB-AREA COUNCIL OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AGENCIES. Motion carried. AGENCIES At 5:45 P. M. Mayor Ratcliffe left the Council meeting and turned MAYOR it over to Vice-Mayor Graham to conclude the meeting. LEAVES MEETING Town Attorney Moore advised that a deed had been received and DEED RECD FOR recorded and payment had been made for the land for the Highland HIGHLAND TERM. WATER TANK Terrace Water Tank site from the Corlin Estate. SITE Councilmember Boyd stated a meeting would be called on the cemetery matter by the Land and Building Committee, at Mr. Moore's convenience, and a report will be made to Council later. Councilman Boyd asked Assistant Town Manager Coake to secure COAKE TO some figures for costs on a feasibility study on Annexation. Also SECURE COST FIGURES contact Mr. Jones of the Water Control Board and set up a meeting with FOR ANNEXATION him. Vice-Mayor Graham advised that Council would meet with David COUNCIL TO MEET WITH Brewster and the members of the Downtown Renovation Committee after DAVID BRENSTER the Council meeting. Assistant Tuan Manager Coake reported the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation has increased the amount of maintenance payments for streets, the previous amount for primary extensions was $3850 TOWN TO RECEIVE INCREASED per lane mile, and for other streets was $2200 per lane mile; and the PAYMENTS FOR ST. MAINTENANCiFhcrease amounts to $4193 per primary extension and $2396 for other streets per lane mile. Mr. Coake advised this will amount to a $19,300 increase in revenue for the Town during fiscal year 1980-81. Assistant Town Manager Coake advised that in reply to a request HIGHWAY DEPT. by the Town, the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation have UNABLE TO ASSIST IN notified the Town it will not be able to participate in the improvement RT. 11 & THORNSPG. of the intersection of Alum Springs Road and Route 11. PROJECT At 5:55 P. M. Councilmember Neblett moved that Council adjourn from Regular Session, and look at the information which David COUNCIL grewwter had to offer. Motion was seconded by Councilman Wallace, and MEETS WITH D. BREWSTER carried. APPROVED : ,..~ ///) A ST: Ma r Ratcliffe ~` Clerk o~ Council