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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-786352 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held December 19,.1978 at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliff, presiding. Councilmen: John A. Johnston, Robert M. Wallace, Blair B. Brockmeyer, Andrew L. Graham, Jr., William. A. House, C. E. Boyd, Jr., Arthur L. Meadows, James M. Neblett, Jr. Also present: Town Manager: J. E. Marshall Clerk: Gladys R. Dalton Town Treasurer: Roger Williams Visitors: Jane Graham, WPUV Radio Station Dave Vascek,.Southwest Times Charles Hite, Roanoke Times & World News E. V. Davis Herman Largen INVOCATION The invocation was given by Councilman Boyd. The minutes of the special meeting of December 1 and regular meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 4, 1978 were approved as recorded. Mayor Ratcliff advised that as had been advertised in the local newspaper, this was the time and place for Council to hold its PUBLIC HEARING public hearing for the purpose of determining the number of public ON TAXICABS vehicles, taxicabs and for hire cars for which Certificates of Necessity and Convenience shall Ene issued for the year 1979, as well as to whom such Certificates would be issued. Mayor Ratcliff called on Town Manager Marshall for a report on the applications received. Town Manager Marshall reported that applications had been 21 received for twenty-one (21) Cabs, as follows: Blue & White Cabs - 17; APPLICATIONS RECEIVED Deluxe Cabs - 3; and E. V. Davis Cabs - 1. Mr. Marshall stated further AND RECOMMENDED that the Police Department report on the maintenance and operation BE GRANTED of the Cabs in operation during 1978 was presented to council at its meeting on December 4th, which report indicated that no complaints had been received by the Police Department concerning the operation of the Cabs, and based upon this information recommended that twenty- one (21 Certificates be issued, as requested. Mr. Marshall stated an inquiry was received as of that date as to the filing of an application in the Cab business. Councilman Boyd moved that Council accept the twenty-one (21) 21 TAXICAB applications for Certificates of Necessity and Convenience for the year CERTIFICATES GRANTED FOR 1979 U' a7 1.~ December 19, 1979 1979, and that the Certificates be issued as follows: Seventeen to Blue & White Cabs; Three (3) to Deluxe Cabs, and One (1) to E. V. Davis Cabs. Motion was seconded by Councilman Wallace, and carried on the following .vote: Andrew L. Graham, Jr. -Aye William A. House - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer -. Aye . C. E. Boyd, Jr. = Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. -Aye Councilman Neblett advised that a request had been received from Blue & White Cabs for a 15C increase in taxi fare, and moved that this TAXICAB RATE INCREA_request be referred to the Ordinance Committee. Motion was seconded by SE REF . TO ORD.; Councilman Graham, and carried. COMM. Mayor Ratcliff called for Committee reports. Councilman Graham asked Town Manager Marshall if the upgrading of FACILITY the Facility Plan would be completed by January 1, 1979? Town Manager PLAN TO BE REAP Marshall stated that he had talked with Mr. Dodl of Wiley & Wilson BY JANL~1 1979 during the past week and he was advised that they are proceeding with the report and hoped to have it by the end of January, 1979. In answer to a question from Councilman Graham, Town Manager TAYLOR ST. & RT. I1. Marshall advised the plans and specifications for the Taylor Street WATER & SEWER Water Line are in the process of being completed, as well as those for PROJECTS REPORT the Route 11 Sewer Line. Mr. Marshall stated it was necessary to have approval of the Health Department on the sewer line and easements would have to be prepared for property owners' signatures bef ore proceeding with construction. In response to an inquiry from Ray Wilson relative to the TOWN MGR. Medallian Drive maintenance, Councilman Graham moved that this be looked TO LOOK INTO MTN. at with the Town Manager and a report made to Council. Motion was seconded by OF MEAALLIAN DRIVE & Councilman House, and carried. REPORT TO COUNCIL Councilman Brookmeyer reported the Recreation Committee is waiting on cost estimates for. the maintenance of Calf ee Park, as well as waiting to see if Marion, Virginia would get a baseball team for the PROBASEBALL CLUB upcoming season, and it was hoped to talk with Recreation Director Bane REPORT soon thereafter.. Councilman Wallace reported the Street Committee met earlier in NO RE T ON EX OF the day regarding a request from citizens on Elizabeth Street who asked ELIZ TH ST. that Appletree Street be extended in order to provide more parking space. December 19, 1978 6~~4 Mr. Wallace stated no decision was made on this, but it was hoped to have this solved during January. Councilman Johnston stated he had no formal report. He LETTERS TO stated letters have been written to Senators regarding the Flood SENATORS RE: FLOOD PLAIN Insurance Program, but there was nothing to report on this at this time. Councilman House had no report. Councilman Boyd reported the Pollution and Sanitation Committee had not met, but recognized a letter from Town Manager Marshall, copy of which was sent.to all members of Council, con- RE: LETTER FROM cerning the report from the State Health Department' investigation STATE HEALTH DEPT. RE: ODOR of the odor problem complained about by Mrs. Dorothy Roop recently, AT SEWAGE TR. PLANT and from the contents of the letter it was felt the town's sewage treatment plant is being operated properly. Councilman Boyd advised that at the end of the meeting he would REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE ask for an executive session with Roger Williams in attendance, and SESSION also discuss a Recreation matter. Councilman Meadows had no report. Councilman Neblett, as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, advised that the Committee had met on several occasions during the past few weeks, and wished to respond to the recommenda- SAFETY COMM. tions made by Councilman Brockmeyer to the Mayor and Members of RESPONDS TO LETTER FROM the Town Council regarding the operation of the Town's Police COUNCILMAN BROCKMEYER Department, RE: POLICE CHIEF CHILDRESS Recommendation No. 1. Establish a screening committee & OPERATION OF POL. DEPT. composed of civilians and law enf orcement officers to review all incoming applications. Mr. Neblett advised the Committee felt that the procedure being followed at this time is proper and thorough and it was also felt that sufficient personnel is available-.to do this and that outside help is not needed at this time. Recommendation No. 2. Require psychological testing for all applicants after the initial interview period with the Chief. Mr. Neblett advised that a number of Departments have been December 19, 1978 ~~ J'~ c®ntacted throughout the State of Virginia and there are possibly one or two departments doing this. However, the Committee questioned the legality of testing a persons mental abilities at this time. Recommendation No. 3. Provide empathy training for all officers, including dispatchers. Mr. Neblett advised that the Committee desires to investigate and look into the possibility of some form of empathy training for police personnel through a program offered by the Twlephone Company, and will pursue this method to see if this has merit for town's personnel. Recommendation No. 4. Develop a viable procedure for the, SAFETY idOMM. dissemination of follow-up information to the victims of criminal acts. REPORT Mr. Neblett advised the Committee was in agreement with this recommendation and hoped to make a report as soon as some investigation CONTD. can be made. Mr. Neblett reported the Committee had also considered POLICE and will explore the Police Academy course being offered by the New Riv er Community College as well as a f ormal physical fitness program DEPT . for all employees. Mr. Neblett advised there is a person on the staff who is capable of conducting such a program, and this will be looked into to see what can be done on a small basis. Councilman Brookmeyer thanked the Committee for their considera- tion and efforts in this matter. Report of Town Manager: One-half of the short-term note of $100,000.00 ($50,000) had been paid off at the Virginia National Bank. The Engineering staff is in the process of preparing the pre- application and application for Community Development Block Grants for ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION the Mt. Olivet Road Distribution System; Veteran's Hill Water Dis- RE: APPLICATION FOR GRANT F tribution System and Cool Spring Water Distribution System, and it is THREE WATE~ DISTRIBUT N necessary that Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the Town Manager, SYSTEMS or his authorized representative, to file said preapplication and application for said grants. Mr. Marshall stated it was quite possible that only one program will be funded. The Resolution was read to Council by Mr. Marshall, and Councilman House moved its adoption. Motion was seconded by Councilman Johnston, and carried on the following vote: Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Blair B. Brookmeyer - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A., Johnston. - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. - Aye December 19, 1978 s~~ ~i~ RESOLUTION a+; . WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grants Program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development GRANTS provides for one hurrlred percent (1000 direct grants to local units of government, and; R ES OLUTION WHEREAS, the Town Council of the.Town_of Pulaski, Virginia, is desirous of filing a preapplication and application for the follow~.ng projects: 1. Mt. Olivet Water Distribution Systeq~, and 2. Veteran's Hill Water Distribution System, and 3. Cool Springs Water Distribution System. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Council of the Town of Pulaski, meeting in regular session on this the 19th day of December, 1978, that the Town Manager, or his authorized repre- sentative, is hereby authorized to file a preapplication and application for said grant. Town's Grievance Procedure for town employees being re- GRIEVANCE PLAN BEING STUDIED viewed by VPI Industrial Relations Prof essor to see if it is subs- BY VPI IND. RELATIONS tantially in agreement with the State of Virginia grievance procedure, PR OF ESS OR as recommended by the last session of the General Assembly. The Pulaski Town Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Town's Zoning Ordinance to amend Section 12-3, Conditional Use Permits of Article XII, and to re- a COUNCIL TO enact as Section 12.1-3, Reservations. Mr. Marshall advised it HOLD PUBLIC HEARING RE: was now necessary that Council hold its public hearing on this AMENDING ZONING ORDIN. proposed amendment. Councilman House moved that proper advertise- ment be made for Council to hold a~ public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Town's Zoning Ordinance to amend Section 12-3, Conditional Use Permits of Article XII and to re-enact as Section 12.1-3, Reservation, on the 16th day of January, 1979, at 7:00 PM. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. On the overall requirements being met on the preapplication and application for the Community Development Block Grants, it is COUNCIL TO HOLD PUBLIC necessary that two public hearings be held, one by the Town Planning HEARING CBD BLOCK Commission and one by Town Council. The Planning Commission has GRANTS scheduled their public hearing on January 8, 1979, and Town Manager Marshall recommended that Council hold its public hearing on this matter on January 16, 1979. Councilman House moved that Council hold a public hearing at 7:00 P. M, on January 16, 1979 on application for funds for the Community Development Block Grants. Motion was seconded by Council- man Neblett, and carried on the following vote: Andrew L. Graham, Jr .' -Aye William A. House - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett,Jr. - Aye December 19, 1978 ~~~ Application having been received as of that day from Walter H. PUBLIC AiEARING ON Foster to place a mobile home at 824 Peppers Ferry Road, and recommended WALTER HH FOSTER MOBILE ~I(DME that this request follow the usual procedure for permission to glace APPLICATION mobile homes in the corporate limits. Councilman Neblett so moved. Seconded by Councilman Graham, and carried. Councilman Boyd moved that Council go into. executive session on a personnel and legal matter. Motion was seconded by Councilman Meadows, EXECUTIVE SESSION and carried. At 8:05 P. M. Council went into executive session.: At 9:58 P. M. Council returned to regular session and Mayor REGULAR Ratcliff declared Council to again be ,in regular session and inquired SESSION if there was other business to come before the Council. There being none, Councilman House moved at 9:59 P. ;M. that ADJOURNED Council adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried. 1 APPRLNED: Mayor Ratcli~`' ATTEST: Clerk Council i,i