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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-79,~ ~~ Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held September 4, 1979 at 4:00 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. Brookmeyer, William A. House, C. E. Boyd, Jr., James M. Neblett, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Jr. Absent: Councilman Arthur L. Meadows Also present: J. E. Marshall, Town Manager Gladys R. Dalton, Clerk G~.rnett S. Moore, Town Attorney H. R. Coake, Assistant Town Manager Roger A. Williams, Town Treasurer Visitors: Dave Vascek, Barbara English, Lori Kinnan of the News Media Elzie Turman, Bill Norris, Robert E. Alley, et als The invocation was given by Councilman House. The minutes of the regular meeting of August 21, 1979 MINUTES APPROVED were approved as recorded. As there was no one present who wished to be heard at this time, Mayor Ratcliff called for Committee reports. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilman Graham advised he had no report for the Utilities Committee, but that the Committee needed to meet with the Finance Committee regarding the I&I Costs. Councilman Brookmeyer reported the Recreation Committee met RECREATION August 23rd - several matters were discussed, one of which was '"fees", COMM. REPORT but more information was needed bef ore a report could be made to Council. Councilman Wallace advised he had been contacted by Robert E. Alley of Overton Drive, who advised him that he keeps gravel at the end of Overton Drive as well as keeps the gravel spread out because GRAVEL ON cars making the turn throw the gravel in all directions which could OVERTON DRIVE REF. TO ST. cause injuries. After some discussion of this situation Councilman COMMITTEE Neblett moved that the matter be referred to the Street Committee for report at the next meeting of Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brookmeyer, and carried. Councilman Wallace inquired regarding the removal of a STATE HWY. OFFICIALS portion of the median strip along Route 99 (East Main Street) in DO NOT RECOMMEND REMOVAL OF MEDIAN ON RT. 99 September 4, 1979 ~f front of New River Valley Home Improvement, and Town Manager Marshall advised this was only the removal of the end of the median strip. Mr. Marshall gave a f urther report on a recent meeting with the Highway District Traffic Engineer, who, at the time of the meeting a'nd in a letter to H. R. Coake, urged the Town not to remove any other section of the median strip along Route 99 as it was felt to do so would increase traffic accidents. Councilman Wallace moved that the Town not disregard the removal RT. 99 of the median strip along Route 99, and that it be ref erred to the Street MEDIAN STRIP REMOVAL Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. REF . TO STREET There was discussion relative to the hazardous traffic situation COMMITTEE on Route 11 opposite the Medical Clinic and the sign warning traffic from the Clinic not to use the crossover. This crossover was left at this location for the convenience of traffic from Pleasant Hill Drive going east, and traffic from the Clinic was directed to use the next crossover RT. II f or returning to Town or proceeding west. Councilman Boyd moved that the CROSSOVER AT CLINIC "cut through" or crossover at Pleasant Hill Drive on Route 11, near the TO BE STUDY OF ST. corporate limits, be ref erred to the Street Committee for discussion and COMMITTEE study. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. Councilman Johnston advised the Land and Buildings Committee had PINEHURST scheduled a meeting for September 6th to discuss ownership of Pinehurst CEMETERY Cemetery. Councilman Johnston further stated that a letter from the Corps of Engineers to Bill Norris, Engineer for Coleman Furniture Corporation, indicated that to get the inf ormation which he had requested would cost DATA FROM 286.00 and Mr. Norris had re uested the Town to CORPS OF $ q pay this amount. Mr. ENGRS. RE: Norris advised that he felt the information requested, survey data, PEAK CREEK TO COST computer runs and hydraulic analysis, could be used to verify or challenge $286.00; the figures used by the Corps of Engineers in determining the Town of TO BE 1~ OKED AT BY P, NAN-Pulaski's Flood Plain. CE COMN! Councilman Neblett recommended and moved that the Land and Buildings Committee look at this request, and possibly meet with the Finance Committee, and bring back a recommendation to the Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Boyd. J APPROVE SPENDING $286.00 FOR DATA INFO FROM CORPS OF ENGINEERS COMM. TO REPORT ON MILEAGE COST FOR USE OF PERSONAL AUTomBILE FOR TOWN USE LOOK INTO TOILET FACS. F OR LANDFILL OPR . September 4, 1979 Councilman Wallace made a substitute motion: That the Town spend the sum of $286.00 to get this inf ormation for Mr. Norris to be computerized, with a report to the Town on his findings. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, 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 - Absent John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr.- Aye Councilman Graham stated the Town may have to hire consultants to help analyze and get this report together. Councilman House advised that the Town in the past has paid 12C a mile for use of personal automobiles when on Town business, and it was felt in view of the price of gasoline today, the 12~ a mile is rather antiquated, and suggested it be upped to 15C a mile. Mr. House advised the Mayor is expected to use his personal automobile for town business. Some members of Council felt that the 12C a mile should be raised to 17C a mile, while others inquired as to the a~~~ount allowed by the State and Federal for income tax purposes. Councilman Graham moved, seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, that the Town Manager and Finance Committee make an investigation of the charge before the next Council meeting. Motion carried. Councilman Boyd advised that the Pollution and Sanitation Committee had not met, but as Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Boyd asked Town Manager Marshall to determine the possibilities of having Item 26 - "Approved Sanitary Facilities Available" removed from the State's Solid Waste Disposal Site Inspection Report of the Town's Landf i 11 . CouDcilman Boyd advised that he would like to put the following recommendations, responsibilities, or alternatives in the form of a motion. Move that a five (S) member Committee, consisting of two Councilmen, two Town citizens, the Town Manager, or the Assist. BOYD RECOMMENDS STUDY OF Town Manager, or Town Treasurer, be appointed to look into the f ollow- ANNEXATION, ETC. & NOMINATING ing four (4) re¢~ommendations, responsibilities or alternatives: COMM. TO BRING IN NAMES No. 1 - To Contact property owners in the eastern section of FOR COMMITTEE TO STUDY SAME Pulaski, who are residents of Pulaski County, to see if they would i 1 1 1 ANNEXATION No. 2 - Look into the possibility of the Town of Pulaski becoming a September 4, 1979 649. voluntarily be interested in being annexed by the Town of Pulaski - This area would include from Lowe's Food Store back to Warden Springs, and back to Peak Creek, and include the new Edens Distributing Works, X-Aloy, Pulaski Apparel, Virginia National Bank and Krogers, all of which are now receiving some Town services and the Town is losing tax dollsrs because they are outside the corporate limits. City - what the cast would be in obtaining City status. Find out what is involved in becoming a City and the cost to the Town for schools, welfare, etc. No. 3 - After collecting all information possible, go before the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors in an "open session" and request them OR to make a study to see if it would be feasible to consolidate the Town and 1 County into one form of government. If the first two alternatives prove not to be feasible, then in open session request the County to make a consolida- CITY STATUS tion study, in order that the action of the Boare will be made in open session and not tabled for study. The County should make the study inasmuch as Town citizens are also County citizens and taxpayers. No. 4 - As soon as inf ormation is available on each of the three (3) Responsibilities named above, the Committee will report back to Council in an open session as all other Commmittees do. Councilman Boyd stated Mayor Ratcliff and Councilman House will ~~ represent the Council on September 10th in a meeting with the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Dublin to discuss the Town of Pulaski's share of the return of the tax dollar, and it was felt this Council must answer this call with the above recommendations throug a Committer. Mr. Boyd stated he felt Council must not sit back and accept this without a stand, and that Council must not be followers but must be leaders for the 'f Town's citizens. Council must be in a position to know what alternatives are available and what the adverse consequences are by not implementing the best decision possible. Councilman Boyd moved that a Committee be appointed and the four COMM. TO responsibilities, as outlined, be assigned to the Committee, to bring back BE APPOINT'- a report to Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and ED carried on the following vote: ~~~'~ September 4, 1979 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 - Absent John _A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr.- Aye Councilman Brockmeyer moved that the Nominating Committee bring in a list of names for the formation of the Committee as requested by NOMINATING COMMITTEE TO Councilman Boyd. Motion was seconded by Councilman Boyd, and FURNISH LIST F OR COMMITTEE carried. At the request of Councilman Meadows, Town Manager Marshall gave the following report for the Ordinance Committee. The Ordinance Committee met on Tuesday, August 28th with a representa- tive from Blue & White Cabs to discuss their recent rate increase request. In reporting for Mr. Meadows, First, he does not approve of the present policy of the Company and that is the drivers getting 40% and the Company 60% of the fares. He recognizes that this is a REPORT OF Company policy. Second, he is not in favor of the higher rates ORDINANCE COMMITTEE RE: requested by the Company. Here again, he recognizes that the Company REQ . OF TAXICAB F OR INCREASE has had a number of operating cost increases, however as stated earlier should there be come adjustment from the 60-40 standpoint, more operating money would come into the Company. Simply stated, each time there is a rate increase in taxi fares, 40% of this goes to the drivers. Looking back just recently (within the past twelve months) should the rate increase that has been requested be granted this & REFERRED could mean that in some instances a rAther sizeable salary increase for BACK TO drivers will be had. Also, the request was received from only one ORDINANCE company at this time. COMMITTEE Councilman Boyd moved that the increase as requested of 25C per trip be granted. Councilman Boyd withdrew his motion, and Council- man Wallace moved that the request for a rate increase be referred back to the 'Ordinance Committee to bring in a recommendation by the next meeting of Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried on the following vote: Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Flair B. Brockmeyer - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Robert M. Wallace - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Absent John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett, J r. Aye September 4, 1979 X64:91 ~ E~ Councilman Neblett had no report. Councilman Neblett advised that he felt the letter or Lt, Martin which appeared in the local news- COPIES OF paper's open forum column should be recognized, and suggested that copies LT.MARTIN be made available to the members of Council and the matter would be LETTER TO NEWS- discussed at a later meeting of Council. PAPER MADE AVAILABLE Mayor Ratcliff advised that all easements had been secured for TO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL the approaches to the New River Valley Airport. Town Manager Marshall reported that a ten year street lighting agreement for the Town had been received from Appalachian Power Company, APCO. ST. effective October 19, 1979. Mr. Marshall stated the proposed agreement LIGHTING had been reviewed by the Town Attorney and everything seems to be in CONTRACT" APPROVED order. He recommended the adoption of the proper resolution, and execu- tion of the agreement on behalf of the town. Councilman Neblett so moved, seconded by Councilman House, 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 - Absent John A. Johnston - Aye James M.Neblett, Jr. - Aye Town Manager Marshall reported that all persons who were se nt letters inquiring if they would serve on a Committee to work on the LETTERS Downtown Renovation have indicated their willingness to serve, with the TO DOf~NTOWexce tion of one and this COMMITTEE p ~ person has not been heard from. Mr. Marshall stated that if Mr. Brockmeyer had another name to offer in place of this one, it might be in order for Council to appoint this committee in order that it may proceed with getting a scope of work together for presenta- tion to the Council. & SOME Councilman Brockmeyer moved that Mary Cox, Eugene L. Nuckols, ANSWERED J. E. Marshall, Ben C. Tate, Betty Sadler (Mrs. John), H. R. Coake and John WILLING R, powers, who have indicated their willingness to serve on the Downtown TO SERVE Renovation Committee, be accepted as members of the Downtown Renovation Committee, to move forward in preparing a scope of work and duties, and that they report directly to the Town Council. 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 - Absent John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. Aye i~''~~i2 September 4, 1979 Town Manager Marshall reported that the Engineering Department staff along with Town Attorney Moore are proceeding WINDSOR with obtaining easements from .property owners along Windsor Circle CIRCLE EASEMENTS f or the installation of a sewer line, and as soon as these have been BEING SECURED received the project will be reviewed with the Utility Committee and a recommendation made to Council. At 6:00 P. M. Councilman Neblett moved that Council adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman House, and carried. APPRnVED: ~~ yor a cl ff ATTEST: i Clerk o~~Council 1 1 1