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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-786222 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held June 20, 1978 at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding. Councilmen: John A. Johnston, Blair B. Brockmeyer, C. William Hickam, Jr., Bob J. Clark, Arthur L. Meadows, James M. Neblett, Jr., William A. House, Andrew L. Graham, Jr. Also present: Town Manager: J. E. Marshall Clerk: Gladys R. Dalton Town Attorney: Garnett S. Moore Town Treasurer: Roger Williams Councilmen-elect: Bob Wallace and C. E. Boyd, Jr. Visitors: Jane Graham, WPUV Radio Station Chas. Hite, Roanoke Times J. R. Schrader, Southwest Times Approximately ten citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Brockmeyer. The minutes of the regular meeting of June 6, 1978 were approved as recorded. PUBLIC H,_.ARING Mayor Ratcliffe stated this was the time and place for Council to hold a public hearing on the request of Ronald Aust for rezoning of his property in the Brookmont section. Mayor R . AUS T REZONING REQ. Ratcliffe called on Town Manager Marshall for a report from DENIED the Town Planning Commission on this matter. Town Manager Marshall reported the Planning Commission held its public hearing on May L, 1978 to hear comments from the public concerning the rezoning request, from R-2 to M-1. Mr. Marshall stated that the Planning Commission recommended that: "After careful consideration of the request and review of the comments made during the public hearing, it is the decision of the Planning Commission to recommend the zoning not be changed. This recommendation is made after objection to the proposed rezoning was expressed by residents of the area during the public hearing". Mayor Ratcliffe inquired if there was anyone present who wished to speak either for or against the rezoning request. Charles Dalton advised Council that two petitions were presented to the Planning Commission, one containing eighteen names and the other twenty names of residents in that area who were opposed June 20, 1978 6~2~ to the rezoning of this property. Mr. Dalton also stated County and State regulations require that SO ft. roads be maintained in subdivisions and trailer parks and the present road is only 30 ft. wide. Mr. Dalton also stated the area is in the Flood Plain area. Charles Hall also opposed the request for rezoning on the ground that it would devalue his property. Obel Ratcliffe, a Real Estate Broker, stated he did not live PUBLIC HEARING in the area, but there are two trailer parks now in existence in that area and felt that another park would only add to the traffic congestion and felt it would be a hazard for the community. Douglas Collins, who spoke for Ronald Aust, advised Council R. AUST there is a need for another trailer park in the area and that Mr. Aust planned to provide space for 12 or 15 trailers. Also, there were REZONING plans for improving the roads. Mrs. Jerry Dalton, who owns Lot 13, asked that the record show she opposed the trailer park. Elton Hanks, who lives on Henry Avenue, also opposed the re- zoning for a trailer park, and stated that he thought two was enough. Mayor Ratcliffe asked Council what was their pleasure in the matter. Councilman Brockmeyer moved that Council accept the recommenda- COUNCIL. ACCEPTS tion of the PlanningCommission. Motion was seconded by Councilman RECOMMENDA- TION OF Johnston, and carried on the f ollowing vote: PLANNING COMM. C. William Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr.: - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett,Jr.- Aye Mayor Ratcliff then advised Council would hold its public hearing on the rezoning request of Marshall Welding Supplies, that Lots 68 thru 70 and the portion of Lots 66 & 67 presently zoned B-2, all be re- PUBLIC zoned M-1 Industrial. HEARING ON Town Manager Marshall reported the Planning Commission held its ZONING REQ. OF MARSHALL public hearing on June S, 1978 and recommended that "After careful consider- WELDING SUPPLIES & ation of this request and reviewing the comments made during the public COUNCIL ACCEPTS hearing, it is the decision of the Planning commission to recommend RECOMMENDA- PLANNIING the zoning be changed as requested". COMMISSION 6224 June 20, 1978 No one spoke against the rezoning request, and Millard Spence, owner of Marshall Welding Supplies, advised his company owned 2100 sq. ft. in that area which was zoned M-l, and this area of 4000 sq. ft. was the only piece of property in that area that MARSHALL wasn't zoned M-1. WELDING SUPPLIES REQ. FOR REZONING Councilman Clark moved that the recommendation of the APPROVE D Planning Commission be accepted. Motion was seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried on the following vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. -Aye William A. House - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye Blair B. Brookmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M.Neblett, Jr.-Aye Councilman Clark moved that the Town Attorney be directed to prepare the proper zoning ordinate and map to carry out the re- zoning process. Motion was seconded by Councilman Meadows, and carried., Mayor Ratcliffe inquired if there was anyone present who wished to speak on any matter that was not on the agenda. No one spoke and Mayor Ratcliffe called for Committee reports. Councilman Hickam explained that the request of T. J. McCarthy, Jr. for the closing of a portion of Gemmell Avenue in the east section of the Town was delayed pending the outcome of the rezoning request of Claremont Corporation, T. J. McCarthy, Jr., STREET COMM. and Cecil Breedlove, from R-2 to B~2. Mr. Hickam stated that the RECOMMENDED GEMMELL AVE. three viewers, appointed by Council, recommended that the closing BE CLOSED AS REQUESTED of this portion of Gemmell Avenue lying between the boundaries of the two parcels of real estate owned by the Petitioners would cause no inconvenience to anyone if closed for a distance of 381 feet. However, if closed for a distance of 581, there will be some in- convenience to tr:e Dalton property at the corner of Gemmell and Thomas Streets. Mr. Hickam stated that Duane Dalton had now jointed in the rezoning request for his property - Lots 48 and 49 - and it was felt there would be no objection on his part to the closing of the street. It was the recommendation of the Street Committee that Gemmell Avenue be closed as requested by T. J. McCarthy, Jr., conditioned upon the receipt of a.letter from June 20, 1978 6225 Duane Dalton stated he desires that portion also be closed; that the Town Attorney be directed to prepare the proper papers for closing the street for Council's next meeting, and that the Town has in writing a letter fr_m Mr. Dalton. Councilman Hickam stated this was his motion, seconded by Councilman Clark, and carried on the follow- ing vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M.Neblett,Jr. - Aye Councilman Hickam stated he would like to discuss with Cou ncil a matter at the close of the meeting. Reporting for the Utilities Committee, Councilman Graham UTILITIES stated a meeting was held with ~ tubers of the Gallimore Subdivision re- COMMITTEE REPORTS ON garding water services and there appears to be some legal questions GALLIMORE SUBDIVISION which must be answered. Mr. Graham asked that an executive session REG. WATER SERVICE - be held at the end of the meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilman Brockmeyer called for a meeting of the Pollution REQUESTED and Sanitation Committee for Monday, June 26th at 5:00 P. M. to discuss P6LLUTION the landfill and its possible expansion. COMM. MEETING TO BE HELD Councilman Brockmeyer asked Town Manager Marshall to look into a storm water problem at 600 Birch Street. Councilman Brockmeyer moved that the first meeting of Council in July which falls on the Fourth of July Holiday, be rescheduled to July 5, 1978 at 7:00 P. M. Motion was seconded by Councilman Johnston. JULY 5TH SCHEDULED FOR In the discussion that followed, Mr. Brockmeyer stated several REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF citizens had requested that the meeting be held at 7:00 P. M. in order COUNCIL that they could attend. There was discussion relative to the fiscal year beginning on July 1st and if this would cause any problems and TIE VOTE Attorney Moore stated it would not. The vote resulted in a tie, as DECIDED BY follows: MAYOR C. William Hickam, Jr. - No. William A. House - No Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Cla rk - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - No John A. Johnston - Aye James M. N eblett,Jr.-No Mayor Ratcliffe stated because there seems to have been some question about holding the meeting on Saturday, he would vote in favor of holding the meeting on Wednesday,. July 5th at 7:00 P. M. Councilman Johnston stated he had nothing further to report on the Flood Insurance Program and the public hearin recently held, but he was 622 June 20, 1 78 concerned that the Council needed to set a public hearing on this COUNCILMAN JOHNSTON ASKS and time as running short, for Council to make a decision on the COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON FLLOD INS. matter on way or another in order that the August 1st deadline MATTER TO MEET AUGUST 1 can be me Mr. Johnston asked for a discussion on the matter. DEADLINE yor Ratcliffe stated that State Senator D~.~tny Bird had indicated there are some other avenues to be looked into on this matter . T wn Manager Marshall stated he had been attempting for the last eek oi~ so to schedule a meeting with Congressman Wampler a d Council to discuss the flood insurance program CONGRESSMAN WAMPLER TO matter. r. Marshall further suggested that in view of the ~~EET WITH time invo ved for setting a public hearing, that Council go on COUNCIL RE: FLOOD INS. record as requesting the Fllod Insurance Administration in Washingt D. C. to conduct an economic impact flood study, and also req est an extension of the August 1st deadline for Council to adopt the Flood Insurance. Councilman Johnston so moved, seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried on the following vote: . William Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye ndrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye lair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye ohn A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett,Jr.-Aye ouncilman House then moved that the public hearing on PUBLIC HEARING the Floo InsuY~ance Program be scheduled for July 18, 1978 at ON FLOOD INS . PROGRAM 7:00 P. and proper notice be given. Motion was seconded by Councilor n Johnston, and carried on the following vote: . Wil]_iam Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye ndrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye lair 13. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye ohn A. Johnston - Aye James M.Neblett,Jr.- Aye ounci:lman Johnston suggested that Town Manager Marshall contact enato~rs Harry Byrd and William Scott and Congressman Wampler y letter on this matter. ouncilman House stated there were some appropriations in order, nd moved that there be appropriated from Revenue Sharing APPROPRIATIONS APPROVED BY Funds t Revenue Sharing Expenditure Accounts and amounts, as COUNCIL FROM RE~1. SH. FUNDS follows' 4014 - Accounting -Billing Equipment ~ 8.00 4045 - Radio Equipment-Fire Dept. 3.86 4060 - Fire Training Tower- 8,576.61 4064 - Snow Removal 7,117.39 4073 - Replace Firehouse Roof 1,203.05 Total $ 16,908.91 i _~ June 20, 1978 X22'7 Motion was seconded by Councilman Neblett, and carried on the foilow- ing vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M.Neblett,Jr.- Aye Councilman House moved that the Finance Director be authorized to reimburse the General Fund for actual expenditures previously appro- GENERAL priated from Revenue Sharing Funds in the following amounts and FUND TO BE REIMBURSED accounts: FROM REV . SHARING ~~4038 - Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter $ 144.00 FUNDS ~~4047 - Landfill Seeding 84.00 ~~4951 - Office Machines 345.00 ~~4060 - Fire Tower 16,576.61 ~~4064 - Snow Removal 7,786.63 ~~4067 - Chemical Feeders 4,355.00 ~~4073 - Replace Firehouse Roof 1,870.72 ~~4005 - Police Cars 10,045.16 Total $ 41,207.12 Motion was seconded by Councilman Clark, and carried on the following vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - Aye William A. House - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Bob J. Clark - Aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - Aye John A. Johnston - Aye James M. Neblett,Jr.-Aye Councilman Clark stated a report was made to Council several weeks ago regarding the installation of lights for the basketball court and one tennis court at the Central Elementary School Building, and asked Town Manager Marshall to make a report on this. Mr. Marshall advised the original discussion was with regard to installing six dusk-to-dawn lights to be installed by the Appala- Chian Power Company, and in checking on this with them the cost would REPORT OF TOWN MGR. be $60.00 per month, und er a three year contract. The alternative ON INSTALLATION to this was to purchase the lights for $125.00 each, with bulbs, and OF LIGHTS AT TENNIS the Town install them on a swithh. Mr. Marshall suggested that the CTS . ON W. MAIN ST. possibility of stringing some lights that would focus directly on the playing area, that could be attached to the existing poles and side of the building, and which he felt would be much less expensive costwise. He advised that cost estimates would be secured for Council on this basis. Councilman Meadows had no report.. However, he stated the ORDINANCE Committee is still receiving and collecting inf ormation regarding the COMM. REPORT DOG LEASH dog leash law, and hoped to have some inf ormation at the next Council LAW meeting. 628 June 20, 1978 ORDINANCE Mr Meadows asked the Ordinance Committee to meet on June COMMITTEE TO MEET 27th, at 4.00 P. M. Co~.ncilma.n Neblett had no report. r Ratcliffe advised there were seven members of REPORT ON Council wh atten:ded the Instit?ufe of Local Government at Blacks- LOCAL GOVT. SEMINAR burg, and poke briefly about the meeting. To n Attorney Moore advised there were legal matters to be LEGAL MATTERS discussed ith Council during its Executive Session. To Manager Marshall advised there were 2 employees 65 and TWO over (Glad s R. Dalton and Winford H. Morris), who are still working EMPLOYEES GRANTED PERMISSION under the erms of the Town's Retirement Plan, and each July lst TO WORK Council re iews this to allow them to work another year. Councilman House so m~ved, seconded by Councilman Clark, and carried. To n Manager Marshall advised the Planning Commission and Council he d a joint public hearing on the request that the area where Tom's Driv -In i:; located, be rezoned from R-2 to B-2. Mr. Marshall stated thePlanni.ng Commission at their meeting on June 5th discussed PLANNING COMMISSION the reques and i.t was the decision of the Commission to recommend RECOMMENDS VARIANCE that the a ea not: be rezoned due to the objections of residents FOR EXPAN- SION OF expressed t the public hearing held with Council. Further, it TOM'S DRIVEIN was stated that during the public hearing it appeared to the Planning C~mmiss on that the residents would not oppose the ex- gansion ofthe building, although they did not want it rezoned, and the Commis ion di_d not want to place a hardship on the business operation nd suggested that a review of the situation be made to determine f the Town Council could permit the expansion. Mr. Marshall sated the matter is now with the Ordinance Committee for recommendation to Council. .1 Mr Marshall spoke briefly on the sewage treatment plant MEETING RE: SEWAGE TR. facility p an anti the hope of arranging a meeting shortly with the PLT. EXPANSION Water Cont of rei~resentatives and Town Council regarding the supplement- al study t at is presently being considered by EPA and the Water Control Board. establishment of a parking lot by the Pa>~king Authority PARKING AUTHORITY DEVELOPING PARKING LOT COR . JEFF . & MAIN STS . at the corer of Main and Jefferson Avenue was discussed briefly. The Town i~ actually doing the work but the Parking Authority will June 20, 1978 ~~2~ pay the comet of establishing the parking lot. FINANCIAL Town Manager Marshall gave a financial report on the Town's REPORT finances thru May 31, 1978. Councilman Hickam presented "an idea" for Council's considera- tion. He stated the present proposal of a 5% salary increase across--the- board for Town employees and a 3% merit raise on their anniversary date, COUNCILMAN HICKAM'S would cost the Town approximately $88,000 when Social Security and SUGGESTION FOR SALARY Retirement costs are added. However, the net take home pay under INCREASE TO EMPLOYEES that increase would amount to only $64,000 when income taxes and social PRESENTED TO COUNCIL security deductions are made. As an alternative, Mr. Hickam suggested that Council raise the take home pay by paying the 6% social security tax for the employee, which would slightly lower the net take home pay increase, of approxi- mately $52,000. Under this plan Mr. Hickam stated there would be a $28,000 savings to the Town, which he stated would allow the Town to reduce a proposed increase in property taxes, which is expected to generate $27,000 in revenue for the next fiscal year. Mr. Hickam stated this plan would not reduce the proposed increase in real estate tax from ~1,80/~100 to $2.50/$100. Mr. Hickam advised that he plans to put this plan in the form of a motion at the public hearing on the proposed budget to be held on June 22, 1978. At 8:45 P. M, on motion of Councilman Graham, seconded by EXECUTIVE Councilman Neblett, and carried, Council went into executive session. SESSION At 9:35 P. M. Councilman Hickam moved, seconded by Councilman Neblett, that Council return to regular session. Motion was carried. REGULAR SESSION tit 9:36 P. M. Mayor Ratcliffe declared Council to again be in regular session and inquired if there was other business to come bef ore ADJOURNMENT the Council at this time. There being none, Councilman Clark moved at 9:37 P. M., seconded by Councilman Neblett, that Council adjourn. Motion was carried. APPROVED: -':~ V ,. ~ / , ATTEST: Mayor Ratcliffe 1- . ~ ~, Clerk b Council