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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-7862"70 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 1, 1978 at 4:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliff, presiding. Councilmen: C. E. 'Boyd, Jr .,,Arthur L, Meadows, John A. Johnston, James M. Neblett, Jr,, Robert M.,Wallace, Blair B. Brockmeyer, 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 Town Engineer: H. R. Coake Visitors: Jane Graham, WPUV Radio Station Charles Hite, Roanoke Times David Vaczek, Southwest Times T. J. McCarthy, Jr., H. W. fluff, Jr., Joe Shumate, Jr. John Powers, Alan Groseclose, Howard Sadler, Duane Mink, Attorney, Obel Ratcliff, Foy Aust, Early Aust, Clem Milstead, et als. The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. The minutes of the special meetings of July 7, and July 13, regular meeting of July 18, and call meeting of July 24, 1978 were approved as recorded. Mayor Ratcliff stated Council would hear the public at this time. Howard Sadler thanked the Council for getting the lights TENNIS COURT installed at the tennis courts at the West Main Street recreation LIGHTS APPRECIATED area which he had requested several months ago. Mr. Sadler stated these lights are very much appreciated by those using the courts and that an effort is being made to keep the area decent and res- pectable. Town Manager Marshall advised that the lights go on at dusk and cut off at 10:30 P. M. Duane Mink, Attorney, on behalf or Coleman Furniture MINK OPPOSES Corporation and Virginia Block Company, advised they were opposed FLOOD PLAIN MAP to the adoption of the Flood Plain Map as proposed for the Town of Pulaski. Mayor Ratcliff then called for Committee reports. Councilman Brockmeyer reported that the Recreation Committee met July 27th with the Director of Recreation and it was determined RECREATION COMMITTEE MET; that reports from-the Director are necessary and these will be forth- REPORTS WILL BE MADE coming. Mr. Brockmeyer stated there was discussion about cutting August 1, 1978 62'71 costs as well as the participation by the County in the Town recreation program, particularly with regard to the amount of participation for this year as compared with last year, which indicated there was less County participation this year. Councilman Brockmeyer asked for a special call meeting of the SPECIAL Council for Tuesday, August 8th, at 5:00 P. M. to discuss a personnel MEETING CALLED FOR matter. Motion was seconded by Councilman House, and carried on t he AUG. 8TH 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 Wallace had no report. Councilman Johnston stated there were people present who wished to talk about the Flood Plain Management Program for the Town and stated perhaps this was the proper time to bring it up. Mr. Johnston stated further that it was his understanding that the Town had not heard from the Federal Government with regard to "pulling the map" at this particular time and in light of the fact the Town is faced with a deadline of 5:00 P. M. as of today to take action, asked Council to discuss the matter. Mr. Johnston suggested the adoption of a moratorium FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT on new construction in the flood way area for 60 days, or less, depend- PR OGRAM DISCUSSED & ing on the time necessary for the Consulting Engineers to work out a plan for JOHNSTON SUGGESTS removing the downtown area from the Flood Plain Zone. He stated this MORATORIUM would indicate to the federd. officials "good faith" on the part of the Town and allow the Town to remain in a temporary flood insurance program. Town Attorney Moore stated there were legal aspects which should EXECUTIVE be discussed prior to the adoption of a moratorium, and asked for an SESSION executive session. At 4:15 P. M. Councilman Johnston moved that Council go into executive session to discuss a legal matter. Motion was seconded by Councilman Meadows, 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 At 4:35 P. M. Council returned to the Council Chambers and Mayor Ratcliff declared Council to again be in regular session. 622 Augus t 1, 1978 Councilman Johnston moved that the Council adopt an ordinance, to be read by Mr. Moore, Town Attorney, dealing with the Flood Plain Management Study. Motion was seconded by Councilman Boyd. Town Attorney Moore read the ordinance in its entirety and Mayor Ratcliff asked the members of Council to speak first and then hear the public. Councilman Graham stated he would like to hear from the public. John Powers stated he had listened to the reading of the ordinance by Mr. Moore, but that he could not digest all of it; that he was not familiar with the errors which have been found, and advised that he thought it might serve the same purpose if the Council would table this matter for 60 days, rather than adopt STRONG the moratorium ordinance. OPPOSITION Mayor Ratcliff stated he favored the moratorium because TO MORATORIUM it would give the Consulting Engineers time to prove to the Corps RE: FLOOD PLAIN of Engineers that they had not given the proper study to the Town; MANAGEMENT that a staff member of the Corps was on vacation this week which PROGRAM has held up the Engineers; that Mr. Lally is concerned about the information given on the 24th, all of which meant they could not make a determination on pulling the drawings. Mayor Ratcliff stated the Town is doing all that is possible and know that federal regulations must be met, but felt the 50 day moratorium would pro- vide the time necessary for the Engineers to make a study and report. Town Attorney Moore stated he had tried to draw an ordinance that would meet the federal insurance program regulations and at the same time safeguard any individual or property owner. Town Attorney Moore then explained each portion of the proposed ordinance, answering questions as they were put to him. John Powers then stated he would like for the record to show that he opposed the moratorium. There followed strong opposition from H. W. Huff, Jr., for Downtown East, Inc.; T. J. McCarthy, Jr. Attorney for Pulaski Furniture Company and Vance Home Supplies Center, as well as for his own personal interests; also head opposition from Polly Mitchell, August 1, 1978 ~~~~- Clem Milstead; Alan Groseclose; Duane Mink, Attorney for Coleman Furniture Company and Virginia Block Company, all of whom stated they felt the moratorium would damage the business interests in the downtown area. Councilman Wallace stated he felt these were the people who would be hurt by the moratorium and perhaps Council should reconsider. Councilman Graham stated there were questions in his mind about the matter, and offered a substitute motion - moved that the action on the Flood Plain Management Program be tabled until the week ACTION TABLED ON of September 19th, 1978, and advise Mr. Lally of the positive action FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT taken by Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer. PROGRAM TO SEPT. 19TH Councilman Johnston, Brockmeyer, Neblett and House expressed their "point of view" on the action being taken, and how it might affect the ~iti~~n~ of the Town. The recorded vote was as follows: Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye W~.ll~am A. House - A~+e Blair B. Brockmeyer - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - No Robert M. Wallace - Aye Arthur L. Meadows - No John A. Johnston - No James M. Neblett, Jr.-Aye at 6:10 P. M. Councilman House moved that Council adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. APPROVED: r 1 / ' r' ,~ ~ 7 ~'f /LL Mayor Ratcliff l G ATTEST: cit-, / ' ( qi '/~ Clerk o Council