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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-77t_~ ~ J' ' ~ T.~ Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 15, 1977 at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliff, presiding. Councilmen: Bob J. Clark, James A4. Neblett, John A. Johnston, Blair B. Brockmeyer, C. William Hicka~,Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Arthur L. Meadows, William A. House Also present: Texan Manager: J. E. Marshall Clerk: Gladys R. Dalton Town Attorney: Garnett S. Moore Town Treasurer: Roger Williams Visitors: J. R. Schrader, The Southwest Times Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson Tad Steger J. B. Shumate, Jr ., Dr. W. F. McGuire, Tom McCarthy, Jr ., and approximately ten other members of the group called "Stop Claytor Lake Pollution", including E . F . Eager of Radf ord , E . L . Vanhoy of Salem and Ray Barnett, who also spoke to the Council The invocation was given by Councilman Graham. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 1977 MINUTES APPROVED were approved as recorded. Mayor Ratcliff advised that a public hearing had been advertised on the application of Virgie Holmes to place a house trailer on Lot No. 30 located on Highland Terrace, and the Council would be glad to hear any one who wished to speak either for or against this application. No one spoke and Mayor PUBLIC HEARING Ratcliff called on Town Manager Marshall for his report. RE: HOLMES TRAILER Mr. Marshall reported that the lot on which Miss Holmes APPLICATION, planned to place the mobile home is approximately 175 feet by APPROVED BY COUNCIL 200 feet and contains 3500 square feet. Also there exists an old house on the lot, however it has been agreed that it will be torn doen after the mobile home is in place. The Engineering Department had contacted property owners a.ad mailed notices to persons who they were unable to contact in person, and there appeared to be no objections to the placing of the mobile home at this location. Mr. Marshall recommended that the application be approved with -the stipulation that as soon as the mobile home is placed, and not to exceed ninety (90) days, the existing house will be removed. Councilman Neblett so moved, and the motion was ii 1 February 15, 1977 seconded by Councilman Meadows, and carried on the following recorded vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - aye William A. House - aye Andrew L. Graham - aye Bob J. Clark - aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - aye Arthur L. Meadows - aye John A. Johnston - aye James M. Neblett - aye Mayor Ratcliff stated a letter had been received from Mr. J. B. Shumate, Jr. that a group called "Stop Claytor Lake Pollution" wished to appear bef ore Council, and that Council would be glad to hear them at that time. Mr. Shumate stated he was a resident of Claytor Lake and is employed and owns property in the Town. Mr. Shumate read his letter to the Council in which he opposed the Town's application to the State ~;-fA , ~„+~,,y ~~"~I Water Control Board for an NPDES Permit. The main points of opposition made by Mr. Shumate in his letter, viery briefly, were: The apparent COUNCIL wave of public sentiment is not for the proposal; the project as HEARS proposed is contrary to stated public policy and cited Section 201 of PUBLIC ON Public Law 92-500, Sub-paragraph C; the policy of the Environmental NPDES PERMIT Protection Agency requires public participation in construction grant APELICATION processes and the public did not have a chance to participate in this FOR SEWER instance; that the true cost to the taxpayers of the project will be a PLANT EXP. tremendous amount of money, and that such a proposal would be destroying the prime recreational area of the community. Mr. Shumate asked Council to withdraw its request for an NPDES Permit to dump sewage effluent into Claytor Lake, and instruct its Engineers to come up with a plan that would be acceptable and compliment the area as a whole. Dr. Wm. McGuire told Council he endorsed Mr. Shumate's proposal to the Council and stated he felt there were more than one alternative to the situation and hoped Council would find another.. Later in the meeting Dr. McGuire stated that in a conversation with Mr. Leo Bourassa, Chairman of the Southwestern Virginia area for the State Water Control Board, Mr. Bourassa had offered his personal opinion on the matter and stated that he had opposed a similar situation at Smith Mountain, where Mr. Bourassa lives, and it was hoped the situation a t Smith Mountain was Lake could be remedied, and that he/opposed to the Town of Pulaski's project. Dr. McGuire asked the press not to publish this information E`~''~{~~ February 15, 1977 from Mr. Bourassa, but told Council that he certainly thought it was worth their consideration. Tom McCarthy, Jr „ stated he strongly opposed the project not only as a property owner on the Lake but as a property owner in the Town. He felt there were alternatives to the situation and asked that Council withdraw its application to the State Water Control Board for an NPDES Permit. Mr. McCarthy suggested a regional processing plan as an alternative to the Town's plan. NPDES p~~T Ray Barnett of Pulaski stated he understood there was an COMMENTS alternate plan. Mr. E. L. Vanhoy of Salem, Virginia and Claytor Lake, asked Council to withdraw its application for a permit and go to another system which would be satisfactory to all concerned. Mr. E. F. Eager a resident of Claytor Lake stated the State Water Control Board had been very strict with Radf ord Arsenal and also the plant at Glen Lynn, Virginia, about what can be put into Claytor Lake. Mayor Ratcliff acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Ralph W. Robinette of Hiwassee, also. Mayor Ratcliff stated the Town is depending upon the advice of qualified Consulting Engineers in this endeavor. Councilman Neblett moved that the Council take the COUNCIL TO CONSIDER comments made under advisement and report back to the Council. The COMMENTS motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried on the following recorded vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - aye William A. House - aye Andrew L. Graham - no Bob J. Clark - aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - aye Arthur L. Meadows - aye John A. Johnston - aye James M. Neblett - aye Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson who owns and lives in an old four-unit apartment building (Meredith Apartments) told Council that if the proposed new water rate .ordinance was adopted raising the water rate for each apartment and doubling the rate for sewer would be a ELIZ.JACKSON OPPOSES hardship on her tenants who are retired people and who cannot CHANGE IN WATER RATES aff ord to pay the new rates. She stated her building is old and there is only one meter for all the apartments and that the entire building only uses approximately five or six thousand gallons of water a month. February 15, 1977 Tad Steger, owner and operator of Steger's Laundry, Steger's Laundermat and Carwash told Council that if the ordinance as is proposed for the increasein water rates is adopted, he would not be TAD STEGER OPPOSES able to continue serving the public as his operating expenses would WATER RATE CHANGES be prhibitive and asked Council to reconsider its proposal on big water users. Councilman Johnston moved that in view of the comments of UTILITY these two persons, the ordinance be ref erred to the Utility COMM. TO CONSIDER Committee and report back to the Council bef ore a vote on the new COMMENTS & REPORT ordinance is taken. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, BACK TO COUNCIL and carried on the following recorded vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - aye William A. House - aye Andrew L. Graham - aye Bob J. Clark - aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - aye Arthur L. Meadows - aye John A.Johnston - aye James M. Neblett - aye Reporting for the Nominating Committee, Councilman Hickam presented the following slate for appointments and re-appointments to the various committees of Council for Council's consideration: 1 Trustees to Cemetery Trust Fund H. W. Huff, Jr. March 1, 1977 - March 1, 1980 Recreation Commission Mrs. Becky Trail (Mrs.Curtis) to replace W. F. Edwards January 1, 1977- January 1, 1980 Beautification Committee COUNCIL ACCEPTS Mr. H. J, Sizer (replace Mrs. Rollins) Mrs. Lydia Montero (Mrs. Raul E.) to replace Mrs. Woodyard RECOMMENDATION Reappoint MacAdoo and Fenwick OF NOMINATING Pulaski Re-Development & Housing Authority, Reappoint Mrs. Mary Lou Steger February 15, 1977 COMM. FOR Industrial Development Authority APPOINTMENTS TO Reappoint J. H. White April 13, 1977 Appoint William D. Macgill, Jr. to replace C. V. Jackson VARIOUS COMMITTEES Housing Board of Adjustments & Appeal OF COUNCIL Reappoint Dr. Perry L. Hyde for five year term - 1981 The Nominating Committee also recommended that the Bi-Centennial Committee be eliminated. Councilmam Hickam moved that the Town Attorney be directed to prepare the proper Resolution carrying out the recommenda- tions of the Nominating Committee for appointments to the various Committees. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark, and carried. Councilman Graham had no report. r_*,!~%~"~ i February 15, 1977 s_t~ =;y • ~ ,~ Reporting for the Winterizing Board under the Community Action Program, Councilman Brockmeyer stated so far eighteen (18) homes had been repaired and of this number eleven (11) were within the Town REPORT ON WINTERIZING corporate limits. He stated=between $175.00 and $200.00 had been PROGRAM spent for insul~al3ion on these homes, and the same program is going on in Montgomery County. Councilman Johnston had no report, but inquired of Town Manager .Marshall the status of the Senior Citizen Center NO ANSWER FROM FED. Program. Town Manager Marshall reported plans for the Center GOVT. ON PLANS FOR have been submitted but nothing has been heard from the federal SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER government as to whether the plans are acceptable or not. Councilman House reported the Finance Committee had met and discussed appropriations necessary for replacement of Police Cars, and replacement of the Fire Chief's Car and additional audit, as well as amounts expended as a result of the recent winter freeze, and it was the recommendation of the Committee, and so moved that the following amounts, as listed, be ,appropriated from Revenue Sharing Funds to Revenue Sharing Expenditure Account Numbers as follows: APPROPRIAT- IONS FR. Aact. ~~4005 - Replacement of Police Cars $ 11,271.23 R,EV. SH. FDS. 44037 - Audit 950.00 TO REV. SH. 4k4063 - Thawing Machine 2,800.00 EXPENDITURE 44064 - Snow Removal & Ice Control 18,000.00 ACCOUNTS 44065 - Water Mains & Service Lines Repairs Meter Repairs and replacement and Labor 32,000.00 44066 - Replacement of Rire Dept. Vehicle 4,.745.43 $ 69,766.66 The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark, and carrie d on the following recorded vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - aye William A. House - aye Andrew L. Graham - aye Bob J. Clark - aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - aye Arthur L. Meadows - aye John A. Johnston - aye James M. Neblett - aye Councilman Clark had no report. Councilman Meadows had no report. Councilman Neblett had no report. Mayor Ratcliff had no report. Town Attorney Moore had no report. February 15, 1977 Town Manager reported that the Charter of the New River Valley Police Academy provides that each participating political subdivision shall be represented on the Board of Directors by its e~, Jz "`~ ll chief law enf orcement officer and one other individual to be appoint- ed by the governing body of the participating political subdivision; and in February said governing body must notify the Academy who will represent the political subdivision for the ensuing year beginning on CHIEF OF POLICE & April 1. Mr. Marshall further reported that for the last several years TOWN MGR . TO SERVE ONthe Chief of Police and Town Manager have been the Town's representa- NEW RIVER POLICE tives on the Aoard of Directors. Councilman Neblett moved that the ACADEMY _ BD. OF Chief of Police and the Town Manager be reappointed as representatives DIRECTORS of the Town to the Board of Directors. The motion wa's seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. • Town Manager Marshall reported to Council on the February 2nd meeting with representatives from. the Federal Flood Insurance Administration and a representative of ,the Corps of Engineers regarding REPORT ON MEETING Flood Insurance Rates Study, and advised that once the report is put RE: FLOOD INS. RATES in final form and submitted to the Federal Flood Insurance Administrator STUDY and approved by that Agency, Council must then amend certain sections of the Town's Building Code regarding restrictions in the flood plain area. Mr. Marshall reported the New River Valley Planning District Commission advised that they have entered into a contract with the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation for a public transit CITIZEN technical study'•in the New River 1VSalley and that an Advisory Committee TO BE APPOINTED will be established to aid in the study as work progresses. Mr. TO YX. PUBLIC Marshall staffed the Committee will be developed from the participating TRANSIT STUD~j; political subdivisions in the Planning District, and recommentted that NOMINAT. H. R. Coake, Town Engineer, be appointed as the Town's member of the COMM. TO Brockmeyer RECOMMEND Advisory Committee. Councilman/so moved, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Clark. Councilman House stated he felt some citizen of the Town should be appointed rather than adding to the workload of the Engineering Department, and made a substitute motion, that it be .ref erred to the Nominating Committee to name someone to represent the Town on the ' February 15, 1977 Advisory Committee. Councilman Clark withdrew his second to the first motion and seconded Mr. House's motion. The motion carried. Town Manager Marshall gave a detailed report of the problems recently encountered by the Town as a result of the water system problems. Councilman Hickam commented on the lack of UTILITIES control at the Filter Plant during such low water problems or COMMITTEE TO STUDY CO$TROLS instances, and moved that it be ref erred to-the Utilities Committee AT FILTER PLANT DURING f or a study of the Filter Plant controls. The motion was EMERGENCIES seconded by Councilman Brockmeyer, and carried. Mayor Ratcliff and members of Council went on record PRAISE FOR complimenting the Town employees taking part in water problems, TOWN EMPLOYEES SURING WINTER main breaks and frozen pipes. FREEZE Town Manager Marshall reported that for some few months the Town Planning Commission has been considering a proposed all inclusive sign ordinance for the Town, and at their meeting PLANNING. on February 14th, it was voted that the draft of the sign ordinance COMMISSION PRESENTS ORD. be submitted to the Town Council for its consideration and adop- REGULATING ALL SIGNS; tion. Further, it was the feeling of the Commission that the ORDINANCE COMM. TO STUDY SAME Council +through its Attorney, Town Manager and Ordinance Committee could best put the ordinance in final form and also relate it to ' any other ordinances now in existance. Town Manager Marshall also reported that in May of this year it will have been seven years since the Gatewood and Hogans Dams have been inspected, and recommended that he be authorized TOWN MGR. to contact Consulting Engineers Tnliley & Wilson and obtain from AUTHORIZED TO CONTACT ENGRS. them an estimated cost for doing- the inspection. ft~ stated some RE: INSPECTION OF DAMS funds are available in the present water fund budget, however the inspection would not get underway until some estimate is made on the cost and with Council's approval. Councilman House so moved, seconded by Councilman Clark,and carried. Mr. Marshall reported that metermaids will be working on Saturdays and policing the two-hour free parking on Main METERMAIDS Street. He further stated Chief Childress had worked out a POLICING TWO-HR. FREE schedule for their weeks time on duty. PARKING ON SATURDAYS February 15, 1977 Town Manager Marshall reported that a Petition had been received from H. T. Bowling and Ola S. Bowling requesting that a I"-,f? 4 ~- •• ~iA: r ~, parcel of land located on Route I1 and Memorial Drive be rezoned from its present Residential, R-1 Classification to Business, B-2 Classifi- Petition FOR RE- cation, and recommended that this petition be referred to the Town ZONING ON RT. 11 & Planning Commission, with the proper letter of transmittal for a MEMORIAL DRIVE REF. public hearing. Councilman Brockmeyer so moved, and the motion was TO PLANNING COMMISSION seconded by Councilman Clark, and carried on the following recorded vote: C. William Hickam, Jr. - aye William A. House - aye Andrew L. Graham - aye Bob J. Clark - aye Blair B. Brockmeyer - aye Arthur L. Meadows - aye John A. Johnston - aye James M. Neblett - aye Mr. Marshall presented to Council the report of Town Treasurer- FINANCIAL REPORT Finance Director Roger Williams relative to the financial status of the BY TOWN MANAGER Town as of January 31, 1977 and projected effects on fiscal year status. At 9:30 P. M. Councilmam Clark moved that Council adjourn. The ADJOURNMENT motion was seconded by Councilman Meadows, and carried. APPROVED: /~ Mayor Ratcli f ATTEST: ~`1 i ~ ~/ ~ Clerk of 'Gounci ~I