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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-68~~5`7f Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council, held February 6, 1968, at l~:00 P. M., in the Municipal office. There were present: Mayor C. V. Jackson, presiding. Councilmen: Rudolph Farmer, H. H. Eggert, S, G. Frye, T. J. McCarthy, W. S. Cummings, Raymond F. Ratcliff, Glen K. Aust Also present: Town Manager: Evan Norton Clerk: Gladys R. Dalton Town Attorney: Alan Groseclose Visitors: Jane Graham, Southwest Times reporter Paul Dellinger, Roanoke Times reporter R. P. Beamer, Bill Flint, Robert Edens, A. J. Smith, Jr., Izzy lepchitz, Wm. M. Smith, Geo. A. Hillsman The invocation was given by Councilman Ratcliff. Minutes of January 16th and January 22nd meeting s were approved, as recorded. Mayor Jackson opened the meeting stating Council would then hold its public hearing on the Parking Authority as had been advertised in the local newspaper, in an effort to ascertain public feeling with regards to such an Authority, and would be glad to hear anyone present who wished to make a statement. A. J. Smith, Jr., past-president of the Merchants Council, advised that Mr. Lyle Smith, present President.: of the Merchants Council, was out of Town and he was appearing in his place. Mr. Smith stated that the Merchants Council had met the morning of the Council meeting and voted in favor of the ATT. MOORS Authority; that the merchants as a whole are behind this pro3ect GIVEN AUTHORITY TO PLACE PARKING and asked Council to present its request to the State Legislature for AUTH. BILL 3EFORE THE LEGISLATURE approval. Councilman Farmer reported it was his feeling that "the parking authority would get its power from council, but would get its go from private sources, reglardless of the cost to the parking citizen". He further stated "no lot that charges for parking space has been or will be successful in Pulaski so long as we en3oy so much free or nearly free parking, and under an Authority, feared our free parking would vanish and our on-street parking greatly dimish, resulting in less convenience and higher parking fees for the citisens". Mr. Farmer further stated "he felt a committee of councilmen could solve the parking problem in a manner resulting in no additional cost to the parking Council mins. contd. 2/6/68 '~ ~~~ citizen, because cooncilmen get their go from citizens". The several merchants present expressed their favor for an Authority. Ma Mayer Jackson and. several members of Council stated it was the desire of the town government to cooperate with the Merchants and at the same time give consideration to the citizen's interest; that Pulaski has become a good shopping center and the Council it wants to help every possible way to keep/that way. On motion of Councilman Aust, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, and carried on the following vote, it was, RESOLVED, that Town Attorney Moore be authorized to place the Parking Authority Bill before the Legislature: Raymond F. Ratcliff- aye S. G. Frye - aye W. S. Cummings - aye H. H. Eggert - aye T. J. McCarthy - aye Rudolph Farmer -opposed Glen K. Aust - aye C.B.Gallimore - absent Robert Edens, president of the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce, TRAFFIC SUFVEY MADE BY R. EDEI~S AS TO NEED FOR LEFT TURNS ON M. ST. & WASH. ALSO FOR LIGHT AT MAD . & 3rd . advised Council that he had been making a traffic survey recently on his own, and suggested that leading green lights be installed at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Main Street; and also at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Main Street, to permit traffic making left hand turns on Main Street to be speeded up, which would solve the "backing-up" of traffic on Jefferson and Washington Avenues. Mr. Edens also called to Council's attention the need for a traffic light at the inter- section of Madison Avenue and Third Street. Mr. Edens was advised that this dangerous intersection had been discussed with the Highway Department as Third Street is State Route 99, but that certain regulations must be followed at this inter- section. Councilman McCarthy moved that Town Manager Norton be authorized to check into the suggestions of Mr. Edens and bring back to Council a report on the situation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cummings, and carried. Mr. Edens then brought to Council's attention a situation involving the purchase by him of town truck tags before the ex- piration date of same, which tags were never put in use because %~~'~ Council rains. contd. 2/6/68 this truck was sold, and for which he was unable to obtain a refund of his money. Mr. Edens asked why the Town did not TOWN ASKED TO pro-rate their tags as is done by the State. He explained PRO-RATE COST OF TOWN TAGS further that the party to whom this truck was sold had had it in service since last September and no tags had ever been placed on the vehicle. He was advised that this matter would be looked into by Town Manager Norton. Town Manager Norton advised that during the title search for the Bunts Building property it was discovered that the fire escape on the south side next to the N. & kt. Railroad encroached on the Norfolk and Western Railway property approximately four (!~) feet. He further stated that a letter dated February 2, 1968, from the Norfolk and Western Railway Company indicated. that it would x'50.00 FEE TO not be consistent to allow a permanent easement on railroad N & W R. R. FOR FIRE ESCAPE property for the fire escape, however, the company was willing AT BUNTS BLDG. to lease the approximate four feet of land required for the fire escape under the standard ground lease agreement at a flat charge of $50.00 to cover the expense of handling the agreement, if satisfactory to the Town. On motion of Councilman Farmer, seconded by Councilman Ratcliff, and carried, it was, RESOLVED, that the Town work out a lease with the Railway Company to clear the title and allow the four foot encroachment of the fire escape, for $50.00 under a one-time lease with the Norfolk and Western Railway Company. Several communications of "thanks" to Council were read by Town Manager Norton. The Council stood for a moment of silent prayer in respect for Wm. A. Larson, who died January 23, 19b8, and who for many years was a member of the Town Council. Town Manager Norton explained in detail his report which had been circulated to members of Council, on the financial state- ment as of 12/31/67, representing one-half of the fiscal year's operations, which report showed the actual general, water atd sewer revenues and expenditures as compared to a pro-rated basis for the same period. ~~ ~"~~~ Council rains. contd. 2/6/68 Town Manager Norton made the following recommendation to Council with regard to a proposed street re-surfacing schedule. Mr. Norton recommended plant-mix re-surfacing as required by Highway Department (except as otherwise noted); all streets on the schedule being in the Highway system with 15~ partici- pation in cost: Street: Route: Tot.Cost Town Cost Remarks Washing n Ave. ~`^ 1st St. S., to 2nd St.N 11 $5,028.00 ~ 754.00 Washington Ave. 3rd St. N.to 4th St.N 11 1,536.00 230.00 4th Street Washington-Randolph 99 5,197.00 779.00 Not read by State but requested STREET WOP,.K TO Mr. Norton stated he felt these were the most critical, and the BE DONE AS RECOM. BY MR. NOf~TON cost to the Town would be less then $2,000. On motion of Council- man Ratcliff, seconded by Councilman Frye, and carried, it was, RESOLVED, that the recommendation of Town Manager Norton be accepted, and suggest that the work be done. Town Manager Norton reported that the possibility of in- stalling a blinker light or some other warning to traffic approach- ing Route 99 intersection on Route 611 had ben discussed with Mr. Robertson, R®sident Engineer, at Christiansburg, but that in the MR. FUGATE meantime Mr. Robertson had been transferred to the Salem Office TO BE CONT. ABOUT 4 laving and because of this move Mr. Robertson had not had time to make a RT . 99 E . OF CORP. LIMITS report on the town's request. Mr. Norton further reported that Mr. as requested by Council, to contact Mr. Douglas B. Fugate Moore had been contacted/in Richmond, relative to the four-laving of Route 99 east of the corporate limits, and that Mr. Moore indicated that he would ao this. Mayor Jackson, who had spent several days in Richmond at the the General Assembly/previous week, briefed members of Council on certain Bills before the Legislature. Mayor Jackson urged Council to support COUNCIL FAVORS Senate Bill 199, Airports. This Bill would provide for the payment SENATE BLLL 199 AIRPORTS of a $1.00 enplaning fee of alI passengers traveling by air in Virginia, which would mean additional income for the airports which is much needed. Council went on record as favoring this Bill. ~~~~~~ Council rains. contd. 2/6/68 Mayor Jackson explained Senate Bill 210. Transition of Towns to Cities. And suggested that Council support the present _~ ~ ~~ statute on the transition of towns to cities, and urged that Town COUNCIL OPPOSES Manager Norton be sent to Richmond to defend the town's interest. SENATE BILL 210 On motion of Councilman Farmer, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, and carried, it was, RESOLVED that Town Manager Norton go to Richmond to appear before the Committee and oppose Senate Bill 210. Senate Bill 11. Length of Motor Vehicles. This Bill would allow tractors to pull trailers 65 feet in length on four-laved COUNCIL OPPOSES roads. It was felt this would be very dangerous, and on motion SENATE BILL 11 of Councilman Eggert, seconded by Councilman Cummings, and carried, with Mr. Aust voting "no", Council went on record as opposing this legislation. On motion of Councilman Frye, seconded by Councilman Cummings, COUNCIL OPPOSES and carried, it was, RESOLVED that Council oppose House Bill .~a5. HOUSE BILL 45 Annexation Moratorium. Because it was felt this bill was un- ~_ necessary and would stifle annexation, as well as restrict cities and towns from much-needed growth area during the period of the moratorium. On motion of Councilman Aust, seconded by Councilman Frye, and carried, it was, RESOLVED, that Council go on record as favoring COUNCIL FAVORS House Bill 300. Compensation of Policemen. Council opposed a bill HOUSE BILL 300 ` --~ on police standards which would set State standards for hiring police officers. It was the feeling that police standards should be upgraded, but that this should be done on local levels. On motion of Councilman Cummings, seconded by Councilman Ratcliff, and carried,it was, RESOLVED, that Council go into executive session. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 P. M. Approved: _ -~1 i ~~ i Attest: C ~ ` ~% :`~ -'~ _~~'~`~ 1 er o ounce 1 1 1