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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-09Minutes of the Town Council Work Session held February 17, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room of the Municipal Building. There were present: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Council: David L. Clark, Larry G. Clevinger, II, H.M. Kidd, Robert A. Bopp, Morgan Welker, and Joel B. Burchett, Jr., (arrived at 5:30 p.m.) Staff. John J. Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Warburton, Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Gary W. Roche, Police Chief Others: Shannon Covey Shawn Utt Janie Hurd Akers Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell modified the agenda by moving l la to 6a. Next, Mayor Worrell introduced Jerry French, the Employee of the Month for February, 2009. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Jerry. The Mayor noted that Mr. French would receive an additional paid day off and be considered for the Employee of the Year Award. Moving on, Councilman Clark moved to adopt the minutes of the January 20, 2009 Council Work Session as written, seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Utilities and a citizen request for reimbursement for water line repairs. Mr. Hawley reviewed several work orders that were completed at Mr. Shannon Covey's residence and asked Mr. Covey to speak. Mr. Covey advised that he complained of low water pressure to the Public Works Department. The Town staff made several visits trying to alleviate the problem and finally told him that it was his responsibility as his line was the problem. He replaced the line himself and there was still no water pressure. Staff came back and found a leak in a water main near Covey's property and repaired it. Mr. Hawley added that Mr. Covey was requesting reimbursement for the rented backhoe and materials involved in installing the line to his house. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to reimburse Shannon Covey for his bills to replace his water line. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Absent Larry G. Clevinger - Aye Robert Bopp - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Finance. February 17, 2009/ Page 1 of 4 The first item was stimulus program update. Mr. Hawley reviewed the projects that he submitted for the stimulus program. He explained that if selected, the project would have to be under construction within 180 days or the funds would be withdrawn. He added that depending upon the projects chosen, staff may need to hire an Engineering firm to expedite the process. He asked Council's permission to retain Draper Aden and Associates on an hourly basis if needed. Permission was granted through the consensus of Council. The next item on the agenda was Blue Ridge Travel Association of Virginia. Mayor Worrell inquired whether Council wished to continue to be a member of Blue Ridge Travel Association of Virginia? Mr. Hawley advised about information regarding the benefits of membership in Blue Ridge Travel Association had been included in the packet. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to continue the membership in Blue Ridge Travel Association, seconded by Councilman Bopp and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Aye Larry G. Clevinger - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Absent Robert Bopp - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to revision to the Landmark proposal. Mr. Hawley advised that due to the economy, the tax credit market has tumbled, and Mr. Todd will not be able to obtain as much money as previously hoped. He is requesting that he only be required to pay $66,000 back to the PR&HA, which is the asking price for Jefferson School. Previously, he was going to pay an additional $84,000 to PR&HA that would have been loaned back to Landmark and repaid over 20 years. This would have been a source of future funding for PR&HA. Since it appeared that the project would not go forward without the requested revision, staff felt the Town should modify the agreement with PR&HA so they would not pay the $10,000 back to the Town that we loaned to the PR&HA to secure the first option. This would give the PR&HA $10,000 that they could use for operating capital since they would see no revenue gain for the Landmark option. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to modify the agreement with the Housing Authority to remove the $10,000 pay back to the Town. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Absent Larry G. Clevinger - Aye Robert Bopp - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Councilman Burchett arrived at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public "Ops". The first item was Trans Dominion Express. Mayor Worrell advised that Trans Dominion Express had requested that the Town renew its membership in the TDX Committee. February 17, 2009/ Page 2 of 4 Mr. Hawley advised that there was some potential funding to increase the number of trains running from Washington to Lynchburg. Future plans called for the line to be increased by 2015 from Lynchburg to Roanoke and then on to Bristol. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to consider this membership in the 2009-2010 budget discussions. The next item on the agenda was 21 s` Century Steel Interstate. Mr. Hawley advised that Council adopted a Resolution in 2003 supporting the use of rail as a method to reducing: truck traffic on I-81. This year, Rail Solutions proposed a pilot project for a high speed dual track railroad, dubbed the `steel interstate", to run between Knoxville, Tennessee and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that is designed. to reduce truck traffic on 1-81. He added that Council might want to adopt a more detailed resolution in light of the proposal. The consensus of Council was for staff to prepare the Resolution for Council's review and adoption. Mayor Worrell moved on to architect/future use of the Train Station. Councilman Clevinger advised that the Committee interviewed the final proposers and narrowed the selection down to three. The first choice was David E. Gall, Architect. Mr. Hawley added that they interviewed five of the twelve proposals submitted. Two of the three insurance representatives planned to attend a meeting on Thursday to help structure the contract. It was hoped to be able to accept the contract by the March meeting. Next, Mayor Worrell inquired whether Council had considered the future use of the Train Station? Councilman Burchett commented that he thought it should be an open floor plan with some type of flexibility in case the rail service comes to Pulaski, it could be incorporated easily. Short term, he felt some type of retail, small cafe or visitors/information center and rest rooms with outdoor entrance for the trail visitors. Mr. Hawley suggested as a possibility, moving the Senior Center to the Train Station. This would allow for a possible visitor center to be manned by the Senior Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mayor Worrell commented that if the Senior Center was moved to the Station, it could be used as a visitor center and that would solve the staffing problem during the week. Mayor Worrell inquired whether part of the Museum would be left in the Train Station or space for some type of rotating display from the Museum? Councilman Clark suggested leaving some artifacts in the Train Station if it were used as a Visitors Center. He felt it would draw people to the Museum across the street. Mr. Hawley added that it might be good to include a space for bike rentals. Councilman Clevinger commented that staff had discussed moving the Senior Center Director to a full time Public Relations Director and if that occurred, the Train Station would be a good fit for that office. Councilman Burchett inquired whether the inside of the building had to be built back the way it was or whether there was some flexibility in the type of ceilings? Councilman Clevinger did not think there would be any flexibility. February 17, 2009/ Page 3 of 4 Mayor Worrell commented that there would be an architect on board soon, and suggested that any more discussion of the details of the building be held at that time with the architect. It was suggested that further discussion on details of the Train Station be held at a Called Council meeting after the architect was on board. Mayor Worrell moved on to lot on South Washington. Mr. Hawley advised that staff looked closer at the wall and believes they can make the surface ready for a mural. Additionally, they had searched the DEQ website for tanks and it does not show this site, although the web site does not go back further than the 60's. Staff is also checking the deed chain to see if any owner may have had a service station or auto repairs at this location. Staff may work on the lot with the understanding with Mr. Bane that if no environmental problems are discovered, that the Town will accept the lot from him. He added that to be perfectly safe, the Town should hire an environmental specialist to investigate. Mr. Warburton, Town Attorney, encouraged that a company be hired to investigate, before accepting the property. He advised that the law is very clear that the current owner is responsible for local underground storage tanks. Mr. Hawley advised that he would contact Simon and Associates and ask them to check their list of underground tanks in the area and see if they have knowledge of the lot. Councilman Welker commented that if no environmental concerns are discovered, that the land be deeded to the IDA. Mayor Worrell moved on to Council Round Table Discussion. At 6:12 p.m., there being no items for discussion by Council, Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Discussion concerning the expansion of an existing business. The motion was seconded by councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Aye Larry G. Clevinger - Aye Robert Bopp - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye Council returned from closed session at 6:19 p.m. and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Welker, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark - Aye Joel B. Burchett - Aye Larry G. Clevinger - Aye Robert Bopp - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Morgan P. Welker - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clevinger, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: �zz Z,!Key S. Worrell, Mayor February 17, 2009/ Page 4 of 4