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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-09 Minutes of the Town Council meeting held November 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: David L. Clark, Larry G. Clevinger, II, H. M. Kidd, Joel B. Burchett, Jr., Robert A. Bopp, Morgan P. Welker Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Elizabeth Chitwood Others: Charles R. Bopp Audrey Kertesz Andrew C. Cocke Shawn Utt Joseph K. Goodman Mike Williams, Press Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Worrell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. The first item on the agenda was Employee of the Month for October 2009. Chief Roche advised that the Employee of the Month would be late for the meeting. Mayor Worrell advised that he would address the award when the employee arrived. Councilman Kidd arrived at 7:05 p.m. The next item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Welker moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Minutes of the October 6, 2009 Council meeting. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and it carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell moved on to Project Updates. The first item was Train Station. Mayor Worrell advised that the Town had held an "unwrapping" ceremony for the Train Station. The contractor was; mobilizing and setting up. He asked Mr. Hawley whether they had started the project? Mr. Hawley advised that the contractor had begun the work on the demolition of the main portion of the roof, and wet'e working on the new foundations for the columns to support the porch and the roof. He advised that a time line from the Contractor hid been received and a copy would be provided to Council. He added that the total contract amount was $1,146,683.00, including the sprinkler system. The Notice to Proceed had been issued and the completion date was October 25, 2010. The next item on the agenda was boundary line. November 3, 2009/Page 1 of 5 Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been working with the consultant to determine the number of jobs in the proposed areas. Additionally, they had been trying to determine the square footage of all commercial and industrial buildings in the area. Engineering calculated the lane miles for the roads that would require Town maintenance and were working on cost estimates for the extension of water mains, pump stations, tanks and also sewer collectors and a pump station. Once staff has all the numbers and submit them to the consultant and they would try to determine if extending the boundary line would be feasible at this time. Mayor Worrell inquired when the Manager thought that information would be ready for consideration. He added that he had several inquiries about this project and people wanted to know when the proper time would be for them to address Council. Mr. Hawley responded that he hoped to have the numbers by the December Work Session so that Council could discuss whether it made economic sense to go forward with the project. Councilman Burchett inquired if staff could estimate when the public would be needed to give input. Mr. Hawley felt that the information should be ready for public comment by February or March of 2010. Following further discussion, Councilman Burchett moved to direct staff to develop a website link for a blog site to solicit input regarding a boundary adjustment. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item for discussion was Iron Bridge Walking Trail. Mayor Worrell advised of a response from Norfolk Southern regarding the Town's request to donate railroad siding for the Trail. Norfolk Southern proposed to donate the bridge over Peak Creek and railroad siding with certain criteria. Mr. Hawley advised that this was accurate. He added that staff met with VDOT and reviewed the donation criteria which included surveying and updating the appraisal for railroad siding for the Trail and $6,200 match by the Town for the TEA21 grant. Councilman Clevinger commented that he looked at the bridge and was surprised that the eighty year old bridge was built on wooden trusses and was not on concrete or stone. Stacked ties underneath the bridge hold the steel up on each shore and the wood trusses extend into the water. He added that although it showed no maintenance being done since 1973, which appeared to be painting, it appeared structurally sound at this time. Mr. Hawley advised that staff would look at the structure of the bridge. Mayor Worrell commented that if the Town acquired this, it would own a strip of land from First Street to north of Third Street to the former Pulaski Furniture building. The next item for discussion was Sewer Interceptor. Mayor Worrell advised that the Town received funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for some sewer rehabilitation work. He added that the bidding process was complete and the Town was ready to award the bid. Mr. Hawley advised that the apparent low bidder was Am-Liner in the amount of $1,329,819.00. He added that the bids were currently being reviewed by Draper Aden and once that review was complete, the Town would issue the notice of award. DEQ had required that the project be under contract by November 29, 2009 since this was ARRA money. He November 3, 2009/Page 2 of 5 added that this would line the pipe from the Train Station to the new Pump Station on Dora Highway. He summarized the lining process. Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. The first item was two way traffic. Mayor Worrell advised that Council previously discussed the issue of two way traffic on Main Street and instructed stiff to gather cost and information on that. Mr. Hawley advised that Engineering and Public Works had been developing approximate costs involved with this concept. He reviewed the information and advised that traffic signal upgrades were needed at 4 intersections due to their age. Staff felt they could upgrade the traffic signals and install a camera detection system for around $85,000. Additionally, staff was trying to get an approximate cost on a roundabout or traffic circle. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of using some of the funds that VDOT allotted for the Route 99 widening: The next item for consideration was Museum Operating Committee. Mayor Worrell advised that he had appointed the following citizens to the Museum Operating Committee: Evan Collins Robert Henderson Janet Johnson Betty Lou Kirkner Sheila Nelson Mickey Seagle Chasity Stevens Larry Clevinger Mayor Worrell He advised that the Committee would determine which artifacts recovered from the fire to keep as well as what goes into the Museum in the future. He added that other citizens who wished to serve on the Committee would be placed on a Iist for future reference. The next item on the agenda was Bane lot. Mr. Hawley advised that previously Council had discussed the offer of the donation of a lot by Mr. Bane in exchangelfor waiving the liens on this lot and his remaining properties. These liens total about $1,243.74. Staff reviewed the potential of the lot for the Town and felt that it could serve as an overlook/viewing area for the creek. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to prepare the necessary documents to purchase the $ane lot and forgive liens on his property in the amount of $1.243.74. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to New River Development Corporation. He advised that earlier this year, Council issued ~ moral obligation in favor of Carter Bank and Trust to aid the New River Development Corporation. That financing did not materialize and the N.R. Development Corporation is negotiating with another bank. The Town had been asked to transfer our moral obligation to this negotiation. He added that enough information had not been gathered to make this decision. He hoped to revisit the issue at the next meeting. November 3, 2009/Page 3 of 5 Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item was I-81 Corridor. Councilman Clevinger summarized the conference that he attended, advising that it was very informative. He noted that they had requested a small donation to help as they have no funding. Following discussion, Councilman Clevinger moved to direct staff to send $250 to the I-81 Coalition. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was tourism brochure. Mr. Hawley advised of an opportunity to join with the County and the Chamber of Commerce for a grant to produce a tourism brochure. The cost to the Town could be approximately $1,000. He asked for Council input. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct the Town to give $1,000 for the grant for the tourism brochure. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell advised that the Employee of the Month had arrived at the meeting. He introduced the Employee of the Month for October, 2009, Sergeant R. D. Rucker. He read a press release aloud and presented Sergeant Rucker with a plaque. He advised that additionally, Sergeant R. D. Rucker would receive an extra paid day off and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. The next item on the agenda was the repurchase of cemetery a lot. Mr. Hawley advised of a request for the Town to repurchase spaces A & B, Section M ,Lot 73 in Oakwood East Cemetery. Staff recommended approval of the request. Councilman Kidd moved to direct staff to repurchase Cemetery space A & B, in lot 73, Section M of the Oakwood East cemetery in the amount of $700. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Virginians for the Arts. Mr. Hawley advised of a request to consider becoming a member of the Virginians for the Arts. He suggested that Council could review this during budget discussions. Councilman Welker opined that the Town needed to utilize any funds to support our local arts. Mayor Worrell agreed. November 3, 2009/Page 4 of 5 RESOLUTION 2009-23 RESOLUTION REGARDING APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS TO TOWN COMMITTEES WHEREAS, the Town Council has determined that it is in the general interest of the citizens of the Town of Pulaski to maintain a full membership roster of the various committees, authorities and boards of the Town; and, WHEREAS, several citizens have consented to serve on the Architectural Review Board, the Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA) and to be considered for nomination to the Board of Zoning Appeals; NOW, THEREFORE be it RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia sitting in regular session this 3rd day of November 2009 that the following persons are appointed to committees and authorities of the Town for the indicated terms as follows: Appointee Committee Length of Start of Tenor Expiration Date of Tenor Term Christo her Utt Arch. Review Bd. 4 ear term November 3 2009 November 3, 2013 Joe Rees .PRHA Balance of November 3, 2009 August 21, 2012 term FURTHER, that the name of the following citizen is placed in nomination before the Circuit Court for appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia for the term indicated as follows: Diane Whited Five Year Term This resolution is effective upon adoption and is hereby adopted by the duly recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia as follows: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H.M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA BY: S. Worrell, Mayor ATTEST: Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council The next item for consideration was Resolution 2009-23, Appointments. Mayor Worrell advised that this Resolution reappointed Chris Utt to the ARB for a four year term, Joe Rees to the PRHA for the balance of the term ending August 21, 2012 and placed Diane Whited's name and nomination before the Circuit Court for a five year term on the BZA. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2009-23, appointing Chris Utt to the ARB for a four year term, Joe Rees to the PRHA for the balance of the term ending August 21, 2012 and placed Diane Whited's name and nomination before the Circuit Court for a five year term. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Virginia First proposed legislation. Mr. Hawley advised that some legislation had previously been proposed to allow individual localities to leave Virginia First. Virginia First decided to develop a method for withdrawal that would protect the other members. Council had been asked to review the proposed legislation. Councilman Welker added that currently there was no method to allow localities to withdraw. The Authority wished to develop a method on their terms rather than ordained by the state government. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to prepare a Resolution in support of Virginia First proposed legislation as written. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Morgan P. Welker -Aye At 8:05 p.m., there being no additional business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clevinger, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: J S. Worrell, Mayor November 3, 2009/Page 5 of 5