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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-12Minutes of the Town Council meeting held February 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Train Station, 20 South Washington, Pulaski. Present were: David L. Clark, Vice Mayor Council: Morgan P. Welker; H. M. Kidd; Robert A. Bopp; Joseph K. Goodman, Gregory C. East Absent: Jeffrey S. Worrell Staff : John Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney John White, Economic Development Director Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Barbara Tate, Community Relations Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Clark Payne Sandy Payne Shawn Utt Larry Clevinger Nick Glenn David Rose Melinda Williams, Press Mike Williams, Press Vice-Mayor Clark called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Goodman moved to add an item to the agenda under Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), consult with legal counsel and briefings by staff, consultants. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Councilman Kidd moved to adopt the minutes of the January 24, 2012 Council Work Session. The motion was seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was the Employee of the Month award. Vice Mayor Clark introduced Patricia Cruise as the February 2012 Employee of the Month. He read a Press Release aloud and presented Mrs. Cruise with the award. He advised that in addition to receiving this award, Mrs. Cruise would receive an extra paid day off from work and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. Vice Mayor Clark moved on to Public Operations. Regarding Short Term Goals- Action Plans, Mr. Hawley advised that the Action Plan had been included in the packet. He advised that staff was present to discuss with Council the thoughts behind each step/goal of each action plan for the three short term goals. Barbara Tate reviewed the action steps for the first short term goal, which was to establish a volunteer group. She emphasized that if anyone wished to serve on one of the groups, to contact her at the Town offices. February 21, 2012/Page 1 of 5 John White reviewed the second short term goal, which was to work with the owner of the Pulaski Furniture complex to enhance the appearance of his property. He summarized some of the problems with the buildings, but noted some small improvements that could be made at little cost. Councilman Welker noted that the right of way the Town acquired for the Iron Bridge Trail project crosses Third Street and enters the Pulaski Furniture complex. He felt this could be a selling point for a potential developer. Mr. White responded that an overall redevelopment plan for the Town and County needed to be put together. He noted that information like that supplied by Councilman Welker could be included in that plan. Councilman Bopp inquired into the status of the old Sundowner building. Mr. Hawley advised that he had spoken with the owner of the property and he expressed interest at that time. However, since several months had passed with no action, he planned to direct staff to inspect the building for possible violations of the building code. Following more discussion, Councilman Goodman volunteered to work with Mr. White on this short term goal. Bill Pedigo reviewed the seven goals for improving the appearance of Route 11 corridor that were included in the packet. His plan included sending letters to all property owners, particularly on the Route 11 South corridor, to try to elicit help with the beautification project; removing old poles on Washington Avenue; working with AEP to get service drop to signal light rerun; and investigating a bike path from the Train Station trail head to the new mountain bike trail. During that discussion, Mr. Hawley commented that he thought there was legislation being proposed to allow a bike lane to oppose traffic. Staff was going to research this item. Mr. Pedigo continued with his summary including trying to finding a sponsor to improve the appearance of the planting area in front of the Southwest Times building; finishing the Museum construction; working with the County on a landscape plan for the Maple Shade Center improving Commerce Street and Washington Avenue area; installing a crosswalk on Commerce and Washington Avenue and trying to integrate the Farmers Market structure into the parking lot plan. Additionally, his plan called for an inventory of the signage from the south corporate limits on Washington to the Southwest Times shopping center and the improvement of wayfinding signage at 3~d and Washington and replacing the signage for Parks with combination signage for the new Museum. Mr. Hawley commented that Councilman Welker had been providing ideas to staff for these goals and he felt that he would continue to assist Mr. Pedigo. Councilman Welker inquired into the property maintenance at the service station? He also suggested looking at the railings, rock walls, retaining walls, etcetera on Washington for things that could be done inexpensively to dress it up a little bit. Mr. Hawley opined that the property maintenance issues were not a part of the goals for improving the appearance of the Route 11 corridor. He agreed these issues needed to be addressed but they would be handled through the normal property maintenance process and then be included in the Short Term Goals. Following more discussion, Councilman Welker moved to accept the three short term plans with the additions discussed at this meeting and subsequent additions that may come up into the Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye February 21, 2012/Page 2 of 5 Vice Mayor Clark moved on to the Bluegrass event. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been trying to see if they could cut expenses for the Bluegrass event. He _ reviewed some of the set expenses and advised that staff had been working to reduce costs for professional musicians. He advised that it appeared a smaller event could be accomplished for $4,100. He added that if there were no funds to pay any groups, and Council still wanted to sponsor an event, then it would be necessary to consider a jam session. He noted that even with that scenario, sound and advertising costs would have to be allocated. Mr. White, Mr. Hart and Mrs. Tate reviewed the suggested changes in planning for the smaller Bluegrass event including a different placement for the stage and holding the event at a later time of day to avoid the heat, advertising on social media, newspaper and radio and trying to find cosponsors for the event. Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to appropriate $4,000 from the Unappropriated Fund Balance for a Bluegrass event. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was consideration of a 501 c(3) for the museum. Mr. Hawley advised that a 501 c(3) status needed to be pursued for the museum as well as establishing a Board of Directors. Mr. Warburton noted that at the last meeting he had referred to 501 c(4) status being pursued. After research, staff found the proper status was 501 c(3) as referred to by Mr. Hawley. He added that citizens would be asked to serve on a Board to direct the Museum, its day to day operations and its fundraising. Once a 501 c(3) status was established, then the organization would be able to solicit funds from any interested person and that individual would be able to deduct that donation as a charitable contribution on their federal and state income taxes. He felt Council would wish to appoint the members of the Board. Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to direct staff to develop a process to seek 501 c(3) status for an organization tentatively known as Friends of the Museum. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Vice Mayor Clark moved on to Finance. The first item for discussion was potential refinancing of debt. Ms. Boyd introduced David Rose of Davenport and Company, who was present to discuss the possibility for refinancing the Town's Rural Development and General Obligation loans. Mr. Rose reviewed the plan to refinance some of the Town's current debt by taking advantage of low interest rates as well as shorter life of the loans. The potential savings realized from refinancing would free up funds necessary to apply towards much needed capital improvements. February 21, 2012/Page 3 of 5 Following discussion, Councilman Goodman directed staff to continue working with Davenport and Company to pursue direct bank loan ideas and VRA benefits and look at twenty years fixed and fifteen years fixed with a reset for the remaining term of five years and report back to Council at the March 20 meeting. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was a funding request for the Claytor Lake Festival. Mr. Hawley advised of the receipt of a funding request for the Claytor Lake festival. He noted this was an unbudgeted item. Following discussion, no action was taken. Vice Mayor Clark moved on to approval of the Performance Agreement for the award of $24,500 from the Brownfield Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund program. Mr. White advised that the Town had been awarded $24,500 from the Brownfield Restoration and Assistance Fund to perform Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, including asbestos evaluation at the former Dalton Building. He noted the Town would match this grant dollar for dollar from its EPA Assessment Grant. Councilman Welker moved to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Brownfield Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund Program Performance Agreement. The motion was seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: iJ Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Council moved on to Legislative items. Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Mr. Hawley advised that staff from the Town and County, CPP, Inc. and VDHCD had been working to develop the portion of the Housing Rehab program design for the tornado area to include volunteer built home policies and procedures. The new document, shown as item 10a-3 in the packet, had been included for Council review. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to adopt the Pulaski Tornado Recovery Project Program Design as amended and marked in the Council packet as 10a-3. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye At 6:50 p.m., Vice Mayor Clark called for a recess of five minutes. At 6:55 p.m., Vice Mayor Clark reconvened the meeting. Councilman Goodman moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consult with legal counsel and briefings by staff, consultants. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: February 21, 2012/Page 4 of 5 Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye At 8:12 p.m., Council returned from the Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Councilman Goodman moved to direct staff to prepare a letter in opposition to the proposed clinic and to submit the comments to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Councilman Welker seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye At 8:15 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Welker, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on voice vote. Approved: S. Worrell, Mayor 1 1 February 21, 2012/Page 5 of 5