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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-11Mints of the Town Council Meeting held October 4, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the , ~ Mun ipal Building at 42 First Street, NW. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Morgan P. Welker, H. M. Kidd, David L. Claris, Robert A. Bopp, Greg C. East AbsertUExcused: Joseph K. Goodman Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Gary Roche, Police Chief Rebecca Reece, Assistant to the Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Others: Amy Lewis Jennifer White Shawn Utt Clark Payne Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Kidd led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Bopp gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell advised that Councilman Goodman, while absent from the meeting, was attending the Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference on behalf of the Town. Mayor Worrell advised that the Town had received the Virginia Preservation Alliance Award for the renovation of the historic Pulaski Train Station. He presented the award to Police Chief Roche and Rebecca Reece, Assistant to the Finance Director on behalf of the Town. The next item on the agenda was Public Hearings. The f"rst item was consideration of a zoning amendment Adopting the Modification Process. The summary review in the packet noted that the Virginia Supreme Court raised the standard for a variance to the level where a property owner would have to show a board of zoning appeals that they had lost all beneficial uses of the property taken as a whole before they could even be considered for a variance. The practical effect of the ruling on Town citizens was to eliminate the grounds for considering commonly sought variances such as setbacks and yard requirements. Mr. Hawley advised that Council referred this item to the Planning Commission for review. The Planning Commission recommended that modifications not be adopted and that the special exception use permit, as used by Arlington County, be adopted instead. Mayor Worrell opened the Hearing at 7:03 p.m. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed. The next Public Hearing was in regard to Bond Issue Borrowing. Mr. Hawley advised that Council decided to apply for a general obligation bond/loan for the capital needs in the amount of $821,000. After advertising for quotes, the Finance Director received a quote of 3.92% interest far twenty years from the National Bank of Blacksburg. The Public Hearing was being held to receive public input. Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed. October 4, 2011/Page 1 of 4 ~ r Mayor Worrell move on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the September 6, 2011 Council minutes as written. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell moved on to Project Updates. Regarding Dora Highway, Mr. Hawley advised that the project had entered Phase II. A preconstruction conference hearing had been held with Meade Contracting for the infrastructure work; the Pertormance and Payment Bonds and required Certificate of Insurance had been received; the Notice to Proceed had been issu~tf and that construction should be started on the road and/or water line work by October 11. He noted that several more applications were needed for rehabilitation and infill houses. He also noted that Town Public Works crews were installing water and sewer services to the new houses and substantial rehabs as part of the grant match. The next item for discussion was an update on the sewer pump stations. Mr. Hawley summarized the progress for the Dora Highway (4a) and Wumo Pump Station (4b) improvements included in the packet. Mayor Worrell moved on to Tornado CDBG summary. Mr. Hawley advised that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) had scheduled the contract negotiation meeting. This would be used to develop the final scope of work that will need to be completed with the use of the CDBG funds. He asked Shawn Utt, from the County if he had any comments to add. Mr. Utt added that a Management Consultant and a Rehab Specialist would need to be selected. He noted that although the County and the Town had separate grants, the intent was to have only one Management Team and one Housing Oversight Board serve for both grants. The next item on the agenda was Route 99 Improvements. Mayor Worrell commented that Council had been working on this project for several years. Mr. Hawley agreed, noting that in 1995 Council made a request to VDOT to extend the four laning of Route 99 out to the corporate limits. Additionally, at that time, the County requested the extension of the four laning from the Town corporate limits to Intersta#e 81. He added that over the years, the plans had gone through several iterations leading to the current draft plans. He advised that staff participated in a review of the revised swping by the consultant last week. He noted that maintenance costs of landscaping not on a Town street and the monthly fee for the street lighting bill would have to be resolved. Mr. Hawley moved on to the Museum update. He advised that the design costs information for the drawings and spermcations to determine how they will be used as a match had been submitted to VDOT. He continued that each drawdown for the contractor had to show the source of the 20% match. He added that our match costs would be the value of the lot and the Town site preparation work and the future retaining wall. Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. He advised that Resolution 2011-19, Endorsement For The 2091 New Rnrer Valley Bikeway, Walkway, Blueway Plan had been drafted per Council's direction. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2011-19, seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on the following recorded vote: October 4, 2011lPage 2 of 4 Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Greg C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2011-11, Authorizing the Board of Zoning Appeals To Issue Special Exception Use Permits. Mayor Worrell commented that this had been discussed by Council and a Public Hearing held earlier in the meeting. Councilman Welker moved to adopt Ordinance 2011-11, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Greg C. East -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item was National Guard Training Area Agreement. Mr. Hawley advised that the National Guard contacted the Town regarding the Training Area Agreement. He asked Chief Roche to expand on the subject. Chief Roche advised that the National Guard was involved in an effort to confirm or secure agreements with local governments for the use of local government property. The previous agreement was signed in 1988 and had not been updated. A preliminary draft of an updated agreement had been included in the packet for review. The draft included specifics related to the use of Town property that adjoins the Armory that the National Guard utilizes for training purposes. The Attorney commented that more work needed to be done on the agreement. Following discussion, Councilman Welker requested a sketch of the area showing where everything is and what areas the Town needs to use and what areas the National Guard needs to use. Mayor Worrell commented that it would be helpful to know what the property had historically been used for. Staff agreed to bring back information for Council's review and to invite Sergeant Branscome to attend a meeting. The next item on the agenda was Brownsfields Assistance Fund. John White advised #hat the Town had submitted a grant application for the 2012 Virginia Brownfields Assistance Fund Program in the amount of $24,500. He added that the focus of the grant was on economically stressed communities, and required a 1:1 match, which would be covered with our existing E.P.A. Assessment grant funds. The funds, if awarded would be to allow a thorough Phase One and Phase Two environmental assessment of the Dalton building and help defray any environmental remediation if necessary. Mr. White also reported on the Governor's Revitalization Fund that would be available for a major community renewal project. That fund is also a 1:1 match with $600,000 being available from the Commonwealth, but those funds would require a local dollar for dollar match. With increasing tourist trafftc, in large part due to the success of the Trail, Depot and bike shop, and with an increase in those seeking lodging and meals in Town, October 4, 2011/Page 3 of 4 4b the renewal and repurposing of the Dalton Building seems like an excellent target. Listed on the national historical register, and so proximate to the Depot, bike shop, and planned Raymond t=. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum, the repurposed building could well serve as a niche hoteUhostel and location for a Downtown restaurant. The Town and County Economic Developers agreed to request of David Gall, architect for the Train Depot, a "Survey of Historic Elements," to be certain the building could, in fact, be readapted to new uses. Mr. Gall's report will be available for the work session on October 18, 2011. Counalman Welker inquired whether the Industrial Revitalization fund monies had already been awarded at this point? Mr. White responded that he did not know. He added that there was a floating deadline, but felt that the earlier the proposal was submitted, the better the chances of being awarded the funds. Counalman East agreed with Mr. White that this was an opportunity that should be investigated and felt the grant should be pursued. Mr. Harnrley added that staff had been seeking input regarding the logistics of the operations of motels and restaurants and the possibility of private ownership. Folowing discussion, Mr. White advised that he would provide further update at the next Work Session. Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2011-20. Mr. Warburton emphasized that the correct Resolution to be adopted had been placed at Council's desk. They were not voting on the document included in their packet. Counalman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2011-20, Authorizing The Issuance OfA General Obligafion Public Improvement Bond !n An Amount Not To Exceed $821,000 Of The Town Of Pulaski, To Be Sold To The National Bank Of Blacksburg, And Providing For The Form, Details And Payment Thereof And Authorizing Certain Related Actions. 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 -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Greg C. East -Aye At 8:13 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on voice vote. Approved: October a, 2011/Page 4 of 4 LI 1 i