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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-11Minutes of the Town Council meeting held October 18, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 42 First Street, NW. Pulaski. Present were: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Morgan P. Welker; H. M. Kidd, David L. Clark; Robert A. Bopp; Joseph K. Goodman, Gregory C. East 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 B. White, Economic Development Director Anthony Meredith, Captain Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Craig Quinn, Project Engineer Tommy Witten, Water Treatment Plant Operator Others: Ron Hall Melinda Williams, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Welker moved to adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2011 Council minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell introduced Tommy Witten as the October 2011 Employee of the Month. He read a Press Release aloud and presented Mr. Witten with the award. He advised that in addition to receiving this award, Mr. Witten 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. The next item on the agenda was Public Operations. Mr. Hawley summarized the progress made on Code Enforcement regarding Property Maintenance since it was implemented this year. He reminded Council that during the aftermath of the tornado that hit the Town, work was delayed on enforcement of Property Maintenance. He explained how the Askpulaskitown web site worked if complaints were registered through that system. He added that staff was now actively working on the enforcement. He specified that one violation was past the deadline for repair and staff was asking Council's approval to authorize staff and the Town Attorney "to institute the appropriate legal proceedings to restrain, correct or abate the violation or to require the removal or termination of the use of the building or structure involved." Mr. Warburton advised that this method in the Code of Virginia imposes civil sanctions on property owners for failure to follow some code issues. He added that it is treated as a misdemeanor and provides for fines, but not a jail sentence. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to authorize staff and the Town Attorney to follow Section 104.5.6 of the Virginia Maintenance Code to institute the appropriate legal proceedings to restrain, correct or abate the violation or to require the removal or termination of the use of the building or structure involved. 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 October 18, 2011 /Page 1 of 4 Mr. Warburton offered another option to Council by drawing attention to a part of the Code of Virginia that allows you to come up with a uniform schedule of fines, publish it, vote on it, adopt it and then the Zoning Official can allow anyone so cited to come in and just pay it off without it going to court. Mayor Worrell asked the Town Manager if staff could draw up such a schedule? Mr. Hawley advised that staff would work on it. He noted that with this option, a fine would be paid to the Town, but the violation would still be present. Councilman Welker inquired whether a second or third fine could be charged the owner if he paid the fine but did not fix the violation? Mr. Warburton responded yes, every day is a separate offense on everything in the Maintenance Code. Councilman East liked the idea of charging fines because the goal was to incentivize people to do what they need to do. He felt it would motivate most people and at a minimum, let the citizens know that the Town is serious about these violations. More discussion ensued, with staff being asked to input all of the complaints, including those for Building Code and Maintenance Code violations into the Askpulaskitown computer program so that all complaints could be tracked from the one program. Mr. Hawley completed his summary of progress on Property Maintenance. issues. Next, Mayor Worrell moved on to the Dalton Building update. Mr. White advised that staff was working with David Gall regarding the restoration and repurposing of the Dalton Building. He added that he had received the architects' opinion statement with regards to the usefulness and the integrity of the Dalton building. He read some of the statement to Council. He advised that the owner of the Dalton building, Harry Leeper, was still interested in conveying the building to the appropriate entity. The tax value of the building was $143,000. Mr. White discussed some potential funding to pursue this project if the project was deemed viable. He urged discussion with the County to obtain their help with funding. Mayor Worrell moved on to Peak Creek Ownership. Mr. Hawley pointed out the survey of the Creek channel that was made in 2006. He advised that the Town Attorney would provide an update. Mr. Warburton advised that there were about 125 to 135 adjoining parcels. There were fewer owners than parcels because some people owned multiple lots. He estimated that it would cost between $500 and $2500 to research the parcels. Discussion ensued as to what would have to be done to ascertain who owned what properties and where the property lines were. The consensus of Council was for Mr. Warbuton to ascertain the owners of Peak Creek. The next item on the agenda was Town of Pulaski Day at Heartwood. Mr. White advised that the Town had been invited to participate in a special day showcasing the community at Heartwood. Once a day is decided upon, The Town would be expected to set up displays and exhibits, recruit artisans and crafts vendors and provide musical performance. He commented that there would be some cost for display and exhibits to tell our story. He suggested that Council share any ideas they might have for ^ entertainment with staff via email. The consensus of Council was for staff to check and see what days are available. October 18, 2011/Page 2 of 4 Mayor Worrell moved on to tornado area fees. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had waived the contractor's business license cost, building permit fees, utility bill late fees and reconnect fees in the tornado area through October 8, 2011. He had authorized the Finance Department to continue to waive the fees until Council could review at this meeting. He inquired whether Council wanted to continue with all the waivers or possibly only waive the building permits and contractor license fees or discontinue the waivers. Mayor Worrell suggested continuing the exemption of the building permit fees, but discontinuing the other fees. Councilman Bopp inquired how many building permits were being issued in the tornado area at this time. Mr. Hawley did not know, however, he noted that most of them were minimum permit fee charges. Councilmen Bopp, Clark and Goodman agreed with the Mayor to continue the exemption of the building permit fees in the tornado area. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to continue the exemption of building permits in the tornado area. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion. Following discussion, Councilman Clark withdrew his motion and then moved to continue to waive the building permit fees through the end of December 2011 in the tornado area. 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 Mayor Worrell moved on to contract for grant administration -tornado recovery. Mr. Hawley advised that the Department of Housing and Community Development allowed the Town/County to do a single procurement for a consultant for grant administration for the two tornado recovery grants. He advised that two proposals were received, with the selection committee recommending using Community Planning Partners from Richmond for the grant administration. He noted that the Town Attorney had reviewed the contract for Council's approval. Councilman Welker moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the agreement with Community Planning Partners from Richmond for the grant administration of the tornado recovery grants. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and it 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 contract for Housing Rehabilitation Specialist for tornado recovery. Mr. Hawley advised that four proposals were received for a Housing Rehabilitation Specialist for tornado recovery. The Review Committee recommended using Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP). He added that this contract had also been reviewed by the Town Attorney. He noted that the fees for the Rehabilitation Specialist are set by the Department of Housing and Community Development. October 18, 2011/Page 3 of 4 Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the agreement for the contract for a Housing Rehabilitation Specialist for tornado recovery. Councilman Clark 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 Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative issues. The first item was Program Income Plan for Dora Highway. Mr. Hawley advised that the Department of Housing and Community Development required a Program Income Plan for the second phase of the Dora Highway project. A proposed Program Income Plan had been included in the packet and had been endorsed by the Dora Highway Neighborhood Management Team on October 13. Councilman Kidd moved to authorize the Town Manager to certify the Program Income Plan for Phase II of the Dora Highway project. 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 The next item on the agenda was the Project Management Plan for Phase II of the Dora Highway project. Mr. Hawley advised that the Department of Housing and Community Development required a Project Management Plan for Phase II of the Dora Highway project. A proposed Project Management Plan for Phase II of the Dora Highway project had been included in the packet. Councilman Clark moved to accept the Project Management Plan for Phase II of the Dora Highway project 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 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Welker and so carried. Approved: ey S. W6rrell, Mayor ~1 1 October 18, 2011 /Page 4 of 4