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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-12'dir,~s3 of the Town Council meeting held December 18, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW, Pulaski, Virginia. Present were: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, Joseph K. Goodman, James A. Radcliffe Absent: H. M. Kidd Staff: John Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Warburton, Town Attorney "`'""'` ` Bill Webb, Fire Chief Gary Roche, Police Chief Tony Meredith, Police Department Captain Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Others: Clark Payne Nick Glenn Shawn Utt Andy McCready Elizabeth Chitwood Kim Thurlow Kevin Byrd Mike Williams, Press Melinda Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and welcomed the visitors to the meeting. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the November 20, 2012 Council minutes as written. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Presentations. Mayor Worrell introduced Kevin Byrd of the New River Valley' Planning District Commission, who addressed Council. Mr. Byrd provided an update regarding the New River Valley Planning District Commission's work with the Town and the region at large within the last several years. He asked for Council to respond to two questions from the Commission to help them serve the Town better. The first question was "What was the most pressing issue you face as an elected official in the Town of Pulaski"? The second question was "How can the PDC serve you better with things we haven't done, or could be doing"? He noted that Council could respond to the questions via email if they wished. He provided a handout from the Commission listing Board Members and other information. He introduced Kim Thurlow to address Council. Ms. Thurlow addressed Council regarding the Livability Initiative. She summarized the Initiative's work and the type of data gathered regarding the Town and adjoining area. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations. The first item was an update on Pulaski Furniture. Mr. Hawley advised that the paint booths and other items in the "Finishing Plant" were being removed. Additionally, he noted that one of the tenants at the site was discussing an expansion. Regarding the Route 11 corridor, Mr. Hawley summarized the progress made at the Transportation Museum including the installation of the heating system and discussion of the landscaping. ' Mayor Worrell asked if Council could have an update from the Fine Arts Center on their status? December 18, 2012/Page 1 of 4 Mayor Worrell inquired about the volunteer committee. Mr. Hawley advised that he would ask Mrs. Ison for an update. Mayor Worrell inquired about the volunteer committee. Mr. Hawley advised that there had been no meetings during the holidays, but the next meeting was scheduled for January 10, 2013. He added that volunteers were needed to man the Ratcliffe Museum. He noted that the position would require some training and would have some of the responsibilities of a regular Town employee. He added that volunteer applications showing interest in the museum that are received by the Committee would be forwarded to the Parks and Facilities Director, Dave Hart, for his review. He advised that a draft job description had been included in the packet for a Docent Coordinator for Council's review. He added that volunteers would also be needed for the Easter Egg Hunt in the spring of 2013 and the Grand Slam Bluegrass Festival in May of 2013. Fire Chief Webb advised that sign-ups for the Volunteers had been set for January 16, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Train Station. Councilman East inquired whether RSVP or any other organization had been contacted regarding volunteering? Fire Chief Webb responded negatively. He advised that he had been concentrating on individuals, but would see that groups were contacted. Mayor Worrell moved on to Joint Dispatch update Mr. Hawley advised that the committee had met four times. He noted that goals had been established and parameters listed for this to be successful. He added that one of the parameters indicated aCommittee/Chief Dispatcher operation appearing to be preferred over contracted service at this time. He advised that the committee would be reviewing the equipment needs and grant sources. ,Mayor Worrell moved on to Finance Mr. Hawley reviewed the issues related to Commerce Park refinancing and site preparation. He advised that Council could choose to support Pulaski County's extension of the moral obligation. Council should also reaffirm the ongoing commitment of the Town to contribute $20,001 or $2.75 for each of the Town's original 7,273 shares that is equal to 4.85% of Commerce Park ownership. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to contribute proportionally to annual expense resulting from additional financing for site improvements and incentives, minus property tax revenue that would accrue to the Town from a major client and to support Pulaski County's moral obligation for Commerce Park refinancing and site preparation. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to the Pulaski Area Transit budget. Mr. Hawley advised that Mr. Heinline could not attend the meeting as he was in Richmond attending a meeting. He noted that Mr. Heinline would be glad to meet with Council one on one when he returned from Richmond if Council desired. He added that he had received an update from Mr. Heinline that had better numbers than was in the preliminary budget for Pulaski Area Transit that had been placed in the Council ,packet. He summarized the projected changes to the budget as reflected in his email from Mr. Heinline. The next item on the agenda was Heartwood -Southwest Virginia funding. December 18, 2012/Page 2 of 4 rvn. nawro auvwcu uia~ nnviuiauvi~ Nivr~uou .,y .~~o .,.....,,..~~.., a• ~ ~ .,..................~... __.. _.. .. .. }ho crnnnmir imn~r4 of }ho HParfwnn[t Facility had been included in the packet. He noted that he expected Mr. Hawley advised that information provided by the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation detailing the economic impact of the Heartwood Facility had been included in the packet. He noted that he expected their budget request to be similar to the year before, which was $7,500. He noted that last year, the Town sent, $4,000 and used a billboard in Town to cover the remainder. He added that the majority of the contribution goes to the operation of the Crooked Road and Round the Mountain programs. Mayor Worrell moved on to the Museum - 501 (c) 3. He advised that in order to establish a 501 (c) 3 Foundation for the Museum, it was necessary to develop a set of By-Laws and also a Board of Directors. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was reviewing several sets of By-Laws for the Museum and would draft a set for Council to review. Mayor Worrell agreed that it was important to have a strong Board of Directors and asked Council to consider citizens to serve on the Board. Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative and Ordinance 2012-17. He advised that this completed action of Council. Mr. Warburton advised that the goals of the Ordinance were to modernize the language, take out unenforceable sections of our Code and take out, with a few exceptions, the possibility of jail sentence for violation of the Town Ordinance. The intent of the latter was to save the Town money without giving up enforcement as the Police Department followed state code. He reviewed some other items changed in the Ordinance. Following discussion, Councilman East moved to table Ordinance 2012-17 until the next Work Session. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: ' Heather L. Steele -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Council Committees. He advised that there had been some recent discussion regarding returning to a Committee system of government. He noted that a report had been included in the Council packet regarding the request. The Mayor commented that he had worked under both systems of government and preferred the system now in place. He felt the current system made the meetings more streamlined. Councilman Goodman felt that the Committee system was the most effective. Mr. Warburton advised that the Mayor had the authority to appoint a Committee of any kind for any purpose and is also an ex-officio member of all Committees. Following extensive discussion, Council decided not to appoint Committees, but to leave the language regarding Committees in the Council Rules and Regulations. Mayor Worrell moved on to Round Table Discussion. Councilman Goodman congratulated the Public Works Department on the nice job they were doing on the sidewalk at Washington Avenue and Fifth Street. ' Councilman Radcliffe wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked staff for a job well done. December 18, 2012/Page 3 of 4 At 6:35 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Prospective Business. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye At 6:44 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell advised that the first meeting of the month in January 2013, fell on January 1, which was a holiday. He suggested moving the meeting to January 8, 2013. Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to hold the first meeting of the month in 2013 on January 8 and the second meeting of the month on January 15. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Clark and so carried. n Approvecj,~~ Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor December 18, 2012/Page 4 of 4