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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-13Minutes of the Town Council meeting held June 18, 2013 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, H. M. Kidd, Joseph K. Goodman, James A. Radcliffe Staff: John Hawley, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Kim Caudill, Administrative Manager Pam Witten, Incoming Finance Director Sherry Boyd, Outgoing Finance Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Tony Meredith, Captain Dana Bishop Accounts Payable Clerk Others: Clark Payne Charles Wade Mike Crabtree Janet Golden Terri Fitzwater Palmore Allen Palmore Steve Critchfield Vincent Martin Nick Glenn J. David Adkins Debbie Maxwell Jon Fitzwater Shannon Watkins, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and welcomed the visitors to the meeting. The first item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of the May 21, 2013 Council meeting as written. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell introduced the Employee of the Month for June 2013, Sandra Miller, Tax Clerk in the Finance Department. He read a press release aloud and advised that in addition to receiving the Employee of the Month award, Mrs. Miller would also receive an additional paid day off from the Town and be eligible for the Employee of the Year Award at the end of the year. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations. The first item was Short Term Goal -Pulaski Furniture. Mr. Hawley provided an update on the Pulaski Furniture site including a project to make the finishing building more marketable. He added that Blue Bird Resins had expanded into one of the buildings on the site and that the "glass building" was the next target for improvement. Regarding the Route 11 corridor, Mr. Pedigo advised that a crosswalk had been placed near the intersection of Dora Highway and Washington Avenue to facilitate pedestrian traffic from the Train Station to the Maple Shade area. He added that staff was continuing to work with the County on the parking lot and fire lane layout for the center. Councilman East inquired whether staff had heard from the County regarding installing stands along Commerce for the Farmers Market? June 18, 2013/Page 1 of 9 Mr. Hawley replied that he had emailed the individual who originally brought up the idea to install stands along Commerce for the Farmer's Market and received no reply. Councilman East felt it would be good to mention it again to the County Mr. Pedigo advised that he would do so. Moving on to the volunteers, Mr. Hawley provided an update including that a Saturday cleanup day for the downtown area had been held June 8, 2013. He noted that the volunteers indicated a need for cleanup equipment and that staff would work to meet this need. The next item for discussion was YMCA report. Mayor Worrell commented that staff had been working with the YMCA for the last several weeks. He added that the YMCA had come to the Town asking for help in exchange for some programs to be provided for the citizens and Town staff. He noted that they had hosted a tour for Council which some attended. Mr. Hawley advised that information provided by the YMCA had been included in the packet providing the value of the programs they were offering the Town. Also provided to Council was information provided by staff showing the estimated value of the maintenance provided by the Town if approved by Council. He noted that staff had discussed how to allocate 30 memberships to employees. He advised that representatives from the YMCA were present to answer any questions Council might have. During discussion, some Council members noted that they were not against the YMCA, however, they expressed concern for how the extra work at the YMCA would affect staff workload, how the Town could do work for anon-profit organization, how to allocate the free memberships fairly to staff, and that this affected a limited number of citizens. Additionally, they discussed the maintenance projects such as roads and flower beds that were already behind schedule. Other members of Council commented that the flip side of the argument was that it was an opportunity for the citizens of the Town to utilize the YMCA with the assistance of the Town, and that the Town provided funds to other non-profit organizations, but there would be a return from the YMCA in the form of a seniors program, 30 free memberships for staff and youth activities etc. The Mayor and Councilman Clark suggested that it could be tried as a pilot project Following further discussion, staff was asked to gather more information regarding the cost for each service and a real understanding from staff as to a time frame for each service for discussion at the July 16 Council meeting. Mayor Worrell moved on to the Redevelopment Plan by David Gall. Mr. White reminded Council that David Gall had presented a Redevelopment and Renewal Plan for the Community of Pulaski, Virginia to a joint session of Town Council and the Board of Supervisors, with members of the general public present. He summarized the presentation and advised that Mr. Gall had hoped for a public vote of affirmation by the two public bodies that would start the clock toward implementing redevelopment. He noted that Council was not committing the Town to any expenditure of funds by affirming the report in principle. Councilman Clark moved to affirm the report in principle, seconded by Councilman East. The motion carried on the following recorded vote: June 18, 2013/Page 2 of 9 Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative. The first item was Ordinance 2013-09. H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell commented that Ordinance 2013-09 completed action of Council. He noted that Council had a spirited debate on this issue as well as a Public Hearing. He asked if Council had a motion in relation to this Ordinance. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2013-09, Amendment to Ordinance 2011-05 of the Town of Pulaski Code of Ordinances Adopting An Increase In the Fixed Charge For Water Service. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - No H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East - No Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe - No Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye The next item was Resolution 2013-04. Mayor Worrell advised that a Public Hearing had been held regarding the Capital Improvement Plan. He asked if Council had a motion in relation to this Resolution. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2013-04, Approving The Five Year Capital Improvements Program For The Town of Pulaski as written. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion. Councilman East commented that the only issue that he had with this plan was the $5,000 for two awnings to protect vehicles. He felt that the funds could be better spent. Councilman Goodman reminded Council that at any point a modification could be made to the plan so that if it was determined that a change needed to be made once the Plan was adopted, it could be done.. He added that Council was required by law to adopt a Capital Improvement Plan. The motion then passed on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - No H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East - No Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe - No Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2013-05, Adopting a Budget Establishing Appropriations For The Town Of Pulaski, Virginia For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2013 And Ending June 30, 2014. He commented that Council had been working on the budget for a year. He added that no one was one hundred percent satisfied with it, but it was a compromise and that is the way it should work. He noted that he was pleased with the proposed budget that had been hammered out and encouraged Council to adopt it. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2013-05 as written. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and it failed on the following recorded vote: June 18, 2013/Page 3 of 9 Heather L. Steele - No Gregory C. East - No David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe - No Mr. Warburton noted that the Mayor was not allowed to vote on the budget. It had to pass by a majority of Council and for this purpose the Mayor was not a member of Council. He advised Council that they had to have a budget by June 30, 2013. Councilman Goodman asked if changes were made to the budget in order to get it passed, would that require another two week period for advertising? Mr. Warburton responded in the affirmative. He commented that the public had to be allowed the opportunity to provide input on the amended budget if they chose to. He noted that todays' date was the 18"' of June. Councilman Goodman responded that there was not 14 days left in the month to advertise the budget. Mr. Warburton agreed. Following a question from Council, it was pointed out as an example that if the budget was not adopted, the only things that would be paid were contracts and purchased services. Additionally, Council would not be paid, nor would Mr. Warburton and no supplies would be purchased. It was also felt that staff would not be paid. Councilman Goodman inquired whether the failure to adopt the budget would result in a potential shutdown of most government services? Mr. Warburton responded that he would not say that. He would allow Councilman Goodman to say that however. Mayor Worrell asked Council what part of the budget they were unhappy with? Councilman East did not like the increase in fees for water especially for businesses. He wanted to see the budget balanced by decreases rather than increases in any item. Mayor Worrell inquired what he would cut? Councilman East spoke about the suggestion to combine the Economic Development and the Community Relations Director into one department called Community Development. Councilman Radcliffe agreed with Councilman East. Additionally, he felt the Museum salaries included in the budget needed to be decreased. Councilwoman Steele commented that she wanted to balance a budget without raising anything. Councilman East commented that the original concept of the Museum was that it would be staffed by volunteers. Councilman Goodman pointed out that the reason for the water rate fee increase was that the Water and Sewer fund was supposed to pay for itself. He added that the Water and Sewer fund was in the red by $100,000 in this budget was not paying all its responsibilities to the general fund. He continued that then there was a dam inundation study in the amount of $50,000. He added that some workers in the Water Department of Public Works Department were driving vehicles that were close to being unsafe. If Council did not raise the water fees which would net the Town approximately $60,000, where would Council find those funds? He continued that his suggestion was to raise the water fees as discussed. That would pay for the inundation study this year and then the following years that money could be used for the water and sewer fund for June 18, 2013/Page 4 of 9 infrastructure, equipment, etc. Then when the next inundation study came up, the funds would already be in the account. Councilman East advised that the exact same thing could be done with the realignment of staff positions. He felt that things were not going to get easier to balance the budget. He added that health care costs were increasing and the next few years were going to be interesting. He noted that Council had the responsibility to be more efficient and the Town could not afford to have a bloated government. He liked Councilman Goodman's previous suggestion to create a Community Development Department, which would be a combination of the Community Relations Director and the Economic Development Director. Councilman Goodman replied that when he made this suggestion, he had intended for this to be discussed during the next fiscal year's budget discussions. He summarized his thoughts on the matter. Following further discussion, Mr. Warburton advised that per the Charter, Council could amend the proposed budget so long as it was not increased. Additionally, he advised that he may have misled Council earlier in the meeting. He advised that the budget "shall be adopted within six weeks of the beginning of the fiscal year" and it would be balanced in essence retroactively. He continued "no monies may be legally expended for Town purposes after the expiration of six weeks until after the budget shall have been adopted." He added that he did not think Council would have to advertise as long as it was within the constraints of the first part of what he read to them. However, he strongly encouraged Council to have a budget before July 1 if at all possible. Councilman Goodman commented that he would really like to have the budget adopted that night. He asked Councilwoman Steele, Councilman East and Councilman Radcliffe what it would take to pass the budget that night. He suggested a few options that might be possible. Councilman Clark interjected that Council had been "hammering on this budget for eleven months". "There's not been a word said up here in this discussion that hasn't been said during those eleven months." "Everything that everyone is disagreeing with was said ahead of time." He continued "no one up here came up with a way to fix it during those eleven months." "No budget that we've had at this Town in the eight years that I've been doing it, has satisfied me. This one doesn't either. But we have to continue our operations and we have to work every year to try to do better to continue those operations." He stated "what we're doing right now is not what our job is. Our job is to take care of the citizens of this Town. Yes, fixing a balanced budget will take care of them, but we have to continue to move forward with new projects, with new things. Things that we've done in this Town. This Town has changed a tremendous amount in the last eight years. Some of it's not great. A lot of it's really good. There have been improvements made. There have been good things happening. We could sit here from now until next July and never leave this room and we're still not all going to be in agreement with everything we do in this budget. But we worked eleven months to get to where we are right now. And to shut it down in the eleventh hour like this is a disservice to the community in my opinion." Councilman Kidd agreed with Councilman Clark. Councilman Radcliffe asked why there was $22,500 in the National Guard Armory line item. He thought the Town had cancelled this. Mr. Hawley responded that the National Guard had not responded to the Town's letter yet. He noted that this line item was an in and out. The revenue offset the expenditure, so there was no impact on the budget. Mayor Worrell advised that "Councilman Radcliffe led the debate or led the discussion on the sorry shape of the vehicles that our employees are driving in this Town and that was one of the things we were going to try to address with the fixed fees in the water." He continued "so if you're not going to do that, then that's the first thing that goes out the window." June 18, 2013/Page 5 of 9 Councilman Radcliffe stated that one of the first things that needed to be shaved was the part time help in the Museum instead of a vehicle. He continued, "if those doors don't open up over there, it's not going to shut this Town down". "But if we don't have equipment to work with, yes it will." Councilman East advised that he was in favor of beginning the discussions regarding looking at the consolidation of the Economic Development and Community Relations position. He wanted to see what that position would look like. He added that it all needed to tie into our Virginia Main Street leadership or the leader of the Virginia Main Street program and having someone overseeing that. He commented that he was in favor of pulling together all of that information and beginning to have a regular discussion at our Work Sessions to hammer out what that new position would look like. Councilman Goodman responded that Council could ask the Mayor to put that on the Work Session agenda in July. He continued that gives staff a month to start putting together the data and we can also work on it ourselves. How we would merge those two positions, what the job expectations would be and what savings from salaries we would realize. He noted that "if there are other areas or positions where we feel there's an overlap, I'd say this is a good opportunity to start working on them as well." "What I would suggest is that tonight, maybe we commit ourselves at this table to looking at that position, maybe set a clock for like 120 days that we have to come up with a decision and action on what's done with those two positions and then we go ahead and reduce the staffing funding for the Museum to a level we're all comfortable with and if you're comfortable with that maybe we can get this budget passed." Councilman East responded that he would certainly be in favor of that and that it would help him support the budget. He continued "I just want to be clear that anything I've said here tonight wasn't meant to be offensive to staff or anyone. It's simply I'm looking at a budget where we have the obligation as Council to give our citizens the best we can give them and I think we have an obligation to be as efficient and become as efficient as we can be. We are in times where we can't afford to be inefficient any longer. As we move forward with health care costs rising and that sort of thing, we have to get better at what we're doing. I certainly think that's one way to do that. One of many. And you hit the nail on the head, that's not going to be the end all, be all, but it will certainly move us in the right direction." Councilman Goodman responded "One thing I'd agree with you Mr. East. I think we all realize that we have to start understanding with government... we need to reduce its footprint as much as we can. In some areas we can realize efficiencies. From my thirteen years as a state employee, I see a lot of things going on in Town that I have seen as a state employee. And that is that we have Town staff that are working and doing the jobs of two, three, four, sometimes five people. They are not just working forty hours a week. They are trying to squeeze eighty hours of work into a forty hour work week. And we have to be cautious how we realize these efficiencies that we think that we see. Because it may be that you're going staff short in some areas. Someone's going to be working so hard, they just can't do it any more, or they won't do it because the salary isn't matching the level of work that they have to do. That's where we are at the state level. I'd be glad to look at those. I think we have to say there's always a chance. I think with these two positions there's a prime opportunity, but there are other positions where it may not be feasible." Mayor Worrell inquired "where are we here". If we commit to begin reviewing the staffing for Economic Development and reducing the part time line item for the Museum, can any of you three get on board with this budget? Councilman East responded "if we can develop a new position which is a hybrid of Community Relations and Economic Development, and define what that position entails within one hundred twenty days, then I can support this budget. Along with a cut in the Museum part time staffing." Councilman Kidd inquired what Councilman East had in mind for the positions? Councilman East responded "develop an agreed upon job description of what that would look like". June 18, 2013/Page 6 of 9 Councilman Kidd commented, so you would take this department and this department and go with their job description and create one, is that it? Councilman East responded correct. He added, "but I think it gets bigger than that." Councilman Kidd interjected "but then we've gotta dig deeper into it from there. I agree." Councilman East continued "then we really have to look into where we're going as a Town. I mean with these and I keep repeating, the Virginia Main Street program. I think that's important. That we have somebody that's heading that up. And I would see this as a department where we actually at some point have grant writers and folks that are out applying for every grant available." Mr. Hawley interjected that it needed to be pointed out that the Main Street Director cannot be an employee of the Town of Pulaski, if he remembered right. He added that staff would have to verify that. Councilman East stated that he'd heard both sides of that and he wasn't sure that was accurate. He added that the Town could vet that in part of developing the position. Mayor Worrell commented to Mr. Warburton "We have a motion to adopt a budget that has failed for lack of a majority." He asked what the next step would be. Mr. Warburton advised that "if Council wanted to stay on topic, they should stay on budget as opposed to going back to raising the water fees or going to a personnel issue regarding combining some issues. If you want to take up a matter that will satisfy those who have committed to this one hundred twenty day process, you certainly can with the consent of Council, but I would ask you to stay on the budget right now. In other words, if there's going to be a budget resolution tonight that would be nice and then followed by something regarding a one hundred twenty day process regarding Economic Development. I guess it's a matter of trust. But to stay on topic, you need to stay on the budget." Discussion ensued regarding how Council could go forward with Councilman Goodman making a motion for Council to work with staff to develop a process commencing on the July Work Session of Council to evaluate the merger of the Director of Economic Development, Director of Community Relations and Director of Senior Center positions and that it is to be completed by Council within one hundred twenty days of the start. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Councilman East moved to reconsider Resolution 2013-05. Councilman Steele seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell called for discussion from Council. Councilwoman Steele commented that if Council was reducing the Museum part time line item, could those funds be reallocated to the bathrooms at Gatewood facility. Mr. Hawley advised that there was a $21,000 budgetary fund balance that would go in the Unappropriated fund balance. If Council wished to use those funds, they could. June 18, 2013/Page 7 of 9 Following discussion, Councilman East asked that staff provide a dollar amount to redo the showers at Gatewood by the July Work Session. Councilman East moved to adopt the 2013/14 budget after decreasing the museum part time line item 0300 by $8,000 and allocating the $8,000 for Gatewood bathrooms. Councilman Radcliffe 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 -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye At 6:50 p.m. Mayor Worrell called for a ten minute recess. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting and moved on to the Legislative agenda. He advised the first item was Ordinance 2013-08, Amending the Zoning Regulations Regarding Pain Management Clinics. He noted this completed action of Council. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2013-08, Amending The Zoning Regulations Regarding Pain Management Clinics. Councilman East 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 -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The next item on the agenda was appointment to the Ratcliffe Board. Mr. Hawley advised that Evan Collins had indicated an interest in serving on the Friends of the Ratcliffe Board. Councilman Clark moved to appoint Evan Collins to the Friends of the Ratcliffe Board. 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 -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Town Committee status membership report. Mr. Hawley advised that several boards had vacancies that needed to be filled. He added that it was very critical that the Housing Authority positions filled. He asked for the support of the press to get the word out. He noted that staff would contact those whose vacancies had just expired to see if they wished to be reappointed. The next item on the agenda was consideration of Cameron Fitzwater Memorial Day. Mr. Hawley advised of the receipt of an email from Terri Fitzwater-Palmore asking Council to consider establishing the first Saturday in April as Cameron Fitzwater Memorial Day. He noted that this year a Color Me Cameron Run was held in memory of Cameron with proceeds going to several scholarships to be used at Pulaski County High School. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to prepare a Resolution Establishing the first Saturday in April as Cameron Fitzwater Memorial Day. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: June 18, 2013/Page 8 of 9 Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The next item was update on Longview Court. Mr. Pedigo advised that he was in contact with one oorha flowd roblemt but just dirty water. He no ed t at t e indicated the problem was not a pressure problem, n p area was on a loop so the water just gets stagnantmo a often if necessaryeHe added that long terdm, staff on a flushing program and get it flushed every week or would try to find a way to get the loop out of there and get the area tied back into the same pressure zone. Mayor Worrell asked was there a possibility that there was an undeveloped right of way between Henry Avenue and Long View Court? Mr. Pedigo advised that there was and also that ehadded that he would explorehoptions. down the hill, but it was in another pressure zone, so it wouldn t work. H Councilman Goodman commented that if possible, this should be made a top priority. He noted that this could possible fall into the Capital Costs category. Mayor Worrell moved on to Round Table Discussion. Councilman East inquired if there was an update on the vulture problem? 1 Mr. Hawley advised that no response had been received from the Department of Agriculture. In the meantime, staff was continuing to go forward with the kill permit. Councilman East then asked Mr. Warburton whether there was an update on the Allen lot on Main Street? Mr. Warburton responded that there was nothing new to report. Councilman Goodman asked Mr. Warburton to refresh his memory because he had said that there was another step that he had to take? Mr. Warburton responded that he had to rework it because of an error he made in the procedure, therefore, he had to go back and start over. Councilman Goodman warned that the skunks are in the area again. Additionally, he thanked his fellow Council members for completing the budget. Councilman Radcliffe thanked staff for all of their hard work. Mayor Worrell wished Ms. Boyd well in her retirement. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Radcliffe and so carried. Approved: S. Worrell, Mayor June 18, 2013/Page 9 of 9