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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-13Minutes of the Town Council meeting held July 16, 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 Pam Witten, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Dana Bishop Accounts Payable Clerk Others: Brad Mecham Elijah Sharp Kevin Byrd Janet Golden John C. McElroy Terri Fitzwater Palmore 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 Kidd moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of the June 4 and June 18, 2013 Council meetings as written. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell advised that the Employee of the Month for July 2013 was actually a group from the Police Department. He read a press release aloud commending Detective Dan Grim, Corporal Derick Waddell and Officer Anthony Thompson and advised that in addition to receiving the Employee of the Month award, they would also receive an additional paid day off from the Town. The next item was New River Valley Planning District Commission Route 99 Retail Feasibility Study. Kevin Byrd addressed Council reminding them that approximately a year ago Council had asked the New River Valley Planning District Commission to assist with research and perform a study on the Exit 94 area. He added that while working on the project, the scope quickly expanded to include areas from I-81 exit 94 to the 3 mile distance from I-81 that allows I-81 signage. Elijah Sharp and Brad Mecham explained the study to Council. Their planning showed different development scenarios for four quadrants including the existing shopping centers and also for development at the exit 94/old Route 100 area. Following discussion, Council was advised that the next step if they wanted to proceed, was to contact the VDOT Salem District and speak with them regarding the lighting on the Route 99 corridor and the needed changes on the 1-81 interchange. After further discussion, staff was directed to put together a package that included demographics and other items that businesses might refer to if they were considering opening in Pulaski. Councilwoman Steele advised that she would gather information to help with this packet. It was noted that once this package was prepared, staff could make cold calls to recruit businesses and send the package out to them. July 16, 2013/Page 1 of 6 Mr. Byrd added one more recommendation on the Transportation project. He advised that each fall a meeting is held with a Commonwealth Transportation Board member for the Salem District. He encouraged the Town to attend that meeting and advocate for the Town project. Councilman Goodman commented that several years ago when the Town tried to work with the County on expanding down Route 99, the County advised that "we had not done our homework" and they would not agree to help. He added that now that the information had been gathered, the Town needed to ask the County to work with the Town. He continued that if the Town did not find a partner in the County, this project would not move forward. He noted that the Town did not have the ability to develop County land without the County's permission. He added that the Town needed to work to get the changes completed on Exit 94, but the County also needed to agree to work with the Town on Exit 94. The next item on the agenda was Public Operations and the YMCA report. Mr. Hawley advised that the Engineering staff would be meeting with the YMCA for a site inspection of the pool area and also would review the fall schedule for public works. Mayor Worrell moved on to Barrett's Store condemnation. Mr. Hawley advised that the code compliance officer sent a property maintenance letter to the owner of Barrett's Store beside the Railroad tracks on Randolph Avenue. The owner responded that she thought the Town owned the building and presented a newspaper article dated March 19, 2009 as evidence. Mr. Hawley advised that there was never action by the Town to acquire this property. He added that unless Council wished to consider taking the property and giving it to the IDA or the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, staff recommended proceeding with the next condemnation/repair order. He noted a lien would be placed on the property. He added that if the owner did not meet code requirements, staff recommended moving to demolition. Councilman Goodman inquired whether there some serious flooding issues on the property? Mr. Hawley replied he did not think so. The property was not in the flood way, so it could be developed. Councilman Goodman inquired whether the property had any problems in regard to chemicals or identified brownsfields? Mr. White replied that would surprise him. The property started off as a grocery business, and then became Pulaski Tinning and retail. Mr. Hawley advised that the Town currently owned the tract of land adjacent to the bridge and there was a parcel or two between that property with different owners. He noted that these lots could provide a potential area to develop. Mayor Worrell commented that the building was in terrible shape and needed to be addressed right of way. Mr. Hawley advised that staff could proceed and place the lien. He noted that would not preclude future options for Council. Mayor Worrell felt staff should proceed with the condemnation and then monitor the property adjacent to it. The next item on the agenda was Finance and the Grand Slam Bluegrass report. Mayor Worrell advised that a spread sheet for this year's festival had been included in the packet. He commented that the Town had poor weather for the three years that the Bluegrass festival had been held. He July 16, 2013/Page 2 of 6 noted that the event had netted a profit again this year. He introduced Dr. McElroy who wished to address Council. Dr. McElroy thanked Council for setting aside funds for Special Events and in particular for the Bluegrass festival. He also thanked staff for all their help in organizing the event. Additionally, he thanked the sponsors who donated money and door prizes. He offered special thanks to Eddie Hale of Martin's Pharmacy for his extra special gift of support. He confirmed that the festival was able to show a modest profit this year. He noted this was the second year in a row that this had happened. He asked Council to .put money in the budget for next year's event. Mayor Worrell commented that the event was able to show a profit because of the efforts of Dr. McElroy and his determination to make this event a success. He thanked Dr. McElroy for his hard work. Councilman Goodman felt that the event needed to continue. He felt the date for next year needed to be set and get the word out now. Mayor Worrell agreed. Mr. Clark advised that it was a very enjoyable experience despite the weather this year. Mr. Hawley advised that the date had been set for the third weekend in May 2014. It appeared that date had the least conflict with other times. Councilman Kidd suggested taking the $1,300 profit from this year and use it to start the process for next year's event. Councilman Goodman and the Mayor agreed. Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative. He noted the first item was Resolution 2013-06, Designating a Day of Recognition and Remembrance for Cameron Taylor Fitzwater. He read the Resolution aloud. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2013-06, Designating a Day of Recognition and Remembrance for Cameron Taylor Fitzwater. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kidd 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 The next item was Ordinance 2013-10, Special Exception for 59 and 61 West Main Street. Mayor Worrell advised that this would complete action of Council. Councilman Goodman moved to adopt Ordinance 2013-10, Special Exception for 59 and 61 West Main Street. Councilman Clark 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 moved on to Safety and a Police Department grant. Mr. Hawley advised that Police Department was successful in obtaining a grant for $33,975 for personal body cameras and 5 night vision monoculars for night operations. He continued that this grant required a 10% match or $3,398. He suggested which line item this match could be taken from. July 16, 2013/Page 3 of 6 Councilman Goodman commented that in the past Council had discussed the need for personal body cameras for staff. He moved to appropriate $3,398 from the 10 8060 budgetary fund balance to match the grant that had been awarded for the Police Department. Councilman Clark 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 Human Resources and Community Development Department. Mayor Worrell advised that Council would recall a motion directing Council to work with staff to develop a process commencing on the July Work Session to evaluate the merger of the Director of Economic Development, Director of Community Relations and Director of Senior Center positions. He continued that a lot of information about those positions had been included in the packet including job descriptions and responsibilities associated with each one of them. Mr. Hawley advised that after discussion, staff felt the first step was to provide Council with current job description and responsibilities for each position. They also included a job description for the Pulaski County Community Development Director's position. He suggested that Council might like to review the information in depth and come back to staff with some recommendations. He added that care needed to be taken to avoid impacting an operation accidentally. He reminded Council that effective January 1, 2014, part time employees hours were limited to 29 hours per week. 1 Councilman Goodman commented that one area that needed to be focused on was restructuring "how these folks work in this part of the Town system and the expectations on those positions." He added that expectations had changed over the years as to what Economic Development departments should do, so they needed to make sure that Department job description accurately reflected Council's goals. He noted that all the development plans needed to be factored into that position. Additionally, he felt that the reporting structure needed to be reviewed and revamped. Councilman East felt that the way to address the positions was to start backwards. He added that "looking at where we want to go, looking at what our vision is for the future, you develop a position that is going to help us achieve that goal". He continued "and then as a secondary measure, we come back and look at our current job descriptions and see how much we can encapsulate in that newly developed position and then we address it that way". Councilman Goodman interjected that rather than think of it as a position, think of it as what would our expectations be for a modern Community Development department. He added after that, staffing levels could be reviewed. Councilman East suggested pulling some of the job descriptions from other Towns in Virginia and seeing what they're currently doing and what was working for them. Mayor Worrell summarized that Council would decide what they want in a Senior Center or in Economic Development. Councilman East interjected "right, and also would grant writing be a part of this department or this particular development position". He added and "how the Town would address the Main Street organization." Following more. discussion, Mr. Hawley advised that staff could send out an inquiry requesting descriptions of community development departments in the state. July 16, 2013/Page 4 of 6 Councilman Goodman suggested directly contacting specific areas like the Town of Herndon, which has been successful. Mayor Worrell commented that there was some discussion about incorporating the Town's Main Street program into the Community Development department. Councilman East replied yes, but he was not sure of the legalities involved. Mr. Hawley advised that he had spoken with Joy Rumley. She advised that it was possible to have the Main Street person on the Town payroll. He added that typically it was in smaller localities. He noted that the employee would be paid by the Town, however, they would not report to the Town Manager or Town Council. They would report to the Main Street organization. He added that if Council wished to do this, a Memorandum of Understanding would have to be drawn up. He noted that the Main Street officials do not like this to happen however, it would be possible to arrange. Councilman East confirmed that their preference would be to have someone from the outside run the program rather than a Town employee. He noted that the reason he suggested this was that many grants require someone in the position of Main Street program manager. Councilman Goodman suggested reviewing the topic at the next legislative meeting. Staff commented that the information could be provided at the next legislative meeting. Mayor Worrell moved on to Committee/Board Vacancies. He advised that Mr. Quesenberry had prepared a list of Committees and Board vacancies that needed to be filled. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to prepare a Resolution of appointment to the Architecture Review Board, the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals, and to the Cemetery Board of Trustees to include a start and ending date for each position. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion end 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 Round Table Discussion. Ms. Steele commended Dave Hart and his grounds crew on the Town flower beds. She noted that the beds had come a long way especially with the rains since the spring. Councilman Goodman commented that he is a state employee and that his department had been reviewing the liability for staff vacation and compensation leave that builds up over time. He added that given the legislation he was seeing, it appeared the government was going to force accrued vacation and leave time to be listed in the future. He suggested that Council might like to discuss the Town's liability for all of the staff positions. Mr. Warburton advised that the accounting rules had changed and the information was going to have to be recorded anyway. It was not going to be an option. Councilman Goodman responded that as the work begins on the budget for 2014-2015, Council would need those numbers. Mr. Hawley advised that while Council had not seen the numbers, the Town Manager received a report every month. July 16, 2013/Page 5 of 6 Councilman Radcliffe agreed with Councilwoman Steele regarding the flower beds and he noted that the curbs were being painted and looked nice. At 6:40 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711: (A-7), Consultation with legal counsel requiring the legal advice by Counsel concerning an existing UDAG loan (A-7), Consultation with legal counsel requiring the legal advice by counsel concerning an existing RBEG loan (A-1), Discussion, consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for the Town Manager's position. Councilman Goodman 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 At 7:35 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 H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell announced that a Called meeting was scheduled for July 30, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: S. Worrell, Mayor July 16, 2013/Page 6 of 6