HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-14Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers ofi the
Municipal Building:
There were present:
Mayor: Jeffrey S. Worrell
Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, Joseph K. Goodman,
James A. Radcliffe
Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager
David Warburton, Town Attorney
Dave Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager
Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council
Gary Roche, Police Chief
John White, Economic Development Director
Pam Witten, Finance Director
Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer
Dave Hart
Others: Lane Penn Betty Quesenberry Clark Payne
Rhonda Seltz Mike Williams, The Patriot
Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
Councilman Kidd led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation.
Councilman Clark moved to add a Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711, (A-7), Consult with legal
counsel and briefings by staff, consultants and possible litigation. 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
Mayor Worrell moved on to a Public Hearing for proposed Dalton Building ownership transfer.
Dr. White explained that Harry Leeper had proposed to convey the Dalton Building to the Town as part of its
downtown revitalization plan. He added that Mr. Leeper was requesting $17,000 be repaid to him for the new
roof that was installed a few weeks ago that was critical to stabilizing the building, $5,000 to his realtor and
property manager and his attorney's legal fees for a total of approximately $24,000. He noted that if the Town
agreed to hold the building, the County IDA had agreed to fund these out of pocket costs for a period of time.
He added that staff had also been working with West Main Street Development, LLC on their role in purchasing
and managing the building as a hotel and eatery. He noted that West Main Street Development, LLC would
reimburse the County IDA for all its costs plus 5%.
Councilman Radcliffe stated that he had visited the Frances Marion hotel after it was rehabilitated and that it
looked great. He wanted the Dalton Building to look great too.
Councilman Goodman inquired whether the West Main Street Development, LLC had made an offer in writing?
Mr. White responded yes.
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At 7:13 p.m., Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed.
The next item on the agenda was Presentations.
Mayor Worrell introduced Rhonda Seltz to give a presentation on a Partnership for Access to Healthcare.
Ms. Seltz addressed Council about improving the access to health care for the New River Valley. She
explained her work and asked that Council pass a Resolution to "close the coverage gap".
Mayor Worrell thanked Ms. Seltz for her presentation. He noted that Council had already passed a Resolution
and sent it the state legislature urging them to settle their differences and resolve the budget issue. He added
that he felt in essence Council had already done what Ms. Seltz requested.
The next item for consideration was the Consent Agenda.
Councilman Kidd moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the May 7, 2014 Town Council minutes
Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on voice vote.
Mayor Worrell moved on to Project Updates.
The first item for consideration was Water Treatment Plant upgrades.
Mr. Utt advised that the project was progressing well without major issues or delays. He noted that the Town
recently took possession of the first of two generators from the Pepper's Ferry Water Treatment Plant and
plans were being made to have it delivered and installed at the raw water pump station.
Next, Mr. Utt reported on the tornado CDBG project. He advised that Town crews were on site completing a
volunteer built house in time for the final compliance review visit.
Regarding the wayfinding signage program, Mr. Utt advised that the Engineering department had been working
on a wayfinding signage plan in an effort to increase visibility and to help folks who may not be from Pulaski to
navigate the Town's street. He explained the maps included in the packet and asked Council for any feedback
they might have.
Councilman East suggested a sign for the Marketplace.
Mr. Utt responded that since the Marketplace was seasonal, perhaps a sign could be created advertising the
Train Station, with a sign hanging below that advertising the Marketplace.
Council agreed.
Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. The first item was Ordinance 2014-18, Virginia Stormwater
Management Program. He noted that the Ordinance completed action requested by Council.
Mr. Utt advised that a revised Ordinance 2014-18 had been placed at Council's dais.
Mr. Quesenberry advised that the revised Ordinance included recent changes that were made by the Senate.
Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2014-18 as amended. Councilman East seconded the motion
and carried on the following recorded vote:
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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 Calfee Park financing options.
Mr. Utt advised that a revised draft floor plan and cost estimate for the proposed work to be completed at the
Calfee Park Visitor's locker room and umpire area had been included in the Council packet and another cost
estimate had been placed at the dais. He explained to the citizens present that Council, at its last meeting,
had decided that the Calfee Park project should remain within the $300,000 dollar range for the proposed work
that needed to be done. He reviewed the floor plan options and options for financing for the project including
the potential sale of surplus property at Loving Field, fundraising efforts and debt financing via a general
obligation bond. He stressed that the general obligation bond was a last resort.
Councilman Goodman encouraged Council to avoid the general obligation bond. He felt that the square
footage should be increased to 750 square feet.
Councilman East agreed with Councilman Goodman regarding the square feet. He stated that if the Town sold
the Loving Field property, that some of the money be allocated to the undesignated fund.
Councilman Goodman inquired whether staff had discussed creating a group like Friends of Peak Creek for the
Calfee Park upgrade. He noted that if they were a 501 c-3, people could then get tax write offs.
Following extensive discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to advertise a RFP for auctioneering
services for the property at Loving Field. Councilman Kidd 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 Worrell moved on to New Business.
The first item was Resolution 2014-21, FY 2014-15 Budget
Mr. Utt advised that the budget Resolution in the packet included the 2 items discussed at the last Council
meeting: the capital lease payment for the police vehicles and the $25,000 request from the Marketplace.
Councilman East commented that the Town Manager and staff had done an excellent job on the budget.
Councilman Radcliffe agreed with Councilman East's comment.
Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2014-21, Adopting a Budget Establishing Appropriations For The
Town Of Pulaski, Virginia For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2014 and Ending June 30, 2015. 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 Resolution 2014-22.
Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2014-22, Approving The Five Year Capital Improvements
Program For The Town Of Pulaski. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following
recorded vote:
Page 3 of4/June 3, 2014
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 on the agenda was Joint Dispatch Board appointments.
Mr. Utt advised that since the Joint Dispatch Operations agreement had been executed by the Town and
County, the Town Council would need to appoint representatives to the governing board. He explained that the
Town's representatives should include the Police Chief, Town Manager and an elected official. He noted that
the elected official was a recommendation, not a requirement. He added that each member should have an
appointed alternate.
Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to appoint the following to the Joint Dispatch governing board:
Voting Member
Shawn Utt, Town Manager
Gary Roche, Police Chief
Heather Steele, Councilwoman
Alternate
Bill Webb, Fire Chief
Anthony Meredith, Captain
Jeff Worrell, Mayor
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
At 8:00 p.m., Councilman Kidd moved to enter into Closed Session for two items under Virginia Code 2.2-3711
(A-7), Consultation with legal counsels and briefing by staff, consultants and possible litigation. And for
discussion of specific legal matters and matter subject to probable litigation regarding Town Attorney contract.
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
At 8:31 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by
Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Kidd 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
Councilman Clark moved to approve a one year contract with the Town Attorney and authorize the Mayor to
execute said contract. 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 8:33 p.m., Councilman Goodman moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Clark an carried voice
vote.
Approved:.
Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor
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