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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-15Minutes of the joint Town Council and Planning Commission meeting held April 21, 2015, 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, James A. Radcliffe, Lane R. Penn Staff: Shawn Utt, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council John White, Economic Development Director Anthony Meredith, Police Captain Pam Witten, Finance Director Sandra Miller, Tax Clerk Dana Bishop, Account Payable Clerk Raquel M. Poe, Account Clerk Suellen Palmer, Human Resources Manager Angie Trail, Utility Billing Clerk Rebecca Reece, Assistant to the Finance Director Debbie Bivens, I. T. Technician Brenda Shelton, Administrative Assistant Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Robbie Kiser, Assistant Fire Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Hunter Riddle Thom Rutledge Rich Meadows Amy Lewis Terry Hale Calvin Pynn Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to add item 7a, Featured employees and item 15A, Town Attorney contract to the agenda. Councilman Kidd 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Worrell welcomed the visitors to the meeting. He advised that the next item for consideration was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Penn moved to adopt the Consent agenda consisting of the March 17, 2015 Council meeting as written. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item for consideration was Presentations and Featured Employees. He added that the featured employees for April 2015 were from the Finance Department. He asked the employees of the Finance Department to come forward. He read a Press Release aloud honoring the Finance Department employees, thanked them for their work and presented them with a plaque. Mayor Worrell moved on to Joint Public Hearings. Mrs. Shelton called roll for the Planning Commission. April 21, 2015/Page 1 of 5 The first joint Hearing was in regard to Planning Commission Case # 2015-04ZA by Town of Pulaski/Historic Calfee Park, LLC. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the hearing was to consider amending the B-1 Local Business District to allow athletic fields as a potential permitted "by right" use in that district. He added that he had been contacted by officials of the Shelor/Hagen group concerning a potential problem with the zoning of Calfee Park. He stated that the banks financing the remodeling of Calfee Park were expressing concern that the residential zoning of Calfee Park could interfere with the addition of future facilities. He noted that staff recommended that the B-1 regulations be amended to permit "athletic fields and their customary or needed accessory uses and structures" as a permitted use. Mayor Worrell opened the Hearing at 5:13 p.m. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed. The next Public Hearing was in regard to a request to rezone Calfee Park from R-4 Residential District to B-1 Local Business District. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the banks financing the remodeling of Calfee Park had expressed concern that the residential zoning of Calfee Park would prevent or interfere with potential improvements with the park. He added that staff felt that rezoning Calfee Park to a B-1 District designation would be best for the park since it could be linked with an existing B-1 parcel to form a contiguous zoning district; avoid enterprises located in business districts when reasonably possible. Mayor Worrell opened the Hearing at 5:17. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed. The Planning Commission left to hold their Planning Commission review of the two cases. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations and New River Valley Unwired agreement. Mr. Utt advised that staff had been working with Mr. Whitelaw of NRVUnwired to negotiate an agreement to provide wireless high speed internet service throughout the Town and its surrounding areas and allowing access to the Towns water tank and other assets. He reviewed the contract for Council noting that the contract was for five years and then automatically renewed for additional five year periods with the same terms and conditions unless written notice was served to either party thirty days prior to the end of the period. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct the Town Manager to execute the agreement with NRVUnwired. 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item considered was a Subordination Agreement for J. Porterfield. Mr. Utt advised of a request from Mr. Porterfield, 109 Pine Street, to subordinate the Town's CDBG loan to allow for him to refinance his current Wells Fargo mortgage. He added that Mr. Porterfield was a recipient of CDBG assistance in the Dora Highway CDBG project in the amount of $23,500. He noted that when the work was done on his home, he already had a first mortgage. The Town assumed a second lien position behind Wells Fargo bank at that time. He advised that Mr. Porterfield was refinancing the house to get a better interest rate. He added that Wells Fargo was asking the Town to sign a subordination agreement to the new loan. April 21, 2015/Page 2 of 5 Councilman East moved to approve the Town Manager entering into a subordination agreement regarding 109 Pine Street, Pulaski, Virginia 24301. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Human Resources and review of job openings. Mr. Utt advised that positions were open in the Fire Department, Finance Department and in the Public Works Department. He provided an update to Council regarding the status of each Department. He also asked Council to nominate or appoint a Council member to help with the interview process for the Fire Chief. Following discussion, Mayor Worrell appointed Councilman Penn to assist with the interview process for the Fire Chief. Mr. Utt advised that he would reach out to some citizens to aid with the interview process as well. The next item was the Round Table Discussion. Councilman East asked for an update on brush disposal. Mayor Worrell advised that he and the Town Manager met with the PSA Board and received approval for brush disposal at the site under the condition that the Sheriff be advised. He added that he and the Town Manager met with the Sheriff and received approval for brush collection at the site. Mr. Utt added that two storage containers needed to be moved by the County and coordination of the opening and closing of the site needed to be arranged. Mayor Worrell added that there is signage in place that the site is for brush only. Mr. Utt advised that staff would check to make sure the area is fully fenced. He noted that the area would not be staffed, but consideration was being given to installing security cameras. Councilman Clark commented that it was exciting to ride around Town and see the progress being made. Councilman Kidd asked whether there was an update on the Joint Fire/EMS facility. Mayor Worrell advised that the first thing to do would be to appoint a site selection committee. He added that could be included in the next Work Session. Councilman Kidd inquired whether the rail road crossings could be made smoother. Mr. Utt advised that staff would contact the railroad personnel to get an update for completion of the crossings. Councilman Radcliffe commented that with the last heavy rains, he went to Lottier Bottom, Kersey Bottom, and the Dora Highway section to view some damage. He added that he would like to see Council get aggressive in helping with the flooding issue in those areas. He asked the Town Manager to set up a Town Hall meeting with our elected officials to discuss ways to correct the flooding problem in those areas. Mayor Worrell agreed with Councilman Radcliffe and he commented that there may be some steps that could be taken right away to eliminate some of the current problems. April 21, 2015/Page 3 of 5 Mr. Utt advised that in 2003 or 2004, the Planning District Commission did a flood mitigation plan for the Town. He continued that there was some FEMA money that might be available to update that plan. He noted that plan would be necessary before the Town could apply for additional FEMA funds. He added that he would include a copy of the flood mitigation plan in the Weekly Update. At 5:41 p.m., Mayor Worrell adjourned the meeting until the Planning Commission returned from their meeting and review of their cases. At 5:43 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting when the Planning Commission returned from their meeting. Mr. Quesenberry advised that in regard to Planning Commission Case 2015-04ZA, Zoning Amendment request by Town of Pulaski/Historic Calfee Park, LLC., the Commission recommended to Council that athletic fields and their customary accessory structures be permitted as a by -right use in the B-1 district. Mr. Quesenberry also advised that in regard to Planning Commission Case 2015-05RZ, Rezoning request by Town of Pulaski/Historic Calfee Park, LLC., the Commission recommended to Council to rezone Calfee Park from R-4, Residential to B-1, local Business District. Councilman East moved to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to add to the B-1 District, that athletic fields and their customary accessory structures, be permitted as a by -right use in the B-1 District. Councilman Penn 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Next, Councilman Clark moved to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to rezone Calfee Park from R-4, Residential district to B-1, local Business District. Councilman Penn 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 5:46 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-1), Discussion for consideration of employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of public officers, appointees or employees, regarding the Town Attorney. Councilman Kidd 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 5:55 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye April 21, 2015/Page 4 of 5 1 1 1 1 Councilman East moved to authorize the Mayor to extend the Town Attorney's contract for one year to end June 30, 2016. 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: '�WL7� AWars. Worrell, Mayor April 21, 2015/Page 5 of 5