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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-15Minutes of the Town Council meeting held May 19, 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 Dave Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager John White, Economic Development Director Robbie Kiser, Assistant Fire Chief Gary Roche, Police Chief Others: Robert Bopp Charles R. Bopp Joseph Goodman Clark Payne Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, David Quesenberry was appointed Acting Clerk of Council. The first item for consideration was the Consent agenda which included the April 21, 2015 and April 28, 2015 Council Work Session minutes. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the April 21, 2015 and April 28, 2015 Council Work Session minutes as written. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Hearings. Mr. Utt reviewed the FY 2015-2016 budget which included the General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund and the Capital Improvements Plan. He advised that the real estate tax increased from thirty two cents to thirty four cents in an equalizing measure. He noted that the water and sewer rates increased by four cents per the Davenport study. He advised that the main changes were that the Town would be paying for forty percent of the health insurance for the spouse and family of Town employees and hiring a new employee to handle code enforcement and other items to make the Town more presentable. He added that two four wheel drive vehicles and a street sweeper would be purchased for the Public Works department. Mayor Worrell opened the Hearing at 5:08 pm. There being no comments, the Hearing was closed. He announced that there would be one final budget session Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. He advised that the Budget would come up for a vote at the June 2, 2015 Council meeting. Mayor Worrell advised that Mr. Charles Bopp was present and wished to address Council. Mr. Bopp addressed Council regarding the Loving Field property which was taken from the Bopp family in 1959. He reminded Council of documentation presented to Council at a Council meeting showing dates recorded in the deed books at the courthouse showing the events that took place from December 6, 1934 to December 31, 1959. He read a portion of the documentation to Council. He requested that the land that was taken from the Bopp family be sold back to them and not be sold at auction. Councilman Radcliffe opined that the land should be sold back to the Bopp family. There being no further comments, Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations and a request for sponsorship of the Guns and Hoses game by Safe Haven. .May 19, 2015/Page 1 of 4 Mr. Utt advised that in the past the Guns and Hoses game, sponsored by Safe Haven, had been held at Calfee Park and the Town's sponsorship of the game entailed free use of the facility. He continued that now that the Town no longer owned the Park, that the Town sponsor the t -shirts for the game. He requested Council's approval of $1,000 for sponsorship of the t -shirts for the game. He added that the funds could be taken from the Special Events line item. Councilman East moved to authorize the Town Manager to appropriate $1,000 for sponsorship of the Safe Haven Guns and Hoses game. 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 Mayor Worrell moved on to Finance and requirement for utility deposits. Mr. Utt advised that over the past several months, staff had been approached by several residents with concerns over the Town's current utility deposit requirement. He continued that if you are a renter and have never had utility service with the Town, you are required to pay a water/sewer deposit of $140, an activation fee of $20 for in -town customers and $25 for out-of-town customers, as well as a $45 deposit for garbage services (that ultimately goes to the County PSA). He noted that the deposit fee is waived for homeowners unless the water is disconnected for non-payment. He suggested allowing "letters of credit" in lieu of the utility deposits for renters. For instance, if a new rental resident was able to show evidence of good paying history as a County PSA customer, perhaps the $140 deposit for water and sewer could be waived similar to what is done for homeowners. He noted that if the water had to be disconnected for non-payment, the deposit fee could be required at that time. Mayor Worrell liked the idea. He asked that staff develop the mechanics on how to implement. Councilman East agreed. Councilman Penn commented that the deposit is returned after 18 months if the payments are made on time. Councilman East stated that the comments he was receiving were in regard to the large amount of out of pocket expense associated with moving. Councilman Clark commented that this process would only be applied to people with good credit, not to someone with no credit history. Mr. Utt commented that this rule might help the investors aiming for young professionals who have disposable income. Councilman East moved to direct staff to bring back an Ordinance implementing this policy for deposits for water service. 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 Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative items and Ordinance 2015-12, Adopting Incorporating a Storm Water Fee Schedule into ordinance 2014-20 and the Schedule of Rates/Fees. He advised that this completed action of Council. May 19, 2015/Page 2 of 4 1 Mr. Utt advised that an amended version of the Ordinance had been placed at the dais for Council review. He explained the difference in the documents and asked for a motion to approve. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the amended version of Ordinance 2015-12, Incorporating a Storm Water Fee Schedule Into Ordinance 2014-20 and the Schedule of Rates/ Fees. 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 on the agenda was discussion of Public Safety Facility concept. Mr. Utt advised that as discussed at previous Council meetings, he felt it was appropriate for Council to begin pulling together the work group to be charged with developing a plan of action for the proposed public safety facility combining Police, Fire and possibly Rescue services into one complex. He asked if Council had any suggestions for the Committee members. Mayor Worrell felt that a representative from Police, Fire and Remsi was needed. He advised that he would like some feedback so that the Committee could get started this summer. Councilman Radcliffe felt public input should be requested. Mayor Worrell agreed with Councilman Radcliffe and suggested one or two citizens be included. He suggested a press release be submitted asking for citizen participation. Mayor Worrell moved on to Round Table discussion. Councilwoman Steele advised that she was looking forward to the Farmer's Market opening. Councilman Clark advised that he was enjoying riding through Town and seeing positive changes every day. Councilman Kidd advised that he appreciated the work done on the railroad crossings. Councilman Radcliffe agreed with Councilman Clark. He added that he is hearing positive comments on the street. He asked whether Council would be interested in touring the Dispatch Center? Mayor Worrell agreed and advised that he would get with staff to set up a time. Mayor Worrell moved on to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m. Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), discussion for consideration of the disposition or acquisition of publicly held property regarding a Public Safety facility and (A-7), consultation with legal counsel and briefing by staff for discussion of specific legal matters and matters subject to probable litigation regarding RBEG loan modification. Councilwoman Steele seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: May 19, 2015/Page 3 of 4 Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilwoman Steele 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 Councilman East moved to authorize Town staff to modify the terms of previous loan agreement with Virginia Stone and Brick to release certain collateral and substitute additional collateral of higher value. 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 East, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. :!" /�� _ • May 19, 2015/Page 4 of 4 1 1