Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-15Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor: Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, James A. Radcliffe Absent: Heather L. Steele, Lane R. Penn Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Pam Witten, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Robbie Kiser, Fire Chief Anthony Meredith, Captain Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: R. J. Faddis Lisa Faddis Amy Lewis Clark Payne Rusty Mullins, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Michael Solomon Joseph K. Goodman Councilman Kidd led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. The first item for consideration was a Public Hearing for a proposed vacation of right-of-way for a portion of Creek Way. Mr. Utt advised that the Town had been approached with a request to close a portion of the right-of-way for vehicle traffic for Creek Way (the alley between the south side of Main Street buildings and the Peak Creek wall). He added that the premise behind the right-of-way closure was a request to plant shrubbery and other plantings and create a creek -walk to improve aesthetics along that block. He noted that an aerial map had been included in the packet and a mock perspective drawing for alley greenway improvements had been placed at their dais. Councilman Kidd inquired whether the roots of the trees would grow toward the creek and go through the creek wall? Mr. Utt responded no. He advised that the roots of the proposed tree, Leyland Cypress, tended to grow straight down. Councilman Kidd advised that while he thought the trees were a nice idea, he felt the buildings still looked bad. Mr. Utt responded that the goal was to spruce the entire area up. Councilman East commented that the trees would make the area look more aesthetically pleasing, however, he wondered if it would also make it harder to police? Page 1 of 5/September 1, 2015 Mr. Utt responded that the Police Department was increasing the bicycle patrol to alleviate this problem. Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m. Clark Payne commented that he was in favor of beautifying behind the Main Street buildings. He suggested looking into greenway grants and plans that are available. He added that there was money available for native planting and landscape studies. He suggested that the Friends of Peak Creek might be interested in assisting with this project. Mr. White advised that a grant application had already been submitted with part of the funding to be used to improve the access and beauty of Peak Creek. Mayor Worrell closed the Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Councilman East agreed with Mr. Payne. He added that there needed to be a long term town -wide plan for the flower beds and trees in the Town to maximize beauty and minimize maintenance. He felt that a professional business should be contacted to draw up those type plans. Mr. Utt advised that the Town had four or five engineering firms on retainer who could be consulted. Mr. Utt added that the plan for the area behind the Main Street buildings called for removing a small section of the asphalt to allow for drainage for the trees. Councilman East inquired into the time frame for the proposal. Mr. Utt responded that he hoped to have a draft proposal by the next Work Session. Councilman East replied that he preferred to have a quality plan rather than something done in a rushed manner. Mr. Utt felt that would take approximately 90 days. He added that if Council approved the closing of the right- of-way to traffic, staff could draw up a plan for Council's review prior to actual construction work. Councilman Clark confirmed that the only action required was consideration to close the right-of-way behind the Main Street buildings to traffic. Mayor Worrell commented that the discussion had drawn valid points, but that Council needed to focus on the right-of-way closing at that time. Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to prepare the necessary documents to close the right-of-way for that portion of Creek Way. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent The next item on the agenda was Public Comments. Lisa Faddis addressed Council regarding Gatewood Park. Mrs. Faddis advised that she had lived in Pulaski her entire life. She expressed surprise at the number of local people who had never been to Gatewood Park. She opined that it was a gem. She felt it was underutilized and that with a little improvement it could be a gold mine. She complimented the workers. She liked the fact that there was now a host on site to help the campers. She suggested that the Park needed better signage to tell campers what to do regarding picking their site and paying for the site. She advised that the website needed some work. She advised that she Page 2 of 5/September 1, 2015 1 1 talked to most of the campers while she was there and that from time to time they made suggestions to improve the Park. She continued that she would like to address the Gatewood Committee to pass on some of those suggestions. She also expressed interest in joining the Gatewood Committee. Mayor Worrell thanked Mrs. Faddis for her comments. He advised that the Town was working to enhance Gatewood. Mr. Utt advised Mrs. Faddis that he would contact her after the meeting. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Worrell moved on to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent agenda consisting of the August 4, 2015 Town Council meeting as written. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project Update. Mr. Utt summarized the Project Review Chart including that a part time employee had been brought in to use the GPS unit to locate items like manholes, fire hydrants, water lines, and water valves and meters. He advised that staff was working with Rural Development for a potential planning grant to fund the PER. He added that staff was also working with James Hardie Building Products for ongoing sewer line maintenance to ensure odor issues remain at a minimum. He advised that the Governor had announced that the Kersey Bottom/Case Knife Road CDBG Housing grant had been funded. Following several other items, Councilman East asked whether the Town could offer space on the Town's website to non -profits in the Town? Mr. Utt responded that he would speak with the committee about the request. Councilman East inquired when the Senior Center update would begin? Mr. Utt responded that the delay was caused by the difficulty of the entry way into the front of the building. He advised that the contractor for the windows should have estimates by the following week. Councilman East inquired who would be completing the inside work at the Senior Center? Mr. Utt advised that Town staff would complete the remainder of the work at the Center. He noted it would be a good winter project. Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. The first item was Resolution 2015-18. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2015-18, Appointing a Town Representative to the Agency on Aging Board. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2015-18. Mr. Warburton advised that the Ordinance had the wrong dates for adoption. The dates needed to be changed to September 1, 2015. Page 3 of 5/September 1, 2015 Councilman East moved to adopt Ordinance 2015-18, Amending Personnel Manual Section 6E "Holiday Work" as amended. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent The next item for consideration was options for sick leave accrual incentive payouts. Mr. Utt advised that some options for Council's consideration relative to Sick Leave Accrual Incentive Payouts had been included in the packet. He added that currently, if staff did not use their sick leave, when they left the Town workforce, the money was lost. He advised that he had included three options in the packet for Council consideration. The first option was for the Town to pay a set amount per 8 hour day of accrual dependent on year of service. For 0-5 years of service, $10 per day would be accrued. From 6-10 years of service $15 per day would be accrued. From 11-15 years of service, $20 per day would be accrued. The next option the Town Manager talked about was for a maximum amount of sick leave to be paid up to $5,000. The third option was to allow the incentive payment to go toward COBRA Health Insurance program payments up to 18 months. Mr. Utt explained his thinking regarding the options. Councilman Radcliffe stressed that all employees needed to understand the consequences of each option, before they made a decision. Mr. Utt agreed and proposed that all three options be offered to employees. Councilman East moved to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance amending the Town's personnel policy to include a sick leave accrual incentive program. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item for discussion was Resolution 2015-19, VDH Grant. Mr. Utt advised that after following up with the Town's engineering firm that is assisting with the preparation of the VDH grant application, it was discovered that the resolution approved at the August 18th work session needed some minor language clarifications. He added that a revised Resolution had been included in the packet for Council's consideration. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2015-19. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent The next item for consideration was Dalton building option extension. Page 4 of 5/September 1, 2015 1 1 1 1 1 Mr. Utt advised that Shah Development group had a purchase option on the Dalton building that is set to expire in October 2015. He noted that with the Calfee Park renovations and construction of the Jackson Par Inn, the group had not had the opportunity to study the potential uses of the building and develop a business plan. He advised that the group was requesting a 6 month extension on the option to April 30th, 2016. He recommended approval of the request. Councilman Kidd moved to authorize the Town Manager and the Mayor to execute the necessary document to extend the purchase option on the Dalton Building. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent At 7:58 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A- 5), discussion concerning a prospective business or industry, or the expansion of an existing business and industry, where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facility in the community regarding Project Bright, Project Jar and Project Hub Cap. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent At 8:08 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman East and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Absent Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Absent There being no further action of Council, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Kidd and so carried. Approved: 4V7� $f . Worrell, Mayor Page 5 of 5/September 1, 2015