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Home My WebLink About02-16-10 Minutes of the Town Council Work Session held February 16,.2010 at 5:00 p.m.at the Senior Center. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S.Worrell Council: David L. Clark,Larry G. Clevinger,II,Joel B.Burchett,Jr.,Morgan P.Welker,Robert A.Bopp Absent: H.M.Kidd Staff: John J.Hawley,Town Manager David N.Quesenberry,Asst.to the Town Manager R.D.Warburton,Town Attorney Patricia Cruise,Clerk of Council Sherry Boyd,Finance Director Dave Hart,Parks and Facilities Director Bill Webb,Fire Chief Robbie Kiser,Fire Department John White,Economic Development Director Elizabeth Chitwood,Economic Development Gary Roche,Police Chief Others: Joe Rees Lane Penn Roger Leonard Joseph Goodman Clark Payne Shawn Utt Melinda Williams,Press Mike Williams,Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call,Mayor Worrell asked for a motion regarding adoption of the Council minutes of January 19.2010. IMr.Warburton advised that his name had been omitted from the minutes. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Minutes of the January 19,2010 Council minutes with the addition of Mr. Warburton's name. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clevinger and carried on the following recorded vote: David L.Clark -Aye Joel B.Burchett,Jr. -Absent Larry G.Clevenger,.II -Aye Robert A.Bopp -Aye H.M.Kidd -Absent Morgan P. Welker -Aye The next item on theagendawas Employee of the Month for February,2010. Mayor Worrell advised that the Employee of the Month for February 2010 was James R.Kiser,a Sergeant in the Fire Department. He read a press release aloud and presented Sergeant Kiser with an award. He advised that in addition to this award,Mr.Kiser would be given an additional paid day off from work and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. Mayor Worrell also advised that Timothy Garwood,Deputy Fire Marshal/Sergeant in the Fire Department,would be receiving the 2009 Governor's Fire Service Award For Excellence in Fire Prevention during the Virginia Fire Chief's Association Mid Atlantic Expo and Symposium. He expressed congratulations to Mr.Garwood. The next item on the agenda was Brownfield update. IMr.White and Ms.Chitwood gave a power point presentation showing the status of the Brownfield project. He reviewed what had been accomplished since the receipt of a$200,000 Assessment grant. Councilman Burchett arrived at 5:15 p.m. February 16,2010/Page 1 of.3 Mayor Worrell moved onto Engineering contract. He reminded Council that the project map for the Dora Highway project, included in the last Council packet had an error. The issue had been addressed and was ready for action. Following discussion,Councilman Clark moved to execute the contract with Anderson and Associates to provide services for the Dora Highway project. Councilman Welker seconded the motion and it carried on the following recorded vote: David L.Clark -Aye Joel B.Burchett,Jr. -Aye Larry G.Clevinger,II -Aye Robert A.Bopp -Aye H.M.Kidd -Absent Morgan P.Welker -Aye The next item on the agenda was PR&HA request. Mayor Worrell reminded Council that Clark Payne had given a presentation recently suggesting the possibility of developing a Blight Task Force. He asked Mr.Hawley for an update. Mr.Hawley advised that the goal adopted by Council for increasing blight elimination had been placed in the"needing. manpower"category of theconveyor-belt. He encouraged Council to review the placement of the goals on the conveyor belt each month to determine if adjustments were needed. He added that the Town department heads needed to review the available staff from each department that would be assigned to the Blight Task Force. Once it was determined who would be assigned to the project,.an organizational meeting would be set. Councilman Burchett inquired what goals the Town Manager expected to come out of the meetings? Mr.Hawley advised that from a management standpoint,.he would like to see cross training in departments.better utilization of personnel and better communication between departments. Councilman Burchett suggested targeting specific areas of Town for blight elimination,beginning with entry way areas into Town. The next item on the agenda was.update on structures damaged due to snow stones. Mayor Worrell commented that with the recent snow storms,a number of buildings had collapsed. A report provided by the Fire Marshal had been provided in the packet. Mr.Hawley advised that staff was working with the property owners and this problem. The next item on the agenda was Legislative. The first item was Resolution 2010=05,Appointing Roger Leonard to the Pulaski Rehabilitation and Housing Authority. Lane Penn, a member of the Authority, introduced Mr.Leonard and advised that he was willing to serve on the.Authority. He added that he worked for the hospital and was a.licensed.contractor. The next item for consideration was review of drug policy. Mr.Hawley advised that a recommendation from the Human Resources consultant had been to review the personnel policy each year. -During the review,it was determined that the Town drug testing policy needed to be updated. A draft revised drug testing policy had been included in the packet for review. Staff was continuing to review and fine tune the policy. Following discussion,Mr.Warburton agreed to work with the Police Chief and the Human Resources consultant to fine tune the policy for discussion at the March 2,20.10 Council meeting. Mayor Worrell moved on to Water and Sewer funds. February 16, 2010/Page 2 of 3 Mr.Hawley reviewed the Water and Sewer fund revenuesand expenditures included in the packet He reminded Council that the budget was a living document and thefigures could change in the next few months. He added the Clarke Walicraft,from Peppers Ferry Wastewater Treatment Authority would be present at the March 16,2010 Council Work ession. ext,Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2010-05,Appointing Roger Leonard to the Pulaski Rehabilitationiand ousing Authority. The motion was seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on the following recorded vote: David L.Clark -Aye. Joel B.Burchett,Jr. -Aye Larry G.Clevinger,II -Aye Robert A.Bopp -Aye H.M.Kidd -Absent Morgan P.Welker -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Round Table discussion. He reviewed the information received at the VML Legislative 11ays in Richmond regarding the budget. He commented that the news was grim. Councilman Welker suggested the following.to help reduce the Town budget for next year: 1. Cut Council pay by 25%. 2. Don't buy any new vehicles. 3. When the Train Station is finished,move the Senior Center there and staff could cover both the Senior Center and Welcome Centerin the Train Station. 4. Charge out of.Town residents a membership fee toutilize the Senior Center. 5. Evaluate all maintenance contracts for the IT department and for the copy machines. 6. Town employee take classes to learn how to service the copy machines. Mr.Hawley commented that some lease contracts show as maintenance contracts in the budget. However,he would Icheck all of the maintenance contracts. From the public,Mr.Payne commented that the state was proposing that its employees pay part of the Virginia • Retirement System costs. He suggested that Town staff could do the same. Mr.Hawley responded that the state proposal was for new hires. Councilman Burchett suggested a-possible one time incentive for employees who are eligible to retire,but still working. Mr.Hawley advised that he would research that information. Councilman.Bopp commented that sometimes the senior personnel are worth two junior people,due to their knowledge and experience. At 6:35 p.m.,there being no further business,the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark,seconded by Councilman Welker and so carried. Approved: /4., S. orrell,Mayor 1 February 16,2010/Page 3 of 3