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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-18Minutes of the Pulaski Town Council meeting held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in the Council Chambers of the Town Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W. In attendance were: Mayor: Robert N. Glenn, presiding Councilmen Present: David L. Clark; Gregory C. East; Joseph K. Goodman; H. M. Kidd; Lane R. Penn; James A. Radcliffe Administration: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole L. Hair, Deputy Town Manager Legal Counsel: Spencer A. Rygas, Town Attorney Press: Mike Williams, Pulaski County Patriot Staff Kim Caudill, Admin. Mgr. Public Works Dave Hart, Dir. Parks & Facilities Chris Phillips, Street Superintendent David Quesenberry, Clerk of Council Rebecca Reece, Finance Director Jamie Reynolds, Water -Sewer Superintendent Chief Gary Roche, P.P.D. Others Present: Brooks Dawson Clark Payne Allen Semones Barbara Semones 1. Call to Order Mayor Glenn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. & 3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Kidd and the Invocation given by Councilman Clark. 4. Roll Call Following the Invocation, the roll was taken with all members present and a quorum for conducting business established. 5. Modification of Agenda Following roll call, Mayor Glenn called for a motion to modify the agenda under "Closed Session" to add one item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel concerning collection of delinquent taxes. The motion to modify the agenda was made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. Clark and approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Page 1 of 6/May 2, 2018 1 1 1 6. Welcome to Guests and Visitors Mayor Glenn welcomed guests and visitors to the meeting. 7. Presentations a. David Miller, Local Entrepreneur Mr. David Miller was scheduled to address Council, but was not in attendance. 8. Public Hearing a. Request to Vacate a Portion of Clark Street Mayor Glenn moved on to the next item, a request to vacate a portion of Clark Street. Ms. Hair provided the staff report about the request from Mr. & Mrs. Allen Semones to close an unimproved portion of Clark Street adjacent to their property. She noted that Council had acted on a similar request from Habitat for Humanity and that no comments were received on the Semones' request. Mr. Penn asked if the property was required to be split between adjacent property owners. Ms. Hair replied that he was correct and that it was required by state code. After Ms. Hair's report, Mayor Glenn opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. There being no comments received, he closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Mr. East moved to approve the request to vacate that portion of Clark Street and authorize staff to develop the necessary ordinance for Council to approve. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye 9. Public Comment Period No comments were received by the Council. Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye 10. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of April 3, 2018 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Kidd moved that Council adopt the minutes from the Tuesday, April 3rd meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and approved by a unanimous voice vote of the Council. 11. Proiect Update a. Project Review Chart (PRC) Mr. Utt informed Council that the Town had received budgetary funding for the second year of the Case Knife/Kersey Bottom Housing Project. In addition enough housing had been identified to close out the project by possibly the end of the calendar year. Page 2 of 6/May 2, 2018 Regarding other projects, Mr. Utt advised Council that the paving would resume later in the summer and that collection of delinquent taxes by the Finance Department had reached $115,000. Mr. East asked if a building official had been hired. Mr. Utt replied that an offer had been made but was turned down, so the Town had contacted another candidate. Mr. Goodman asked about the plan for Oakwood. Mr. Utt said the tree cleanup had slowed things down and he hoped that the matter m;ght be addressed in the next month. Concerning other projects: the Gatewood water treatment system was operational with potential savings allowing purchase of replacement parts; the Senior Center was 90% complete; and revised estimates for the basketball/skate park should be ready by the May work session. Word on eligible funding for the park from the Brownsfield grant should also be available at about the same time. With respect to committees, Mr. Utt said that one appointment to the Housing Authority was needed to address outstanding issues. He noted that Councilman Goodman had volunteered to serve on the Authority. Council verbally consented to preparation of a resolution for the appointment of Mr. Goodman. b. Review of Short Term Goals Mr. Utt reviewed the short term goals for various projects. For wayfinding signage he noted that grading was underway at the "East Main Triangle" and that he hoped the sign would be installed the following week. Regarding the creek wall, documentation for the "Silver Jacket" program was submitted, but installation of the "Jersey Barriers" had been delayed due to the storm damage. Development of the Town's website remained on schedule. Consultations had taken place with the owner of the "pocket park"; and negotiations had been conducted concerning Gatewood. Mr. Utt said the Brownsfield Conference, held at AI's on First, was a resounding success with 130 attendees from five states present. He felt the success of this event proved that the Town could do such events on a larger scale with other state agencies. b1. Vuhvanagon-Randolph House-Magnox Report Mr. Utt reported that officials from the EPA had toured the Vuhvanagon site but had not sent any feedback to the Town. The Town had also made contact with the owner of the Randolph House. Mr. Utt also said that there had been some interest shown in the structure (Randolph House) by potential developers. Regarding the Magnox site, the Town had not been able to get access to the site and had not received any response from the owners. The original owner had passed away he said, and their successor appeared to have written the property off. Due to Town staff turnover, Mr. Utt said he, Mr. Pedigo and Mr. Rygas would have to review the Town's previous action on the Magnox property to see if the process could be continued or if it needed to be started over. Council then discussed various approaches in dealing with the Randolph House including tax sales, seizure, or making the property available to potential developers. After the discussion, Mr. Utt said he would contact the Town's tax attorney and have the Randolph House property placed as a higher priority. Page 3 of 6/May 2, 2018 Mr. Goodman asked about Jefferson School and Calfee School. Mr. Utt replied that at one time there had been a movement to use Calfee School for a community center. Jefferson School was up to date on its taxes and there had been contact with the owner. Mr. Goodman expressed frustration at the number of vacant schools in the Town and asked if there was a way to "push" the owners to take action. Mr. Utt reminded Council that the Calfee School was part of the Magnox/Nanochemonics property, but that he could contact the owners of Jefferson School and the School Board about the other properties. 12. Old Business a. Implementation Options -Phase II of the Compensation Study Mayor Glenn called for the report on implementing Phase II of the Compensation Study. Mr. Utt reported that Phase II implementation costs, if done now, could be absorbed easily into this year's budget, due to employee vacancies and would add approximately $30,000 to the upcoming budget. He recommended Phase II be implemented retroactive to April 30, 2018, the start of the current pay period. Additional study was needed on implementing Phase III on January 1St. He confirmed to Mr. Goodman that the funds were available for implementation of Phase II. Mr. Radcliffe expressed concern about Public Works and asked Mrs. Caudill to give an overview of the work done by the department. After she completed her overview, Mr. Goodman asked what level of pay would be necessary to retain employees. Mrs. Caudill responded $12/hr. for laborers; $14/hr. for operators; and $16/hr. for crew leaders. Mr. Goodman said a plan was needed to address the issue because the summer season was near and the Town did not want to be in the same situation next year. Mr. East said that he thought there were two conversations taking place; one involving implementation of Phase II for the town and the other concerning the large number of vacancies in Public Works. He asked Mr. Utt if Phase II should be included in the discussion regarding Public Works. Mr. Utt responded that vacancies were a Town -wide issue which was why he wanted to speed up implementing the study. Mayor Glenn thanked Mrs. Caudill for her presentation. Chief Roche commented that the market value was defined by the study data, but that some data was not collected. He cautioned that the market value from the study might not define what was needed to compete (for employees). Council then discussed implementing Phase II Town -wide vs. addressing the Public Works issue immediately. Points of discussion included concern over the number of variables affecting the cost; the desire for accurate cost data; the need to address the issue in some manner; and the availability of funds for Phase II implementation in the current and upcoming budget. Mayor Glenn suggested, since there appeared to be a difference of opinion that a motion should be made either way regarding Phase II or one dealing specifically with Public Works. Page 4 of 6/May 2, 2018 1 1 Mr. Goodman moved to table the issue until the next work session and that at the next work session the Town Manager would come back to Council with detailed reasoning as to why we are moving the 96% of market (Phase II) implementation date up and a plan with the numbers for giving Public Works a separate raise as well. Mr. Radcliffe seconded the motion which was approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Raddiffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye 13. New Business a. Proposed Rates for Water Utility Service, FY 2018-2019 Mr. Utt said the ordinance completed action from the public hearing the previous week for the proposed 4% increase for water rates that was recommended through the Davenport Study and discussed through the budget work sessions. Mr. Goodman moved to approve the ordinance (Ordinance 2018-04). His motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Nay Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye b. Proposed Rates for Sewer Urility Service, FY 2018-2019 Mr. Utt reported that there were two options, one for a 4% increase and one for a 2% increase in sewer rates. A motion to approve the resolution should specify which increase was being adopted. Mr. Goodman moved that Council adopt Ordinance 2018-05 with the 4% increase for sewer rates. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodman and approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Raddiffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Nay Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye 14. Closed Session Mayor Glenn then called for a motion to enter into closed session under Virginia Code 2.2- 3711, (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel regarding three (3) items concerning: a franchise agreement; a concessions/operations agreement; and delinquent tax collections. The motion for closed session was made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. Clark and approved on the following roll call vote: Page 5 of 6/May 2, 2018 11 1 Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye Council entered closed session at 8:13 p.m. Council returned from closed session at 8:45 p.m. Mayor Glenn asked for a motion that Council only discussed those items for which they went into closed session regarding three items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8 consultation with legal counsel concerning a franchise agreement, a concessions/operations agreement and delinquent tax collections. The motion was made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. Clark and approved on the following roll call vote: Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Penn -Aye 15. Reminder of Future Council Meetinqs and Adjournment Mayor Glenn reminded Council of the May 81h budget meeting and the May 15t1 meeting where there would be several items involving legal counsel. There being no further business, Mayor Glenn called for a motion to adjourn. The motion was made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. Clark and approved by unanimous voice vote of the Council at 8:48 p.m. Approved: LAM��%L R bert N. Glenn Mayor ATTEST: f, David N. Quesenberry Clerk of Council Page 6 of 6/May 2, 2018