Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-201 1 Minutes of the Pulaski Town Council Work Session held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2020 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W. The Town also provided a live -cast of the proceedings on the Town's Facebook page. In attendance were: Mayor: Shannon Collins, presiding Councilmen Present: G. Tyler Clontz; Brooks R. Dawson; Gregory C. East; Lane R. Penn; James A. Radcliffe; Michael P. Reis Administration: Darlene L. Burcham, Town Manager Legal Counsel Spencer A. Rygas, Town Attorney Staff: Rebecca Leeper, Finance Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer David Quesenberry, Clerk of Council Jordan Whitt, Social Media Director Press: Mike Williams, PC Patriot 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Collins. 2. Roll Call. Following the call to order, the roll was taken. Present were: Mayor Collins, Mr. Clontz, Mr. Dawson, Mr. East, Mr. Penn, Mr. Radcliffe and Mr. Reis. Mr. Dawson was absent from Roll Call With a majority of Council members in attendance, a quorum was present for the conduct of business. 3. Modification of the Closed Session Aaenda Mayor Collins asked for a motion to modify the Closed Session agenda to add one additional closed session item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (a) 8, consultation with legal counsel concerning an agreement. The Mayor's request was so moved by Mr. East, seconded by Mr. Penn and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Abstain G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Mr. Dawson entered the meeting at 5:03 p.m. and abstained from voting on the Closed Session agenda modification. 4. Closed Session Mayor Collins then requested a motion to go into Closed Session for the following matters: three items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1, consideration of personnel matters involving performance of the interim Town Manager; appointments to boards and commissions and discussion of Page 1 of 12/September 15, 2020 employment candidates; and two items under Va. Code 2.2.-3711 (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel regarding two agreements. Mr. East moved to enter the Closed Session under the Virginia Codes cited. The motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Council entered Closed Session at 5:04 p.m. and returned from Closed Session at 6:36 p.m. 5. Certification of Closed Session On Council's return from Closed Session, Mayor Collins asked for a certification motion that Council discussed only those items for which it went into Closed Session: three items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1, consideration of personnel matters involving performance of the interim Town Manager; appointments to boards and commissions; and, discussion of employment candidates; along with two items under Va. Code 2.2.-3711 (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel regarding two agreements. Mr. Reis moved to certify the Closed Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clontz and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson. -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye 6. Modifications to.the Public Session Agenda There were no modifications to the Public Session agenda. 7. Welcome to Guests and Visitors Mayor Collins welcomed guests and visitors to the meeting. 8. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of September 1, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mayor Collins asked for a motion regarding consideration of the September 1, 2020 Council meeting minutes. Mr. Clontz moved to approve the minutes of September 1, 2020 as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. East and approved by the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Council next considered the Budget Amendment for FY 2020-2021. 1 Page 2 of 12/September 1, 2020 9. Public Hearings a. Budget Amendment for "Carry Forward" Funds for the General Fund FY 20-21 With no discussion or comments from Council on the amendment for the "carry forward" funds for the General Fund, Mayor Collins called the public hearing to order at 6:38 p.m. There being no comments received from the public, Mayor Collins closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. b. Resolution 2020-29, Budget Amendment for the General Fund FY 20-21 Following the public hearing, Mr. Reis moved to approve Resolution 2020-29 amending the General Fund Budget for the Town of Pulaski, Virginia for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 to account for funds carried forward from the previous fiscal year as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dawson and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Mrs. Burcham said that she had asked Mrs. Leeper to attend as Finance Director in case Council had any questions on the General Fund carry forward. She added that at the next meeting there would be items relating to carry forwards for the Water Fund and Sewer Funds and grant items that would need to be appropriated. She also asked Mrs. Leeper to give Council a status report on the fund balance for the General Fund. Mrs. Leeper reported that the preliminary numbers, which had not yet been audited, showed that the fund balance for the General Fund increased $46,513 for an overall balance of $1,092,843. Mr. Dawson asked about the date for the figures to which Mrs. Leeper responded that they dated from 6/30/2020. Mrs. Burcham informed Council that the consultants for the auditors had finished that day and should be able to finalize the fund balance number. She noted that staff had done the best it could to "scrub out" the "carry forward" amount that Council had just approved so that what remained would go to the fund balance. Mr. Reis asked how that related to the target fund balance reserves. Mrs. Leeper said she would have to follow-up with him. Mr. Reis said he thought Council would appreciate a target that would separate the target for each fund as well as include them all together. This would allow Council to compare them for their own knowledge since it appeared to be a topic of concern among the Council. He requested information as to whether the fund was at the target and if some projections could be made. Mrs. Burcham said that most firms suggested a 10% fund reserve, while the Town's auditors suggested a 15% fund reserve. Mr. Reis said he did not know how the Town was calculating either percentage and was water and sewer included in the figure or not. Mrs. Burcham replied that each fund had a separate balance and she would get the figures. She said she wanted Mrs. Leeper to report verbally on the number which was positive and that she would send written confirmation for Council's information and reference. At the next meeting she continued, staff would have the "carry forward" which should be able to indicate the fund balance on both water and sewer. She suggested that might be a good time to wrap things together and include goals for each fund. In the case of water and sewer, there were some different requirements since those accounts were to sustain themselves from the users. The coverage requirement that bond agencies had Page 3 of 12/September 1, 2020 for those funds was different from than a general obligation bond, where a one-to-one coverage was required. Greater coverage was required for water and sewer which made things slightly different. Council next heard a presentation from Mr. Pedigo, Town Engineer on the status of capital projects in the Water and Sewer Fund. 10. Presentations a. Capital Projects Update, Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Mr. Pedigo updated Council on three major capital projects; the Brookmont Project; the Filter Plant Project; and the James Hardie Direct Injection Project. The Brookmont Project Referring to the first map in the packet of the existing water system, Mr. Pedigo gave Council a brief history of the water system. He reviewed how processed water was pumped from the Filter Plant to the Needmore Tanks and from the Veteran's Hill Pump Station to the Veteran's Hill tank which fed water lines as shown on the map. The problem was that in past decades the priority was to add storage to the system. Given the current status and development of the Town, the system ended up with more storage than was needed. Starting from the 1990's, disinfection byproducts (e.g. haleoacetic acid and TTHM) were indicated which were caused by using chlorine to treat water that was kept in the system for a long time, which was not desirable. Mr. Pedigo pointed to the Brookmont Loop in which water remained in the system for ten days. The Brookmont area was also where the Town sold water to Pulaski County which placed the water in another tank where it was stored longer. As a result, both the Town and County were failing the tests for the disinfection byproducts. This resulted in a notice to comply from the Health Department and a consent order in July 2018. A Preliminary Engineering Review (PER) was done in January 2018. In reviewing the project, Mr. Pedigo said it was realized that if a new tank was installed at the Loving Field complex; the Veteran's Hill tank, the Veteran's Hill pump station, and both Needmore tanks could be removed from service. A new pump station would be required in the vicinity of the Filter Plant. In addition the Pleasant Hill tank, the Hospital pump station and the Pleasant Hill pump station would also be taken out of service. Mr. Pedigo felt removing the antiquated equipment and replacing it with a new pump station and storage facility would bring that service area into the modern day. Mr. Pedigo noted the Town was awarded a $1.6 million grant/loan package from the Va. Dept. of Health (VDH) with 20% of that amount being grant funds. The cost to change from the old PER to the one just discussed would be an additional $600,000-$900,000. The new PER was submitted to VDH in June for which the Town was still waiting for approval. Mr. Pedigo expected the Town would have it in the next month. The new tank at Loving Field he said would also be able to serve the Public Service Authority (PSA). If the tank was made taller, giving it more head pressure, the tank could serve the County's area and allow them to take a tank out of service. In a recent meeting with Mr. Linkous of the PSA, it appeared the PSA was willing to contribute approximately $100,000 for the extra cost to make the tank more usable to the County. Page 4 of 12/September 1, 2020 1 Mrs. Burcham added that in submitting the latest PER to the Health Dept., the Town had also asked them to consider providing additional financing on the terms of the original application. While there had been no official response, the state's representative indicated that was a reasonable request assuming they reviewed and approved the PER. As part of a grant/loan package the Town would have add to the budget the debt service requirement of the loan portion of the VDH funds. Mr. Pedigo then asked if there were any questions. Mr. Dawson asked, referring to the maps, if the colored lines indicated estimated water ages for the new system and pointed out there were still red areas (10+ days storage) even under the new system. Mr. Pedigo replied that there would be some that would be in the red. Mr. Dawson asked if we would still have the same problems in those areas. Mr. Pedigo responded that it would be a much improved scenario but would not take care of everything. Mr. Dawson questioned if the Town would still be receiving the letters from having tests done at those locations. Mr. Pedigo said he did not think so and that the engineer had guaranteed that we would not have that problem. Mr. Pedigo explained that this was one large part of the disinfection product's fix, but other things were also being done. Operational changes were being made at the plant concerning the super pulsator and the primary clarifier. Another change involved chemicals with the addition of a new oxidizer at the Raw Water Pump Station. These changes would help the age of the water. Mrs. Burcham asked if the reason the Town had the consent order was a combination of the time that water was sitting in the tank both in the Town and the County which ended up including the Town in the consent order. Between the two, there was a very long period of time, whereas, she thought that the other areas that showed red there was not that extension because there was not accompanying time in the County's tanks. Mr. Pedigo said that was correct. Mr. East asked about the optimal time for water storage. Mr. Pedigo replied three or four days. Mr. East ventured that was the reason that the large portion of the affected section went from red (10+ days) to green (4-5 days) or yellow (7-8 days). He understood that the additional changes with the filter plant and the chemicals should affect these issues. Mr. Pedigo said they only addressed age and added that the map showed that improvement. Mr. East noted that the measures would "shave off' some days the water would spend in the system. He then asked if staff was comfortable that this would be a long term solution. Mr. Pedigo responded that he thought this was the best solution because it addressed water age and got rid of equipment that would require a lot of maintenance. Mr. Pedigo suggested looking at the capital costs for repairs as opposed to a new system. Mr. Dawson asked was a PRV was. Mr. Pedigo responded it was a pressure reducing station located on Thaxton Road. He explained there such an elevation fall between Thaxton and Brookmont that the pressure would get too high. Mr. Reis asked if the cost would be $2.5 million to $2.8 million cost for doing the Loving Field tank project and if the 20%grant applied to the total cost. Mr. Pedigo said that was correct and that he hoped the new amount discussed would have the same terms. Mr. Reis ventured that the remaining 80% was debt that would be paid back through user fees to VDH or another institution. Mr. Pedigo responded that it would be paid to VDH. Page 5 of 12/September 1, 2020 The Filter Plant With discussion on Brookmont concluded, Mr. Pedigo then briefed Council on the Filter Plant Project. Mr. Pedigo gave Council a brief summary of how the Filter Plant processed water. He reminded Council of the failure of Filter #4 a year ago. He reported that Filter #4 was on line and operating superbly. An issue however was the contractor's bid for $291,564. The budget amendment as approved in June was for $290,000. Mr. Pedigo said he did not know how that amount was determined, but no funds were budgeted for design, media removal, inspection, bond counsel or for instrumentation ($2,300). The unbudgeted costs totaled $107,000 above the contractor's bid of $291,000. Mr. Pedigo also told Council that Filter #2 was showing signs of failure. To remove the media from the filter to allow inspection would cost $7,000. Mr. Pedigo said he got a price from the contractor that did Filter #4 that would completely redo Filter #2 in the same manner as Filter #4 for $280,000. Mr. Clontz asked if the $280,000 would include any additional items, to which Mr. Pedigo responded that price included everything. Mr. Clontz mentioned that at some point it was discussed that when Filter #4 went out there was work to be done on a wall. He asked Mrs. Burcham if there was an advantage to doing them all. Mrs. Burcham felt what should be done was to bring all these water projects together at one time and see how to package them. She felt it was obvious given the $100,000 plus shortage on Filter #4, that the money needed to be found quickly. Most likely she said the money would be taken from fund balance to complete that project. The $280,000 suggested by Mr. Pedigo, was just one item. She felt there needed to be a look taken at other capital items that needed to be done right away and package them if desired. Regarding the one item she suggested doing short term borrowing for that small amount. For larger projects involving millions, she suggested the projects be packaged and the Town go out for a water revenue bond. However she said a water revenue bond would require the Town to have the rate structure to support it, which probably means water rates would have to be increased. Mrs. Burcham felt the Town's rate structure needed to be looked at and what it would have to be to deal with the long term. She ventured that at least until next month the Town could "limp along" on Filter #2. Since a price lower than that for Filter #4 was available, but since it was the same model, there would be cost savings on other costs for Filter #4. Mr. Clontz asked about the condition of Filters #1 and #3. Mr. Pedigo responded that both had shown no physical signs of failure at this point. Filter #2 he felt did. Given the expense of removing and replacing the media, he felt it paid to proceed with rebuilding it. To Mr. Clontz's question as to how old it was, Mr. Pedigo responded that it was probably eight years old. The problem was with the inserts that were put in. Mr. East noted that Filters #1 and #3 were not showing signs of failure. However Filter #2"was not showing signs of failure when Filter #4 was discussed. Mr. Pedigo said he was correct and attributed the problem that the filter was worked harder while Filter #4 was being repaired since the three remaining filters had to run longer to make up for #4. Mr. East ventured that there could conceivably be problems with Filters #1 and #3. Mr. Pedigo responded there was no sure Page 6 of 12/September 1, 2020 way of knowing. Mr. Clontz asked how long the filters should last. Mr. Pedigo new Filter #4 should last an estimated 30-40 years. Mr. Dawson mentioned that Filter #2 lasted only eight years to which Mr. Pedigo said it was because of the failure of plastic inserts. Mr. Pedigo said the replacement would be a completely different filter. Mr. East asked if the same inserts were in Filters #1 and #3 to which Mr. Pedigo said yes. Mr. Radcliffe asked what it would take in the near future to get into a water resource authority and quit making water ourselves. Given the high expenditures because the equipment was so old, his point, regarding water rates in Town, was that the citizens could not stand much more. Mr. Pedigo responded there had to be an authority to get into or join the PSA. Mr. Radcliffe felt that something had to be done. Mrs. Burcham asked if that included the garbage fee also. Mr. Radcliffe said that it did. Mrs. Burcham speculated that was an issue for the Town since it billed on behalf of the PSA for garbage, most citizens referred to it as the water bill no matter what was on it. Despite the Town receiving 5% of collections, it carried the burden of having the additional amount in the bill. If it were removed or billed separately by PSA, people might see an increase differently. Mrs. Burcham said she raised the question so as utility rates were looked at in the future, not just the bill was considered but the actual rates. The key to water and sewer rates was to have a base to expand that cost to. With the population fairly stagnant, there was not a base of customers to expand the cost to. The challenge was to bring more people in and have more customers. Mrs. Burcham felt the water issue should be discussed by itself at one meeting to include true capital items and their cost to get the whole picture. Mr. East asked if there would be a cost advantage to group the filter work together. He mentioned that Filters 1, 2,and 3 were run extra hard while #4 was being rebuilt. Would there be - any cost benefit or a slight reduction in having the same contractor do all three. Mr. Pedigo felt it might lower the cost per filter and that any rebuilding would not take as much time a Filter #4 and have much less downtime which would take some of the pressure of the three filters that would have to run. Mayor Collins asked if the new filter could be pushed harder than the other two. Mr. Pedigo said it could and that there was installed an air scour which was a good way to clean the filters and was also set up to be available to the other three filters. Mr. Reis asked Mr. Pedigo how confident he was in creating a capital projects list for the Town. Mr. Pedigo said it would take time to make a good thorough list given other needs and felt he could come up with a good ten year list. Mr. Dawson thought such a list had been prepared previously, but Mr. Pedigo said that was for the Filter Plant and was part of the grant package. Regarding conversations on rates, Mr. Dawson saw the Town's water rate comparing favorably with other communities, but the sewer rates were high which he attributed to Peppers Ferry. Mr. Pedigo suggested he go on line and review the Draper Aden annual schedule of utility rates. Mrs. Burcham commented that each community felt they had the highest rates, which were customer driven. Generally sewer rates were higher because of more owner's requirements on them. Infrastructure is usually forgotten. Mayor Collins asked if the capital list could be ready by Oct. 6th. Mrs. Burcham suggested October 20tH Mr. Penn said people misunderstood that the sewer bill was based on water usage. Mrs. Burcham suggested that the rate structure needed to be looked at. Mr. East ventured that the costs could .be pushed to the higher users. Mrs. Burcham suggested having a tiered system of Page 7 of 12/September 1, 2020 water charges of smaller increments to encourage conservation. She again suggested having someone come in and look at the system and rates. Mr. East ventured that the costs could be pushed to the higher users. James Hardie Sewer Injection Next, Mr. Pedigo updated Council on the James Hardie Sewer Injection Project. He reviewed the basic flow of waste water through the system from Station 4A to 4B and on to the Pepper's Ferry treatment facility. He also noted there was an uplift station at Critter to send waste water to station 4A. He noted that there had been questions as to why some waste water was pumped to 4A and then pumped back from 4A on to 4B. He suggested that if the Critzer location was used, wastewater could be sent directly to Station 4B bypassing Station 4A. He emphasized that the new middle school and its accompanying residential development would all be draining to the Critzer area The original PER visualized sending James Hardie's flow directly to 4B. It was changed to having the new flow from the school and residential areas sent to the Critzer location and on to 4B from that location. Funding for the project included: $1.25 million from the EDA; $700,000 from CDBG; and $500,000 from the ARC. Cost for the revised PER was $2.8 million with a shortfall of $400,000 for the full funding. Once the PER is approved, some of the funds could be applied to design work which might make available some DEQ money. Mr. Pedigo felt the project would improve efficiency and do away with a potential maintenance issue at Critzer. If Station 4B failed the only holding capacity would be at 4A so a million gallon tank at Critzer would be necessary to hold the waste water. Mr. Penn asked if it would help with the sulfate discharge. Mr. Pedigo said it might in that it might change the way sulfates develop because they would not be injected into the force main at Critzer ending the need to add bioxide and hydrogen peroxide into the line. One question would be the effect on Station 4B, but there were ways to take care of that. The sulfate study was being funded by the County and was currently ongoing with a consultant. The changes however would have to be considered by the sulfate study. The change might help the sulfate problem, but not solve it. Mrs. Burcham said that while the project as associated by reference with James Hardie, it actually would have effects on the entire system. Regarding financing, she mentioned that DEQ grants were not pursued for the project balance, but that Mr. Pedigo had contacted an individual familiar with DEQ that held out the possibility of funding. The actual design work needed to be started to go after the DEQ funding. The sooner the funds can be appropriated, possibly at the October 6t' meeting, then design work can proceed to determine true costs. Regarding Mr. Reis question as to flows to 4A, Mr. Pedigo responded that all flows went to 4A. James Hardie, the Wurno area, the new.middle school, the new development and the surrounding neighborhood all went to Critzer station then over the hill to 4A. The plan was to put the injection point at Critzer where the force main was located to inject the flow into the force main. Mr. Reis thanked Mr. Pedigo for his explanation. Mr. Dawson felt that eliminating the gravity feed would eliminate a lot of the odor. Mr. Pedigo ventured it would explaining how the odor was formed. Regarding Pepper's Ferry, Mr. Dawson thought that increasing the amount from the new development, etc. going through 4B to Pepper's Ferry, would increase the Town's volume through 4B and asked if it would it be Page 8 of 12/September 1, 2020 separated out from the County's. Mr. Pedigo ventured that the Town would have to bill the PSA on their water readings but at present there was no agreement in place for sewer. Mrs. Burcham explained that up to this point in time there had been no need for an agreement. Mr. Pedigo said that Pepper's Ferry would also have to do some different things as well. Currently billing was done from the totalizer at 4A. With the proposed changes, another totalizer would be needed, but that was a minor detail. Mr. Pedigo told Council that the Pepper's Ferry bill was set up on a three year moving average. He then invited members of Council to tour the facilities. Downtown Trees Mrs. Burcham said she had toured Main Street and compiled some tasks that needed to be done including trimming of the trees and making sure businesses have numbers. Concerning the trees, the solution appeared to be to trim them now and as Mr. Pedigo added use a VDOT grant to put in different plantings and utility/fire connections. He suggested that trees, sidewalk, curb and gutter, fire and utility connections all be done at one time. Mr. East asked if the VDOT grant had been applied for. Mr. Pedigo responded the grant was applied for and that the Town was in the preliminary running. The Transportation Board's meeting had been delayed because of the pandemic, until September or October and a notice was received asking if the Town was still interested. A reply was sent stating the Town was still interested in the grant. Mrs. Burcham said one grant would be done one year and the other grant in the following to prevent the entire street from being disturbed. She also said something needed to be done concerning the water line with the fire protection and sprinkler issues. Mr. Pedigo then suggested doing all at the same time since the street would be torn up anyway. The trees she added could be removed and replaced, since curb gutter and sidewalks were to be replace anyway. For now, the trees could be trimmed. Mr. Pedigo suggested there could be some innovative methods tried such as a rain well. Mr. East asked about a time frame. Mr. Pedigo responded probably next fiscal year if the Transportation Committee voted on it at its meeting. Mrs. Burcham added that projects were planned out now for two years regarding Transportation Enhancement money. The Town might be off -cycle because of funds not being approved last fiscal year which might push the project back. The plan originally was to do both grants, but now it appeared one would be done and then the other. Council next went into the Round Table Discussion. 11. Round Table Discussion Mayor Collins then opened the Roundtable Discussion for comments from Council. Mr. Penn had no comments. Mr. Dawson said he had been asked multiple times by citizens how things were going in the Town in light of their understanding that there were changes and things happening. He said that he told them that the level of action going into everything was at such a high level and that was something that everyone on the Council was proud of. Hopefully he said others were seeing that too from a community standpoint and added that they (Council) could see it there. He also felt that people were becoming more aware. Page 9 of 12/September 1, 2020 Mrs. Burcham responded that in the short time she had been associated with the organization, the employees had been fantastic. Anything they had been asked to do they were willing to do and had not been resistant and all seemed to be eager and moved fast on things. While she noted that some thought things moved too fast, Mrs. Burcham said she had an urgency on everything she did and felt the employees were beginning to see that. She thanked Council and encouraged them if they saw someone doing a good job to tell them that, because it meant a lot to them and kept them going. Mr. East had no comment. Mr. Radcliffe thanked Mr. Whitt for staying with the Town and noted that the flower beds looked great. In the springtime, Mr. Radcliffe suggested that the Town begin work on trees that were hanging in the road feeling they needed to be cut back. Some trees at 6th Street Park were over the sidewalk and he added he thought it made the Town look so much better not having the trees in the road. Mrs. Burcham requested that if Council had a specific location to either give her or Mr. Pedigo notice of that location. She urged that if Council saw a particular area needing attention to call it in. Mr. Radcliffe again expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Burcham for the work she was doing. Mr. Clontz had no comment Mr. Reis expressed his appreciation on the level of detail Mr. Pedigo gave on the projects. He further expressed his appreciation on getting updates on such matters. Mr. Reis related to Council that some years back a sinkhole came in the alley near his home and was promptly repaired by Public Works whose quick response he was impressed with. During conversations with the employees, Mr. Reis said he was told that the sewer lines in the area were ceramic because they were a hundred years old. While that may be one of the charms of living in an old town, Mr. -Reis ventured that was something that Council needed to be aware of. While the big projects were really important and made big changes, in the everyday life of citizens, loss of a rusted pipe resulting in inconveniences such as no showers were as big an issue to them as a pump station. Mr. Reis felt Council needed to recognize the need to build in more capital funds for those kind of projects. That was why he explained, that he asked Mr. Pedigo about a project list. Referring to Mr. Radcliffe's comment, Mr. Reis said if the Town was going to charge for example one hundred dollars a month, then the Town needed to justify those costs, especially if the rates were increased. He felt the Town needed to go to its constituents and emphasize all of the things the Town was doing including modernizing the system, something that did not happen in most places so there would be fewer concerns with potential service problems. He wanted the public to know that the Council was aware of it, was working on it and was taking a sharp look at it. Mayor Collins then asked Mrs. Burcham for her comments. Mrs. Burcham said that after the last meeting where she announced Mr. Whitt's departure, there was an outpouring of support for Mr. Whitt's work which was overwhelming from Council, staff and citizens. She emphasized that all were pleased that he was staying. Page 10 of 12/September 1, 2020 On another matter, Mrs. Burcham announced at the last meeting that the Town was going to "roll out" the non-profit organization grants. A half dozen applications had been received along with additional small business grant applications. Checks had been mailed out to the first fifteen participants. In addition, several larger projects were started using the CARES funds. She noted that the police vehicles formerly behind the building had been relocated for the opportunity to redo the drive-in window for which the contract was ready to be issued. She anticipated that work would begin by Council's next meeting. In addition, orders were placed for long-term cleaning supplies that would be needed for various facilities and vehicles to do regular cleaning. An official request had been received from the YMCA to do the "child care after school" that would require approving more than $5,000. Mrs. Burcham said she was waiting for additional information before a decision would be made on the request from the Beans & Rice group as to where they would be performing that service in the Town before a package would be put together which would be sent to Council. Mrs. Burcham said she indicated that because of the questions that Council had that we would wait on that. Mrs. Burcham said she had received an announcement about a grant that had no match, which was for the community and not just the Town. Many grants previously discussed had to do with responsibilities of the Town. This grant had been put together by several service organizations including Lewis-Gale Hospital, the Police, the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Women's Resource Center and the Dept. of Social Services. The three year grant, totaling $499,994.05, would fund a forensic nurse examiner and would address the issues of victims of domestic violence, dating -sexual assaults, stalking and similar situations. The grant had to be requested by a jurisdiction. In this case the Town of Pulaski stepped forward to do that and would be administering the grant. Following appropriation of these funds, scheduled for the next Council meeting, a forensic examiner would be employed and the program initiated. Mrs. Burcham emphasized that the Town was very pleased in making this program happen. Mayor Collins thanked Mrs. Burcham for what she had done and also thanked Mr. Whitt and the Clerk of Council for their work. 12. Reminder of Future Council Meetinas and Recess until 5:00 mm.. Thursday. September 17, 2020 Mayor Collins said that Council's next meeting would be October 6, starting with the Closed Session at 5:30 p.m. and the Public Session at 7:00 p.m. After that, the Work Session would be on October 20, 2020 beginning with the Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. and the Public Session at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, Mayor Collins called for a motion to recess the meeting until 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2020. The motion was made by Mr. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Clontz and approved by the following roll call vote of Council: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Page 11 of 12/September 1, 2020 Mrs. Burcham clarified that the session would be a Closed Session. Following the vote, Mayor Collins then declared the meeting in recess until 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2020. The meeting was then recessed at 7:51 p.m. ATTEST: David N. Quesenberry Clerk of Council Approved: W. Shannon Collins Mayor Page 12 of 12/September 1, 2020 1 1