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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-21Minutes of the Pulaski Town Council Meeting held at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W. The meeting also featured a general live cast to the public via the Town's Facebook page. Mayor: Shannon Collins, presiding Councilmen Present: G. Tyler Clontz; Greg East; Lane R. Penn; James°A. Radcliffe; Michael P. Reis Councilmen Absent: Brooks R. Dawson Administration: Darlene L. Burcham, Town Manager Legal Counsel Spencer A. Rygas, Town Attorney Staff: Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer David Quesenberry, Clerk of Council Chief Gary Roche, P.P.D Jordan Whitt, Social Media Manager 1. Call to Order r Mayor Collins called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. 2. Roll Call of Council Counted as present for Roll Call were Mayor Collins; Mr, Clontz; Mr. East; Mr. Penn; Mr. Radcliffe; and Mr. Reis. Mr. Dawson was noted as absent from Roll Call. 3. Modifications to the Closed Session Agenda Mayor Collins asked for a motion to amend the closed session, agenda to add one item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 11, discussion of honorary degree or special awards. The request was so moved by Mr. East, seconded by Mr. Reis and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Absent G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye 4. Closed Session Mayor Collins then asked for a motion to enter closed session for four items as follows: one item under Va. Code 2.2.-3711 (A) 1 for a personnel matter; one item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 5, discussion concerning prospective business about which there has been no previous discussion; one matter under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) ,8, consultation with legal counsel on a contractual matter; and one matter under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 11 discussion of honorary degree or special awards. Mr. Reis moved to enter closed session. Mr. East seconded the motion which was approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Absent G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Page 1 of 5/May 18, 2021 . Council entered Closed Session at 5:17 p.m. 5. Certification of Closed Session Council returned from Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. On a call from Mayor Collins for a motion to certify that only the previously mentioned sections of the Code of Va., (2.2-3711 (A)1; (A)5; (A)8; and (A)11, were discussed in closed session, Mr. East moved to certify the Closed Session. His 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 -Absent G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye 6. Modification of Public Session Agenda Mayor Collins noted that no modifications were needed for the Public Session agenda. 7. Guests and Visitors Mayor Collins welcomed the many guests to the meeting as well as those joining the meeting via Facebook. 8. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of the Minutes of the May 4, 2021 Council Work Session Mayor Collins then asked for consideration of the minutes of May 4, 2021. Mr. Penn moved to adopt the May 4, 2021 meeting minutes as written. Mr. Reis seconded the motion which was approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Absent G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye 9 Presentation to Chief Gary W. Roche Upon His Retirement, Resolution 2021-17 Mayor Collins read Resolution 2021-17 honoring'Chief Roche for his 20 years of service as police chief of the Pulaski Police Department as well as his 45 -year career in law enforcement. On a call for a motion from Mayor Collins, Mr. East moved to adopt the resolution honoring Chief Roche. His motion was seconded by Mr. Radcliffe and approved by the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn --Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Brooks R. Dawson .-Absent G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East o -Aye Michael P. Reis -Aye Following the vote, Mayor Collins. presented Chief Roche with his resolution. 10 Presentations Honoring Pulask[County High School Athletic Teams Council next honored six teams from Pulaski County High School for their performance in regional and state competition. Teams honored included: the Lady Cougar Varsity Basketball. Team; Cougar Indoor Track and Field Team; Lady Cougars Track and Field participants; the Cross Country Team; the Wrestling Team and the Competition Cheer Team. Page•2 of 5/May 18, 2021 Mayor Collins read separate resolutions prepared for each team which Council voted unanimously to approve. Following the approval of Council, Mayor Collins presented the approved resolutions to the coaches and players of each individual team for their outstanding efforts in regional and state competition. 11. Continued Discussion on Skateparks Council next discussed possible options for the skate park as well as possible liability issues with existing facilities. Mr. Pedigo told Council of the ongoing mitigation of the 1 st Street site for the demolition of foundation and masonry rubble and the removal of the first twelve inches of soil to prepare a pad that could be capped as shown in a conceptual drawing of potential facilities for the site. There was $228,000 left for site remediation. The demolition contract was not to exceed $80,900 leaving approximately $150,000 for site amenities. Council then reviewed quotes for outfitting the skate park and was advised by Mr. Pedigo to contact the skating community for input on facilities. A discussion then followed on the potential sites at 6th Street Park and 1St Street, N. E. concerning various activities that some courts could accommodate. To Mr. East's question as to what the Town could get for the remaining $150,000, Mr. Pedigo responded that it would be tough to get a contractor to give a price because of problems with material prices and the high number of contractors already employed. He would be meeting with a concrete contractor to get a price for the slabs for First Street which would give a better idea as to what other amenities could be added or planned for in the future. Mr. Clontz asked about the balance of funds the skate group raised. Mrs. Burcham responded that she remembered there was significantly less than $10,000 and that the Town did not have access to that money. The understanding was the Town might match the funds that were raised. A short discussion followed on potential Council decisions on improving MacGill Park, especially in light of plans for a better facility at First Street. Concern was expressed that some activities by skate advocates at MacGill might expose the Town to liability. The area around the court had been cleared for police patrol and two dusk to dawn lights were slated for repair. At a minimum, closing MacGill to further use at a certain time was recommended due to the liability to the Town caused by damage to the facility. Options either were to fix the park up or limit its use. Mr. Reis asked if there was an option of relocating equipment from MacGill to Downtown. Mr. Pedigo replied there was. The equipment could be moved as soon as the concrete pad was poured and the maximum compressive strength reached after 30 days which would allow skating to proceed. Mr. Pedigo recommended the MacGill basketball court be demolished due to the damage to its surface. Regarding timelines, Mr. Pedigo said the remediation might be completed next week, weather permitting. The project had to be completed by September or the Town would lose the funding. Mrs. Burcham ventured the overall goal was to complete the remediation as soon as possible, find a contractor to pour the concrete and use the balance of the grant before the September deadline to prepare the site, look for other funding sources and gradually develop the area. Regarding MacGill, Council expressed its belief that the park should be made as safe as possible in the meantime and felt it was reasonable that all gates be locked at dusk. Mrs. Burcham ventured it would be challenging to meet the September deadline for the First Street Page 3 of 5/May 18, 2021 site due to the lack of in-house resources and the possibility of having to pay premium price to secure a contractor. 12. Council Comments Mr. Penn and Mr. East had no comment. Mr. Radcliffe brought up the issue of grass not being mowed on main streets and presented several slides of areas he felt needed mowing. He urged that the Town's ordinance be amended to allow the Town to mow the grass and trim around poles. Mrs. Burcham reminded him that the Town was shorthanded and some Town property was not being mowed as frequently as needed. She noted that many residents were in compliance. Owners of vacant properties would be served by Code Compliance and billed if the Town mowed the property. Discussion of the issue continued covering successful code compliance with existing policies; amending the ordinance to reduce the height of grass; cost savings by not mowing areas not the Town's responsibility; signage on properties under code compliance citation; and press releases on the mowing policy. Mr. Penn moved and Mr. Radcliffe seconded a motion temporarily suspending the policy. Concern was expressed that the motion would suspend all code enforcement regarding grass. Mr. Rygas suggested that there was no need for any form of motion, but that there was a preference for the Town crews to clean things up. No motion was needed but a simple directive to the Manager to have the areas mowed. Both Mr. Penn and Mr. Radcliffe withdrew their motion and second. Mr. Clontz had no comment. Mr. Reis said he had reviewed the guidelines for the ARP and expressed hope that the funds could be used for water and sewer projects including I & I. Mrs. Burcham said she would be participating in two conference calls on potential use of the money. Since the Town was a "non - entitlement community", both the program guidelines and money would come thirty days later than other larger communities, some of which had not yet received official funding. Mayor Collins thanked the crew that cleaned out the 8th Street drain and asked if personnel periodically checked the drains. Mr. Pedigo responded that before a heavy rain event, the vacuum truck tried to clean as many as they could, especially the major ones. Mrs. Burcham added that the Town had notified the community through social media of the "slow leak" which was on the list for funding under the American Recovery Act. The project would involve replacement of a valve which would be expensive and impact traffic and other aspects of the Town. 13. Manager's Report Mrs. Burcham reported that the Town's budget had been balanced and Council would shortly receive the Manager's recommended budget which would be advertised this week. The public hearing is scheduled for June 1St with adoption of the budget scheduled June 15th. The General, Water and Sewer budgets would be presented along with the Capital Improvement Plan for each of -the three funds. Mr. East expressed his appreciation for Mrs. Burcham's work and his high level of confidence in the budget. 1 Page 4 of 5/May 18, 2021 14: Reminder of Future Council Meetings and Adjournment Mayor Collins reminded Council of its next meeting on June 1, 2021 with the Closed Session starting at 5:30 p.m. and the Public Session at 7:00 p:m. The Work Session was scheduled for June 15th with Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. and the Public Session at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, Mr. East moved to adjourn:, His motion was seconded by Mr. Clontz and approved by unanimous voice vote at 7:59 p.m. t Z. Approved: W. Shannon Collins Mayor ATTEST: David N. Quesenberry Clerk of Council 1 11 Page 5 of 5/May 18, 2021