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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held May 18, 1999 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: John A. Johnston, Mayor Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Also Present: Thomas M. Combiths, Town Manager David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Frank Terwilliger, Acting Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Dave Hart, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hall, Fire Chief Herb Cooley, Police Chief Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Visitors: Rosetta Cox April White Cassie Morse Mellissa Quesenberry Katie Neely Candace Macy Steven Thompson Tamara Williams Emily E. Hale Greg Dickie Gary Fox Troy Sarver, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Rob Eastwood, Press The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Penn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. After roll call, Mayor Johnston advised that the order of reports under Finance Committee reports be rearranged so that Parks and Recreation would address Council first regarding budget discussion, then Fire Department and Police Department. First item on agenda was Resolution 99-21, honoring Rosetta Cox, who has retired from the Town of Pulaski after a total of 16 years of employment. Mayor Johnston presented Mrs. Cox with Resolution 99-21 and thanked her for her contribution to the Town. Resolution was adopted on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next, Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt Consent Agenda consisting of minutes of May 4, 1999 Council meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Finance Committee Chairman Weddle advised that first item on agenda for Finance Committee was procurement of Town property and liability insurance. Town Manager advised that the Town received 3 insurance bids (two from private carriers- St. Paul Insurance and Gulf Insurance through Old Dominion Insurance), and a bid from Virginia Municipal Leagues (VML) Insurance Programs. The low bid was from the VML Insurance Programs. The price difference between VML and the next lowest bidder was not significant. After extensive study, the Town Manager recommended that the Town property and liability insurance be placed with Virginia Municipal League (VML) Insurance Programs. He advised that while there is not a great difference in premium bids, VML offers the potential of being paid dividends on our premiums. Historic experience of dividend payment by jurisdictions our size with VML has ranged from 40% to 60% of premium on average. Mr. Combiths reviewed with Council the pros and cons of signing with VML Insurance. Next, Mr. Gary Fox, of Old Dominion Insurance, the Town’s current carrier, addressed Council. He stated that “now is not the time to go into anything other than a fully insured program”. He advised property and casualty insurance is cheaper than it’s been in 23 years and that you don’t look for self-insured when you get it as cheap as you’re getting it. He advised that his job is to protect the Town’s assets. The theory behind insurance is to spread the risk. With VML, you’re only spreading that risk within the people that are in that pool, as opposed to the Traveler’s Insurance company which is all over the world. He questioned whether VML would cover a volunteer fire fighter’s personal equipment if damaged or destroyed while he was working a fire and stated that Old Dominion would. He emphasized the availability of personal service with the insurance office in Town. Greg Dickie, VML representative, addressed Council. He addressed several questions that were posed by Council and Mr. Fox. He advised that VML is a non-profit organization. Every dollar that comes into the program is used to pay claims, pay expenses and capitalize the program and every dollar that’s not needed for those 3 things is eventually returned to the local governments with interest. They report to a member supervisory board that is made up of local government officials, both elected and appointed, from around the state. Councilman Weddle asked what would keep a member from quitting in the event of catastrophic loss and an assessment against the members was made. Mr. Dickie advised that the member could drop out of the group, but they would still be responsible for the assessment on the year that they were in the program. He added however, that VML had not assessed anyone before. After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion seconded by Councilwoman Steger to continue with Old Dominion Insurance, pending a reference check on Gulf, seconded by Councilwoman Steger. Councilman Weddle asked about the dividends. The cost of the insurance is comparable now, but what about the possibility of dividends in the future? After discussion, Councilman Weddle made a substitute motion to table this matter until further research could be conducted. Motion died for lack of a second. Councilwoman Mitchell made a substitute motion to table the decision regarding insurance until June 1, 1999, so that a background check on Gulf can be completed, and seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - No W. Edgar Hale - No Lane R. Penn - No Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - No Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Mayor John A. Johnston – Aye At 6:00 p.m., Council adjourned for a recess. At 6:20 p.m., Council returned from recess. Finance Committee Chairman Weddle advised that next on agenda was discussion and review of the proposed 1999-2000 budget for Parks and Recreation department, Fire Department and Police department. Each department head answered questions regarding the proposed budget for their department. Mr. Hart, Parks and Recreation, requested that Council consider more money for upkeep of playing fields and equipment. Fire Chief Hall, requested that he be allowed to replace 1 employee who has resigned. Police Chief Cooley requested that the Town fund the Leos program for police and fire personnel. Due to time constraints, Finance Committee rescheduled discussion of Town Manager’s department until Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. At 7:48 p.m., Councilman Weddle made a motion to enter into Executive Session on 3 items, 2.1-344 (A-5), prospective business or industry – economic development and 2.1-344 (A-7) Consultation with legal counsel, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye At 8:35 p.m., Council returned from Executive Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion made by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Hale advised that Council discussed in Executive Session, a list of taxpayers who are delinquent in their BPOL tax. Mr. Hale made a motion to set an amnesty period for these businesses that have been found to be delinquent in BPOL tax and excuse the penalty and interest, seconded by Councilman Neblett. Councilwoman Mitchell made a substitute motion to collect any delinquent BPOL tax and penalty and interest, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - No W. Edgar Hale - No Lane R. Penn - No Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Next item on agenda was consideration of Rural Development loan for sewer infiltrate and inflow program. Mr. Quesenberry advised Council that the Rural Development Authority and the Town have worked out a loan proposal for a loan approved for $698,200, targeting sewer line replacement in areas experiencing the worst I&I problems caused by aging sewer lines. As part of the Rural Development loan for sewer infiltrate and inflow program a Resolution is required. He requested that Council authorize staff to proceed with the loan application by passing Resolution 99-22. Councilman Weddle made a motion to authorize staff to proceed with the loan application by adopting Resolution 99-22, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Public Operations Committee Chairman Penn advised that next item on agenda was a discussion regarding allowing retirees to utilize the employee discount for using Gatewood facilities. Mr. Quesenberry advised that a request had been received to allow Town of Pulaski retirees to receive the same discount for using Gatewood facilities as Town employees. These discounts consist of 50% off charges for camping and boating. After discussion, Councilman Penn made a motion to allow Town retirees the same discount as employees for Gatewood facilities, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Chairman Penn advised that as a result of Mr. Glenn Bryant’s request to Council at the last meeting, Public Works Director Mike Jenkins and Mr. Penn met Mr. Bryant at his property. After discussion, Mr. Bryant was not satisfied with the solutions offered to him. Mayor Johnston advised that he had spoken with Mr. Bryant today and that he had advised Mr. Bryant that the proper committee would review his request, and set up an appointment with Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Combiths to discuss the issue. Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission met for a work session at 5:30 p.m. on May 10, 1999 to begin redrafting the Zoning Regulations. The meeting involved discussion of a variety of issues that will affect the provisions of the new ordinance such as definitions; changes in state law with respect to day care and housing; transmission towers; and home occupations. Another work session has been scheduled for June 14, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a public session at 7:00 regarding deletion of yard sale provision from the Zoning Regulations. Human Resources Committee Chairman Hale advised that committee met in Executive Session, Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 7:00 a.m. to discuss personnel matters pertaining to a specific individual with no action taken. Mayor Johnston reminded Council that the VML Town Section meeting will be held in Abingdon on Thursday; May 20, 1999. Town Manager Combiths advised that as part of the Rural Development loan application, a bond counsel is required. He requested that he be authorized to choose bond counsel if the amount is not over $5000. Councilman Stewart made a motion to authorize Town Manager to choose bond counsel if the amount is not over $5000, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote: At 9:00 p.m.,Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried.