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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held June 15, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in 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 Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Visitors: Michael Hall Rodney Gravley Annie Gravley Michael Dowell Rusty Mitchell Robert Runions Tommy Lester Douglas L. Brown Mike Mathena Jeff Hall Jimmy Ward Jerry Hughes Randy Trail Roland E. Cole Douglas W. Wilson Charles L. Haymore Jeffrey L. Doyle Rocky L. Gray Duane K. Armes Eddie Whitaker Jerry White Brian Cole E. L. Belcher Andrew L. Graham, Jr. Judy Flemming Rebecca English Jesse Worrell Dean Jackson Larry C. Clyburn, Jr. Sgt. Bill Webb Sherry Boyd-Neidigh Nikki Shank Robert Dye Herb Cooley Paul Dellinger, Press J. R. Schrader, Press Rob Eastwood, Press The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Stewart led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Worrell gave the Invocation. Following roll call, agenda was modified by the addition of item 11 – New Business, Resolution regarding satellite television. And the addition under item 6, Presentations - by Michael Dowell of the Fine Arts Center. First item on agenda was a presentation by Mike Ratcliffe, President of the Pulaski Fire Department. Mr. Ratcliffe addressed Council with concerns that the Fire Department has in relation to budget decisions that are being made relating to the Fire Department. The elimination of a paid position, possible attrition of the department, personnel safety and equipment readiness and the future of the department in the Town. He advised that morale is very low. Another issue was the possibility of the Inspector position being moved to the Engineering Department. He requested that Council reconsider the elimination of the paid position, promote someone within the ranks, and hire replacement fire fighters. Mayor Johnston thanked the department for the presentation and stated that their comments would be taken into consideration in finalizing the budget. Next, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt Certification Resolution for Closed Session held before Council meeting on 2.1-344 (A-1), personnel matter specific individual (2 items) and 2.1-344 (A5) economic development matter, seconded by Councilman Penn 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 Michael Dowell, Director of the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, addressed Council with an update on the progress of the Museum Expansion Committee regarding the Maple Shade Plaza. He requested that Council eliminate the idea of a Skate Center at that location and dedicate the entire 34,000 square feet area to the Fine Arts Center and the Train Station Museum as a cultural complex. He also requested that staff be authorized to proceed with Request For Proposals for an architect for the project. After discussion, Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that the 34,000 square foot building be dedicated to the Fine Arts Center and the Train Station Museum as a cultural complex and authorizing staff to proceed with Request For Proposals for an architect for the project, 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 At 5:40 p.m., Council entered into a Public Hearing on the proposed 1999-2000 FY Budget. Mr. Combiths advised that the proposed budget for FY 1999-2000 of $6,027,446 contains no tax increase nor any water or sewer rate increases. He reviewed the remaining outstanding issues for this budget which included: 1. Should the Town Fire Marshall position be relocated from the Fire Department to the Engineering Department to facilitate additional effort in the Town rental inspection program including code violations under the Town’s Building and Safety Code. 2. Should the Town set aside an annual appropriation from UDAG fund of $20,500 for the purpose of purchasing shares in the proposed Commerce Park Project located in and around the New River Valley Airport as part of the Virginia’s First Regional and Industrial Authority? 3. Should the Town elect to have employees, who are currently or shall become in the future, members of the early retirement system, be eligible for early retirement benefit at age 50 with at least 30 years of service. 4. Should the Town’s compensation plan be increased by 2% to address minimum and maximum wage program? After extensive discussion, Public Hearing closed at 6:30 p.m. on motion by Councilman Weddle, 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 Councilman Weddle made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-27, approving the budget for FY 1999-2000, with the addition of the four items described in the Finance Committee report dated June 10, 1999, seconded by Councilman Stewart. Regarding the position that was cut from the budget, Councilman Weddle requested that the Fire Department try to “make it work” as described in the proposed budget, and if they cannot, then Council can address the issue again. After extensive discussion, Councilman Hale made a substitute motion to leave the Fire Marshall position under the Fire Department, 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 - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Stewart made a motion that the position to be eliminated from the Fire Department be an entry level position, seconded by Councilman Penn 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 Penn made a motion to adopt the FY 1999-2000 budget with the following changes: 1. The Fire Marshall will remain in the Fire Department budget. 2. Set aside an annual appropriation from UDAG fund of $20,500 for the purpose of purchasing shares in the proposed Commerce Park Project. 3. Allow employees who are currently or shall become in the future, members of the early retirement system, to be eligible for unreduced early retirement benefits at age 50 with at least 30 years of service. 4. Compensation plan be increased by 2% to address minimum and maximum wage program. 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 7:00 p.m., Councilman Hale made a motion to take a 10 minute recess, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on voice vote. At 7:10 p.m., Council returned from recess and adopted consent agenda on motion by Councilman Penn, 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 Next Councilman Neblett advised that Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Authority met and discussed the expansion of capacity. Public Operations Committee Chairman Penn advised that a report had been planned regarding the downtown sidewalk replacement plan, however, since Downtown Pulaski, Inc. just submitted their proposal to Council today, there has been no time to review the report. He advised that a report would be forthcoming. Mayor Johnston referred to Public Operations Committee, a complaint from Mr. Bryant regarding drainage at his property. Staff was instructed to schedule a committee meeting to visit the property. Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that as soon as a Town Attorney is on board, committee will discuss rental property inspections. Councilwoman Steger commended Councilman Worrell for his many volunteer hours of work at Calfee Park. Councilman Stewart reported that Planning Commission met 6-14-99 and discussed a request by the Town to amend the Zoning Regulations to remove and amend those sections pertaining to yard sales to prevent conflict with Ordinance 99-4, which regulates yard sales. He advised that Mr. Charles Bird resigned from Commission effective June 15, 1999. Human Resources Chairman Hale advised that several vacancies need to be addressed to replace members on the Cemetery Trust Fund Board, the Industrial Development Authority, the Architecture Review Board, and the Planning Commission. Staff recommendation is that Mr. John T. Bolen be re-appointed to the Cemetery Trust Fund Board, Mr. Gene Stuart be re-appointed to the Industrial Development Authority and that Mrs. Betty Sadler be re-appointed to the Architecture Review Board. Additionally, that staff be authorized to conduct searches to fill the 2 vacancies on the Architecture Review Board, 1 vacancy on the Grievance Panel and 1 vacancy on the Planning Commission. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to re-appoint Mr. John T. Bolen to the Cemetery Trust Fund (3 year term beginning June 20, 1999), Mr. Gene Stuart to Industrial Development (4 year term beginning April 14, 1999) and Mrs. Betty Sadler to the Architecture Review Board (4 year term beginning May 16, 1999), seconded by Councilman Penn 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 Next Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission requested Council’s approval of Resolution 99-26, regarding creation of a zoning district for recycling. He made a motion to adopt Resolution 99-26, regarding creation of a zoning district for recycling, 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 Mayor Johnston advised Council that Dave Hart, Parks and Recreation Director, applied for a grant to to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for Calfee Athletic Field. The grant has been approved and awarded $6,000 for this project. Mayor Johnston commended Mr. Hart for his work. Mayor Johnston also reminded Council that Saturday, May19 is the Count Pulaski Festival and also the first game at the newly renovated Calfee Park. Councilman Stewart advised that a U.S. House Bill is being considered regarding the re-transmission of network television on satellite tv. Specifically, to make it permissible for satellite tv to re-transmit network stations to their satellite customers. At present, satellite customers have to purchase an antenna or purchase cable tv to receive local channels. He requested that Town staff be authorized to prepare a resolution to send to our senators and representative in support of allowing that re-transmission. Councilman Stewart made a motion to authorize staff to prepare a resolution making it permissible for satellite tv to re-transmit network television on satellite tv, seconded by Councilman Penn 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 7:25 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried.