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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-99Minutes of the Town Council meeting held November 16, 1999 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: John A. Johnston, Mayor Council Members: Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell, Bettye H. Steger, W. Edgar Hale, Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart Absent/Excused: James M. Neblett Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Also Present Robert Dye, Economic Development Director Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Herb Cooley, Police Chief Robert Glenn Frank Murphy Dorothy Donithan Carol Ohalla Rebeccah English Margaret Stark Raina Wheatley Tony Wheatley Tom McCrea Heather Fetrow, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for the closed session Human Resources meeting held at 7:00 Tuesday morning, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following roll call, 1 item was added to the agenda under closed session 2.1-344 (A7) – consult with legal counsel about litigation or other specific legal matters. First item on the agenda was a presentation by Mr. Frank Murphy. Mr. Murphy advised that he has been trying to get a curve on Valley Road straightened for some time now as a safety measure. He advised that he has spoken to several Town employees with regard to this issue and to his knowledge, no progress has been made. He requested that Council review this issue and assist with the problem. Mayor Johnston advised that he has been in contact with Mr. Murphy on several occasions. He advised that the Public Works Director advised that it would take a minimum of $40,000 to straighten the curve. The Town did not have this money. Subsequently, the Town Engineer advised that he thought some of the rock could be removed for a lesser amount. The telephone pole in the middle of the curve would have to be moved. American Electric Power has agreed to that request. Staff is trying to get permission from a property owner to grant an easement to place the pole on her property. Mr. Hawley advised that the property owner has agreed to grant the easement. The Town Attorney will draw up the necessary papers as soon as he receives additional information from the Engineering Department. When this paperwork is complete, the Town will attempt to remove some of the rock in an attempt to remedy the situation. Mayor Johnston reiterated that if the Town is unable to remove some rock without blasting and great expense, then the Town will have to halt the project. However, it is hoped that enough rock can be removed to improve the safety of the curve. Next, Robert “Nick” Glenn gave a presentation to Council regarding the New River Valley Airport Commission and a request for additional funding for the next fiscal year to be used for a benefits package for the Airport personnel. Next, D.P.I. President Tom McCrea presented a quarterly report to Council summarizing D.P.I.’s accomplishments. He advised that a clean up downtown Pulaski day will be held Saturday, November 20 beginning at 10 a.m. and invited Council’s participation. Michael Dowell advised Council that after reviewing the presentations from the architectural firms interested in the town’s Maple Shade Project, the Museum Expansion Committee unanimously approved Wiley and Wilson for this project and forwards this recommendation to Council. He requested that Council adopt a motion authorizing the Town Manager to proceed with contracting the firm of Wiley and Wilson for the design of the town’s museum expansion complex. Councilwoman Steger made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract with Wiley and Wilson for the design of the town’s museum expansion complex, seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell. After further discussion, Councilman Stewart made a substitute motion to table the issue until the Town Attorney could review the contract and present his comments at the December 7, 1999 Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Hale and failed on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - No Joseph L. Weddle - No Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Pauline G. Mitchell - No Bettye H. Steger - No Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Original motion by Councilwoman Steger authorizing the Town Manager to sign the contract with Wiley and Wilson for the conceptual design of the town’s museum expansion complex, and seconded by Councilwoman Mitchell, then passed on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 During the public comment period, Tony Wheatley addressed Council regarding street lighting on Peppers Ferry Road. He advised that it is quite dark and in his opinion dangerous and requested that Council consider installing lights in this area. Councilman Penn advised that this item was already on the agenda and would be discussed during the Public Operations Committee report. Councilman Worrell made a motion to adopt the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the November 2, 1999 Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 Under the Finance Committee report, Sherry Boyd, the Finance Director addressed Council and gave a projects update report regarding real estate tax mailings, computers and Y2K preparation. Next, Public Operations Committee Chairman Penn advised that before Council was an agreement from VDOT for the New River Trail. John Hawley, advised that he had checked with VDOT regarding questions Council had regarding the VDOT agreement regarding the N. R. Trail. The beginning date for the project was March, 1997, therefore the project has to be under contract by March, 2001. As to the Engineering services, preliminary engineering can be done in-house. Prisoners cannot be used on the project. After discussion, Councilman Penn made a motion to authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute the contract agreement for the Trail, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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, Chairman Penn advised that there is a request for installation of street lights on the eastern end of Peppers Ferry Road. Mr. Tony Wheatley and Mr. Phil Mayes request installation of the street lights stating that because of the narrowness of the road and the amount of traffic, driving conditions are hazardous because of poor visibility. After discussion, Councilwoman Steger made a motion to approve the request for installation of street lights on the eastern end of Peppers Ferry Road, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent W. Edgar Hale - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Abstain Jeffrey S. Worrell - Abstain Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye Councilman Penn advised that he had a request from the Career War Veterans Association for installation of a plaque naming the Washington Avenue bridge over Peak Creek the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Mayor Johnston responded that he thought that perhaps it could be done as a plaque for all veterans rather than just one group. More research needs to be done and the public will be notified by the press. Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Steger advised that Ordinance Committee would try to meet within the next 2 weeks on several items. Councilman Stewart advised that Planning Commission held three public hearings and a work session on November 8. The first public hearing, a request for a four lot subdivision on Bentley Lane was tabled. Then, Councilman Stewart was appointed to work with staff on an initial examination of the revisions Council sent to the Commission. And finally, Commission voted to recommend that the site of the old treatment plant, the current location of Pump Station 4A, and the current Dora Highway facility be included in a drop site special district. Councilwoman Steger requested that the press remind the public that according to Town ordinance, all election signs within the Town limits must be removed. Mayor Johnston reminded Council that the Intergovernmental meeting will be held November 30 in Dublin. Any Council member that would like a topic added to that agenda should contact the Mayor. Town Attorney Eley advised Council that he has completed his research regarding the issue of requiring the Town Manager and Department Heads to live within Town limits. He finds no legal reason to prohibit this requirement. The current Charter states that the Town Manager can live outside the County with Council’s permission. It does not mention department heads. Councilman Penn made a motion to have the presently employed department heads grandfathered in and any persons who are subsequently promoted and live outside the Town limits, also be grandfathered in, seconded by Councilman Stewart. After discussion, Councilman Penn withdrew his motion. Councilwoman Mitchell made a motion that future Town Manager’s and future Department Heads be required to live within Town limits. Motion died for lack of second. At 6:35 p.m., Councilman Stewart made a motion to enter into Closed Session on 2.1-344 (A7) – consult with legal counsel about litigation or other specific legal matters (3 items), seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent 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 left during the Closed Session. At 7:25 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Weddle, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Absent W. Edgar Hale - Absent 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 7:26 p.m., there being no further business, Council adjourned on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Stewart and carried.