HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-99Minutes of the Pulaski Town Council meeting held December 7, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.
There were present: Bettye H. Steger, Vice-Mayor
Council Members: James M. Neblett, Lane R. Penn, Jeffrey S. Worrell
Joseph L. Weddle, Pauline G. Mitchell, Charles W. Stewart
Absent/Excused: John A. Johnston, Mayor
W. Edgar Hale
Staff: John J. Hawley, Acting Town Manager
Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney
David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager
Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk
Herb Cooley, Police Chief
Lieutenant Barr
Gary Martin, Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent
Also Present: Jason Newman
Suzanne Stauss
Daniel O’Dell
Cory Surber
Joe White
Herman Largen
Heather Fetrow, Press
Paul Dellinger, Press
Vice-Mayor Steger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Stewart led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice-Mayor Steger gave the Invocation.
Following roll call, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt the Certification Resolution for the Closed Session held before the Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried
on the following recorded vote:
James M. Neblett - Aye 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
Two items were added to the agenda under New Business.
Councilman Stewart reported that Planning Commission will meet December 13, 1999 at 5:30 p.m. to continue working on the definitions of the Town’s Zoning regulations. In addition, a
public hearing is scheduled on four items, including amending the present Zoning Regulations to conform with the revision to the Code of Virginia.
Councilman Worrell made a motion to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of November 16, 1999, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote.
Acting Town Manager John Hawley requested that council approve employees celebrating the New Years Holiday on January 3, 2000 rather than December 31, 1999 to allow additional time to
deal with possible Y2K problems that may occur.
Councilman Neblett made a motion to approve moving employees celebration of New Years to January 3, 2000, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote:
James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent
Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye
Next, Mr. Hawley requested changes in the Council meeting dates for December, 1999 and January 2000:
December 14, 1999 7:00 p.m. Work Session and Closed Session
December 16, 1999 6:30 p.m. Special Council meeting
December 28, 1999 5:00 p.m. Regular Council meeting (moved from
December 21, 1999)
January 4, 2000 7:00 p.m. Cancelled
January 18, 2000 5:00 p.m. As regularly scheduled
Councilman Stewart made a motion to approve the above Council meeting changes for December, 1999 and January, 2000, seconded by Councilman Weddle and carried on the following recorded
vote:
James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent
Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye
Mr. Neblett advised that presently Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Authority is spending $20,000 over revenues each month. The flow of effluent through the pipes has diminished.
He advised that if that trend continues, a cost increase may have to be introduced in the future. The method of assessment was discussed.
Next, Mr. Hawley advised that the Parks and Recreation department presented awards to volunteers in the Recreation program:
Roger Hurd, Jack D. Livesay, Ned B. Bane, Al Carden, Carl R. Lindstrom, Randy Overson, Ty Hancock and Wally Jones.
These volunteers will be officially honored at Council’s January 18, 2000 meeting:
Next, Mr. Hawley requested pay scale adjustments for some Town employees. Because of cost of living increases in 1999, some new employees are earning more than employees who have been
with the Town for a longer period of time. A list of affected departments was provided on a report dated December 1,1999 titled Salary Disparity. He requested that staff be allowed
to make adjustments to the payroll to correct this situation. He advised that the current budget could absorb these increases.
After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion to approve the pay scale adjustments listed in the report dated December 1, 1999 regarding salary disparity, seconded by Councilman
Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote:
James M. Neblett - Aye W. Edgar Hale - Absent
Lane R. Penn - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye
Charles W. Stewart, Jr. - Aye
Next, Dave Quesenberry, advised that the Town was in receipt of a letter from Joe W. White, General Manager of Blue and White Cabs requesting a $ .25 per trip increase in cab fares,
citing sharp increases in operating costs related to gasoline prices and inflated insurance premiums.
Mr. Quesenberry discussed pros and cons of this request and requested that Ordinance Committee review this request, with the intent of holding a Public Hearing on December 28, 1999.
Mr. White, General Manager of Blue and White Cabs advised Council that the only two options for the cab company at this time is a price increase or to cut back the amount of vehicles
in the fleet. He advised that public demand for cabs is quite high and hoped to avoid downsizing the fleet.
After discussion, Councilman Neblett made a motion for Ordinance Committee to review the Blue and White Cab request at its work session December 14, seconded by Councilman Weddle and
carried on voice vote.
Next, Mr. Quesenberry advised that the Town has been awarded $10,000 from the C. E. Richardson Benevolent Foundation to be used toward the purchase of a new passenger bus/van to be used
by the Pulaski Senior Center.
Next, Police Chief Cooley addressed Council with a request to use money appropriated in the 1999-2000 budget for the purchase of a new vehicle, to lease several vehicles. Based on information
from Gary Martin, Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent, the current vehicles will not last the remainder of the budget year. Leasing would allow several vehicles to be obtained, rather
than one. There would be no monetary difference this year, however, money would have to be appropriated for the remaining three years of the lease in future budgets.
After discussion, Mr. Weddle requested that Chief Cooley create a vehicle replacement plan and present it to Council at the December 28, 1999 Council meeting.
Next, Randy Eley, Town Attorney advised that a draft Ordinance for the Charter amendments is in Council’s packet. It reduces the number of Council members from 8 to 6; changes the date
of elections from May to November of even number years; and states that those members currently in office will remain in office until the new Council member is elected and qualified.
This draft Ordinance will be discussed at a work session at the December 14 Council meeting.
Mr. Eley also addressed whether a Charter amendment is necessary to limit Council member’s compensation. He advised that it is his opinion that a Charter amendment is not necessary.
Next, Mr. Eley advised that he has put together a draft option agreement regarding Loving Field. He is waiting for a survey from the County.
Mr. Hawley advised Council that Engineering Department has researched the deed for the Valley Road improvement and will be forwarding that information to the Town Attorney this week.
Mr. Hawley invited Council to the staff Christmas party to be held December 10, from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. He also reminded Council of the Grand Opening for Rainbow Home Interiors on Thursday,
December 9 at 10 am.
There being no further business, Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Weddle and so carried.