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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-00Minutes of the Town Council meeting held November 7, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Council Members: Lane R. Penn, Kenneth M. Fleenor, James M. Neblett, E. G. Black, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Daniel Talbert, Jr., Pauline G. Mitchell, Jeffrey S. Worrell Staff: Gary C. Elander, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Michael Jenkins, Public Works Director John Hawley, Town Engineer E. T. Montgomery, Acting Police Chief Patricia Pendergrast, Clerk Also Present: Lee Carter, Press Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Neblett led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Black gave the Invocation. The first item on the agenda was consideration of the Consent Agenda. Councilman Neblett made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, consisting of the minutes of November 7, 2000, seconded by Councilman Black and carried on voice vote. Next, Finance Committee Chairman Fleenor gave his report. He advised that committee met and discussed water and sewer rates and recommends to Council a 20% increase in water rates and a 15% increase in sewer rates. For the average user, this will amount to less than $7.00 per month increase. A public hearing will be heard on the matter on December 5, 2000. Chairman Fleenor advised that committee also discussed cemetery lot prices and recommends an increase of 50%. A public hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2000. Councilman Penn inquired whether increasing the water/sewer connections costs for new construction would result in not having to increase the water/sewer rates. Town Manager Elander advised that those are one-time fees and could have some impact. However, he advised that he thinks we are in line or competitive with the County. Councilman Neblett advised that a study had been done in the past, which showed we are in line with other areas. Ms. Boyd, Finance Director, advised that the study was done approximately a year and a half ago and it showed that we are in line with our charges. She also advised that because of the fluctuation in the new construction market, the one-time fees could not be considered in preparing a budget. Councilman Penn also inquired whether there was another way to bill for the sewer, rather than being based on your water use. He stated that all water used does not enter into the sewer to be treated. Mr. Elander advised that every April 1, citizens may apply to have a separate meter installed to compute water used for sprinkling yards or other uses. Mr. Jenkins, Public Works Director, advised that the irrigation system has to be on a totally separate pipe so that that system is metered separately. Councilwoman Mitchell pointed out that several of the businesses in Town are using less water due to recycling and this has affected our revenues. Councilman Talbert inquired what the cost per gallon is for water and how that changes with volume? John Hawley, Town Engineer, replied that a memo had been drawn up with that information, but he did not have the information with him. Mr. Elander advised that he would distribute a copy of the memo to all the members of Council. There being no further discussion, Ms. Boyd, Finance Director gave her report. She advised that notices for judicial sale have gone out with a deadline for payment by December 4, 2000. As a result of those notices, 4 individuals have paid their delinquent taxes off and 7 individuals have signed payment agreements. Total collections of delinquent taxes including penalty and interest through October 31, 2000 is $22,000. She reviewed other revenues received and advised that expenditures are in line. Public Operations Committee Chairman Neblett advised that committee met and reviewed the request for paving on Pinnacle Street and discussed the agreement for professional services regarding timber harvest. Committee recommended that Draper Aden be awarded the contract for the timber harvest. Regarding the timber harvest, Town Manager Elander advised that the Town has now received a financial proposal from the consultants and requested that committee meet and discuss the proposal prior to discussion by Council. Regarding Pinnacle Street, Chairman Neblett advised that only a portion of the street is in a right-of-way in the town limits. Since funds are available, the Public Works Director was directed to proceed with the paving and this has been accomplished. Discussion ensued on the guidelines used to determine which roads and alleys will be paved in the Town. After discussion, committee was asked to review the guidelines and report back to Council. Next item on agenda was Ordinance Committee report. Chairwoman Mitchell advised that committee met and discussed the proposed ordinance regarding bicycles/skateboards on Town sidewalks and public parking lots. The committee’s recommendation was to add two tennis courts (6th Street and MacGill) and two cemeteries (Oakwood and Pinehurst) in map form to show that these areas are also covered by the ordinance. A public hearing will be held on December 5, 2000 on this issue. Next Chairwoman Steger gave the Human Resources Committee report. She advised that committee met and discussed the applications for the Fire Chief and Police Chief positions, and the status of the health insurance premium. She advised that Katy Kirk had resigned from the BZA because of a conflict with her membership on the Planning Commission and an appointment will have to be made to replace here. She also advised that there may be another conflict on the BZA and the Town Attorney will be asked to give his opinion. Committee also discussed drawing up an application form for willing participants to complete in order to fill future committee positions. Councilman Talbert inquired if a committee had been formed to assist in selecting the new Police Chief and Fire Chief? Mr. Elander advised that a couple of citizens had been recommended, but it has not been established yet. Councilman Talbert suggested that someone from the Sheriff’s department be included on the committee. For informational purposes, Councilwoman Steger advised that she has been appointed to the Library Feasibility Study Committee for the Pulaski County Library System. Next, Public Safety Committee Chairman Penn advised that committee met and discussed a grant offer from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund. The grant offer is for the installation of heat resisting liners and other appurtenances in the burn building rooms. However, the funds are not included to strengthen the structure of the building if needed nor to pay $12,000 to $17,000 that may be needed in fees to prepare construction documents for bidding. The grant offer includes a second option to specify our willingness to do the project but that more funds are needed for these other costs. Committee recommended that the Town respond by indicating its willingness to do the project but asking for additional funds to enable completion of necessary but additional costs. Chairman Penn advised that committee also discussed a report from citizen Charles Wade noting the cost of providing surveillance cameras with various degrees of resolution as a tool in preventing crime. Committee consensus was to conduct more research on what other localities use such devices on a routine basis and to study the availability of grant money. Next, Mayor Stewart advised that Planning Commission met for a work session and public hearing. Commission considered a request to name an alley off of Crescent St, “Sheppard Lane”. Commission recommended approval of the naming of the alley. Commission then held a public hearing for a request for an eight-lot subdivision located near the intersection of Pheasant Lane and Pepper’s Ferry Road. Following the public hearing, Committee tabled the proposal until Engineering could give further study to safety concerns addressed by the public. Mayor Stewart also advised that Commission met in special session to consider the request for the eight-lot subdivision on Pepper’s Ferry Road. Commission voted to approve the subdivision and in a separate recommendation to Town Council, requests that Council consider placement of a four-way stop at the intersection of Peppers Ferry Road, Pheasant Lane, and Travis Road as a traffic calming measure to enhance safety and slow speeding traffic down Pepper’s Ferry Road. Next, Town Attorney Eley gave a projects update including but not limited to, work on: Rural Development loan process; UDAG loan collections; personnel matters; dilapidated structures; nuisance abatement; and delinquent tax collections. Town Manager Elander reported that staff helped organize and staffed committee meetings, solicited proposals for professional services for the proposed timber harvest program, and compiled data for the Travis subdivision proposal. He advised that he is participating in the Foreign Trade Zone Management Board. He advised that John Hawley, Town Engineer, was present to report on Caseknife and Draper Mountain Water system and the New River Trail extension. Mr. Hawley stated that the Caseknife Road water project bids are due November 29, 2000. There are seven sets of contract documents out at this time. He advised that Rural Development has approved the transfer of approximately $125,000 from the original water loan to this phase and that the pump station lot is scheduled to be given to the Town by the Graham estate. Regarding Draper Mountain, Mr. Hawley advised that the Rural Development budget has not been set yet by the Federal government. No funds are available until the budget is approved. Rural Development indicated it would take approximately 30 days after the budget is approved before they would have their budget. Rural Development has indicated that they have every intention of funding the project, however, if the money is not appropriated by the Federal government, then there will be no funding for the project. The only item the Town still needs is an appraisal of the water tank site to complete the deed. All other permits are ready to go to bid. Regarding the New River Trail, Mr. Hawley advised that drawings and specifications have been submitted to VDOT and the Department of Historic Resources (DHR). Final approval has been received by DHR. To date, approval from the location design office in Richmond has not been forthcoming. Certified appraisals of the easements must be obtained for VDOT. RFP’s will have to be issued for the appraisal service. Once the appraisal service is acquired it will take approximately 6 weeks to complete. Due to these delays and the fact that the Town only re-obtained this grant in January of 2000, an extension of two months on the time limit for expending the funds has been requested. Mr. Hawley also advised that the Engineering department will start the physical survey of Phase II from the Railroad station to Cool Springs this week. Next, Mike Jenkins, Public Works Director, presented his report to Council including that leaf collection is in progress, curb painting is to be done next week, and Christmas decorations are to be put up the week after that. Also, the department is catching up on work orders, and preparing equipment for snow removal. As a follow up to a previous Council meeting, Town Manager Elander advised that staff has completed the patching of the road on Morehead Lane. Regarding the speed limit on Morehead Lane, he advised that the limit is 35 mph in both the county and town and that it would be possible to lower it to 25 mph, as requested, if Council wishes. Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to lower the limit on Morehead Lane to 25 mph. Next, Town Manager Elander advised that the Comprehensive Plan has been examined and the information updated and is now ready to be referred back to the Planning Commission. Councilman Neblett made a motion to refer the Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Commission for recommendations for change, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote. There being no further business, at 8:10 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion to enter into Closed Session on 2.1-344 (A-7), consult with legal counsel and 2.1-344 (A-1) personnel matter, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye At 8:35 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Fleenor, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Lane R. Penn - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor - Aye Daniel Talbert, Jr. - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye There being no further business, meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Fleenor and carried.