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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-908830 October 16, 1990 Minutes of the October 16, 1990, at Building. There were present: Council Members: Planning Commission: regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Vice Mayor James R. Neighbors, presiding Charles D. Crispin, Mary Lou Copenhaver, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Robert N. Glenn J. R. Schrader, Jr Andrew L. Graham, Alma H. Holston, Andy McCready Joe Weddle Roy David Warburton Roy D'Ardenne Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Robert J. Lyons, Asst. to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Rebekah Corso, Secretary Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger of the News Media Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warner Mr. and Mrs. Claud Kirkland Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stafford James Lucas John Hawley David Dean Dr. Randy Vaughn Bill Martin Polly Mitchell Margaret Woods Jean Dye 15 area citizens The Invocation was given by Councilwoman Holston On motion made by Councilwoman Holston, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 1990, were approved as submitted. PUBLIC Vice Mayor Neighbors stated that next on agenda was a joint public HEARING hearing with the Planning Commission concerning a rezoning request by Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lucas. They have requested that a parcel of REZONINGproperty on Bob White Blvd. be rezoned from R-1, Residential, to B-2, REQUEST General Business. This parcel is bound by Hillcrest Drive on the west, State Route 789 on the north, Thorne Spring Branch on the east, and Bob White Boulevard on the south. ~1 . J 1 Mr. Lucas, owns this property and has option to purchase back portion of property. There is 700 ft. fronting Bob White Blvd. and 150 ft. deep. This property is adjacent to other commercial type October 16, 1990 8831 HEARING, CONT. 1 properties. Mr. Lucas stated properties they have developed. He would like to put an office building on the property, a bank, convenience store, and they are not looking for the high-traffic businesses (car lots, etc.) Mr. Charles Stafford, 2093 Twin Oaks, Mr. David Dean, Rt. 2, Box 39H, Mr. Claud Kirkland, English Forest, Dr. Randy Vaughn, Bob White Blvd., addressed Council opposing this rezoning request from R-1 to B-2 with some of the comments being it would be detrimental to residential area, convenience store would be dangerous as it is across the street from the middle school, rezoning would allow car lots, pool hall, etc. Citizens also felt that Route 611 would not carry traffic. Also citizens and Mr. Lucas expressed that they would not be opposed to rezoning to B-1. At 7:52 p.m. on motion made by Mr. McCready, seconded by Mr. Warburton, and carried, Planning Commission moved to another room to discuss their recommendation to Council. ZONING Mr. J. B. Warner, representing Concerned Citizens for Planned Progress, addressed Council regarding the closing of a Wal-Mart store in Texas. He asked that Council monitor to keep businesses on Main Street. He also gave building permit fees that have been purchased to date for the new shopping center. Mr. Bill Martin, Hickory Ave., thanked Council for their work on fixing driveway on Hickory Ave. Mrs. Polly Mitchell, 600 Prospect Ave., stated that businesses on Main Street were different from businesses in shopping center. Further, that we needed to build up more on Main Street. Mrs. Mitchell also expressed her pleasure in meeting the new Public Works Director, Mr. Jesse Pritchett. Mrs. Margaret Woods, 1942 Snider Lane, advised that her water meter had been incorrectly read. Mr. Holycross is to follow up on this complaint. STREETS Mrs. Jean Dye, Peakland Drive, addressed Council with the request to pave Peakland Drive. She was informed there is a priority listing being prepared for paving, however, Peakland Drive was not eligible for highway funding. Staff will review street, make repairs and put stone down. Engineering will be making traffic counts and preparing priority listing of streets to be paved. Council was reminded of the monetary cuts in state funding. There being no further comments from the public, Vice Mayor Neighbors called for Council Committee reports. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING COMMITTEE EMPLOYEESChairwoman Copenhaver reported that Personnel Committee had met and would recommend that an amendment to Personnel Policy 2.12, Advertisement of Job Openings and Promotions be approved by resolution. Councilwoman Holston so moved that reading of resolution be waived, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. 8832 October 16, 1990 Councilwoman Holston made a motion that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Absent** Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye RESOLUTION James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye ADOPTED RE:PERSONNEL **Absent from seat when vote was taken. POLICY RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby amends Section 2.12 of the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual to read as follows: 2.12 Advertisement of Job Openings and Promotions. The Personnel Officer, subject to the approval of the Town Manager, shall designate those classes of positions which are generally considered to be entry-level positions and those which are generally considered to be promotional positions. Such designation shall be based upon an analysis of the relative job requirements as well as an examination of the logical career paths within the Town organization. Whenever a vacancy occurs in an entry-level position, the Personnel Officer shall cause reasonable advertisement to be made to both the public and to Town personnel. The advertisement shall be done in a manner reasonably calculated to produce a pool of qualified applicants. Except in an emergency, as declared by the Town Manager, there will be a minimum advertisement of once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of local circulation and the posting of a notice in the municipal building. Whenever a vacancy occurs in a promotional position, the selection process shall be restricted to present Town employees unless the Town Manager, or the Town Council in the case of a Department Head vacancy, determines that the consideration of outside candidates would be in the best interest of the Town. Whenever a promotional position is opened to outside candidates, notice of that vacancy shall be advertised in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph. Promotional positions restricted to present Town employees shall be advertised by posting notice in the municipal building. Any screening process to be used in processing the applications will be determined prior to advertising the position and will be applied uniformly to all applicants. No advertisement will be necessary for temporary positions. This Resolution is effective upon adoption, and is adopted this 16th day of October, 1990, by the recorded vote of the Council. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors had no report. UTILITIES COMMITTEE October 16, 1990 8833 Chairman Graham had no report. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE There was no report from the Ordinance Committee, however, they had requested that staff meet with the taxi cab owners regarding rates. This meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 19. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Co-Chairwoman Holston and Co-Chairman J. R. Schrader had no report. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger had no report, however, he requested an Executive Session on a legal matter under A7. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT BOND FUND Mr. Holycross distributed summary of the bond fund. From the total of the bond issue of $4,000,000, $3,397,677 has been expended as of September 30, 1990. $101,107 is obligated which leaves a balance of $501,216. Total interest earned is $942,398. 850 of the bond issue must be expended by December 22. Considerable discussion followed, especially regarding the Rt. 11 water line. Mr. Hawley noted that the Health Department has the plans and we are awaiting their approval. At 8:35 p.m., the Planning Commission returned to Council meeting. REZONING Councilman W. H. Schrader stated the Planning Commission had met with Mr. Lucas and Mr. Lucas had amended his request from B-2 to B-1. The Planning Commission recommended the property be rezoned to B-1, on the Planning Commission vote of 4-1. Part of the consideration was the fact that gas tanks and service station type atmosphere, are approved in B-1 but only as a conditional use. Councilman W. H. Schrader so moved that Council follow the Planning Commission's recommendation and rezone the property in question from R- 1, Residential to B-1, Business. Town Attorney will prepare the necessary ordinance. Motion seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - No Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr.- Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye A1. Mr. Holycross requested an Executive Session on a Personnel Matter, At 8:55 p.m. Council went into Executive Session under 2.1-344 Al and A7 on motion made by Councilman Glenn, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: 8834 October 16, 1990 Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye At 10:15 p.m., Council returned to regular session and waived reading of the Certification Resolution, on motion made by Councilman J. R. Schrader, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. Councilman Glenn moved that Certification Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: CERTIFICATION Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye RESOLUTION J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye ADOPTED Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Pulaski Town Council has convened an executive meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmation recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom on Information Act; and, WHEREAS, 52.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Pulaski Town Council that such executive meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pulaski Town Council hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting, were heard, discussed or considered by the Pulaski Town Council. Councilman Glenn, in regard to the matter before Council concerning JEFFERSON commitment of UDAG funds, made the following statement: MILLS We, the Pulaski Town Council, have been engaged in discussions with Jefferson Mills' Group, Signet Bank, and Pulaski County to provide $500,000 in Town UDAG funds in an effort to keep Jefferson Mills on an operating status so that over 300 jobs would not be lost. The Town Council has attempted to get as much information as possible and examine the risks involved with the proposed use of public funds. Regretfully, the urgency of the matter has made detailed examination of alternatives impossible, however, we do know the following: 1. Signet Bank, which has dealt with the companies for over 12 years, has declined to make this loan, even at conventional rates and terms far better than those proposed for the localities. Clearly, they see a risk that is unacceptable to a commercial bank. 2. The sole shareholder has declined any commitment of capital or any type of personal guarantee. October 16, 1990 $835 JEFFERSON MILLS, CONT. 3. The company has no concrete business plan by which this loan will be repaid. Rather, the loan will be used to gain further credit from Signet and incur additional interest and debt. The company contemplates "business as usual" and would be able to repay only as market conditions improve. 4. There is no indication that market conditions will improve in time to save these jobs. In summary, the risks are far in excess of those that could be reasonably accepted by the Town, and it would be likely that the Town could lose both the money and the jobs. Regretfully, the funds might be better used if they are reserved for assistance in less risky enterprises. Councilman Glenn made a motion to decline to participate in the proposal to provide 51,000,000 in Town/County/and IDA funds to Jefferson Mills, Inc., Kahn & Feldman, and Batreal Corporation. Motion seconded by Councilman Crispin. 1 Councilman Glenn stated he regrets this whole situation and he pointed out to the press that the administrative staff and Town Attorney have done a tremendous amount of work on Council's behalf; that the IDA and Mr. Dick Miller and the members of the IDA committee should be congratulated on the amount of time and effort that they have put forth on behalf of the citizens of the community and the County, and particularly the people at Jefferson Mills. He wanted no misunderstanding that anyone at anytime ever discounted those people and those jobs. There has been tremendous effort to try to figure out ways to save the jobs, to save the tax base, to save the water and sewer rates that are very important to the Town Council and to the County. But unfortunately, in good conscience. as a businessman with a degree in Finance, and knowing this community the way he does, he could not make such a commitment of Town funds in order to try to save those jobs. Councilman Crispin endorsed the statements of Councilman Glenn and further read a statement stating his reasons for not supporting participation. A copy of Councilman Crispin's statement is attached to the permanent file copy of these minutes. Motion then carried on the following recorded vote: Charles D. Crispin - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - No James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Councilman Graham made a motion to reschedule the November 6, 1990, Council meeting due to it being Election Day, to November 7, 1990, at 4:00 p.m., seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. BOND, CTY. Councilman Glenn so moved that the Town Council go on record of supporting that portion of the bond referendum for the reconstruction of the Pulaski County Courthouse in Pulaski, seconded by Councilwoman Copenhaver and carried. I 8836 October 16, 1990 Rt 10:30 p.m., Councilwoman Holston made a motion that Council adjourn, seconded by Vice Mayor Neighbors and carried. APPROVED: Attest: ~~/s. Vice i~ayo 1T '~ Clerk of Council 1