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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-05Minutes of the joint Town Council and Planning Commission meeting held Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Lane R. Penn, Vice-Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Absent: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Planning Commission: Nick Glenn, Vice-Chairman, Linda Hall, David Allen, Tim Clontz, Kevin Meyer Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Bill Webb, Fire Chief Brenda Shelton, Administrative Secretary Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Rosa Smith Lorine Bedsaul Ruth Hayten Debbie Linkous Freddie Sonner Arthur Meadows Jack Nunley Harold Lambert Everett Grubb Kim Edmonds James Holliday Perry King Robert Hinkley R. D. Warburton Andrew Kirkner Robert Bopp C. R. Bopp Pete Miles Mary Lou Miles Pam Whitten Betty Montgomery Robert Montgomery Darrell Smart Kathy King John Neel Jennifer White Jim Neblett Ralph Kelly Bill Warden Kevin Meyer Don Stowers Freddy Sonner Kelly Barker, Press Ron Nichols Scotty Wampler, Press Paul Dellinger, Press Vice-Mayor Penn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Worrell gave the Invocation. Vice-Mayor Penn advised that the first item on the agenda was a Public Hearing regarding the Pulaski County School Board’s request for a Special Exception for the Governor’s School. He asked staff for a summary. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the Governor’s School enrollment had outgrown it’s current facilities at the Pulaski County High School. The School Board wished to move the Governor’s School into the empty Northwood School to take advantage of the larger space and existing facilities. In order to do so, they would need to set up two mobile classrooms to serve as biology and chemistry laboratories. The labs are larger than existing classrooms and already contain the lab equipment and facilities required for instruction. The School Board had requested a Special Exception to facilitate this request. Mr. Quesenberry explained the current zoning regulations. He relayed positive and negative comments from the public and staff that he had received. He commented that the staff recommendation was to approve the request with no additional conditions. Discussion ensued regarding the placement of the mobile classrooms, the construction of the façade of the mobile rooms, and the length of time that the classrooms would remain on site. Dr. Stowers advised that the intent is for the Northwood site to be a temporary location for the Governor’s School. This building would hold up to two hundred students. He added that the County and the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School vision was to be able to build a single structure for the Governor’s School within the next four to six years. Councilman Bolen asked how large they hoped the school would grow? Dr. Stowers replied that their vision was to grow to two hundred students. Vice-Mayor Penn opened the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m. Ralph Kelly addressed Council advising that he was one hundred percent for the Governor’s School, but one hundred percent against trailer’s in the neighborhood. He stated that he would like for Council to consider putting a time limit on the time that the trailers could stay at the school. He commented that if the Governors School were built or relocated, he would not want the trailer’s to remain at Northwood. Additionally, he asked that some type of camouflage in the form of plants or trees be considered to conceal the trailers from the residents. Mr. Hawley advised that he had received two phone call comments that day. One requested some type of landscaping added to act as a buffer for the mobile classrooms. The second comment supported the Governor’s School but expressed concern for traffic. From the public, Betty Montgomery advised that her home faced the location being considered for the modules and she favored approving the request with no additional conditions. Roy Warburton addressed Council advising that he had six children who had all attended the Governor’s School. He was wholeheartedly in favor of the request. There being no further comments, the Hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m. At that time, the Planning Commission exited the Chambers to discuss the request. Councilman Talbert moved to amend the agenda to add a request from the Police department for a traffic enforcement vehicle; an Eagle Scout project request; and three Closed Session items as follows: Under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Prospective business Under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Potential litigation Under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7) Consultation with legal counsel The motion was seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Councilman Bolen moved to adopt the Council minutes of July 7, 2005 and July 19, 2005. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to the Eagle project request. Andrew Kirkner, a member of Boy Scout Troop 249, advised Council that he had been trying to choose a civic project for his Eagle Award. He inquired whether he could build five to ten benches and place them at various stops along the Pulaski Transit System route. He would be responsible for securing the materials, construction, labor and placement of the benches. Following discussion, Councilman Worrell moved to approve the request, seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on voice vote. Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to Gatewood. Mr. Hawley advised that per the Mayor’s request, Mr. Hart had gathered figures on the useage of the Gatewood campground this year, versus last year and provided them to Council. Staff was pleased with the useage. Mr. Hawley advised that at the last Council meeting, a figure was given to Council as to the amount spent upgrading Gatewood so far. Following research, it was discovered that the number was not correct. After making some corrections, the expenditure amount so far on the Gatewood upgrade was $130,112.22. He advised that this left a balance of $46,425.78 for remaining projects such as the picnic shelter and dock improvements. Mr. Hawley continued that Council had been given a sketch of a proposed boat dock. This version of the dock would allow 32 boats to dock and a fishing pier at the end. However, more research will be completed before the final design is chosen. He inquired whether Council was in favor of this concept or if they had other ideas. Next, Debbie Linkous addressed Council with her concerns regarding the accounting of the funds spent for the Gatewood renovation to date. Mr. Hawley advised that Ms. Linkous had been told that if she had any questions related to the documents provided to her, to contact staff and they would answer her questions. He commented that she had not contacted staff. Mr. Hawley and Mr. Hart offered again to meet with Ms. Linkous at a later time and try to answer her questions. At Vice-Mayor Penn’s request, staff advised that they would provide a corrected report at the next meeting. At this time, the Planning Commission returned from their meeting with a recommendation to Council regarding the special exception request for the Governor’s School. Vice-Chairman Glenn advised that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the conditional use with no conditions. The next item on the agenda was Timber Contract. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had received several inquiries regarding the timbering on Draper Mountain. He stated that this is the final segment of the timber contract issued to Turman in 2002. He added that a one hundred foot buffer was being maintained around any existing structure in the area as well as the perimeter of the area. Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to excess Town property. He invited Mr. Robert Bopp to address Council. Mr. Bopp addressed Council advising that his family sold some of their land to be used for what is now known as Loving Field. He requested that the family be given first option to buy the land back if the Town decided to sell it. Following discussion, staff was directed to research the deed from the original sale and return to Council with more information. The next item on the agenda was the partial RFP for Hogan’s Dam Reservoir. Mr. Hawley reviewed the first draft of the Request For Proposals for Hogan’s Dam Reservoir. He asked Council to review the document and forward any comments to him. Councilman Burchett advised that he, Mr. Hawley and Peter Huber, the County Administrator met with the New River Land Trust to discuss Hogan’s Dam Reservoir. Discussion centered on acquiring a needs appraisal and a best use plan and not rushing the decision for the use of the land. He advised that Beth Obenshain, of New River Land Trust, offered to try to get a grant to pay for the appraisal. Additionally, County Administrator Pete Huber offered the County’s assistance. Following discussion among Council, staff was directed to investigate the time frame for the appraisal and best use plan. Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to the Sixth Street Park map. Mr. Hawley advised that staff was still researching the origination of the Sixth Street Park and would return to Council with more information at a later date. The next item on the agenda was an appointment to the New River Valley Development Corporation. Mr. Hawley advised that Councilwoman Steger had indicated that she could no longer serve on the New River Valley Development Corporation Board. Staff recommended that the Economic Development Director be appointed to the position. Following discussion, Councilman Bolen moved to appoint the Economic Development Director to the New River Valley Development Corporation, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Vice Mayor Penn moved on to the Pulaski County High School request. Mr. Hawley advised that the principal at the High School was requesting a donation to the Standards of Learning Campaign. Following discussion, Council advised that Council could donate on an individual basis, however, they did not wish to use the citizens money for the endeavor. The next item on the agenda was a delinquent taxes update. Mr. Hawley advised that previously Council had inquired as to the status of the delinquent tax collections. Consequently, staff prepared a summary of all tax collections, which he reviewed with Council. Staff advised that based on the statute of limitations, $280,851 was uncollectible and would have to be written off by Town Council. Once Council writes off the uncollectible amount for all taxes, staff will provide an update of the remaining accounts. In the meantime, staff would continue to try to collect the outstanding delinquent taxes. Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to the deer report. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had contacted a representative of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and arranged a site visit to Pulaski to discuss the deer complaints. Following this site visit, the consensus was that it was doubtful that any deer control effort could significantly reduce the population enough to make a detectable difference, much less eliminate the problem. The suggestion was made that homeowners could fence in gardens and flower beds or have a dog on premises. Mr. Hawley moved on to the police car request. He advised that the Police Chief was requesting permission to purchase a surplus 1996 Chevrolet traffic vehicle from the Roanoke County Police Department to be used for traffic enforcement. The Chief planned to use awarded seized drug money to purchase the vehicle. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to approve the purchase of the vehicle, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Vice-Mayor Penn moved on to the special exception request for the Governor’s School. Following discussion, Councilman Burchett moved to approve the special exception with the condition that within twelve months of the building being vacated by the Governor’s School, a decision be made regarding moving the mobile units and that the layout as submitted be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye At 8:40 p.m., Councilman Talbert moved to enter into Closed Session under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A-5), Prospective Business, and (A-1), Interviews, appointments, personnel. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye At 9:15 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Talbert, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Councilman Burchett moved to direct staff to prepare a resolution for a UDAG loan to Gino’s, seconded by Councilman Worrell and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. on motion by Councilwoman Steger, seconded by Councilman Bolen and so carried.