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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-888422 October 11, 1988 Minutes of the regular .meeting of the Pulaski Town. Council .held October 11, 1988, at 4:00 p.m. in the. Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. .Hancock, presiding Council Members: .James M. Neblett, Alma H. Holston, Mary Lou Copenhaver, James R. .Neighbors, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., J. R. Schrader, Jr., Ira S. Crawford Also Present: Frank .Terwilliger, Town Attorney .Daniel E. McKeever, Town .Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: .Dee Lindsey and Bob Thomas - news media Nick Glenn J. B. .Warner Andy McCready Doug Phelps The invocation was .given by Councilperson Copenhaver. On motion made by Councilperson Holston, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver, and .carried, the minutes of the regular .meeting of September 20, 1988, were approved as submitted. In .hearing from the public, Mr. Nick Glenn questioned sidewalk repair on Jefferson Avenue and .was informed this work is scheduled in the Spring in Phase II. Also Mr. Glenn requested that trucks and .vans parking at intersections at 4th and .Jefferson and 5th and Jefferson be moved .back as traffic .cannot see around the .vehicles. He further .requested a stop sign at Hermosa Drive .headed .west. These items will be investigated. Mr. Glenn requested that he be advised of the next Public Operations Committee meeting as he would .like to attend. Mr. Andy McCready addressed Council regarding our new radio system. He advised that they had failed twice during the last two weeks; once on Bob White and another time at Lowes. Officers had a hard time controlling traffic. Mr. McKeever stated he .was not aware of any problems, however, system is under warranty for one .year. Problems could be attributed to atmospheric conditions, trees or other interferences. Mr. Randolph, Randolph Avenue, advised Council that at 10th and Prospect the hedges .need trimming. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett had no repoot, however, Councilman Crawford advised that 4A is being .repaired and another vibration .test is to be conducted. in 2-3 weeks. All parties are in agreement. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Co-Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. Finance Committee Chairman Crawford requested that the Ordinance Committee take a look at a loitering ordinance. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS, NOMINATING .COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors had no report, but scheduled a committee meeting for Tuesday, October 18th, at 6:30 p.m. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham .had no :report, however, advised that many items brought forth in their last meeting had been completed. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford advised that committee .had .met September 29th. One item discussed .was the. schedule of .water and .sewer connection fees. These fees to be advertised for two .weeks. It .was noted there was no change in the .water fees 8423 October 11, 1988 and these rates would not be a profit to the Tcwn. Grant Chairman Crawford advised that the Southwest Virginia Economic Development Grant .has money available to the. Town, however, the Town is only eligible through Pulaski County. As there are some .severe funding restrictions, the committee felt that the Town would not participate in this project. The committee reviewed the bids on the Oakhurst .water line. The low bid Water Line of $9,285 was received from E & F Plumbing for .labor and bid of $7,938.45 from khur.Ferguson Enterprises for .materials. $1,000 should be added to cover miscellaneous costs for a grand total of $18,223.45 which committee felt should be .paid through the bond fund. Chairman Crawford .made a motion that the Town Manager be authorized to proceed with this project, .seconded by Councilman Neblett and .carried on the following recorded vote: James M. .Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Chairman Crawford reported that our employee .health insurance .ran on a calendar .year, from .January through .December and it made it difficult for budgeting purposes. Blue Cross/Blue Shield was requested to extend our covered for an additional six months to coincide with Town year. Mr. McKeever advised that we would probably go out to bid as Blue Cross needed so much time to analyze our loss data. We will try to .get on a fiscal year and try to get bidder to bid on 18 month coverage. It was felt there would be a steep increase in .health insurance. NUISANCE Chairman Crawford advised an appropriation was needed to reimburse for ABATE. tearing down a building and so moved that $2,150 be appropriated to account No. 101-3401-503020 from General Fund Unappropriated Surplus and be approved for expenditure, seconded by Councilman Graham and .carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James .R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Chairman Crawford stated that we .had budgeted some items cost-wise and have now come up with reallocation of these items. We had budgeted in the 88/89 budget $15,225 for Police radio/telephone recorder, actual cost $7,851; computer/word processing $4,300, actual cost $8,811 and police portables zero; actual cost $1,555.Chairman Crawford advised the committee had discussed the donation of a train from Hoover Color Corp. It is estimated that it will cost $10,935 to install the train. Other costs considered: 1) Town's liability for operating an amusement, 2) Town does not .own property. Dora Highway Park is owned by N & S Railroad, and this might increase their liability, and 3) the town would need staff to supervise and monitor this type of activity. Council in agreement for Mayor Hancock to contact other Towns and Cities to see how they have handled activities of this nature, and also to try DONATION- TRAIN to find a civic group to raise money-for operation. A group also might be found to pay for the installation and restoration. Council felt it would be an asset to the Town and more answers are to be found before a final decision is made. MAYOR'S REPORT INDUSTRIAL Mayor Hancock advised that the Lee Company, employing 400 persons, would DEVELOP. close their plant on December 9, 1988.. The .Town and County will work together and every effort will be .made to try to locate another industry in this facility.. Mr. McKeever advised Council of the revenue THAT would be lost by this 8424 October 11, 1988 facility closing. ~- - Mayor.Hancock stated that members of Council had learned a great:.dea1 by attending the Virginia Municipal .League Conference in Virginia .Beach. Also, the Council .retreat is scheduled for November 5 and 6th. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger .had no .report, however, requested an Executive .Session on a legal matter under 2.1-344 (A6). TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McKeever advised that a Finance Committee meeting had-been scheduled for Thursday, October 13, at 5:00 p.m. at the office of Pulaski .Main Street, Inc . -t~.a ~ be briefed on the first six months. of the_Main Street Program and a tour of renovated buildings on Main Street. Entire Council .was invited to attend. Mr. McKeever advised the Fire Program Fund was created by the General Assembly in 1986 to collect funds from insurance policies issued in the State and to allocate those funds to local fire departments. The funds can be used only to supplement existing budgeted funds and specifically for training or eq~iipmept. We have x eceived $24,560 since the program began. One provision of the 1986 Act is the legislation is to expire July 1, 1990 (Sunset Legislation). We believe it is in the Town's best interest to see this legislation extended. A resolution was presented requesting the General Assembly of Virginia to remove the Sunset Clause from the Fire Programs Fund. Councilman Neblett made a motion that resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver, and carried. A copy of resolution will be forwarded to the Fire Services Board and Pulaski's representativ in the General Assembly. Resolution RESOLUTION A Resolution Requesting the General Assembly of Virginia to ADOPTED Remove the Sunset Clause fromthe Fire Programs Fund WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski has greatly benefited from the Fire Programs Fund which has provided as much as $10,000.00 a year to augment the Town's outstanding fire protection services, and WHEREAS, the Fire Programs Funding is scheduled to expire by operation of a sunset clause in the legislation, and WHEREAS, the Virginia .Services Board of the Department of Dire Programs and numerous Fire Safety Officials and Municipalities throughout the State have called on the General Assembly to remove the sunset clause to enable the continuation of the Fire Programs Fund, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, that the .General Assembly be hereby requested to remove the sunset clause fromthe Fire Programs Fund and provide for the regular continuation of funding under this program by the Commonwealth of Virginia to the various municipal and volunteer fire departments of the Commonwealth, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Virginia Fire Services Board, Department of Fire Programs and to the representatives of the town in the honorable State and House of Delegates of the General Sssembly of Virginia. This resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 11th day of October, 1988., ~ ~ ~~- Responses to Public Operations committee concerns which were .handled administratively were distributed. Mr. McKeever advised that he .had .met with .residents of Overton Drive and there is a very serious drainage problem in this area. Solution could be very OVERTON DRIVE expensive. Water from Gate Drive, Grove Drive, English Forest, Newbern Road and Medallion flow into this area. We are presently researching Council and Planning Commission files to determine if we did anything when property subdivided October 11, 1988 and roads constructed that .developer did not comply with. BOND ISSUE Mr. McKeever gave a progress .report on our Capital Improvement Program. He stated the downtown construction, Phase I was approximately 657 complete, the construction .has not .yet mobilized to .begin construction on the .water treatment plant, the_raw water pump station is approximately 157 complete, and the transmission line is approximately 117 complete. All communications equipment has been installed with the exception of the .new antenna at the water plant. An ordinance .was presented to close an unopened alley between Bellview and Upland Drive. Councilperson Holston .made a motion that ordinance be adopted, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye ORDINANCE I~ ORDINANCE ALLEY CLOSING CLOSING AN ALLEY BETWEEN BELLVIEW AVENUE AND UPLAND DRIVE IN THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, .received a request to close an undeveloped alley lying between Bellview Avenue and Upland Drive in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, .between Parcels .having Tax Map Numbers 081-007-B134-003 and 081-007-B134-004; and, 8425 WHEREAS, after information was gathered by Town staff the matter was duly advertised for public hearing with appropriate notices given, and the public hearing was held on September 6, 1988; and, WHEREAS, it appears that it is in the public interest to close the aforesaid alley subject to any utility easements that might exist in favor of the Town across said alley; NOW, THEREFORE, be it ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of PUlaski, Virginia, sitting in regular .session on Oct~obes ,1,1988, that the alley between Bellview Avenue and Upland Drive, lying between Lots 3 and 4, in Block 134 of Section 081 of the Town of Pulaski,. Virginia, as shown on the plat attached hereto and made a part hereof, be and hereby is, abandoned, closed, and vacated with title hereto if any be .vested in the Town, .reverting without warranty to adjacent property owners as provided by Statute; reserving, however, any and all utility easements which may exists in favor of the Town of Pulaski, its successors and assigns. This Ordinance is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 11th day of October, 1988. Mr. McKeever advised that draft copies of building regulation ordinance and business license ordinance had been distributed and it is hoped these two ordinances can be adopted at next meeting. Mr. McKeever advised the annual Fire Parade would be held Thursday, October 13th. Mr. McKeever stated in February, 1988, Council adopted a resolution to change the Federal Functional Classification of Bob White Blvd. The Virginia Department of Transportation has requested a more specific resolution. Anew resolution .was presented stating it be reclassified as an Urban Minor Arterial from Memorial Drive to the Northeast corporation limits. Councilman Neighbors so moved that Resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye RESOLUTION: RESOLUTION ADOPTED REQUESTING VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO RE-CLASSIFY A SECTION OF ROUTE Gil WHEREAS, Tk~at portion of Virginia State Route 611 which extends from its intersection 8426 October 11, 1988 ZESOLUTION with route 99 northward to the Wurno Bridge has been classified by the Virginia CON T. Transportation Commission as a local/collector roadway;. and WHEREAS, the aforesaid section of Route 611 .carries a very high volume of VEI~I.CLFS per .day; and, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TREES NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED BY THE Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia sitting in .regular .session on October 11, 1988, that the Town Council does hereby request that Virginia State Route 611, (Bob White Blvd.) from its intersect;ios,~ with .Memorial Drive to the Wurno Bridge (northeast corporate limit) be classified as an Urban Minor Arterial roadway by the Virginia Transportation Commission. This resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 11th day of October, 1988, by recorded vote of the. Town Council. Mr. McKeever stated a donation program has been designed to seek sponsors for tree installation in the. downtown area. Cost of one tree will be $120.00, with permanent plaque installed on grate. Each party would sign an agreement which will be modified by the Town Attorney. Trees are to be planted by December 1, 1988. Councilman Crawford .made a motion that plan, as listed above, for tree donations be approved, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Council was informed that street lighting project for Twin Oaks would be completed as soon as possible by Appalachian Power Co. Also, on the creek cleaning project, crews have .been working in cleaning the creek, but due to wet weather they have been unable to get back into the creek due to lowlands. At 5:04 p.m. Councilman Graham made a motion that Council go into Executive Session on a legal matter under 2.1-344 (A6), seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. ~At~.5s.20 p.m. Council returned to .regular session on motion made by Councilman Neblett seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. Council then adjourned on motion made by Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilperson Holston and carried. APPROVED: ~~ .Mayor ATTEST• ~~ ~ Clerk of Council