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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-85~~~ j February 19, 1985 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 19, 1985, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, Robert N. Glenn, James M. Neblett, C. E. Boyd, Jr., James R. Neighbors, Ira S. Crawford, Mary Lou Copenhaver, Glen K. Aust Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney D. E. McKeever, Town Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant to the Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Eric Randall of the news media Mrs. Hazel Martin Mr. Wayne Tolbert Mrs. Sue McGraw Six area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Aust. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 5, 1985, were approved as published. Mrs. Hazel Martin, 609 Mathews Court, addressed Council requesting the west end of Mathews Court and Fredrick Avenue be smoothed, paved and MATHEWS brought up with the rest of the Town`s streets. The Postal Service has COURT & FREDRICK advised the residents if streets were not improved, mail could not be AVE. .delivered. She further advised that Mr. Fred Jackson had stated it was the Town's responsibility to take care of the road. Mr. Wayne Tolbert also addressed Council regarding sewer problem in Mathews Court, and gave Mr. McKeever a drawing pinpointing where this problem is occurring. Mrs. Sue McGraw advised Council this area had been a problem for over ten years and nothing had been done about it. Mr. McKeever used a map to illustrate what portion of this area that has been accepted by the Planning Commission. The area now in question was never given final approval. According to past records, Mr. Jackson had been given instructions on the remaining portion as to bringing it up to standard and he has never made these corrections to the streets. In 1983, after citizens made a similar complaint, it was referred to the Planning Commission where the authority does presently lie for something to occur. Mr. Terwilliger advised there was no duty on the Town to fix the road as the Town has not accept this road into its system, and no lot should have been sold until streets were brought up to standard. He further recommended sending this matter to the Planning Commission. See Page 7790 for amendment to Minutes of this meeting. If nothing can be done by the Planning Commission within a certain length of time, then court action should be taken to get Mr. Jackson to either be liable for cost of repairs or to actually do the repairs. Councilman Johnston moved to refer this to the Planning Commission with a request from Council to meet and resolve something within the next 30 days, seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. The sewer matter is to be handled administratively to see how best to handle. Mr. Tolbert. advised he would provide easement on his property to repair this section of sewer. As there were no further comments from the public, Mayor Ratcliffe called for Council Committee reports February 19, 1985 ~~~~ UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Johnston distributed to Council information regarding Peppers Ferry, giving final completion dates for the various contracts, amount of money that has been spent, percentage of completion on the contracts, how much money we still owe, and amount of money due this month. Contracts still open are 4A and 4B. POLLUTION AND SANITATION COMMITTEE Chairman Glenn advised that committee had met February 13, 1985. Mr. McKeever advised the Pulaski County Sewage Authority has been having difficulty with their bar screening materials. They accumulate about five 30 gallon drums of bar screening materials per month, and their disposal site is no longer available. The Pulaski County Sewage Authority went to Peppers Ferry Authority asking for assistance. Peppers Ferry has asked if we would take this material in our landfill, the requirement being that we would have to obtain Health Department approval and how this material is to be dealt with. Fee would have to be set and Peppers Ferry would pay this fee. Chairman Glenn made a motion this be subject to the Health Department's approval and our setting an adequate rate for the disposal of this material, LANDFILL seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye PERSONNEL, PUBLIC RELATIONS & NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett submitted listing of names for approval for the Centennial Committee, and so moved this listing of nine people be accepted as the Centennial Committee, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. CENTENNIAL Councilman Johnston suggested that Mayor Ratcliffe, Town Manager and Personnel COMMITTEE Chairman meet with this committee to give guidance. Centennial Committee members are Betty Sadler, Elouise Vass, Danny Grubb, Howard Sadler, Janet Johnson, J. B. Brillheart, Tim Venable, John Sowers and Roy D'Ardenne Chairman Neblett so moved that Town Manager contact this committee and set up date for meeting,. seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. LAND, BUILDINGS AND STREETS COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd .had no report, however, brought two items of concern to the attention of Council. Chairman Boyd advised the people in the Pierce Ave. area have advised that Mr. Chrisley has not boarded up house as yet on Floyd Ave. and requested Mr. McKeever to follow up on this; and. also citizens have called him regarding fishing at Gatewood and that it would not be open until. May lst. Mr. McKeever advised there were some State requirements to be met before renting boats out, and hopefully this can be done prior to May lst. Mr. .McKeever is to advise Council when Gatewood will be open for fishing. RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE Chairman Neighbors had no report. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Crawford had no report, however, requested the financial statement be brought up to date. ORDINANCE COMi~IT~EE Chairperson Copenhaver advised on January 8, 1985, the Council was presented with a sick leave policy. The Ordinance Committee had reviewed the policy and ( ~~V F b 19 198 ruary e , 5 SICK made the recommendation that advance sick leave" be removed. Chai rperson Leave Copenhaver made a motion that new policy be adopted with effective date of February Policy Adopted 19, 1985, seconded by Councilman Boyd and c arried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairman Aust had no report, however, gave a report on the VML meeting held in Richmond on February 7, 1985. Councilman Johnston questioned the soliciting of funds by the Fire Department. Councilman Aust advised these funds were used by the volunteer firemen and money is used for a variety of projects, including a car and paying their own insurance. VOLUNTEER Mr. McKeever advised we do have an annual audit on the Volunteer Fire Department FIRE DEPT. and for informational purposes, he will prepare a report. REPORT OF TOWN ATTORNEY Mr. Terwilliger had no report. BEAUTIFICA- TION COMMITTEE (CABLE TV REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER Mr. McKeever advised the Beautification Committee has created a program to try to beautify the Town and the committee is requesting donations from businesses and sponsorship of flower beds. We have received a very generous response, however, to keep track of the money, we need to create a new account for the Beautification Committee. Councilman Neblett moved that General Fund Revenue Account No. 1899.17, Town Beautification Plan, be created to receive contributions, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried. Mr. McKeever advised he had included in packet the Cable Communications Act, 1984 that was passed by the Congress October 30, 1984. This Act significantly restricts the authority that a municipal governing body has over a cable franchise. He suggested Council become familiar with this Act as our franchise expires December 31, 198b. Mr. Terwilliger has additional information which he will distribute to Council. Mr. McKeever advised we would have to advertise for bids and try to open the Town's franchise up for some competition. Mr. McKeever also advised we had nothing to cover satellite dishes, however, the Engineering Department is compiling some information on them. Mr. McKeever advised there are now severe restrictions on Industrial Development Bonds. The Town is entitled to $742,425 of Industrial Development Bonds. In order to retain our share, we must apply to the County by March 1, 198. This request must be accompanied by a resolution along with a letter requesting our share be reserved. Councilman Neblett so moved to adopt resolution and authorize the Town Manager to notify the County of our intent to reserve the Town's share, seconded by Councilman Cranford and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BONDS RESOLUTION IN REFERENCE TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BONDS WHEREAS, IN 1984, Congress passed the Deficit Reduction Act which put a Federal limit on the amount of Industrial Development Bonds or "Private Activity Februayy 19, 1985~~j~ Bonds" that would be issued to each State; and, WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has placed certain ceilings for the allocation of certain bonds to localities; and, WHEREAS, it appears that the Town of Pulaski is entitled to receive Seven Hundred Forty Two Thousand, Four Hundred Twenty Five Dolloars ($742,425.00) as its local share of Virginia's allocation of Industrial Development Bonds for 1985; and, WHEREAS, it appears that the Town must request said local share from the County of Pulaski, Virginia, by March 1, 1985; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on February 19, 1985, that the Town of Pulaski should and hereby does notify the County of Pulaski, Virginia, that it does reserve and request the aforesaid Seven Hundred Forty Two Thousand, Four Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($742,425.00) as its local share of Virginia's allocation of Industrial Development Bonds for 1985. IN FURTHERANCE and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Town Manager is authorized and directed to prepare and execute any and all documentation that may be reasonably necessary or convenient to allow the Town to receive its local share of Virginia's allocation of Industrial Development Bonds for 1985. It is further RESOLVED that the Town should and hereby does notify the County that it wishes to apply for additional allocations from the State Reserve, and that the Town Manager be and hereby is authorized to prepare and execute such documentation as may be reasonably necessary or convenient for the Town to receive such additional allocations. This Resolution is effective upon its adoption and is adopted this 19th day of February, 1985, by recorded vote of the Council. Mr. McKeever advised the Town is-due a reimbursement from EPA. At the last meeting Council requested the source of the original payment. The regional sewer study and the facility plan supplemental study were paid from the S ewer Fund. Councilman Boyd so moved to adopt resolution authorizing Town .Manager to apply for an EPA refund to be placed in the Sewer Fund, seconded by Councilman Johnston and carried on the following recorded vote: RESOLUTION EPA John A. Johnston REFUND - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR AN EPA REFUND WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, is now a member of the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, and as part of the process of determining where the Town should send its wastewater, did contract with Wiley and Wilson to conduct a study to determine where the Town should send its wastewater; and, WHEREAS, it was determined that at least one of the studies so done was eligible for a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and that the Town is now due a reimbursement for costs paid during said study period; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on this 19th day of February, 1985, that Daniel E. McKeever., the Town Manager, is hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the Town such instruments which may be necessary for the Town to apply for and/or receive reimbursement for the cost of a study or studies done by Wiley and Wilson. This Resolution is effective upon adoption. Mr. McKeever advised we had received nine proposals from engineering .firms WATER to conduct an engineering study of our water treatment plant and Mr. McKeever TREATMENT STUDY recommended the committee (Mayor Ratcliffe, Councilmen Crawford and Johnston, Jf~V February 19, 1985 Town Engineer John Hawley and the Town Manager) meet in the near future to begin to identify one of the engineering firms that would be selected. Mr. McKeever stated there have been some proposals made at the Federal level REVENUE SHARING to eliminate revenue sharing money. $227>414 in revenue sharing money was received for F/Y 84/85. As proposed, this money would be discontinued effective September 30, 1985. Revenue sharing has been a critical part of our budget as an average of 7.24 of our budget has been received over the past five years. If we should lose our funding, real estate tax could possible increase by 17G in order to make up the money. Councilman Boyd made a motion to adopt resolution opposing any reduction in the Revenue Sharing program and it be sent to Senators Warner and Trible and Congressman Boucher, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried on the following recorded vote: Councilman Crawford advised the revenue sharing money is never used in the Town's budget to fund operating expenses; it has always been used to fund fixed assets and capital expenditures. Councilman Johnston suggested resolution to include that should a reduction be made, it should be phased out over a period of years. After discussion by Council, motion carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Abstain Ira S. Crawford - Aye James M. Neblett - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye RESOLU TION OPPOSING REDUCTION OF REVENUE SHARING WHEREAS, under the existing Federal Revenue Sharing Program, the Town of Pulaski will receive approximately Two Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($227,414.00) in Revenue Sharing money for fiscal year 1984-85; and, WHEREAS, there are certain proposals pending before the Congress of the United States that would eliminate the Revenue Sharing Program effective September 30, 1985; and, WHEREAS, said Revenue Sharing has been and is a critical part of the annual budget of the Town-of Pulaski and the elimination of this money would severely restrict the services provided by the Town to the residents of the Town of Pulaski; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in regular session on February 19, 1985, that this Council does hereby oppose either elimination of or any reduction in the current Revenue Sharing Program. The Town Manager is authorized and directed to send a copy of this Resolu- tion to the Honorable John W. Warner, the Honorable Paul Trible, and the Honorable Frederick C. Boucher. DOWNTOWN COMM. DEV. BLOCK GRANT 1 This Resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 19th day of February, 1985. Mr. McKeever advised that while grant money is available, we are considering Community Development Block Grant for downtown housing rehabilitation grant project. Money would be made available to property owners downtown to rehabilitate apartments and these apartments would have to be rented to low and moderate income persons. Some property owners have been written letters to see if they are interested in participating. Project would probably consist of a forgiveable loan to property owners downtown if they retain ownership of the property for a period of time. If terms are met, the loan-would be forgivenand if not, the loan would be repaid. GRANT-DOWNTOWN Mr. McKeever stated we had been contacted by the Division of Historic Landmarks HISTORIC and have been encouraged to apply for a grant to survey the downtown historical DISTRICT February 19, 1985 ~ / ~~ significance and possibly consider making the downtown a historic district. If designated a historic district, the property owners could qualify for up to a 25~ tax credit for rehabilitation of their buildings. Mr. McKeever requested an Executive Session under 2.1-344, subsection 6, to discuss a legal matter and a personnel matter. Councilman Boyd made a motion that Council go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. At 8:31 p.m., Council went into Executive Session. At 9:17 p.m., Council returned to Regular Session. Councilman Neblett made a motion that we appoint our Town Attorney to proceed with the necessary legal action to bring suit against a former Town employee, seconded by Councilman Neighbors and carried. Councilman Boyd abstained from voting on this motion. At 9:18 p.m., Councilman Neblett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Glenn and carried. APPROVED: ' May ATTEST Clerk of Council