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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-83August 2, 1983 ~~"~ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held August 2, 1983, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Vice Mayor Andrew L. Graham, Jr., presiding Councilmembers: John A. Johnston, Pauline G. Mitchell, Earl D. Cabaniss, C. E. Boyd, Jr., Ira S. Crawford, Alma H. Holston, Glen K. Aust Absent: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe Also present: Garnett Moore, Town Attorney H. R. Coake, Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Rob Eure of the news media Bob Lewi s Patty Williams Dan McKeever The invocation was given by Councilman Aust. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 1983, were approved as recorded. Mr. William M. Lewis, President of Pulaski County Taxpayers Association stated one of the major purposes of formation of Pulaski County Taxpayers Associa- tion was to form more direct channel of communication between the governing bodies and the citizens of the county and towns. Mr. Lewis read the following statement: To: The Governing Bodies of Pulaski County and the Towns of Dublin and Pulaski From: The Pulaski County Taxpayers Association The members of the Pulaski County Taxpayers Association do not interpret the outcome of the July 12 Referendum as "a step backward." We do not believe "every citizen has lost". We are not, "terribly disappointed" in the defeat of the Con- solidation Agreement presented as it was to the people of this county and its towns. These statements are made with no disrespect to any person. The people of Pulaski County and its towns have spoken. As an editorial stated shortly after the vote, "Listening is a two-way street". You the governing bodies of Pulaski County and its towns have the responsibility to listen to your fellow citizens. And do not forget the fact, or ignore it as some have done in the past, these are the citizens that placed you in the offices you now hold, thereby instiliing in you a trust to ascertain not only what you feel is best for them, but to also recognize their wants. Consolidation is not the issue that was rejected on July 12. What was re- jected was force. No hard working man or woman, who has spent most of their lives building their careers, their homes, their families, and their communities can allow someone else's opinion of what is good for them, with no regard to what they feel, be forced upon them. Yes, the people spoke on July 12. But from. the context. of a too vast majority of the newspaper articles and editorials appearing after the vote, I have grave doubts that very many people truly heard the voters message. Their message may be best brought to attention by quoting a statement from a Southwest Times editorial, "Things are not going to go back to the way they were. They are going to change". That statement is very true. Things are not going to return to the ways in the past. Petitions with thousands of signatures are no longer going to be presented to the governing bodies of this county...and be ignored. Citizens are no longer going to have their requests for inf ormation rejected by officials when those officials themselves refuse to make votes without demanding that same information. Hypocrisy has no place in government. ~~ ~ August 2, 1983 The voters have shown on July 12 they will not support any act, when the most common argument for that act has been personal attacks on those citizens or officials that choose to disagree. Now what? Will this county and its people be divided, without any hope for a productive future as some recent newspaper articles-would have us believe? Or will the leaders and people of this county and its towns look forward with a positive and honest acceptance of the challenges that lay bef ore us? I would like to mention a term that has unf ortunately not been commonly used until after the Ref erendum. That term is "functional cooperation." My research shows that Virginia law allows for many forms of what would be considered functional cooperation. Some of those being: - localities can contract to share services - localities can share constitutional officers - towns and counties can share administrators - regional authorities may be established to operate parks and oversee industrial development It is also.my understanding that it is feasible that of the predicted savings of $600,000 from the past proposed consolidation, $529,000 may be saved through "functional cooperation." This should be given greater considera- tion than it has been allotted in the past. But, beware, don't miss what was said on July 12. Functional cooperation will be no more accepted than consolidation if it is forced upon county citizens without any regard to how they may feel. In a Roanoke Times article recognizing cooperation as an alternative to consolidation, Rick Weeks, intergovernmental relations director for the Virginia Municipal Leage stated "the whole issue is economics." The whole issue is not economics. The citizens of Pulaski County and its towns are not just numerical symbols representing a monetary input into a calculated sume. The whole issue is not economics. Part of the issue is people. People..with cares, emotions, desires, dreams, and last but far from least, with rights. Things are not going to go back the way they were. We will go ahead. Into a promising future. But we can only meet the challenges ahead if we go together. By elections the people have shown their faith in you. On Judy 12, they stated their faith in the people. Any of you that continue in the position bestowed upon you will demonstrate your faith in yourself. Now it is time for you to take the next step. You must have faith in the people. Only together can we achieve anyChi,ng. But, together we can achieve anything. Sincerely, (s) William M. Lewis, President Pulaski County Taxpayers Association Councilman Crawford stated Mr. Lewis had made a lot of general statements about how the elected officials should be more reponsive to the people, but as usual, he had failed to give any specific, workable suggestions. He further stated, your group and several members of this Council did join forces and were successf ul in def eating consolidation, and in doing so, you deprived the people of all three governments more efficient government and a 20% tax reduction. I think it is time for your group and the members of this Council that led the way against consolidation to give Council your specific, workable plan that will reduce the people's taxes by at least 20%. You must have a plan or otherwise, the only thing that they have accomplished is to deprive the people of a tax reduction. He further stated he felt it was time to come forward and give Council a workable plan that will benefit the people. I L August 2, 1983 ~~~~ Mr. Lewis stated he wholeheartedly accepted this challenge. As there were no further comments from the public, Vice Mayor Graham called for Council Committee Reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE: NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Chairman Johnston stated the Town needed a citizen representative on the New River Valley Planning District^•Commission, and made a motion to re-appoint Mrs. Louise Settle whose present term expires 9/15/83, to this Commission for a term of three years with Mr. Moore preparing the proper Resolution, seconded by Councilman Crawford, and carried. Chairman Johnston advised that several meetings had been held with represen- tatives of Pulaski County regarding sewer service in the county and joint coopera- tion and participation in this. He further requested an Executive Session in accordance with Section 2.1-344, subsection 6, of the Code of Virginia, consulta- tion with Attorney regarding legal contract and other legal matters, seconded by Councilperson Holston, and carried. Mr. Coake advised that VML Conference is scheduled for September 18-20, 1983 and motel reservations have already been made. POLLUTION AND SANITATION Chairperson Mitchell had no report, however, stated that everything is completed at the landfill and meets Status specification and we are in operation. Chairperson Mitchell stated that several months ago we had made a request to the County for participation with the Town of Pulaski on Recreation facilities and Senior Citizen Center. She requested a f ollow-up on this as the County had stated consideration should come after review of the consolidation study. Chair- person Mitchll requested Town Manager to communicate with the County and get an answer on our request. RECREATION COMMITTEE Chairman Cabaniss had no report. LAND AND BUILDING COMMITTEE Chairman Boyd had no report, however, requested Town Manager to prepare a report on the Armory as to availability of tables and chairs for renters of the Armory. He has received complaints that they are insufficient. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. STREET COMMITTEE Chairman Grawford had no report. ~~ August 2, 1983 ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairperson Holston had no report, however, stated she had received a letter from Robert Lee Boysaw requesting usage of the Central School Gym for an Electronic Instructors Course. Chairperson Holston made a motion that this subject be put in the Lands and Building Committee to review to see if it was feasible for Mr. Boysaw to use the gym, seconded by Councilperson Mitchell. After further discussion by Council, Councilman Boyd made a substitute motion that Mr. Coake be authorized administratively to advise Mr. Boysaw the only place we have available for renting is the Armory, with him complying with the rules we have for renting the Armory, and that the Central gym is not available, seconded by Councilman Cabaniss, and so carried. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairman Aust had no report. REPORT OF TOWN ATTORNEY Mr. Moore presented and read a Resolution regarding the resignation of Mr. H. R. Coake, Pulaski Town Manager. Councilman Boyd moved adoption of Resolution as read, seconded by Councilperson Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell - Aye Earl D. Cabaniss - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. -Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aus t - Aye Rea..l ..tom r.r. RESOLUTION H.R. COAKE WHEREAS, Homer Ronald Coake, better know as "H.R." or "Ronnie" Coake, formally presented his resignation as Manager of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, to the Council at its meeting on July 19, 1983; and 1 WHEREAS, "Ronnie" Coake was born on September 27, 1944, in Austinville, Wythe County, Virginia. He grew up in Austinville and attended Wythe County schools, graduating in 19Fr2 from the Fort Chiswell High Sduol, In March, 1970, he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a degree in engineering. He was immediately employed by the Environmental Pro- tection Agency with offices in Charlottesville. .When the Agency moved its offices to Pennsylvania in 1971, "Ronnie" Coake applied for and was selected by the Town of Pulaski to head its Engineering Department. He became acting Town Manager during the illness of J. E. "Pete" Marshall and after Mr, Marshalls' dealth in 1981, "Ronnie" Coake was appointed Town Manager; and WHEREAS, "Ronnie" with his charisma, diplomacy, his effective approach, and his expertise in engineering, made friends easily with both Town and County citizens and with local officials, not only in Pulaski but in adjoin- ing governments. His integrity, ability and knowledge of engineering enabled him to gain for himself the respect of many officials in the State and Federal Government, all of which enured to the benefit of the Town, evidenced r by the many grants and other services that have been received, issues resolved and settled; and WHEREAS, in considering the many accomplishments of "Ronnie" Coake both as Town Engineer and Manager, it becomes most difficult to attempt to name them without the fear of overlooking some. However, his. record includes many large projects, such as his success in obtaining many Federal Grants, the con- struction of water and sewer lines both inside and outside the corporate limits, paving projects and street improvements, with the most time-consuming and the August 2, 1983~~ ~~ employment of engineering skills observed in his work on the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. His availability, attention and pro- fessional ability and advice given in the Town's behalf in all phases of the Peppers Ferry Project have saved the Town thousands of dollars and had he not been available would have called for the Town's employment of outside engineers; and WHEREAS, it must be recognized that "Ronnie" Coake gave to the Town of Pulaski integrity, ideals, planning and a total commitment of his ability and training, his time and energy. It is doubtful that any one in the Town Govern- ment or outside could estimate the hours, both day and night, that. he spent in managing Town affairs and solving its problems. So many of th ese hours he should have spent relaxing or with hs family. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, meeting Regular Session on this 2nd day of August, 1983, that: The Council of the Town of Pulaski takes this as the most adequate formal means to record in the permanent records of the Town of Pulaski, for all time to come, its sincere appreciation to "Ronnie" Coake for his devoted duty as a Town official to the Town of Pulaski and to its citizenry. The Council desires to set out and express its deep and sincere f eelings upon "Ronnie" Coake's leaving the Town's employment, for all the innumerable accomplishments as an official of the Town and for the record he has Left as a guide to succeeding Town Managers. "Ronnie" Coake,. with his great personality, his. deliberation, diplomacy, and cool attitude under stress and constant pressures, his good advice and engineering skills, will be missed by Town officials and the officials of all the governments in the New River Valley. Yes, missed, but not forgotten. Council wishes "Ronnie" Coake well in whatever employment he seeks, and that success go with him throughout life, and his happiness and that of his wif e and two children will be great and satisfying. Council directs that this Resolution, and copies of newspaper articles on his leaving, be made a permanent record of this meeting; that a suitable copy thereof be prepared, framed and presented to him, his wife and two children. When Council adjourns this day, it will be in honor of Homer Ronald Coake. ADOPTED this 2nd day of August, 1983. Councilman Johnston stated he did not think we would soon replace Mr. Coake in terms of dedication of service and time he spent for the Town, and he felt the Town citizens should be grateful for his term of service. Councilman Graham stated that Mr. Coake had made a great contribution to the Town, especially his part in Peppers Ferry, water and sewer projects, and he felt he had done a super job and was a very fine person. Councilperson Mitchell stated Mr. Coake had done a real good job on grants and wished him a lot of success. REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER APPLICATION Mr. Coake advised that they had been working for the past several weeks with UDAG the Department of Housing and Urban Development attempting to get an Urban Dev- elopment Action grant. As a result of Pulaski Furniture being the successful bidder on the old Coleman Furniture property, we have been working with the representatives from Pulaski Furniture on this possibility. The main purpose of Grant Pulaski this grant is to assist in employment of low and moderate income people. The Furn. grant requires $2.50 private funds for every $1.00 of grant money. The grant for ' old would be made to the Town, and in turn, the Town would make a loan for these coleman grant funds to the developer, Pulaski Furniture, for this work. Furn. Property (~~J August 2, 1983 The developer would pay this loan back to the Town, and these funds would not have to be returned to HUD. The Town could use these funds for other development opportunities. The application has to be in by the last of August. We need to hold two public hearings; one public hearing has been scheduled with the Town Planning Commission on August 8, 1983. The Town Council needs to schedule a public hearing for the next Council meeting if they wish to pursue the application in order that the application can be submitted by the end of the month. Mr. Coake further stated there is one problem that we have with the application that we are working with two sources with; we are working with HUD and also with the people that are reviewing the Flood Plain study. HUD has not told us no, that will not be the basis to deny the grant applica- tion. We are also working with consultants trying to get any adjustments made to the Flood Plain that we can. Mr. Coake further stated the funding cycle ends the last of August. Councilman Aust made a motion that a public hearing be scheduled at the next Council meeting on August 16, 1983, regarding the Town's intention to submit an application to the Deparment of Housing and Urban Development for funds for the rehabilitation of the Coleman Furniture Plant, now owned by Pulaski Furniture, seconded by Councilman Boyd and carried on the following recorded vote: John A. Johnston - Aye Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Earl D. Cabaniss - Aye C. E. Boyd, Jr. - Aye Andrew L. Graham, Jr. - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Abstain Alma H. Holston - Aye Glen K. Aust - Aye Mr. Coake advised that two mobile home applications had been received; one from Charles Franklin Johnston to place a trailer at 2000 Case Knife Road, and the other from Robert Lee Adams to place a trailer at 700 Stuart Avenue. Mr. Coake recommended that a public hearing be scheduled for next Council Meeting. Councilman Boyd moved that a public hearing be scheduled for next Council Meeting on August 16, 1983, at 7:00 p.m. on the above two mobile home applica- tions, seconded by Councilman Aust, and carried. Mr. Coake also advised that Mr. Bane was checking into putting bleachers in at Loving Field. At 4:55 p.m. Council went into Executive Session. At 5:47 p.m. Council returned to Regular Session. At 5:50 p.m. Councilman Cabaniss made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Crawford, and carried. 1 APPROVED: ~' Vic Mayor ATTEST: Clerk of Council