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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-11rvw iu ~c~ vi a is i ~m i vv V ~ wn rv,cc i u iy 1 IGI4 11f1111 J, GV 1 i u i ~ .vv N.~ i i. u i i i is ~.vvi i~.u ~i iui i vci ~ vi n is rvwi n~iNw Building at 42 First Street, NW. There were present: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell ' Council: Morgan P. Welker, H. M. Kidd, David L. Clark, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Robert A. Bopp, Joseph K. Goodman Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Gary Roche, Police Chief Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Greg DeHarf, Street Superintendent Scott Henley, Laborer Mark Bently, Equipment Operator Others: Jennifer Collins George Collins Melinda Williams, Press Mike Williams, Press Amy Matzke-Fawcett, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Welker led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Burchett gave the invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell welcomed the visitors to the meeting. There were no presentations, however, Mayor Worrell advised that through the efforts of Greg DeHart, Scott Henley and Mark Bently of the Public Works department, the street sweeper had been rebuilt and was now operational. He expressed his appreciation for the great work. The next item on the agenda was Public Comment period. George Collins addressed Council requesting that they revisit Ordinance 2009-11, Amending Section 86-4 c Of The Town Code. This amended section mandated that where service at a rental property is disconnected for nonpayment or noncompliance, a reconnection fee of one hundred dollars must be paid by the owner of the property before service to that property is restored. Mr. Collins felt this was unfair to the owner of rental property. He felt that the contract for water service was between the Town and the tenant, not the property owner, and that the tenant should be liable. He suggested that the Town lock the meter when they turned the water off so that no one except the Town could turn it back on. He further stated that the Town could file a claim with the State against any tax refund they might be due. Mayor Worrell thanked Mr. Collins for his comments. He advised that if Council wished to review the subject, it could be discussed at the budget meeting related to the water and sewer fund. Following discussion, Mr. Hawley advised that staff would bring back information regarding the current staff procedures when water is turned off for nonpayment or noncompliance. Council could then consider amending the Ordinance if they chose. Mayor Worrell informed Mr. Collins that he would be notified when Council discussed the issue again. The next item for consideration was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt the March 1, 2011 Council minutes as written, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on voice vote. April 5, 2011 /Page 1 of 5 Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Town of Pulaski Planning Commission Annual Report For 2010 included in the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell moved on to Train Station landscaping. Mr. Hawley summarized the proposal for the landscaping/parking/trail connection at the Train Station. ' He suggested that the funds be taken from the Hogan's Dam funds. Councilman Goodman expressed concern for using the Hogan's Dam funds for this project. He thought the funds had been earmarked for a new fire department building or a fire truck. Mr. Hawley advised that was incorrect. He added that the intent was for the funds to be used to give back to the citizens of the Town something that could benefit the citizens of the Town. He continued that at one time the Town applied for a stimulus grant for the fire house for which there was a match that would have utilized Hogan's proceeds. The Town did not receive the grant, so the funds were never used. Councilman Goodman advised that even with the clarification from the Town Manager, he did not wish to use the Hogan's money for the Train Station parking lot, trees and flowers. He felt there were more important things that needed to be done with the money. He further stated that he would like to hear more information on Councilman Clark's idea regarding finding public sponsors for some of the landscaping. Councilman Clark agreed with Councilman Goodman. He advised that certain things like the parking lot had to be paid for, however, he felt donations could be accepted for the plants. Councilman Goodman commented that he wanted this to be a beautiful site, but he was concerned about putting a lot of money into landscaping given the budget and the capital needs. He felt there was a better use for those funds. Mayor Worrell inquired how much was in the Hogan's fund? Mr. Hawley responded $400,000. ' Councilman Clark inquired how much existing funding was available for the landscaping project? Mr. Hawley advised that there was approximately $60,000 to $80,000 left from the insurance settlement. However, these funds had been discussed to be used to outfit the new museum and continue the outfitting at the Train Station. Councilman Burchett, Mayor Worrell, and Councilman Welker went on record to complete the parking lot. Councilman Welker opined that the added fence material be removed from the plan. He noted that the drawing showed the parking spaces angled in the wrong direction. Discussion ensued regarding the type of materials to be used for the project and the reasoning for the added fence material included in the drawing. Councilman Clark was in favor of using Hogan's funds for the landscaping and parking lot because the building is a public facility and open to the public. He felt the remainder of the insurance reimbursement funds should go to outfit the Museum. He suggested that Council go to the Train Station and look at the area and envision where things would be placed before giving more direction to staff. Councilman Welker felt that Council had enough information and moved that staff proceed with the plan outlined by staff with the caveat that staff try to get sponsors for some of the plantings. Councilman Burchett seconded the motion. , Councilman Goodman inquired if the motion included taking the money from the Hogans funds? April 5, 201 1 /Page 2 of 5 Mr. Warburton pointed out that there were two plans outlined by staff and clarification was needed. c.ounalman welker amended his motion to include that the source of the money would be Hogans funds. Councilman Burchett seconded the motion. Mr. Warburton pointed out that there were two plans outlined by staff and clarification was needed. Councilman Welker withdrew his motion. ' Mayor Worrell and Mr. Hawley clarified which staff plan was the most recent plan and ready for discussion. Councilman Clark inquired whether the bathrooms were to be included in the plan at this time or reviewed at a later date2 Councilman Welker advised that his intent was to include the bathrooms shown on the drawing. Councilman Goodman proposed using the insurance money to pay for everything at the train station and then funds could be drawn from Hogan's for the remainder and for the Museum. He had some concerns about the Museum that he wanted to discuss and this would enable the train station to be completed before moving on to Museum discussions. Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to proceed with the items in the amounts listed on the staff estimate which included the plant list dated 4-5-1 1 and according to the drawing as presented with The funds to come from the insurance reimbursement until it's depleted and the balance from the Hogan's funds. Councilman Burchett seconded the motion. Following questions from Council, Councilman Welker withdrew his motion. Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to proceed with the items on the estimate sheet revised on 4-5-1 1 and as shown in the drawing provided with that estimate, in an amount not to exceed $175,000 with the funds coming from the insurance reimbursement funds until depleted and the balance from the Hogan's funds. Councilman Burchett seconded the motion. ' Councilman Burchett interjected that if the estimate amounts are added, they would exceed $175,000. Mayor Worrell commented that staff knew how much they had to work with. The motion then carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Dora Highway. Mr. Hawley reviewed the update for the Dora Highway project included in the packet. The next item on the agenda was the Museum. Mr. Hawley advised that VDOT notified the Town that three more documents were needed before work could begin on the project. Mayor Worrell moved on to sewer odor. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had entered into an agreement with Siemens to conduct a pilot test for chemical addition at the Critzer Pump Station for odor control. A sensor would be installed that would automatically add ' neutralizing chemicals when the sulfide or sulfate levels increased. Additionally, he advised that James Hardie was changing their process in hopes to eliminate other odors in the area caused by their process. April 5, 201 1 /Page 3 of 5 Mr. Hawley advised that the draft had been provided for Council to review. He asked for Council input as he Mayor Worrell moved on to Code Enforcement Program under Old Business. He advised that a draft Code Enforcement Program previously requested by Council had been included in the packet for review. Mr. Hawley advised that the draft had been provided for Council to review. He asked for Council input as he completed the draft in the near future. Councilman Welker suggested adding methodology To collect liens or recoup costs as well as a flow chart. , Mr. Warburton reviewed some of the problems associated with setting a formal schedule for legal issues. Following extensive discussion, Councilman Goodman advised that he would like staff to determine what the role of the F-1 Blight would be as well as the role of the senior management F-1 Blight team and what the team would develop and bring to Council after they've done a cost benefit analysis to determine whether or not Council needs to take action on a particular piece of property. Mr. Hawley asked if Council would just direct the Town Manager to do it and make the decision on how he uses his staff to do it? Councilman Welker interjected that he would prefer to allow Mr. Hawley to finish what he had started and then either on this document or another document come up with a procedure for lien collection that is generic for different types of liens. Councilman Bopp opined that before staff spends a lot of time on this, Council needed to nail down what direction we want the staff to go. "We've thrown around several ideas here. I think staff time would be better utilized if they had definite, clear cut direction from Council. We need to come to a consensus first before we give Them direction". Councilman Clark opined that the starting point for this consensus is for Council to have an absolute understanding of what the procedure is that is in place right now. Once we have that, we can go back and hash all these things out and figure out if we want to change things or modify it. He felt that staff should , provide all the steps that are taken at this point and Council could go from there. Following more discussion, Mr. Hawley advised that he would further develop the draft Code Enforcement program and provide the provisions of the Code of Virginia to Council as the Town must follow. The next item on the agenda was New Business. Regarding redistricting, Mr. Hawley summarized the email included in the packet regarding local redistricting plans and asking for any comments to be given to the Board of Supervisors. Councilman Burchett felt that the portion of south Pulaski that is currently included in the Draper District, should be included in Pulaski. Councilman Welker felt the districts should be drawn by rural and urban districts. Mayor Worrell pointed out that the Town is currently served by three Supervisors and he was okay with that. Following more discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to prepare a Resolution expressing the Town's interest in magisterial districts that keep communities of interest lumped together. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion. Following discussion, Councilman Welker amended his motion to direct staff to prepare a Resolution expressing the Town's interest in magisterial districts that keep communities of interest based on population density and Towns and villages kept contiguous as possible. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion. Mayor Worrell stated for the record that he did not favor The motion. He felt it was premature and didn't think ' he would agree with it even if iT weren't. April 5, 201 1 /Page 4 of 5 • "'• ^ u~ Robert A. Bopp - No _ ..._.._.. .~?p,\'SCA.I„GI?SY~~ iv„~wm~ i~coraea vofet -` ~. . Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd - No David L. Clark - No Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - No Robert A. Bopp - No Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Councilman Goodman commented that there was also the issue of redistricting the Town for Town elections. He stated for the record that he felt the current system in our community was working. Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2011-04. Reappointing Dr. John Knarr to the Pulaski Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilman Burchett moved to adopt Resolution 201 1-04, Reappointing Dr. John Knarr to the Pulaski Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye the next item on the agenda was VML Policy Committees. Mr. Hawley referred to the paperwork in the packet and advised that if Council wished to serve on one of the Committees they needed to forward that information to the Clerk of Council to complete the necessary paperwork. Mayor Worrell moved on to VDOT 6 Year Improvement Plan. He advised that the New River Valley Planning District Commission was soliciting comments on the 6 Year Plan. Councilman Welker had solicited comments that were included in the packet. He added that if anyone else wished to submit comments, to forward them to the Town Manager. ' Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to forward his three comments to the Planning District Commission for inclusion in the 6 Year Plan. These comments were: 1. Improvements to Exit 98 (Dublin) interchange, with better access to SR 61 1. 2. Improvements to portion of VA 99 between I-81 and corporate limit of Pulaski. 3. Widen US 11 to 4 lanes between Dublin and Morgan's cut. Councilman Burchett seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye The next item on the agenda was Trans Dominion Express Funding request. Mr. Hawley advised that this was not funded in the current budget, but had been budgeted in other fiscal years. Following discussion, the consensus was to discuss this request during the budget work sessions. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on voice vote. Approved: April 5, 201 1 /Page 5 <