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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-12Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held February 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW, Pulaski, Virginia. There were present: Vice Mayor David L. Clark Council: Morgan P. Welker, H. M. Kidd, Robert A. Bopp, Joseph K. Goodman, Greg C. East Absent: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney David N. Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Gary Roche, Police Chief Sherry Boyd, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Others: Gary Heinline Betty T. Quesenberry Charles R. Bopp Jodie Scott Mike Williams, Press Vice Mayor Clark called the meeting to orde Jeff Ballard Clark Payne Robert N. Glenn Monique Minnix Melinda William; r at 7:00 p.m. Jamie Radcliffe Sandy Payne Alexsander Welker Shawn Utt ~, Press Councilman East led the Pledge of Allegiance. In lieu of the invocation, Vice Mayor Clark asked for a moment of silence for the Mayor and his family on the loss of his mother. Following roll call, Vice Mayor Clark introduced Monique Minnix, who was present to speak with Council. Ms. Minnix requested that she be allowed to provide an insert regarding Big Brothers Big Sisters to be mailed with the water bills sometime this year. Following discussion, the consensus was to allow the insert to be mailed with the water bills one month during the year. Next, Vice Mayor Clark advised of some additions to the Council agenda. Councilman Goodman moved to modify the agenda with the addition of item 13d, referral to the Planning Commission from Town Council for a zoning amendment to permit two family residences in the R-2 Residential District and item 13e, tornado commemoration video funding. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Did not vote Gregory East -Aye The next item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the January 10, 2012 Council minutes as written, seconded by Councilman Welker and carried on voice vote. Vice Mayor Clark moved on to Project Updates. February 7, 2012/Page 1 of 5 Regarding the Dora Highway project, Mr. Hawley provided an update on the work being done in the project area. He advised that the work on the water lines was 60% complete and the intersection was 50% complete. He added that a dedication of the six new infill homes would be held March 8 with the ceremony at the Train Station and tours scheduled for the homes. The next item was tornado project update. Mr. Hawley advised that guidelines for volunteer built houses in the DHCD project using DHCD funds for materials were being compiled. Once complete, an amendment to the program guidelines would be required. He added that many of the applicants for the rehabilitation owe back taxes. Ideas were being explored on how to resolve this issue. Council consideration would be needed in the future. Finally, Mr. Hawley advised that the Tornado Recovery Team was planning a Day of Recognition and Remembrance for the 1St anniversary of the tornado on April 7. He noted that more information would be forthcoming as the plans progressed. Regarding the museum update, Mr. Hawley advised that Mr. White and other members of staff, Mr. Kirkner and Mr. Clevinger traveled to Hamlet, North Carolina to tour the National Railroad Museum at the City's renovated depot and their "Tornado Building". Both museums contain a model train display. He noted that the Winston Salem Model Train Club were responsible for the displays and provided information regarding how to move the Brockmeyer train set and how to set up the museum. He added that the Club might be willing to assist local staff and volunteers with the move. On a separate note, Mr. Hawley advised that staff requested authorization to plan and hold a benefit golf tournament for the museum's operation. He noted that the Town would have to apply for non-profit status and appoint a Board of Directors for the non-profit group for the Museum, but the Town Attorney felt the Town could receive and track the money for the golf tournament in the meantime. He noted that it would take staff time to work on the event. Mr. Warburton advised that he was okay with staff aiding with this event providing the Town was seeking non- profit status before the event was held. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to solicit 501(c)3 status for the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Museum and proceed with the golf tournament to raise revenue for the museum's operation. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory East -Aye Vice Mayor Clark moved on to Old Business. The first item on the agenda was Ordinance 2012-01. Mr. Hawley advised that this completed action of Council. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Ordinance 2012-01, Rezoning A Parcel From I-2 (Industrial District) To DS (Drop Site District). The motion was seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory East -Aye The next item for consideration was Lawrenceville and Alexandria fines for property maintenance. C C C February 7, 2012/Page 2 of 5 Mr. Quesenberry provided an overview of the response from Lawrenceville advising that their program started strong and gradually leveled off. Regarding Alexandria, Mr. Quesenberry advised that activity reports had been included in the packet and that more information regarding the percentage of cases resolved was supposed to be forthcoming. Discussion ensued, with staff being asked to gather more information for Council's review. The next item on the agenda was Short Term Goal Action Plans. Mr. Hawley advised that Council had received three action plans from staff with target dates for each action. He suggested that Council review the plans in preparation for discussion at the February 21 Council meeting. The next item for discussion was VDEM loan. Mr. Hawley advised of the receipt of information from Virginia Department of Emergency Management concerning a short term loan to cover tornado recovery costs. He noted that approximately $43,000 in recovery costs has not been covered by the VDEM Public Assistance Program and was not reimbursed. He advised that the short term loan would allow the Town to borrow the $43,000 for 24 months with no interest and return the money in quarterly payments for that 2 year period. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to proceed with the paperwork for a VDEM loan in the amount of $43,000 over 24 months assuming that it was interest free. Councilman Bopp seconded the motion. Mr. Warburton pointed out that a public hearing might be necessary. Councilman Welker moved to amend his motion to include to schedule a public hearing if necessary. Councilman Bopp seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman - No David L. Clark -Did not vote Gregory East - No Vice Mayor Clark moved on to New Business. The first item for discussion was Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department Fund Raiser Request. Mr. Hawley advised that the Fire Department volunteers wished to host a silent auction and dinner fund raiser. He added that this required Council approval. Councilman Goodman inquired why the Fire Department had to have Council approval before they held a fund raiser? Mr. Hawley advised that this was included in the Town Code. Councilman Goodman inquired into the thinking that dictated this rule? Mr. Warburton responded that he did not know. Mr. Hawley added that staff had discussed whether the Code should be amended and the consensus was that staff was comfortable with the rule. February 7, 2012/Page 3 of 5 Councilman Kidd moved to grant the Pulaski Fire Department request for a fund raiser. The motion was seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory East -Aye 1 The next item for discussion was Pulaski Area Transit fares. Mr. Hawley advised that previously, Council had approved the Pulaski Area Transit request for funding for the next fiscal year. At that time, Council asked to see the current fare schedule for Pulaski Area Transit and this had been included in the Council packet. He noted that the local share was also provided by the County and he opined that any recommendation to increase the fares should be discussed with the County. Councilmen Welker and East opined that a transit rate increase should be considered. Following extensive discussion, the consensus was for staff to find out the process to increase the transit fares and to speak with the Board of Supervisors and the Agency on Aging as well, with no decision to be made until May 2012. Vice Mayor Clark moved on to the 2012 Bluegrass event. Mr. Hawley advised that there was some interest from the community in attempting a second, but much smaller bluegrass event for early summer. He added that staff was working to determine a date and trying to estimate the costs. He reviewed the costs and loss from the previous year's event and emphasized that the plan was for a much smaller event this year. Councilman Kidd opined that it was a good idea, however, the Town could not afford to lose $5,000 a year. Vice Mayor Clark commented that the standard comment from the public was that we need to provide more events for citizens in Pulaski. He expressed support for this event. Mr. Hawley inquired whether Council wished staff to continue research for this event and report back to Council? Councilman Welker advised he would only support this if sponsorship was fined up ahead of time. Councilman Kidd expressed support for the event. Councilman Goodman felt that the event should be started smaller, perhaps utilizing acts that would perform for free to start with. The consensus of Council was for staff to continue to research a smaller event and return to Council. The next item on the agenda was a referral of a zoning amendment to the Planning Commission. Mr. Hawley advised of a request for a zoning amendment to permit two family residences in the R-2 Residential District. Following discussion, Councilman Welker moved to refer a zoning amendment request to permit two family residences in the R-2 Residential District to the Planning Commission. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -qye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory East -qye 1 I_J February 7, 2012/Page 4 of 5 Vice Mayor Clark moved on to documentary of the relief efforts in the Town and County since the tornado damage of last April. Councilman Goodman advised that during the Tornado Recovery Finance meeting, a topic of discussion was the County's wish to create a video documentary of the tornado recovery in the Town and County. The estimated cost was $1,500 to complete the video. The Finance committee hoped that the County and Town would split the bill. Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to direct staff to work with the County staff and allocate $750 from the Unappropriated fund balance toward the creation of a video documentary for the tornado recovery. Councilman East seconded the motion. Councilman Welker asked if the motion could be amended to include language that the Town would retain part of the ownership rights to the video. Councilman Goodman amended his motion to include that the Town would retain 50% ownership rights and ask the Board of Supervisors for the County to retain 50% ownership rights and determine how those ownership rights would be asserted. Councilman East seconded the amendment and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye '~ L Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory East -Aye At 9:15 p.m., Councilman Goodman moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), consult with legal counsel and briefings by staff, consultants for legal advice. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory East -Aye At 9:40 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Welker, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory East -Aye At 9:42 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on voice vote. [1 Approved: y S. Worr I, Mayor February 7, 2012/Page 5 of 5