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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-12Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 20, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Train Station, 20 South Washington Street, Pulaski. Present were: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Council: David L. Clark, Morgan P. Welker; H. M. Kidd; Robert A. Bopp; Joseph K. Goodman, Gregory C. East Staff : John Hawley, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney John White, Economic Development Director Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Gary Jennings, Chief Operator Filter Plant Gary Roche, Police Chief Melissa Looney, Police Dispatcher Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Bill Webb, Fire Marshal Others: Evan Clark Clark Payne Sandy Payne David Rose Jamie Radcliffe Heather Steele Nick Glenn Bill Warden Lori Kroll Jay Lester David Rose Melinda Williams, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. He introduced Evan Clark, a boy scout from Troop 48, who was present for the meeting. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to adopt the minutes of the February 21, 2012 Council meeting. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Next, Mayor Worrell introduced Melissa Looney as the March 2012 Employee of the Month. He read a Press Release aloud and presented Mrs. Looney with the award. He advised that in addition to receiving this award, Mrs. Looney would receive an extra paid day off from work and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations and an update on three Short Term goals. Mr. White provided an update on the work with the owner of the Pulaski Furniture site. He advised that suggestions had been received about improvements that could be done without much capital outlay but provide quick improvements and impact; that staff members had looked into critical improvements that needed to be made to a sidewalk and street entrance into the west side of Madison Avenue and he noted that additional gravel would be added to heavily used parking areas. Bill Pedigo summarized the progress on the second Short Term goal, which was the improvement of Route 11 South corridor. He advised that AEP and staff were working together to remove the otd poles. He added that staff had prepared a draft letter to be sent to Route 11 corridor property owners requesting volunteers to clean up the streets and sidewalks in their area and to address issues with damaged property that needed repair. He asked for any input on changes that should be made to the letter before it was mailed out. He noted that. work was continuing on the Transportation Museum and that Public Works had begun a signage inventory. March 20, 2012/Page 1 of 4 Councilman Welker suggested that the flower beds along Route 11 and at the Train Station parking lot needed some work. It was noted that the flower bed work would be completed with the regular maintenance, not through the Route 11 project. Bill Webb provided an update on the progress of the Volunteer group including that an interest form was being drawn up; an organizational chart was being compiled; and they were trying to establish a branding name. Mayor Worrell advised that normally Public Comments were not received at the Council Work Sessions, however, a citizen was present so he was going to allow him to speak. Bill Warden addressed Council regarding the Town Ordinance regarding inoperable vehicles. He advised that some of the people in the area still recovering from the tornado that hit last year had received citations regarding inoperable vehicles and debris in their yards. He commented that these people were still working on the repair of their homes from the tornado and opined that some accommodations should be made. He acknowledged that the Ordinance, as written, had requirements that had to be enforced and that the citations could not be undone. However, he felt that Council should consider amending the Ordinance to allow some flexibility when an emergency occurred in the future. Extensive discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of attempting to accommodate citizens in certain areas of Town for particular circumstances and not others in Town; the fact that it had been a year since the tornado; and the suggestion to contact the captain of the particular area in the tornado area to determine the circumstances of a specific property before issuing citations among other items. Councilman Welker moved to direct staff to continue the current policy regarding inoperable vehicles and trash and debris, seconded by Councilman East. Councilman Bopp commented that he failed to see how having a ten minute conversation with the captain of the tornado area to ascertain the circumstances of a specific property before issuing a citation would undermine any of the Codes already in existence. Councilman Welker felt it was just not necessary and did not see what would be accomplished. The motion then carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker H. M. Kidd David L. Clark Mayor Worrell moved on to Finance. - Aye Robert A. Bopp - No - No Joseph K. Goodman - No - Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye The first item was to Review debt refinancing options. Mr. Hawley advised that David Rose of Davenport and Company was present to review the proposals received from banks for debt refinancing options. Mr. Rose reviewed the proposals and explained the differences between each proposal. He and the Finance Director, Ms. Boyd recommended that Council accept the National Bank proposal, which was for a fifteen year fixed interest rate of 2.85% with interest rates being reset for the remaining five years with a maximum at 3.85%. They noted that in addition to quoting the best interest rate, there would be no closing costs with National Bank. March 20, 2012/Page 2 of 4 Councilman Welker moved to accept the debt refinance proposal from Davenport & Company LLC and direct staff to prepare the proper paperwork for a fifteen year fixed interest rate of 2.85%, with interest rates being reset for the remaining five years at 3.85%. Councilman Clark 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 C. East -Aye The next item for discussion was the town health insurance renewal. Mr. Hawley advised of the receipt of a renewal notice from the Town's health insurance provider, Anthem-Local Choice showing a 6.3% decrease in premiums. He noted that the coverage would stay the same. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to return the group health insurance data sheet by April 1, 2012. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Mr. Hawley advised that staff had been making every effort to locate investors and people to take an interest in the Town. Dr. White reiterated that staff had been trying to locate outside investors and people to take an interest in the Town. He advised that he and Shawn Utt, Economic Development Director for the County and David Gall, historical architect had drawn up a proposed plan to attract outside investors to our community assets and help convert them into economic success. He asked that Council approve the plan with the understanding that the County would pay half of the total cost of $20,000. He suggested that the funds be taken from the UDAG fund. Following extensive discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to move forward with Mr. White's Plan For Investment and Investors. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Mayor Worrell moved on to a plan for investment and investors. 1 Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Utilities. The first item was Water Plant PER and potential VDH loan. Before the discussion began, Bill Pedigo introduced Gary Jennings, Chief Operator for the Water Plant. Mayor Worrell welcomed Mr. Jennings to the meeting. Mr. Hawley summarized the ate fu ure needslagthe Water Treatme t PlanteHe asked Jay Lestesof Draper consulting firm hired to evalu Aden to summarize the preliminary engineering report (PER). March 20, 2012/Page 3 of 4 Mr. Lester provided an overview of the preparation of the preliminary engineering report and provided three options for Council to choose from. Extensive discussion ensued regarding some of the details of the proposal. Lori Kroll, from Draper Aden, then reviewed the application process and different types of loans that could be available to the Town. At 6:55 p.m., Mayor Worrell adjourned the meeting for a brief recess. At 7:08 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting. Councilman Welker moved to adopt Resolution 2012-04, Water Treatment Plant Category One Improvements In The Amount of $2,732,150.00. Councilman Goodman 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 C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was Water Fund Budget. Mr. Hawley summarized the water fund budget for Council including the possible changes being mandated by the state regarding the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Next, Mr. Hawley summarized the sewer fund budget. He noted that possible changes being mandated by the state would affect this budget as well. At 7:30 p.m., there being no further business, Councilman Goodman moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: "'~~ ey S. Wo rell, Mayor 1 March 20, 2012/Page 4 of 4