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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-11Minutes of the called Town Council meeting held July 26, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Train Station. Present were: Mayor Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Morgan P. Welker; David L. Clark; Robert A. Bopp; Joseph K. Goodman Gregory C. East Absent: H. M. Kidd Staff : John J. Hawley, Town Manager R. D. Warburton, Town Attorney Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David N. Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director John B. White, Economic Development Director Elizabeth Chitwood, Administrative Secretary Gary Roche, Police Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Bill Webb, Fire Chief Others: Gary Fox Charles Wade Buz Booker Cheri Warburton Clark Payne James Rich Melinda Williams, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Welker moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of June 7 and June 21, 2011 as written. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Employee of the Month. Mayor Worrell introduced Jill Neice as the Employee of the Month for July, 2011. He read a Press Release aloud and presented Sergeant Neice with the award. He advised that in addition to receiving this award, she 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. Next, Mayor Worrell advised that there were some citizens present who wished to address Council. He noted that comments are not usually accepted at the Work Session, however, he would allow them this time. Buz Booker, Charles Wade, Gary Fox and Cheri Warburton addressed Council regarding problems with skunks in their area of Town. They expressed concern for rabies and people, especially children, being sprayed. They asked for the Town's help in ridding the pests from the area. Councilman Bopp agreed with the comments from the citizens, advising that it was definitely a problem in the Northwood area. Mayor Worrell advised that he didn't know the solution, however, would entertain any suggestions. Gary Fox suggested inquiring what other areas of our size were doing. Councilman Goodman suggested that staff ask a representative from Game and Inland Fisheries to address Council and the public at the August 23, 2011 meeting. Staff advised they would try to set that up. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations. July 26, 2011/Page 1 of 5 The first item was award of Dora Highway infrastructure improvements for phase 2 of the Dora Highway project. Mr. Hawley announced the low bidder was Meade Contracting of Pulaski. He noted that the award could not be issued until the Town and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) agreed on Phase 2 of the contract. He advised that Council could, if they chose, approve the award to Meade Contracting subject to the DHCD 2"d phase contract being complete. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was take no action until the DHCD 2"d Phase contract was completed. The next item on the agenda was the debris site emergency permit. Mr. Hawley advised that the Department of Environmental Quality had declined to extend the permit for the tornado emergency debris site at Jefferson Avenue and First Street after August 9th. The site would be closed to the public after July 29, 2011, after which staff would remove the vegetative material and return the site to pre-emergency status. Councilman Welker suggested asking the owner of the lot what the future plans are for the lot. He thought that perhaps the Town could coordinate with the owner to facilitate the future use of the lot while returning the lot to pre-emergency status. Mr. Hawley responded that staff would try to contact the owner of the property. The next item for review was redevelopment opportunities. John White gave a Power Point presentation regarding redevelopment opportunities. He suggested a special committee on redevelopment be appointed by the Mayor. The committee would offer different points of view from the public and private sector to suggest a plan using the Town's Strategic Plan about what to do with the reuse of the entire commercial and industrial properties. It was hoped to have this committee in place and recommendations received by early next year. Mayor Worrell opined that Council should move forward with this plan Councilman East commented that he took a tour of the Town with Mr. White and Mr. Pedigo and viewed the commercial properties that are available at this time. He advised that it gave him a totally different perspective as to where the Town stands as far as the ability to recruit business. He opined that there were some simple things that could be done to improve the look of the Town that would not be expensive. He suggested working with property owners to clean up in certain areas such as the Pulaski Furniture building, removal of dilapidated fencing and removal of vegetation growing into roof lines of buildings. Once these items were completed, tlhen Council could move on to the next stage of improving the looks of the Town. Following extensive discussion, Councilman Goodman expressed concern with the Mayor appointing the Committee, feeling that Council as a whole should appoint the Committee. Mayor Worrell clarified that he and Mr. White would suggest names for the Committee and then Council vote on the suggestions. The next item on the agenda was update on liens. Mr. Warburton provided an overview of the status of the liens placed against property in Town for nuisance abatement. He advised that staff is trying to walk a thin line between collecting monies owed to the Town without acquiring property. July 26, 2011/Page 2 of 5 Councilman Welker inquired what criteria were used to determine which properties could be of use to the Town? Mr. Hawley advised that the decision to acquire a property is made by Council. Councilman Welker inquired whether staff could provide a list of liens against properties and recommendations on which properties should be pursued. Councilman Goodman inquired what process is in place to handle liens on properties for which the Town has no use? Mr. Warburton advised that foreclosure would be the next step. He noted that at times, the cost of the foreclosure process could cost more than the value of the property. He added that it was not his decision to decide whether to pursue that process for a particular property. Following extensive discussion, staff was directed to draw up a spread sheet for the August Council Work Session listing the top 5 lots that need to be demolished or improved, including the address, tax map number, assessed value, amount of the lien owed and possible uses for the lot for Council to review. Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2011-14. Mr. Hawley advised that this Resolution would allow the filing of an application for a Community Development Block Grant program to be used for housing repairs and rehabilitation in the area impacted by the April tornado. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to authorize the submission of Resolution 2011-14, Authorizing The Preparation And Filing Of An Application For Urgent Needs Open Submission Funds Through The Virginia Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. Councilman Welker seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was museum construction update. Mr. Hawley advised that museum project bids had been received with the low bidder being Price Buildings, Inc. He added that assuming VDOT approval was received in the next two weeks, work could begin after the first week of August. Mayor Worrell moved on to Finance. The first item was revised Dora Highway CDBG budget. Mr. Hawley advised that a budget amendment for the Dora Highway project needed to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Councilman Clark moved to authorize staff and the consultant to submit the request to DHCD for a budget amendment. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye July 26, 2011/Page 3 of 5 L~ At 6:52 p.m., Mayor Worrell called for a brief recess. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting and called for Legislative items. The first item was building permit time limits. Mr. Hawley advised that under the current procedures, if a person has a building permit and they continue to work, there is no time limit for completion. He inquired whether Council wished to place time limits on building permits? Following extensive discussion, the consensus of Council was for staff to survey surrounding areas for their rules on building permits and return to Council. Mayor Worrell moved on to Ordinance 2011-08, Granting An Encroachment To Citizens Telephone Cooperative, Inc., For Installation Of Fiber Optic Cable. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2011-8, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2011-09, Closing Of An Undeveloped Portion Of State Street Alley Between Cliff Street And State Street. 1 Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2011-09, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to Resolution 2011-13, Appointment Of Linda Davis To The Pulaski Redevelopment And Housing Authority. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Morgan P. Welker -Aye H. M. Kidd -Absent David L. Clark -Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye At 7:10 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3), Acquisition Or Use Of Property For Public Purpose Or Disposition of Property. 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 -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye At 7:30 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: 1 Morgan P. Welker H. M. Kidd David L. Clark - Aye Robert A. Bopp -Aye -Absent Joseph K. Goodman -Aye - Aye Gregory C. East -Aye July 26, 2011/Page 4 of 5 Mayor Worrell and Town Council discussed when the next Council Work Session should be held. Due to conflicts, the decision was made to hold the meeting on August 23, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Train Station. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on voice vote. Approved: r S. Wor II, Mayor 1 1 July 26, 2011/Page 5 of 5