Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-13Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor: Jeffrey S. Worrell Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, Joseph K. Goodman, James A. Ratcliffe Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney Dave Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Tony Meredith, Police Department Captain Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Pam Litton, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Janet Golden Clark Payne Charles Wade Shawn Utt Shannon Watkins, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilwoman Steele led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Goodman gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Worrell welcomed everyone present. The first item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of July 2, 2013 and July 30, 2013 as written. Councilman Radcliffe seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. Regarding Dora Highway CDBG, Mr. Hawley advised that a contract extension until September 30, 2013 for Phase 2 from DHCD •had been received. He added that the last rehab was at 200 Holly Street. He noted that the Engineering Department was working with APCO on the street light improvements. Moving on to ;he Tornado CDBG, Mr. Hawley advised that construction was underway on one Town unit at 519 Pulaski Street. He added that staff was scheduling some tornado area demolitions. He noted that weather had iiterfered with the public works timeline to complete these projects. He advised that 804 Highland Terrace was scheduled for demolition on August 6. The next item under Project Updates was the drop site. Mayor Worrell advised that the Public Service Authority was interested in acquiring some additional property adjacent to the new drop site location so they would have more room for a tub grinder and brush collection. He added that the Town Engineer and he had attended a PSA Board meeting where they stated Council's position that the construction of the new drop site be moved along with the acquisition of the property so the project would not be held up. He noted that the consensus of the Board seemed to be to proceed at least with the brush area for citizens' convenience. He added that since that meeting, Town crews had bush hogged and paved some of the area. He noted that he and the Town Engineer would review the site soon and report back to Council. August 6, 2013/Page 1 of 4 The last item under Project Updates was Joint Dispatch Study. Mr. Hawley reviewed the summary included in the packet advising that the Committee met and discussed the draft organization of the governing board, the number of Dispatchers needed, operational costs and equipment issues among other items. Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. The first item was YMCA program update. Mr. Pedigo advised that Town staff met with the YMCA staff to look at the "pool painting" project. He added staff provided ideas regarding how to clean and repaint the pool ceiling. He noted that the Town does not have the equipment needed to complete the project. Mayor Worrell moved on to Route 99 Retail Study. He advised that some Council members met with Senator Puckett and Delegate Rush regarding the Route 99 Retail Study. He added that Kevin Byrd had arranged a meeting with the VDOT Salem District Administrator and other VDOT staff for August 16. He noted that Senator Puckett and Delegate Rush were planning to attend if their schedules allowed. The next item on the agenda was business recruitment package. Mr. Hawley advised that staff had begun collecting information to include in the recruitment package. A sample of the information had been included in the packet. Additionally, a request had been made to the Chamber and the Planning District Commission for items that should be included. Councilman East suggested not overdoing the information in the packet. He suggested that Mr. White, Mr. Utt and Mr. Bopp decide what kind of information should be included in the packet. He suggested that the packet be no more than two or three pages and include color pictures and a professional presentation. Councilman Goodman agreed with Councilman East. He noted that computer links could be provided in the packet for the company to explore if they wanted more information. Councilwoman Steele advised that she had spoken with a Tractor Supply Vice President regarding suggested items for the packet. She added that she would report back to Council once she had acquired the information from Tractor Supply. Councilman East also suggested that a cover letter from the Mayor be included in the packet as well as comments from the Town Manager and elected officials. Mr. Hawley suggested that new construction information be included as well. Mr. White advised that the Alliance used Thomas Belcher, an advertising and marketing person and suggested the Town utilize him. Discussion ensued regarding branding the Town. The next item on the agenda was Community Development research. Mayor Worrell advised that David Quesenberry had provided information in the packet regarding a Community Development department. Mr. Quesenberry summarized the two reports he completed for Council. August 6, 2013/Page 2 of 4 i ' Councilman East commented that the information from the Town of Ashland seemed to be set up like he had in mind for the Town position. Mr. Hawley advised that he would contact the Town Manager in Ashland for more information. The next item on the agenda was Gatewood bath house. Mayor Worrell advised that Council had previously discussed the bath house at Gatewood and improvements that needed to be made. Mr. Hart, Parks and Facilities Director, addressed Council describing three areas that needed updating at the bath house in Gatewood. The three areas were grading to the side and to the rear of the building, recoating the floors and refurbishing the stained shower walls in each bath house. He felt that Town staff could do the grading. He felt that recoating the floors and refurbishing the shower walls needed to be contracted out. Additionally, some new lighting would be installed and painting of the building completed. He noted that this work would not begin until after the camping season this fall. Mayor Worre?I inquired if there was anything that could be done about the water and the iron content? Mr. Pedigo advised that the water could be treated. He noted that a licensed water operator would be required to do the treatment. He added that there was not enough staff to send an operator from the Water Treatment Plant to the Park to treat it every day. He noted that it might be possible for someone from the Parks Department to be trained. Mr. Hart advised that he had considered doing that. Councilman East inquired how long it took to acquire a water treatment operator's license? Mr. Pedigo replied that it took approximately a year, including on the job training and experience. He was not sure whether a Class 3 or Class 4 license would be required, but advised that he would find out. Councilman Goodman suggested improvements that he felt would not cost a lot of money including to redo the trails and extend them if possible. He suggested contacting Boy Scout troops in the area to see if they wanted to take the project on. He inquired when the water treatment system was last reviewed to see if it was legal? Mr. Hart advised that it was still illegal. He added that he felt the regulations had increased. The next item for discussion was Resolution 2013-07, Appointing Members to the Architecture Review Board, Cemetery Trustees Board and the Housing Board Of Adjustment and Appeals. Mayor Worrell summarized the appointees and the Boards. He asked for a motion regarding the Resolution. Councilman East suggested that the consideration of Resolution 2013-07 be tabled. He advised that the Town was going through some administrative changes. He added that some of the Boards had not met in a long time. He felt that it would be better to make any changes to the Boards after Council had reviewed the membership rules for each Board and Committee. Mr. Hawley responded that he felt Council should at least make appointments to the Cemetery Trustees. In regard to the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals, he noted that if a contractor submitted an appeal, the Town had ten days to respond or the appeal would be automatically approved. Councilman Goodman suggested that rather than tabling the Resolution, set the appointments for a partial term. He continued that once the administrative processes were complete, Council could revisit the appointments. August 6, 2013/Page 3 of 4 Councilman Clark commented that as it was volunteers from the public who served on the Boards be notified before any changes were made to the terms. He added that might mean tabling the issue until the Work 'Session so the citizens could be contacted. He noted that it was sometimes a struggle to find citizens who were willing to serve on Committees and Board and that a change at the last minute might cost the Town those z positions. Following discussion, Councilman East moved to table Resolution 2013-07 until the August 20, 2013 Work "Session. Councilwoman Steele seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Ms. Steele -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Worrell moved on to SRO grant -required match. Mr. Hawley advised that he had previously sent an email to Council regarding a SRO grant advising that the state allocated money in the new budget for SRO positions at the middle schools. He continued, the County was granted funds which required a match and was asking the Town of Pulaski and the Town of Dublin to divide and pay the match requirement of $27,744. He continued that staff did not feel the plan was equitable. Staff recommendation was if Council wished to participate, to offer to pay a reduced amount of $4,624 plus the vehicle and equipment required. Following discussion, staff was directed to offer $4,624 match to the County for the SRO grant. At 8:12 p.m., Mayor Worrell moved on to Closed Session items. Councilman Clark moved to enter closed session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consult with legal counsel and (A-1 ), Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for the Town Manager's position. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion. Councilman Goodman made a substitute motion to enter closed session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consult with legal counsel regarding a current UDAG loan and (A-1), Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospec#ive candidates for the Town Manager's position. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Ms. Steele -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. Radcliffe -Aye At 9:07 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on the following recorded vote: Ms. Steele -Aye Mr. East -Aye Mr. Clark -Aye Mr. Kidd -Aye Mr. Goodman -Aye Mr. Radcliffe -Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Radcliffe and so carried. Approved: y S. Worrell, Mayor August 6, 2013/Page 4 of 4