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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-14Minutes of the Town Council meeting held February 18, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW, PulastCi, Virginia. Present were: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd (arrived at 5:05 p.m.), Joseph K. Goodman, James A. Radcliffe Staff: Shawn Utt, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Warburton, Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Bill Webb, Fire Chief Gary Roche, Police Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Chris Phillips, Street Superintendent Pam Witten, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Charles R. Bopp Amy Lewis Courtney Rogers Nick Glenn T. J. Nolen Sam Sweeney Betty Quesenberry Lane Penn Mike Williams, Press Calvin Pynn, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and welcomed the visitors to the meeting. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the January 28, 2014 Town Council minutes. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Presentations. Mayor Worrell introduced Chris Phillips as the Employee of the Month for February 2014. He read the press release aloud and presented him with an award. He advised that in addition to receiving the Employee of the Month award, Mr. Phillips would receive an additional paid day off from the Town and be eligible for the Employee of the Year award at the end of the year. Next, Mayor Worrell introduced Sam Sweeney, Director of the New River Trail State Park, who gave a presentation to Council. He reviewed some of the activities held on the Trail. He responded to questions from Council and staff, including those referring to State Park signs to be placed on the interstate and their cost. Mr. Utt advised that funds had been included for signage in the Route 99 Improvement Project. Mayor Worrell thanked Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Nolen for their presentation. Councilman East commented that it would be nice to access the funds sooner than the Route 99 Improvement project would allow. Mr. White inquired whether Mr. Utt thought the County might be willing to help invest in the signs, particularly with the extension of the Trail on to Randolph Park? February 18, 2014/Page 1 of 5 ~.'Utt responded that the County had talked about it. He noted that in fact, he thought that was where the original $30,000 estimate came from. Mayor Worrell thanked Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Nolen for their presentation. The next presentation was from Davenport and Associates. Mr. Courtney Rogers, Senior Vice President, provided a preliminary overview of the Town's current financial standing, debt service management, Capital Planning and draft financial policies. The presentation was included in the Council packet. 1 Following the presentation and discussions by Council, Councilman Clark moved to authorize staff to work with Davenport and Associates to procure refinance proposals for the James Hardie debt. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye At 6:38 p.m., Mayor Worrell called for a brief recess. At 6:45 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting. The first item for review was update on snowstorm impact on Town operations. Mr. Pedigo provided an overview of the most recent snow event. He noted that due to the nationwide shortage of salt, snow removal efforts were hindered. Councilman Radcliffe complimented staff for their efforts in the snow removal. Mayor Worrell commented that one of the biggest problems with this storm was the amount of snow. He complimented staff efforts. Councilman Goodman stated that he had received several complaints about the snow removal. He acknowledged that this was the first major snowfall in several years. He suggested that in the future, if there was a considerable amount of snow that the Town contract for extra manpower to help with snow removal. Mr. Pedigo replied that this could be done. Councilman Goodman also suggested that perhaps a staff person could go to a sister community that received more snow than the Town normally does and let him get on the job training in snow removal of larger quantities and then train the remainder of staff. Further discussion ensued including the need to upgrade equipment for snow removal. Mayor Worrell moved on to Legislative. He noted that there were several appointments to different Boards and Commissions. Councilman East asked Mr. Utt how many applicants responded to advertising to fill positions for Boards and Commissions? Mr. Utt replied that four applications had been received. Councilman East suggested that a policy be implemented for appointments to Boards and Commissions. February 18, 2014/Page 2 of 5 Councilman Goodman suggested that social media be included when advertising for positions. 1 Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2014-06, Appointment of Janet Johnson to the Cemetery Board of Trustees. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Next, Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2014-07, Appointing Members to the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The next item was Resolution 2014-08. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2014-08, Appointing Citizens to the Architectural Review Board. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Councilman Goodman then moved to adopt Resolution 2014-09, Appointing the Town Manager as Town Representative or Alternate to Various Committees and Boards. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The final Resolution for adoption was Resolution 2014-10, Appointment of Kevin Meyer to the Planning Commission and Planning Commission Representative to the ARB. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Resolution. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Utt interjected that several years ago, Town Council chose to change the number of Commissioners on the Planning Commission from seven to six. In order to help with quorum and voting issues, staff requested that Council change the number of Commissioners back to seven. Mayor Worrell commented that staff needed to bring back a Resolution. Mr. Warburton advised that Mr. Quesenberry was responsible for managing all of the Board and Commission vacancies so that if at all possible there were no vacancies. He thanked Mr. Quesenberry for the wonderful job that he does. Mayor Worrell agreed that Mr. Quesenberry was an invaluable resource. Moving on, Mayor Worrell moved on to recommendation for appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals. February 18, 2014/Page 3 of 5 -MF.'CJtt advised that there was one vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Additionally, he advised that one or two current members of the Board of Zoning Appeals had not yet been certified. He added that staff would advertise for citizens to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The next item on the agenda was a request for a zoning amendment for a bed and breakfast in the B-3 zone. 1 Mr. Utt advised that a property owner had requested a zoning amendment to allow bed and breakfast establishments in the B-3 District. He noted that currently, this use was not listed as a permitted use or a special exception use in that district. He asked that Council refer this request to the Planning Commission. Councilman Clark moved to refer a zoning amendment request to allow a bed and breakfast in the B-3 zone to the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The next item on the agenda was Public Utilities and an update on 4th Street, N.E. Mr. Pedigo advised that work had begun on the 4th Street drainage project, when a neighbor approached with concerns that the pipe would drain onto his property and cause damage to him. After consideration, staff would be installing a large drainage pipe that would allay the concerns. The next item on the agenda was Round Table discussion. Councilman East felt it was important to establish some written policies for the Town, beginning with financial policies. Councilman Kidd congratulated staff on the job they did for the large snow storm. Councilman Goodman felt Council should look at all policies currently in place that might need to be updated. Councilman Radcliffe congratulated Police Department staff for their work on a recent case involving the death of an infant. He noted that this was the one of the most difficult cases to handle. Additionally, he asked that the flower beds be prepared earlier this year. He asked Mr. White and/or Mr. Pedigo to prepare a plan for the March 18 Council meeting to assure that this happened. Mr. Hart interjected that last year's beds were installed later than usual because of the personnel situation. He advised that his intent was to get the beds installed earlier this year, unless the Street Department wanted to take it over. Mayor Worrell felt a report was in order and he would like to look into moving the work for the flower beds to the Street Department. Councilman East advised that he had recently spoken with a man who used to be on the Beautification Committee. He learned that Jefferson Avenue was once lined with oak trees. He added that over time, those trees had been lost. He requested a plan be added to the Comprehensive Plan for installation of trees, flowers and shrubbery around the Town. Councilman Goodman added that he would like the trees chosen be shorter in size and preferable ornamental in type. February 18, 2014/Page 4 of 5 Mayor Worrell commented that the power company puts out a publication that recommends trees to be planted under power lines. He added that he would get one for staff. At 7:18 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-1), Discussion for consideration of employment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, disciplining or resignation of public officers, appointees or employees. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye At 7:23 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye David L. Clark -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye At 7:25 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approve . Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor February 18, 2014/Page 5 of 5