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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-14Minutes of the Town Council meeting held March 18, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 42 First Street, NW, Pulaski, Virginia. Present were: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor Council: Heather L. Steele, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, H. M. Kidd, Joseph K. Goodman, James A. Radcliffe Staff: Shawn Utt, Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Bill Webb, Fire Chief Gary Roche, Police Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Jason Paljug, Engineering Tech Chris Phillips, Street Superintendent Pam Witten, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director Others: Don Singleton Rich Meadows Nick Glenn Clark Payne Tim Kirtner Ashlyn Kirtner Andi Kirtner Elise Kirtner Charles R. Bopp Brian Turpin Reggie Grubb Trish Huff Paige Huff Mike Huff Regina Alley Betty Quesenberry Joe Shrewsberry Sue Shrewsberry Douglas Gebhardt Pulaski Middle School Basketball Team: Alex Akers Trent Blankenship Shawn Spencer Noah Kyle Marcus Grubb Hunter Shrewsberry Logan Robertson Will Kegley John Osteen Carter Alley Conner Turpin Alex Dalton Caleb Kirtner Will Huff Chauncey Spencer Dillon Porter Andre Grubb Coaches: Anthony Akers C. J. Burgess Calvin Pynn, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to add a Closed Session to the agenda under Virginia Code 2.2- 3711 (A-5), prospective business or industry. 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 Mayor Worrell welcomed the audience to the meeting. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the Council minutes of the February 18, 2014 Council meeting. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Worrell advised that there was no Employee of the Month, however, there was a new employee to be introduced. March 18, 2014/Page 1 of 5 Bill Pedigo introduced Jason Paljug, Engineering Tech. Mr. Utt interjected that some of Jason's drawings had been included in the Council packet. Mayor Worrell and Town Council welcomed Mr. Paljug. The next item on the agenda was Resolution 2014-13, Commending the Pulaski Middle School Orioles Boys Basketball Team. Mayor Worrell called the team to the front of the Chambers and read the Resolution aloud. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2014-13. Councilman Kidd 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 Mayor Worrell presented the Resolution to Coach Anthony Akers on behalf of the team. The next item on the agenda was Resolution 2014-14, Proclaiming the Month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Councilman Kidd moved to adopt Resolution 2014-14. 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 Mayor Worrell introduced Nick Glenn to address Council. Mr. Glenn, President of Greater Pulaski Alliance, advised that the flea market vendors had requested they be able to start the flea market the first Saturday in April. Following discussion and Council's approval, Mr. Glenn advised that he would work with Mr. Hart and Mr. Utt to work out a timetable that would not conflict with other Town events. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Operations. Mr. Utt advised that the current Capital Improvement Plan provided $8,000 for the renovations necessary at the Gatewood bathhouse. He added that the lowest contractor bid was approximately $13,000. He noted that he had authorized work up to the $8,000 limit while working to identify opportunities in the budget that would allow funds to be transferred to close the gap. He suggested several potential line items that could be used and suggested utilizing $4,203 for Council tablets and any remaining amount from repair and maintenance in the Gatewood budget. It was noted that a few more things needed to be completed to give it a complete makeover. New ceiling lighting, new sinks and lavatories, and a fresh coat of paint would be completed by Town staff and crews. Following discussion, Councilman Clark moved to transfer $4,203 from the Council line item for tablets to the Gatewood line item. Councilman Radcliffe seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: March 18, 2014/Page 2 of 5 Heather L. Steele -Aye H. M. Kidd -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye David L. Clark -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye The next item for discussion was in regard to a landscaping position. Mr. Utt advised that as a follow up from Council's discussion regarding landscaping around Town, staff had developed a job description for a proposed landscaping position. He noted that staff felt they had a very good fit for the job on staff currently, which would make the transition more expedient. He added that Council vuould still need to consider hiring a replacement position for the person taking the landscaping position. It was noted that a list of proposed areas around Town needing landscaping improvement had been included in the packet. Councilman Radcliffe inquired whether staff could also include the flower beds at the Pulaski County Administration building in their work with the County paying a portion of the staff cost? Mr. Utt responded that he would speak with the County to determine their interest. He advised that he had also been considering the possibility of hiring some part time workers to help with the weed eating around Town. Councilman East requested that the historic downtown sign at Route 99 and Main Street be replaced. Mr. Utt agreed. Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to accept the job description for alandscape/horticulturist and add it to the Town positions. Councilman Clark 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 Mayor Won'ell moved on to Finance and a presentation by Davenport and Company regarding debt refinancing results. Mr. Utt introduced Doug Gebhardt, who summarized the proposals regarding debt refinancing and recommended BB&T's proposal with a fixed rate of 1.81 %. Following discussion, Councilman Goodman moved to direct staff to prepare the paperwork to refinance the James Hardie debt as recommended by Davenport with BB&T's bid for Council's consideration at the March 25, 2014 budget work session. Councilman Clark 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 The next item on the agenda was Legislative and the discussion of the Joint Dispatch Center. Mr. Utt advised that a copy of the draft agreement for Joint Dispatch operations had been placed at their desk. He reviewed the agreement for Council and advised that he hoped to have a final agreement by the April 1 Council meeting. Mayor Worrell moved on to Public Utilities and an update on 4th Street NE Stormwater. March 18, 2014/Page 3 of 5 -7vrr.wedigo advised that the project was nearly complete. He congratulated Chris Phillips and his staff for the great job. Mayor Worrell interjected that the staff worked in some miserable weather and also offered his kudos to the staff. Mr. Utt commented that the estimated budget for this project was $10,000. He commended staff for accomplishing the original work plus additional work that had to be done on the project and completing it all within the $10,000 estimate. Mayor Worrell moved on to Safety and Burn Building grant. Mr. Utt advised that a draft agreement had been included in the packet for the burn building grant. He noted that the grant was fully funded without need for a local match and recommended that Council authorize staff to execute the agreement and move forward on the grant. Councilman Clark moved to authorize staff to execute the agreement for the burn building grant. 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 The next item on the agenda was Round Table discussion. Ms. Steel welcomed Mr. Paljug to the Town work force. She commented that she was looking forward to seeing the Town flowerbeds this year as well as the improvements to the restrooms at Gatewood Park. Councilman East advised that he wanted to get more information out to the public about the Town and of Council actions. He added that Shawn had suggested an insert be inserted with the water bills on a quarterly basis. Mr. Utt requested any suggestions that Council might have for the insert be directed to him. Councilman East continued that he would like to see a corrective action list be implemented to help Council and staff keep track of ongoing problems or projects that need action. Councilman Clark commented that spring was around the corner with many activities coming up. He reminded Council of the Cameron Run in April and encouraged Council participation in all of the upcoming events. Councilman Kidd commented that he was glad to see the updates at Gatewood in progress. Councilman Goodman commented that he had heard from the public and that there seemed to be a disconnect between what Council was doing and what the public thinks Council was doing. He suggested resuming quadrant meetings, with one meeting per quadrant per year, for Council to receive comments and/or questions from the public. Councilman Radcliffe commented that he liked the idea of the quarterly quadrant meetings. Additionally, he asked Mr. Utt to try to make contact with other park systems to see how they are run. Some questions he had were whether the parks contracted out their restaurants, stores etc. or run those businesses themselves. Additionally, what months were the parks open? ~ Mayor Worrell moved on to Closed Session. March 18, 2014/Page 4 of 5 At 6:13 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-5) Prospective business or industry. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: ~J 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 6:43 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: 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 6:45 p.m., Council adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Kidd and carried on voice vote. Approved Jeffrey S. Worrell, Mayor March 18, 2014/Page 5 of 5