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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-15Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, June 2, 2015 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, James A. Radcliffe, Lane R. Penn Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager David Warburton, Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Pam Witten, Finance Director John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Anthony Meredith, Police Captain Sarah Riggins, Police Corporal Board of Supervisors: Joseph L. Sheffey, Chairman, Charles R. Bopp, Vice -Chairman, Dean Pratt, Andy McCready County Staff: Karen Thompson, Assistant County Administrator for Management Services Anthony Akers, Assistant County Administrator for Human Services Tim Kirtner, County Attorney - Aye David L. Clark Gena Hanks, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Others: Linda Fasnacht Guy Smith Will Hale Brenda Blackburn Janie Hurd Akers Cynthia Hancock Lois Edmonds Frank Neice Marshall Dowdy Ann Dowdy Joseph Goodman Robert Strenz Anthony Akers Karen Thompson Gena Hanks Mike Waller Brooks Dawson Peggy White Clark Payne Joel Burchett Tim Kirtner Jonna McGraw Nannette Arnold Calvin Pynn, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Radcliffe led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman East gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Councilman Clark moved to add item 12c, Update on Christ Fellowship Church to the agenda. Councilman East 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Worrell advised that the first item on the agenda was a Joint Public Hearing with the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors. He asked for a roll call of the Board. Page 1 of 5/June 2, 2015 Following roll call, Mr. Utt advised that the Joint Public Hearing was in regard to the disposition of surplus property known as Loving Field. He noted that a Public Hearing was required in order dispose of Town surplus property. He continued that the Hearing had been advertised as required. He added that the Hearing was being held for three items: 1) Transfer of 1.6 acres from the Town of Pulaski to the County of Pulaski, 2) the transfer of 1.804 acres from the Town to Robert Whitman (50' along the property line for his access into his northern pasture) and 3) authorization to dispose of the remaining 101.825 acres at public auction. Mr. Utt summarized the history of the land including that the Town sold the loving Field recreational fields to the County in October 2009 since the Town had merged all recreational programs with the County. He continued that a small portion of property adjacent to the fields remained in the Town's ownership. He noted that this 1.6 acre portion of land was being offered in exchange for the County's relinquishment of any potential ownership stake in a portion of the property. Supervisor McCready clarified the. proposed property exchange was not the area of land where the existing baseball and soccer fields are currently located. Additionally, he noted the County currently had half interest in lot "C". In regard to the transfer of 1.804 acres from the Town of Pulaski to Robert P. Whitman, Jr., Mr. Utt advised that the Whitman family had leased the Loving Field property for agriculture uses since the early 1970's. He continued that Mr. Whitman requested an access right of way from one of his pastures to a northern pasture. Following discussion with the auctioneering firm, Woltz and Associates, it was decided to transfer ownership of the 1.804 acres to Mr. Whitman in exchange for costs incurred. Mr. Utt advised that if Council agreed to the above two requests, the final action would be to acquiesce to the proposed disposition of the remaining 101.825 acres at public auction. He noted that the public hearing packet had included a letter from three adjacent property owners expressing interest in the creation of a picnic shelter for use by the community. Additionally, staff and the auctioneering firm recommended including a set of deed restrictions to the property with minimum requirements for roof pitch as well as minimum requirements for the sizes of houses to be built. Mr. Utt added that the County's portion of the public hearing would involve the relinquishment of all claims of ownership to the 3.8 acres in the northern portion of the parcel in order to clear up any title concerns for potential bidders. He noted that the Town is proposing the transfer of 1.6 acres adjacent to the County's recreation fields that is currently used as a parking area in lieu of the ownership claims. Mayor Worrell opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Joel Burchett, Sr. addressed Council and the Board of Supervisors regarding a letter he had written for the open forum of the Southwest Times expressing concern over the method in which the property was being auctioned and the "lack of transparency" by the Town Council. He apologized for the letter, advising that he had subsequently been provided information which provided a better understanding of the matter, and therefore, he was in support of the property exchange. Next, Tom Bentley spoke in favor of donating 3.8 acres of the land to the County for the purpose of adding a picnic area to the Loving Field Sports Complex. There being no further comments, Mayor Worrell closed the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m. Mr. McCready moved to approve a Deed of Exchange between the Town of Pulaski and Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and authorized the Chairman to execute the deed tendered to the Clerk and the Board prior to the meeting on the following recorded vote: Mr. McCready - Aye Mr. Sheffey - Aye Mr. Pratt -Aye Mr. Bopp - Abstain Page 2 of 5/June 2, 2015 1 El There being no further business for the Board, Mr. Bopp moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Pratt and carried on the following recorded vote: Mr. McCready - Aye Mr. Sheffey - Aye Mr. Pratt -Aye Mr. Bopp - Aye At 7:25 p.m., Mayor Worrell adjourned the meeting for a ten minute recess. At 7:35 p.m., Mayor Worrell reconvened the meeting. The first item for consideration was a presentation from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Main Street program update. Mike Waller, President of the Chamber, presented a proposal to assist the Town of Pulaski with a Revived Main Street/Central Business District Organization. Part of the proposal suggested renting a Main Street property to use as the headquarters for Pulaski On Main, hiring a part-time (20 hours per week) employee to serve as Coordinator of Pulaski on Main and beginning the timeline in September 2015. The suggested budget for this phase of the project was rent for twelve months of $500, equaling $6,000; salary and management expense at a cost of $15,400 and access to additional funds for unforeseen expenses for communication and renovation of $5,000. Mayor Worrell was pleased with the proposal. Councilman East commented that the proposal was exactly what he had in mind. Councilman Clark agreed with Councilman East and was pleased with the proposal. The next item on the agenda was the Public Comment Period. Linda Fasnacht asked that a stop sign by placed in the road in front of the library, like was placed between the Museum and the Train Station. Mr. Utt advised that a sign had already been ordered. Ms. Fasnacht continued by suggesting that two way traffic be allowed on Main Street. She suggested having traffic come into downtown on Main Street. Thirdly, Ms. Fasnacht advised that she loved having a Committee looking into Gatewood improvements. There being no further comments from the Public, Mayor Worrell moved on to the Consent agenda consisting of the Minutes of the May 5, 2015 Council meeting. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the May 5, 2015 Town Council meeting. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project updates. Mr. Utt reviewed the Project Update including that the Finance Department would be closed for a day and a half for computer system conversion; that the Fire Department replacement study had been placed on hold until a new Fire Chief was hired; and that the new employee at Gatewood also had a water treatment operator's license which would help toward upgrading the water filtration system at Gatewood. Councilman Radcliffe asked that when staff was developing plans for playground improvements that some handicap accessible equipment be included. Page 3 of 5/June 2, 2015 Mayor Worrell moved on to Old Business. The first item was adoption of the budget. Mr. Utt advised that an amended version of Resolution 2015-10 had been placed at the dais. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the amended version of Resolution 2015-10, Adopting a Budget Establishing Appropriations For The Town of Pulaski, Virginia For the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2015 and Ending June 30, 2016. Councilman East seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item for consideration was Resolution 2015-11. Mr. Utt advised that an amended version of Resolution 2015-11 had been placed at Council's dais. Councilman East moved to adopt the amended version of Resolution 2015-11, Approving The Five Year Capital Improvements Program For The Town Of Pulaski. 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 James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item for consideration was the update on Christ Fellowship Church. Mr. Utt advised of the receipt of a letter from VACORP, regarding a report of damage to Christ Fellowship Church due to sewage backup on April, 21., 2015. They advised that they had conducted an investigation and found no liability on the part of the Town. He noted that a backflow preventer had been installed and the property owner would be responsible for any future maintenance of that device as well. Mayor Worrell moved on to New Business. The first item was Resolution 2015-12, Appointment to Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority. Mr. Utt advised of notification by the clerk for Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority that the Town's representatives were set to expire in June. He added that staff was advocating approval of Resolution 2015-12. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2015-12, as revised with the inclusion of Joseph Goodman as a Town representative. Councilman Radcliffe seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item for consideration was Resolution 2015-13, Appointment to New River Valley Commerce Park Participation Committee. Mr. Utt advised that the terms for the Town's representatives to this Committee were set to expire at the same time as the previous item. Staff recommended approval of Resolution 2015-13. Page 4 of 5/June 2, 2015 Councilman East moved to adopt Resolution 2015-13, Appointment of the Town's Representative and Alternate to the New River Valley Commerce Park Participation Committee. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item on the agenda was revitalization area designation request. Mr. Utt advised that a property owner in Town, Barry Catron, owned several rental properties in need of repairs and renovations. He continued that Mr. Catron had been working with staff in Wytheville on possible funding opportunities. He noted that in order to qualify for the best financing program available, the properties needed to be located in a designated "revitalization area" as required by the Code of Virginia. He added that designation could only be made by the governing bodies of Counties or Cities. He asked that staff be granted permission to ask the County to approve the revitalization. From the public, Clark Payne commented that he had a potential concern that the program required 50% or greater low income renters for the project. Mr. Utt advised that this program was geared at 120% of the median income, which was approximately $48,000 for a family of four. Following more discussion, Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to request that the County approve the revitalization. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The last item on the agenda was a contract for website development. Mr. Clark advised that he would abstain from any discussion and voting as he had a connection with the company. Mr. Utt advised that a draft contract for website development and hosting with EAC2 Consulting Services had been included in the packet for Council's consideration. He asked for authorization to execute the contract. Councilman East moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract with EAC2 Consulting Services as written. Councilman Radcliffe seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Heather L. Steele - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Abstain H. M. Kidd - Aye James A. Radcliffe - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: MCVT&r4 Mayor Page 5 of 5/June 2, 2015