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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-16Minutes of the Town Council meeting held Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor: Robert N. Glenn Council: James A. Radcliffe, Gregory C. East, David L. Clark, Joseph K. Goodman, H. M. Kidd, Lane R. Penn Staff: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Spencer Rygas, Town Attorney John White, Economic Development Director Dave Hart, Parks and Recreation Director Robbie Kiser, Fire Chief Rebecca Reece, Finance Director Mike Hudson, Lieutenant of Investigations Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Jason Paljug, Building Official Chris Phillips, Street Superintendent Kim Caudill, Administrative Manager Gary Roche, Police Chief Others: Sandra Hillyer Rick Meadows Clark Payne Brooke Wood, Press Mike Williams, Press Mayor Glenn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Goodman led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman Clark gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Glenn welcomed the visitors to the meeting. The first item on the agenda was Public Comment period. Phil Wade addressed Council requesting the installation of two No Parking signs on 4th Street NE from Newbern to Walnut and enforcement by the Police Department. He advised that children in the area are frequently in front, behind and next to vehicles parked on the street and dart in the street and play in the street at any time. He described difficulty entering and exiting his driveway because of the limited view. He expressed fear that a child or children would be hit by a vehicle. Mayor Glenn thanked Mr. Wade for his comments and advised that staff would look into the matter and respond within two weeks. Next, Sandra Hillyer reported an accumulation of weeds in sidewalks in Town particularly on Jefferson that were up to two feet tall. She opined that business owners should be responsible for trimming the bushes and weeds on their property. She complained of cigarette butts outside the Probation office. She requested that signs be put up around Town saying please don't litter. She requested that the bus stop sign in front of Town Center Apartments be removed as no children catch the bus there. Mayor Glenn thanked Ms. Hillyer for her comments. He advised that staff was trying to address the weed problem. Regarding the cigarette butts, he commented that the Town could put up all the signs in the world, but they would probably be ignored. He added that most Municipal governments have this problem. Page 1 of 6/August 2, 2016 Councilman Radcliffe interjected that this fall, when the courts are not in session, the County parking lot across from the Town Center apartments would be cleaned and marked and the flower beds refurbished. Ms. Hillyer offered to help with that clean up if needed. Next, Clark Payne addressed Council with three issues advising that in 2005 the Town petitioned the state legislature for the power to register and manage vacant buildings. He continued that the General Assembly granted the Town the petition. He added that it was discovered later that the Town had not enacted the Rehabilitation and Conservation district that the Vacant Property registration requires. At that time, a document was created and presented to Council, but the Town Manager's recommendation was that the Ordinance was not necessary because the district encompassed the Downtown Revitalization grant area and since the grant had been fulfilled, there was no reason to have the district. Council agreed with the recommendation. He continued that left the Town with no power to enforce the vacant building registration. He requested that Council consider revisiting the decision. The second item Mr. Clark addressed was the Town plans for the Main Street Corridor improvements. He opined that Section 58.1-3970.1 of the Virginia Code, which addressed tax collection and delinquent account collection, might allow the Town to speed acquisition of the property planned for the pocket garden. He asked Council to refer this to the Town Attorney for his legal review. The third item that Mr. Clark addressed was in regard to the rental inspection program. He advised that the original plan by Council when it was adopted, was to begin the rental inspection program in the small downtown commercial historic district and then expand it to larger areas. He added that it appeared to him that the Residential Historic district was in decline and many buildings which had been converted to apartments in the past are contributing to the poor condition of areas of the district. He opined that in the historic residential district, the Town had a clearly defined district which could readily be included under the Town's existing ordinance. He suggested that Council consider referring this question to the Planning Commission for further study. Following discussion, staff was requested to review and update the existing research information regarding the vacant building registration and the rental inspection program and report back to Council at the next Council Work Session. Mayor Glenn moved on to the Consent Agenda. He advised that the Clerk had placed a revised set of minutes at the dais and that the motion to adopt would be for those amended minutes. Councilman Clark moved to adopt the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of the July 5, 2016 Council meeting as amended. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. The next item on the agenda was Project Updates. Mr. Utt provided an overview of the Project Review Chart including that the bids for the VDOT Route 99 Improvement project had come in much higher than predicted. He added that the bid was rejected and would be rebid on August 9 with a due date of September 8, 2016. He advised that the Kersey Bottom project had begun and that the initial round of bids were to be released by mid-August. He noted that some minor issues had come up in the current financial software that was preventing the auditors from completing their current work. He added that a conference call had already been held with the software providers. He advised that the vultures had returned and a gas noise generator was issued to the Fire Department for them to trigger the equipment when the birds are present. He noted that the Open House event held July 231 was well attended. Councilman Goodman inquired into the schedule for the stump removal and clean up in Oakwood Cemetery? Page 2 of 6/August 2, 2016 Mr. Utt advised that normally you wait a year after you cut a tree before you remove the stump, which would mean the stumps could be removed this fall. He added that it has been recommended to replace the trees with Chinese Maple. Councilman Goodman requested a report from the Cemetery Committee. Mr. Utt responded that he would include it in the Weekly Update. Mr. Utt continued that preliminary test results had been received from the EPA Phase Two ESA at the former General Chemical site (the "Rice Building") and that there had been no surprising news. He noted that depending upon the reuse, there may have to be some site remediation. He added that interviews had been done for professional services to help with the Shah Development properties and it was hoped to have a recommendation at the August Work Session. He advised that the final meeting of Pulaski's Community U would be held August 10 with a report on the vision in September. Councilman East commented that several studies had been done over the years such as the Route 99 Feasibility Study, the David Gall report, the Peak Creek Promenade, and telecommunications study. He inquired when all of the studies would come together and be something that could be acted on? Ms. Hair responded that the Consultant would be creating an action plan. Mr. Utt continued that Gatewood staff was partnering with the Filter Plant staff to oversee testing of the 2 wells at Gatewood to ensure compliance with VDH standards. He added that the Pulaski Jam Sessions had been moved back to the Senior Center. Councilman East inquired why the Gatewood Advisory Committee was not active. Mr. Utt advised that the Committee was placed on hold due to budgetary issues. Councilman East encouraged staff to activate the Committee again in preparation for upcoming budget sessions. Mr. Utt advised that he had some ideas he wished to present to Council, but needed a little more time to fine tune them. Councilman Radcliffe advised that he had several people approach him about the geese at Gatewood. He asked if there was anything staff could do to help the situation. Mr. Utt advised that several ways had been tried in the past, but he would research what could be done. Mr. Utt continued that the Public Safety Facility group was speaking with a top ranked firm and hoped to have a recommendation to Council at the August Work Session. Councilman East inquired whether the street lights for Jackson Park had been received. Mr. Utt responded that Mr. Pedigo was waiting for power from AEP. Discussion ensued regarding moving the electrical box on the front of the Municipal Building and other options for Jackson Park. Mayor Glenn moved on department focus. Mr. Utt advised that staff was going to present a department update on a monthly basis. He added that Nichole Hair would be making the first presentation. Page 3 of 6/August 2, 2016 Ms. Hair advised that July 4 marked her 6th month of employment with the Town. She provided an overview of her accomplishments during that time. Councilman East opined that Ms. Hair had done an outstanding job. He added that when Council discussed her position, they envisioned Ms. Hair handling community development and code enforcement. He noted that Council's long term vision was to have a community development department to handle these items, not a one person show. He added that part of the discussion entailed having a uniformed police officer at the department disposal. He asked whether that was still part of the long term vision for her department. Ms. Hair responded that her hope would be to develop a full time staff person to assist her and the Building Official, under their direction, whether that was a full time code enforcement police officer or an additional staff person. She noted that at her last place of business, she had three employees and a uniform officer. Councilman East continued that he was trying to ascertain what Ms. Hair needed from Council to be successful. Ms. Hair responded that she would like to prove that a process was in place before bringing on a full time staff person. She continued that further discussion could be held in the future. Following Councilman Radcliffe's request, Ms. Hair agreed to draw up a tentative plan of what she thought she'd need in the future. Discussion ensued on the procedures and time frames in place for complaints. Councilman East moved to direct staff to review and make recommendation to Council for discussion at the September Work Session regarding departmental structure and staffing required to effectively promote and execute community development and code compliance efforts in the Town of Pulaski. Councilman Radcliffe seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Mayor Glenn moved on to New Business. Joseph K. Goodman - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The first item was Resolution 2016-22, Appointing an Alternate Member to the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Resolution 2016-22, Appointing an Alternate Member to the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe - Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 8:07 p.m., Councilman Clark moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-1), discussion for consideration of employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of public officers, appointees or employees regarding the Public Works Department; (A-3), discussion for consideration of the disposition or acquisition of publicly held property regarding Washing Avenue properties, and West Main Street property; (A-7), consultation with legal counsels and briefing by staff for discussion of specific legal matters and matters subject to probable litigation regarding UDAG and RBEG loan and Boundary adjustment request. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: Page 4 of 6/August 2, 2016 1 James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 9:55 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: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Councilman Goodman moved to accept the donation of 67 West Main Street to the Town of Pulaski contingent on the report of a clear title search and also authorize the Town Manager to execute all necessary closing documents. The motion was seconded by Councilman East and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Kidd, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approved: at Ro ert N. Glenn Mayor Page 5 of 6/August 2, 2016