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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-16Minutes of the Town Council Work Session held October 18, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Present were: Robert N. Glenn, Mayor Council: James A. Radcliffe, David L. Clark, Joseph K. Goodman, H. M. Kidd, Lane R. Penn Absent: Gregory C. East — arrived at 5:20 p.m. Staff: Shawn Utt, Town Manager Spencer Rygas, Town Attorney Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager Dave Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council John White, Economic Development Director Rebecca Reece, Acting Finance Director Robbie Kiser, Fire Chief Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer Anthony Meredith, Police Department Captain Jill Neice, Acting Patrol Lieutenant Others: Monica Musick B. J. Wood, Press Mayor Glenn called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Following roll call, Councilman Penn moved to adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2016 Town Council meeting. Councilman Kidd seconded the motion and carried on voice vote. Mayor Glenn moved on to Presentations. He advised that Monica Musick, Director of Pulaski Area Transit, was present to address Council. Ms. Musick addressed Council providing an update to the Transit services and what changes were on the horizon. She shared a letter from a client in a wheelchair expressing gratitude for the Transit which gave her the ability to travel to and from work and to shop and pay her bills. She advised that in an effort to offset the Town's funding match, she had applied for a grant to purchase LED monitors and the software to install them on all the vehicles so they could advertise on board the vans. She also advised that per Council's suggestion, staff was looking into a set route for the vans. She continued that they were looking at two different loops; one loop being in the main area of Town and the other loop being more in the outer areas of Town. She added that once the routes were finalized, they would begin advertising. Mr. Utt confirmed that there would still be a call pick up for handicapped accessible. Ms. Musick agreed and added that as long as the client called 24 hours ahead for a pick up, the bus would pick them up at their home. Councilman Radcliffe asked what the charge would be for a client to be picked up in Allisonia and taken to Wal Mart. Ms. Musick responded that the transit doesn't go that far. She added that the transit only deviates 3/ mile out of Town limits. Councilman Goodman inquired what hours the transit was running. Ms. Musick responded from 7 am to 5 pm. October 18, 2016/Page 1 of 5 Councilman Goodman inquired if there were any plans to extend that time? Ms. Musick responded that they were waiting to see how the set loop went before making other changes. Councilman Goodman advised that one of the largest complaints that he had heard from citizens was that the service ended too early, especially if you got off work at 5 pm. He asked whether she knew the cost per rider for trips to Christiansburg. Ms. Musick responded that she did not know, but would try to get that information. Mayor Glenn thanked Ms. Musick for her presentation. The next item on the agenda was New River Valley Regional Commission Board Representative. Mr. Utt advised that Larry Clevinger's term on the NRV Regional Commission's Board of Directors was set to expire. He continued that Mr. Clevinger was eligible to continue to serve and had expressed an interest in doing so. Councilman Clark moved to direct staff to prepare the proper paperwork to re -appoint Larry Clevinger to the New River Valley Regional Commission's Board of Directors for a four year term. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe -Aye Gregory C. East - Absent David L. Clark - Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Mayor Glenn moved on to Legislative issues. The first item was Ordinance 2016-16, Amending the Compensation Plan. Mr. Utt advised that this Ordinance completed action of Council. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2016-16, Amending the Compensation Plan for the Town of Pulaski to Incorporate a Grade 15 Pay Level as written. Councilman Penn seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe - Aye Gregory C. East - Absent David L. Clark - Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye The next item on the agenda was Ordinance 2016-17, Amending the Position and Classification Plan Regarding the Position of Deputy Town Manager. Mr. Utt advised that this Ordinance completed action of Council. Councilman Clark moved to adopt Ordinance 2016-17 as written. Councilman Goodman seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe Gregory C. East David L. Clark Mayor Glenn moved on to Safety. - Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye - Absent H. M. Kidd - Aye - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye October 18, 2016/Page 2 of 5 The first item for discussion was Bike Patrol Options. Mr. Utt advised that as requested at Council's September Work Session, Chief Roche and his staff developed several options related to bike patrol efforts. He continued that the first option was the level of coverage provided by the recently approved additional $5,000 for overtime. The second option was what the cost would be if an officer was hired to work solely bike patrol and the third option was what the cost would be if an officer was hired for each shift to work solely bike patrol. He summarized the options. He suggested that staff be allowed to utilize the $5,000 approved for overtime and review the overall effectiveness in the spring. He asked for Council feedback. Following discussion, the consensus of Council was to allow staff to utilize the $5,000 approved for overtime and review the overall effectiveness in the spring. Councilman East arrived at 5:20 p.m. Mayor Glenn moved on to Human Resources. The first item was Code Enforcement Officer job description. Mr. Utt advised that a revised draft job description had been placed before Council. He noted that language had been included in the description that was similar to the language from the Police Officer job description, specifically requiring the successful completion of police academy and field training efforts. He asked for Council feedback. Councilmen Radcliffe advised that the job description needed to specify that the position was a sworn police officer who would respond to the Deputy Town Manager and Town Manager. Councilman East agreed with Councilman Radcliffe. He reiterated that it needed to be very clear that the individual would report to the Deputy Town Manager on a daily basis, with the understanding that there can be extenuating circumstances to work in the Police Department. Following discussion, it was noted that the job description needed to include wording similar to while primarily serving as Code Enforcement Officer, this position must meet the requirements of the Police Officer. Mayor Glenn confirmed that the new job description would mesh the job description included in the packet and the job description presented before Council at the meeting. Councilman Radcliffe stressed that the Deputy Town Manager would have the final decision regarding who was chosen for the position. Councilman Goodman inquired how the position would still follow the rules for accreditation so there would not be conflict between the Deputy Town Manager and the Police Chief? While he appreciated that the intent was for the Deputy Town Manager to have authority, the Police Chief was the final decision when it came to law enforcement issues. Mr. Utt advised that he thought that could be spelled out in the job description and he expected the Town Attorney to assist in the wording process. Police Captain Meredith interjected that the secondary duty of a Police Officer was the assignment. He felt that by allowing Ms. Hair to have the final decision in the choice of person for the position, they were tying the hands of the Police Chief who was civilly liable and responsible for the department and the accreditation standards. October 18, 2016/Page 3 of 5 Mr. Utt gave an example of the Crime Prevention officer, who was a specially assigned position to explain the intent. The Crime Prevention officer was first and foremost a Police Officer and secondarily, was a Crime Prevention officer. He felt the same concept could be applied to the Code Enforcement job description. Councilman East commented that he felt that everyone was saying the same thing. He continued that the officer needed to be trained to do his job by the same standards that the rest of the officers in the Police Department have to meet. He added that the day to day work would come under the direction of the Deputy Town Manager. Councilman Radcliffe agreed. Mr. Rygas advised that it was clear that the ideal was that the position needed to be an officer and that the position only spent tangential time doing police work. He advised that he would speak with the Town Manager and the Police Chief to make sure that the job description language encompassed all needs. The next item on the agenda was compensation study update. Mr. Utt advised that two proposals had been received from qualified firms related to the Compensation Study. He added that interviews would be held October 24th and 25th and a recommendation given to Council at the November 1 Council meeting. Mayor Glenn moved on to the Round Table discussion. Councilman Radcliffe asked whether the gate to the cemetery was still being closed at night? Mayor Glenn responded that the gate was being closed at night. Councilman Radcliffe advised that Mr. Wade had asked him about some signage that was supposed to be installed at the cemetery and asked if staff knew what he was talking about. Mr. Utt advised that there were some signs showing the rules of the cemetery that needed to be re -worked. He added that he needed to follow up on that. He noted that the cemetery was open from 6:30 a.m. to dark. Councilman Radcliffe commented that the fire parade was a great success. He felt it was one of the biggest crowds that he had seen in many years. He offered kudos to staff. Councilman Goodman advised that he had gone to the cemetery recently and the gates were closed and they were not allowing anyone in, and the sun was still up. Mr. Utt advised that he would check into that issue. Councilman Goodman also offered kudos to staff for the success of the fire parade. He added that he loved seeing all the activity in Town. Councilman Clark advised that was happy to report that he had received calls from several citizens who had called Town offices and complained about a problem and staff handled the problem in a positive way. He noted that the citizens were complimenting staff. Councilman Kidd advised that he and Councilman Goodman and the Mayor had attended the VML Annual Conference. He felt the Conference went well, especially with the problems from Hurricane Matthew. Mayor Glenn advised that he enjoyed his first ride in the Fire Parade. He agreed with Council regarding the energy in Town. October 18, 2016/Page 4 of 5 At 5:52 p.m., Councilman Goodman moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-3) discussion for consideration of the disposition or acquisition of publicly held property regarding Kersey Bottom CDBG Project, Crescent Street property and (A-7), discussion, 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 status update. Councilman Clark seconded the motion and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Joseph K. Goodman - Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye At 6:15 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Goodman and carried on the following recorded vote: James A. Radcliffe - Aye Gregory C. East - Aye David L. Clark - Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye H. M. Kidd - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilman Clark and carried on voice vote. Approv . O Rob rt N. Glenn, Mayor October 18, 2016/Page 5 of 5