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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-19Minutes of the Pulaski Town Council meeting held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in the Council Chambers of the Town Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W. In attendance were: Mayor: David L. Clark, presiding Councilmen Present: G. Tyler Clontz; Brooks R. Dawson; Gregory C. East; Joseph K. Goodman; Lane R. Penn; James A. Radcliffe Administration: Shawn M. Utt, Town Manager Nichole L. Hair, Deputy Town Manager Legal Counsel: Spencer A. Rygas, Town Attorney Press Mike Williams, PC Patriot Staff Chief Robbie Kiser, P.F.D. Bill Pedigo, Town Engineer David Quesenberry, Clerk of Council Rebecca Reece, Finance Director Chief Gary Roche, P.P.D. Others Present: Allison Hunter Justin Kemp Kendall Payne Carolyn Smith Guy Smith Rebecca Smith Richard Smith Ruth Smith Jill Williams 1. Call to Order Mayor Clark called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Dawson. 3.Invocation The Invocation was given by Councilman Goodman. 4. Roll Call After the Invocation, the roll was taken. Present were Mayor Clark, Mr. Clontz, Mr. Dawson, Mr. East, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Penn and Mr. Radcliffe. Since all Council members were in attendance, a quorum of Council was present to conduct business. 5. Modification of the Agenda No modifications were requested or made to the agenda. 6. Recognition of Guests and Visitors Mayor Clark welcomed those in attendance and thanked them for coming to the meeting. 7. Presentations There were no presentations scheduled on the agenda 8. Public Hearings a. Ordinance for Assessment of Electronic Summons Systems Council next considered an ordinance for assessment of electronic systems. Page 1 of 5/February 5, 2019 Mr. Utt reported, as a follow-up from the last meeting regarding the assessment for electronic summons, that a public hearing was required before an ordinance could be adopted levying the fee. The five dollar fee, he explained was already being charged by the County through the court system and was paid by everybody that received a ticket within the County from any local law enforcement agency or the State Police. The Town was incorporating an ordinance in order to collect the fee related to Town summonses. The proceeds from this fee were required to be applied to the implementation and maintenance of the e -summons system. An official public hearing he added was needed to solicit public comments after which, direction would be sought from Council. Mayor Clark then opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. There being no comments received, he closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Utt said the recommendation of staff would be for Council to direct staff to prepare the necessary ordinance to implement the e -summons assessment. Mr. Goodman moved to direct staff to prepare the necessary paperwork to implement the e -summons system and develop the appropriate ordinance to bring back to the Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn Brooks R. Dawson Gregory C. East Next item was the Public Comment Period. 9. Public Comment Period -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mr. Joel Burchett addressed the Council on the proposed use of herbicides on vegetation along Route 11 on the banks of Sproule's Run. He opposed the use of herbicides noting that the stream in question flowed into a trout stream. A previous spraying effort on Edgehill Drive he related, ended up making the area more unsightly due to the brown color of the vegetation killed by the herbicides used. He said that other fishermen in the area opposed the use of herbicides. Mr. Burchett added that he had also spoken with a former head of environmental biology at Virginia Tech who urged that herbicides not be used. He requested that Council consider mowing or another form of vegetation that might choke out the weeds and look more attractive. After thanking Council, Mr. Burchett concluded his remarks. Mayor Clark thanked Mr. Burchett for his comments. Council then moved on to the Consent Agenda. 10. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of the January 2, 2019, Council Meeting Minutes Mayor Clark called for a motion regarding the minutes of January 2, 2019. Mr. Dawson moved to approve the January 2, 2019 Council minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Penn and approved by the unanimous voice vote of Council. Next item for review was the Project Summary Sheet. 11. Proiect Updates a. Project Summary Sheet Mr. Utt opened the floor to questions from Council concerning the listed projects. Mr. Dawson commented that since the Gatewood Transition was coming off the list, he asked if it was appropriate for the Main Street Project to be placed on the chart. Mr. Utt replied it most definitely was. Mr. Goodman asked if there was any more news on the funding for the Dora Highway site. Mr. Utt responded that Page 2 of 5/February 5, 2019 there was not and that the last update indicated that the County Engineer and the PSA Director had requested funding assistance from the Resource Authority. The Resource Authority Director noted that he had received the request, but that was all. No information was offered on when the funding would be considered or on a construction timeline. Mr. Goodman ventured that a Town representative should be at the Resource Authority's next meeting. Mr. Goodman then asked for an update on the tree plantings at Oakwood. Mr. Utt responded that there were an additional half dozen trees that needed to come down. The contractor had been contacted about finding a species of tree that did not grow out as much and would not impinge on the gravesites. However Mr. Utt was not sure the contractor responded back and that the Town would get back in touch with them. Mr. Goodman said the goal was to try to keep Oakwood green throughout the year. Referring to Oakwood's use by residents, he felt keeping the serenity of the place was important. Mr. Utt responded that what was done in Oakwood should also be done in Pinehurst to get some symmetry and aesthetic value for that cemetery, to which Mr. Goodman agreed. Mr. Goodman asked for a report on the cemeteries either for the February work session or, if not feasible, by the March legislative meeting. Mr. Radcliffe asked if the site on Lafayette Ave. at the Sheriff's Department would be available for depositing brush. Mr. Utt replied that was the plan. Mr. Goodman asked that it be made sure that the site would be manned for the hours of operation. Next item considered was Ordinance 2019-01, granting a special exception at 1040 East Main Street. 12. Old Business a. Ordinance 2019-01, Special Exception for 1040 East Main Street Mr. Utt said this ordinance completed the action of Council from the last meeting. In the future, he noted that an effort would be made to have a draft ordinance as part of the packet. He recommended the ordinance be approved to finalize the issue. Mr. Goodman moved for the adoption of Ordinance 2019-01 as presented with the correction of a typo in the ordinance. Mr. Clontz seconded the motion which was approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Council next considered Resolution 2019-04, Community Impact Grant for the Calfee Community Center. 13. New Business a. Resolution 2019-04, Community Impact Grant for the Ca/fee Community Center Mr. Utt noted that a delegation of citizens desired to speak to Council before consideration of the resolution. Mr. Guy Smith, spokesman for the group, provided information packets to Council and showed a slide presentation of an event at the Social Services Office featuring former students and supporters of the Calfee Training School Project. Following the presentation, Mr. Smith addressed Council thanking the Town for clearing away the overgrown shrubbery in front of the school. He then reviewed the history of the school, which he described as a "diamond in the rough" from its origins in 1894 to the present structure constructed in 1939. Emphasizing the historical role the school played in Pulaski's African-American community, Mr. Smith noted the additionalrole of Chauncey Harmon and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in pursuing equal pay for teachers. He also highlighted other institutions of the African-American community in Pulaski such as the Moon Hotel and the Mary Montgomery nursing home that played prominent parts, along with the school, in the life of Pulaski's African-American community. Page 3 of 5/February 5, 2019 Mr. Smith said that the project to revitalize the Calfee Training School was a sound investment that would bring attention to the state and community. He expressed his appreciation to the Town for considering the possibilities for the project. Mr. Radcliffe thanked the group and the YMCA for their efforts. Noting the current energy in the Town, he described the Calfee School as "gem" and thanked those involved in the project and encouraged them to "make it happen." Mr. Smith also encouraged interested parties to look at the "Calfee Training School Project" Facebook page for more information on the project. Mr. Utt added that the resolution (Resolution 2019-04) formalized the Community Impact Grant from the Town to the Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA). The planned process was for the company to donate the property to the PRHA along with the tax liability. Once the PRHA had ownership, the company would pay the back taxes, resulting in the project not the company, benefitting from the tax grant. Mr. Utt mentioned the County had done something similar, while the Town was formalizing its part to move the project forward. The amount in question was just shy of $15,000 and would be slightly more due to the addition of 2019 taxes. Mr. Goodman commented that this was an amazing project and that he relished opportunities to see and hear the area's history and hopefully to have more history available to everyone in the Town. He added that with the addition of childcare facilities, he felt the project would have a great impact on the community. Mr. Goodman then moved to adopt Resolution 2019-04 as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. Radcliffe and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Clark thanked the group for their presentation and encouraged them to keep pushing forward. Council next moved to the Closed Session items. 14. Closed Session Mayor Clark then requested a motion to enter Closed Session for three items: one item under Va. Code 2.2- 3711 (A) 1, a personnel matter regarding the early retirement program and two items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel concerning garage maintenance services and a UDAG loan application. Mr. Goodman moved to enter Closed Session for the referenced issues. His motion was seconded by Mr. East and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Council entered Closed Session at 7:39 p.m. and returned from Closed Session at 8:23 p.m. Mayor Clark asked for a certification motion that Council only discussed those items for which it went into Closed Session: one item under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 1, a personnel matter concerning the early retirement program; and two items under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (A) 8, consultation with legal counsel concerning garage maintenance services and a UDAG loan application. Mr. Goodman made the certification motion, which was seconded by Mr. East and approved on the following roll call vote: Page 4 of 5/February 5, 2019 1 Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye Mayor Clark then called for a motion. Mr. Goodman moved that Council authorize the Town Manager to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Pulaski for vehicle and radio equipment maintenance and shared fueling, pending final review and corrections by the Town Attorney. The motion was seconded by Mr. East and approved on the following roll call vote: Lane R. Penn -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye Brooks R. Dawson -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye Gregory C. East -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye 15. Reminder of Future Council Meetings and Adjournment. Mayor Clark reminded Council of the work session on February 19th, the legislative meeting on March 5th and the first spring budget work session on March 12tH There being no further business, Mayor Clark then requested a motion to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. Clontz and approved by the unanimous voice v to of Council at 8:27 p.m. Appro David L. Cla Mayor ATTEST: zal-e�d' 4�z� David N. Quesenberry / Clerk of Council Page 5 of 5/February 5, 2019