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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins. 2/16/82 - 10/18/82The Council met in Financial and Planning Session on Monday, February 16, 1982, at 2:15 p.m., in the Civil Defense Room, first floor of the Municipal Building, with Mayor Noel C. Taylor presiding. Present: Council members Elizabeth T. Bowles (arrived at 3:45 p.m.), Wendell H. Butler, Robert A. Garland, James G. Harvey, II, Charles L. Landis, Hampton W. Thomas, and Mayor Noel C. Taylor. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: Mr. H. B. Ewert, City Manager; Mr. W. Robert Herbert, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Wilburn C. Dibling, Jr., City Attorney~ Mr. Joel M. Schlanger, Director of Finance; and Ms. Mary F. Parker, City Clerk. The Mayor presented a proclamation declaring the week of February 16, as Big Brothers/Sisters Appreciation Week in the City of Roanoke. The City Manager showed slides of the old post office building as presented to the members of the General Assembly when they visited in Roanoke in early January, 1982. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: POLICE DEPARTMENT: A communication from Ms. Ava Harman regarding crime and drugs in the City of Roanoke, was before Council. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Garland moved that the communication be referred to the City Manager. The motion was seconded by Dr. Butler and unanimously adopted. HOUSING: A communication from Mr. Herbert D. McBride, Executive Director, City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority, trans- mitting a check in the amount of $S9,191.23, representing payment in lieu of taxes for certain housing developments in the City of Roanoke, was before the body. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Garland moved that the communication be received and filed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harvey and adopted. CITY MANAGER: PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Nelson Jackson, Manager, Custodial Services, appeared before Council and presented a report on the custodial services program development. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) -2- Mr. Garland moved that the report be received and filed. was seconded by Dr. Butler and adopted. The motion BUDGET: Mr. Kit B. Kiser, Director of Utilities and Operations, appeared before Council and presented a report concerning the condi- tion of the Airport, Sewage and Water Enterprise Funds. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Thomas moved that the report be referred to 1982-83 budget study, with the request that the City Manager continue to work on the suggested five year capital improvement program, and to review the expense side of the Enterprise Funds to ascertain if there are any suggestions that could be made to Council for consideration during budget study. The motion was seconded by Mr. Landis and adopted. BUDGET: Mr. George C. Snead, Director of Administration and Public Safety, appeared before Council and presented a report concerning the condition of the Civic Center Enterprise Fund. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Garland moved that the report be received and filed. was seconded by Mr. Thomas and adopted. The motion At 3:30 p.m., the Mayor declared the meeting in recess. At 3:45 p.m., the meeting reconvened in the Civil Defense Room, with all members of the Council present, and Mayor Taylor presiding. At 3:45 p.m., Mrs. Bowles entered the meeting. FIRE DEPARTMENT: The City Manager submitted a written report recom- mending authorization to execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Smithey and Boynton, Architects and Engineers, for professional services for alterations and additions to Fire Station No. 3, and that funds be transferred in connection therewith. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Landis moved that Council concur in the recommendation and that the report be referred to the City Attorney for preparation of the proper measure. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously adopted. CITY ATTORNEY: LEGISLATION: The City Attorney submitted a written report relating to pending legislation. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. E. Cabell Brand, Chairman, Board of Directors of Total Action Against Poverty, appeared before Council and spoke in support of House Bill 466. -3- Mr. Landis moved that Council concur in the report of the City Attorney and receive and file same. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas and unanimously adopted. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE: BILLINGS AND COLLECTIONS: The Director of Finance submitted a written report transmitting statistics as related to the Billings and Collec- tions operations for the period of October through December, 1981. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Harvey moved that the report be received and filed. was seconded by Mr. Thomas and unanimously adopted. The motion FINANCIAL REPORT: The Director of Finance submitted the financial report for the month of January, 1982. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Thomas moved that the report be received and filed. was seconded by Mr. Garland and unanimously adopted. The motion CITY CLERK: SCHOOLS: The City Clerk submitted a written report requesting that certain dates be established in connection with the selection process for School Board Trustees. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The following dates were unanimously agreed upon: On March 15, 1982, at 4:00 p.m., Council will hold an informal meeting which shall be open to the public with all candidates for school trustee. On March 22, 1982, Council as a Committee of the Whole, will review and consider all candidates for the position of school trustee. On April 5, 1982, Council, by public vote, will select from the field of candidates, those candidates to be accorded the formal interview and all other candidates will be eliminated from the selection process. On April 15, 1982, at 7:00 p.m., Council will hold a meeting for the purpose of conducting a public interview of the remaining candidates for school trustee. On May 10, 1982, at 7:30 p.m., Council will hold an election to fill the vacancies on the School Board. SIGNS-ZONING: The Mayor requested that Council establish a public hearing on Monday, March 8, 1982, at 7:30 p.m., to hear testimony with regard to the proposed regulations governing signs in the City of Roanoke; whereupon, Mr. Landis moved that Council concur in the Mayor's request. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously adopted. -4- COUNCIL: The Mayor referred to a communication from Council member Harvey requesting an Executive Session to discuss a contractual matter; whereupon, Mr. Landis moved that Council concur in Mr. Harvey's request for an Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Dr. Butler and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council members Bowles, Butler, Garland, Harvey, Landis, Thomas and Mayor Taylor ...................................................... 7. NAYS: None ........................................................... 0. MUNICIPAL AUDITOR: NONE. DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION: NONE. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: NONE. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NONE. OTHER BUSINESS: NONE. There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting~ adjourned at 5:15 p.m. ~/J~ ~ity Clerk NOTE: Cassette tapes will be kept on file in the City Clerk's Office for a period of one year from the date of these minutes. COUNCIL, FINANCIAL AND PLANNING SESSION Monday, October 18, 1982 The October Financial and Planning Session was called to order on Monday, October 18, 1982, at 2:00 p.m., in the Civil Defense Room of the Municipal Building, with Mayor Noel C. Taylor presiding. PRESENT: Council members Wendell H. Butler, Robert A. Garland, James G. Harvey, II, Howard E. Musser, James O. Trout and Mayor Noel C. Taylor .......... 6. ABSENT: Council member Elizabeth T. Bowles 1. OFFICERS PRESENT: Mr. H. B. Ewert, City Manager; Mr. W. Robert Herbert, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Joel M. Schlanger, Director of Finance; Mr. Wilburn C. Dibling, Jr., City Attorney; and Ms. Mary F. Parker, City Clerk. The invocation was delivered by Mayor Taylor. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: COMMITTEES: The Mayor previously forwarded a communication to Council advising that as a result of recent discussions pertaining to the appointment of individuals to serve on the various authorities, boards, commissions, and committees of the City of Roanoke, he would like to suggest that Council use a portion of the time during the first Financial and Planning Session in the fall season to discuss the various areas of concern regarding appointments that are made by City Council, which may include the method of selecting persons for specific assignments, tenure, size of committee, etc. He requested that each member of Council present their areas of concern and any suggestions that may result in a more effective method of dealing with appointments. The Mayor opened the floor for discussion by the members of Council. -2- Mr. Musser presented written material with regard to the geographi- cal distribution of authorities, boards, commissions and committees and expressed concern that a disproportionate number of persons from certain areas of the City are being represented on the various committees. He said Council should endeavor to fill vacancies as they become available based on appropriate census breakdown. In further dialogue, Mr. Musser said that Council should make neighborhood organizations aware of vacancies, provide them with information as to the duties and responsibilities of each committee, and allow them to submit recommenda- tions or encourage persons in their neighborhoods to submit applications for filling vacancies; that membership should be limited to Roanoke City residents; and there should be a limitation on the years of service to two consecutive terms of office. Mr. Garland stated that he is opposed to limiting the number of terms, noting that if this restriction is imposed, the expertise of a number of qualified and experienced people will be lost; that Council has always had the prerogative to reappoint or not to reappoint a person depending upon whether or not that person is doing a good job. He said whenever possible, Council has always endeavored to appoint Roanoke City residents; however, there are instances where committee members have moved outside the City limits after being appointed to a committee, and oftentimes these people have as much interest in the City as City residents because of business interests and therefore, a certain amount of flexibility is needed insofar as residency is concerned. Mr. Harvey said there should be a limitation on the years of service; that Council should re-emphasis the importance of committee members attending meetings; and Council should review the geographical representation on the committees. He said he also agrees with Mr. Musser that Council should encourage input from the neighborhood organizations with regard to filling of vacancies. -3- Mr. Trout said that Council should review the geographical representa- tion; and membership should be limited to Roanoke City residents. He too, agreed that Council should review the geographical representation on its committees. Dr. Butler said there should be a limitation on the number of consecutive terms of office a member may serve; viz: committees with three year terms of office and below could serve three consecutive three year terms, and committees with four year terms of office and above could serve two consecutive four year terms of office. He agreed that appointments, whenever possible, should be limited to Roanoke City residents; and he favors having neighborhood input into committee appointments, however, this offers concern because if a candidate from a certain neighborhood is not appointed, Council may be asked to justify why that individual was not appointed. On behalf of Mrs. Bowles, Mayor Taylor advised that she had telephoned him and expressed the opinion that all committees should be composed of Roanoke City residents, with the exception of regional committees; that committee members should be permitted to serve a minimum of two terms and the size of the committees should be optional. She feels that a brief report should be submitted to Council at the end of each year summarizing the work of the committee for that year; and the process of filling vacancies, by the Mayor assigning the vacant positions to the members of Council, should continue. Mayor Taylor advised that all of the suggestions of Council members should be placed in writing in order that Council may decide upon such matters as residency status, number of terms to be served, size of committees, etc.; and an annual report should be filed with the City Clerk by each committee at the end of each year. He expressed -4- concern about neighborhood organizations submitting recommendations for filling vacancies and advised that he hopes Council will not be guilty of eventually making the neighborhood groups political organizations. Mr. Trout moved that the City Clerk be requested to place in writing the remarks of the individual Council members and that the matter be further discussed at the November Financial and Planning Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Musser and adopted. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: NONE. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: CITY MANAGER: MISCELLANEOUS: The City Manager having previously placed a report on the agenda reserving space for a report with regard to photocopying expenses charged by the City, the Assistant City Manager requested that he be permitted to present the report to Council at its regular meeting on Monday, November 1, 1982. Mr. Trout moved that the request be granted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Musser and adopted. PUBLIC WORKS: The City Manager submitted a written report concurring in a report of the Bid Committee recommending that the lowest responsible bid of International Salt Company, to furnish 888 tons of rock salt to the City, for the total amount of $32,980.32, be accepted. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Garland moved that Council concur in the recommendation and that the report be referred to the City Attorney for preparation of the proper measure. The motion was seconded by Dr. Butler and adopted. CITY ATTORNEY: NONE. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE: DIRECTOR OF FINANCE-BILLINGS AND COLLECTIONS: The Director of -5- Finance presented a statistical report from Billings and Collections for the period July through September, 1982. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Trout moved that the report be received and filed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Musser and adopted. AUDITS: The Director of Finance submitted the financial report for the month of September, 1982. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Musser moved that the report be received and filed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garland and adopted. CITY CLERK: NONE. MUNICIPAL AUDITOR: NONE. DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION: NONE. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: A report of the Advisory Board of Human Resources requesting that the City Code be amended to delete the reference that Board nominees cannot work for the City, was before Council. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Mr. Harvey moved that Council concur in the request and that the report be referred to the City Attorney for preparation of the proper measure. The motion was seconded by Mr. Trout and adopted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. OTHER BUSINESS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: Council member Harvey advised that there are more vacancies in the Fire Department at this time than at any other time in recent years. He expressed concern about the length of time it is taking to fill the vacancies and that fire trucks are under- manned due to the vacancies. He also expressed concern that there are -6- employees who are being asked to perform jobs that are a level above what they were hired to do and they are not being properly compensated for the extra duties and responsibilities. Mr. Harvey moved that the City Manager be requested to submit a report to Council in response to his questions and concerns. The motion was seconded by Mr. Musser and adopted. There being no further business, the Mayor declared the Financial and Planning Session adjourned at 2:45 p.m. NOTE: Cassette tape will be kept on file in the City Clerk's Office for a period of one year from the date of these minutes.