HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/06154
NOVEMBER 21, 2006
At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Tuesday, November 21,
2006, at 5:00 p.m., Mayor Paxton presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk,
the following answered to their names: Commissioners Coleman, Sirk, Smith and Mayor
Paxton (4). Commissioner Guess was absent (1).
WORKSHOP
911 BRIEFING
Jamey Spears, Director of 911, updated the Commission as to what is going on at 911.
• The rebanding of the 800 MHz system, is the result of FCC selling frequencies to cell
phone companies which used to be used for public safety. We will have to change
some of our frequencies. The phone company has to hold us harmless. We will get
reimbursed for the cost of reprogramming our existing equipment and we are still
pursuing getting phone company to pay for new equipment.
• Equipment upgrades — All equipment such as the radios, telephone system, 800MHz
infrastructure, are ready for replacement. This equipment was installed in late
1992/early 1993. Motorola will no longer service our phone equipment these pieces
of equipment after December 31, 2006 or our radio equipment after December 31,
2007.
Contract has been let and we are in the process of replacing our phone equipment
using a state appropriation to supplement City/County funds
• We have hired a radio consultant to look at the current radio equipment and advise us
what to buy and how to integrate the City's 800 MHz system with the back-up system
the County has been developing.
INSURANCE UPDATE — WORKER'S COMPENSATION FORECAST
Cindy Medford, Risk Manager
The City paid over $300,000 in the last several years in premiums. In 2006, the City took
a big hit and paid a little over $450,000. The projected cost for FY 2007 is
approximately $450,000+. This reflects the $5,000 deductible the city has implemented.
In FY 2008 the projected cost for premiums is projected to decrease to $350,000+. This
amounts to a savings of $95,000. The premium forecast is dependant upon the KLC
audit, payroll changes, and KLC rates.
SOLID WASTE INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
Chris Yarber of the Public Works Department requested a rate increase in fees charged
for solid waste pickup. In the last 15 years fees have only increased $1.00. This rate
increase was implemented because of a state mandated surcharge on tipping fees. Due to
refuse operating costs increasing since 2000, the Public Works Department is requesting
a rate increase of 3.4%. This would increase the basic residential rate $.47 from $13.85
to $14.32. Commercial rates increases would range from one to three dollars. That
increase depends on the size of the dumpster.
Commission agreed by consensus for the rate increase to be implemented.
BRIEFING ON SUN SETTING OF ENTERPRISE ZONE BENEFITS
Tom Barnett, Planning Director, informed the Commission that the expiration date for the
enterprise zone benefits is December 31, 2006. He introduced Nancy Upchurch of the
Planning Department. Ms. Upchurch explained the benefits that the City and businesses
have seen since the enterprise zone was implemented. Since 1986 when the enterprise
zone was established, 333 businesses have participated with a capital investment of
approximately $107.7 million.
DISCUSSION OF SIGN ORDINANCE ISSUES
Steve Ervin and Tom Barnett discussed changes for electronic signs. Businesses are
requesting that signs be allowed to change less than a minute (current ordinance sets 1
minute). Planning Commission has denied less than a minute change.
Louis Michelson, Michelson Jewelers, distributed a handout giving the Commission
information about the electronic message centers. (A copy is in the minute file.) He
would like to see the ordinance be changed to less than 10 seconds.
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NOVEMBER 21, 2006
Steve Lawrence of Lamar Advertising showed a presentation about digital billboards. He
would like for the ordinance to be changed and allow digital billboards to change every 8
seconds. He also provided information to the Commission from a study prepared from
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
The Commission asked the Planning Department to redraft the ordinance for signs and
bring something for discussion after the beginning of the new year --possibly more
leniency in the HBD district but more strict in the downtown and residential areas.
CAR LOT SIGNAGE
Angie Norris, owner of Red Carpet Auto Sales, asked the Commission to reconsider the
use of flags over 12 square feet. She wants to use flags or banners for decorations on
used car lots. Ms. Norris had placed flags on her parking lot and was told by the
Inspection Department that she was in non-compliance of the banner ordinance. Her
banner/flag exceeded 12 square feet.
The Commission asked the Planning Department to consider this change and come back
later with recommendations.
Upon motion the meeting adjourned.
ADOPTED: December 12 , 2006