Board of Commissioners

TOWN OF BURGAW BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING DATE: October 22, 2018 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: Burgaw Municipal Building BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kenneth Cowan Commissioners Present: Wilfred Robbins, Jan Dawson, Bill George, and James Murphy Commissioner Absent: Vernon Harrell STAFF PRESENT: Joseph Pierce, Town Manager Kristin J. Wells, Town Clerk Louis Hesse, Building Code Administrator Zachary Rivenbark, Town Attorney OTHERS PRESENT: Everett Durham INVOCATION: Commissioner George PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth Cowan at 6:00 PM. Mayor Cowan stated the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the disposal of town property. Mr. Durham was present and stated he has submitted an offer to purchase the former Bank of America building that is currently owned by the town. He stated he has a very good need for the building and would like to relocate his business to this building. Commissioner Robbins commented the board previously discussed the safety of the traffic pattern and plans to close the driveway closest to the corner of Fremont Street and Wright Street. Commissioner Dawson commented this would also be in effort to save the tree that is located near the driveway. Mr. Durham advised he would be glad to let the town curb and gutter the driveway. He also commented he has no intentions to remove any trees that are healthy. Commissioner Dawson asked Mr. Durham if he plans to upgrade the exterior of the building. Mr. Durham advised he does not have a set plan at the moment, but does plan to do interior and exterior upgrades. CLOSED SESSION 6:06 PM Commissioner Robbins made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to attorney/client privilege. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dawson. Motion carried. OPEN SESSION RECONVENED 6:30 PM Commissioner Robbins made a motion to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dawson. Motion carried. Commissioner Robbins made a motion to accept the offer submitted by Everett Durham in the amount of $150,000 to dispose of the former Bank of America building (see attached offer letter from Mr. Durham). The motion was seconded by Commissioner George and carried by unanimous vote. Attorney Rivenbark reviewed the upset bid process and advised he would be in contact with the Ms. Wells in regards to posting the upset bid notice. He opened an envelope handed to him prior to the meeting by Mr. Durham, which contained a deposit check in the amount of $15,000. He advised the deposit check will be placed in his trust account and held until the bidding process is complete. Attorney Rivenbark advised he will send a letter to Mr. Durham stating the town has accepted his offer with the conditions of leaving the tree if at all possible and the town closing the driveway closest to the intersection. Commissioner Dawson asked about the status of the laundry mat building on Wright Street. Mr. Hesse advised he received the asbestos survey back and is currently working on abatement because the original roof is full of asbestos. Adjournment 6:39 PM There being no further discussion, Commissioner Dawson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner George. Motion carried. Signed: __________________________________________ Kenneth T. Cowan, Mayor Attest: _________________________________ Kristin J. Wells, Town Clerk