City Council

TOWN OF ELIZABETHTOWN Regular Meeting-Virtual February 7, 2022 The Elizabethtown Town Council met for its regular meeting on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Those present were Mayor Sylvia Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd (Municipal Building), Council Members Rich Glenn, Howell Clark Jr., Herman Lewis, Ricky Leinwand (Municipal Building), Paula Greene, Town Manager Dane Rideout and Town Attorney Goldston Womble. Department Heads in attendance included Finance Director Sharon Penny, Police Chief Tony Parrish, Deputy Public Services Director Hugh Bledsoe, Town Clerk Juanita Hester, Director of Communications and Marketing Terri Dennison, Public Services/Engineering Services Director Stephen Duffy, Town Planner Rusty Worley and Fire Chief Hollis Freeman. Representative from the press joining by Zoom included Joy Warren. Mayor Sylvia Campbell opened the meeting and did roll call and then called upon Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd to give the invocation. Item #2.1: Approval of Agenda/Previous Minutes Approval A motion was made by Council Member Herman Lewis, seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, to approve the Agenda (Unanimous). Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Paula Greene, made a motion to approve January 10, 2022 Rescheduled Meeting Minutes as presented (Unanimous). Item #3.1: Audit Report for FY Ending 6/30/2021 Mr. Byron Scott, CPA, with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Company, P.A presented the Financial Summary Required Auditor Communications and LGC Financial Indicators for FY ending 6/30/2021. Mr. Scott noted that the audit is in review by the Local Government Commission. General Fund is down, revenue down, increase in valuation, $5.2 million in expenditures due to 2021 FEMA projects, deficiency $374,993 for 2021, $2.6 million fund balance, available fund balance to expenditures 12.90% (Auditor noted error in printed summary), 77% state average, water & sewer increase $2.5 million, expenditures increased $2,090,023, fund balance $15,882,153, ad valorem up $282,616,585, collection rate 97.07% up from last year, little lower than state average, motor vehicle 100%, didn’t have to modify the books, accounting policy is reasonable and no change. Fund Balance 2021-2022 Covid money to build fund balance, no findings, no deficiency, prior period cemetery adjustment and FEMA project to change to capital project. Mr. Scott noted that Council will get a complete copy of the Audit Report when the Local Government Commission approves it. Item #3.2: Town Manager Update Town Manager Dane Rideout noted that the Engineering survey for Live, Work & Play has been completed for water, sewer and roads, Golden Leaf grant Live, Work & Play for water & sewer is a $2 million project, 57 miles of sewer & water, upgrading water/sewer across Town. It is a $157,000 grant started by Mr. Eddie Madden. Shout out to the Fire Department for doing an awesome job at Hester’s Trucking. Fireman Alston Freeman received burns, he is doing fine, going to the burn center. Police Department responded in minutes to the bank robbery at First Citizens. March 15th Budget Retreat. Mayor Campbell asked when will the bridge close for repairs? Town Manager noted it may be in the next 60-90 days, trying to do the repairs at night, working with the County and White Lake. Assistant Town Manager Pat DeVane noted that the Cemetery Project is proceeding nicely, curbing on Queen Street, northeast corner of the library curb and sidewalk work, headstones returned and project scheduled to close this month. Item #4.1: Audit Report for FY Ending 6/30/2021 Council Member Paula Greene, seconded by Council Member Ricky Leinwand, made a motion to approve the Audit Report FY Ending 6/30/21 (Unanimous). Copy of Financial Summary attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #4.2: Unpaid Tax Report 2012-2021 Liens on Real Property Council Member Rich Glenn, seconded by Council Member Herman Lewis, moved to approve the Unpaid Tax Report 2012-2021 Liens on Real Property (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Council Member Ricky Leinwand asked if the 2021 tax amount high or low for this time of the year? Certified Tax Collector Beverly Robinson noted that it is down about $45,000.00 from last year. Item #4.3: Master Services Agreement – Helios Energy, LLC Town Manager Dane Rideout noted that the company is out of Tennessee and has partnered with Isomer. They focus on energy and LED streetlights. Minor changes have been made to the Agreement and Town Attorney Goldston Womble has looked over the agreement. Council Member Rich Glenn, seconded by Council Member Ricky Leinwand, moved to approve Master Services Agreement – Helios Energy, LLC (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #4.4: Approval Request for Town Manager to Attend the 2022 ICMA Regional Conference Council Member Herman Lewis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, moved to approve the approval request for Town Manager to attend the 2022 ICMA Regional Conference (Unanimous). Item #4.5: Elizabethtown Airport/Economic Development Commission Appointments Council Member Ricky Leinwand, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, made a motion to appoint Mr. Robert Summerlin to serve on the Airport Board (Unanimous). Mr. Summerlin’s appointment will fill an unexpired term of office until 6/30/2024. Item #4.6: Monthly Financial Report Finance Director Sharon Penny noted that the Town has been notified by FEMA to expect a final closeout check for Elizabeth Street project and the cemetery project is still open. Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, moved to approve the Monthly Financial Report (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #4.7: Professional Services Contract for the Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Field (EYF) – Airport Master Plan Update Town Manager Dane Rideout noted that W. K. Dickson is providing the services to update the Airport Master Plan which is an FAA equipment. It will include Airfield Inventory. The cost is $330,819 with a 10% match of $33,000 (90% Federal funding). Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Paula Greene, moved to approve the Professional Services Contract for the Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Field (EYF) - Airport Master Plan Update (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #5.1: “Briefly” Town Manager Dane Rideout briefed on the following: The Department Head Update Report is a benefit. Staff doing a phenomenal job. Director of Communications & Marketing Terri Dennison doing a great job at the Chamber. Director of Communications & Marketing Terri Dennison & Certified Tax Collector Beverly Robinson are working on an event calendar. Support from citizens for the 250th Town of Elizabethtown Anniversary. Item # 6.1: Open Forum There were no written comments received from the public. Mayor Campbell noted that Tipsy Toad Gift Shop and Gallery ribbon cutting is February 11th at 11:00 a.m. and Above & Beyond Spa on February 14th. Council Member Paula Greene noted that her minister from church has heaters for the needy. Council Member Rich Glenn noted that citizens have concerns about trucks on Broad Street and U-Turns. Chief Parrish noted that there is one sign by Johnson Law Firm, no U-Turn signs downtown, checked data on collisions from 5 years ago - only one ticket, most trucks are delivering goods on Broad Street. With there being no further business to conduct, Council Member Herman Lewis, seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, made a motion to adjourn the meeting (Unanimous). Sylvia Campbell, Mayor