City Council

TOWN OF ELIZABETHTOWN Regular Meeting March 6, 2023 The Elizabethtown Town Council met for its regular meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the Council Chamber. Those present were Mayor Sylvia Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, Council Members Paula Greene, Ricky Leinwand, Herman Lewis, Howell Clark Jr., Rich Glenn, Town Manager Dane Rideout and Town Attorney Goldston Womble. Department Heads in attendance included Police Chief Tony Parrish, Assistant Town Manager Pat DeVane, Planner Rusty Worley, Director of Communications & Marketing Terri Dennison, Public Service/Engineering Director Stephen Duffy, Town Clerk Juanita Hester and Fire Chief Hollis Freeman. Finance Director Sharon Penny was absent. Mayor Sylvia Campbell opened the meeting and called to order. Mayor Campbell welcomed Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Cadets. The presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance were given by Paul R. Bown Leadership Academy Cadets. Mayor Campbell then called upon Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd to give the invocation. Item #3.1: Approve Consent Agenda Items Upon a motion by Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Herman Lewis, the Board unanimously approved the following Consent Items as presented: A. Proposed Agenda, B. February 6, 2023 Noon Work Session Meeting Minutes, C. February 6, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes, D. February 6, 2023 Closed Session Minutes, E. Unpaid Tax Report – 2022 Liens on Real Property, F. Close Out Capital Project Funds for: #113 – LRCOG Asset Management Grant Project and #127 – Industrial Park Water & Sewer Extension Grant Project, G. Response to Auditor’s Findings, Recommendations And Fiscal Matters to LGC, H. Tax Releases, I. Recognition and Appreciation Resolutions for NCDOT Engineers Ken Clark (#R- 2023-04) and Drew Cox (#R-2023-05) and Town Employee Greg Taylor (#R-2023-06). Item #4.1: Special Recognitions Mayor Sylvia Campbell noted that Mr. Ken Clark, NCDOT Engineer has always been willing to work with the Town on important projects. Mr. Clark has worked with the Town and provided guidance on many projects. Mr. Clark has participated in the Street Improvement project and projects that have enhanced the Live, Work, Play project for the Town. The Town appreciates his guidance and support to the Town. Mayor Campbell noted that Mr. Drew Cox, NCDOT Engineer has participated in the Street Improvement project and provided guidance on contractors, materials and supplies. The Town appreciates his guidance on many projects. Mr. Clark and Mr. Cox were both presented with a Resolution to recognize and show the Town’s appreciation for their guidance and support on various projects. Mr. Greg Taylor, Facilities and Public Works Manager, was recognized for the Downtown Street lights upgrade and several electrical projects. Mayor Campbell presented Mr. Taylor with a Resolution of Appreciation. Item #5.1: Town Manager Update Assistant Town Manager Pat DeVane noted that Green Biz is replanting 4 trees downtown that died and leveling the sidewalks. Director of Communications and Marketing Terri Dennison noted the “Year of the Trail” Festival brought a lot of people in Town and the event will take place again next year on President’s weekend. There were 531 student racers, NICA appreciates what the Town does for them, the 250th Anniversary is entertaining and educational. Mrs. Dennison gave Town Council pamphlets with all the Town and Chamber events for the year. Item #6.1: Endorsement of Received Request to Name the New Cape Fear River Bridge Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, moved to Table the naming of the new Cape Fear River Bridge (Unanimous). Copy of Received Request attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #6.2: Approve of Board of Directors for the Elizabethtown Community Center Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Herman Lewis, moved to approve the Board of Directors for the Elizabethtown Community Center as presented (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #6.3: Bid Award for Demolition Services and Reconstruction of Two (2) Houses for the CDBG-NR Grant Project No. 19-C-3126 Assistant Town Manager Pat DeVane noted the bids were opened on March 2, 2023 for 708 S. Hill Street and 2407 W. Broad Street at 2:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Faith Home Improvements is the low bidder for both contracts. The Floyd Adams Company recommended awarding Reconstruction Contract 20-01 for 708 S. Hill Street to Faith Home Improvements at the bid price of $164,000.00. Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, moved to approve the bid award of $164,000.00 to Faith Home Improvements for Reconstruction Contract 20-01 located at 708 S. Hill Street (Unanimous). Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, moved to Table the bid award for Reconstruction Contract 20-02, 2407 W. Broad Street (Unanimous) based on recommendation from The Adams Company not to award Contract 20-02 due to budget issue. Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #6.4: Budget Amendment No. 2023-02 Council Member Herman Lewis, seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, moved to approve Budget Amendment No. 2023-02 (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item # 6.5: Monthly Financial Report Mayor Pro Tem Rufus Lloyd, seconded by Council Member Paula Greene, moved to approve the Monthly Financial Report (Unanimous). Copy attached and incorporated herein by reference. Item #7.1 “Briefly” Town Manager briefed on the following: Dixie Youth Opening Ceremony is April 15th at 10:30 a.m. at Leinwand Park. Groundbreaking for the Community Center in April. March birthdays – Town Clerk Juanita Hester, Public Service/Engineering Director Stephen Duffy and Fire Chief Hollis Freeman. Item #8.1: OPEN FORUM Mr. Andrew Robinson thanked Mayor Campbell, Ricky Leinwand and Howell Clark Jr. for allowing Thee Factory parking for the Masonic Lodge Christmas party. Mr. Robinson also asked the Town if he could use the Town’s lot near Thee Factory for parking. Item #9.1 CLOSED SESSION Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, moved to enter into Closed Session for the purpose of NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4) – Economic Development (Unanimous). RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION TO OPEN SESSION Council Member Howell Clark Jr., seconded by Council Member Rich Glenn, moved to leave Closed Session and return to Open Session (Unanimous). There was no action taken. With there being no further business to conduct, Council Member Howell Clark Jr, seconded by Council Member Herman Lewis, made a motion to adjourn the meeting (Unanimous). Sylvia Campbell, Mayor