Board of Commissioners

Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting Minutes Book - Page Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting May 18, 2021 John W. Byrne, Mayor J. Blake Massengill, Mayor Pro Tempore The Regular Meeting of the Fuquay-Varina Town William H. Harris, Jason O. Wunsch, Marilyn B. Gardner and Larry W. Smith, Town Board Members Board scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 7:00 Adam G. Mitchell, Town Manager Mark D. Matthews, Assistant Town Manager p.m. was held at the Fuquay-Varina Town Hall, 134 N James (Jim) E. Seymour, Assistant Town Manager Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC. Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk James S. Adcock, III, Town Attorney In attendance were Mayor John W. Byrne, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Massengill, Marilyn Gardner, and Larry Smith. Also in attendance were Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Information Technology Director Scott Clark, Assistant Mark Matthews, Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour, Town Clerk Rose Rich, and Town Attorney James Adcock. Commissioner Harris and Commissioner Wunsch (birth of child) were absent. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Commissioner Larry Smith provided the invocation and Commissioner Marilyn Gardner led the Pledge of Allegiance. VIRTUAL MEETING PROTOCOL Town Manager Mitchell stated that all attendees that have joined the meeting have joined muted. There is a public comment period near the beginning of the meeting and there are no public hearings. The time to address the town board on any matter that is not the subject of a scheduled public hearing is during the public comment section of the Town Board meeting agenda. If the public wishes to address the Town Board during the public comment period, they will need to notify the Town host that they wish to speak. Town Manager Mitchell then reviewed procedure for how the public should notify the Town Host that they wish to address the Town Board via the Zoom platform. He stated that all those wishing to address the Town Board should begin their comments by clearly stating their name and address for the public record. The public is asked to keep all comments to three minutes so that all that wish to speak can be heard in a timely manner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3A The May 3, 2021 minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Board of Commissioners. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (3-0) PRESENTATIONS 4A Update - UNC Health REX Hospital - Holly Springs Purpose – To hear a presentation from Roy Tempke, Vice President and COO UNC REX Holly Springs regarding the status of construction for the new UNC Health REX Holly Springs Hospital. Mr. Roy Tempke, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of UNC Health Rex Hospital stated that he is very pleased to report that the UNC Health Rex Hospital at Holly Springs is on schedule to open on time September 20, 2021, and under budget. The new hospital facility in Holly Springs is a 240,000 square foot facility that was built at a cost of $170 million, with 50 beds at opening, 24 emergency room bays, 3 operating rooms, and 1 procedure room. It is expected that there will be a lot of orthopedic and general surgeries, and a lot of births, with 87 births already scheduled from September through December 2021. Mr. Tempke referred to the slide show, showing the exterior and interior of the new facility and he stated that there will be a food pantry in this building to assist with patients who are in need. The facility will have the use of a mobile MRI machine and hopefully the State of North Carolina will soon permit the use of a permanent MRI machine at the facility. He stated that the 7th floor will have an additional 24 beds, when needed, that will initially be used for outpatient beds and in time they will convert to in-patient beds. He also stated that the facility has a helipad and will have the ability to transport patients by helicopter to UNC-Chapel Hill or to UNC-Rex Hospital – Raleigh. There will be an advance life support truck on the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by a paramedic, a nurse, and a technician. Every room will have the ability to do telemedicine, and robots will be used to assist with cardiac monitoring and obtaining vital signs. He stated that their goal at UNC Rex Healthcare at Holly Springs is to keep as many patients in the building for treatment as possible, not just to transfer them to other facilities. The hospital will provide 400 jobs for the community that will increase as the hospital begins to grow and expand. Mr.  Tempke urged the Town Board to mark their calendars for opening activities around September 14, 2021. Mayor Byrne expressed his excitement about the new hospital facility, and he stated that the UNC- Rex Healthcare at Holly Springs will offer quicker service to the citizens of Fuquay-Varina, and he appreciates the efforts to bring this facility to this area. Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill, Commissioner Gardner and Commissioner Smith also expressed their excitement about the new hospital facility. NW Judd Parkway Grand Opening Video Purpose – To view a brief video produced from the NW Judd Parkway Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Town Manager Mitchell presented a brief video produced from the NW Judd Parkway Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that was held on May 7, 2021. The Town Board of Commissioners were joined in this momentous occasion by U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, NC Secretary of Transportation J. Eric Boyette, NC Senator Sydney Batch, NC Representative Erin Paré, CAMPO Chairman and Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson, and Hank Butts, Vice President of S.T. Wooten Construction. The opening of the NW Judd Parkway completes the 1970’s vision of building a loop around Fuquay-Varina. The 7-mile loop improves traffic flow and commuter times for residents and regional commuters from Southern Wake and bordering counties. Town Manager Mitchell thanked Arts Center Director Maureen Daly and her staff for hosting the event at the Arts Center due to inclement weather on the day of the NW Judd Parkway opening. PUBLIC COMMENTS 5A Bridget Falco, 2004 Rockwall Farms, Chair of the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association, stated that the Association is very grateful for the public-private partnership with the Town of Fuquay-Varina. She stated that in 2021, the Association modified their focus to a smaller number of large events and increased activities with the goal of bringing larger groups of individuals and families into both downtown districts monthly. One of the Association’s goals has been the closure of Depot Street for use as a green space, or side street “pocket park”. The Pocket Park would be designed to bring people together for casual dining, enjoying treats from our various businesses, creating work, and visiting space, an event site, and community gathering space. The Association hopes for major renovation funding of Depot Street in the future, but in the meantime, they would like to propose interim usage of Depot Street. The proposed changes would largely be cosmetic in nature to support the urban lifestyle coming to downtown. Most of what is being proposed has already been researched and priced. The Depot Street design from Main Street to the Parking lot would include tables with umbrellas, seating, small and large planters with beautiful easy-care plants and flowers, as well as art from local artist. The design would also include collapsible partitions at the ingress and egress of the designated area for easy access in case of an emergency. They are requesting that the Town close Depot Street seven days per week so people can get into the habit of coming downtown and enjoying the beautiful space. They are also asking the Town to help small businesses find a solution to the trash and parking issues in this area. Amy Rogers, 206 Asher Springs Circle, who serves on the Economic Vitality Committee for the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association, spoke to the need for a Depot Street gathering space from an economic benefit to the surrounding businesses. Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill and Commissioner Gardner agreed that the Town should help with an interim solution to provide a gathering space on Depot Street. Town Manager Mitchell stated that staff is working to identify interim and long-term solutions, as well as identifying funding of the Depot Street project, but cautioned that there are a number of considerations to be made before just closing down the street, particularly related to public safety and legal access for certain properties that front Depot Street. Adam Bensley, 1152 Dexter Ridge Drive, asked for a cultural assessment of the entire Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the reinstatement of the Public Safety Committee to lead an effort to have dialogue with the community. He stated that he was aware of what is happening with the Fuquay- Varina Community Alliance group, but he is still requesting a cultural assessment and reinstatement of the Public Safety Committee. Elizabeth Parent, 8620 Jordan Meadow Drive, stated that she has seen since mid-January, the lack of transparency, lack of appropriate action, dismissive language and prioritizing and cherry-picking voices in the community as it relates to the community’s relationship with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department. She stated that she was unable to find any formal documentation of the Fuquay-Varina Community Alliance group. She stated that she spoke to a group that were gathered outside Town Hall that was organized by the name of Impact Fuquay-Varina, that was formed June 6, 2020. They are a sister organization of Impact Holly Springs. She stated that she would like to know who these people are in the Fuquay-Varina Community Alliance group because she was not able to find any information on them.  Robert Waldrop, a new resident of Fuquay-Varina (no address given) stated that this was his first Town Board meeting, and he is really impressed with the Town. He thanked the Town Board for their work, and he looks forward to being part of the Town as it continues to grow and thrive. ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED 6A There were no items previously tabled for the May 18, 2021 Town Board meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7A There were no public hearings scheduled for the May 18, 2021 Town Board meeting. CONSENT AGENDA 8A Voluntary Annexation Petition - Richer and Richere V. Levert, 6321 Johnson Pond Road - PIN 0677277435- ANX-2021-04 Purpose – To consider the adoption of a resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate an annexation petition and to adopt a resolution setting a public hearing for June 7, 2021, following the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Richer and Richere V. Levert, containing approximately 13.921 acres. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate the voluntary annexation petition, and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for a voluntary annexation petition on June 7, 2021, for property owned by Richer and Richere V. Levert - ANX-2021-04 as presented and recommended. Resolution No. 21-1702 Resolution No. 21-1703 8B Special Event and Amplified Sound Permit Request - Little Portugal's 1-Year Anniversary and Appliance Rehab and Rescue Wood Rehab Grand Opening Events Purpose – To consider approval of a special event and amplified sound permit for the Little Portugal 1-Year Anniversary Event and the Appliance Rehab and Rescue Wood Rehab Grand Opening scheduled for June 12, 2021.  Recommendation – Approve the special event and amplified sound permit for the Little Portugal's 1- Year Anniversary and the Appliance Rehab and Rescue Wood Rehab Grand Opening Events scheduled for June 12, 2021, as presented, and recommended. 8C 457 Defined Contribution Program - Town Retirement Plan Benefits Purpose – To consider adding the 457 Defined Contribution to the Town's retirement plan offerings. Recommendation – Approve a resolution adding a 457 Defined Contribution program to the Town's retirement plan benefits. Resolution No. 21-1704 A motion was made to approve all items (8A – 8C) on the Consent Agenda. MOTION Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Smith MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (3-0) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT 9A There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 10A Irrigation Water Service Fee - FY 21 Fee Schedule Amendment Purpose – To recommend an amendment to the Town's Fee Schedule that increases the Town's Irrigation Water Service Fee from $470.00 to $650.00. Staff Comments – Town Manager Mitchell entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. He then provided information about the agenda item by making the following remarks. The Town's Public Utility Department installs irrigation service taps for existing homes upon receipt of irrigation application and payment of applicable fees. On average, the Town is asked to install 30 irrigation water services per year and only for single-family residential homes. There is a fee for non- residential water irrigation services. The Town does not install non-residential irrigation water  services, and the $470.00 non-residential water irrigation service fee covers the cost of inspecting the irrigation service installation regardless of size of service. In the Town's FY 2020-2021 Fee Schedule, the current cost (labor and materials) for the Town to install residential irrigation water services is $470.00. Town staff's recommendation to increase the residential Irrigation Water Services fee from $470.00 to $650.00 is based on the increasing cost of materials driven by market demand. Staff is not recommending an increase to the non-residential water irrigation service fee of $470.00 as this is an inspection fee only. Commercial developers and home builders provide and install their materials for water services, so staff's recommendation to increase the Town's residential Irrigation Water Service fee from $470.00 to $650.00 would not directly impact the development and home builder community. Town Management and staff recommend an amendment to the FY 2020-2021 Fee Schedule that increases the Town-provided residential Irrigation Water Services fee from $470.00 to $650.00. The Town's current residential Irrigation Water Service Fee is $470.00. Given the increasing cost of irrigation tap and meter materials, Town Management and staff recommend increasing this fee to $650.00 in response to increased market prices for water irrigation materials. Discussion – Commissioner Smith asked how long this fee been $470.00. Town Manager Mitchell stated that the irrigation water service fee has been this amount for approximately ten years. Mayor Byrne asked if the increased fee amount of $650.00 would be enough. Town Manager Mitchell stated that it is enough for now, but if the market demand continues to rise and the costs of materials continues to increase, he may be making another recommendation in the future. Recommendation – Approve the FY 21 Irrigation Water Service Fee Schedule Amendment and associated resolution as presented and recommended. MOTION: Commissioner Smith SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (3-0) Resolution No. 21-1705 OTHER BUSINESS 11A Town Manager’s Report Finance Department: The Finance Department is currently evaluating proposals for refinancing of public utilities current debt financings, with the greatest opportunity for savings. Management and staff anticipate recommending the best long term financial terms for the Town at the first meeting in June. There appears to be a potential to save about $1 million dollars over the life of the loans with this refinancing. The FEMA reimbursement has been approved and obligated for 100% reimbursement of the $5,815 of eligible COVID response expenses that were not covered by the Cares Act funding or Wake County. Finance Director JoAnne Crabtree has registered the Town in the North Carolina portal to receive the first half of the American Rescue Plan funding within 30 days of remittance to the state of North Carolina. IT Department: The IT Department has recently completed workstation upgrades and is working on scheduling setup and establishing a project schedule for implementation of the CityWorks work order management system. The IT Department will also be conducting training on a new software program, BlueBeam, that will allow our staff to facilitate electronic plan review. Public Works: The Public Works Department is working with NCDOT to address a backlog of maintenance issues that have resulted from a funding freeze and historic rainfall. Holland and N. Holland roads are back on the FY 22 NCDOT resurfacing contracts. Sanitation accounts are being added and garbage and recycle carts are being delivered at a record rate. Parks & Recreation Department: The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department will be wrapping up the Spring Youth Athletic season. Demolition and renovation recently began at the Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve clubhouse. The second Music on Main Concert is being planned for June 3 at 6:30 p.m., and with the recent loosening of COVID mandates, we do not expect, at this time, to require ticketed pre-registration for this event. The department will be sending out Celebrate Fuquay-Varina sponsorship information next week, and staff is continuing to plan for the July 3rd Independence Day Celebration and the annual Ice Cream Social in July.  The Splashpad is on track to open by Memorial Day weekend. Arts Center: The department has begun their summer classes and rental activities are increasing. Dance recitals will also keep the theater active through the second week of June. Engineering Department: The Engineering Department partnered with the HR Department and our Employee Engagement Team to organize an employee engagement event on May 14, this past Friday, to perform outreach in the community. Over 100 Town employees from all departments picked up trash along several roadways, and in one Town park, in an effort to raise awareness about litter in our community. Almost 100 large trash bags were picked up by our employees. Public Utilities Department: Patrick Walsh will begin his new position as the Town’s Water Resources Technician, who will be responsible for maintenance of advanced metering infrastructure, the water cross connection program, the sewer fats, oil and grease program, and the water quality monitoring and reporting. Public Utilities staff is working with Amazing Studios to produce a series of educational videos about the department. 11. B Financial Quarterly Report - 3rd Quarter FY 2021 11. C Proclamation - National Public Works Week - May 16-22, 2021 11. D North Harnett Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Reconciliation 11. E Wake County COVID-19 Testing Site - Fleming Loop Park - May 20-23, 2021 - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm 11.F Cops on Top Special Olympics Fundraiser - Saturday, May 22, 2021 - 9:00 am -2:00 pm - Dunkin Donuts - 1450 N. Main Street 11.G Law Enforcement Torch Run - Special Olympics - Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - 9:00 - 11:00 am - Sheetz at NC 55 / Old Powell Road to Fuquay-Varina Town Hall, 134 N. Main Street 11.H Coffee with a Cop - BoJangles - 1400 N. Main Street - June 8, 2021 - 9:00 - 10:30 am 11.I Town Code Amendment - Town of Fuquay-Varina - North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D - CTA-2021-02 - (Mitchell/Seymour/Davison) - FIRST READING Town Manager Mitchell responded to comments made by Ms. Elizabeth Parent as she referred to the Fuquay-Varina Community Alliance as a group that was “cherry picked” by the Town. He stated that when Mrs. Parent contacted him last week, he informed her that the Fuquay-Varina Community Alliance was not a Town committee, but in fact they were a group of community members that formed to discuss issues of concern, and he was happy to provide her information to this group so that if they wish to reach out to her and include her, they could do so. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill reported that last week he spoke to the Youth Leadership graduating class at Fuquay-Varina High School. He recognized their teacher Dr. Emily Jesse, for doing such a great job in the last four years teaching this program. Commissioner Smith commended Town employees for their volunteer work removing liter from the roadsides in Town. He then referred to the National Public Works Week proclamation that the Mayor recently signed, and he stated that those employees always do a great job, in such a friendly manner. Commissioner Harris – Absent Commissioner Wunsch – Absent Commissioner Gardner reported that the Garden Club had their annual tour this past weekend and she stated that one of the participants that lives in the Crooked Creek area was very complimentary of the Town’s work on establishing the park and the staff that take care of the park at Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve. Commissioner Gardner also referred to comments made by Bridget Falco during the Public Comments portion of the meeting and stated that the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association is hoping to assist businesses in the downtown area by their request for some type of interim solution for Depot Street as a gathering space, until the Town can afford to make other improvements. She also commended Arts Director Maureen and her staff for hosting the NW Judd Parkway opening ceremony at the Arts Center. Mayor Byrne – Reported that he also attended the Garden Club tour and was delighted to see the garden of Jerry O’Connell who is an employee in the Parks department. He then reviewed other meetings that he attended in the previous week as well as upcoming events as follows:  Past Events 5/7 – Ribbon Cutting NW Judd Parkway -10:00 am 5/7 – NC Metro Mayors Weekly Legislative Call 5/12 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Promotional Partners – Apex, NC 5/14 – NC Metro Mayors Weekly Legislative Call 5/17 – Wake County Mayor’s Association Meeting Upcoming Events 5/19 – CAMPO Meeting 5/20 – Virtual meeting with Students at Hilltop Christian School 5/21 – NC Metro Mayors Weekly Legislative Call 5122 – Cops on Top – Special Olympics Fundraiser – Dunkin Donuts – 9:00-2:00 pm 5/25 – Law Enforcement Torch Run – Sheetz on 55 to Town Hall – 9:00 – 11:00 am 5/28 – NC Metro Mayors Weekly Legislative Call 6/3 – Centennial Authority Meeting 6/4 – NC Metro Mayors Weekly Legislative Call CLOSED SESSION Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (3) - Attorney Client Privilege and N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4) - Economic Development A motion was made to hold a closed session meeting at 8:36 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Smith SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (3-0) RETURN TO OPEN SESSION____________ The Town Board returned to open session at 9:32 p.m. with nothing to report out of closed session. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Smith SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (3-0) The minutes from the May 18, 2021 Town Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting are adopted this 7th day of June in the year 2021 in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA John W. Byrne, Mayor ATTEST (TOWN SEAL) Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk