Board of Commissioners

Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting Minutes Book - Page Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting November 1, 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 Monday, November 1, 2021, Adam G. Mitchell, Town Manager Mark D. Matthews, Assistant Town Manager at 7:00 p.m. was held at the Fuquay-Varina Town James (Jim) E. Seymour, Assistant Town Manager Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk Hall, 134 N Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC. James S. Adcock, III, Town Attorney In attendance were Mayor John W. Byrne, Mayor Pro-Tem Blake Massengill and Commissioners Marilyn Gardner, William Harris, Larry Smith, and Jason Wunsch. Also in attendance were Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews, Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour, Information Technology Director Scott Clark, Town Clerk Rose Rich, and Town Attorney James Adcock. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 Adam Mitchell reviewed the meeting protocol noting that the meeting was both in- person, via Zoom, and live streamed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3A The October 19, 2021, minutes of the Town Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) PRESENTATIONS 4A There were no presentations for the November 1, 2021 Town Board meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS 5A There were no public comments for the November 1, 2021 Town Board meeting. ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED 6A There were no items previously tabled for the November 1, 2021, Town Board meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7A Historic Landmark Designation - Davis-Adcock Store - Capital Area Preservation, Inc. - 2013 Piney Grove Wilbon Road Purpose – To consider a request by the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission to designate the Davis-Adcock Store as a Historic Landmark. 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 general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. On behalf of the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission, Capital Area Preservation, Inc. will be presenting a request to designate the Davis-Adcock Store located at 2013 Piney Grove Wilbon Road, constructed circa 1905, as a Historic Landmark. The property is located in the Town's extra- territorial jurisdiction and more particularly identified as PIN 0647832344. The Wake County Historic Preservation Commission is authorized by Chapter 160D, Article 9 of the North Carolina General Statutes, to provide for the preservation of certain historic buildings. The Wake County Historic Preservation Commission has investigated and recommended the request by the property owner that the Davis-Adcock Store be designated as a historic landmark, which has subsequently been determined as eligible by the NC Department of Cultural Resources. From the report prepared by Capital Area Preservation, Inc: "The Davis-Adcock Store is an excellent and intact example of the rural store building of the turn-of-the-twentieth century in Wake County. It is a building type associated with the rural agricultural history that characterizes much of the county in that period. Rural stores held commercial, social, and sometimes governmental functions in agricultural Wake County. They are iconic buildings on the landscape, immediately recognizable as a distinct type both in that historic period and now. The building is locally significant in the areas of architecture, commerce, and government." Landmark designation means the community recognizes a property as an important historic resource worthy of preservation. Any substantial exterior design changes to a designated landmark would be subject to the design review procedures of the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission. Should the local governing board wish to extend the Commission’s design review authority to features of the interior, the owner must give written consent. The owner may apply for an annual deferral of fifty percent of the property taxes for as long as the property is designated and retains significance and integrity. Current tax value of the property is $11,414.00. Should the owner apply for an annual deferral of fifty percent of the property taxes, the annual fiscal impact to Wake County would be $40.10. This property is located within the Town's extra-territorial jurisdiction and therefore not subject to Town property tax. Mayor Byrne stated that he has been in this store many times and believes that this is truly a historic landmark. Gary Roth with Wake County Historic Preservation stated that the property is owned by the Adcock Wilbon Farm Association, LLC and is located at 2013 Piney Grove Wilbon Road, Fuquay-Varina. The acreage of this property is .24 acres. It is a single-story rectangle plan frame store building with a small parapet and gable roof. The building measures roughly 50 feet deep by 25 feet wide and stands on brick piers. It has German siding that covers the walls and a metal roof. He believes that the store was built in 1906 but may have been built earlier. W.W. Davis sold the general store  business and building to partners James E. Matthews and John Calvin Adcock on August 16, 1923, subdividing the one-acre parcel into today’s quarter acre store parcel and .8-acre house parcel. The Walt Hall Post Office operated out of the store building from 1906 to 1925. The Adcock family operated the store until 1967. The Adcock family still owns the building which has been used for storage. The store is an excellent intact example of a rural store building that retains integrity of design, workmanship, materials, and the physical features that reflect the historic function as a rural store. The Wake County Historic Preservation Commission staff recommends that the Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners designate the Davis Adcock store located at 2013 Piney Grove Wilbon Road, Fuquay-Varina as a Fuquay-Varina Historic Landmark and adopt the associated ordinance. Jeff Hastings, Vice Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission stated that at a meeting on September 14, 2021 the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission designated the Davis- Adcock store as a Fuquay-Varina Historic Landmark and adopted the associated ordinance. Public Hearing – The public hearing was opened. John Adcock of 7429 Rouse Road, Holly Springs, NC stated that he is a manager and member of the Adcock Group and Farm LLC. Mr. Adcock gave further details of how his family used the historic property over the years and spoke in favor of the proposed historic designation. No one spoke in opposition to the Historic Landmark Designation. The public hearing was closed. Discussion – Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill stated that he was in support of seeing the Davis-Adcock Store recognized for its historic significance to the community. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution for historic landmark designation for the Davis-Adcock Store as presented and recommended. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) Resolution No. 21-1723 7B Zoning Map Amendment - The Curry Engineering Group, PLLC - 2401 & 2409 N Broad Street - PINs 0658406273 & 0658404518 - REZ-2021-08 Purpose – To consider a requested zoning map amendment for a total of 4.38 acres, located at 2401 & 2409 N Broad Street, from the General Commercial (GC) Zoning District to the Research Light Industrial Conditional Zoning District (RLI-CZD). 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 general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. The properties total 4.38 acres and are currently in the Town's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The properties are subject to annexation however an annexation petition has not been submitted at this time. There is currently a single-family home on the 2401 N Broad Street property and overall, the property is cleared with some trees and brush. The 2409 N Broad Street property is mostly a wooded area with a clearing near the N Broad Street roadway frontage. The properties are currently zoned General Commercial (GC). The zoning map amendment petition requests approval of the Research Light Industrial Conditional Zoning District (RLI-CZD). This zoning district is intended to permit new development of employment centers for research and development and business facilities including but not limited to the areas of advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical and biosciences, information technologies, defense services and technology, interactive gaming and web design, nanotechnologies, job training, professional and medical offices, and small-scale commercial and retail uses to serve the RLI District. The petitioner is requesting only the following use be permitted at the subject properties: Automotive Paint/Body Shop The petitioner is requesting the following condition be applicable to the use of the subject properties: A 50' undisturbed vegetated buffer will be maintained along adjacent residentially zoned property. Surrounding properties are generally a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential uses with some forested area. To the east and southeast of the properties across N Broad Street are commercial uses ranging from automotive related businesses to a landscaping company. Directly to the south of the properties is a personal storage business and to the north and west of the properties are undeveloped forested residential parcels. The Varina Gateway Townes subdivision and Ascend Varina Gateway mixed-use development, which are currently under construction, are to the east and southeast of the properties respectively beyond the commercial developments along N Broad Street. The 2035 Community Vision Land Use Plan (LUP) calls for the Light Industrial (LI) classification at the subject properties. This classification is defined as land supporting opportunities to concentrate employment in the Town on normal workdays. Each area generally supports manufacturing and production uses, including warehousing, distribution, light manufacturing, medical research, and assembly operations. The requested zoning map amendment will bring the zoning of the properties into harmony with the 2035 Community Vision Land Use Plan. Public water is available to serve the subject properties. Public sewer is not readily available to the site. The subject properties are located along and have access to N Broad Street (NC 55 Highway). The 2035 Community Transportation Plan (CTP) classifies N Broad Street (NC 55 Highway) as a 200-foot right-of-way and is identified as being a six (6)-lane, median divided roadway with side paths, with a future carrying capacity of 85,600 ADT. It is currently a four (4)-lane medium divided roadway with a carrying capacity of 36,600 ADT. 2019 NCDOT traffic counts taken less than a quarter of a mile to the southeast of the subject properties on N Broad Street (NC 55 Highway) indicated a volume of 29,000 ADT. The petitioner held a neighborhood meeting on September 27, 2021 at 205 S Fuquay Avenue, Fuquay-Varina, and online via the Zoom web application. The meeting report was included in the agenda documents, and staff takes no position as to its content. Management and staff recommend approval of the proposed zoning map amendment as it is consistent with the 2035 Community Vision Land Use Plan and reasonable and in the best interest of the public for the following reasons: 1) The requested zoning map amendment is consistent with the 2035 Community Vision Land Use Plan's Recommendation CF.1 - Invest in Existing Growth Areas, which encourages the extension of utilities and growth of development in areas that are already in the growth process to maximize effectiveness. 2) Conditions proposed by the petitioner effectively limit future development so that it is compatible with the surrounding areas. At the October 18, 2021 regular meeting, the Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend approval.  Public Hearing – The public hearing was opened. Don Curry of 205 South Fuquay Avenue, Fuquay- Varina spoke in favor to the zoning map amendment. No one spoke in opposition to the zoning map amendment. Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board regarding this matter. Recommendation – Approve REZ-2021-08, a zoning map amendment at 2401 & 2409 N Broad Street, from the General Commercial (GC) Zoning District to the Research Light Industrial Conditional Zoning District (RLI-CZD). The proposed zoning map amendment is consistent with the 2035 Community Vision Land Use Plan and is reasonable and in the best interest of the public for the reasons identified by management and staff. MOTION: Commissioner Wunsch SECOND: Commissioner Smith MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) 7C Voluntary Annexation Petition - Nicole T. Carroll Property - 1255 Wilbon Road - PIN 0657025272 - ANX-2021-07 Purpose – To consider an annexation ordinance extending the corporate limits of the Town of Fuquay-Varina following the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Nicole T. Carroll containing approximately 2.856 acres, and to approve the Declaration of Annexation Agreement signed by the owner. 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 general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. The property is non-contiguous to the Town's corporate limits however town water is available to the property, but sewer is not. This site will be served with garbage and recycle services. A fire flow test was conducted, resulting in an adequate fire flow test of 1,474 gallons per minute. At the October 19, 2021 meeting, the Town Board instructed the Town Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of the applicant's petition for voluntary annexation. The Town Clerk certified at that time the petition was sufficient and meets the requirements prescribed by the North Carolina General Statutes. The Town Board also adopted a resolution setting a public hearing for the November 1, 2021 Town Board meeting. The current total value of the property is $125,360.00.  Public Hearing – The public hearing was opened. No one chose to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the proposed voluntary annexation petition for ANX-2021-07. Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board regarding this matter. Recommendation – Adopt the annexation ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the Town of Fuquay-Varina to include property owned by Nicole T. Carroll - ANX-2021-07, as presented and recommended. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Smith MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) Ordinance No. N-21-25 CONSENT AGENDA 8A Resolution - Appointment of Review Officers - Town of Fuquay-Varina Purpose – To consider a resolution requesting the appointment of map and plat review officers of the Town of Fuquay-Varina by the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Recommendation – Adopt a resolution recommending the appointment of the Town of Fuquay- Varina map and plat review officers to the Wake County Board of Commissioners for appointment, effective immediately upon adoption, as presented and recommended by management. Ø This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion as requested by Commissioner Harris. 8B Project Closure Ordinances and Amendment Purpose –To consider adoption of project closure ordinances for several public utility and parks and recreation projects. Recommendation – Approve project closure ordinances for the Johnson Pond Road Waterline, Lake Wheeler Road Waterline, Optimist Farm Road Waterline, Ten Ten Road Waterline, Judd Parkway Waterline, NC-42 Water Line Study/Design, NW Judd Parkway Waterline, Misc. Sewer  Bond projects, Sunset Regional Pump Station and Force Main, Fuquay Mineral Spring Park Streambank, and South Lakes Greenway as presented and recommended. Ordinance No. N-21-26 – Closure of Various Completed Water and Sewer Projects Ordinance No. N-21-27 – Closure of Johnson Pond Road Water Line Ordinance No. N-21-28 – Closure of Lake Wheeler Road Water Line Project Ordinance No. N-21-29 – Closure of Fuquay Mineral Spring Park Streambank Stabilization Project Ordinance No. N-21-30 – Closure of Sunset Regional Pump Station and Force Main Project Ordinance No. N-21-31 – Closure Optimist Farm Road Water Line Project Ordinance No. N-21-32 – Closure of South Lake Greenway Trail Repair Ordinance No. N-21-33 – Closure of Ten Ten Road Water Line Project Ordinance No. N-21-34 – Project Ordinance Amendment - Deobligate Funds for Closed Projects 8C Temporary Street Closure – 2021 Christmas Parade – Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce – December 5, 2021 Purpose – To consider a temporary street closure for the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade scheduled for Sunday, December 5, 2021. Recommendation – Approve a temporary street closure for the 2021 Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade scheduled for Sunday, December 5, 2021 as presented and recommended. 8D MMIA Cars and Jars - Special Event Permit Request - November 7, 2021 Purpose – To consider approval of a special event and amplified sound permit for the MMIA Cars and Jars charity event, scheduled for November 7, 2021. Recommendation – Approve the special event and amplified sound permit for MMIA Cars and Jars charity event scheduled for November 7, 2021, as presented, and recommended. A motion was made to approve Consent Agenda items 8B-D. MOTION Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Wunsch MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT 9A Consent Agenda removed for discussion: 8A Resolution - Appointment of Review Officers - Town of Fuquay-Varina Purpose – To consider a resolution requesting the appointment of map and plat review officers of the Town of Fuquay-Varina by the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Recommendation – Adopt a resolution recommending the appointment of the Town of Fuquay-Varina map and plat review officers to the Wake County Board of Commissioners for appointment, effective immediately upon adoption, as presented and recommended by management. Discussion –Commissioner Harris asked about having more than one plat review officer. Town Manager Mitchell stated that this action intends to add our Assistant Planning Director as a review officer. This will enable staff to have redundancy to sign off on plats and things of that nature. Commissioner Harris asked if this was common in other municipalities. Town Manager Mitchell stated that he was not aware what every community was doing but that it was not uncommon for communities the size of Fuquay and larger to have more than one designated staff person as a review officer. MOTION Commissioner Harris SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) Resolution No. 21-1724 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 10A Historic Sign Approval and Budget Amendment - Fuquay Consolidated School and Fuquay Springs High School - BA-22-15 - $10,000 Mayor Byrne recognized members of a committee working on the placement of historic markers, Carl Trice, Ralph Jordan, Herbert Sneed and Angie Staheli who were in attendance. He also recognized Doris Battle in her absence. Purpose – To consider approval of a historic sign design and approval of a budget amendment to support installation of historic signs at two historic school campuses. 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. Town staff has been working with a committee led by Ms. Doris Battle to install a historic marker at the Fuquay Consolidated School to commemorate its history as a Rosenwald School. Ms. Battle has recently worked with other municipalities including Holly Springs to recognize Rosenwald school sites in North Carolina. As a part of this effort, Ms. Battle's committee expressed interest in also commemorating Fuquay Springs High School as another important historic landmark, located at the current Fuquay-Varina Middle School campus. This effort has included coordination with Mayor Byrne, Town Management, the Wake County Public School System, the State, and Fuquay-Varina Development Corporation officials to determine the best locations and designs for these markers. Town staff envisions this historic sign type to be used for identifying other significant historic landmarks in the future. The committee has provided valuable historic research on the history of the sites, and has proposed the language to be included on the signs as follows: Fuquay Consolidated School received funding from the Rosenwald Fund in 1918. The first class was held the following year. Fuquay Consolidated School was built on the four-teacher plan. Fuquay Consolidated School was among the first to benefit under the Rosenwald Foundation, a collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald which helped to improve the education of black students. There were 817 Rosenwald Buildings built in North Carolina. A high school building was added in 1952. Principals included: Mr. Joseph S. Davis the first principal until 1946, Prof. D.A. Thomas 1946-1950, Mr. William M. McElrath 1950-1953, Mr. Willie M. McLean 1953- 1965, and Dr. William Freeman 1965-1970. High school graduations were held from 1952-1970. The Fuquay Springs High School, known as the Old Red Building, was built in 1918 at the corner of Ennis and N. Academy Streets. A consolidation of several elementary schools, it served grades 1-11. In 1927-28, this second building opened to house the high school. The Town's name change was reflected when Fuquay-Varina High School graduated the class of 1967. Upon integration with Fuquay Consolidated High School in 1970-71, the school served all area students grades 9-12. The campus became Fuquay-Varina Middle School in 1977. This historic building was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2002. While the State does not include Rosenwald school sites in the State historic marker program due to the large number of sites statewide, Town management and staff have attempted to model a Town historic marker program off the State historic marker program. Staff from the State of North Carolina historic office provided town staff with information regarding the numerous styles and manufacturers of these types of markers. Based on this information, town staff reached out to three marker companies - Sewah Studios, Lake Shore Industries, and Southwell Corporation. All three can provide markers with similar color, manufacturing, and style options. The style was chosen to generally match the shape of the Town's current branded wayfinding signs. The color is the dark blue from the Town's color palette. Lettering will be satin/white to provide the best visibility. These combinations fit well within the Town's brand, provide for a good looking and long-lasting marker. Please note that the language in the sign proof included with agenda materials is a draft, and final draft language including references to school names is identified in the agenda abstract. Based on the responses from the marker companies, Lake Shore Industries is the only one that can meet the Town's budgetary and time constraints. Sewah Studios has a very long lead time (16 weeks) vs Lake Shore (6 weeks) and Southwell (2 weeks). Southwell's proposed cost is approximately double the Lake Shore cost. Sewah has not provided a cost yet and their lead time is outside the timeframe that the Town would like to dedicate the markers. The goal is to dedicate the markers in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday in 2022. Town staff is requesting the Town Board agree to the general design and approve the budget amendment funding the purchase of the markers. The general locations have been determined and are shown on the attached maps, although the final placement may be tweaked as discussions with the Community Development Corporation representatives and Wake County Public School System are finalized. This action is reasonable in cost and supports two initiatives identified in the Town of Fuquay-Varina Strategic Plan: - Increase public awareness and appreciation of the Town’s historic resources through education and outreach - Work cooperatively with preservation partners to identify historic landmarks and guide property owners towards preservation. For this reason, management and staff recommend approval. The recommended budget amendment appropriates $10,000 from fund balance to purchase the signs and to cover any ancillary costs associated with final installation. Discussion – Commissioner Harris stated that he was a graduate of the Fuquay Consolidated High School. He appreciates the effort to identify the school, administrators, teachers, students and all that had a part in the history.  Recommendation – Approve budget amendment BA-22-15 and concur with the historic sign design as presented and recommended. MOTION: Commissioner Harris SECOND: Commissioner Wunsch MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) 10B Authorizing Upset Bid Process - 214 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656580467), 0 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656581505), 0 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656581529), and 212 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656581421) Purpose – To consider a resolution authorizing an upset bid process for sale of property owned by the Town of Fuquay-Varina to Wilbon Properties LLC. 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. Wilbon Properties, LLC has made an offer to purchase the property located at 214 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656580467), 0 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656581505), 0 Coney Farm Road (PIN 656581529), and 212 Coley Farm Road (PIN 656581421) consisting of approximately 0.56 acres with a Wake County Tax Value of $48,540.00. Town Management and the Planning Director have reviewed the buyer's intended use of the property and determined that the proposed use would not require a zoning map amendment of the property. The parcels are currently zoned RLD (Residential Low Density) and will be developed as open space with a private greenway connecting proposed public side paths along Coley Farm Road and NW Judd Parkway to satisfy the buyer's master plan requirements of REZ-2020-17 on the adjacent off-site parcels to minimize environmental impacts. The attached proposed resolution is pursuant to N.C.G.S. §160A-269 where a city may receive, solicit, or negotiate an offer to purchase property and advertise it for upset bids. When an offer is made and the council proposes to accept it, the council shall require the offeror to deposit five percent (5%) of his bid with the city clerk and shall publish a notice of the offer. The notice shall contain a general description of the property, the amount and terms of the offer, and a notice that within 10 days any person may raise the bid by not less than ten percent (10%) of the first one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five percent (5%) of the remainder. When a bid is raised, the bidder shall deposit with the city clerk five percent (5%) of the increased bid, and the clerk shall re-advertise the offer at the increased bid. This procedure shall be repeated until no further qualifying upset bids  are received, at which time the council may accept the offer and sell the property to the highest bidder. The Town shall have the right to reject the offer by Wilbon Properties, LLC or any upset bidder to purchase the Town property at any time prior to the final acceptance of the offer pursuant to statute and this Agreement shall be null and void upon such rejection, all deposits shall be returned, and the parties shall have no further obligations. Discussion – Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill stated that this is a chance for us to give something back on the tax rolls and get some money back. He noted that anytime we can bring something back for the citizens and generate some more revenue is a good thing. Recommendation – Adopt the proposed resolution as presented and authorize the Town Manager to execute the sale of Town owned property upon the completion of the upset bid period pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 160A-269. The resolution has been reviewed by the Town Attorney as to form and content and is in the interest of the public. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) Resolution No. 21-1725 OTHER BUSINESS 11A Manager’s Report Finance Department – The Finance Department has hired Morgan Whittaker as the new Payroll Specialist who will start on November 8, 2021. Information Technology Department - The IT Department continues to stay busy. The security camera upgrade project is progressing. The department is currently conducting interviews for a vacant IT Technician position. Public Works Department – The Public Works Department is preparing for the Blue Star Memorial dedication on November 10, 2021. The monument has been installed by Derek Smith from the Blue Star Program with NCDOT. The installed monument sign is covered and will be unveiled at the ceremony. The other monument will be on display at the dedication ceremony.  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department - The Parks and Recreation Department recently hired Derek Everette as a Park Maintenance worker. The Action Park dugout project is out for bids, and the bid opening will be November 23, 2021. The Youth Basketball Program experienced a 10% increase in registration participation from pre-COVID numbers. Arts Center – The Arts Center held the Moonlight Fright play last Thursday-Saturday, which was written, produced and presented by Arts Center staff, Instructors and Program participates. The Malpass Brothers will be in concert on November 5, 2021 and we are expecting a strong turnout. Noche Flamenca will perform on November 12, 2021. The Arts Center is going to be very active during the holidays with dance recitals and other events taking place. Planning Department – The Planning Department held a community stakeholder meeting on the Pedestrian Plan. The Pedestrian Plan survey and feedback map are still open for comment and input through December on Let’s Talk FV. Town Manager Mitchell recognized Officer Ryan Shulte with the Police Department who was recognized by a citizen for recently assisting with a flat tire on Broad Street and Judd Parkway. Also, the Police Department and Fire Department along with Holly Springs Police Department participated in a community outreach and engagement event at Alnoor Islamic Center at 6317 Sunset Lake Road, Fuquay-Varina and were recognized by members of the center for their participation. 11B Project Status Report – October 2021 11C Wake Audubon - Birding Tours - Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve - 3rd Saturday of each month - October - December - 8:30 - 10:30 am - Tours are Free 11D Beech Bluff County Park (Formerly Wake County Southeast Regional County Park) - Open House - Project Update and Community Garden Informational Meeting - Saturday, November 6, 2021 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm - South Park Picnic Shelter - 900 S. Main Street 11E Coffee with a Cop – Eggs up Grill - Tuesday November 9, 2021 - 9:00 am - 10:30 am 11F Dedication - Blue Star Community Memorial Markers - Centennial Square (Rain Location will be the Cultural Arts Center) - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - 11:00 am 11G Tip a Cop Fundraiser - Special Olympics - Cleveland Drafthouse - Sunday, November 21, 2021 - 11:00 - 3:00 pm 11H Coffee with a Cop - Brus on Main - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - 9:00 - 10:30 am 11I Pancake Supper Fundraiser - Special Olympics - Eggs Up Grill - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - 5:00 - 8:00 pm 11J Christmas Tree Lighting - Downtown Fuquay-Varina - Thursday December 2, 2021 - 6:00 pm BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill stated he had a citizen contact him about Charles Baker, Yard Debris Supervisor. The citizen stated that Mr. Baker is a great worker, and he is dependable. Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill asked about updating the signage at the William A. Freeman Park so that it reflects the Town’s current brand. Town Manager Mitchell stated that it is being worked on by staff. Commissioner Smith stated that tomorrow is election day and he wanted to say thank you to all the candidates who are willing to step up and run for office and he wished everyone the best of luck. Commissioner Harris stated that he had no comments. Commissioner Wunsch also commended Yard Debris Supervisor Charles Baker and he stated that he has always hears wonderful things about his work. He then shared some fun and exciting news. He stated that in Fuquay-Varina we have one of the fastest cross-country runners as a freshman in the history of North Carolina, Adelynn Mitchell (who is the daughter of Town Manager Mitchell). Mayor stated that this weekend Adelynn beat her personal best time by one minute. Commissioner Gardner stated that she was very grateful for the designation of the historic landmark for the Davis-Adcock store. She stated that there was much discussion at statewide meetings for the NC Main Street about historic preservation. She stated that we are losing lots of the history that was referred to tonight with rapid growth and development, and it was good to see this piece of history that preserves our rural heritage because that is what this town was built on. She also wanted to add her thanks to all of those who are running for office and that local elections are the ones that affect daily lives more than any other level of elections in this country. She encouraged everyone to get out and vote. Mayor Byrne stated that he hopes town citizens support the Wake County Audubon - Birding Tours. Also, the Blue Star Community Memorial Marker is a big deal, and we have a good number of retired military personnel living in Fuquay-Varina. He also reiterated how important historic preservation is, and he stated that the Davis-Adcock store transcends the tobacco era because it moves through the railroad period, and it is in a rural farming community. He also stated that he attended the opening of the UNC Rex Holly Springs Hospital. He stated that there are about 300 employees working there that are from Fuquay-Varina. He also recognized Fuquay-Varina Commissioner Candidate Bryan Haynes who was in the audience and Fuquay-Varina Commissioner Candidate Tracy Watson who was in attendance earlier. Mayor Byrne reviewed other meetings that he attended in the previous week as well as upcoming events as follows: Past Events 10/20 – CAMPO Meeting 10/21 – Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum 10/22 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting Gold Leaf Collective – 4:30 pm Upcoming Events 11/4 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting 5 Points Animal Hospital – 4:00 pm 11/5 – Centennial Authority Board Meeting 11/15 – Wake County Mayor’s Association Meeting 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) (6) - Personnel A motion was made to conduct a closed session meeting at 8:20 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Smith SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (5-0) RETURN TO OPEN SESSION____________ The Town Board returned to open session at 9:06 p.m. with nothing to report out of closed session. Mayor Byrne stated that he would like all Town Board members to make comments during the dedication ceremony of the Town Hall naming on November 23, 2021. He also mentioned the concept of an honorary title. Town Manager Mitchell and Town Attorney Adcock stated that they would look into protocol for an honorary title and report back their findings. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 p.m. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Massengill SECOND: Commissioner Wunsch MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (5-0) The minutes from the November 1, 2021, Town Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting are adopted this 16th day of November 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