Board of Commissioners

Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting Minutes Book - Page Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting April 18, 2023 J. Blake Massengill, Mayor Larry Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem William H. Harris, Commissioner The Regular Meeting of the Fuquay-Varina Town Marilyn B. Gardner, Commissioner Bryan Haynes, Commissioner Board scheduled for Tuesday April 18, 2023, at 7:00 Vacant Seat - Commissioner Adam G. Mitchell, Town Manager p.m. was held at the Fuquay-Varina Town Hall, 134 Mark D. Matthews, Assistant Town Manager N Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC. James (Jim) E. Seymour, Assistant Town Manager Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk James S. Adcock, III, Town Attorney In attendance were Mayor Blake Massengill, Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Smith, and Commissioners Marilyn Gardner, William Harris, and Bryan Haynes. Also in attendance were Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews, Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour, Town Clerk Rose Rich, Town Attorney James Adcock, IT Director Scott Clark, and various other department directors. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Massengill called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Smith provided the invocation and Police Chief Brandon Medina led the Pledge of Allegiance. VIRTUAL MEETING PROTOCOL Town Manager Adam Mitchell reviewed the meeting protocol noting that the meeting was both in- person and live streamed on the Town’s YouTube Channel and Facebook. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3A The April 18, 2023, Town Board of Commissioners Regular Scheduled meeting. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Smith SECOND: Commissioner Harris MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (4-0) PRESENTATIONS 4A Statewide Athletics Committee (SWAC) State Champions - All-Star Basketball 8U Girls and 10U Girls Parks and Recreation Marketing and Special Events Coordinator Trey Baggett recognized members of the All-Star Basketball 8U Girls and 10U Girls and their coaches. He reported that the 8U All-Star Girls Team went undefeated throughout their tournament. He also reported that the 10U All-Star Girls Team lost their first game in the tournament but came back strong by winning the remaining seven games to become State Champions. Mayor Massengill recognized the teams by reading the plaques that they received for being the 2023 Champions and he expressed his excitement about them becoming State Champions. 4B Blueprint to Dismantle Systemic Racism Report: An Initiative of A Better Wake Purpose – To receive a presentation from Wake County Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Danya Perry on the Wake County Blueprint to Dismantle Systemic Racism. Staff Comments – Communications Director Susan Weis entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. She then provided general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. The Blueprint is a living document comprising more than 40 goals and 150 near-term action items that organizations can take to address systemic racism. More than 50 Wake County leaders helped create the document which targets four areas: criminal justice, economic mobility, education and health equity. The purpose of sharing the results of the Blueprint is to encourage local organizations to adopt relevant ideas and action into their plans, policy development, and work practices to seed widespread and longstanding change in Wake County. Mr. Danya Perry of Wake County DEI presented the Blueprint to Dismantle Systemic Racism. He stated that Wake County DEI launched an awareness campaign called “A Better Wake - Dismantling Systemic Racism” and created the website www.abetterwake.com. He read their charge and commitment as follows: “ We acknowledge there is a high quality of life in the region for many, but for those who have been historically underserved, underrepresented and marginalized, there is a different reality altogether. That reality is rooted in systemic racism. It has permeated the justice system, created monumental education, health and wealth disparities between black and brown and white Americans, and resulted in discriminatory practices. This moment is the culmination of such injustice.” Mr. Perry encouraged community members and organizations to visit the website and sign up to learn and to advance conversations around race equity regardless of how uncomfortable it is. He stated that not addressing systemic racism has cost the U.S. Economy up to $16 trillion over the past 20 years and this trend will continue if we don’t dismantle it. He then introduced Crystal Carmichael with Division of Race Ethnicity who presented the next steps moving forward through supportive collaboration with all municipalities, addressing current race equity efforts in our communities and creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all. She stated that this must be a community effort and she recognized a list of organizations that are already in support of the blueprint. Mayor Massengill thanked Mr. Perry and Ms. Carmichael for coming to Fuquay-Varina and stated that this board supports an inclusive environment and does not want anybody to be treated unfairly. He stated that the board has worked hard with internal policies and hiring practices. He stated that the Board takes this very seriously. Commissioner Harris asked if there were any identified benchmarks that have been created or developed for this program. Mr. Perry stated a dashboard was created on the website and the data is collected specifically for each one of the focus areas to access movement toward change. Commissioner Harris asked if the information is received from participants by going to the website  or do they have to input data and information in on the website. Mr. Perry stated that the data will be updated on an annual basis. Commissioner Harris commended Mr. Perry and Ms. Carmichael on their work and the challenge ahead to help dismantle systemic racism. Commissioner Haynes asked that they communicate to the Town what needs to be done to make sure these conversations are being held in Fuquay-Varina. 4C Presentation - U-5751: NC 55 Extension Alternatives Purpose – To inform the Town Board of the impacts and functional operations of all three alternatives proposed for the U-5751 project. Staff Comments – Engineering Director Matt Poling 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 as well as introduced Raymond Hayes with Benesh Consulting, Cary, NC. Mr. Hayes stated that they reviewed the NCDOT traffic analysis and traffic report that they were presented. He stated that NCDOT recommended Alternative #3, Alternative #2 and then Alternative #1 as their number 1, 2, and 3 choices. He reported that from the public input meetings 87% preferred Alternative 3, with 51% preferring Alternative 1 and 48% preferring Alternative 2. He stated that the section they were asked to evaluate and analyze is just the component regarding the area around Sunset Lake Road. Alternative 3 would create a traffic backup to Hwy 401.. He reported that during the initial evaluation, NCDOT had some inconsistencies and they met with their engineering department and asked them to reevaluate the project and they concluded that a second left turn lane on eastbound NC 55 onto north bound Sunset Lake Road would be needed. He stated that by doing this slight modification it would eliminate a lot of the traffic issues that the previous model was showing. He stated that all three alternatives operate at an acceptable level and there is no condition that creates significant backup if the identified improvements are made to Alternative #3. He reported that this report is getting close to five years old, and the data has changed due to the growth in the area. He reported that NCDOT will analyze how effective this alternative is going to be when they get closer to construction. He reported the pros & cons for each alternative. Alternatives 1 & 2 Pros • Largely acceptable traffic operations (1% over capacity) • Moves by-pass traffic farther away from US 401 • Alternatives 1 and 2 have very little impact to properties zoned as Commercial in the vicinity of Products Road Cons • 50% - 100% more water impacts • Alt 1 impacts Currin property • Alt 2 has significant skew at Sunset Lake Rd Alternative 3 Pros • Least amount of water impacts (1.8 acres, 1,000’ stream) • Preferred by Public Input • Least amount of impacts to the citizens living in the Smith Farms Subdivision Cons • Places traffic in commercial area on Products Rd • Anticipated traffic volumes, controlled access, and median may impact potential commercial development along Products Rd. • Products Road is already congested. Mayor Massengill thanked him for coming to the Board meeting and he asked how many houses would be impacted. Engineering Director Matt Poling stated that 4 houses would be affected if Alternative 3 is chosen, and 6 houses impacted if Alternative 1 or 2 are chosen. He stated that with Alternative 3 there is an impact on the Old Castle property. Mayor Massengill stated that NCDOT will potentially try and save a house where it can. Mr. Hayes stated that these alternatives are in the very early concept and when they get close to the design details NCDOT may be able to lessen  the impact of the land being used to build the road. Mayor Massengill stated that the commercial businesses on Products Road would be making multiple left turns making it undesirable to commercial businesses trying to relocate here. Mr. Hayes stated that was correct due to Products Road being a significantly wider roadway section. Mayor Massengill reported that he would like to see impacts minimized to any property and it is important that new data is produced for the project. Commissioner Gardner stated that in the past NCDOT use to preserve corridors that they thought could be options for moving traffic around but that didn’t work well because it tied up people’s land and they could not anything with their land for decades. She reported that the Board wants to minimize the involvement with people’s property. Commissioner Gardner asked if all the alternatives preserve the Historic Johnson Farm. Mr. Hayes stated that all three alternatives preserve the Historic Johnson Farm. Commissioner Harris asked about the U-turns shown on Alternative 3. Mr. Hayes stated that they were like the ones in Holly Spring on Highway 55 and that the reason they are much larger is that they can accommodate trailers. Commissioner Harris asked if you see these on commercial highways. Mr. Hayes stated that these are called super street style designs. Commissioner Harris stated that this design is encouraged to move traffic and minimize backlog of traffic. Mayor Massengill thanked the staff and consultant for presenting the information for the Town Board to consider. 4D Proclamation - Arbor Day and Events Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Chris Newsom stated that to move forward with Tree City USA standards, there must be an Arbor Day Proclamation presented by the Mayor. He also reported that Arbor Day will be observed on April 28th at 4:00 pm at SouthPark (next to the basketball courts) and they are going to be teaching the public the proper way to plant and preserve trees. He thanked Stephenson Nursery located in Willow Spring, for donating trees that will be given away at the event.  Mayor Massengill read the Arbor Day Proclamation and stated that continuing to get Tree City USA status is something that the Board made a priority a year ago. PUBLIC COMMENTS 5A Elizabeth Thawley, 227 Ballentine Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC stated that she would like to see sidewalks installed on Angier Road as many pedestrians that walk along the roadside daily to go to shops in the downtown area. Mayor Massengill instructed Ms. Thawley to discuss that matter with Engineering Director Matt Poling regarding the Town’s sidewalk plan. David Proctor, 7200 Sunset Lake Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC stated that he wanted to be an advocate for his family farm with the bypass that could potentially cross the farm. He stated that Alternatives 1 & 2 would impact a part of the farmland. He wanted the Board to think about the environmental impacts and the open space and that land has been the way it has been since the 1700’s. ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED 6A Abandonment of Public Right-of-Way - Resolution Ordering the Close of a Portion of Ideal Lane - (SC-2023-01) Purpose – To consider a resolution ordering the closure of a portion of Ideal Lane, approximately 985 linear feet, following an application submitted by FV Retail, LLC. Staff Comments – Planning Director Pam Davison entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. She then provided general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. Petitioner, FV Retail, LLC has requested to close approximately 985 feet of the right-of-way of Ideal Lane from its terminus at the Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way to the right-of-way at the intersection of North Main Street, which is being reserved for the future construction of Wallace Adcock Boulevard in association with the retail/commercial Gold Leaf Crossing shopping center project. The abandonment request is to permanently abandon the right-of-way to improve the site's viability for future development. The public right-of-way includes a partially improved street, public utilities (sanitary sewer to be moved with future development), and a stub street that does not provide primary access to inhabited properties. The structures remaining on the property will be removed with the future development of the Gold Leaf Crossing project. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been notified of the intention to close the right-of-way and will be notified of the abandonment resolution with the order to close upon approval. In addition, the Wake County Public School System has also confirmed that the street is not part of a bus route. As a result of this abandonment request, if approved, management and staff do not anticipate any impact on Town services. Further, the closing of the right-of-way is not contrary to the public interest, and no individual owning property in the vicinity of the public right-of-way would be deprived of reasonable means of ingress and egress to their property. The current property, located at 1844 N Main Street, has direct driveway access to US Highway 401 and will not be impacted by the closure of this right-of-way. During the April 3, 2023, public hearing, the Town Board motioned to continue the public hearing so that staff could verify coordination with development, property residents, and property users. Based on the evaluation of the proposed street closing request, management, and staff are recommending that the Town Board adopt a resolution ordering the closing of a portion of Ideal Lane, approximately 985 linear feet from its terminus at the Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way to the right-of-way at the intersection of N. Main Street which is being reserved for the future Wallace Adcock Boulevard roadway construction project. With this action, a public hearing is continued to April 18, 2023, meeting to consider a resolution closing this right-of-way. Public Hearing – The public hearing was continued. Rich Barta, 500 Sedgewood Lake, Drive, Charlotte, NC spoke in favor of the abandonment of public right-of-way. He stated that it has been communicated that those who use the fields to play soccer and home renter will still have  access to Ideal Lane until such time that construction starts on the commercial project for the Gold Leaf Shopping development. No one spoke in opposition to the abandonment of public right-of-way. The continued public hearing was closed. Discussion – Mayor Massengill stated that this is a big project for the Town that will provide major commercial retail shopping, and he appreciates that the concerns that were presented at the previous public hearing have now been addressed. Recommendation – Adopt the Resolution ordering the closure of a portion of Ideal Lane (approximately 985 linear feet) from its dead end at the Norfolk Southern Railroad to right-of-way reserved for the future Wallace Adcock Boulevard, as presented and recommended. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Smith SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (4-0) Resolution No. 23-1796 PUBLIC HEARINGS 7A Voluntary Annexation Petition - Jessica and Chuan Sun Chou - 1809 NC 42 Hwy, Willow Spring, NC - PIN 0677908058 - ANX-2023-03 Purpose – To consider an annexation ordinance extending the corporate limits of the Town of Fuquay-Varina following receipt of a petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Jessica and Chuan Sun Chou, located at 1809 NC 42 Hwy, Willow Spring, NC, PIN 0677908058, containing approximately 1.21 acres, and to approve the Declaration of Annexation Agreement. Staff Comments – Planning Director Pam Davison entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. She then provided general information about the agenda item and made the following remarks. The property is non-contiguous to the Town's corporate limits, containing 1.21 acres. Town water is available, but sewer is not available to the property. There is an agreement for an emergency provision of water to the residential property due to having a contaminated well. A fire flow test resulted in an adequate fire flow of 2,228 gallons per minute. The subject property will be served with Town sanitation and recycling services. The petitioner has signed an annexation agreement related to providing Town services. During the April 3, 2023, meeting, the Town Board instructed the Town Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of the applicant's petition for voluntary annexation. The Town Clerk certified that the petition was sufficient and met the requirements prescribed by the North Carolina General Statutes. The Town Board also adopted a resolution setting the public hearing for the April 18, 2023, Town Board meeting. The present total value of the property is $222,302. Public Hearing – The public hearing was opened. Wayne Mauldin, of Mauldin-Watkins Surveying, 139 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC spoke in favor of the voluntary annexation petition on behalf of the property owner. No one spoke in opposition to the voluntary annexation petition. The public hearing was closed. 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 Jessica and Chuan Sun Chou located at 1809 NC 42 Hwy, Willow Spring, NC - PIN 0677908058 (ANX-2023-03) and to approve the Declaration of Annexation Agreement as presented and recommended. MOTION: Commissioner Haynes SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Smith MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (4-0) Ordinance No. N-23-11 CONSENT AGENDA 8A. Special Event Application and Amplified Sound Permit - Dinner in Downtown Event - Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association - May 20, 2023 Purpose – To consider approval of a special event permit application and amplified sound permit request for the 2023 Dinner in Downtown Event scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023 Recommendation – Approve a special event permit and amplified sound permit request for the 2023 Dinner in Downtown Event scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023, as presented and recommended. 8B. Voluntary Annexation Petition - JR Woodward Properties, LLC - 1803 NC 42 Hwy, Willow Spring, NC - PIN 0677906016 - ANX-2023-05 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 May 1, 2023, following the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by JR Woodward Properties, LLC containing a total of approximately 1.007 acres. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate the voluntary annexation petition and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for May 1, 2023, for property owned by JR Woodward Properties, LLC - ANX-2023-05, as presented and recommended. Resolution No. 23-1800 Resolution No. 23-1801 8C. Voluntary Annexation Petition - Davidson Homes LLC - 6500 Old Mills Road (Lot 157) - PIN 0678141490 - ANX-2023-06 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 May 1, 2023, following  the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Davidson Homes LLC containing a total of approximately .92 acres. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate the voluntary annexation petition and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for May 1, 2023, for property owned by Davidson Homes LLC, LLC - ANX-2023-06, as presented and recommended. Resolution No. 23-1802 Resolution No. 23-1803 8D. Voluntary Annexation Petition - Davidson Homes LLC - 6525, 6529, 6533, and 6537 Sunset Lake Road - PIN's 0668631002, 0668622900, 0668623708, and 0668624606 - ANX-2023-07 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 May 1, 2023, following the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Davidson Homes LLC containing a total of approximately 3.19 acres. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate the voluntary annexation petition and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for May 1, 2023, for property owned by Davidson Homes LLC, - ANX-2023-07, as presented and recommended. Resolution No. 23-1804 Resolution No. 23-1805 8E. Roadway Fee-In-Lieu - CCL Label Facility Purpose – To consider approval of a fee-in-lieu payment for certain roadway improvements related to the CCL Label Facility project in the amount of $49,112.00. Recommendation – Approve a total of $49,112.00 as payment-in-lieu for roadway improvements associated with the CCL Label Facility project as presented and recommended. 8F. Resolution - NC Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program Purpose – To consider adoption of Resolution in support of the Town's funding applications to the NC Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program. Recommendation – Adopt the Resolution in support of the Town's Spring 2023 funding application as required to apply for the NC Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program to support the Town's Future Water Capacity Expansion Project. Resolution No. 23-1806 8G. Project Ordinance Amendment and Project Closure Ordinances - POA-23-10 - 2020-21 Water line projects and ARPA Project Purpose – To consider approval of a project ordinance amendment and project closure ordinances. Recommendation – Approve the project ordinance amendment POA-23-10 to appropriate interest income and approve project closure ordinances to transfer remaining balances of closed projects as presented and recommended. Ordinance No. N-23-12 Ordinance No. N-13-13 8H. Budget Amendment - Interdepartmental Transfers - $80,000 - (BA-23-45) Purpose – To consider the transfer of funds from Central Services to the Inspections and Communications departments. Recommendation – Approve the Interdepartmental transfer of funds from Central Services to the Inspections and Communication departments as presented and recommended. 8I. Budget Amendment - Fire Department - Recognize Funds from Jr. Women's Club - $1,700 - (BA-23- 46) Purpose – To consider a budget amendment that recognizes a donation from the Fuquay-Varina Jr. Women's Club to the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department. Recommendation – Approve budget amendment BA-23-46 as presented and recommended. 8J. Budget Amendment - ARPA Reimbursement Appropriation - (BA-23-47) Purpose – To appropriate a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) reimbursement to transfer to Water & Sewer Capital project reserves. Recommendation – Approve the attached budget amendment to appropriate a portion of reimbursement funds to Water & Sewer Capital project reserves. A motion was made to approve Consent Agenda Items 8A-8J. MOTION Mayor Pro-Tem Smith SECOND: Commissioner Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (4-0) Mayor Massengill encouraged all Board members to buy tickets for the “Dinner in Downtown” event scheduled for May 20, 2023. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT 9A There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 10A Resolution to Issue General Obligation Bonds Purpose – To consider approval of the resolution for the issuance of General Obligation Bonds. Staff Comments – Finance Director JoAnne Crabtree entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. They provided information about the agenda item by making the following remarks. The voters of the Town of Fuquay-Varina have previously approved the issuance of General Obligation (GO) Bonds to pay capital costs of various public projects within the authorized purposes. The Town still has voter authorized, but currently unissued GO authorization of $23,650,000 of transportation bonds (including $3.65 million remaining from the 2015 referendum, and $20 million from the 2021 referendum), $3,000,000 of bonds for water projects (2015), $2,000,000 of bonds for sewer projects (2015), and $18,500,000 of bonds for recreational facilities (2021). In addition, on April 3, 2023, the Board of Commissioners authorized the issuance of up to $1,650,000 general obligation public building bonds (the “Public Building Bonds”). The Public Building Bonds are "2/3 bonds" that are statutorily authorized based upon principal paydown in the prior year, and do not require voter approval. The Board has now determined that the Town should issue all the unissued bonds for water, sewer and recreational facilities, along with $3,650,000 of the unissued transportation bonds, as a single issue of “Public Improvement Bonds.” The Board has also determined that the Town should issue all the unissued Public Building Bonds. On April 4th, Town Management and the Finance Director met with Rating agencies and expect bond rating results the week of April 24th. The official Statement is scheduled to be issued on April 28th and Bonds are scheduled to be sold on May 9th. This provided resolution authorizes the Local Government Commission and Town Management to carry out the steps required to issue these bonds and takes related action, such as approving the form of the disclosure document that will be used to provide information to prospective bond  investors. The Preliminary Official Statement (POS), sample bond and disclosure documents are attached for review and approval of form. Management and staff recommend the Town Board approve the resolution as presented, which will position the Town to advance the priority recreation, transportation, and water and sewer projects at the lowest cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers. Town Management and the Finance Director recommend issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the following amounts and purposes: $ 1,650,000 in 2/3 GO Bonds - Public Buildings $ 3,000,000 in GO Bonds for Public Improvements – Water $ 2,000,000 in GO bonds for Public Improvements – Sewer $ 3,650,000 in GO bonds for Public Improvements – Transportation $18,500,000 in GO Bonds for Public Improvements - Recreation Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board regarding this matter. Recommendation – Approve the Resolution to issue General Obligation Bonds for public improvements and public buildings. MOTION: Commissioner Gardner SECOND: Commissioner Haynes MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (4-0) Resolution No. 23-1807 OTHER BUSINESS 11A Manager’s Report Town Manager Adam Mitchell gave the following updates: o Human Resource Department – The Human Resources Department is working on a tracking software that will go live July 1st. o Fire Department- The Fire Department has hired two new Fire Fighters John Goodwin and Rodolfo Silva. There are also four career ladder promotions from Senior Firefighter to Fire Engineer. They are Thomas Connolly, Bradley Lee, Matthew Lee and Josh Sorrell. He also reported that the Wake County Fire Commission recently voted to fund bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets for Town firefighters. o Police Department– The Police Department recently received 100 bike helmets from the Poe Health Center, 100 bike helmets from the Fuquay-Varina Junior Women’s Club and received a grant for another 100 bike helmets. He reported that the first bicycle event will be at the Fuquay-Varina Grower Market on July 8th. o Arts Center – The Arts Center received their second Maggy Award from the Best of Main and Broad for the Best Kids’ Program or camp in Southern Wake County. Summer Camp registration at the Arts Center is going well and almost 75% full with a waiting list for many of the morning camps. Also, summer camp registration is open for after school art, adult art, preschool art, senior open studio and almost 200 classes to choose from. o Parks and Recreation Department– The Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camp registration opened last week. The entire 288 slots for the eight weeks of summer camp were filled in less than one hour of opening. Due to the demand registration was limited to Town residents only. The Action Park Tennis Court improvement project is complete. o Public Work Department – Town Manager Mitchell commended the Streets Department staff Director Tracy Stephenson, James Jordan, Jerry Birch, AJ Smith, Brian Williams, and Klye Norris for working on Good Friday to respond to the April 7th severe storm event as well as the Police and Fire Departments. He also commended Daniel Bullwear and his NCDOT staff for their prompt response for the road repair on Highway 55 by the John Deere Turf Care facility. The entire Street Department has remained busy performing post-storm repairs and inspections over the past week and he appreciates their dedication and vigilance to make sure that the community is safe. o Finance Department – The Finance Department is preparing the recommended budget. They have also been busy meeting with the Town’s financial advisors and credit rating agencies in preparation for the issuance of the General Obligation Bonds. Management is hoping to have a credit rating by the end of the week. o Town Manager Mitchell reported that on April 5th management attended a NC Joint Cyber Security Task Force exercise at the North Carolina Army Reserve Center in Raleigh. This is also  where NC Emergency Management operates whenever there is a natural disaster. He recognized IT Director Scott Clark who has a leadership role in the NC IT Strike Force that is tasked with helping communities and government agencies when they have cyber security threats or cyber security events. He also recognized Patrick Petty with the IT Department for participating in this event as a team leader in one of the groups. 11B Project Status Report – April 2023 11C Coffee with a Cop - HNTPP Clubhouse - 4621 Shady Greens Drive - Monday April 10, 2023 - 9:00 am - 10:30 am 11.D Fire Department Station No. 4 - Topping Out Ceremony - Tuesday April 11, 2023, at 2:30 pm 11.E FM2FV Concert - Liquid Pleasure - Thursday April 13, 2023 - 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Centennial Park 11.F Arts Center - Thursday April 13, 2023, at 7:00 pm - Downtown Jazz: Sirens of Song-Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn & Nina Simone, featuring Shana Tucker 11.G Arts Center - Saturday April 15, 2023, at 7:30 pm - Who Hijacked my Fairytale, featuring comedian Kelly Swanson 11.H Budget Workshop - Monday April 17, 2023 - 6:00 pm - Town Hall Board Room 11.I Arts Center - Saturday April 29, 2023, at 7:30 pm - Rodney Marsalis and The Philadelphia Big Brass BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Gardner expressed her excitement to see all the young people at the Town Board meeting tonight and the energy they have when they are being recognized and have been successful in the Town sports program. She reported that the Topping Off Ceremony at Fire Station #4 was a very exciting event and it was good to see the late Chief Tony Mauldin’s family at the event. She also stated that the F-V Downtown Board met with the consultants who are doing the generational downtown plan. She thanked Arts Center Director Maureen Daly and the Arts Center for the awesome downtown jazz series that was this past spring. She also thanked management and staff that has been working on the budget and all the good work that has been done. She reported that she is grateful to Parks & Recreation for the work they have done to secure the partnerships with Wake County Public Schools for the tennis players to be able to play on the high school courts. Commissioner Harris had no comments. Commissioner Haynes stated that he attended the Herbert Akins Middle School ribbon cutting and it was a wonderful occasion. He thanked management and Street Department for an issue at Pine Acres due to the storm and they were able to get the sidewalk repaired. He also attended the Growers Market this past Saturday and it was a great event with over 1,000 people attending. He reported that the FM2FV concert was a great event and was very well attended. He stated that he attended the Wake County Tobacco Free Community Forum which he was on the panel, and he also received the Community Chair Champion of the Year Award at the event. Mayor Pro-Tem Smith stated that when Town Manager Mitchell spoke about IT Director Scott Clark being in the IT Cyber Task Force that it is just another example of how our town has grown to be one of the bigger towns in North Carolina and we have staff that is on the cutting edge with the Arts Center receiving the Maggy Award, as well as Commissioner Harris becoming the next president of the NC League of Municipalities. He applauded the staff for all the accomplishments and what they bring back to the Town, and they have risen to the top in North Carolina. Mayor Massengill congratulated IT Director Scott Clark on being a part of the IT Cyber Task Force. He thanked the staff for their work on the upcoming budget. He reported that there was a flooding event that happened on Good Friday and that there was a lot of rain that fell in a short period of time. Although Town Hall was closed that day and there are several departments that worked hard to get things back in order. He also reported that this past Sunday he attended the grand opening for the Story Book Trail at Alston Ridge Park. He stated that Parks and Recreation partnered with Fuquay-Varina Junior Women’s Club to install the trail and it is the first in Wake County. He reported that there were well over 100 people that showed up for the event and he thanked everyone involved in making this project happen. He stated that the FM2FV Concerts this past Thursday was a record turn out and the Grower Market also continues to grow. The following items are Mayor Massengill’s past and future events: Past Events 4/7 – Metro Mayor’s Call 4/10 – Coffee with a Cop 4/10 – Herbert Akins Middle School Ribbon Cutting 4/10 – Fire Department Topping Out Ceremony 4/11 – Lincoln Heights Elementary School Presentation Reduce Food Waste 4/11 – Keynote Speaker – Southern Wake Youth Leadership Graduation 4/13 – FM2FV Concert 4/13 – Guest Speaker – American Legion Post 116 4/14 – Metro Mayor’s Call 4/15 – Grand Opening – Grower Market 4/15 – Curated Craft Market 4/15 – Arts Center Show – Who Hijacked my Fairytale Comedian Kelly Swanson 4/16 – National Mustang Day 2023 Cruise 4/16 – Junior Women’s Club – Grand Opening Story Walk Exhibit 4/18 – Wake County Mayor’s Association Meeting Upcoming Events 4/19 – FV Chamber Board Meeting 4/20 – FVHS Drunk & Distracted Driving Event 4/20 – Downtown Walk Around 4/20 – FM2FV Concert 4/21 – Metro Mayor’s Call 4/21 – Scott Daniels Retirement Luncheon 4/26 – FV Chamber Ribbon Cutting - Romeo’s Pizza 4/26 – Downtown Walk Around 4/26 – FM2FV Concert 427 – NCLM City Vision 4/28 – Metro Mayor’s Call 4./28 – Arbor Day CLOSED SESSION Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3) - Attorney Client Privilege, N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(6) Personnel, and N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(5) Contract Negotiation. A motion was made to conduct a closed session meeting at 8:52 p.m. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Smith SECOND: Commissioner Harris MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (4-0) RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The Town Board returned to Open Session at 9:22 p.m. reporting out an extension of the Town Manager’s Employment Contract. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Smith SECOND: Commissioner Harris MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (4-0) The minutes from the April 18, 2023, Town Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting are adopted this 1st day of May in the year 2023 in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA J. Blake Massengill, Mayor ATTEST (TOWN SEAL) Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk