Board of Commissioners

Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting Minutes Book - Page Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting February 5, 2024 J. Blake Massengill, Mayor Marilyn Gardner, Mayor Pro-Tem William H. Harris, Commissioner The Regular Meeting of the Fuquay-Varina Town Bryan Haynes, Commissioner Board scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024, at Charlie Adcock, Commissioner Jason Wunsch - Commissioner 7:00 p.m. was held at the Fuquay-Varina Town Hall, Adam G. Mitchell, Town Manager Mark D. Matthews, Assistant Town Manager 134 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 Marilyn Gardner, Commissioners William Harris, Charlie Adcock, and Jason Wunsch. Also in attendance were Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews, Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour, Town Attorney James Adcock, Deputy Town Clerk Teresa Wilder, IT Director Scott Clark, and various other department directors. Commissioner Bryan Hayes was absent due to a prior commitment. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Massengill called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Rev. Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Pastor of St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, provided the invocation and Sergeant Earl Williams with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department led the Pledge of Allegiance. VIRTUAL MEETING PROTOCOL Town Manager 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 January 16, 2024, Town Board of Commissioners Regular Scheduled Meeting minutes. MOTION: Commissioner Wunsch SECOND: Mayor Pro-Tem Gardner MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) PRESENTATIONS 4A Presentation - Black History Month Proclamation Purpose – To present the Fuquay-Varina Black History Landmarks project. Mayor Massengill presented to the Town Board and public a proclamation recognizing Black History Month in Fuquay-Varina. 4B Presentation - Fuquay-Varina Black History Landmark Map and Recognition of Black History Stakeholder Group Purpose – To present the Fuquay-Varina Black History Landmarks project.  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. The Fuquay-Varina Black History Stakeholders Group, elected officials, and town staff have worked to develop the Fuquay-Varina Black History Landmarks project. Communications Director Susan Weis presented the introduction to the Black History Landmark Map and thanked the committee for all their hard work on this project. She stated that this landmark history has a website that has all the videos, interactive maps and history of the landmarks. The website is FVBlackHistory.org. Mayor Massengill thanked everyone that helped with this project with their time and efforts. He introduced the committee members. He asked if this would be something that could be pushed out to the school systems that could be shown in the classroom. Communications Director Susan Weis stated that it could be done. 4C Presentation – Revaluation Purpose – To receive an update from Wake County on the 2024 Real Estate Revaluation process. Nicole Kreiser, Deputy Tax Administrator for Wake County Government delivered a presentation of information on Wake County's recent countywide tax appraisal process. She stated that revaluations are required by NC General Statues every 8 years, but Wake County transitioned from an 8 year to a 4 year revaluation cycle in 2016. The revaluation ensures property values accurately reflect their market value so that the property tax burden is spread equitably across all taxpayers. The revaluation includes real property, fair market value, and the effective date is January 1, 2024. The revaluation impacts approximately 88% of Fuquay- Varina’s property tax base. The revaluation excludes personal property, vehicles and public utility property. These property types are appraised annually and are 12% of Fuquay-Varina’s tax base. The Wake County revaluation included 220,553 residential office reviews, 151,798 field reviews, 13,744 rural office reviews, 16,457 rural field reviews, 14,534 commercial office reviews, and 92,000 commercial field reviews. As of January 1, 2024, Wake County has viewed 403,885 residential parcels and 23,641 commercial parcels. For Fuquay-Varina Wake County viewed 18,400 residential parcels and 985 commercial parcels. The Fuquay-Varina 2024 Revaluation Results are 54% overall change in residential and 52% overall change in commercial with a total of 54% overall change. For a median single-family home in Fuquay- Varina before the revaluation the cost is approximately $293,119 and then after the revaluation the cost is approximately $441,250. The percent for Residential in Fuquay-Varina before revaluation is $4.8B at 80% and after revaluation $7.4B at 80% and the commercial before revaluation is $1.2B at 20% and after revaluation $1.8B at 20%. The total tax base for Fuquay-Varina estimated at 2024 is $6.46B and estimated 2025 is $10.24B with an average annual growth of 10.88%. Wake County has tools for property owners online at wake.gov/revaluation that has frequently asked questions, appeals, revaluation statistics, a tax portal, property search, comparable sales, revenue-neutral calculator and a schedule of values. The deadline for property owners to file informal assessment review is March 1, 2024, the Board of Equalization and Review (BOER) convenes for 2024 on April 24, 204, the deadline for property owners to file a formal appeal to the BOER is May 15, 2024, with the BOER considerations being made through the fall of 2024. Mayor Massengill stated that property values are up 54% and if citizens buy a house in Fuquay-Varina their value is likely going to go up, which makes investing in property in Fuquay-Varina a wise choice. Nicole Kreiser stated that the Mayor’s statement was correct. PUBLIC COMMENTS 5A Virginia Bergstrom, 7151 Sunset Lake Road, wanted to inform the Town Board that the Secretary of State of North Carolina officially decided that she can form the Terrible Creek Society which will be a forum to make strategic decisions to conserve habitats along Terrible Creek in an effort to preserve history along that corridor. Angela French, 808 Minerva Dale Drive requested that a monarch butterfly pollinator garden be established to help preserve the monarch butterfly. Beth Anderson, 613 Far Post Drive gave an update on the events that have been happening with the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Massengill stated that he previously presented a proclamation for the monarch butterfly, and he has asked Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews to get in touch with her regarding ways to see the viability of the site that she has mentioned. He then thanked everyone for attending tonight’s Town Board meeting. ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED 6A There were no items previously tabled for the February 5, 2024, Town Board meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7A There were no public hearings for the February 5, 2024, Town Board meeting. CONSENT AGENDA 8A. Façade Grant Funding Request - KnB's Marketplace - 120 Raleigh Street Purpose – To consider approval of a façade grant funding request and application submitted by KnB's Marketplace located at 120 Raleigh Street, in an amount up to $440. Recommendation – Approve the façade grant funding request and application submitted by KnB's Marketplace located at 120 Raleigh Street, in an amount up to $440 as presented and recommended. 8B. Voluntary Annexation Petition - Kenneth Allen Property - 1833 NC 42 Hwy, Willow Spring - PIN 0687002196 - ANX-2024-01 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 February 20, 2024, following the receipt of the petition for voluntary annexation of property owned by Kenneth Allen containing approximately 0.65 acres. Recommendation – Adopt the resolution instructing the Town Clerk to investigate the voluntary annexation petition and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for February 20, 2024, for property owned by Kenneth Allen - ANX-2024-01, as presented and recommended. Resolution No. 24-1843 Resolution No. 24-1844 8C. Budget Amendment - Recognizing Insurance Proceeds - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources - $18,155 - BA-24-24 Purpose – To consider a budget amendment that recognizes insurance proceeds in the amount of $18,155 for repairs to the Banks Road Park ballfields. Recommendation – Approve Budget Amendment BA-24-24 as presented and recommended. 8D. Budget Amendment - John W. Byrne Municipal Building Bathroom Partition Replacement – Public Buildings - BA-24-22 Purpose – To consider approval of a budget amendment for the replacement of all bathroom partitions at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building in the amount of $59,759. Recommendation – Approve Budget Amendment BA-24-22 as presented and recommended. 8E. Budget Amendment - Insurance Proceeds - Police Department - $64,422 - BA-24-21 Purpose – To consider a budget amendment recognizing insurance proceeds/restitution in the amount of $64,422 for Fuquay-Varina Police Department Police vehicle repairs and replacements. These proceeds/restitution date back to June 2022 and consist of the eight (8) separate incidents. Recommendation – Approve Budget Amendment BA-24-21 as presented and recommended. A motion was made to approve all Consent Agenda Items 8A- 8E.  MOTION Commissioner Adcock SECOND: Commissioner Harris MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT 9A There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 10A Project Ordinance Amendment and Budget Amendment BA-24-23 – John W. Byrne Municipal Building Roof Replacement – Public Buildings Purpose – To consider a Project Ordinance Amendment and Budget Amendment (BA 24-23) for the roof replacement at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building. Staff Comments – Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews 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 of Fuquay-Varina Five-Year Plan previously identified the need for replacing the roof at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building in FY 2025. The existing membrane roof was not replaced as a part of the Town facilities project to renovate the current building for Town offices and meeting facilities. Over the past two years, the Town has made numerous and costly repairs to the roof addressing leaks throughout the building. Based on the ongoing costly roof repairs and high risk of water damage and disruption to Town service delivery, it is staff’s recommendation to escalate the John W. Byrne Municipal Building roof replacement into FY 2024. If approved, the repair will be completed by the end of FY 2024. For these  reasons, management and staff recommend approval of a Project Ordinance Amendment and BA-24-23. If approved, BA-24-23 will place $169,000 in funding in the Public Buildings budget line 040.4190.6006.734 to cover the cost of replacing the roof at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building. This funding will come from the General Fund Balance. Discussion – Mayor Massengill asked what the life span of the roof would be. Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews stated it would be 20 plus years. Recommendation – Approve a Project Ordinance Amendment and Budget Amendment BA- 24-23 for the roof replacement at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building as presented and recommended. Ordinance No. N-24-03 MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Gardner SECOND: Commissioner Adcock MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) 10B Contract Award - Owens Roofing Inc. - John W. Byrne Municipal Building - Roof Replacement Purpose – To consider a contract award to Owens Roofing Inc. for the John W. Byrne Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project. Staff Comments – Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews entered the agenda abstract and supporting documents for this agenda item into the official record of the Town. He provided information about the agenda item by making the following remarks. The Town of Fuquay-Varina Five-Year Plan previously identified replacing the roof at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building in FY 2025. Over the past two years, the Town has made numerous and costly repairs to the roof addressing leaks throughout the building. Based on the ongoing costly roof repairs, it is staff’s recommendation to escalate the John W. Byrne Municipal Building roof replacement into FY 2024. The Public Buildings Division solicited informal bids for the John W. Byrne Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project and received a total of eight bids from interested general contractors. The lowest responsible bid was received from Owens Roofing Inc. in the amount of $153,637. The overall duration of the project is projected to take no longer than 30 days once Owens Roofing Inc. is mobilized on site. Town staff recommends awarding the John W. Byrne Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project to Owens Roofing Inc., in the amount of $153,637 as presented and recommended, and authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract subject to Town Attorney review as to form. Budget Amendment 24-23 appropriates the funding for the roof replacement at the John W. Byrne Municipal Building. Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board. Recommendation – Approve a contract award for the John W. Byrne Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project to Owens Roofing Inc. in the amount of $153,637 as presented and recommended and authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract with Owens Roofing Inc, subject to Town Attorney review as to form. MOTION: Commissioner Wunsch SECOND: Commissioner Adcock MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0) OTHER BUSINESS 11A Manager’s Report Town Manager Adam Mitchell gave the additional following updates: o Fire Department – The Fire Department has had two Firefighters to recently qualify for Career Ladder promotions Hunter Hartley and Martin Baxley from Senior Firefighter to Fire Engineers. o The Arts Center – The Arts Center has several events coming up. Spring art class registrations are showing strong growth with over 200 students participating in the April Spring Recital. o Parks & Recreation Department – The Parks and Recreation Department has hired Matthew Lorien as the new Community North Administrator. Also, spring youth athletics regular registration ended last week with 4,238 participants and late registration is open now with very limited space. o Public Utilities Department – The Public Utilities Department received full authorization to construct from the regulatory agencies the Sanford Water Filtration Facility. Bid opening dates are February 13, 15, 20 and 22, 2024. o Planning Department – The Planning Department has hired Jim Growl as the new Code Compliance Officer. o Finance Department – The Finance Department has started the budget process and is in full swing and Department Directors are getting their budget request completed. Management and Finance staff have been reviewing information in preparation for the Town Board Retreat this week. o Town Manager Mitchell, Mayor and Police Chief attended a meeting at the invitation of Representative Erin Paré along with leaders from Apex and Holly Springs to discuss concerns around substance abuse in schools, especially around the topics of the dangers of vaping, opioids and fentanyl. o Town Manager Mitchell, along with a small group of Wake County Managers met with representatives of the NCDOT Division 5 to discuss how Division 5 is different from the other divisions in the state because of the rapid growth that the area is experiencing and  how everyone can work collaboratively with the partners at DOJ to try to get projects moving through their review process in a more expeditious manner. 11.B Project Status Report - February 2024 11.C Police Department - Blood Drive - Walmart -1051 E. Broad Street - Saturday, February 10, 2024 - 1:30 - 5:30 pm 11.D Coffee with a Cop - Right Meow Cat Cafe - 913 S. Main Street - Wednesday February 14, 2024 - 9:00 am - 10:30 am 11.E State of the Town Address – March 4, 2024 - Town Hall Board Room - 6:30 pm BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Harris thanked Communications Director Susan Weis and Mayor Massengill for initiating the effort to raise awareness about the history of African Americans in the Fuquay-Varina area. Commissioner Adcock stated that he was impressed with the presentation on the Black History Landmark Map. He stated that he likes online access because sometimes these are almost hidden and kept to a select group and having it online opens it up to the full community. Commissioner Wunsch stated that Fuquay-Varina High School will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 and he is on the committee to help plan the celebration. He also attended the Economic Summit bus tour and that was phenomenal and Economic Development Director Tiffany McNeill did an excellent job along with Mayor Massengill and Chamber of Commerce. He also invited the public out to the Harlem Wizards fund raiser at Herbert Akins Middle School on Wednesday at 7pm where he and the Mayor will compete in a basketball game and the funds will go to support the PTA. He reported that Willow Spring High School brought back the first state championship with cheerleading. Commissioner Haynes was absent. Mayor Pro-Tem Gardner stated that she enjoyed Coffee with a Cop at Windsor Point. She also attended the Economic Summit, and it was a great event. She reported that she attended the Eagles Tribute Band at the Arts Center and was a great sold-out event. She stated that she is so grateful to have this facility with all the opportunities that it brings to the community. She stated that Mayor Massengill raised awareness of Black History Month over the past two years with the help of Communications Director Weis and the Stakeholders. Mayor Massengill thanked the Town Board for the kind words on the Black History Month Proclamation and Landmark Map and emphasized it was a team effort with the stakeholder’s group, Susan Weis, Alex Bauman, Maureen Daly and Max Kirschling working together to make it all happen. He asked Public Utilities Director Mike Wagner to express his appreciation to the water employees that have been out fixing broken water pipes in the extreme cold over the last few weeks. He also stated that the Economic Summitt was a great event and Economic Development Director Tiffany McNeill, and the Chamber of Commerce did a great job along with the panelist including Planning Director Pam Davison, Public Utilities Director Mike Wagner and Engineering Director Matt Poling. He reported that he attended the 2nd annual Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department and there were over 100 little girls that attended, and it was a great event. He encouraged everyone to come out to the Harlem Wizards fund raiser event at Herbert Akins Middle School where he, Commissioner Wunsch and Police Chief Brandon Medina will be playing basketball for a good cause. He reported that he attended two mid-year High School Graduations. Willow Spring High School had their first ever graduation and then Fuquay-Varina High School had their mid-year graduation also. He stated that tomorrow night at a half time event at Fuquay-Varina High School future cheerleaders will be showcased from this past Saturday’s cheerleading event that took place at Fuquay-Varina High School with 150 girls between the ages of 6 and 9 years. The following items are Mayor Massengill’s past and future events: Past Events 1/17 – Friends with Wisdom 1/17 – Meeting with Erin Pare on Substance Abuse 1/17 – CAMPO Executive Board Meeting 1/18 – Black History Stakeholders Meeting 1/18 – Chamber Business After Hours – CDT Automotive 1/20 – Art Show – Windsor Point 1/26 – Spelling Bee Judge – Ballentine Elementary 1/27 – Special Olympics Winter Gala 1/29 – FVHS Steering Committee Meeting 2/1 – Read to Kindergarten & 1st Grade – Willow Springs Elementary School 2/1 – Economic Development Summit Upcoming Events 2/6 – TCC 2024 Annual Meeting 2/6 – Chamber Connect 2/7 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Turpentine Design 2/7 – Herbert Akins Middle School Fund Raiser – Harlem Wizards 2/8 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Bradley’s Yoga & Fitness 2/10 – Police Department Blood Drive – Walmart 2/13 – FVDA Board Meeting 2/14 – Chamber Business Exchange – First National Bank 2/14 – Coffee with a Cop – Right Meow 2/15 – Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Kneaded Escapes 2/19 – Wake County Mayors Association Meeting ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m. MOTION: Mayor Pro-Tem Gardner SECOND: Commissioner Harris MOTION RESULT: Passed Unanimously (5-0) The minutes from the February 5, 2024, Town Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting are adopted this 20th day of February in the year 2024 in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA J. Blake Massengill, Mayor ATTEST (TOWN SEAL) Rose H. Rich, Town Clerk